TURN: Washington's Spies

Scenario 37...

agent-to-agent transfer.

Pharaoh, please.

I don't know which is colder, the wind or the winter.

And weary winter comin' fast

and cozy here beneath the blast.

You there.

What's the price for one of those?

I'm afraid these are not for sale.

Agreement with the commissary.

Oi, you turn your back on me?

It's one measly egg.

And I've the balsam to pay.

So how's about you quit acting a lout

'fore I shove one of these bumnuts down your throat?

Oh, look at what you done now.

Hey, what's this?

Mm.

Traitor. Traitor. I killed the traitor.

Try, try again.

Shoulder firelocks!

And what is the condition of our returned?

Very poor, sir.

Some are unable to walk owing to starvation.

It confirms Captain Gamble's account...

the enemy treat our captured with brutality

while we protect theirs according to protocol.

"To Lord Howe."

I am sorry to trouble Your Lordship

with a letter almost wholly on the subject

of the barbaric treatment our officers received

"on board your prison ship in New York Harbor."

Prepare a copy of Captain Gamble's account.

- I want it enclosed. - Yes, sir.

"I call upon Your Lordship to say"

if our treatment of your men

"had merited so severe a retaliation..."

Absent without leave, falsifying intelligence, insubordination...

I want you to know, Captain, I plan to leave nothing out of my report.

I wouldn't expect you to, sir.

Though you should know, I already told the commander everything I did.

Well, then likely your punishment's been decided

and we've merely been called here to see it carried out.

The accused, John Herring,

having been convicted of breaking into the house

of Mr. Prince Howland

and robbing him of several spoons,

silver dollars, and wearing apparel,

has been sentenced to suffer death.

His Excellency, the commander in chief,

approves this sentence as an example made

to deter the boldest and most hardened offenders.

- (CHOKING) - (ROPE CREAKING)

Shall we?

This is Mr. Nathaniel Sackett

of the Committee to Detect and Defeat.

Conspiracies against America.

Sir, the presence of a civilian at court-martial is highly irregular.

Yes, I agree, Charles.

Now, would you be so kind as to brief the room

on the intelligence uncovered at Trenton?

- Brief the room? - Myself included.

Ahem.

An examination of orders

discovered in the desk of Colonel Rall

suggests that the garrison we took from the Hessians

was much more than a winter camp.

Trenton was being prepared as a launch point

for an attack on Philadelphia.

I know what Howe wants.

But how will Howe take it?

By land...

by sea...

or will he lunge north to join forces with Burgoyne

so as to decapitate New England from the rest of our colonies?

We have until the snow melts

before their forces in New York begin to move.

New York.

Which remains dark to us.

Sir, I have just dispatched new scouts to observe the enemy.

I grow weary of contradictory accounts

that merely guess at the intent of the enemy.

This letter written by your man on Long Island...

That letter was not received through the proper channels.

Which is why I paid it no mind.

It was a lone report and unconfirmed

until our victories at Trenton and Princeton proved it accurate.

More accurate than any piece of intelligence

we received thus far, at least.

Gentlemen, I've asked you here today

to determine if this was a fluke

and, perhaps more importantly,

if this fluke can be repeated.

Mornin'.

What's your business in New York?

Feeding your officers.

These hogs I have here are bound for Colonel Cook of the commissary.

- Papers? - Yes, sir.

Thank you.

- You often travel alone? - Uh, usually I do, yeah.

Is that... is that a problem?

- Not for me. - Great.

Thought you might have trouble closer to the city.

They're still jumpy from the fire.

And after the rebels' victories,

they see lone arsonists everywhere.

Mm.

You look like you might give them real trouble.

Safe travels, Mr. Woodhull.

Thanks.

Go.

I can assure you, sir, you will be perfectly convinced

of my friend's integrity and loyalty.

Well, according to you, he took an oath of loyalty to King George.

Only to get closer to the enemy, to learn their secrete.

Traditional military reconnaissance

is a proven discipline.

Multiple scouts produce multiple reports

which may be cross-referenced to ensure verification.

In addition, soldiers are trained to recognize...

Actually, soldiers make terrible spies.

All that discipline drilled into their movements

makes them easy to spot,

unlike us civilians.

Excuse me, sir, but why exactly are you in this room?

I've been invited here by your commander in chief

to opine on the business at hand.

Mr. Sackett came to us by way of William Duer,

who recommended him as a person of intrigue and secrecy.

And I must say, I find this young man's

chain of agents very intriguing.

I want this chain notion explored

and a unified recommendation presented upon my return.

Any questions?

- I... - Well, yes, Your Excellency.

The letter that I transcribed

regarding the Hessians and Trenton.

It was unsigned.

I mean to ask, how did you come by the name Abraham Woodhull?

Excellent question.

Any for you, Mr. Sackett?

Plenty, but not for you, sir.

Very well.

Singing "Johnny's Gone For A Soldier"

Hey.

Hey.

Can you hit 'em with your rifle?

I think it came from over here somewhere.

- (GUN COCKS) Don't worry...

I got ya.

Are you nearly finished?

We have important company arriving, Abigail.

We must show them a respectable welcome.

Now, let's have a look.

Oh, dear.

I'm afraid this is all wrong.

I'm sorry, sir.

I just arranged it how my mistress had taught me.

I don't expect you to anticipate my preferences.

Then again...

it is never too late to learn.

Have a seat.

Please have a seat.

Show me how your former mistress

would cut up and eat her meat.

Ah, ah.

It is the European custom, and most appropriate,

to switch and feed oneself

with the dominant hand.

The time it takes to transfer

prevents us from descending into gluttony.

You must think us mad

to devote such attention to trivialities, don't you?

I know I certainly did when I was first made to learn it all.

If I ask you your opinion, you need not be afraid to give it.

I want you to feel safe here

and perhaps find reason to smile.

- (BELL RINGS) - Ah!

And here they are.

Happy return, gentlemen.

You should all feel free to relax and get some rest tonight.