Becoming A Founding "Father"- Historical Hamilton

Chapter Fourteen: Trenton

The Battle of Trenton is the first major victory for Washington and the Continental Army.

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Snowflakes fell as we slowly approached what seems to be Trenton. I noticed Alexander was shivering quite violently, yet his stance always remained proud and upright. He was continuously muttering things under his breath, as if counting and re-counting everything that could go wrong.

He flinched when I put my hand on his shoulder. "'M fine, Layden."

"You'd never call me Layden if you're okay," I smile, walking next to him. "You're freezing."

He glared at me, his nose, cheeks and ears red. "So is everyone else. I fail to see your point."

"I never made one," I say and retract my hand when I notice that we're finally getting somewhere. "I... Don't overexert yourself. I'm not trying to say that you're less capable than others-" well, he looked like it with his slender, almost delicate body, but I couldn't tell him that. "-It's just that I know that you'll do more than everyone else. And you're... well, human."

"I shall be fine, Solomon. Instead of needlessly worrying over me, focus on the Hessians," He says softly, and I look forward. Some other captain signals our artillery to separate from the group, and we all drag two cannons away from the main body.

"Remember- our objective is to block King's street- not that of a massacre. Though if they shoot, return fire!" Alexander's tone of voice shifted and his body language became powerful and exact, leaving no room for the softness I felt before. It's so fascinating- it's as if he's a completely different person now.

"Yes, sir!" I fall back to my fellow soldiers, leaving Alexander at the front. A short 'Layden!' attracted my attention, and I noticed Vaughan struggling with one of our cannons. "A hand, sir!"

"Strange to see you in such disarray, Vaughan," I grin as I help him push the cannon. The Welshman had really dark eye bags, and I've never seen his hair that wild before. He smiled tiredly. "Nine miles on foot, at dawn, can do things to a man, sir."

"'S not dawn yet, even. Damn, I'm tired," I say, as he lets out an amused huff.

"I hope to believe that you curve your language around people other than Hamilton and I."

"Come on, my cursing's not that bad." That earned me a look and a knowing 'mhmm'. "Oh, go fuck yourself, Vaughan." A laugh is the only answer I get. We continue to push the cannons through the snow.

Soon we reach King's street, the place we're assigned to, Alexander shouts to prepare our muskets for fire. "Are we gonna shoot them?" I whisper in his ear, and Alexander breaks out of his captain personality for a second, worry glimmering in his eyes. "Only if they try to shoot first, but I doubt they will- Festivities have taken place yesterday, and all that entails. Still, don't go to the front. That's an order, Layden."

I almost wanted to tease him of his abuse of power, but the edge in his voice made me nod. "Yes sir."

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"Der Feind!" 

"S'that a cue?" I asked, and Vaughan shook his head. Alexander focused intently on the street, looking for some kind of sign of life, and there it was. Complete and utter chaos.

And soon, we were ordered to aim. Men with uniforms different to the Brits ran around frantically, some in questionable state of attire. I look at Vaughan in question, who just shrugged. "'T'was a surprise attack, I suppose?"

One of them finally noticed us, pointing at us and talking in frantic- uh- Hessian. Alexander raised his left hand, which meant for us to prepare the cannons. A shiver of dread ran down my back. I don't think this was going to end well.