Yet still i know the truth will rise and fall oh, yeaheeah thats just the way it goes a word now to the wise the world was made to change each day is a surprise im lookin at life through my own eyes im searchin for a hero to idolize feelin the pain as innocence dies im lookin at life through my own eyes ill take my heart into battle give that freedom bell a rattle get my independence signed declare for it on the dotted line let philadelphia freedom ring and patriotic voices sing red, white, and blue, never give up you represent america hopin and prayin for a brighter day i listen to my heart, and i obey how can i see it any other way . Im lookin at life im lookin at life through my own eyes captioning made possible by Dic Entertainment announ sarah dear moses, i write from the marquis de lafayettes camp in virginia a place filled with anticipation. British officer tention sarah lord cornwallis and his british troops are nearby at yorktown. On one side of him is chesapeake bay, which we hope will soon be filled with french warships. On the other side, walled trenches encircle the city. I wait far away from those walls with henri and the marquis, for the armies of generals washington and rochambeau to march here from new york. Wahh uhh cest tout sarah thanks to a negro spy whose name i dare not write down, cornwallis suspects nothing of general washingtons trap and plans to remain in yorktown. Your brother cato is here. Our spy saw him. [gasps] he is a soldier, fighting with the british to earn his freedom. Moses, i fear a terrible battle, but i also dare hope that, if the french fleet arrives here in time, it will be the final victorious battle of this, our long war for freedom. Capitaine admirale de grasse speak the hurricane is still heading due north and gaining speed. Take in the sails, capitaine, and baton down the hatches. Yes, sir. The americans are lucky that this storm is forcing us toward virginia. Theyd best hope it doesnt change its course and force us to change ours. [men talking indistinctly] uhh faster, men. Plus vite we must hurry to join washington in new york general rochambeau, do you truly think its possible for our army and washingtons and de grasses fleet to reach virginia before cornwallis leaves or is joined by the british fleet . I do not know, duke. Oui allez allez [whistles] rochambeau so many things must go right, and so many things can go wrong. Uhh there. Whoa thank you, james. With this heat and all these supplies, its a good thing were only marching to new york city. Youve got it all wrong were not attacking in new york. Were attacking in virginia. Thats ridiculous, james. If its so hot here, can you imagine what its like down south . No, thanks. To march an army 500 miles in the height of summer . Hah no, my friend, were going to retake new york city and win this war. Whoa [thud] washingtons officer sir, some of the men are betting each other on whether were marching to new york or virginia. Excellent and our spies are spreading the word that well attack new york. Our only hope is to be well on our way to virginia before the british realize thats where we plan to attack them [men grunting] british soldier right put your back into it, men thats more like it cornwallis lieutenant, i will not have any more british soldiers die of heat stroke digging our trenches and building our fortifications. You will immediately replace them with negro soldiers. Gottfried hilz present arms right face forward, march halt what is this . Too many british soldiers are dying out there, so theyre sending us in their place. That is not right. [cheering] [horse neighs] james you look pleased, Joseph Plumb Martin. And why should i not be . Were headed to virginia with general washington to pay our old friends the british a visit. They might see us and say theres too many of us for a party, but ill say to them, the more the merrier. Moses hello, james. You know my old friend Joseph Plumb Martin . Of course whats the satchel for . I assume youre with the mining corps, joseph . I certainly am. Well be digging many a trench in yorktown before were through. Can you use another man who understands engineering . I must get to the front lines. Welcome to the mining corps of general George Washington. Washington my dear lafayette, we have reached philadelphia and are continuing our march south. General rochambeau will sail south down the delaware river. Sarahs voice merges with washingtons then his army and mine will reunite and march for yorktown sarah continues alone to cut off any escape by land by the british troops. You have done wonderfully keeping cornwallis at yorktown these past weeks. But, marquis, what of the french fleet . Our plan now relies on their arriving to cut off a british escape through chesapeake bay. If the fleet reaches the bay, victory may finally be ours. If they do not, the british could escape and our great opportunity would be lost. If you get any news about the ships arrival near yorktown, send it, i pray you, on the spur of speed. Yours, George Washington. General rochambeau, our army is moving nicely down the river. Bon. Let us hope the french fleet of warships is moving just as nicely into chesapeake bay. Washington, calling general quest que cest . General rochambeau, the ships are here theyve arrived general general i received a message the french fleet has arrived in chesapeake bay. 32 warships with 3,000 troops. Now when we reach yorktown, we can surround the british aide to cornwallis general cornwallis, sir, we must abandon our position before washington and rochambeau arrive, while we still can. No when our own ships arrive, we will engage the rebels in the single battle that will give us america but what if our ships dont arrive . i mean, yes, sir those ships are not ours they are british we are not ready to do battle. Admirale de grasse, if the british attack before we get into formation, theyll tear us to pieces prepare to meet them all hands on deck signal the fleet run the cannons out weigh anchor and hoist the sails full speed westsouthwest battle line formation fire when in range admirale de grasse ha ha the fool he is not attacking. He is stopping to form a battle line. Half their fleet is becalmed, sir. The wind favors us. This just might give us the time we need. [men shouting indistinctly] duke de deux ponts admiral, the british are running for open water admiral de grasse cease fire cease fire [cheering] they will head north to get more british ships to protect them. I wonder whether rochambeau and washington will arrive here before they return. Washington welcome to virginia theyll never beat us now freedom liberty his excellency, washington is here our commander in chief america its washington its his excellency i fought with him at trenton i was there at princeton my dear marquis. Hello, james hi mon ami mmmwah mmmwah ok, ok, henri. Im glad to see you, too. Can we just shake hands . We must take cornwallis or be all dishonored. Your excellency, take him we shall. Uhh no these men should not be singled out from any other soldiers for this duty. Youll be all right. Just rest. Since i came to these shores, ive been mistreated by white people, first as a slave, now as a soldier. There must be good white people. Show them to me. Please, show them to me fine work, james armistead. The marquis has told me how greatly your spying has aided our cause. Thank you. Now we can lay siege to lord cornwallis position. Nothing and no one will go in or out of yorktown. General rochambeau . We will begin digging our trenches here, beyond the range of british artillery. We shall batter the fortifications of yorktown and every day move closer and tighter around them. Soon, we will be close enough to fire into the town itself. It might take days, it might take weeks, but sooner or later, the british will run out of ammunition out of food, and out of shelter. And when that day arrives, my friends, they will be ours. All right, boys. Lets dig these trenches for all were worth. Uhh uhh cornwallis james, my coat. [knock on door] come excuse me, sir, but we are surrounded. There is no escape from this place. They have only light artillery. They cannot damage our fortifications. We are not in danger. Brothers, eat while there is still food. I think well be safe here. I pray that cornwallis surrenders quickly once the seige begins. Whatever happens, ill make sure that people everywhere get to read about it. And ill make sure that what they read makes sense. [bomb whistles, explodes] whats this . [bomb hits, shout of alarm] oh soldier fire [soldiers shouting] let us push in closer. Dig more trenches. Here. Uhh uhh empty. [sniffs] uhh [sniffs] [chewing] disgusting washington general lafayette, colonel hamilton and our french friends are only 200 yards from the walls of yorktown. We are now close enough to fire over the walls and into the british position. General, what will be your first target . We shall pay a visit to general cornwallis himself. [whistles, crashes] they cant last much longer in there. [bombs falling] general clinton, because of this siege, we no longer have enough food or water to sustain all our men. Im afraid our negro soldiers will have to fend for themselves. Gottfried hilz stop where are you sending those men . no they are soldiers its too dangerous and they are unarmed do not send them out of the fortifications over there seek cover this way we risked our lives for the british you promised us our freedom even if we survive that, theyll capture us theyll make us slaves again redcoat get down whats that . Officer fire could i use your spyglass . Cato its my brother officer fire cease fire stop firing officer fire no moses, no uhh uhh get off me ive got to get out there no you cant help him cato we need to get out of the line of fire uhh come here here come on im going to help you ill hide you hurry trust me [horse neighs] [gunfire, drumming] moses, wake up moses, i think theyre surrendering american officer cease fire cease fire sarah general cornwallis surrendered, and the british had to lay down their arms. Since the british did not give our army the honors of war when they defeated us at charleston, we will not give them the honor of flying their flag now. But well give them their tories and our deserters. We do not want them among us. Excuse me, your excellency. May i ask you something, please . Of course, sarah. What will happen to the negroes who have fought with the british . They will be returned to their owners. Sir, that is outrageous sarah, you dont talk to his excellency like that joseph, you dont know sarah. It may be outrageous, young lady, but it is also the law. Sir, it is a terrible law that must be changed. One victory at a time, my dear. Wheres moses . [creaks] cornwallis has surrendered. The british have lost. You must go. Now i have to know why are you helping us . Were just a bunch of slaves to you. You men are not slaves, you are soldiers you deserve far more aide than i am able to give sir, what is your name . I am captain gottfried hilz. Thank you, captain hilz. Hurry hey, get in line take your hands off me i am a free man hmm. Cato ha ha ha ha we won cato cato cato [horse neighs] lord cornwallis. I will help you, james armistead. You have my word. You will be free. When i am, i will call myself james lafayette. You . you are with the americans . Yes, sir. I am an american. I despise the colonies. General washington, now that youve won the war, whats next . We havent won yet, james. The british still occupy a great deal of our country. You write your story, lad. I must prepare my tired men for our next battle. Ye captioning made possible by Dic Entertainment captioned by the National Captioning Institute www. Ncicap. Org feelin the pain as innocence dies im lookin at life through my own eyes ill take my heart into battle give that freedom bell a rattle get my independence signed declare for it on the dotted line red, white, and blue, never give up you represent america with liberty for all yet still i know the truth will rise and fall oh, yeaheeah thats just the way it goes a word now to the wise the world was made to change each day is a surprise im lookin at life through my own eyes im searchin for a hero to idolize feelin the pain as innocence dies im lookin at life through my own eyes i take my heart into battle give that freedom bell a rattle get my independence signed declare for it on the dotted line let philadelphia freedom ring and patriotic voices sing red, white, and blue, never give up you represent, america hopin and prayin for a brighter day i listen to my heart, and i obey how can i see it any other way . Im lookin at life im lookin at life with my own eyes captioning made possible by Dic Entertainment and the u. S. Department of education uu [neighs] ben franklin my dear moses, i write you today with monumental news. Forgive me if its not in my own hand, but my gouts been acting up again. Yesterday, november 30, we signed a preliminary peace treaty with great britain. John adams, john jay, henry laurens, and yours truly signed the document at the grand hotel muscovite in paris. For some reason, the kings emissary Richard Oswald didnt seem nearly as pleased as we were. Liberty is ours, though one troubling question remains. Weve won our war, but can our new nation survive in peace . Dr. Franklin, forgive me for interrupting, but im in an absolute state the british ministers refuse to let me paint them signing the peace treaty. I wont be able to finish. Look at it this way, mr. West. You must abandon a painting. The british must abandon a country. Dr. Franklin, your legs theyre still Strong Enough to kick king george across an ocean. Uh, you going to have some of those yams . Sarah henri working on a story general Washington Army congress you have to come with me oh, im sorry. Youre eating. Forget eating this sounds exciting. Besides, we hadnt really started yet, had we, henri . Huh . Uh, no. So, whats this about a story . It can wait. [humming] i havent eaten all day. But we havent seen you in months and you cant just leave us hanging. Yeah were journalists, too ok, ok what if i told you general washington couldve had the chance to become king of america . If he had become a king, then i am the prince of france. I dont understand. Didnt he fight to get rid of a king . Id better start at the beginning. James, voiceover remember how i went to visit general washington and the Continental Army . [cheering] the british army still occupied new york city, but news had come from france that the war was all but over. Whoa, caesar time to eat. Officer its not right weve got to do something were being cheated james, voiceover it was Major GeneralHoratio Gates and some of general washingtons highestranking officers. I thought id go over and say hello. Gates gentlemen, congress has lied to us long enough. Think of all weve sacrificed to win this war, and now that freedom is in our grasp, what has Congress Done . Its broken every promise its ever made, thats what. Has any man here been paid so much as a farthing by congress . I fought 6 years, and not a penny congress promised us all pay. Then it promised us a pension for life. Now it wants to discharge us without giving us either. [officers muttering] did we serve our country just to lose our property and end up in debtors jail . We must demand our rights. If congress refuses, i say we march down to philadelphia and answer them with muskets. Where does his excellency stand on the matter . Where does washington stand . He cannot speak publicly on the matter, but i assure you, we have his support. Why else would he allow us to meet tomorrow . Read this. Circulate it to bring more men to our cause. Then meet at the new building tomorrow at noon. The time has come to take matters into our own hands. If you have sense enough to discover and spirit to oppose tyranny, whatever garb it may assume, awake to your situation. If the present moment be lost, your threats hereafter will be empty. James what they were talking about sounds like armed rebellion. Itsits mutiny. This is the second such letter to be circulated amongst my officers. Washington, voiceover i ordered them to postpone their meeting, hoping they would reconsider. Obviously, they have not. James, voiceover if you ask me, theyre no better than traitors. On the contrary, james, i consider them heroes and patriots of the highest order. They risked their lives to fight for a new form of government, and now they feel that governments turned its back on them. But what theyve said about congress. Comes from honest frustration. They havent been paid, and theres little chance they will be. But why . The National Treasury has no money. Congress has no power to raise taxes. And the states cant pay what they promised to. The simple truth is that without a strong central government, our republic cannot survive. I heard one of the officers say that you would support an armed uprising on congress. Is that true . Theres something id like you to see. This was sent to me by one of my officers not very long ago. Hes asking you to become king of the united states. Hes saying the army would stand behind you. Have you ever heard of caesar . Um, thats the name of dr. Franklins horse. Julius caesar was a great general and the most popular man in rome. After winning a war, he marched his army into rome. And made himself king . And made himself king. I dont believe it George Washington would never declare himself king. Never would he . Of course not. Anyone with half a brain knows George Washington would never do a thing like that. Youd never declare yourself king. Would you . No, james. The very idea is abhorrent to me. To say nothing of the fact that neither the american people, nor the vast majority of soldiers would stand for it. The army exists to serve congress, not the other way around. I thought everything would be fine once the war was over. Now it seems like things are worse than ever. Without justice, the army is a powder keg ready to explode. And right now, i have no idea how to prevent it. Congressman james madison, delegate from virginia, now has the floor. Gentlemen of congress, we have no power to act. We have failed to live up to our promises. Now general washington warns of an armed uprising against us. Armed uprising . outrageous who are these men . This must not stand the army shall not rule if we do not find some means to pay these honorable men, god only knows what will happen next. [muttering and grumbling] officer i want my money. [door opens] james, huffing general washington the officers at the meeting hall ive been composing my speech. It will be the most important one ill ever make. I only hope it doesnt fall on deaf ears. Id be willing to listen, if youd like to rehearse it. Hmm. Perhaps thats not a bad idea. You wear. Glasses . sir . Ive kept it a secret. Its not something a Commanding Officer wants his men to see. Unless. Ive got to get over to the new building. But what about rehearing your speech . I just realized that what i say is far less important than how i say it. Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to make a decision. Shall we stand down and receive nothing for our efforts, or shall we rise up and force congress to give us satisfaction . [officers shouting] [officers gasp] with your permission, general, i would like to address the officers. Uh, wed be honored, your excellency. Gentlemen, i am well aware of your concerns, and have written to congress requesting a fair settlement. I ask you to be patient. Why should we . Weve waited long enough shh let him speak. I also ask you to remember all weve been through together. The hardships at valley forge. Our victories at trenton and princeton. Charge hessian solider der fiend, der fiend heraus ohh and yorktown. Think of our brothers in arms who sacrificed their lives for liberty. Do you really want to turn your backs on them . Make no mistake. Im proud of each of you, and because i am, ill do everything in my power to prevent you from disgracing your previous glory. One moment. Gentlemen, will you permit me to put on my spectacles . I dont believe it i had no idea his excellency wears eyeglasses . ive grown gray in your service, and now im growing blind. [officers murmur] [sniffs] he stopped a rebellion just by putting on his eyeglasses . They had sacrificed a lot for their country. When they saw how much washington had sacrificed for them. What happened to their rebellion against congress . It ended right there. Washington walked out, and the officers voted unanimously to reject any acts of violence. In fact, they agreed to let washington work out a fair payment for them from congress. Did he . Full pay for 5 years. It sounds like they would have followed him to the ends of the earth. They didnt have to go that far. James, voiceover king george gave his blessing to the peace treaty, and general sir guy carleton and the british army evacuated new york city once and for all. The americans want their own country so badly . Well, they can have it Julius Caesar made himself a dictator. But do you know what George Washington did . [soldiers laughing] he invited all his officers to fraunces tavern. And said goodbye. I have looked upon each and every one of you as a member of my family, and i wish that your future days will be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. [officers cheering] you know what im going to put in my story . Washington was strong in war. But Even Stronger in peace. Were you really there at the tavern . This is the mug general washington used to toast his men. I told mr. Fraunces, the tavern keeper, that i wanted to give it to dr. Franklin. Hmm. I declare that no one will ever be allowed to wash this mug. What did general washington do after saying goodbye to his officers . I almost forgot thats what i came here to tell you. Hes gone to maryland to address congress. We may still be able to get there in time to see for ourselves. That is, if youre interested. I wouldnt miss it for the world. Gentlemen of congress, ive come here today to thank you for your faith in me and to surrender to your hands the trust you placed in me. When i accepted my commission, i was afraid i wouldnt be able to live up to your expectations. But i gained confidence from knowing that our cause was just. If i may, id like to speak of the debt i owe to the army, and in particular, to the members of my staff. A better group of men does not exist anywhere. I am fortunate to have served with each and every one of them. [clearing throat] gentlemen, it is with a heavy heart that i offer back my commission. My work is done, and now i look forward to retiring from the great theater of action. I came in here a general. I shall leave a private citizen. [sniffles] come on. General washington, sir . Um, can i still call you that . I dont see why not, james. Where are you going now . Home. I have a farm that needs tending to. Hyah [all cheering] its over. The war is really over its over huzzah does it look all right, sir . The dove of peace. Exactly as i saw it in my dream. If anybody needs me, ill be surveying the orchards. [clicks tongue] hyah captioning made possible by Dic Entertainment captioned by the National Captioning Institute www. Ncicap. Org feelin the pain as innocence dies im lookin at life through my own eyes ill take my heart into battle give that freedom bell a rattle get my independence signed declare for it on the dotted line red, white, and blue, never give up you represent america man you and me solve a mystery with huckle kids in busytown girl lets get busytown man you and me. Kids you and me man solve a mystery. Kids solve a mystery man with huckle kids hooray for huckle