Love, Courage and the Battle of Bushy Run

- Yes? - You asked to see me, General.

It seems... you've been invited to a ball.

- I really don't have time for... - For fun?

For leisure.

But you do have time, Colonel. War with the French and

the Indians is over. Enjoy a night out. You've earned it.

- The French may have retreated, but... - Retreated?

They were driven out by the mighty hand of the King's army.

Peace is a fragile foe. The natives remain...

The Indians are no threat without the French.

I've seen to that. They can no longer trade for powder.

But if the guns they bartered for, or the French left as they were fleeing...

Won't long be of any value.

Tribes may see that as a means of disarming them.

My desire is to build trust, which requires...

Oh, Henry, you've spent far too much time among them.

It is my most sincere desire to be back in Britain soon.

You are the one to take my place.

You may handle the savages any way you wish.

Have them over for dinner, for all I care.

I may have failed to mention that the ball is at the shipping home.

Anne Willing is in town, Colonel.

As I recall, the two of you may have had a past.

Last I heard, Anne was in Philadelphia.

I can assure you she is not.

She dropped off the invitation herself.

A very fetching woman.

Fetching indeed.

Captain!

We have company.

Captain!

Should I sound the alarm?

No.

But stay alert.

Yes, sir.

Francis, Jonathan.

Tend your muskets until I say otherwise.

Everything okay, Captain?

I believe so.

Just being cautious.

Boys!

Looks like we have a battle on our hands!

You want to play?

Do you want to play?

For the winner.

Get me a bottle of rum.

It's alright.

I have two children myself.

Come in.

Let them play.

Come in.

How did you not see...

Please no!

Have mercy.

Colonel!

I'll was just talking about your victory in that nasty little battle outside Sandusky.

In fairness, I was aided by the Frenchs' poor decision to eat seafood

300 miles from the ocean.

It's always either food or women taking down the French before I get to them.

Good to see you, gentlemen.

Oh, Henry.

Glad to see you pulled away from your work.

- I'd like to introduce Ben... - Colonel Bouquet.

Mr. Franklin, always a pleasure.

You know each other?

Well, General, everyone knows Colonel Bouquet from his exploits with the French.

But I have the additional great honor of his personal acquaintance,

and I wanted to thank you for your letter of recommendation.

It has opened doors for me, which otherwise surely would have been closed.

I cannot thank you enough for your support of my endeavors.

Letter?

I caution you there are some who will find my approval a blight on your character.

Mmm, well, quite naturally.

A man with all friends and no enemies cannot be trusted.

I hope the letter serves you well.

And if you desire anything of me, anything at all,

please do not hesitate to ask.

General, this man is a true honor to the Crown

and to the Colony, as, of course, you are.

Well, my only hope is to be an honor to England.

In England, very soon.

I will leave this forsaken land to you and the Colonel.

It is the land of opportunity, General, that is its appeal.

Perhaps to you.

And yes, she is lovely.

You know, if a lovely lady like that had her eyes on me,

I would not be chatting with you.

Go.

Oh, Anne. I've met...

Colonel Bouquet, so glad you could make it.

I trust you remember my niece, Anne?

Quite well.

Colonel Bouquet?

Colonel.

Miss Peggy Shippen.

It's been some time, you're growing up.

We're all growing older, Colonel. Nobody's getting any younger.

Father, Colonel Washington is here. Would love a moment with you.

I'll be right there.

I'm just glad to see you're back. Healthy and handsome.

I had heard that you and Colonel Washington

maybe had your differences?

Oh, minor debate.

Well behind us.

He's young. I hold no grudge.

Glad to hear.

Give George my regards.

I will indeed.

It's good to see you again, Colonel.

Henry.

Henry.

It is delightful to see you as well.

I didn't realize you were in New York.

Yes. I came back when my grandmother fell ill.

Mrs. Shippen.

Is she better?

She is. Thank you.

She's very dear to me, as you know.

I remember.

As I recall, it was through her that you discovered your love of flowers.

And music.

You have quite the memory, Henry.

She always kept fresh gardenias on her piano in Philadelphia.

Yes.

Although one can't easily find gardenias here in New York City.

They simply refused to grow in such inhospitable conditions.

But nothing awakens the memory like a song and a scent.

I long for those days.

It's music.

The aroma.

Simpler times in my youth.

But those days are gone, Henry.

I'm not a little girl anymore.

And for that I'm most grateful.

I'm sorry things ended the way they did.

I worried about you terribly.

Miss Willing.

Anne.

Anne.

There's no fault of yours that you seek a

life free from the chaos war brings a family.

I watched a hundred men die in a single battle on a single day.

Many right beside me.

Their families will never see them smile again.

Never feel an embrace.

Wives and mothers grieve for a lifetime.

I could not wish that upon you.

My father always wanted me to marry a military man.

Men of honor.

Devoted men.

But he could never convince you.

No.

No, I care too deeply to watch the man I love.

The father of my children vanished to a battlefield where so many go to die.

But Henry.

The war is over.

And...

here you are.

Very alive.

So, um, tell me, Henry.

Will you be in New York long?

Indefinitely.

Well, then I grant you permission to see me again tomorrow.

For now...

we dance.

Your dancing is even more refined than the day I left.

It's a mystery as to why.

It would have nothing to do with all of the dances with your multitude of suitors.

Truly, I spent most of my days wandering through the garden.

And ask the good Lord to keep you in one piece and bring you home safely.

Grateful God above lends an ear to the fervent prayers of Anne Willey.

What else was I to do, Henry?

A single lady and a man she adores, tempting

fate on the blood-soaked fields of Pennsylvania.

So, yes, I danced with a few boys.

Mere boys who come to my door and look at me like I'm some sort of carnival prize.

Did I leave you with the impression that you lost me forever, Henry?

Mr. and Mrs. Byerly.

I need to talk to you.

Keekyucung?

What are you doing here so late?

Are you alright?

You need to leave.

Tonight.

Um... What are you saying?

Your home is next.

My people will be here tomorrow.

No one will be left alive.

No!

Please.

Be gone by sunrise.

Or you won't live to see another.

Where's Mr. Byerly?

He's...

He's two days out.

He's helping to bury some family's murdered just a few days ago.

Why would your people do this?

Chief Pontiac.

They are his orders.

My chief and my people argued against it.