sent against him, paid no attention to the warning.

It was nearly nine o'clock when the Corporal of the advance guard of
Washington's detachment hurried back to report to the General.

CORPORAL

General Washington, we've sighted the enemy outpost.

WASHINGTON

Good! Halt the brigade, Knox.

KNOX

Brigade!

VOICES

Company--company! (_etc._)

KNOX

Halt!

WASHINGTON

It lacks five minutes of the time set! Oh, Corporal--

CORPORAL

Yes, sir?

WASHINGTON

Did you see any sign of General Green's command on the river road?

CORPORAL

We saw 'em a half hour ago, sir, as we came over that hill back there.

WASHINGTON

Were they abreast of us?

CORPORAL

Yes, sir, a little ahead of us, sir.

WASHINGTON

Good. General Knox.

KNOX

Yes, sir.

WASHINGTON

This storm has likely ruined the flintlocks.

KNOX

No doubt of that, sir--we'll have to use bayonets.

WASHINGTON

Order bayonets fixed, and the troops deployed ready to charge bayonets
on command.

KNOX

Brigade, fix bayonets! (_voices repeat order, etc._) Shall the artillery
lead or follow, sir?

WASHINGTON

Follow and take position at the head of every street.

KNOX

Very good, sir.

WASHINGTON

Hm--two minutes--order the troops deployed.

KNOX

Deploy your troops--prepare to charge bayonets! (_command repeated--mob
noise as order is obeyed_)

WASHINGTON

Keep your ears open for firing--it's nearly time. (_musketry_)

KNOX

There it is, sir!

WASHINGTON

Green has started! Order the charge, Knox! And God be with us!

KNOX

Forward! Charge bayonets! Ho! (_a great roar from the mob as the charge
begins_)

ANNOUNCER

So Washington and his men swept into the village of Trenton, catching
the Hessians totally unprepared! In an hour and a half it was all over.
The disposed army of ragamuffins put the Hessians to rout! It was the
first great American victory of the Revolution, and its effect was
enormous. The discouraged Colonists suddenly received new heart. Hope
for the cause of independence had a rebirth, and Washington, instead of
fighting a losing battle alone, found himself the leader of his
countrymen in fact, as well as in name! In crossing the Delaware,
Washington had saved the cause of American independence!

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes

Page 8: Changed You're to Your. (You're name is John Honeyman?)

Page 19: Changed HONEYWAN to HONEYMAN.