,, ♪ i see a land ♪ with liberty for all

♪ yet still i know ♪ the truth will rise and fall ♪ ♪ oh, yeah-ee-ah ♪ 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 lookin' at life through my own eyes ♪ ♪ i'm searchin' for a hero to idolize ♪ ♪ feelin' the pain as innocence dies ♪ ♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ through my own eyes ♪ i'll 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? ♪

♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ through my own eyes captioning made possible by dic entertainment announ sarah: "dear moses, "i write from the marquis de lafayette's 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! c'est tout! sarah: "thanks to a negro spy "whose name i dare not write down, "cornwallis suspects nothing of general washington's 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. they'd best hope it doesn't 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 it's possible for our army and washington's and de grasse's 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, it's a good thing we're only marching to new york city. you've got it all wrong! we're not attacking in new york. we're attacking in virginia.

that's ridiculous, james. if it's so hot here, can you imagine what it's like down south? no, thanks. to march an army 500 miles in the height of summer? hah! no, my friend, we're going to retake new york city and win this war. whoa! [thud] washington's officer: sir, some of the men are betting each other on whether we're marching to new york or virginia. excellent! and our spies are spreading the word that we'll attack new york. our only hope is to be well on our way to virginia before the british realize that's where we plan to attack them! [men grunting] british soldier: right! put your back into it, men! that's 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 they're 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? we're headed to virginia with general washington to pay our old friends the british a visit. they might see us and say there's too many of us for a party,

but i'll say to them, "the more the merrier." moses! hello, james. you know my old friend joseph plumb martin? of course! what's the satchel for? i assume you're with the mining corps, joseph? i certainly am. we'll be digging many a trench in yorktown before we're 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. sarah's voice merges with washington's: "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! qu'est que c'est? general rochambeau, the ships are here! they've 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 don't 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, they'll 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 west-southwest! 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!

they'll never beat us now! freedom! liberty! his excellency, washington is here! our commander in chief! america! it's washington! it's his excellency! i fought with him at trenton! i was there at princeton! my dear marquis. hello, james! hi! mon ami! mmm-wah! mmm-wah! ok, ok, henri. i'm 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. you'll be all right. just rest. since i came to these shores,

i've 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. let's dig these trenches for all we're 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 we'll be safe here.

i pray that cornwallis surrenders quickly once the seige begins. whatever happens, i'll make sure that people everywhere get to read about it. and i'll make sure that what they read makes sense. [bomb whistles, explodes] what's 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 can't 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. i'm afraid our negro soldiers will have to fend for themselves. gottfried hilz: stop! where are you sending those men?! no! they are soldiers! it's 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, they'll capture us! they'll make us slaves again! redcoat: get down! what's that? officer: fire! could i use your spyglass? cato! it's my brother! officer: fire! cease fire! stop firing! officer: fire! no! moses, no! uhh! uhh! get off me! i've got to get out there! no! you can't help him! cato: we need to get out of the line of fire! uhh! come here! here! come on! i'm going to help you! i'll hide you! hurry!

trust me! [horse neighs] [gunfire, drumming] moses, wake up! moses, i think they're 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 we'll 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 don't talk to his excellency like that! joseph, you don't 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. where's moses? [creaks] cornwallis has surrendered. the british have lost. you must go. now! i have to know: why are you helping us? we're 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 you've won the war, what's next? we haven't 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 ♪ ♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ through my own eyes ♪ i'll 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, yeah-ee-ah ♪ 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 lookin' at life through my own eyes ♪ ♪ i'm searchin' for a hero to idolize ♪ ♪ feelin' the pain as innocence dies ♪ ♪ i'm 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? ♪

♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ with my own eyes captioning made possible by dic entertainment and the u.s. department of education úú [neighs] ben franklin: my dear moses, i write you today with monumental news. forgive me if it's not in my own hand, but my gout's 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 king's emissary richard oswald

didn't seem nearly as pleased as we were. liberty is ours, though one troubling question remains... we've won our war, but can our new nation survive in peace? dr. franklin, forgive me for interrupting, but i'm in an absolute state! the british ministers refuse to let me paint them signing the peace treaty. i won't 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! they're 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, i'm sorry. you're eating.

forget eating! this sounds exciting. besides, we hadn't really started yet, had we, henri? huh? uh, no. so, what's this about a story? it can wait. [humming] i haven't eaten all day. but we haven't seen you in months! and you can't just leave us hanging. yeah! we're journalists, too! ok, ok! what if i told you general washington could've had the chance to become king of america? if he had become a king, then i am the prince of france. i don't understand. didn't he fight to get rid of a king? i'd better start at the beginning. james, voice-over: 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: it's not right! we've got to do something! we're being cheated! james, voice-over: it was major general horatio gates and some of general washington's highest-ranking officers. i thought i'd go over and say hello. gates: gentlemen, congress has lied to us long enough. think of all we've sacrificed to win this war, and now that freedom is in our grasp, what has congress done? it's broken every promise it's ever made, that's 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. it's--it's mutiny. this is the second such letter to be circulated amongst my officers. washington, voice-over: i ordered them to postpone their meeting, hoping they would reconsider. obviously, they have not. james, voice-over: if you ask me, they're 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 government's turned its back on them. but what they've said about congress... comes from honest frustration. they haven't been paid, and there's little chance they will be. but why? the national treasury has no money. congress has no power to raise taxes. and the states can't 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? there's something i'd like you to see. this was sent to me by one of my officers not very long ago. he's asking you to become king of the united states. he's saying the army would stand behind you. have you ever heard of caesar?

um, that's the name of dr. franklin's 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 don't 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. you'd 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! i've been composing my speech. it will be the most important one i'll ever make. i only hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears. i'd be willing to listen, if you'd like to rehearse it. hmm. perhaps that's not a bad idea. you wear...glasses?! sir? i've kept it a secret. it's not something a commanding officer wants his men to see...unless... i've 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, we'd 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? we've waited long enough! shh! let him speak. i also ask you to remember all we've 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. i'm proud of each of you, and because i am, i'll 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 don't believe it! i had no idea! his excellency wears eyeglasses?! i've grown gray in your service, and now i'm 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 didn't have to go that far. james, voice-over: 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 good-bye. 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 i'm 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 good-bye to his officers? i almost forgot! that's what i came here to tell you. he's gone to maryland to address congress. we may still be able to get there in time to see for ourselves. that is, if you're interested. i wouldn't miss it for the world. gentlemen of congress, i've 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 wouldn't be able to live up to your expectations. but i gained confidence from knowing that our cause was just. if i may, i'd 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 don't see why not, james. where are you going now? home. i have a farm that needs tending to. hyah! [all cheering]

it's over. the war is really over! it's over! huzzah!

does it look all right, sir? the dove of peace. exactly as i saw it in my dream. if anybody needs me, i'll 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 ♪ ♪ i'm lookin' at life ♪ through my own eyes ♪ i'll 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: let's 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!