Original subtitles

- ♪ I see a land ♪

♪ With liberty for all ♪

- ♪ Yet still I know ♪

- ♪ The truth will rise and fall ♪

- ♪ Ooh yeah ♪

♪ That's just the way it goes ♪

- ♪ A word now to the wise ♪

♪ The world was made to change ♪

♪ Each day is a surprise ♪

♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ I'm searching for a hero to idolize ♪

♪ Feeling the pain as innocence dies ♪

♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

- ♪ I'll take my heart into battle ♪

♪ Give that freedom bell a rattle ♪

♪ Get my independence signed ♪

♪ Declare it on the dotted line ♪

♪ Let Philadelphia freedom ring ♪

♪ And patriotic voices sing ♪

♪ Red white and blue never give up ♪

♪ You represent America ♪

- ♪ Hoping and praying for a brighter day ♪

♪ I listen to my heart and I obey ♪

♪ How can I see it any other way? ♪

♪ I'm looking at life ♪

- ♪ Looking at life ♪

- ♪ Through my own eyes ♪♪

♪♪

(man) - Here are some exciting scenes

from today's episode of "Liberty's Kids."

(Nathanael Greene) - Lee wishes you replaced by himself.

A victory would practically guarantee

that your name would be blackened.

(Washington) - The objective of this war is not sparing my reputation.

It is freedom.

(Charles Lee) - The British have been in control of this war

from the outset.

General Greene, how many battles have you won?

Or for that matter, has our commander-in-chief?

- Your opposition to this attack borders on treachery.

(dog growls)

♪♪

(Benjamin Franklin) - As spring brings with it its promise of new beginnings,

I am thrilled that America and France are now allies.

I'm certain this new alliance will bring peace.

The British will have no stomach

for being drawn into a world war with France.

However, I have a grave concern,

so grave that I have sent this note by secret messenger

to ensure its safe arrival.

The Minister of France will arrive

on United States shores in a month.

We must greet him as one united nation,

not 13 separate states.

Please convey my deepest sense of urgency

to Henry Laurens and the other members of Congress

to set aside their differences

and speak with a strong united voice.

(overlapping shouting)

- Virginia's arguments make no sense.

- Maryland's arguments are madness.

(overlapping shouting continues)

(Sarah) - Their voices might not be united,

but they are strong.

- Gentlemen, three years have passed

since Benjamin Franklin wrote a draft

of these Articles of Confederation,

and we still cannot find the resolve to pass them.

As President of this Congress, I find this shameful.

- Hear, hear.

- We'll approve them when they are fair!

- Mr. Chase is being unreasonable.

- Mr. Lee is being ridiculous!

(overlapping shouting)

- Excuse me, Mr. Laurens. This just arrived.

(gavel striking)

- News from Dr. Franklin in France.

The French Minister will arrive in less than one month.

He must see us as a united nation,

or our critical alliance with France may not stand.

Gentlemen, our very freedom is at stake.

- I knew this was going to happen!

- If you'd have listened to me!

- I say Maryland, your time has come.

(overlapping shouting continues)

- I sometimes wish Congress were more like the Army.

One person gives orders,

and others follow without question.

- Sort of like having a king?

- Huh?

♪♪

(overlapping shouting)

- Why not identify the specific points of contention

and address them one by one?

- I second that motion!

- Virginia and Maryland agree? It's a miracle!

(man) - This way! Over here!

(grunting)

(groaning)

- If you're going to be my assistant,

you've got to learn to be on time,

and to not run into the journalist.

- Sorry. What did I miss?

- See those women over there?

They're Philadelphia washerwomen,

and spies for General Washington.

- Real spies!

- They say the British officers have demanded their laundry

by next week, whether it's finished or not.

You know what that means.

- They don't care if they wear dirty clothes?

- No. It means the British

are finally withdrawing from Philadelphia.

This is a huge story for me.

- Sure is... but what happens to the spies when you write it?

- Ladies, you have done your country a great service.

Thank you.

We have before us a great opportunity.

Mr. Hamilton, call a war council for this afternoon.

- Yes, sir.

(Henri) - Wow, did you see that?!

- Sure, General Washington is working with the Wappinger

to form an Indian company to fight the British.

- I was talking about his feathers.

Excusez-moi, but those are the most wonderful feathers

I have ever seen!

- I earned them in a tribal contest.

- You have to win them in a contest?

- These, yes.

But there are plenty of other turkey feathers around.

All you have to do is catch a turkey

and pluck a feather.

(Henry Laurens) - Gentlemen, we have identified

the three major issues that block our ratification

of the Articles of Confederation.

One-- how to divide the expenses of a central government

among the different states.

- It's absurd!

A state like my Maryland, with limited land and resources,

cannot be expected to pay the same for this war

as Lee's Virginia,

which claims vastly more territory

and the right to expand!

- Vastly more territory?

(overlapping shouting)

- Where are you going?

- Outside. It's too windy in here.

- Here, turkey, turkey, turkey, turkey.

(turkey gobbles)

Not fair. You're supposed to hold still!

(turkey gobbling)

- Shh!

(Charles Lee) - In spite of the British withdrawal

from Philadelphia, and in spite of their slow retreat,

I can hardly credit your desire to attack them, General.

(dog growling)

Only a fool would seriously consider such a move.

- Sir, you are speaking to your...

- Oh, it's tantalizing, to be sure.

But it's exactly what they want us to do.

Right, Achilles?

Let's not deceive ourselves.

The British have been in control of this war from the outset.

- I suppose that's why they've replaced General Howe

with General Clinton.

- It is hardly for us to second-guess

the greatest army in the world.

Clinton is an able soldier with many a victory to his credit.

General Greene, how many battles have you won?

Or for that matter, has our commander-in-chief?

- Sir, you're not going to accept

these outrageous slurs on your honor.

(dogs growling)

- (grunting)

- What the American soldier does best is run away.

General Washington wisely knows this,

and no doubt will soon recognize the folly

of mounting any sort of attack.

- So, we are to do nothing

and waste this golden opportunity

to strike at our fall?

- Sadly, Monsieur Lafayette, it is not for me,

the most experienced soldier here,

to make that decision.

- Gentlemen, I suggest we adjourn for a while

so that I might consider your counsel.

(dogs barking)

- Whose side is General Lee on anyway?

- I'm starting to wonder why we bought him

out of British custody.

At least we could have left behind his poodles.

- They shame their French blood.

(chuckles) I finally found a dumb one.

Just... a little... further.

(turkey gobbling)

Whoa, whoa...

Ouch!

Ooh-- whoa... whoa...

Whoa!

(grunting)

(Abraham Nimham) - That's an unusual way to hunt turkey.

- Uh... it's how you tell a smart one from a dumb one.

- The turkey? Or the hunter?

- Hunter, I'm afraid.

(chuckles) I'm Henri.

- Abraham Nimham.

I could teach you an easier way to hunt turkey.

The way of my people, the Wappinger.

- That would be great!

Only... could you get me down first?

(Henry Laurens) - Since we have failed to resolve the issue

of how to split federal expenses,

could we at least agree on how each state

is to be represented in Congress?

- We have a perfectly adequate system now.

One state, one vote.

- Are there any objections to the present arrangement?

- If they can agree on this,

maybe they can agree on the other points.

(Henry Laurens) - Then we are in accord.

(all) - Aye!

- Finally!

Let's push on to the next issue.

- Mr. President, Maryland insists

that General Washington deliver us a victory

on the field of battle.

(all laugh)

Why not?

A victory would impress the French more

than any act this Congress might pass.

- Mr. Chase, this Congress can't even agree

on whether or not Washington is worthy of his command.

Let us get back to the business at hand.

- He speaks the truth!

- Never mind Washington, let's get to the articles!

- Leave him alone to do his job, and let's do ours.

- Some delegates don't believe in General Washington?

- All of them could use more of the general's determination

to unite this country.

(Henri gobbling)

- When will they come?

- Shh.

- Their retreating column is eight to ten miles long?

(Abraham) - Yes, and despite the heat,

they wear wool uniforms and carry full packs.

They are struggling.

- Gentlemen, I believe we should seize this opportunity

to strike the enemy while he is most vulnerable.

What do you say?

- We could easily attack their flank and rear

without getting into a full-blown battle.

- We'll never have a chance like this again.

I say we fight. - General Lee?

- I am passionately opposed to such an action.

- (gasps) - Lee, your opposition

to this attack borders on treachery.

(dog growls)

- I'm sorry, sir, no. It's logic.

Why risk disaster when a French alliance

is so near to hand?

- Because we must show the French

we are worthy of an alliance... sir.

- And with a victory, deal the British a double blow.

We shall attack.

That is my decision, and it is final.

♪♪

- General, command of the striking force is yours.

1,500 men.

- I... I... I'm sorry.

I must refuse.

(dogs barking)

- Hmm...

- 1,500 men... paltry number.

I had to turn it down on principle.

Isn't that so, Achilles?

(Achilles barking)

Washington wouldn't dare engage the enemy without me.

He knows that I'm his military superior.

He's not fit to command a sergeant guard.

No, he won't move forward without me.

If he does, it'll be the end of him.

(Achilles growling)

- Whoa! (dogs barking)

(Washington) - We have 1,500 men,

and if we come up on their flank,

we'll be able to take them over.

- You mustn't breathe a word to anyone.

These are military secrets.

- My dear Marquis, if Lee stays true to his conviction

and refuses to lead this attack, I'll need you to step in.

- Your Excellency, I'll begin drawing up plans immediately.

(door opens and closes)

- I've called this private meeting

so that we three might reach an agreement

about the most difficult issue before us.

Then we can talk to the others.

The states with Western territories, like Maryland,

will be asked to hand them over to the central government.

- What will we get in return?

- We can't expect either side to be completely happy, Samuel.

- You're a sly one, Henry,

making it Richard and my responsibility

to convince our colleagues.

- Sam, we must end this impasse.

- Ahem, excuse me for interrupting.

- Good evening, Miss Phillips.

Washington intends to engage the enemy.

This is it, gentlemen.

Washington must win this battle.

- Hurry, Henri!

They're reviewing the battle plans.

Whoa, excuse us.

(dogs barking)

- I understand that you've placed 5,000 men

under the command of a 20-year-old boy.

- Not a boy, sir. The Marquis de Lafayette.

- Half the army! I am insulted, sir.

- General, you turned down the command.

- I disapproved of the strategy.

Nevertheless, my honor requires that I now take charge

of what has become a major engagement.

- You are entitled to the command, General.

It is yours if you want it.

You will attack tomorrow at dawn,

concentrating horse and battery

on the British west flank at Monmouth.

(dogs barking)

I suspected he'd come around.

- Let's hope he fights as fiercely on the field

as he does at headquarters.

(horse whinnying)

- General Lee?

- I have been charged by Washington

to take over here.

I'll require a full accounting of your forces,

cavalry, artillery, and infantry.

- Certainement, and I can show you my plans.

- I have no use for your plans.

- Of course. You have your own.

- No... to draw up plans is pointless,

as the enemy is on the march.

I shall improvise my strategy in response to his movements.

- Uh...

- Our forces are now positioned to give Lee complete support.

Gentlemen, it has begun.

(turkeys gobbling)

- (gasps) Look at all those feathers!

One of you, drop me a feather!

- Henri, come back here! We need to stay with-- Henri!

(explosions in distance)

Henri! Where are you?

(explosions continue)

(turkey gobbling, Henri grunting)

Henri, come on!

- You there, fifer, where are you going?

- Our troops are in retreat, sir.

- He's telling the truth. Look!

(soldiers shouting)

- Hyah! Hyah!

(horses whinnying)

(turkey gobbling)

- Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble.

Whoa!

Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble!

(James) - Henri!

- Whoa!

Oh, you cost me my feather!

- You're lucky it wasn't your life.

(horse whinnying)

- There's General Poodles! - General Lee?

What's he doing here?

(Henri) - Look! Regarde!

- Lee, what on this Earth are you about?

- I've ordered the general retreat.

- You coward! That is contrary to my orders.

- C... coward?

The soldiers-- your soldiers-- were out of control,

constantly disobeying me.

I found myself in the most extensive plain in America.

With such troops as I commanded,

we'd be helpless before the enemy horse.

And as you well know,

I was against this from the start.

- All this may be true,

but you should not have undertaken it

unless you intended to go through with it.

- Open your eyes.

These farmers are no match for the British Army.

- Quit the field, sir.

You are relieved of your command.

- Don't be ridiculous.

I'm the only professional soldier you have.

- I will not suffer you to scorn these worthy men,

let alone command them for one minute more.

Hyah, hyah! (horse whinnies)

I will not allow us to lose this battle.

Take positions behind those hedgerows and hold that ridge.

We are through running.

(men cheering)

- Washington... what a hero.

- And what a story!

(Henry Laurens) - "Despite the awful heat, our reorganized troops

"turned away several enemy assaults.

"Though the day ended in a draw,

"the British have learned new respect

"for the fighting resolve of our army.

In your service, General George Washington."

(men cheering and applauding)

Gentlemen, we remain at a stalemate in our effort

to pass the Articles of Confederation.

This is the kind of fortitude and discipline we need

if we are to become one nation.

I can only hope we are capable of it.

- We can do it! - Hear, hear!

- We are capable! - Hear, hear!

- We can do it! - We can be one nation.

- Hear, hear! - We must unite!

♪♪

(James) - In the longest battle of the war so far,

our commander-in-chief has shown the world

he deserves that title.

And Washington has agreed, with deep regret,

to grant General Lee a court martial.

It's been an exhausting time for soldier...

(yawning) ...and civilian alike.

But we've all learned that even the best plans are meaningless

without the discipline and determination

to see them through.

(grunting, sighs)

Ha... speaking of exhausted.

(turkeys gobbling)

- ♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ I'm searching for a hero to idolize ♪

♪ Feeling the pain as innocence dies ♪

♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

- ♪ I'll take my heart into battle ♪

♪ Give that freedom bell a rattle ♪

♪ Get my independence signed ♪

♪ Declare it on the dotted line ♪

♪ Red white and blue never give up ♪

♪ You represent America ♪♪

(children) Cookie Jar!

(children giggling)