(drumming) - [Narrator] It is 1775 and
the long-simmering rebellion has burst out into open warfare. (gunshots) The Americans, the rebels, have the British army surrounded at Boston. General George Washington, appointed by Congress to lead the continental army, rides to the front lines. (horses neigh) He finds his ranks filled with farmers, shopkeepers, and laborers. Not only are they inexperienced
and undisciplined, but they also lack heavy
guns and gunpowder. Though he is one of the
most experienced officers in the colonies, Washington has
never commanded a large army and it's been 16 years since
he was last in a battle. Now, he faces one of the most
capable armies in the world. (dramatic violin music)
(marching) The British army occupies a
strong position within Boston. To drive the red coats
of the city will require a new and audacious plan. The key to the British
position is Boston Harbor and the ships that
supply the Crown's army. What if their supplies, their lifeline, could be threatened? Washington realizes that if he can occupy Dorchester Heights to the South, he can bring down
cannon-fire on the harbor and its shipping, but
where to get the guns? Washington orders Colonel Henry Knox to bring 50 artillery pieces
from Fort Ticonderoga. In one of the great feats of the war, his men haul the cannon 300 miles over rugged terrain to
Boston in just two months. (mud sloshing) (wood clacking) (Chains clanging)
(Men Yelling) The guns are quickly put to
use as Washington unleashes three nights of bombardment
upon the British lines. But it was just a
diversion as the Americans secretly moved to fortify
Dorchester Heights. (metal clanging)
(energetic polka music) Under cover of darkness, 2000 men work to build a massive fort on high ground. Confronted at dawn by
Washington's heavy guns on Dorchester Heights, the
exposed British realize they have only one good
option: to evacuate. (crowd cheering) Boston is now back in American hands. The army celebrates its
first great victory. Some believe the war is over, but the battle for America
is only just beginning. (dramatic violin music) Washington's victory at Boston encourages America's
Declaration of Independence. The rebels will become Americans. But even as the army
celebrates the new declaration, the British arrive in New York
Harbor with 32000 soldiers, including Hessians,
German soldiers for hire. It's the largest
expeditionary force the Crown has ever assembled. They wore out Washington's
army in battle after battle, from Long Island to Manhattan and out into the New Jersey countryside. His army, once nearly 20000 strong is, by December 1776, reduced to just 3000. Many Americans believe
that the cause is lost. Thomas Paine captures the
desperate hopes of the moment: "These are the times that try men's souls. The Summer Soldier and
the Sunshine Patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from
the service of their country, but he that stands by it
now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." (horse neighs) While many have given up hope,
General Washington has not. Determined to strike a blow
before the year was out, he spies a weak point
in the British lines. A Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey appears isolated and vulnerable. But to reach them, his army
must cross the ice-choked waters of the Delaware River. Undaunted, Washington develops
a risky plan of attack. He will cross the river on Christmas night and surprise them at dawn. He will divide his army,
sending one column south to block reinforcements,
a second to cut off the Hessian retreat, and a third, under his personal command,
to attack Trenton at dawn. All depends on stealth, cover
of night, and good weather. (splashing)
(triumphant music) Battered by sleet and high winds, Washington's boats struggle to cross in the face of huge chunks of river ice. They make it to New Jersey
without the loss of a man, but they are now three
hours behind schedule. Worse, the other two
columns failed to cross. His plan has fallen apart. Without surprise, would his
army be exposed and destroyed? (men yelling) Washington, with the
weight of the revolution on his shoulders, decides
to press on to Trenton. (drums) (horn sounds) (battle cries) Overcoming the pickets,
the Americans discover to their amazement, that
most of the Hessians are still in their quarters. (gunshots whooshing)
(battle cries) Surprise has been achieved. Washington quickly positions his artillery on the Heights north of town,
overlooking Trenton's streets. His force divides into
columns and moves swiftly to encircle the stunned Hessians. (man yelling commands) (intense music) - [Man] Fire! (cannon explodes) [Narrator] The Hessians
attempt several counterattacks, but the swift American advance, and the mortal wounding of their
commander, proves too much. The remaining Hessians,
some 900, surrender. With their captives in
tow, Washington's army slips back across the river. Miraculously, the Americans
lose only two men, lost not to Hessian bullets,
but to the vicious cold. The battle at Trenton, where
Washington famously crossed the Delaware River, is one of the most decisive victories of the war. (intense music) (crowd cheers) But how to capitalize on the victory? Many of Washington's
best soldiers are nearing the end of their tours of duty and the British are already
plotting their revenge. To keep his army from disintegrating, Washington appeals to
his soldier's patriotism. He reminds them of the glorious cause and reinforces their patriotism
with cold, hard cash. Responding to their general's appeals, the army once more sets off
to confront the British. On January 2, 1777,
Lord Charles Cornwallis, the same general who had driven Washington from New Jersey six months earlier, leads a force of 7000 red
coat and Hessian soldiers down the King's Road to Trenton. These are some of the best
troops in the British army and they are intent on destroying the American rebellion once and for all. (cannon fires) After fighting through
Washington's advance guard, Cornwallis unleashes a series
of powerful frontal assaults. (battle cry) (boots running)
(gunshots) Each driven back with heavy casualties. (explosions)
(men screaming) Nightfall fortunately halts the slaughter. Washington's defenses hold. Unfazed, Cornwallis declares
that he will cross the creek and "bag the old fox" in the morning. (men cheering) Rather than wait for the British assault, Washington agrees to a
bold, but risky plan. One that will allow them
to retain the initiative and avoid any sense of retreat
in the face of the enemy. - [George Washington] We
will march to Princeton. - [Narrator] Washington
uses the cover of night to fool the British and
marches his entire army around Cornwallis, driving
deeper into enemy territory. When the British awake,
Washington's entire army is nowhere to be found -
the old fox has escaped. (gunshots) Just south of the town of Princeton, Washington rallies his troops and leads the final charge that
buckles the British lines. Princeton is captured. Washington's third
victory in just ten days. The British, once on the
verge of total victory, retreat back to their
lines around New York City, surrendering all of their summer gains. Britain's arch enemy,
France, takes note of the American victories and moves closer to becoming America's ally. Washington's bold actions
and stunning victories at Trenton and Princeton not only revived patriot morale, but quite simply saved the American Revolution
at its bleakest hour. (melancholy opera music) The next four years are filled
with trials and setbacks. Although the French Army
and Navy have joined the American cause, New York City remains firmly in British hands. Charleston has fallen and Benedict Arnold, one of America's most celebrated generals, has deserted to the British side. America is out of money and the will to fight
seems almost at an end. Poorly supported by Congress,
Washington must plead for even the most basic
necessities for his dwindling army. Martha Washington, braving
capture, camp disease, and ferocious winter
weather, travels north to stay with Washington
at his Valley Forge and Morristown encampments. (coughing) - [Martha Washington] Thank
you for your service, dear. - [Narrator] But even her
presence is not enough to overcome his growing sense of dread. By 1781, Washington
wonders how long his army and the new country can
hold together writing, "Now or never our deliverance must come." But just when all seems lost, Washington learns of a new opportunity to strike a decisive blow. His old foe, Lord
Cornwallis, has lead his army to the coastal village
of Yorktown, Virginia where he awaits evacuation. If the allied Army and French Navy can converge there first,
it might just be possible to capture Cornwallis' entire force. Even before it is certain that
the French fleet will arrive, Washington and his allies
decide to seize the opportunity. (men commanding) As Washington's army reaches Philadelphia, they learn the exciting news. A French fleet under Admiral De Grasse has defeated the British Navy at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. French war ships have cut
off Cornwallis' escape. When the American and
French columns arrive outside of Yorktown,
they immediately begin to construct their lines. (upbeat violin music) With heavy siege guns now in place and the French Navy
blocking the sea routes, Cornwallis and his army are trapped. Now, they will tighten their grip. Washington himself fires the first shot of the siege on October 9, 1781. (cannon fire) Soon, thousands of French
and American shells bombard the British lines at Yorktown. (explosions)
(cheering) - [Soldier] Fire! - [Narrator] Despite the intense barrage, Cornwallis and his
beleaguered troops hold out. With the threat of autumn hurricanes, the French Navy's presence
can not be assured. Victory requires one more push. The allies need to seize two
advanced British positions to be able to fire cannons
into Cornwallis' lines at point-blank range. (armor clattering) In a daring night raid, the French attack redoubt number nine, while the Americans, led by a young Alexander Hamilton, assault redoubt number 10. With these redoubts secure, allied guns fire 1700 rounds a day
at point-blank range into the British lines. (drums) (somber violin music) With no hope of relief, Cornwallis considers the unthinkable. On October 19, 1781, 8000 British soldiers march out of their line and surrender. When news of the disaster at Yorktown reaches across the Atlantic, Lord North, the British Prime Minister exclaimed "Oh God, it's all over." Exhausted by the ongoing struggle and facing growing unrest
at home, King George III reluctantly, bitterly agrees to end all further attempts to
reclaim his wayward colonies. (slow violin music) After learning of the 1783
Treaty of Paris ending the war, Washington himself declared
America's victory as "Little short of a standing miracle" Beloved by soldiers and
trusted by the public, General George Washington
could have become an American king. Instead, on December 23, 1783, he publicly surrenders his
military commission to Congress. His act ensures that the
people and their choices, not a military dictator,
will govern the future. After eight long years of war, Washington is finally able
to return to his family and cherished home, Mount Vernon. Here, he plans to live
the remainder of his life, peacefully under his
own vine and fig tree. But it won't be long until the new nation, the United States of America, calls for his leadership once more. (triumphant violin music) (upbeat polka music)
