 The DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry, presents the Cavalcade of America, our story, Dangerous Mission, our star, MacDonald Carey. History in part is a record of military action, and at the heart of such action is the flashing daring technique of the raid. In the list of heroic raiders, no man's deeds glow brighter than those of Captain Alan McLean of the Continental Army in the War of Independence. Upon a certain light in the uncertain year of 1778, at a crossroads hamlet 12 miles from Valley Gorge, British patrols are fired upon sharply hailed by a voice out of the darkness, an American voice. Yes, Grenadiers! Continental, quick, across the marsh. It was surrounded. You warned me. Desarmed them, Lieutenant. Yes, sir. It's done, Captain McLean. McLean. The rebel raider. Yes, I think so, for questioning. The enemy is restive tonight. Answer the Captain, why are the British restive? Grenadiers, here on Lafayette's flank. The czar has been out since on the White Marsh Road. Clinton's column moving up the school kiln. Why? Answer the Captain. Wait, wait. I have it. They're games to capture the marquee. Lafayette himself? Oh, what a feather in Clinton's hat to take our young French ally. Lieutenant, the prisoners are in your charge. The dawn released them. Released? With a message. Compliments of Captain Alan McLean to Sir Henry Clinton, and condolences to the general who tries to capture Lafayette, from the captain who's going to prevent it. It was McLean's timely warning that prevented the almost certain capture of Lafayette. It was McLean who harried the British in Jersey, in New York, in Pennsylvania. And on an early morning in the bitter war year of 78, his shadow fell across a British supply train on the Ridge Road above Mattson's void. That's Sun Corp. It is the Sun, and there's no warmth into it. If we don't reach Philadelphia before nightfall, there's little enough warmth even in Philadelphia. There's winters in the colonies. I've had my fill of the colonies. Uncivilized rebels. It's bad enough a man must stand there with a little smoke out. You'll not succeed with this, McLean. Lieutenant. Yes, Captain. Detail 20 of them to take the wagon to Pearls Brigade. They're hungry there. The cavalry will cross at Mattson for Valley Forge. Yes, sir. You'll have to forgive me, Corporal, if I don't invite you to become my prisoner. We travel light in fact. You're taking our wagons, supplies, and our horses? Yes, and you'll be obliged to proceed on foot the rest of the way to Philadelphia. I fear that's the situation. But accept our thanks. Truly, we've not known where our next meal was coming from. The train outside Philadelphia, a crossroad hamlet on Lafayette's flight, and the British camp in Delaware, and the Red Cross column in Maryland, and the company of Hessians in New Jersey. Wherever the need was, McLean was. Beneath that spring, with the British suddenly evacuating Philadelphia, was for information of the enemy's plans. The Red Coats still patrolled the deserted streets. There was no thought of McLean or any other continental commander within miles of the city. When we came here, I thought to like Philadelphia, and town's no better than its people. Well, it's not London, and that's a fact. But I did think to like it. But look at it now. How this old shuttered street jammed in at the site of Manuel B. The people who saved their demonstration for Washington and his rabble. When will Washington come in? When he's sure we've gone, and not before. You're hit. He must have run in by force. He'll clean the redact. We'll have to make sure. He can't take through, man. We're cut off. The cost? A few flesh wounds, no more. Good. The familiar sound of this fellow we've met before. How was your walk to Philadelphia, Corporal? We got here, but what a pity. The walk ate rugged miles. Nine to nine, forgive me. And end as my prisoner again. Ah, the fate's conspired. Your destiny does seem to be a military prison. I'm keeping you this time. And, your man, you'll get nothing. No information? Oh, I differ, Corporal. Among thirty-three men there'll be some. I shall get it, to a surprise. To the British of Dreaded Phantom, his own man of fearless commander to be followed wherever he chose to lead. Sometimes, when campers made along a river bank or deep in a pine needle woods, this, too, was Captain McLean, a man who could talk and listen. He would forbid it. Tradition would be upgrade. But it is I who should salute these men. Oh, how's that, sir? Thinking a lot, but, uh... Oh. Are you quite comfortable with that blog for a pillow? Oh, yes, quite, sir. And you, with a rock for a hammock? Never bet it. How old are you, Lieutenant? Nineteen, sir. I salute you, sir. Age nineteen. I salute the men who fight this war and why they're fighting. Why do you fight, Lieutenant? Why? To beat the enemy. Oh, and for independence? And more. For man's dignity under independence and to be secure in freedom and liberty. And when we have it, what? We'll keep it. Oh. Has that occurred to you? In truth, no. When the fighting's over and done, you'll go back to your farm. I'm a storekeeper with my father. Your store? The economics will become your watchword. Peace, brave, apathy. I'll then keep what we've won. Do you have an answer, sir? Only this. Vigilance. And I'm crossing bridges before we've built them. The war's still to be won. That's McLean, sir. Message it, sir. Here, up here. Man, he's written far about a look at him. And fast. Yeah? What is it? Order, sir, from General Wayne. Wayne. Give me that. What is it, Captain? Sandy, saddle my horse. Yes, sir. We're moving, then. Tonight, sir? I only. I'm summoned to Wayne's headquarters. Listen to this. A mission of utmost secrecy and importance. Now, there, Lieutenant, is a praise calculated to rouse the man's curiosity. Patient Captain grows apace. The first man into Philadelphia after its evacuation. The man who's alertness saved Lafayette from certain capture last year. The man who was called General Lee's most active officer. It's a substantial reputation. Thank you, General Wayne. Well earned, I'm sure. I like men of daring. I speak their language. Sit down, Captain. Thank you. You've been operating in the country about Washington's camp. We have. I have a communication from the Commander-in-Chief. He asked me to employ a trustworthy and intelligent man and experienced scouts capable of handling a mission of the utmost delicacy and danger. To me, that spells Alan McLean. I monitor. Hmm. You may be dismayed. We are considering an attack on Stony Point. Stony? That's incredible. It is indeed. I know the place. A natural fort, 150 feet high, just half a mile into the Hudson, at high tide practically in Ireland. You don't know it, hmm? The purpose of this attack is diversionary or conclusive. Conclusive, Captain. We want. It'll take some doing. I said you might be dismayed. On the contrary, sir, I am intrigued. My part in the operation is the foundation of it. We must know the exact nature of the fortifications, the strength of the garrison, its disposition, details that can be learned only one way. By gaining entry to the fort and seeing them at first hand, General Washington himself will be here shortly to plan the attack. How soon do I start? As soon as you're ready. I'm ready now. Your hand, McLean. Good luck. Luck and a big smile from Fortune, sir. I can use both. We turn to our cavalcade story, Dangerous Mission, starring MacDonald Kerry as Alan McLean, captain in the Continental Army, on Dangerous Secret Mission, headed northward, along the Hudson River, to a certain jaw of land thrusting into the tide-running river. On a map, this land is said to resemble the head of a camel. On a summer morning in 1779, it resembled nothing, being shrouded in fog that would cling till the sunrise. You land from the point the lamp burns in a farmhouse in the city. Maybe Raiders. It's close to for what? Don't be in the name. See you in the oven. Yeah? You're pardoned. I had not aroused you, but I saw smoke rising from your chimney. You didn't arouse me. What do you want? Where's your name? A stranger, Mama? A traveler, Miss. From Vermont. Vermont, Tuesday? Bennington. I fear I've lost my way, Mrs. I'm Tompkins, Mrs. Smith. Jonathan Tompkins. Your sir. Well, come in, man. Come in. Is it still standing by the open door? Vermont, you say? I do believe there's a man from Vermont and my son's loyal American regiment. Loyal American? Fighting against your own country? In a... Part of the garrison at the fort on Stony Point. Traitors, I call it. No, that'll do in a. Is many folks disapproved of this rebellion? You're too young to understand that. Allow your brothers the right to their opinion. I do, Mama. I detain you, Mrs. Forgive me. But can you direct me to Stony Point? Why, you're practically there. It's just across the bridge and calls away from here. Is it? Well, then I'm not so lost as I thought. Just, uh, why are you going to Stony Point? You're not a soldier. You wear no uniform. Well, I... I have a cousin serving with that body of Loyal American garrison at Stony Point. I bear him news of its family. If you would be kind enough to direct me... Mama will take you there. Won't you, Mama? Well... My day to visit my sons. I go each week. The British permit it. I guess you can come along. He can carry the flag. Uh, the flag of truth. Mama always takes one for safety. If it wouldn't trouble you, then... Oh, all right. I guess it won't. But I'll carry the flag. You carry the basket of food. It's the heavier. Wait here while I fetch it. You were not lost. What? No more are you from Vermont. Or a simple farmer's you're dressed or your name, Jonathan Tomkins. Well, now you do have an imagination. I think you stopped here on purpose. I think you know Mama goes into the fort to see my brothers every weekend. This is the day. You go a long way around to tell a man to his spacey lies. Oh, please, I... Do not be angry with me. Angry? I'm puzzled, Miss. You think this, yet you say nothing? Mama would not take you with her if she knew. I want to help you. That's strange, girl. No, sir, not truly. Why do you... Why should you help me? Because I believe in the cause. Because my brothers fight with the enemy and I can do nothing. A girl can't... How do I get that about, does it? Mama. Here's the basket packed and ready. Oh, mind you, don't kill it now. Come along. We haven't too much time. Goodbye, Annie. You cannot fight, but you have helped win a battle for freedom this morning. Goodbye to you, Miss. Goodbye, sir. Mr. Tomkin. Or whoever you are. Wouldn't that be the cause? Wait just a head. It would. Take a guess. You will state your business. Good morning. Pass, ma'am. Wait a minute. I took this for one of your sons. From Vermont. Would you state for him, Mrs. Smith? I do not. He's a stranger. I was lost. This lady was so kind as to guide me here. I seek a kinsman, garrisoned in the fort. You may know him. Tomkins? It's a common name. Vermont, you say. Step closer, fellow. Oh, come, come. That's fresh bread in that basket. You wanted to get damp and mildewed while you stand about talking and that's an official light. Mind you, don't drop that basket, Vermont. The lady has a temper. Stranger to me. The basket, please. Here, ma'am. Stranger, you say? Well, Mr. Tomkins, I brought you to the fort. You will state your business, Stranger. Your patience, sir. I have no business. What? Only admiration for such a fort. Such intelligence to build it. Sir, you do indeed. I am but a poor farmer soldiering. I must leave to my butters. But it is beautiful. Is it not? Especially the... The what? Making your patience? You don't recognize a howitzer? No. No, I see that you don't. You are a farmer. What brings you here, fellow? Well, in my village, no man has ever seen a fort, sir. I thought if I might just poke about like inside. Ah, you want to impress the home folks, eh? Well, I see no harm in it. Come along. But mind you, don't make a nuisance of yourself. Standing on the bastion. Where towards the river? He came in this morning with Mrs. Smith. That woman's here again? She's got the Colonel's permission. Bad for discipline. Mother's hovering about. He's a farmer, eh? Yes, Corporal. And he hasn't a look of a farmer to me. What's he doing up there? What he's been doing all morning, poking a bird. He's a simple fellow. I talked to him. About what? About the fort. He's never been inside one before. Oh. He's a harmless corporal. I'll take a note on him. Oh, I hope so. But I'll just make certain. On the summit, heat batteries detached. Crunches running between. The landing would have to take those words first. Is that fog? I've dropped straight down 150 feet under rocks that... You? Well, Corporal, I also might say of all the men in the British Army, you. A simple farmer, eh? A countryman. Formless. It was an accepted premise up to now. Captain McClane. Trapped like a schoolboy. Don't move. With your permission, one step only away from the edge. As you pointed out, the drop is straight and far. I believe this is the first time I've seen you smile, Corporal. First time I've had reason to smile. The great Captain McClane. My prisoner. I'm scarcely great, would you say, to be trapped like a schoolboy. I'm not armed. So I see. You carry boldness to the point of stupidity, McClane. It would seem so. What are you doing here? I'm poking about it. Why? Well, permit me one suggestion, Corporal. Since I'll be questioned at some length by your superior officer, I suppose I'd save my answers for him. Still high and mighty, aren't you? Well, a taste of military prison will take that out of you. Well, speaking of prisons, you escaped from yours. Keep your hands behind you when I can see them. Here, what? I don't like pistols in my back. Cover approaching, it's none. The trees have all been felled. The second line of a back is, it's on a height. With the summit behind it, yeah. These trenches here, connecting the batteries of the inner quarter, they're incomplete. That's the most significant factor. I agree, sir. General Washington. Captain McClane? Yes, sir. General Wayne sent me word your mission was successfully completed. You have the report in full, General? Aye, sir. Captain, what do you estimate the garrison's strength? Perhaps 600 men and all, the 17th Regiment of Ford, the Grenadier Company of the 71st, as he praises Highlanders, a company of loyalist Americans, detachments of artillerymen. Is it your opinion that attack has a chance of success? A slim chat, sir. Depending on whether those entrenchments are still incomplete. In other words, we must move quickly, as quickly as possible. Thank you, Captain. We'll try to perform our task, as well as you perform yours. Thank you, sir. One moment, Captain McClane. Yes, General Washington. Stony Point commands the approach to West Point, the key to our western lands. Our heart is threatened so long as this attack, this situation rather prevails. You should know that I am planning this attack around your report, sir. Its success, if we are to have success, will be due in large measure to you. Your hand, Captain McClane. And God bless you. Sign of that wagon. We're not to be in on the attack. Is that it? We're not. We're raiders, Lieutenant. Wait a minute. It's around the bend. Well, then, what did General Washington say, sir, this morning? I told you. No, you said he shook your hand, but you didn't. There they come. That supplied train must not reach the fort. Explain it. Thanks. What did he say when... Lieutenant, I met General Washington this morning. I've not the time to look backwards so far. Too much lies ahead. I propose we go to meet it now. Forward! Allen McClane, who carried through the dangerous mission that helped write Stony Point is a glorious page in American history. Up and down the 13 embattled colonies, word of the victory ran like fire, warming men's hearts and brightening their spirits. And with the news, spread one name among others, one more gallant soldier of the War of Independence, the constant hero of surprise and daring, Captain Allen McClane of Delaware. Cavalcade players for the nice pre-story. Count Cavalcade was written by William Kendall Clarke and was based on material from the book, The War of the Revolution Vol. 2 by Christopher Ward, published by the McMillan Company. Original music was composed by Arden Cornwell, conducted by Donald Voorhees. The program was directed by with our star, McDonald Carry, you heard Jack Manning as Michael and Felix D. Bank as the corporal. Others were Elizabeth Watts, Barbara Joyce, Ronald Long, Edwin Jerome, Barry Kroger and Rykel Kent. And Mrs. I. Harris, reminding you to be with us next week when the DuPont Cavalcade will present Life on the Mississippi, the nostalgic story of Mark Twain's early days as a river pilot. Our star, Raymond Massie. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Brotherhood Week. Seven days set aside for rededication to the principles for which our country was founded. This is the time to re-examine our actions, to make sure that we do more than just believe in Brotherhood. That we remember to live and to support it. The DuPont Cavalcade of America came to you from the Velasco Theater in New York City and is sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. Makers of better things for better living, through chemistry. Tonight, just for last, listen to Red Skelton on NBC.