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00:00The makers of Campbell's Soup present the Campbell Playhouse. Orson Welles, producer.
00:27Good evening, this is Orson Welles. We bring you tonight a story by one of America's most
00:33successful writers in recent years, Kenneth Roberts. The title, Rabble in Arms. Our guest,
00:41Miss Frances Dee, one of the real actresses among Hollywood's youngest stars, and an old
00:47friend of yours in the Campbell Playhouse. But before Rabble in Arms, here's Ernest Chappell
00:52with some new thoughts on an old kitchen custom. Mr. Chappell?
00:56Thank you, Orson Welles. And ladies and gentlemen, that kitchen custom is an old one. One of the
01:00oldest on record. It's the making and the enjoying of vegetable soup. Certainly many,
01:06many years before cookbooks were ever heard of, women were taking good meat and vegetables
01:12and combining them in a hearty, substantial soup. And so, in offering their vegetable
01:17soup, Campbell's have always recognized the friendly competition of the home soup kettle.
01:23They've known that time-saving and trouble-saving in themselves, though important, would never
01:28alone sell Campbell's vegetable soup to conscientious wives and mothers. They've known that to have
01:34Campbell's vegetable soup accepted at the family table year in and year out by good
01:38home cooks, it must compare in fine flavor and good nourishment with the best vegetable
01:44soup ever made at home. If you've tried it, then you know that's the kind of vegetable
01:49soup Campbell's make. Your first taste tells you they've taken fine beef and simmered it
01:54down till the stock is rich and rugged and full-flavored. And in this beef stock, you
01:59enjoy the flavor of the 15 different garden vegetables Campbell's use. With a vegetable
02:04soup as fine and as wholesome as this waiting at the grocers, it's no wonder that women
02:08everywhere have given up making vegetable soup and turned to Campbell's. If you haven't
02:14tried it, won't you do so? If you will, I'm convinced that in your home, too, you'll say
02:19Campbell's is the vegetable soup for us. And now, Orson Welles.
02:26In June 1778, Benedict Arnold was placed by General Washington in command of Philadelphia.
02:33Early in February of the next year, the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, presided over by
02:38Joseph Reed, one of Arnold's most persistent enemies, presented to Congress eight charges
02:44of misconduct against him. In April, Congress, through throwing out four charges, referred
02:51the four to a court-martial. And despite Arnold's demand for a speedy trial, it was December
02:57before the court was convened. It was probably during this period of vexatious delay that
03:02Arnold, always sensitive and now incited by a keen sense of injustice, entered into a
03:07secret correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, with a view of joining the British service.
03:12On January 26th, the court, before which Arnold had ably argued his own case, rendered its
03:17verdict, practically acquitting him of all intentional wrong, but directing Washington
03:23to reprimand him for two trivial offenses. Arnold, who had expected absolute acquittal,
03:28was inflamed with a burning anger that even Washington's kindly reprimand, couched almost
03:32in words of praise, could not subdue. It was then, apparently, that he first conceived
03:37the plan of betraying some important post to the British interests. For this in view,
03:43he sought and obtained from Washington command of West Point, the key to the Hudson Valley.
03:48Arnold's offers now became more explicit, and in order to perfect the details of the
03:52plot, Clinton's adjutant general, Major John Andray, met him near Stony Point on the night
03:56of September. On the 23rd, while returning by land, Andray, with incriminating papers,
04:02was captured, and the officer to whom he was entrusted unsuspectingly sent information
04:08of his capture to Arnold, who was thus unable to escape to the British lines.
04:12Ladies and gentlemen, I have read to you from the Encyclopedia Britannica on the subject
04:17of the notorious and celebrated treachery of Benedict Arnold. What follows tonight is
04:23a defense of his character and of his career before that treachery. Rabble in arms by Kenneth
04:30Roberts with our guest star, Miss Frances Dee.
04:53Rabble in Arms is a story of the revolution, of which the author, Kenneth Roberts, tells
04:57us on his opening page that this is no book for those who swear by old wives' fables,
05:02holding all Americans brave, all Englishmen honorable, and all Frenchmen gallant. It cannot
05:07please such innocence as are convinced that men in public office always set the nation's
05:12welfare above their own, nor those that think all soldiers patriots. It will disappoint
05:17the credulous who cherish the delusion that patriotism burns high in every breast in the
05:22hour of a country's peril. Those who crave such poppycock must turn to fairy tales for
05:29undeveloped minds, for we are obliged tonight to deal with facts and write what we conceive
05:35to be the truth.
05:36America? Good heavens, why, America's a wilderness. If you go there, you'll be eaten by lions
05:41or chased by savages.
05:42It isn't a wilderness at all. Jack Burgoyne showed it to me on the map. Why, it's like
05:47a regatta on the Thames. You go to Quebec, and then you come to the lakes, beautiful
05:52lakes, and then to the Hudson River. And before you know it, you're in New York. Aren't you,
05:58Lord Jermaine?
05:59Quite right, my dear, quite right. It's the same as walking in Hyde Park.
06:02There, you see.
06:03What about the rebel rebels? Oh, they won't bother you. They run like sheep when they
06:07see our regulars. I'm sending a thousand of them over next week under Burgoyne. Two thousand
06:11Hessians, five thousand Indians recruited in Canada, that'll put them in their places.
06:15They're nothing but beggars, you know, offered by shoemakers, butchers, barbers. Imagine
06:21our British troops being opposed by, uh, rabble. That's all they are, you know, rabble. A rabble
06:28in arms.
06:29That's what the English thought of us in 1776. I heard it with my own ears, sitting in the
06:40tundra in Ranelagh Gardens in London. That was many years ago now. My name is Meryl,
06:46Captain Peter Meryl of Arundel in Maine. I've sailed my ships out of New England ports these
06:51many years now, to South America and the Indies and around the Horn. The things I remember
06:58the best are the things that happened to me many years ago, when I was still a young man,
07:03almost a boy. And those years I spent at the war with my brother Nathaniel. The war of
07:09the revolution against England. Now, as it happens, when the war started, I wasn't in
07:15America. I was with my brother Nathaniel on my father's business in London. There it was
07:21that Nathaniel first met that woman, Marie de Sabrevoix, and fell under her spell. And
07:28there it was that I heard what those English lords and ladies thought of us, of us Americans.
07:35A rabble, they called us. A rabble in arms.
07:41Henry Fick. Here, sir. Ebenezer Plant. Here. Jeremiah Small. I'm in, I'm coming. Tom Bickford. You here, Tom? I'm here, Steve. Good.
07:49Doc Means. Sitting on a rum barrel. Peter Nathaniel Meryl. Here. You're right here, Mr. Mason.
07:55All right, I guess that makes up the whole company. Captain? Yep, Mr. Mason. As quartermaster
07:59of this detachment, you'll kindly inform the men of their requirements. Very good, sir.
08:03Each man enlisted for scout duty with the Continental Army expected to serve for a period
08:06of three years and required to equip himself and be constantly provided with good firearm,
08:11ramrod, worm, prime and wire, brush, bayonet, scabbard, belt, cotton sword, tomahawk or
08:15hatchet, pouch containing cartridge box for fifteen rounds, one hundred buck shot, tow
08:18for wadding, one pound powder, forty balls to fit firearm, knack sack, blanket, canteen
08:22or wooden bottle, capacity one quart, provision for three days. All right, men. You've heard
08:27what your requirements are as specified by the American Congress now assembled in Philadelphia.
08:31They haven't supplied you with a blessed one of these things. They don't have nothing to
08:34do with it. Now then, get your packs on. We've got a long way to go and we're going fast.
08:39I want no stopping anywhere along the way to rest, nor to argue, nor to steal. We want
08:43no striking, neither women or boys. We've got to go fast and alone. Squad, attention!
08:49Forward, march!
08:51One, two, three, four, one, two, keep in step.
08:55One, two, three, four, one, two, keep in step.
08:57One, two, three, four, one, two, keep in step.
09:04Rabble in arms, they called us.
09:06Well, they weren't so far wrong at that.
09:08It's just about what we looked like on that June morning three months later,
09:12with all our folks gathered around to see us go.
09:15Barely two dozen of us in our homespun suits.
09:18No uniforms, no stores, no guns for the half of us, and no two alike.
09:24Just where we were going, none of us knew.
09:27Not by how long we'd be gone.
09:29Not what we'd do once we got there.
09:33On the morning of the sixth day, we reached the Richelieu River.
09:36The next day, going upstream in hired bateau, we passed some provision boats
09:40going north from Lake Champlain.
09:42The next day, our ape, we reached St. John's.
09:46Hello!
09:48Who are you?
09:49Scouts from the state of Maine. Team Mason, Commander.
09:53Keep away from here!
09:55Hey!
09:56Hey, what are you talking about?
09:58You're not coming in here!
10:00Or am I no more than a decedent.
10:02I said it was provided with rank!
10:04We've got 280 soldiers here with a small heart,
10:08and nothing to put in their stomachs!
10:11What's happened to your supplies?
10:12A pack of half-wigs down in Philadelphia. Hold them up!
10:15Congressmen, they call them that.
10:17A pack of half-wigs!
10:19Say, brother, you better be careful how you talk about Congress.
10:22There's a law against it.
10:24Will you be up here in a couple of hours
10:26before you start telling us how to talk about Congress?
10:29I'm waiting to see the gentlemen that stand up here.
10:32Oh, women! That's what they are!
10:34I don't know what gentlemen you're talking about, mister.
10:37But I'll tell you right now, Congress sent up Benedict Arnold,
10:39and there ain't a better officer alive.
10:41Benedict Arnold.
10:42Arnold? That's different!
10:44Even if I am from Pennsylvania,
10:46I admit Arnold's the best officer up here!
10:49Maybe that's why Congress relieved him of his command.
10:52You mean Arnold ain't running things up here no more?
10:55Not since General Wooster took over.
10:57I've got orders to get these men through to General Arnold.
11:00I'm gonna get it done.
11:02Should we come ashore here,
11:03or do we have to land back at peace and dodge around you?
11:06Oh, well, if you're out there on campus in smallpox
11:09and starving to death, that's all right with me.
11:12Yep, everything's in a mess anyway.
11:15I guess you won't think it much worse.
11:17Come ahead, you can land.
11:23I tell you, Mr. Mason, it's no use.
11:26I've tried everywhere.
11:27At least they have New Englanders this type.
11:29These here French farmers here around St. John.
11:31They won't even sell you nothing for money.
11:35Since that bear retreat from Quebec,
11:37the French won't touch Congress money.
11:39Well, do you blame them?
11:40No, sir, I don't.
11:41No, it's not the way the paper is printed on.
11:43I've got an idea, Mr. Mason.
11:45You, Nathaniel?
11:46What is it?
11:47I've got a little hard money, Mr. Mason.
11:49An English sovereign I saved from London.
11:51I think if I go up to those farmers across the river,
11:54I can pick up enough pork and cornmeal with that
11:56to get us to Montreal.
11:57I'll start now if you want me to.
11:59Good, the sooner the better.
12:00Buy what you can and get back here with it
12:02as soon as possible.
12:03Mr. Mason.
12:04Yes, Peter?
12:05I'll go with him, Mr. Mason.
12:06I've got some hard money, too,
12:07and I can speak a little French.
12:09I'll go with him.
12:11Anyway, for bargaining, two is better than one.
12:15Peter, we'd have a much better chance
12:17to find food if we'd go separately.
12:19No, no, I'll go with you, Mr. Mason.
12:21I can get along myself, Peter.
12:23Now, I've been watching you.
12:25I know what's on your mind.
12:27Before you left London,
12:28that French woman,
12:29the one you were seeing all the time,
12:31Marie de Sabrois.
12:32What about her?
12:33She gave you a letter to deliver up here
12:35in Canada, didn't she?
12:37Didn't she?
12:38Well, what of it?
12:39I've an idea that St. John's here
12:41is where you should go.
12:43I think your mind is on that letter now
12:45more than it is on your duty,
12:47which is to get food
12:48so our detachment
12:49can get through to Montreal.
12:50I know our business.
12:51Where does she live?
12:52Where does she live,
12:53this niece of hers?
12:54She lives in the big house
12:55with the cross,
12:56the other side of the river.
12:57Oh.
12:58So that's why you were so anxious
12:59to get away alone across the river.
13:01Well, what of it?
13:02What's wrong in such a note?
13:03Nathaniel,
13:04I'm not letting you get into trouble
13:06here in St. John's
13:07or anywhere else.
13:08If anybody wants to know
13:09where you've been in this town
13:10and who you've seen,
13:11I propose to be able to tell them.
13:13If you want to deliver your letter,
13:15hurry up about it
13:16because I'm going with you.
13:24What is it?
13:25What do you want?
13:26Is Ellen Phipps here?
13:28Ellen Phipps.
13:30I have a letter for her
13:31from her aunt,
13:32from Madame de Sabrevoix.
13:34Ellen.
13:36Ellen.
13:39Oui, Madame St. George.
13:41Oui, Madame St. George.
13:43Sit down, my dear.
13:45Monsieur,
13:46from where did you bring this letter?
13:47From London.
13:48We were in London
13:49until the end of March.
13:50She...
13:51I met Marie,
13:52Madame Sabrevoix,
13:53there.
13:54Yes, yes, of course.
13:55She is the,
13:56what to say,
13:57the guardian of this child.
13:58Read the letter, Ellen.
14:00Read it out loud
14:01for these gentlemen.
14:04My darling Ellen,
14:05I send you my love
14:07by a kind gentleman
14:08who may see you
14:09before I do.
14:10I shall come to you
14:11as soon as I return.
14:13Pray assure
14:14the good Madame St. George.
14:15That is my name, my dear.
14:17Madame St. George.
14:18That all goes well here
14:19but that
14:20I long to see you once more.
14:22Never again to leave you.
14:24Meantime...
14:25Meantime,
14:26I send you 8,000 kisses.
14:28Your loving aunt,
14:29Marie de Sabrevoix.
14:31Ah, so kind she is.
14:32Always so good and kind.
14:34She said in her letter
14:35she'd come here to St. John's
14:36when she returned.
14:37Do you know when that will be?
14:38I do not know.
14:39You've had no news of her?
14:40This is the first news
14:41in many months.
14:42I'd like to leave
14:43a message for her.
14:44Could I write it here?
14:45But of course, Monsieur.
14:46There's no time,
14:47we're still getting cold.
14:48This way, Monsieur.
14:49And you, Elaine,
14:50you will entertain
14:51this gentleman
14:52until we return.
14:53Yes, Madame.
14:56Sit down, Monsieur,
14:57before the fire.
14:58You must be tired
14:59and cold.
15:01Isn't that better?
15:03Thank you kindly, Miss.
15:05You're with the army,
15:06are you not?
15:07Yes, I'm afraid so.
15:08Something I know
15:09so little about,
15:10this terrible war.
15:12We hear sad tales here
15:13and at the convent.
15:14What sort of tales?
15:16About those poor Americans
15:17without food
15:18and without medicines.
15:19Everyone says
15:20it's hopeless
15:21what they're trying to do.
15:22Hopeless?
15:23That's what they say,
15:24but of course,
15:25I know nothing
15:26about such things.
15:27I only hope
15:28they can return safely
15:29to their homes
15:30and to those who love them.
15:31How old are you?
15:32Seventeen.
15:34Why do you ask?
15:35I have a sister back home.
15:36She's your age,
15:37but her hair
15:38is black and straight.
15:40Oh, my.
15:41If I had straight hair
15:42then it wouldn't tangle.
15:43There'd be no need
15:44to cut it off like this.
15:46I have no sister,
15:47no brother either
15:48for that matter.
15:49Where's your mother?
15:50She died five years ago.
15:52Since then,
15:53I've had nobody,
15:54nobody except
15:55my Aunt Marie.
15:56Madame de Sablevoix?
15:57Yes,
15:58the one whose letter
15:59you brought me.
16:00She placed me
16:01in the same convent
16:02to which she went
16:03when she was a young lady
16:04in Quebec.
16:05The nuns were
16:06very sweet to me,
16:07very kind,
16:08like mothers almost.
16:10So you miss the convent?
16:12It's my only home.
16:13It's possible
16:14to be homesick
16:15even for a convent
16:16if you have no other home.
16:17Why did your aunt
16:18take you from the convent
16:19and send you down here
16:20in wartime?
16:21I don't know.
16:23I think she thought
16:24it was an opportunity
16:25being allowed
16:26to come with the sisters
16:27to work among
16:28these poor people
16:29here at St. John's.
16:31Your aunt's an American,
16:32isn't she?
16:33She wouldn't like
16:34to hear you say that.
16:36My aunt's the sister
16:37of a great French officer.
16:38He was killed last year
16:39by the Americans.
16:40Will you be sure
16:41to give it to her?
16:42I will.
16:44All right, Peter,
16:45I'm ready.
16:46Did Delaine entertain you,
16:47Monsieur,
16:48while we were gone?
16:49Oh, yes,
16:50she was most kind.
16:51We spoke of her family.
16:52Her family.
16:53But she does not remember
16:54too much about it.
16:55She was very young.
16:56Nevertheless,
16:57it was most interesting.
16:58Bye, Madame.
16:59Goodbye, Monsieur.
17:00And thank you again.
17:01It is nothing, Monsieur.
17:02I hope you will have
17:03a very good day.
17:04Thank you very much.
17:05Goodbye, all.
17:06The two of you.
17:07Bye, Ellen.
17:08Goodbye.
17:11Nathaniel,
17:13there's something strange
17:14about that place.
17:15And that girl.
17:17And that letter.
17:19Did you notice
17:20anything strange
17:21about that letter?
17:22No.
17:23It was a letter
17:24from an aunt
17:25to her niece
17:26that she's fond of.
17:27She was sending her love,
17:28that's all.
17:29I wonder if that is all.
17:30Did you notice
17:31anything strange
17:32that she sent?
17:33No, of course not.
17:34Oh, Peter,
17:35you're talking nonsense.
17:36She sent
17:378,000 kisses.
17:39Do you remember
17:40what Lord Germain
17:41said that evening
17:42at Ranelagh?
17:43He said
17:442,000 Hessians,
17:461,000 regulars,
17:48and 5,000 Indians.
17:51That makes
17:528,000.
18:02The next day
18:03we were in Montreal.
18:05On every street
18:06were American soldiers.
18:07Recognizable as soldiers
18:08only because
18:09they had bayonets
18:10and scabbards,
18:11most of them.
18:12Or dented kettles
18:13banging against their hips.
18:14Or the tattered
18:15remains of blankets
18:16made fast
18:17to their shoulders.
18:18But for that
18:19I would have taken
18:20them for beggars.
18:21They were the raggedest men
18:22I'd ever seen anywhere.
18:23Shoeless,
18:24stockingless,
18:25many of them,
18:26with britches
18:27on their shoulders.
18:28And they were
18:29the only men
18:30I'd ever seen
18:31with britches
18:32seemingly made
18:33of dirty rags
18:34and ribbons.
18:35And they were
18:36searching for food
18:37every one of them.
18:38And when we asked
18:39them where their
18:40companies were,
18:41they sometimes said
18:42they were hunting them
18:43or that their
18:44enlistments had expired
18:45and they were
18:46trying to get home.
18:47Though most of them
18:48I think were lying.
18:49When we went on
18:50they slunk away
18:51peering into alleys
18:52and up at windows
18:53like hungry cats.
18:54We came to
18:55the Chateau Ramezay,
18:56Arnold's headquarters.
18:57General Arnold?
18:58Well, Nathan,
18:59you've been away
19:00long enough.
19:01I trust the results
19:02have justified
19:03your little vacation.
19:04Is this all
19:05you've got, one man?
19:06Tell me,
19:07this is the sole result
19:08of two months' holiday.
19:09Who is this man?
19:10General,
19:11this here is
19:12Captain Peter Merrill.
19:13Captain?
19:14Captain of what?
19:15Brigoresti, sir,
19:16of Arendelle,
19:17188 tons.
19:18Nathan?
19:19He's all right,
19:20General.
19:21Known him for years,
19:22him and his brother
19:23Nathaniel.
19:24Take your word for it.
19:25When were you
19:26in St. John's?
19:27Last night.
19:28Who's there?
19:29They were just
19:30leaving Albany
19:31on their way up.
19:32There wasn't anybody
19:33in St. John's
19:34except two lieutenants
19:35and nearly 300 men
19:36down with a smallpox.
19:37Smallpox!
19:38Smallpox!
19:39If we could fill
19:40our haversacks
19:41and cartridge boxes
19:42with smallpox,
19:43we could whip
19:44the world.
19:45Well,
19:46we're in a mess.
19:47We've got an army,
19:48thanks to General Washington,
19:49but thanks to Congress
19:50it's got nothing to eat,
19:51nothing to wear,
19:52nothing to put in its guns.
19:53Men desert by the score.
19:54They say they've got
19:55to get their crops in.
19:56Here's letters from
19:5740 officers begging me
19:58to get them out of Washington
19:59because of Schuyler.
20:00I asked Congress
20:01to send Schuyler up here
20:02to take command,
20:03but he was the best man
20:04for the place,
20:05so of course
20:06Congress sent him elsewhere.
20:07Is there anything
20:08we can do now, General?
20:09Yes, there is.
20:10Captain Merrill,
20:11you came as a scout
20:12but you're a shipman.
20:13I want you and Huff
20:14here to go down
20:15to St. John's.
20:16Start tomorrow.
20:17There's a half-finished
20:18schooner there.
20:19Finish it,
20:20then dismantle it
20:21and hold it in readiness
20:22to move south.
20:23We'll need it on the lakes
20:24if we ever have to retreat.
20:25Very well, sir.
20:26Nathan, you come back
20:27to Congress.
20:28Letters to commissioners.
20:29Letters to tradesmen.
20:30I got into this war
20:31to fight.
20:32Now all I do
20:33is write letters.
20:34Good night, gentlemen.
20:35Well,
20:36what are you waiting for?
20:37I was going to ask you, General.
20:38My men haven't eaten today.
20:39Oh, you haven't, eh?
20:40Well, there's nothing
20:41but dried peas
20:42to be had around here.
20:43If you're hungry,
20:44I can give you an order
20:45for some of them.
20:46Dried peas.
20:47As good a diet
20:48as any other
20:49on which to
20:50die for your country.
20:51Yes, sir.
20:56I'd been in St. John's
20:57two days
20:58when the new troops
20:59from Albany
21:00began to arrive
21:01on their way north.
21:02The new troops.
21:04Four battalions
21:05of Pennsylvanians
21:06under General Sullivan
21:07in their bright new uniforms.
21:08Every man's musket tip
21:09with a bayonet.
21:10Neat soldier's hair
21:11properly clubbed
21:12and neatly tied
21:13just so.
21:16I found myself wishing
21:17that Nathaniel
21:18could be with me
21:19to see these fine regiments.
21:21It dawned on me
21:22that I might never
21:23have had such a wish
21:24unless in my heart
21:25there still remained
21:26certain doubts about him.
21:28And I began
21:29to think of that letter
21:31and of that woman,
21:33Marie de Sabrevoir.
21:37Yes, what is it?
21:38What do you want?
21:40Madame.
21:42Oh, it's you,
21:43the American.
21:44Yes, Madame.
21:46Can I see Miss Ellen, please?
21:47I do not understand.
21:48Have you not seen
21:49your brother lately?
21:50I mean...
21:51No, Madame.
21:52General Arnold
21:53detailed him
21:54to scout duty
21:55on the St. Lawrence.
21:56I haven't seen
21:57my brother for some days.
21:58Oh, then that explains
21:59everything.
22:00Ellen is quite fond
22:01of your brother,
22:02you know, quite fond.
22:03He stopped by here
22:04two days ago.
22:05My brother was here
22:06two days ago?
22:07Oh, yes.
22:08Where is he now?
22:09He is gone.
22:10I am surprised
22:11you did not know.
22:12And Ellen, too.
22:13Ellen?
22:14Why, yes.
22:15He had a note with him
22:16for Madame de Sabrevoir
22:17in Quebec.
22:18Madame de Sabrevoir
22:19She has arrived
22:20from England
22:21some days ago.
22:22She was afraid
22:23from something
22:24she had heard
22:25that there was
22:26to be fighting
22:27in these parts.
22:28So she sent
22:29Ellen to Albany.
22:30What?
22:31Alone?
22:32No, no, no.
22:33Your brother
22:34was kind enough
22:35to take Ellen
22:36to Albany.
22:37What?
22:38Personally.
22:39Why, Mr. Merrill,
22:40what is it?
22:41You look so surprised
22:42and so disapproving.
22:43I do disapprove.
22:44My brother's
22:45in the American Army
22:46and we're at war.
22:47If this gets known...
22:48You'll have to catch up
22:49with them
22:50if you are very lucky.
23:01It was two weeks
23:02before I saw them.
23:03Ellen and my brother
23:04Nathaniel.
23:05And in that time
23:06a heap of things
23:07had happened.
23:08Things that you can
23:09read about today
23:10in the history books.
23:11How Sullivan's troops,
23:12those beautiful regiments
23:13that went up the river
23:14so full of hope,
23:15landed at Trois-Rivières.
23:16How their Indian
23:17guides tripped them
23:18and led them
23:19first into one swamp
23:20and then into another.
23:21How the English
23:22came up from nowhere
23:23and caught them by surprise.
23:25That's the thing
23:26nobody's ever been
23:27able to understand.
23:28How the English
23:29knew they were coming.
23:30But they did,
23:31somehow,
23:32and burned their boats
23:33and then shot them
23:34to pieces
23:35while they struggled
23:36in the swamps.
23:37I saw them
23:38come down the river.
23:40Sullivan's army.
23:42Naked and starved
23:43and sick.
23:45And the army
23:46that had gone up
23:47that river
23:48ten days before
23:49less than half
23:50was alive.
23:52And if it hadn't been
23:53for General Arnold
23:54and what he did then
23:55I doubt if a single
23:56man of them
23:57would have escaped.
23:58Racing down from Montreal
23:59cutting his way
24:00through the whole
24:01English army
24:02with a handful of men
24:03it was he
24:04who planned the retreat.
24:05He alone
24:06who made it possible.
24:07I tell you
24:08he was a great man.
24:10The best leader
24:11and the greatest general
24:12and the finest brains
24:13in the whole
24:14continental army.
24:16Except maybe
24:17for General Washington.
24:19That he trusted me
24:21and that I had
24:22some small share
24:23in his work
24:24is something
24:25I'm prouder of
24:26than anything
24:27that ever happened
24:28in my whole life
24:29before or since.
24:33Captain Peter Merrill
24:34at Crown Point
24:35from Brigadier General Arnold
24:36in command of the
24:37American naval forces
24:38on Lake Champagne.
24:39Hereby order
24:40to assemble ship timbers
24:41to the southern tip
24:42of the lake at once.
24:43Find a sawmill
24:44at Skeensboro
24:45lay down keels
24:46for ten row galleys.
24:47If we can get enough men
24:48we'll build a thirty-eight
24:49gunship of frigate
24:50and she'll kick up a dust.
24:51Everything depends on speed.
24:52Benedict Arnold
24:53Brigadier General.
25:00Hello Peter.
25:02Daniel.
25:03Why what's the matter?
25:04Aren't you glad to see me?
25:06What are you doing
25:07here at Skeensboro?
25:08Daniel where have you been?
25:09Did you go to Albany?
25:10Albany?
25:11I heard you were
25:12on your way there.
25:13Is there anything
25:14I can do to help you?
25:15I've come to you
25:16go running pretty ladies
25:17in Albany.
25:18Don't talk to me like that
25:19Peter.
25:20Peter.
25:21Nathaniel.
25:22Ellen.
25:23Mr. Nathaniel
25:24I told you your brother
25:25would be angry.
25:26It's all my fault.
25:27Perhaps if you let me
25:28explain Captain Peter
25:29or you might say
25:30how do you do to me first.
25:31How do you do
25:32Miss Ellen?
25:33That's better.
25:34Now I'll tell you
25:35everything
25:36and you'll find
25:37it very simple.
25:38My aunt
25:39Madame de Sabrevoix
25:40wished me to go to Albany.
25:41She'd intended
25:42to take me there herself
25:43and suddenly
25:44she became ill
25:45and couldn't go.
25:46She was very anxious
25:47for me not to delay
25:48so she chose your brother
25:49as my escort.
25:50My brother had no right
25:51to have sent himself
25:52from duty.
25:53Perhaps that's why
25:54he was not very gallant.
25:55Never did see a gentleman
25:56less anxious
25:57to accompany a lady.
25:58But I thought
25:59I understood
26:00that Nathaniel
26:01Yes he's very devoted
26:02but it's the aunt he loves
26:04not the niece at all
26:05and the aunt
26:06is still up in Canada.
26:07Oh.
26:08Why do you look
26:09so strangely
26:10Captain Peter?
26:11Is anything the matter?
26:12No, no, no.
26:13Go on.
26:14Here's poor Nathaniel
26:15with a young lady
26:16on his hands
26:17and how miserable he looks.
26:18He thinks
26:19it'll be two days
26:20and already
26:21it's nearly two weeks
26:22and here we are
26:23still at the end of the lake
26:24and no carriages
26:25no horses
26:26no means to take me
26:27to Albany.
26:28It's very sad
26:29don't you think?
26:30If I'd known
26:31that you were here
26:32when General Arnold
26:33was going down
26:34I'd have sent you
26:35with him.
26:36With Arnold?
26:37Oh no
26:38I wouldn't go with him.
26:39I've heard about him
26:40an awful man
26:42nothing of the sort.
26:43Let me tell you
26:44that General Arnold
26:45Oh Peter
26:46what's the good
26:47of trying to stand up
26:48for Arnold
26:49after what's happened?
26:50After what's happened?
26:51You mean
26:52after what he did
26:53to save our troops
26:54in Canada?
26:55You know he's no fit man
26:56to hold high rank
26:57in the American army.
26:58Everybody knows
26:59he's going to be arrested
27:00for what he's done.
27:01Arrested?
27:02Well he certainly
27:03won't be allowed
27:04to hold a command
27:05not after Congress
27:06hears what he's done.
27:07Nathaniel
27:08what are you talking about?
27:09What is this nonsense?
27:10Nonsense?
27:11I mean just that Peter
27:12when Congress learns
27:13about the things
27:14he stole in Montreal
27:15there'll be trouble
27:16the supplies for the army
27:17and the church treasures
27:18and the...
27:19Oh so Congress
27:20is going to hear
27:21that Arnold's a thief is it?
27:22Who's he going to learn it from?
27:23How should I know?
27:24Somebody's bound to tell.
27:25Who told you?
27:26Why everybody
27:27Tell me one
27:28I don't remember
27:29any particular one
27:30but in...
27:31Listen to me
27:32what you're saying
27:33is a lie
27:34you understand
27:35it's a lie
27:36and I insist
27:37when you're telling me
27:38who said these things.
27:39I'd rather not
27:40See you later
27:41Nathaniel
27:42Nathaniel
27:43come back here
27:44Nathaniel
27:45it's a lie
27:46I tell you
27:47Captain Peter
27:48if you must
27:49get so excited
27:50and wave your arms so
27:51you'd better let me
27:52take your coat
27:53and stitch it for you
27:54before it falls off
27:55Thanks
27:56Let me have it
27:57that's better
27:58I have a needle and thread
27:59it won't take me long
28:00Sit down and rest
28:01Miss Ellen
28:02perhaps you can answer
28:03a question that's
28:04been worrying me
28:05about yourself
28:06You've been worrying
28:07about me?
28:08Yes
28:09I was wondering
28:10why your aunt is
28:11so anxious to have you
28:12go to Albany
28:13now in the middle
28:14of this war
28:15Is there anything
28:16in particular
28:17you're to do there?
28:18Anyone you're to see?
28:20Have you any letters
28:21you have to deliver?
28:22Letters?
28:23Why yes
28:24there was a letter
28:25From your aunt?
28:26No
28:27it was not from my aunt
28:28it was from a friend
28:29of hers in Canada
28:30she said
28:31to a friend in Albany
28:32You have this letter here?
28:33No
28:34only yesterday
28:35an officer came through
28:36that was riding to Albany
28:37I gave it to him
28:38Do you remember
28:39who it was addressed to?
28:40No I do not
28:41I don't remember
28:42at all
28:43I see
28:45Captain Peter
28:47Yes Ellen
28:49Do you mind
28:50if now I ask you
28:51something
28:52something I've been
28:53wondering
28:54Of course not
28:55I've been thinking
28:56and I'd like
28:57to tell you
28:58what I was thinking
28:59because I don't wish
29:00to be mistaken
29:01see if I'm right
29:02From the first time
29:03I met you Captain Peter
29:04you now and then
29:05had a few thoughts
29:06about me
29:07Did you?
29:08Yes
29:09Were they kind ones?
29:11Yes
29:12Well if you have
29:13kind thoughts of me
29:14that means
29:15you like me doesn't it?
29:17Yes
29:18That's what I thought
29:19only I want to be sure
29:21Now I wish
29:22to tell you something else
29:24The first time
29:25you came to the house
29:26at St. Johns
29:27and sat beside me
29:28before the fire
29:29and told me
29:30about your sister
29:31I thought you were
29:32very kind
29:33and I've thought
29:34a lot about you
29:35ever since
29:36I was trying
29:37to make you understand
29:38something
29:39something that I feel
29:40There were
29:41other questions
29:42you asked me
29:43the first time
29:44you saw me
29:45It seemed
29:46to puzzle you
29:47what I was doing
29:48there at St. Johns
29:49in time of war
29:50Yes, yes it did
29:51And just now
29:52you asked me
29:53certain other questions
29:54Questions about
29:55my going to Albany
29:56Yes
29:57You don't want me
29:58to go to Albany
29:59do you?
30:00Why?
30:01Well
30:02until I know
30:03just why
30:04your aunt is
30:05Well, yes
30:07I'm afraid
30:08to have you go there
30:09Afraid?
30:10Afraid something
30:11may happen to me?
30:12No, not exactly
30:13Not in the way you mean
30:14Then what are you
30:15afraid of?
30:16Ellen
30:17Something you
30:18innocently might say
30:19or do
30:20It's not easy to say
30:21Go on, say it
30:23Please say it
30:24Very well
30:26I'm afraid
30:27that without knowing it
30:28you might do something
30:29to hurt our cause
30:31The American cause
30:33I see
30:34I understand now
30:36You think my aunt's a spy
30:39That is what you think
30:40isn't it?
30:41That's why you asked me
30:42all those ugly questions
30:43But Ellen, I didn't mean
30:44If you suspect her
30:45then you must suspect me too
30:46No, no Ellen
30:47If you can think wickedly
30:48of someone so dear to me
30:50you must think me wicked
30:51Ellen
30:52No, no Captain Peter
30:53You and I
30:54can't be friends
30:55and I don't want
30:56to see you again
30:57do you hear me?
30:58Ever
30:59ever again
31:04To Brigadier General
31:05Benedict Arnold
31:06in command of the
31:07American naval forces
31:08on Lake Champlain
31:09Report from Captain
31:10Peter Merrill
31:11in charge of
31:12pre-construction
31:13Kingsford, New York
31:14Three schooners,
31:15one sloop,
31:16six gondolas,
31:17four galleys
31:18launched and being fitted
31:19We'll be ready
31:20for action within
31:21three weeks
31:22Captain Peter Merrill
31:23Brigadier General
31:24Benedict Arnold
31:25Good work
31:26but English fleet
31:27will not wait
31:28three weeks
31:29Expect entire
31:30American fleet
31:31ready for action
31:32within ten days
31:33Expect entire
31:34American fleet
31:35now fitted
31:36awaiting orders
31:38Captain Peter Merrill
31:39October 12, 1776
31:40General orders the fleet
31:41all ships will proceed
31:42to anchorage
31:43at Falkor Island
31:44in the northern section
31:45of Lake Champlain
31:46immediately
31:47and without delay
31:51Well
31:52gentlemen
31:53are we all aboard?
31:54Thatcher,
31:55the Washington Galley
31:56Warner,
31:57the Trumbull Galley
31:58Merrill,
31:59Congress Galley
32:00Davis,
32:01Lee Galley
32:02Benedict,
32:03Honor of the Specified
32:04Simmons,
32:05the Providence
32:06Reed of the New York
32:07Rice,
32:08the Philadelphia
32:09Grimes,
32:10New Jersey
32:11Sumner,
32:12the Boston
32:13All right,
32:14gentlemen
32:15Word has just reached me
32:16from the patrol boat
32:17Revenge
32:18An hour ago
32:19the British fleet
32:20passed Cumberland Head
32:21By now
32:22they're abreast of us
32:23on the far side
32:24of the island
32:25It's what I expected
32:26and figured on
32:27They haven't observed
32:28proper precaution
32:29They've overrated themselves
32:30They haven't kept
32:31If we fight now
32:32we fight against
32:33a fleet almost
32:34twice our own size
32:35But we fight
32:36in our own position
32:37and at our own time
32:38The opportunity
32:39may not present itself
32:40again
32:41Gentlemen
32:42What's to be done?
32:44All right,
32:45gentlemen
32:46They're going by
32:47What's your opinion,
32:48General?
32:49Have my opinion
32:50fast enough
32:51What's yours?
32:52If we fight them here
32:53and we're caught
32:54we'll never get away
32:55I've got a full rigged ship
32:56that can out shoot
32:57anything we've got
32:58On the lake
32:59if we're sinking
33:00You want to fight
33:01them on a retreat
33:02Mr. Davies
33:03Isn't it better
33:04to save some ships
33:05than not save any?
33:06That's true
33:07All right
33:08That's what some
33:09of you think
33:10and that's what I think
33:11The object of this fleet
33:12isn't to save itself
33:13The chief thing
33:14is to keep the British
33:15from getting to
33:16Ticonderoga
33:17and the Hudson
33:18in this campaign
33:19To save the lake
33:20from them
33:21for this year at least
33:22What happens to us
33:23doesn't matter
33:24so long as we keep
33:25them where we are
33:26If luck's against us
33:27which I trust
33:28under God
33:29Let them come by God
33:30Let them stick
33:31their heads into
33:32this bottleneck
33:33They'll never board us
33:34They can't do it
33:35They've got to
33:36stay out in front of us
33:37Swap shot for shot with us
33:38If our men
33:39could only shoot
33:40they'd send us
33:41a tenth part
33:42of what we needed
33:43those mercenary rats
33:44on the seaboard
33:45and put all their sailors
33:46and all their money
33:47into privateers
33:48so there's nothing
33:49left for the defence
33:50of their country
33:51We could fight off
33:52twice our strengthened
33:53ships and guns
33:54and yes we can do it
33:55now, now, now
33:56right here on this anchorage
33:57We can fight them all day
33:58I'm sick of delaying
33:59them again
34:00delaying them
34:01and delaying them
34:02till we've saved the lake
34:03Gentlemen, I say
34:04fight them here
34:05and fight them now
34:06What have you got to say
34:07It appears
34:08we're all willing, General
34:09Thank you
34:10Then if there's
34:11no objection
34:12Objections?
34:13Good grief, General
34:14There ain't time
34:15to think of any
34:16Council dismissed
34:17General, what's that
34:18Gunfire
34:19I had an idea
34:20you'd agree with me, gentlemen
34:21Ten minutes ago
34:22I gave orders
34:23for our patrol boat
34:24to engage the enemy
34:25The battle of Lake Champagne
34:26has begun
34:27Ready, sir
34:28Fire
34:42You are listening
34:43to the Campbell Playhouse
34:44presentation of
34:45Rabble in Arms
34:46starring Francis G.
34:48and Orson Welles
34:49in the role of Benedict Arnold
34:51This is the Columbia
34:52Broadcasting System
34:57This is the Columbia
34:58Broadcasting System
34:59This is the Columbia
35:00Broadcasting System
35:01This is the Columbia
35:02Broadcasting System
35:03This is the Columbia
35:04Broadcasting System
35:05This is the Columbia
35:06Broadcasting System
35:07This is the Columbia
35:08Broadcasting System
35:09This is the Columbia
35:10Broadcasting System
35:11This is the Columbia
35:12Broadcasting System
35:13This is the Columbia
35:14Broadcasting System
35:15This is the Columbia
35:16Broadcasting System
35:17This is the Columbia
35:18Broadcasting System
35:19This is the Columbia
35:20Broadcasting System
35:21This is the Columbia
35:22Broadcasting System
35:23This is the Columbia
35:24Broadcasting System
35:25This is the Columbia
35:26Broadcasting System
35:27This is the Columbia
35:28Broadcasting System
35:29This is the Columbia
35:30Broadcasting System
35:31This is the Columbia
35:32Broadcasting System
35:33This is the Columbia
35:34Broadcasting System
35:35This is the Columbia
35:36Broadcasting System
35:37This is the Columbia
35:38Broadcasting System
35:39This is the Columbia
35:40Broadcasting System
35:41This is the Columbia
35:42Broadcasting System
35:43This is the Columbia
35:44Broadcasting System
35:45This is the Columbia
35:46Broadcasting System
35:47This is the Columbia
35:48Broadcasting System
35:49This is the Columbia
35:50Broadcasting System
35:51This is the Columbia
35:52Broadcasting System
35:53This is the Columbia
35:54Broadcasting System
35:55This is the Columbia
35:56Broadcasting System
35:57This is the Columbia
35:58Broadcasting System
35:59This is the Columbia
36:00Broadcasting System
36:01This is the Columbia
36:02Broadcasting System
36:03This is the Columbia
36:04Broadcasting System
36:05This is the Columbia
36:06Broadcasting System
36:07This is the Columbia
36:08Broadcasting System
36:09This is the Columbia
36:10Broadcasting System
36:11This is the Columbia
36:12Broadcasting System
36:13This is the Columbia
36:14Broadcasting System
36:15This is the Columbia
36:16Broadcasting System
36:17This is the Columbia
36:18Broadcasting System
36:19This is the Columbia
36:20Broadcasting System
36:21This is the Columbia
36:22Broadcasting System
36:23This is the Columbia
36:24If so, I'm sure it must be
36:25because you haven't tried
36:26Campbell's soups.
36:28Won't you do that?
36:30If you will, I believe
36:31your family will urge
36:32you too to give up
36:33making soup and
36:34serve Campbell's soups
36:36for their convenience
36:37and fine flavor.
36:39And now we resume
36:40our Campbell Playhouse
36:41presentation of
36:42Rabble in Arms
36:43starring Orson Welles
36:44and Francis Dee.
36:45We didn't know it then
36:46or in the hours
36:47that followed.
36:48But on what we were
36:49doing that day
36:50on Lake Champlain
36:51with the help
36:52of Arnold's
36:53grim determination
36:54defended the life
36:55of the revolution
36:56and the very existence
36:57of what we know
36:58as freedom.
36:59If Arnold had
37:00failed us
37:01or if we had
37:02failed him
37:03that day
37:04on Valkyrie
37:05we would not
37:06have been
37:07here.
37:08We would not
37:09have been
37:10here.
37:11We would not
37:12have been
37:13here.
37:14That day
37:15on Valkyrie
37:16Island
37:17I think that
37:18no American
37:19that hears these
37:20words would be
37:21in the position
37:22of life in which
37:23he finds himself
37:24today.
37:25What we set out
37:26to do was
37:27achieved.
37:28We delayed
37:29the English.
37:30We delayed
37:31them until
37:32winter came.
37:33We delayed
37:34them so that
37:35for nine months
37:36at least
37:37Ticonderoga
37:38and Albany
37:39and the Hudson
37:40Valley were saved.
37:41And what was
37:42Arnold's reward?
37:43He died in battle.
37:44They said
37:45of him that he
37:46left his men
37:47to drown.
37:48They called him
37:49down to Washington
37:50and had him
37:51court-martialed
37:52by a lot of
37:53small,
37:54mean men.
37:55And by the time
37:56they exonerated
37:57him,
37:58they'd put
37:59gates and
38:00three more
38:01incompetent,
38:02intriguing generals
38:03over his head.
38:04For me too
38:05that was
38:06a sad winter.
38:07Nathaniel
38:08was gone,
38:09drowned or
38:10taken prisoner
38:11in the sinking
38:12ship.
38:13Ellen was
38:14gone too.
38:15When I
38:16returned to
38:17Skeensboro
38:18she'd vanished.
38:19Whether to
38:20Albany or
38:21to the north
38:22among the enemy
38:23troops I
38:24couldn't
38:25discover.
38:26And then
38:27in the spring
38:28came the fall
38:29of Ticonderoga
38:30and the English
38:31advanced
38:32toward the
38:33Hudson Valley.
38:34There were
38:35times when
38:36the enemy
38:37camps were
38:38not more
38:39than a mile
38:40or two
38:41six months
38:42around politicians
38:43and congressmen.
38:44Merrill,
38:45there's something
38:46I want to ask you.
38:47Yes, General?
38:48What's happened
38:49to your brother,
38:50Nathaniel?
38:51I don't know,
38:52sir.
38:53He was on the
38:54Royal Savage,
38:55as you know,
38:56when she sank.
38:57Yes, I know.
38:58I've no idea,
38:59sir,
39:00if he's alive
39:01or dead.
39:02You're not lying,
39:03are you,
39:04Merrill,
39:05to save your
39:06brother?
39:07No, sir.
39:08I don't
39:09understand.
39:10I also know
39:11that at this moment
39:12he's in the British
39:13camp.
39:14You mean, sir...
39:15Have you ever heard
39:16of a lady called
39:17Madame de Sabrevoir?
39:18Yes, I have, sir.
39:19It was an unlucky
39:20day for your brother
39:21when he became
39:22infatuated with that lady.
39:23Well, you know about
39:24that.
39:25I know that
39:26Marie de Sabrevoir
39:27is the most
39:28successful English
39:29spy on this
39:30continent.
39:31She's the one
39:32who sent
39:33information to
39:34congress
39:35that General
39:36Schuyler
39:37deserted his
39:38troops
39:40while marching
39:41down the Hudson
39:42to sail to
39:43New York
39:44and Quebec.
39:45That's why
39:46Sinclair
39:47was left at
39:48Ticonderoga
39:49with only
39:503500 men.
39:51That's why
39:52we left it
39:53without firing
39:54a shot.
39:55I promise you,
39:56sir,
39:57my brother
39:58had nothing
39:59to do with that.
40:00I swear...
40:01I'm not saying
40:02that he does,
40:03still.
40:04Still,
40:05you wouldn't like
40:06it said that
40:07your brother
40:08contributed to
40:09that.
40:10Men have been
40:11known to get
40:12from one camp
40:13to the other
40:14in the dark,
40:15Mr. Merrill.
40:16It's not easy,
40:17but it's been done.
40:18Any day now,
40:19the English will
40:20attack us,
40:21then it'll be
40:22too late.
40:23So,
40:24for the last chance,
40:25save your brother.
40:26That's all,
40:27Mr. Merrill.
40:28I've got work
40:29to do.
40:30Thank you,
40:31General,
40:32and good night.
40:33Good night.
40:39Halt!
40:40Who's there?
40:41Second Grenadiers
40:42on patrol.
40:43Password?
40:44Ticonderoga.
40:45Password?
40:46Halt!
40:47Who's there?
40:48Password?
40:49Ticonderoga.
40:50Password?
40:51Nathaniel!
40:52Nathaniel!
40:53Pete!
40:54Pete,
40:55what are you doing here?
40:56You've been hiding
40:57in that pit
40:58waiting for you
40:59to come back.
41:00I've got work
41:01to do.
41:02I've got work
41:03to do.
41:04I've got work
41:05to do.
41:06I've got work
41:07to do.
41:08I was in that pit
41:09waiting for you
41:10to come back.
41:11You must be mad
41:12coming into the
41:13English camp like this.
41:14Getting in
41:15isn't hard.
41:16It's getting back.
41:17Nathaniel,
41:18I had to see her.
41:19They'll shoot you
41:20if they catch you.
41:21No,
41:22they won't catch me.
41:23Nathaniel.
41:24How is it
41:25if you're a prisoner
41:26and you're here
41:27on liberty?
41:28I haven't joined
41:29the British
41:30if that's what
41:31you're worried about,
41:32and I'm not
41:33a prisoner
41:34on parole either
41:35thanks to Marie's
41:36great kindness.
41:37You were a guest of General Burgoyne?
41:41Where did you spend the winter?
41:42Quebec. In the hospital?
41:43No, no. Marie nursed me.
41:45Oh.
41:47I see. She has a lot of power here on the English side.
41:49She and General Burgoyne...
41:50Yes, yes, I know.
41:52I suppose you've seen General Burgoyne and talked with him, eh?
41:55Oh, yes.
41:56Only last week he offered to let Marie and Ellen travel south with the army.
41:59Ellen too?
41:59And so Marie persuaded him to let me go along as well.
42:02Oh, believe me, Peter, I've done nothing wrong or disloyal.
42:04Yes, yes, nothing. I believe you.
42:06But there's one very bad side to being a guest of the English, as I see it.
42:11Anybody who finds out about it is liable to misunderstand your position.
42:14Who's going to misunderstand it?
42:16I haven't been able to write home.
42:17Nobody knows whether I'm dead or alive.
42:19After Burgoyne marches down the Hudson,
42:21there won't be anyone left whose wrong opinion makes any difference.
42:23Yes, but suppose Burgoyne doesn't?
42:24Doesn't what?
42:25Hasn't marched on the Hudson.
42:26Peter, that's what I'm trying to tell you.
42:28The war's over.
42:29We've lost.
42:29Nothing's over until the last gun's fired.
42:32Nathaniel, now listen to me.
42:33If we stop now, we're stopping before we have to.
42:36Arnold hasn't stopped in spite of the way he's been treated.
42:39I tell you, we wouldn't, either of us, feel right ever, I don't believe,
42:43if we stopped before we've tried everything.
42:45What is there to try?
42:46I want you to come with me.
42:48Now, Nathaniel.
42:49Tonight.
42:51Back to your own people.
42:52There's no way, there's no way.
42:53Yes, yes there is.
42:54Remember that letter of Ellen's?
42:56The one that was to be delivered in Albany?
42:59Now this winter, quite by accident, I met the officer to whom you gave that letter.
43:04Well, you know what was in it?
43:05It was a letter from Marie to a friend in Albany.
43:08No, no, it wasn't.
43:09In that letter were the names of 200 Albany Tories.
43:12Tories that could be counted on to join the British Army,
43:15if it ever got as far as Albany.
43:17Now, that letter is now in General Arnold's possession.
43:20Now listen.
43:21You go to your friend Marie de Sabrevoix and tell her this.
43:24If we reach the American Army safely before dawn tomorrow,
43:27it'll go no farther.
43:29If we don't, I wouldn't give a dollar for the lives of all 200.
43:33Go on.
43:35Hurry.
43:37I'll wait for you here.
43:44Captain Peter.
43:46Captain Peter.
43:46Who is it?
43:47It's me, Ellen.
43:49Nathaniel will be here in a moment with the safe conduct from General Burgoyne.
43:52But, uh...
43:53I'd have come before, but I knew she was watching me.
43:55Ellen, you shouldn't be here.
43:56Oh, I knew you'd come back one day, Peter.
43:58When Nathaniel came to my aunt's tent just now, I knew then that you were here.
44:01I came just as soon as I could.
44:02It's not safe for you here. You must go back, Ellen.
44:04I had to see you.
44:06The last time I saw you, I bathed very badly. I'm sorry.
44:08No, no. It was my fault. I shouldn't have...
44:10No, Peter. You were right.
44:12You were right about my aunt. She's what you said she was.
44:14I know that now, and worse.
44:17She has been kind to me all this time.
44:18Oh, and she used you.
44:20You loved and trusted her, and she took advantage of you.
44:22I know that too now.
44:24That's why I won't stay here any longer,
44:25or among people who fight you and your country, Peter.
44:28I want to go into the colonies, into your colonies.
44:30I want to leave here tonight.
44:31Yes, but, Ellen, where would you go in the colonies?
44:35You haven't any relatives, have you, on this side?
44:37No, I have no one.
44:39No one except you, Peter.
44:41Me?
44:43You remember at Skeensboro, Peter, you told me that you felt kindly about me,
44:48and I told you that I felt how I felt about you.
44:51What I didn't tell you, Peter, is that from the first day I saw you,
44:55from the first day you came and sat beside me by the fire at St. John's and talked to me,
44:59I've thought always of you, only of you.
45:01Ellen. Ellen.
45:03Oh, Peter, I love you. I love you.
45:23Two days later, the English attacked.
45:25They joined moving south and east down the Hudson Valley,
45:27trying to break through to the sea.
45:29That he didn't break through that day,
45:31that the war of the American Revolution was not ended there and then,
45:34was due to one man, and one man alone, Benedict Arnold.
45:39I was there, and I know.
45:43All his life, Arnold was a performer of prodigies.
45:46A man who saw how to do and freely risked his life to do what other men said could not be done.
45:52Yet when it was all over and the English were stopped,
45:56Arnold, his horse shot dead under him,
45:59a bullet in his leg, and deprived once more of his command,
46:03was lying in the hospital.
46:06Talent. Impulse.
46:08And a doctor among you knows what he's doing and how he does it.
46:11Why don't you learn your trade so you don't have to spend half your life guessing, guessing, guessing, quacks.
46:17Quacks, that's what you are. Get out. Get out.
46:19But General Arnold...
46:19Get out!
46:22Well, our turn now.
46:24Peter, you go in. Ellen and I'll stay out here.
46:26No, we'll all go in.
46:27It's better to face a man when he's angry.
46:29His anger can't last forever, and it grows less, and then he becomes kind.
46:33Go on, Peter, knock.
46:34All right.
46:37Stay out! Stay out! Don't come in here!
46:40Who the blazes is it?
46:41Peter Merrill, sir.
46:42Merrill, oh, come in, come on in.
46:44Oh, you finally came to see me, eh?
46:46I didn't know you were here, General, until this morning.
46:48Where were you hit, sir?
46:48In the leg, and I wish it had been my heart.
46:50If it hadn't been for that bullet, I'd have driven Burgoyne into the sea.
46:53I know you would, sir.
46:53Ah, Gates, that dressmaker's dummy.
46:56He'll let him get away, and we'll have to start all over again.
46:59Only...
47:01Only this time, maybe I won't be there.
47:05Well, what is it, Mr. Merrill? Who are these people?
47:08This is Ellen Phipps, sir.
47:10Oh, sit down, Miss Phipps.
47:11You'll excuse this disarray, ma'am.
47:14It's...
47:15Not often we find such gems of loveliness in this part of the world.
47:20And this is my brother, Nathaniel.
47:23So this is Nathaniel, and...
47:25Yes, sir.
47:26Though he was not a prisoner,
47:29Nathaniel Merrill remained within the British lines during an entire campaign.
47:34What's his excuse for that?
47:35I'll not make excuses for himself, and he'll make none for himself.
47:39My brother believed what was told him by the woman he loved.
47:43He believed that the cause of the colonies was hopeless,
47:46and that the sooner the American people knew it and stopped fighting,
47:49the better it would be for them.
47:52You believe that?
47:54Yes, sir.
47:56And yet last night you returned to the American camp. You fought in today's battle.
47:59I wanted to be with my own people, with my brother.
48:02If he was beaten, I wanted to be beaten, too.
48:04Sir, Nathaniel made a mistake.
48:06A terrible mistake.
48:08He knows that now.
48:10Sir, if he's given a chance, he's as valuable a man as you can find anywhere.
48:13Valuable to you, and to the American cause.
48:16That's what you think, is it?
48:17I know it.
48:18I was never so sure of anything in my life.
48:21What do you think, miss?
48:23I agree with Peter, General Arnold.
48:25You hear what they say, Nathaniel.
48:28Now on, do you think we can count on you?
48:31I do, sir.
48:31Very well, then.
48:34Blasted leg.
48:36Give me that field desk, somebody.
48:37Get that field desk, miss.
48:39Open it up and hold it so I can write on it.
48:42That's it, thank you.
48:44I have the impression, ma'am, that
48:49you're in love with Nathaniel Merrill.
48:51Or am I mistaken?
48:52I care for him very much.
48:54And his brother.
48:56His brother, did you say?
48:57Yes, sir.
48:58His brother.
49:01Perhaps he has more than one.
49:02Which of his brothers do you mean?
49:05Not this one here, I trust.
49:06I'm sure you could never mean Captain Peter Merrill.
49:09That's impossible.
49:11There's nothing impossible about it, General Arnold.
49:13If I didn't care for Peter, that would be impossible.
49:17Oh.
49:20Captain Peter Merrill.
49:22You're a ladies' man, after all.
49:23I'm disappointed in you.
49:25Well, here you are.
49:27How'll this do?
49:28Valcour Island, October 11th, 1776.
49:33The day we fought the English on Lake Champagne.
49:36Nathaniel Merrill, Scout.
49:38Captain Mason's Company of Scouts.
49:40He's ordered on detached duty at his own discretion
49:43till this order is rescinded.
49:45Signed, Benedict Arnold, Brigadier General.
49:48Order rescinded, um...
49:50What date is it?
49:52October 18th, 1777.
49:54Order rescinded October 18th, 1777.
49:56Signed, Benedict Arnold, Major General.
50:00Shameful forgery, but I think it's what you want.
50:03Here you are, Mr. Merrill.
50:05Thank you, sir.
50:05I can't tell you...
50:06Nonsense.
50:08No, I suppose you want your orders.
50:11Here they are.
50:12All able-bodied scouts formerly under my command will go south.
50:15There won't be any fighting here for a while.
50:16Go south and report to General Washington.
50:19From what I hear, he needs every man he can get.
50:22He's a man you can be proud to fight with.
50:24Excuse me.
50:26As to you, Captain Merrill, I see you're wounded.
50:29Oh, General, only a scratch.
50:30Silence!
50:32Captain Peter Merrill.
50:34Place you on the sick list.
50:36You're ordered to return to your home for a period of three months
50:39to recover your health.
50:42I'm counting on you, young lady, to see that he does it.
50:45So, General...
50:46General Arnold...
50:47I'll be off with you.
50:48I'll be off with you.
50:49My leg's praying the devil may this talk has improved it.
50:51Or my temper, or the state of the country.
50:54Be off with you, all of you.
50:55Goodbye, confound you.
50:55Goodbye.
50:56Send my orderly to me as you go.
50:57Go on, all of you.
50:58Get out.
50:59Get out.
51:12That was the last time I ever saw him.
51:16The last time I heard his voice.
51:19That was many years ago.
51:23Of all that happened later, I know nothing.
51:26Or of the deed that caused him to be branded traitor,
51:29forever doomed to be cursed by the mass of his countrymen.
51:33But knowing Arnold and the sort of man he was,
51:36and the battles he planned,
51:38and his hold on the hearts of those who fought under him
51:41and beside him,
51:43I have this to say,
51:45and I say it gladly.
51:47Benedict Arnold was a great man.
51:50A great general.
51:51A great mariner.
51:53The most brilliant soldier of the Revolution.
51:57He was my chief in that war.
52:00And the bravest man I've ever known.
52:11You have been listening to the Campbell Playhouse presentation of Rabble in Arms,
52:24starring Orson Welles and Frances Dee.
52:27In just a moment, Mr. Welles will return to our microphone.
52:29But first, right now, a word, if you please, to the mothers listening.
52:34Every mother knows that plenty of vegetables are a necessity
52:37for growing active young people of all ages.
52:40And wise mothers are glad to know that in Campbell's vegetable soup,
52:44there are 15 different garden vegetables lavishly mingled in a stout, invigorating beef stock,
52:49cooked just right for flavor and nutrition.
52:53Little wonder that mothers have come to regard this vegetable soup as almost a meal in itself.
52:58Always a comfort to mothers, too, is the way the youngsters take to Campbell's vegetable soup.
53:03Its very look is a bright invitation to the children to come on and eat.
53:07And because it's so delicious, they like to have it often.
53:11So I ask you mothers this.
53:13Do you keep Campbell's vegetable soup on your pantry shelf regularly?
53:18And now, here is Orson Welles.
53:20And here, ladies and gentlemen, beside me at the microphone,
53:23is one of our favorites on the Campbell Playhouse.
53:26This evening's guest is Frances Dee.
53:29Good evening.
53:30Frances, I'm glad you kept your word of a few weeks ago.
53:33We're all glad you've managed to come back to us as soon as you have.
53:37Everybody who heard it, I know, remembers your fine performance as Lotta in Come and Get It.
53:42You know, Orson, I wanted to tell you something about that.
53:44You remember you gave me that lovely triangle with which you called the men to dinner in Come and Get It?
53:49I do indeed.
53:50Mr. Essman, Mr. Harry Essman, are you an equivalent to the lovely triangle?
53:54Sounds like a fire engine, but is that reasonable facsimile?
53:59You said you wanted to use it, as I remember, to call your two boys to eat their...
54:05Their Campbell soup.
54:06Thank you so much.
54:08Would you believe it? That triangle has disappeared.
54:11I think it was too fascinating for some of the neighboring youngsters.
54:15You were wondering?
54:17You were wondering.
54:18I was wondering.
54:19Go ahead and wonder.
54:21I was wondering if there was anything on this broadcast you could give me to take its place.
54:26Now, would they come if you played Yankee Doodle on a drum and fight?
54:30Well, I'm afraid you don't know, little boys.
54:32Maybe you do.
54:33The next time they'll want a symphony orchestra.
54:36A small enough price, Frances, believe me, for a performance, and believe me again, as entirely as well as yours was tonight.
54:43Thanks again, and come back again.
54:45Thank you, Orson, I will.
54:47Good night.
54:49Frances D., ladies and gentlemen, in a more serious moment, was Ellen Phipps.
54:54Pretty wonderful Ellen Phipps.
54:55And Captain Peter Merrill was pretty wonderfully played by Mr. George Koulouris.
55:00Edgar Barrier was Nathaniel Merrill.
55:02Captain Mason was Mr. Robert Warwick.
55:05Hoff was Richard Bayer.
55:07Guy Repp was Edward Donoghue.
55:09Richard Wilson was Scalp Fleck.
55:11And William Adelaide was General Adlib.
55:14Madame St. Oge was George Abacus.
55:16And Benedict Arnold was your obedient servant.
55:19Music tonight was inspired by and was contemporary with the American Revolution.
55:23And was authentic, or so Mr. Bernard Herman claims, who conducted it, as always.
55:27And now as to next week.
55:29Next week, we bring you our own radio version of one of the truest and finest plays yet written in America.
55:35Craig's Wife by George Kelly.
55:37It's a personal enthusiasm of mine which I hope next Sunday we can persuade you to share.
55:41A Pulitzer Prize play, a study dramatic and penetrating of a type of woman unfortunately...
55:46Not as rare as she ought to be.
55:48Unfortunately...
55:50Not as rare as she ought to be.
55:52I'm pleased to announce... I was right.
55:54An actress whose talents are as rare as they come.
55:56Another old friend of yours and one of the supremely gifted ladies of the theater world.
56:00Miss Faye Bainter.
56:02Miss Faye Bainter will be recalled by Campbell Playhouse listeners for her sensitive and searching portrait of Mrs. Doddsworth.
56:08In our own recent broadcast of the Lewis novel.
56:11Movie goers have seen her very lately in our town.
56:13The United Artists Picture and the newer pictures Young Tom Edison and RKO's Bill of Divorcement eagerly awaited.
56:19It's impossible to think of anybody better for Craig's Wife.
56:21In fact, it's almost impossible to think of anybody any better.
56:24And until then...
56:26Until next Sunday night, my sponsors, the makers of Campbell Soups and all of us remain as always obediently yours.
56:51The makers of Campbell Soups join Orson Welles in inviting you to be with us in the Campbell Playhouse again next Sunday evening.
57:11When we present Craig's Wife with Faye Bainter as our guest.
57:16In the meantime, if you've enjoyed tonight's Playhouse presentation, won't you tell your grocer so tomorrow when you order Campbell's Vegetable Soup?
57:25This is Ennis Chappell saying thank you and good night.
57:38This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.
57:45© BF-WATCH TV 2021