A few days into their honeymoon, Hamilton receives a letter from Lafayette, who brought supplies and funds from France and asks him to return to the war. The Hamiltons go to New Windsor, where Eliza sees the suffering of the troops. Hamilton complains about not moving up in the ranks as he dreamed, despite being Washington’s right-hand man. Washington wants mutineers punished, but Eliza feels it is unjust as they are only demanding what they were promised by the government.

Hamilton argues with Washington and the two of them break. Tilghman comes to apologize for Washington, but Hamilton does not agree to speak with him. Hamilton quits his position, though everyone thinks his pride is leading him astray. Martha Washington tells Eliza that she must advise her husband to heal the divide between him and Washington. She and Lafayette try to come up with a way to make Hamilton see reason.

Eliza is unable to persuade Hamilton to stay in Washington’s service, but they continue to travel with his troops. Hamilton studies and plans a financial future for America if they win the war. Eliza helps copy his notes. Seeing the scholar and statesman in him, not just the soldier, Eliza abandons her attempt to convince Hamilton to return to Washington’s service.