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The Philadelphia Campaign
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Credit: WITF, Inc.

Transcript:
Background music:

Military fife and drum song plays throughout.

Sound effects:

Gunshots, shouts of men engaged in battle.

Narrative:

A year into the Revolutionary War, the rag-tag Continental army was on its way to meet a large, well-trained British force that was planning to invade the city of Philadelphia.

Video:

The Continental Army marching through a grassy field; a historical etching of the city of Philadelphia.

Narrative:

A young French aristocrat named Marquis de Lafayette joined the Americans and their cause. He noted, "The Americans were ill-armed and even worse, almost naked."

Video:

Portrait of young Marquis de Lafayette with a white wig.

Narrative:

When the British and the Americans met up at Brandywine creek, 25 miles outside Philadelphia, General George Washington found himself severely outnumbered and outmaneuvered. He was forced to retreat.

Video:

The British and Americans exchanging gunfire; Washington's men leaving the battlefield, limping away.

Narrative:

Washington led his men on an attack against British General William Howe's forces in Germantown, and suffered yet another defeat.

Video:

Continental army marching along; portrait of General Howe; the camera pans to dead British soldiers on battlefield.

Narrative:

However, the energy and resources that Howe and his men used up during these battles in Philadelphia proved to be advantageous to the Americans.

Video:

Several British soldiers looking exhausted and recovering from battle; close up of George Washington instructing his men.

Narrative:

The Patriots were united and seemingly stronger than ever.

Video:

Washington's men readying their rifles, preparing for battle.

Narrative:

By the spring of 1778, Howe had resigned his commission and returned to London in disgrace.

Video:

Zoom into General Howe conferring with two British officers and shrugging his shoulders.

Narrative:

Washington's perseverance and courageous attitude during these times led to his emergence as a true leader for a new nation.

Video:

Pan of historical portrait of George Washington.

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