Original subtitles

♪ I see a land

♪ With liberty for all

♪ Yet still I know

♪ The truth will rise and fall

♪ That's just the way it goes

♪ A word now to the wise

♪ The world was made to change

♪ Each day is a surprise

♪ Looking at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ Searching for a hero to idolize ♪

♪ Feeling the pain as innocence dies ♪

♪ And looking at life with my own eyes ♪

♪ I take my heart into battle

♪ Give that freedom bell a rattle ♪

♪ Get my independence signed

♪ Declare it on the dotted line ♪

♪ In 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

♪ With my own eyes

(upbeat music)

(choir music)

- [Narrator] Today on Liberty's Kids

- We need that money otherwise I feel

that the sword I now wear to defend France as our ally

I may be forced to draw against France as a British subject.

- The Americans know nothing

of my plan to betray their fight for liberty

by going behind their backs to end the war with England

- General Washington sent me because

he believed a soldier could explain to them

that we are at the end of our tether.

- I've got no time to waste,

I must have the French fleet dispatched.

(calm music)

(horse neighs)

- (writing) Dearest mother,

it feels wonderful to stop and rest

upon my return to New Windsor,

to cover events at general Washington's headquarters.

I just left James and Henry in Newport, Rhode Island.

(man grunting)

Henry is so excited that French forces have arrived,

he brags that they will end the war,

and soon

I do hope he's right.

Sometimes it seems as if

the violence has been going on forever.

James thinks he can use Henry's help speaking French

when he meets general Rochambeau,

commander of the French army.

He told Henry he could go with him

as long as Henry promises to behave himself.

- Huh? - Uh oh.

- Hmmph.

- Excuse et moi

excuse me.

- Whoa (man growls)

(laughing)

(dramatic music)

(gasps)

- And who have we here?

(dramatic music)

- Henry, what are you doing?

- Playing tribute to the pastry of my homeland

(man growls)

- Not a problem

it's alright return to your duties.

- Merci!

- So you are French?

- Oui!

- Is this young man a fellow journalist James?

- My apprentice.

And he humbly apologizes for his actions, sir.

- An apprentice?

Who speaks French?

Perhaps he might be interested in reporting first-hand

how the British fleet has our navy blockaded in the harbor?

- Would I ?

I mean oui mon general,

I've been waiting for a chance

to prove I'm as good as James.

- I guess he deserves a chance, General.

- I will make arrangements immediately .

(gunshot)

(horse whinnies)

- Whoa ugh!

Driver is someone shooting at us?

(gunshots)

(horse whinnies)

- Sure looks that way ma'am.

Its a band of armed Torries.

I'm Robert Shertler,

infantry Massachusetts fourth regiment.

You best come with me to safety.

- Well I'm not so sure.

(gunshot)

alright.

Armed Torries here?

Yes ma'am

there are folks in New York still loyal to England.

They help the British by attacking us

where we don't expect it behind our own lines

it's out job to stop them.

- Is that how you got that scar on your forehead?

- Yep from a loyalist saber.

- You were cut by a sword?

You don't even look old enough to shave.

- Shh!

They're getting close.

- [Man Yelling] Over here !

(marching band drums)

- General Rochambeau,

how do you like America?

- It is not what I expected.

Why you don't even have a centralized government,

your congress can only suggest what the state should do.

Your treasury is empty.

Your military supplies are nearly exhausted.

And the local citizenry is angry.

- I know,

even general Washington is upset that his soldiers

must take food from citizens to feed themselves.

But I'm sure he'll think of something.

- He already has.

The general had Colonel Lawrence go to France

to beg for more gold,

guns and gun-powder.

- Why would he sent Colonel Lawrence

when Ben Franklin is already there?

(royal music)

- Coupe du regime may I present congresses special pen boy.

Colonel John Lawrence of South Carolina.

- Bonjour Colonel.

- And good day to you sir.

Dr Franklin has told me oh how unfailingly

the French foreign minister of finance

has supported our cause.

- I wish I could do more.

- You can do more.

- Colonel Lawrence,

while you were journeying here to France

we graciously agreed to give America a gift

of six million livre.

You should congratulate Dr.Fraklin

- Sir you mock me

we need 25 million Livre

otherwise I fear

that the sword I now wear to defend France as our ally,

I may be forced to draw against France as a British subject.

- If I am to be insulted in this manner,

I'm afraid I must take my leave.

(door slams)

- Misuer a message has just arrived

from Chevalley de Lasalle.

- And what does our ambassador to the

American congress in Philadelphia have to say?

- He wants to know how you are progressing with your

plan for a peace conference.

- SHH!

The Americans know nothing of my plan

to betray their fight for Liberty

by going behind their backs to end the war with England.

(birds chirping)

- Colonel Lawrence,

a spoon full of honey will catch more flies than

a gallon of vinegar.

- Are you suggesting I apologize?

- In a word, yes.

- I cannot.

We need that money, don't you understand?

General Washington sent me because

he believed a soldier could explain to them

that we are at the end of our tether.

And now or never our deliverance must come.

- Colonol I'm 75 years old,

and suffering from a sever attack of gout.

I'm afraid that I do not have the energy

to pursue an action I cannot win.

I will write congress that I have secured the

six million livre and I will add to that

my resignation.

- How many Torries do you think are out there?

- I can't really tell yet.

(shot ricochets)

- The Torries are right behind us Robert

(gunshots)

- Guess we stopped 'em Robert.

Robert!

(gasps)

(moans)

(patriotic music)

- Rochambeau said that to you?

We're disorganized and ill-prepared to fight?

- In so many words,

yes.

- I don't understand him

he wants to send his troops south to aid Laffayette

when he could join with me

to re-take New York City and end the war.

(peaceful music)

- Robert, you've got to let the doctor examine you

the shot is still in your shoulder.

- I don't want any doctors operating on me.

I've seen too many men die after surgery

I'll handle it myself.

- I don't know what your story is.

Treating your own wound?

I don't know if you're brave or foolish.

(ominous music)

(waves crashing)

- So do the ships always rock like this?

Back and forth and back and forth

(heaves)

(splashes)

(thunder)

(screams)

- Report.

- The storm is putting the English fleet out of commission.

Come, we must ride to Rhode Island and urge Rochambeau

to send the French fleet to strike now.

(galloping)

- Retaking New York City would make big headlines.

- That would take too long.

Right now I need a quick victory.

My spies are hearing rumors that Vergennes

the French foreign minister wants a peace conference

with the British to end the war.

I've got not time to waste

I must have the French fleet dispatched.

This is the perfect time for Rochambeau

to sail for the south,

capture Benedict Arnold and defeat his army.

- Now that headline would stop the peace conference.

(victorian music)

(crickets)

- May I have this dance?

- I too am aware of the rumors that the Vergennes

wishes to make peace with the British.

- Then why do you waste two days

honoring me with these balls?

- It takes time to properly fit ships

for a successful mission.

- Robert are you alright?

Robert?

Hello is there a doctor out there?

- Yes I'm Dr.Barnabus Binheath

- I was talking to Robert and all of the sudden

he stopped talking and started sweating.

- Symptoms sounds like malignant fever

it's all over the camp.

- Is he going to be alright?

- I'll check his heart.

What?

(whispering)

- Oh no. - What is it?

Is he dying?

- No, Robert's going to live.

But how shall I say this...

Robert isn't a he.

He's a she.

- What?

(dramatic music)

(old english music)

Dr.Binheath thought it would be better

if you recovered from your wounds here in his house.

Away from prying eyes.

So while the doctor figures out what to do about

a young soldier who everyone thinks is a man,

but really is a woman.

Why don't you tell me your whole story?

- Where should I start?

- How about with your real name?

- My name is Deborah Sampson,

- Deborah, why would a woman enlist in the continental army?

- Heck I was as tall as most men,

just as strong too,

and I wasn't afraid to shoot a gun so

why shouldn't I fight for my country?

I guess I was always kinda unconventional

see my father went off to sea when I was a very young girl

and my mom was too poor to care for seven kids.

So I worked from the age of 10 to 18 as

an indentured servant.

- Indentured?

You mean forced to stay and work,

not able to leave until your mothers debt was paid off?

- Yes that's exactly what I mean.

And I'll tell you one thing.

Working in the fields made me strong.

After my chores were done I taught myself to read, Sarah.

I read every book I could get my hands on.

I must have learned a lot

cause when I turned 18 and earned my freedom,

they hired me to be a school teacher.

- But I didn't think women were

supposed to be school teachers.

- I caused quite a stir,

and I'll tell you something.

I really did love teaching.

I guess not following the rules just comes natural to me.

- And since the army doesn't accept women,

you enlisted as a man.

- Well I sure tried.

- Timothy Thayer,

- Yes ma'am?

- The problem was I tried to join up in my own hometown.

Not the smartest thing.

Timothy Thayer huh?

I only know of one person in this town

that holds a quill that way.

Because of an injured finger on her left hand.

And that's the school teacher,

Deborah Sampson.

- They caught you and you tried again?

Why?

- Well I just turned 21

and I didn't want to just get married

and I wanted to fight for my country.

To all brave healthy able-bodied...

Young men.

I knew the army was hard up for soldiers

so I went to a town further away and enlisted there.

- How on earth did you go unnoticed by the other soldiers?

- It was hard,

they'd tease me about not shaving so

(laughing)

I told them I was just too young to grow a beard.

- Your story is amazing.

You took so many risks.

- Yes but I was always afraid of being caught.

I had heard of some other women who disguised themselves

as men to enlist.

When they were discovered they were disgraced.

- But you still had the couage

to follow what was in your heart.

No matter what the obstacles.

Deborah?

You should rest now.

- What amazes me is that her disguise has gone

undiscovered for over a year.

- What are you going to do?

- I'm afraid I must follow orders

and inform the army as to

the true identity of Robert Sherlef.

(patriotic music)

- What is it James?

- Excuse me general,

about the letter you wrote to your nephew?

- Ah yes I wrote to Lund that if Rochambeau

had ordered the French fleet to sail south when I wanted

we could have captured that traitor Benedict Arnold

and destroyed his army.

- I'm sorry to report that it's been printed in this

New York Torry newspaper.

- Outrageous!

That was a private letter to my nephew.

I was deeply upset when I wrote it.

- Now everyone,

including Rochambeau is going to read it.

- Hmm...

I will write Rochambeau an apology for my blunder.

(glass-harmonica music)

- Dr.Franklin,

your genius for inventions never ceases to amaze me.

- I thought a duet on my glass harmonica

with Marie Antoinette might be nice.

(knock at door)

if you'll excuse me Vergennes

I believe the letter I've been waiting for has arrived.

- Is it from America?

- It's congresses response to the letter I sent.

(patriotic music)

thank goodness,

they did not accept my resignation.

They had the good sense to realize

that when I resigned I wasn't feeling well.

I must write congress and tell them that I'm feeling better.

And it will be a great honor to once again buckle down

to the business of America.

- Then I shall take my leave.

- Miseur Vergennes,

the English have replied

to your request for a peace conference.

- There will be no peace conference.

The English refuse to attend.

- Why?

- Because King George considers it to be a matter

solely between England and her colonies.

That is the end of it.

(calm music)

- Pardon, where do the sailors sleep?

- You must be Henry,

follow me I'll take you to your bunk.

(snoring)

this is your bunk.

- There's someone in it.

- But of course,

there aren't enough beds for the whole crew

so you sleep and eat when he is on watch.

- I can handle that,

Ill be too busy as a journalist to sleep anyway.

So where do we eat?

- Dinner.

- (speaking french) is this what you usually eat?

- No this is better.

Wait til we set sail.

That's when we get the bad stuff.

- Light company march!

(counting in french)

- So you're sure you don't want to continue

as a journalist with the French Navy?

- Oui, I guess you could say

I don't have the stomach for it.

(laughing)

- Hey Washington's talking to Rochambeau,

come on.

- Count Rochambeau

I am dearly sorry for any embarrassment

I caused you with my letter.

It was written in a time of distress and

was meant to be private.

- Mon General,

I've received your letter of apology

consider the matter of no consequence.

- Thank you sir,

but I must persist,

have you given any thought to my suggested plan of attack?

- General I have indeed considered your plan,

and I'm now ready to join you

in an attack on General Colin Wallace in New York City.

- Boy, Sarah missed a really good story.

(suspenseful music)

- I just know I'm gonna be disgraced.

- But what you did shows how dedicated you are

to the cause of liberty.

- but I'm still worried they'll put me in jail

for dressing as a man.

- Deborah Sampson,

also known as Robert Shertlef,

because you impersonated a man

and enlisted against military policy,

- Here it comes

- It is my honor to note your extraordinary

instance of female heroism

by discharging the duties of a faithful gallant soldier.

(patriotic music)

and therefore,

I present you with an honorable discharge,

From the continental Army of the United States.

Light infantry Massachusetts fourth regiment.

(patriotic music)

- For a minute there I thought I was in a heap of trouble.

- Except you showed the whole nation

what you are capable of.

- I reckon I did didn't I?

- So what will you do now that this adventure is over?

- I guess I'm just gonna have to find me another one.

(dramatic music)

(patriotic music)

(counting in French)

- Another letter to your mother?

- Yes I just had to tell her how impressed I was

with Deborah Sampson.

- Ill tell ya,

she impressed me.

Leaving that shot in her shoulder.

- Its more than that.

She made me wonder,

if a woman can find a way to serve as a soldier

why can't she enjoy the same rights

of citizenship that men have?

Why can't this whole country be unconventional?

I mean aren't we already rebels?

(pieces falling)

Henry, what are you doing?

- If I coudn't be a journalist,

I wanted to show you I could be a printer

all by myself.

- That's great, now you can show us how you can clean up.

- All by yourself.

(laughing)

(dramatic music)

♪ Lookin' at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ Searchin' for a hero to idolize ♪

♪ Feeling the pain as innocence dies ♪

♪ Looking at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ I take my heart into battle

♪ Give that freedom bell a rattle ♪

♪ Get my independence signed

♪ Declare it on the dotted line ♪

♪ Red White & Blue never give up ♪

♪ You represent America

Cookie Jar.