Ep 2. Never Surrender

In The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen season 1 episode 2 titled "Never Surrender," the audience witnesses how the American Revolution ignites in the backcountry, and how early masters of industry, such as Daniel Morgan, Henry Knox, and Alexander Hamilton, play crucial roles in the fight for independence.

The episode begins with Daniel Morgan stealing gunpowder from the British army to supply the troops fighting in the Revolution. He, along with other frontiersmen, unanimously agree that they will not surrender their hard-won freedom to the British Empire. Meanwhile, in Boston, Henry Knox, a bookseller turned Colonel in the Revolutionary War, is developing a plan to remove dozens of cannon from Fort Ticonderoga, across hundreds of miles of wilderness, to support the American soldiers in Boston. Knox's bravery and calculated risks bring hope to the Continental Army.

As the war rages on and resources dwindle, Alexander Hamilton, an ambitious aide to George Washington, sets out to convince the King of France to fund the Revolution. Hamilton's charisma and persuasive language gain him and his cause tremendous support, despite the American's lack of battlefield successes.

The episode also showcases the contributions of women during the Revolution. Mary Draper Ingles, a brave mother and frontierswoman, navigates through hostile territory, risking her life to warn American soldiers of an impending attack from the British. Her courage and fearlessness inspire those around her.

The episode draws attention to the hardships endured by the soldiers fighting in the American Revolution, as they battle with disease, harsh conditions, and insufficient resources. The audience also observes how these setbacks fail to discourage the frontiersmen, as they maintain their determination to fight for their independence.

The episode concludes with the Americans achieving their first significant victory at Saratoga, paving the way for France to formally enter the Revolution. The efforts of men like Daniel Morgan, Henry Knox, and Alexander Hamilton, along with the sacrifices of women like Mary Draper Ingles, set the stage for the formation of the United States of America. "Never Surrender" highlights the bravery, perseverance, and undying spirit of the men and women who built early America.