Washington Crossing The Delaware Part 5

I don't need no reward to help ye, General Was.h.i.+ngton, I got a duty to do that!--There's only jest one thing, sir--

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Yes?

HONEYMAN

I'd sorta--er--kinda like my wife an' children protected from the--wal'--the results o' my bein' an active an' notorious Tory.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Of course.

HONEYMAN

Ye see, I don't mind what folks think o' me, but Marthy--that's my wife, sir--she an' the young un's might git--wal'--treated pretty shabby.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

I understand. I'll give you an order for them to use in case of necessity.

HONEYMAN

Would ye--er--sign it yerself, General?

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Certainly! Here--I'll write it now. (_rattle of paper_) Let's see--(_slowly_) "To the Good People of New Jersey and all others it may concern: It is ordered that the wife and children of John Honeyman of--"

Where's your home?

HONEYMAN

Grigstown, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

"--of Grigstown, the notorious Tory now within the British lines and probably acting the part of a British spy, should be protected from all harm and annoyances. This is no protection to Honeyman himself." Is that satisfactory?

HONEYMAN

I cal'ate that covers it, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Very well, I'll sign it--(_signing_) There you are, sir.

HONEYMAN

I'm much obleeged to ye, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

No, Honeyman, I'm the one who is your debtor. Good day, sir.

HONEYMAN

Good day, General Was.h.i.+ngton. Next time ye see me I'll be yer prisoner.

ANNOUNCER

And John Honeyman left Was.h.i.+ngton's camp to set about making his position secure with the British. He became one of the regular meat contractors for Cornwallis's army, which pursued Was.h.i.+ngton across the state of New Jersey during the next month.

Was.h.i.+ngton did not hurry his retreat, but he always got away. Finally about the first of December, he came to Trenton, where he halted for a week and sent men up and down the river to collect all the boats on the Delaware. He knew that he would be forced to retreat into Pennsylvania; and he proposed to leave no means for the enemy to follow him. On December 8, 1776, the British advance, which consisted of a brigade of Hessians under Colonel Rall, entered Trenton; but as usual, Was.h.i.+ngton was half a day ahead of his pursuers, and as the Hessians entered the village, the rear guard of the Americans was just entering the last of the boats, and safely pulled away to the Pennsylvania sh.o.r.e! Lord Howe, who had joined Cornwallis, sent out men to look for boats, but none could be found. The weather turned cold. Lord Howe was uncomfortable; so he decided to put his troops into winter quarters and let the pursuit go. He had done enough for one season!

He and Cornwallis arranged to scatter the troops about New Jersey to hold that territory, while they went back to New York to enjoy the winter.

Trenton was left in charge of Colonel Rall and his brigade of Hessians.

On December 22, John Honeyman drove a small herd of cattle into Trenton, left them standing in front of headquarters, as he went up and knocked on the door. (_knocks_)

RALL (_off_)

Come in! Come in!

HONEYMAN

Mornin', Colonel Rall!

RALL

Oh, it's you, Honeyman!

HONEYMAN

Aye, it's me--an' I got some cattle out front here fer yer Quartermaster.

RALL

Well, that's good news--my men will be glad to see that beef! Now we can give 'em a Christmas dinner that'll _be_ a Christmas dinner!

HONEYMAN

All ye need now, Colonel, is a mite o' wine, eh?

RALL

Never fear, we've got the wine!

HONEYMAN