ANNOUNCER
Protesting and struggling, Honeyman was thrown into the boat and carried to the Pennsylvania shore of the Delaware. In the meantime, on that very afternoon of December 22, 1776, Washington was holding a council of war with his staff.
WASHINGTON
Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that Congress has fled from Philadelphia.
ALL
What? Fled? Left Philadelphia? Too bad! (etc.)
WASHINGTON
I'm sorry! I asked them particularly to stay there, as I feared the effect on the people of the country. But it seems that even Congress has lost faith in the army.
KNOX
General Washington.
WASHINGTON
General Knox.
KNOX
We've got to do something to re-establish their faith! (all agree)
WASHINGTON
Yes! But what? Charles Lee is captured—his army gone—we can't look for any help from that quarter.
KNOX
Sir, can't we go back across the river, suddenly—and strike a blow before the enemy knows what we are up to?
WASHINGTON
We'll have to! It's our only hope. But how, when, and where? I had hoped that we might get information that would guide us in our plans. Well, we haven't got it! Now, much as I hate to make any move without full and complete information, I don't see what else we can do. The river will be frozen over in a week or ten days. That means that the enemy can cross over and chase us whither they please! If we are to do anything, we've got to do it now! I've called you here to lay this before you. Will you follow me on a blind chance?
ALL
Yes! We will! You can count on us, sir. (etc.)
WASHINGTON
I want you all to realize that this is a desperate chance. Failure means—well, we might as well face it—it means the end of our cause; but success—well, gentlemen, we can only hope and pray for success! (knock) Will you see who's at the door, Colonel Reed?
REED
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Tell whoever it is to come back later—I'm in council.
REED
Yes, sir. (a mumble at the door) I beg pardon, sir, they've just brought in a prisoner.
WASHINGTON
Good, tell them to wait outside.
REED
They say, sir, it's Honeyman the Tory, and you left orders—
WASHINGTON
Honeyman? Excellent! Gentlemen, I must ask you to leave me.
ALL
Yes sir, General, of course. (etc.)
WASHINGTON
You may hold yourselves in readiness for action. I'll issue the orders shortly.
ALL (going)
Yes, sir. Very good, sir. (etc.)
WASHINGTON
Bring the prisoner in, Colonel Reed.
REED (off)
Yes, sir. Bring him in, men.
VOICES (coming in)
Here you are—come along. (etc.)
CORPORAL
Here he is, General, that Tory you wanted, sir.
WASHINGTON
Very good, men. You may go.
CORPORAL
Can you handle him safe, sir?
WASHINGTON
He seems to be well bound. I think I'll have no trouble.
CORPORAL
Yes, sir. Very good, sir. Come on, men. We'll wait outside, sir.
WASHINGTON (loud)
Well, Honeyman. We've got you at last, eh?
HONEYMAN (loud)
I demand to be set free. Ye'll all answer to yer King fer this. (door shuts)
WASHINGTON (low)
HONEYMAN
Across the river in Trenton there ain't but a thousand Hessians.
WASHINGTON
Who's commanding?
HONEYMAN
Colonel Rall, and he ain't none too keerful—no patrols up er down the river—nobody at all north of him, and six miles to the nearest post on the south of him.
WASHINGTON
Excellent—excellent! We can do it! I'll order the attack tomorrow night! We'll trap them! We'll fight for once instead of retreat—we'll—
HONEYMAN
Beggin' yer pardon, sir.
WASHINGTON
Well?
HONEYMAN
If yer figgerin' on attackin', the time is Christmas night!
WASHINGTON
Why?
HONEYMAN
On Christmas the Hessians are goin' to git a big issue o' heavy wine, an' wal'—General—ye know soldiers—I don't have to say no more!
WASHINGTON
Good! Christmas night! Yes that's it! Has Colonel Rall taken any precautions against surprise?
HONEYMAN
Nary a one that I could see. He ain't a mite o' use fer you er yer soldiers. Ragamuffins he called 'em.
WASHINGTON
Ragamuffins? Yes, they are, poor fellows, but Honeyman, we'll see—perhaps ragamuffins can fight when they're given the chance—and with this information, you have given us our chance!
HONEYMAN
Wal', sir, I thought ye'd like to know.
WASHINGTON
Now, shall I turn you lose, Honeyman?
HONEYMAN
No, General, I figger ye'd better treat me like a prisoner er I can't be any more use to ye.
WASHINGTON
True, very well then. I'll have you put in the guardhouse and contrive to have you escape.
HONEYMAN
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON (calling)
Oh, Orderly!
VOICE (off)
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Tell the Corporal who's waiting out there to come in and take his prisoner to the guardhouse.
ORDERLY
Yes, sir—Corporal, come take charge of your prisoner.
CORPORAL (off, coming in)
Come on, men! Fall in around the prisoner—and look sharp that he doesn't try anything—forward march! (sound of feet receding)
WASHINGTON (to himself)
Christmas night! Trenton—God be with us!