PAGE 3
Washington Crossing the Delaware
by
REED
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
(
half to himself
)
Retreat–retreat–retreat! Is there nothing else in store for us?
REED
Will you sign these, sir?
WASHINGTON
Yes–the quill.
REED
Here you are, sir.
WASHINGTON
Thank you.
(
rattle of paper
)
You may send the orders at once, Colonel.
REED
Yes, General.
(
calling
)
Orderly!
VOICE
Yes, sir.
REED
Deliver these orders at once!
VOICE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
I suppose it’s useless to send another order to Lee.
REED
We can send one–I don’t think it will have any effect.
WASHINGTON
He ought to be informed of where we’re going–yes,
write him again, tell him we’re retreating to Newark–
REED
Very well, sir–and after Newark?
WASHINGTON
Retreat again I suppose. New Brunswick–Trenton–across
the Delaware into Pennsylvania.
REED
Yes sir, if we have any army left by then.
WASHINGTON
We have some loyal souls who will stand with us to the end. We may have to retreat to the back country of Pennsylvania; but winter is coming, Lord Howe is not an energetic foe, and he will hardly press us after the snow falls. Then if we can fill up our depleted ranks we’ll be ready for him in the spring.
REED
Oh, General, if we could only make one stand against
the enemy! Make one bold stroke to put new heart
into our discouraged countrymen!
WASHINGTON
I know–I know, Colonel! If Lee would only obey my orders!
REED
Very little hope of that!
WASHINGTON
I know–and I can’t understand his motives!
REED
Why sir, they’re perfectly plain to me
–and to the rest of the army.
WASHINGTON
Indeed?
REED
Certainly–he wants to discredit you–to bring about
your failure–so that he can succeed to your command!
WASHINGTON
So–?
(
pause
)
Well, if Lee can bring victory where I have failed,
I’ll be only too glad to step down in his favor.
REED
Sir, I beg of you, you mustn’t even entertain such
a thought, why General Lee could no more
–(
knock
)
WASHINGTON
Will you see who it is, Colonel.
REED
Yes, sir
–(
mumble at a distance, then out loud
)
General, there’s a man here who wants to see you.
WASHINGTON
Who is it?
REED
He refuses to give his name,
and says his business is private.
WASHINGTON
Tell him to come in.
REED
Yes, sir
–(
off
)
Come on in, the General will see you.
HONEYMAN
Thankee–thankee, sir. I’m obleeged to ye, sir.
(
in
)
Be ye General Washington?
WASHINGTON
I am, and what can I do for you?
HONEYMAN
Wal’–General–if ye don’t mind–er–er–
WASHINGTON
Yes?
HONEYMAN
I’d like to see ye alone–sir–it’s important!
WASHINGTON
Alone? Oh, very well, Colonel–
REED
I’ll go, sir.
WASHINGTON
Write that letter to Lee.
REED
(
going
)
Yes, sir.
(
door closes
)
WASHINGTON
Now, what is it?
HONEYMAN
Wal’, here I be, General–
WASHINGTON
Yes?
HONEYMAN
An’ I’ve had tarnation’s own time gittin’ here–I cal’ate half yer army stopped me an’ wanted to know my name an’ my business–an’ they wasn’t goin’ to let me in when I wouldn’t tell ’em. But it takes more’n that to stop John Honeyman when he gits sot on doin’ something.