Speaker 1: Come in welcome. I'm a G.
Speaker 2: Marshall, historian of the ultrich and.
Speaker 1: The bizarre, and talking.
Speaker 3: About historians and history.
Speaker 4: Is there a more magical year.
Speaker 2: To Americans than seventeen seventy six? A more enchanted number?
And yet if you were a betting man way back then,
you would have had to go with the overwhelming odds
and back the British.
Speaker 1: Why not?
Speaker 2: The British had the men, they had the ships, they
had the money too. All that the Americans had were
a few of what we now call the intangibles. But
isn't that what life is all about? The intangibles?
Speaker 5: What's hers about?
Speaker 6: A ghost?
Speaker 5: I won't have General I see him.
Speaker 7: I won't have sergeants who spread such ridiculous rulers.
Speaker 5: But General.
Speaker 1: The man has no head.
Speaker 4: A Hessian on horseback without a head, Sir.
Speaker 5: I wonder you what you was a colonel.
Speaker 2: In the King's Virginia Militia, and I waited seventeen years
to serve under you again.
Speaker 5: And we've been under.
Speaker 1: Fire no lesson five times together.
Speaker 5: That's why an old soldier like you we should know better.
Speaker 2: I do know better, and I've seen him, this headless Hassian.
Speaker 5: I'll be all Sergeant Business.
Speaker 1: Yes, Sir General the man was obviously conquered arranged.
Speaker 7: No Major Hamilton I would lager in my life on
Sergeant Meadows if he says he saw a headless Hissim. Independents,
there is a headless Hessian.
Speaker 2: Our mystery drama, The Headless Hessier was written especially for
the Mystery theater by Sam Dan and stars Lloyd Batner.
It is sponsored in part by Sinoff, the Sinus Medicine and.
Speaker 1: Ewick Motor Division.
Speaker 3: I'll do that shortly with that one.
Speaker 5: Two hundred years ago, if you were a poor.
Speaker 8: German peasant in the province of Hesse.
Speaker 2: Darmstadt, you could be drafted into the Landgrave's army, and
your regiment could be sold to whatever foreign country could
afford to buy it. Frederick the II sold some soldiers
to George the third to put down a little disturbance
in the American colonies, twenty two thousand troops for about
fifteen million dollars in today's month, or some seven hundred
and thirty dollars per man, which was just about the
good going price for an able bodied black slave. Too well,
along about December of seventeen seventy six, there was a
large detachment of Hissians stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. Their
commanding officer was a certain Colonel Rawl. He was considered
a good soldier, but he did have a certain weakness.
Speaker 1: And since you'd never guess what it is, I'll tell you.
Speaker 5: The colonel was.
Speaker 2: Crazy about music played on the flute. Yep, I have
here a note to the colonel from the Captain of
the God.
Speaker 9: All right, wait here, Oh, it's the beautiful baggy a
soldier brought to the number thirteen.
Speaker 7: To the commanding officer from the Captain of the Guard, Sir,
the bearer of the snow is the most accomplished flute
player I have ever heard.
Speaker 1: I believe you would enjoy hearing it.
Speaker 6: Oh, oh, I will.
Speaker 2: See him at once, the colonel, we must arrange for
the disposition of the trenches.
Speaker 10: Tomorrow tomorrow, I respectfully.
Speaker 1: The little tenant peel.
Speaker 2: Suppose the Americans attacked. Suppose the Americans attack? Are you serious,
Lieutenant colonel.
Speaker 1: It's possible.
Speaker 2: Here, it's possible. It's poppable for the sun to shine
at midnight. It's poff over the Delaware River to turn
into a foaming corn of beer. The American Army is
a rabble that calls herself the American Army no longer exists.
Sir General Washington has to be forty thousand men is
top stark militia.
Speaker 1: Colonel has been running.
Speaker 2: Like a whip daughter across four rivers Johnson, sacn Sat,
the Passaic, and the Delaware.
Speaker 10: He's now at bay, so he is very dangerous and clever.
Speaker 2: My boy, you must believe this war is over, your commander,
Lord Cornwallis, and to save for England next month.
Speaker 1: To report this fact to the kings. Americans are still organized.
Speaker 7: They have spill.
Speaker 2: And I promised your father I would make an officer
and a gentleman opue. The first requisite for success in
a military career. Never contradict your superior ethan when I
am right, especially when you're right.
Speaker 11: Thank you.
Speaker 1: Bring in my flute player. This Washington is wearing it
down by.
Speaker 6: Care flute player.
Speaker 2: Well, rivor heinrich hinmos reporting, Well are you from Ira
authuth player, Give.
Speaker 1: That you please your excellent frubot country. I see Roger fruit.
Speaker 2: And so present arm a little tune from the home country,
excellent team for.
Speaker 5: Myster ah. Yes you will come here again tomorrow night.
Speaker 1: So's your animal.
Speaker 2: I'll pay your excellency here him some money for you,
so don't fish up.
Speaker 1: And he's like some frugal frenchman.
Speaker 5: Get him a handful, he's earned it.
Speaker 1: I thank your excellency, Beggy. Take him into the kitchen.
The manmost be hungry. This good night, your excellency Peggy.
You fool, you fool, But I'm your fool, darling, Peggy.
Speaker 12: Where did you get that uniform?
Speaker 5: You could be shocked?
Speaker 1: See you once again? It's worth it's worth.
Speaker 12: Nothing of the kind. You've got to get out of here.
Speaker 2: After all the trouble I have getting in here, you
want me to get out.
Speaker 13: When you knocked on the door, I said to myself,
here's a hashim it looks like Tom Cardall.
Speaker 12: I couldn't believe it. And then I watched you play.
Speaker 1: Ah have impraed?
Speaker 12: Yes, your tone is so much Tom stop it.
Speaker 10: Do you want to be shot as a spy?
Speaker 5: Well?
Speaker 2: No, wait, what if that warrus mean by my beautiful Peggy.
Speaker 13: He's all right, h everybody says, Mom and I are
lucky to Hesian commander chose.
Speaker 1: Our house for his headquarters.
Speaker 12: We well, we're protected against the riff raft. You know,
how did you get here?
Speaker 2: Well, the governor called out the Jersey militia and attached.
Speaker 1: Us to Washington's armie. I had to see you, but.
Speaker 12: The armies across the Delaware. How did you get here?
Speaker 2: You have to ask that you don't remember our secret
life before.
Speaker 1: Yes, I borrowed a horse.
Speaker 12: But Tom, what are you going to do?
Speaker 1: Well? I'd like to get married now.
Speaker 8: Well, we're going to have to wait a little while,
but it it'll be over soon.
Speaker 12: Oh, I don't think so.
Speaker 10: We won't win for a long time.
Speaker 1: We're not going to win all.
Speaker 2: Oh, Peggy, you should see Washington's zombie happen. Them don't
have uniforms or even blankets or shoes. Ain't hardly two
weapons alike, the shotguns, muskets, fowling pieces, a few rifles.
Speaker 12: I have faith in that army.
Speaker 2: Yeah, well, in a couple of three weeks, there isn't
going to be in the army.
Speaker 14: Most everybody's enlistments expired. Most everybody's gone home, even you,
even me. Well, Peggy, we've only got one life.
Speaker 10: Let's live it.
Speaker 7: Let's be happy, Reggie more, Why what I've got.
Speaker 12: To go back in there? You better get out of here.
Tell you tomorrow, Tom, Please, No, it's too dangerous.
Speaker 1: I love you, Peggy.
Speaker 12: How how are you going to get back to our
lines in that uniform?
Speaker 1: Don't worry about it, don't worry about don't worry about anything.
Speaker 8: Tom Carwell has arrived and the situation is well ahead.
Speaker 2: Were like somebody's coming on horseback.
Speaker 5: Stay by the challenge, Hold no dog, he ain't got
no head.
Speaker 1: Good Lord, army dying?
Speaker 5: Oh, Major Hamilton?
Speaker 2: What is this nonsense? Centeral Washington? I don't know, but
it's quite serious.
Speaker 5: We have enough problems.
Speaker 4: I suppose there's always room for more.
Speaker 1: The men are terrified.
Speaker 5: The helpless Hessian, what kind of child? Take it?
Speaker 1: On the road leading to the river. Actually saw him?
Speaker 2: Now, there were others who saw him, and we were
all probably drunk. General I would tend to agree, But
where would they get the liquor?
Speaker 7: You must never underestimate the resourcefulness of the American soldier, Major.
Speaker 5: Hamilton, How can I fault them?
Speaker 7: We're low on food, practically no blankets, and it's freezing.
Speaker 5: The sergeant in.
Speaker 1: Charge of the picket is outside her. I thought you'd
like to see him.
Speaker 5: What I want.
Speaker 7: To do is plan our attack on Printon, which has
to happen before the ice in the river freezes can General.
Speaker 1: He insists on seeing.
Speaker 10: You all right, Templeton Sargeant Medal.
Speaker 2: Sergeant meadals Connecticut Brigade reports here An.
Speaker 5: Meddle, Yes, I remember you. You helped me rally the
men at the Battle of Long Island.
Speaker 7: If I had a couple of hundred more like you,
we'd still be on the east bank of the Hudson
Riverfessor Wash, Yes, we sure would.
Speaker 5: Now, what's this ghost story an nonsense?
Speaker 10: It ain't nonsense.
Speaker 5: You're talking like a day old recruit. Sergeant.
Speaker 1: I seen him, sir, with.
Speaker 10: My own eyes.
Speaker 4: See what the hesitation?
Speaker 7: There's one old timer to another, sergeant. Did you see
him through the fumes.
Speaker 2: Sir, Sir help me, General, I ain't had a drop
since we crossed the hacking Jack River. Give me a
detailed report. Well, Sir, we was on picker duty and
we heard this horseman approach. So I up and I
challenged him.
Speaker 1: Oh, he don't hold.
Speaker 2: He only seems to ride faster. I brought my weapon
to bear. I was about to shoot, and then.
Speaker 5: I seen his face.
Speaker 1: What I mean is he had no face, no hand
no head, No, General, he.
Speaker 4: Was dressed in the uniform of my Ashian mercenary.
Speaker 1: Soldier, and it was all complete.
Speaker 12: See he didn't have his.
Speaker 7: Hands since he had disobeyed your order to Holtz, why
didn't you fire?
Speaker 2: Sure if any other officer asked me, did I answer
my foot was weather or the primary flash in the
pann that I shot missed?
Speaker 5: But you know what my answer is to you?
Speaker 7: General, you were scared out of your wits, Yes, sir,
that I would have been scared too.
Speaker 1: All I saw, Generals, did I did see him?
Speaker 5: The poor man with me? They seen him too.
Speaker 10: He was I had less hastian.
Speaker 1: Thank you, sah, and report back to your unit.
Speaker 5: Yes, this is all we need. Major Hamilton.
Speaker 7: You can get men to fight when they're hungry, tired, cold,
but not when they're scared of a ghost. But there's
no such thing as a ghost. General Hamilton, you're an
intelligent man. I think you're the most intelligent man in
the whole army. But don't let your intelligence get in
the way of the fact. The fact here is there's
a ghost, or what the men think is a ghost,
and that's the same thing.
Speaker 15: It's the handles, that's the fifth night in a role,
Major Hamilton.
Speaker 5: Yet they see this thing coming. Why can't they shoot it? Well,
say they.
Speaker 10: Get free Hadilton. How do you account for it?
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 8: Maybe there is a headletashon, Major.
Speaker 10: I'm surprised at you.
Speaker 1: I know you should be.
Speaker 7: My thing is destroying the morale of our horses. I
want to attack Trenton no later than Christmas. We have
to win the battle. We have to do something to
make the.
Speaker 5: People believe we can win this war.
Speaker 10: Could could it be a trick?
Speaker 1: Could the enemy be using this as a way to
frighten our men?
Speaker 5: And I can't think of a better answer. Now you
tell me. He comes down the north road from the.
Speaker 4: River, which is something I don't understand.
Speaker 5: The men expect him. Why can't they shoot? I can't explain. General.
Speaker 2: If something happens at all, you get that kill running
on your backbone.
Speaker 1: And that icy fear like a cold hand.
Speaker 7: Clasp around your Alright, sergeants, I understand your term of service.
Speaker 5: Expires next week.
Speaker 4: Yes, yes, I hope you'll set a good example to
the rest of.
Speaker 5: Your unit by re enlisting.
Speaker 7: Oh come, Sargeant, you know we simply care before to
lose trained.
Speaker 2: Men like you and your comrades. General, we ain't afraid
of nothing that lives. It's what's dead that scarries. We
just can't fight the supernatural.
Speaker 7: Sergeant, suppose we end the career of this headless Hession?
Speaker 1: Ah, are you gonna do that?
Speaker 5: I said, suppose so in that.
Speaker 7: Case, General, let's ask exchange promises. Sucheans, I shall promise
you that the headless Hessian will arrive no more, and
you must promise me to re enlist General each done.
Speaker 5: Forward, Major Hamilton, General you made that.
Speaker 1: Man of promise.
Speaker 5: I know, Hamilton.
Speaker 2: That means we will have to end the night writing
of that notorious headless Hession.
Speaker 5: I'm aware of that.
Speaker 1: Does the General have any idea how it's to be done?
Speaker 5: A lot at this time? Mada Hoilson, I.
Speaker 1: Don't. Yes, welly no, there's.
Speaker 4: Something on your mind to say this, Sir.
Speaker 1: I just couldn't believe you would ever make a.
Speaker 10: Promise you couldn't keep.
Speaker 8: Oh, I intended to keep it, but you just said
you didn't even know how.
Speaker 7: I have till midnights to think of something. I suppose
we start thinking.
Speaker 2: There's a legend about George Washington that he never told alive.
Speaker 1: And although it's.
Speaker 2: Become fashionable to strip our heroes down to more human proportions,
the fact is the Washington legend remains surprisingly intact, and
he has every intention of keeping this promise he has
to or I intend to promise you, is that I
shall return in a few moments.
Speaker 11: With that too.
Speaker 2: As if General George Washington doesn't have enough tangible obstacles
to contend with a scarcity of food, arms, ammunition, and equipment,
he has now, in addition, a supernatural problem terrorizing the
cant as a headless Hessian horseman who is seen riding
about almost every night. And unless this apparition is speedily
dismounted and disposed of, it doesn't look as if there
will be a flood of re enlistments at this most
crucial hour.
Speaker 1: I am thinking General, but nothing occurs to me.
Speaker 7: Whoever he is, he's flesh and blood, but he can
stop the bullets, and so I know what we have
to do.
Speaker 5: Yes, Oh, who's making that very pretty music?
Speaker 1: Don't let me interrupt your soldier.
Speaker 4: I'll private Tom car internsy brigade. H.
Speaker 1: You're an expert flue player. Well, I thank you, sir.
Speaker 7: I'm quite fond of music myself. Yes, you know so,
they say, really what do they say?
Speaker 1: Man? They say, you sing a perfect comedy.
Speaker 5: We have to arrange for a musical evening once we
have the British on the run.
Speaker 7: Yes, sir, And what do you think of this headless
Hessian soldier?
Speaker 2: Well, sir, how can there be a headless anybody?
Speaker 6: Correct?
Speaker 7: I hope you can convince your friends there's a straight thinking.
Speaker 5: Young man for your Hamilton. We need more like him, sir?
Speaker 1: What is your plan for dis morning? This headless Hessian?
Speaker 7: We know he comes from the direction of trimp, do
we not? Yes, we know the time to be at units. Yes,
the men of Pica to rEFInd themselves unable to shoe
that it isn't that so true? This night we shall
have special squads of men who are not afraid to fire.
Speaker 1: May I volunteer to command one of those squads?
Speaker 7: Certainly Hamilton the last Lieutenant Monroe to volunteer to command another?
Speaker 2: Yes, give him some money, Lieutenant for you here you
are now, colonel, please listen to me. The fortified player
will be no fortified places. It's not necessary, Fortier, why
are you standing there?
Speaker 1: Lead go in the kitchen rhino more and have something
to eat and drink. Thank you, your excellency.
Speaker 10: At least, Colonel, if British.
Speaker 2: Headquarters asks about fortifications, let us be able to say,
all right, all right, all right, show me where you
want the horse to be talk all.
Speaker 5: Right, you must report here tomorrow. It's griffithy.
Speaker 1: Yes, Tom, don't I get a kiss?
Speaker 12: You have to stop doing that right doing?
Speaker 7: No, I mean.
Speaker 1: I'm going to desert, Tom. I'll just about half the army.
Speaker 8: It seems like desserts every day that the darling.
Speaker 1: It's over.
Speaker 13: Washington says, if he has to, he'll retire to the
mountains and fight from there.
Speaker 2: Peggy, all I ever wanted was to make ay and
my farm, make music on my flute, and make love
to you.
Speaker 1: I don't need any revolution for that.
Speaker 12: Tom, I just can't think of you as a coward.
Speaker 10: Try another word.
Speaker 1: Try prudent, prudent.
Speaker 13: This hair bring thing you're doing now, that's prudent. You're
risking your life every minute.
Speaker 5: Well that's all right.
Speaker 1: At least I'm risking my life for me. I'll see
you tomorrow.
Speaker 13: No, Tom, if you come back, I'll leave here.
Speaker 1: That's sweetheart, It's crazy.
Speaker 12: It can only end with your getting yourself killed one
way or the other.
Speaker 13: By one side or the other.
Speaker 10: Well, maybe I want us to.
Speaker 12: Get married somehow. We both have to live through this.
Speaker 1: War, and crazy people won't.
Speaker 13: Survive, Tomy, do you understand what I'm saying.
Speaker 1: Yes, you've got to grow up. You know what I
mean exactly.
Speaker 12: I don't need a few nights like this. I need
the rest of our lives. Promise me.
Speaker 13: Don't promise me you won't come here again until it's
really safe, but pay promise.
Speaker 10: I promise.
Speaker 5: Your men have their orders.
Speaker 1: Yes, General, I want this man.
Speaker 5: To take him.
Speaker 7: I prefer to have him alive.
Speaker 4: But if he insists, then we'll have to take him back.
Speaker 10: Is that I guess, sir.
Speaker 7: Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve. The enemy will be celebrating.
We can have the advantage of surprise. If only we
can capt this headless Hessian, our men will have the
enthusiasm for a fight. Major Hamilton, Lieutenant Monroe. You must
put a stop to him.
Speaker 1: Major Hamilton, Lieutenant.
Speaker 10: Monroe, and tooth squad. Oh yes, sir, yes, or.
Speaker 5: I recognize user any side of it, not check Major Hamilton.
Speaker 10: He comes this way, all they when he comes Monroe.
Speaker 1: We might as well deploy our men along the road
out of sight.
Speaker 5: Man get among the three.
Speaker 1: I want it quiet, no word to make a fut Listen,
it's him. It's him, headless.
Speaker 5: Hesian, don't get don't any want move?
Speaker 2: Hold them, hold him, talent them back.
Speaker 1: I'll do it myself.
Speaker 2: Oh, I'll do if fire home, man have it fire fire?
Speaker 6: What wrong would you?
Speaker 2: Man?
Speaker 1: Hand me a rifle?
Speaker 6: I don't know what.
Speaker 10: I'm sorry, sir?
Speaker 2: What are you standing here for them? I fired, Lieutenant
Monroe fired, Then I grabbed the sergeant's.
Speaker 1: Rifle and fired again. But he was gone and there.
Speaker 5: Was no sign of him.
Speaker 1: We had twenty men if everyone had fired.
Speaker 5: Some shots were fired and everyone hurt them. And now
I'm afraid it'll.
Speaker 1: Get worse worse.
Speaker 7: General, how we may have begun a legend of an
invincible and bulletproof headless Hissuy.
Speaker 1: I'm sorry, sir.
Speaker 7: I'll go out there myself next time. Somebody has to
bring him down a man, Sergeant Meadows.
Speaker 4: Are porter these matters, sir, I'm sorry about last night.
Speaker 5: What is it?
Speaker 1: What have you got there? But it's a flute?
Speaker 2: Yes, generally, where did you get well? When we went
chasing after the headless station. I happened to notice something
lying along.
Speaker 1: The side of the road, and I stopped and picked
it up.
Speaker 7: The flute, or what would a flute starry?
Speaker 10: To take?
Speaker 7: A squad go over to the New Jersey Hutlans and
arrest a man named Tom cold within and also search
all his belongings.
Speaker 1: But General, I don't understand, nonsir, how do.
Speaker 5: You account for this Hessian uniform?
Speaker 1: At uniform?
Speaker 2: Well, General Washington, I never saw that thing before in
all my life.
Speaker 5: It was found in the bottom of your kit. Well,
maybe someone put it there as a joke.
Speaker 1: That's right, I'll tell us. We have some great joke
kids in the outfit.
Speaker 7: The money money, these are silver kroner. You can see
they come from hiss Darmstad. Now, soldier, where would you
come into possession of Hissian money.
Speaker 2: That?
Speaker 1: Well, it was in a skirmish, Sir.
Speaker 4: The skirmish me it three weeks ago, and this one
was lion.
Speaker 5: They're dead and I.
Speaker 1: Looked at his pockets. Well, at any crime is it in?
Speaker 8: That's how I come to get it.
Speaker 5: And your flute, it was a going line by the
side of.
Speaker 1: The road, So that's what happened to it?
Speaker 2: I REALI lost it sounds those you want to tell
the truth soldier, for the good of your soul, for
the good of myself. General, when you talk like that,
it means you're.
Speaker 5: Gonna hang me. You performed a treasonous act for the enemy.
Speaker 1: Soldier. No, it wasn't treason. It wasn't you and I.
Speaker 5: You were paid.
Speaker 1: Here's the money. I told you how I got come him.
Speaker 5: Soldier wouldn't have so much money.
Speaker 1: He was not a soldier.
Speaker 5: Your only hope is the truth.
Speaker 2: You wouldn't believe it, and why.
Speaker 1: I wouldn't I believe it because you have to be
crazy like me.
Speaker 5: So many people have called me Chris, Sir.
Speaker 1: I've got this girl. She lives in Trenton. Her name
is Margaret Peggy Mason is Well. I just had to
see her. I had to. You can understand that, General,
can't you?
Speaker 11: Yes?
Speaker 2: So I, Well, I couldn't go there and Sibbitian clothes,
could I?
Speaker 4: So I picked up this Hessian uniform.
Speaker 1: The colt's kind of big, and I.
Speaker 10: Just put the top of it up over my head.
Speaker 5: So what would look like I was headless?
Speaker 1: Yes, sir, headless? And that would get me passed, I'll
pick it.
Speaker 7: Do you say the girl's name is Peggy Mason, Major Hamilson's.
Why is the name Mason familiar?
Speaker 1: The Hessian commander is headquartered in the Mason House.
Speaker 7: Do you mean to tell me that you actually risked
going to the enemy headquarters? Yes, sir, but as a Hessian.
Speaker 5: Soldier you would have to speak to Yes.
Speaker 2: Sir, but when I was a very small boy, I
was bound out at this German farmer, and I learned how.
Speaker 8: They streaking Deutsch share really good?
Speaker 7: You So how could you get into the colonel's headquarters?
Speaker 2: Well, sir, I knew something about this colonel rawl the
colonel he's a full for.
Speaker 1: Flute music, and so let me on the surface.
Speaker 5: You went to the headquarters played the flute for Colonel Role.
Speaker 2: Yes, sir, and he appreciated it so much he gave
me money, the money you found.
Speaker 7: And then afterward you found an opportunity to spend some
time with you a girl.
Speaker 8: Oh, yes, sir, I was always able to find time
for that.
Speaker 5: Weren't you afraid you'd be shops coming back?
Speaker 2: Well, sir, I figured everyone would be too scared to
shoot at.
Speaker 1: Me, and I was right. Until last night.
Speaker 2: I heard them shots, and I was so scared I
just dropped my flute.
Speaker 7: I couldn't stop to look for it. Is there anything
else you would like to have? And I'll say that's
about it.
Speaker 8: I don't think it's worth my getting shot, or you.
Speaker 7: Wouldn't be shot in any of it. The penalty for
treason is death by hanging.
Speaker 5: General.
Speaker 1: Please.
Speaker 8: The way I see it, the worst I did was to.
Speaker 4: Be absent without leave.
Speaker 1: Very well, soldier, we listened to.
Speaker 5: Your fairy tale, and I suppose you tell us the truth.
Speaker 8: Major that was the truth, Every single word was the true.
Speaker 2: Was to take the prisoner off well, please make hang
me share the attention of our peace forward. Please General
General Washington, don't order them to hang me. Admittedly, it
would be better if Tom had a more convincing story.
We know Tom is telling the truth, but unfortunately our
testimony will have no way of making itself felt. His
fate at this point rests with General Washington. His only
hope is that Washington, who is a completely truthful person,
may be able to discern the truth in others. You
only have a few moments to wait for my inevitable return.
With Act three, the ride of the headless Hessian has
come to an end. He is neither headless nor a Hessian.
He is Tom Caldwell, a New Jersey infantryman who is
only trying to visit his girl inside the British lines
at Trenton, and he has been discovered and in grave
danger of being dispatched as a traitor. The decision is
up to the commander in chief. General, you have the
right to order him executed, or would you prefer to
assemble a court martial?
Speaker 5: A court martial, they would hang him.
Speaker 1: But the man deserves to be hanged.
Speaker 5: No one deserves to be hanged.
Speaker 7: We only use the rope because we are unable to
think of the truly fitting punishment.
Speaker 5: You must admit he tells quite a story.
Speaker 1: An unbelievable story.
Speaker 5: I don't know about that. I think I believe him.
Speaker 1: The story makes.
Speaker 7: No sense, Hamilton. You are an extremely intelligent and logical man,
but you mustn't let it ruin your common sense.
Speaker 1: But sir, how old you forty nine?
Speaker 5: And how old do you suppose that soldier is.
Speaker 1: Forty two twenty three.
Speaker 10: And I am forty four?
Speaker 1: Now?
Speaker 5: Why do I understand that boy better than you do? General?
Speaker 8: I understand he is a prayer Hamilton.
Speaker 5: He's in love now, Yes, he's in love the way
only a young man can be in love. He's not
only in.
Speaker 7: Love with her, but he's in love with love itself.
Speaker 1: Excuse me, sir, but I'm afraid I don't follow.
Speaker 7: Maybe you will one day, and you'll be a better
man for it. It's more than the girl. It's the adventure,
the danger. He risks his life every time he's Caesar.
He can be captured by the Hessians and hanged. He
could be captured or shocked by his own side as well.
Speaker 2: Can a young man ask Clemore, well, what do you
propose to do with him?
Speaker 5: He deserves a medal a general.
Speaker 1: Don't be alarmed.
Speaker 7: I shall do the proper thing and take an extremely
dim view of the situation.
Speaker 5: Bring him back here, start get the prisoner.
Speaker 1: Told her, I believe your story. Oh thank you, General.
Speaker 2: I knew he away, and everyone says General Washington, he's
the fairest man.
Speaker 7: That doesn't mean you're innocent, no, sir, No, I mean
leave something, but nothing of a call for a walk
now with it being absent without leave frightening the soldiers
of the United States army.
Speaker 8: Well, a grown man being scared of a ghost.
Speaker 1: We wouldn't want that to get around.
Speaker 5: Silence. It's not for you to justify your misdeeds, and
now therefore you will continue in your present course of action.
Speaker 1: My wit, sir, you.
Speaker 7: Will continue to ride to Trenton in the guise of
a Hessian soldier, at least for one more night tonight,
to be exact, But.
Speaker 1: I don't want to get shaded coming back. You will
be coming back. I won't. No one is coming back tonight.
Speaker 4: We shall take Trenton, but I promise my girl.
Speaker 7: You've been traveling there on a more or less regular basis.
You must be aware of the location of the fortifications,
the fortification, the birthworks, the trenches, the strong points of all.
Speaker 1: Damn well, to tell you the truth, there ain't none.
Speaker 5: A soldier.
Speaker 1: That's impossible, that's no general, They just ain't no fortifications.
Speaker 7: It is incredible that the Hessian commander would leave the
town unfortified, but he couldn't violate the most elementary rule
of warfare. Now think carefully, soldier.
Speaker 10: There must be an outpost.
Speaker 1: Oh yeah, an outpost.
Speaker 5: Yeah, that's just as you cross the river.
Speaker 7: On the main road and there must be a fortification
of some sort for them to fall back up.
Speaker 1: Now, sir, there ain't I know it's.
Speaker 7: Been dark every time you've build there. But try to remember.
Speaker 2: I remember if this Colonel Wrang, he's the command to
see and he don't want to build no fortifications he
doesn't know, sir. And furthermore, he says, begging your pardon, that.
Speaker 8: The American Army ain't going to be able to attack.
Speaker 2: You heard him say, yes, sir, he says to this
lieutenant who keeps begging him to build up the defenses.
Speaker 5: And why does he say that?
Speaker 1: All because he says.
Speaker 8: The American Army is just a ravel that no longer exists.
Speaker 1: Is that what he said? Yes, Saron.
Speaker 2: Also that General Washington is only enough start militia Colonel
who's already run like a whip dog across four rivers.
Speaker 1: I'm only saying what he said, sir.
Speaker 5: That's quite all rights.
Speaker 1: But Lieutenant Peel don't think so.
Speaker 8: He thinks you're dangerous and clever.
Speaker 7: Thank you, No, Suji, every man in the army has
a mission for tonight.
Speaker 5: Yours will be to go.
Speaker 7: Into Trimson dressed as a hisherman. I want you to
entertain Colonel role, entertain him as long as you can. Now, Colonel,
I would suggest a fortified position here on the rice.
Speaker 2: Which commands excellent idea. I'll stow a line of trenches.
Speaker 1: I agree.
Speaker 8: I want you authority to order this work done.
Speaker 1: Do you have it? I mean to have it done immediately.
Speaker 8: At once there tonight, within the hour.
Speaker 1: It's Christmas.
Speaker 10: There is no Christmas.
Speaker 2: During God, how my POI zeal it is a commendable quality.
I work your men as hard as you must work
from the death you have to, But never work them
needlessly for no real purpose.
Speaker 4: I understand, But you are bowls.
Speaker 1: Its snowy, freezing.
Speaker 2: The Delaware separates us from the Americans. Do you mean
Washington would.
Speaker 4: Attempt to cross the river on Sunday night?
Speaker 1: He would attempt anything.
Speaker 2: Oh, but how could anyone get boasted across from this weather?
Speaker 1: He has a.
Speaker 4: Detachment of fishermen from the city.
Speaker 5: Of Gloucester and Massachusetts.
Speaker 4: These men are skilled with boats.
Speaker 5: Fishermen and farmers and loudmouth lawyers.
Speaker 1: This is all these Yankees are. Why do they frighten you?
I am not frightened. What will you do if you
ever have to fight against ree? And I don't know.
Speaker 4: I know, but don't get yourself a reputation.
Speaker 1: For being overcautious.
Speaker 5: Some people might mistake it for college.
Speaker 2: Yes, sir, we're going to have a party at headquarters
this evening, private rhydom of fluid play as usual.
Speaker 1: Yes, sir.
Speaker 2: And by the way, he deserves a reward. He'll give
him money every time he deserves more. Have him entered
as a corporate because he plays the fluid. It's just
going to reason his any better than most.
Speaker 12: Tom, why did you come back tonight?
Speaker 1: I wanted to see, but you promised Paggy's sweetheart. I
couldn't keep a baby.
Speaker 12: Oh, I'm really scared of what something's gonna be wrong.
Speaker 1: I know it, I just know it.
Speaker 5: And I thought we understood that.
Speaker 1: Now, Paggy, everybody's going to be all right.
Speaker 5: I swear to you.
Speaker 12: Please, Tom, you're crazy to do.
Speaker 11: This just for me.
Speaker 1: Well, I'm not doing it just for you, you know no, ma'am.
Speaker 2: And now you've got a coach your heart and hope
the Dinamica breathe a lit word, but I'm you an
official business official business come home, Washington.
Speaker 1: You ain't supposed to breathe a word. Well, I like that.
Speaker 12: And here all this time I thought you were doing
it so for me.
Speaker 1: While I am I'm just combined business and the pleasure.
Ride a mop Where is Rita ride up there? Calling me?
Speaker 5: Squa, I gotta go.
Speaker 12: In there now, Please be careful what could come along?
Speaker 6: Quiet? Everyone? Quiet?
Speaker 2: We shall now listen to our genius of the fruit,
our own Heinrich rite from Aldersburg, Beautiful Aldersburg.
Speaker 1: Heinrich, we iron your.
Speaker 6: Hats, my boy, You're better than ever.
Speaker 5: Thank you, sir, don't thank me yet.
Speaker 1: Wait, wait till you see how I intend to reward you.
Speaker 5: Bill Heel were the kind of heel heal here, sir,
we'll close the door.
Speaker 2: We'll freeze today. You missed the music. Heinrich was superb.
Speaker 1: Now did you attend to that little matter?
Speaker 4: Colonel Heinrich's promotion?
Speaker 1: That's it cannot be done. Who says it? Can it
be done?
Speaker 2: We cannot promote Rhynemouth to corporal for the reason that
there is no Heinrich ryne on.
Speaker 10: The rocks are of differentiment.
Speaker 1: That's impossible.
Speaker 4: Don't let him get away.
Speaker 1: What did you just say, Lieutenant?
Speaker 10: Is no Heinrich krynament.
Speaker 2: But that's impossibly standing here in front of us have
a drynams no paypall?
Speaker 1: Please, Well, gentlemen, just where.
Speaker 8: Private ryno is the town of Augsburg, where I have
spoken to.
Speaker 5: The men from every corner of hes Dompsted. No one
has ever heard of it?
Speaker 11: Right?
Speaker 6: It is in your head?
Speaker 1: Who are you here?
Speaker 9: Fy?
Speaker 5: Is this true?
Speaker 12: Rhy?
Speaker 10: No, sir, it's not true.
Speaker 2: Exactly are you a soldier in the American Army?
Speaker 1: Matter? Even if he's a Savilian, he is wearing a uniform.
We must pursue he is a spy. Did you come
you're a spy? R?
Speaker 6: No, sir?
Speaker 1: And why did you come?
Speaker 6: Colonel?
Speaker 2: I heard you were very fond of music, and anybody
loves the flute?
Speaker 1: As a friend of mine, why did you come here?
Because I knew my music would make you happy?
Speaker 5: Because hang him?
Speaker 1: It was, colonel. Don't you believe me? Yes, I believe you.
Speaker 5: How could you believe such a story? It doesn't make
send It makes sense to me.
Speaker 1: That means this fan goes free.
Speaker 10: No, he kind of, But I wasn't here to spot
you are in uniform?
Speaker 1: But you would hang me to that? Oh, but we
will shoot you, tom tom? Oh? Please, colonel, my dear
young lady, what are you doing here?
Speaker 10: He didn't mean any harm, perhaps, but the law is
the law.
Speaker 1: Let's take him outside.
Speaker 4: Goodbye, pagging off on Schneider.
Speaker 1: Peace, restrain our good hostess.
Speaker 10: Gent please, Colonel Wrestler stand at attention.
Speaker 5: Oh march.
Speaker 10: Spat at.
Speaker 2: Here's as fine as spot as any and you can
be buried under this beautiful old oak tree.
Speaker 1: Does that suit you? Well? I don't have the choice
to right, I mean I do like to get chat. Yes, well,
I like this place, I mean I don't like it.
Do you have any last words?
Speaker 2: I was hoping you might have some last words, like
maybe reprieve form the firing party.
Speaker 1: You have no last wor words now, sir, and you
can get it over it. Do you suppose you could
play as a song? I would appreciate it, Yes, sir.
Speaker 5: That's the word.
Speaker 10: What do you make of that music?
Speaker 5: Out?
Speaker 1: You must be honey?
Speaker 10: What's he doing out in the code?
Speaker 1: That's the word to him.
Speaker 11: I'm slowly follow.
Speaker 5: You turn appeal command the firing party.
Speaker 8: Firing party A ready game.
Speaker 1: The American The American.
Speaker 2: Fortunately, Tom escaped the hail of bullets, and he survived
the Battle of Trenter, which every student of history knows,
was a great and glorious victory, and it came at
an extremely crucial time.
Speaker 5: When the war was over.
Speaker 1: Tom married Peggy Mason and.
Speaker 2: Made music even sweeter than before. I'll tell you what
happened to all of the other people as soon as
I return, which will be immediately after these messages.
Speaker 1: Is the story true? My goodness?
Speaker 2: When you think of all the fables past and present
that people swallow without question, why should I be compelled
to provide documentary evidence. There was a General George Washington.
There was an Alexander Hamilton.
Speaker 1: There was a Battle of Trenton and we won it.
Speaker 5: The Hessian commander was a Colonel Rawl.
Speaker 1: He was killed in the first fusillade, and he was
a fanatic lover of the flute.
Speaker 2: And we know this because it appears in the diary
of a Lieutenant Peel, who was his adjutant.
Speaker 8: Tom and Peggy, Well, we have to have some license.
Speaker 1: Stn'tly and we use it here seven times each week.
Speaker 2: Our cast included Lloyd Backner, Jack Grimes, Marriett Hartley, Casey Cason,
and Robert Maxwell. The entire production was under the direction
of Hyman Brown. Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by
Buick Mortar Division and Sinyl the Sinus Medicines.
Speaker 8: This is E. G.
Speaker 2: Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater for
another adventure in the macabre.
Speaker 1: Until next time, pleasant dreams.