25 quotes
Tactics and Loyalty in Conflict
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
My reputation suffers because of your incomptence! That man insults me!
Colonel William Tavington
Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, wouldn't you say?
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
I want you to find that man. I want you to capture him.
[beckons Tavington closer]
Colonel William Tavington
The man has the loyalty of the people. They protect him. They protect his family. They protect the families of his men. I can capture him for you. But to do so requires the use of tactics that are somewhat... what was the word your lordship used? "Brutal", I think?
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Go on.
Colonel William Tavington
I am prepared to do what is necessary. I alone will assume the full mantle of responsibility for my actions, free of the chain of command, rendering you blameless. However, if I do this, you and I both know that I can never return to England with honor. What, I wonder, is to become of me?
[pours himself a glass of wine]
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
When this war is over here in the colonies, the new aristocracy... will be landowners.
[unrolls a map of North America; Tavington glances at the map]
Colonel William Tavington
Tell me about Ohio.
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Commitment to Liberty and Sacrifice
Gabriel Martin
But I considerate myself fortunate to be serving the cause of Liberty. And though I fear death, each day in prayer I reaffirm my willingness, if necessary, to give my life in its service. Pray for me, but above all, pray for the cause. (from a letter written to his brother Thomas)
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Colonel Tavington Seeks Information on Benjamin Martin
Colonel William Tavington
This town has given aid to Benjamin Martin and his rebels. I wish to know his whereabouts. So, anyone who comes forward may be forgiven their treason. Very well, you had your chance.
[silence]
Hardwick
Wait! This man gives Martin and his men supplies!
Peter Howard
Quiet!
Hardwick
He brings them to Black Swamp!
Anne Howard Martin
He's a liar!
Peter Howard
You damn fool!
Hardwick
In the marsh, by the old Spanish mission!
Colonel William Tavington
This man here?
Hardwick
Yes.
Colonel William Tavington
The Black Swamp, you say? By the old Spanish mission. Thank you very much. Shut the doors!
Hardwick
But you said…we'd be forgiven!
Colonel William Tavington
And indeed you may! But that's between you and God.
Captain Wilkins
Ready to fire the town on your orders, sir.
Colonel William Tavington
The town? Burn the church.
Captain Wilkins
There's no honour in this.
[''Realizing'']
Colonel William Tavington
Didn't you say that all who stand against England deserve to die a traitor's death? Burn the church, Captain.
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Conducting War with Honor
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
His Majesty, like history, judges us not only by the outcome of the war, but the manner in which it was fought.
Colonel William Tavington
My lord...
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
We serve the crown, and we must conduct ourselves accordingly. Surrendering troops will be given quarter; these brutal tactics must stop!
Colonel William Tavington
Is it not enough, my lord, that I have never lost a battle?
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
You serve me, and the manner in which you serve me reflects upon me! I would've thought that a gentleman from a family as esteemed as yours would understand that.
Colonel William Tavington
My late father squandered any esteem in which we were held, along with my inheritance. I advance myself only though victory.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
You advance yourself only through my good graces. These colonials are our brethren, and when this conflict is over, we will reestablish commerce with them. Do you understand, colonel?
Colonel William Tavington
Perfectly, my lord.
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Worth Fighting For
Taglines
Some things are worth fighting for.
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Cornwallis Reflects on the Nature of Victory
Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis
These rustics are so inept. Nearly takes the honor out of victory... nearly.
[Watching the Continental Army routed at Camden]
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Militia Challenges Conventional Military Strategies
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Colonel Tavington, why, after six weeks, am I still here in Middleton Place, attending a ball in South Carolina, when I should be attending balls in North Carolina? First, the theft of my personal baggage, including my memoirs, on which I've spent countless hours; then half the bridges and ferries between here and Charles Town burned. Colonel, if you can't protect our supply lines against militia, how do you intend doing so against the colonial regulars, or the French when they arrive?
Colonel William Tavington
My lord, they won't fight like regulars. We can't find them.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Colonel, they're militia! They're farmers with pitchforks!
Colonel William Tavington
They're rather more than that, I'm afraid, my lord. Made so by their commander, this "Ghost".
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Ghost, ghost, ghost... you created this "Ghost", Colonel.
Colonel William Tavington
My lord?
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Your brutality has swelled his ranks, without which this "Ghost" would have disappeared, and I would be in North Carolina or Virginia by now!
Colonel William Tavington
In my defense, my lord...
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Oh, enough, enough! Fine soldier you are, bested by a bedtime story.
[contemptuously]
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Prisoner Exchange and Recognition in Conflict
Colonel William Tavington
General, what is this?
Brigadier General O'Hara
Prisoner exchange. He has eighteen of our officers.
Colonel William Tavington
Who is he? I recognize him.
Brigadier General O'Hara
He is the commander of the militia. Your "Ghost". Stay that sword, Colonel! He rode in under a white flag for formal parley.
[''Tavington draws his sword and advances on Martin.'']
Colonel William Tavington
This is madness.
Brigadier General O'Hara
If you harm him, you condemn our officers.
Colonel William Tavington
General, with respect, sir, he's killed as many officers in the last two months.
Brigadier General O'Hara
He has shown no aggression here. Hence he cannot be touched.
Colonel William Tavington
Has he not? You! So you're the Ghost, are you? I remember you! On that farm, and that stupid little boy! Did he die? Hm? You know, it's an ugly business, doing one's duty. But just occasionally... it's a real pleasure.
[to Martin; ''Martin turns around''; ''Martin walks up to him'']
Benjamin Martin
...Before this war is over, I'm going to kill you.
Colonel William Tavington
Why wait?
Benjamin Martin
Soon.
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A Tense Family Encounter
Gabriel Martin
I've come to call on Anne.
Gabriel Martin
I've come to call on Anne.
Peter Howard
Well, of course you call yourself a man!
Anne Howard Martin
Father, stop it! You heard him!
Peter Howard
Well, call on her!
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A Shift in Perception and Power
Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis
How could it come to this? A bunch of rabble... peasants. Everything will change...Everything has changed.
[Forced to surrender at Yorktown]
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Frustration with a Fellow Officer
Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis
Tavington. Damn him, DAMN THAT MAN!
[At Cowpens, sees Tavington's dragoons charge without Cornwallis' orders]
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The Duty of a Shepherd
Reverend Oliver
A shepherd must tend his flock. And at times... fight off the wolves.
[Joining the militia, to the surprise of his congregation]
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Call to Action for True Patriots
Anne Howard
Half the men in this church, including you, father... and you reverend, are as ardent patriots as I. Will you now, when you are needed most, stop at only words?. Is that the sort of men you are?. I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken, and in which you so strongly believe.
[after men were asked to join the militia, but no one initially seemed to be interested]
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Before Soldiers: Family, Legends, and Freedom
Taglines
Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heroes. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom.
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The Dangers of Distant Governance
Benjamin Martin
Would you tell me please, Mr. Howard, why should I trade ] 3000 miles away, for ] one mile away? An elected legislature can trample a man's rights as easily as a king can.
[[w:George III|one tyrant; [w:Continental Congress|3000 tyrants]
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The Ethics of Warfare and Leadership
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Now we come to the matter of specific targeting of officers during engagements. You must know that in civilized warfare, officers in the field must not be accorded inappropriate levels of hostile attention.
Benjamin Martin
To your opinion, what are appropriate levels of hostile attention?
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Colonel, imagine the utter chaos that would follow from leaderless armies having at each other. There must be gentlemen to command, lead, and- and, where necessary, restrain their men.
Benjamin Martin
Restrain them from, say, targeting civilians. Women, children and such.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
That's a separate issue.
Benjamin Martin
No, no. I consider them linked. And as long as your soldiers attack civilians, I will order the shooting of officers at the outset of every engagement. And my men are excellent marksmen.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Very well. Now, let us move on to...
Benjamin Martin
Prisoner exchange.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Sir?
Benjamin Martin
You have eighteen of my men. I want them back.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
I-I hold eighteen criminals under sentence of death, but I hold no prisoners of war.
Benjamin Martin
If that's your position, eighteen of your officers will have to die. Nineteen, if you hang me with my men.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
My officers?
Benjamin Martin
Top of the ridge, to your left. Just below the tree line.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Their names and ranks?
Benjamin Martin
They refused to give me their names, but the ranks are nine lieutenants, five captains, three majors, and one very fat colonel who called me a... "cheeky fellow.
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
You know, this is not the conduct of a gentleman.
Benjamin Martin
If the conduct of your officers is the measure of a gentleman, I'll take that as a compliment. Get my men.
[Pauses]
Lieutenant General Cornwallis
Arrange the exchange.
[To O'Hara]
Brigadier General O'Hara
My lord.
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Building a New World of Equality
Gabriel Martin
If we win this war, a lot of things will change.
Soldier Occam
What will change?
Gabriel Martin
They call this the New World. It's not. It's the same as the old. But we have the chance to build a new world. A world where all men are created equal under God.
Soldier Occam
Equal... sounds good.
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A Clash of Ideals and Sacrifice
Colonel William Tavington
Kill me before the war is over, will you? It appears you are not the better man.
Benjamin Martin
You're right. My sons were better men.
[picks up a loose bayonet…; …and slits Tavington's throat with it]
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The Fight for Freedom and Family
Taglines
Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heros. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom.
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Justifying Sacrifice in Times of War
Col. Harry Burwell
I'll help you bury him.
[referring to Gabriel, who was just killed by Tavington]
Benjamin Martin
I'll bury him.
Col. Harry Burwell
My wife Alexandria is with child, my first. I fight for that child. Benjamin, nothing will replace your sons, but if you come with us you can justify their sacrifice.
Benjamin Martin
Why?… Why do men feel they can justify death? Is it arrogance or… I have long feared, that my sins would return to visit me. And the cost is more than I can bear.
[voice trails off]
Col. Harry Burwell
Benjamin, we have a chance. ] and ] are down from Virginia. If we win this next battle, victory in the war is within our grasp.
[[w:Nathanael Greene|Greene; [w:Daniel Morgan|Dan Morgan]
Benjamin Martin
Go then, seek your victory. I'm a small issue to it.
Col. Harry Burwell
You're wrong, Benjamin. You matter to your men, and to others as well. Your victories and... and your losses, are shared by more than you know. Stay with us. Stay the course!
Benjamin Martin
I have run my course.
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Pride and Weakness in Warfare
Benjamin Martin
I've just read into the mind of a genius. Cornwallis knows more about war then any of us could ever hope to learn in a dozen lifetimes. His victories at ] and ] were perfect. Perfect. The thing is, he knows that... and perhaps that's his weakness.
[[w:Battle of Camden|Camden; [w:Siege of Charleston|Charleston]
Gabriel Martin
Sir?
Benjamin Martin
Pride. Pride's a weakness.
Major Jean Villeneuve
Personally, I would prefer stupidity.
Benjamin Martin
Pride will do.
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Worth Fighting For
Taglines
Some things are worth fighting for.
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Conflict over Rules of Engagement
Benjamin Martin
In the future, full quarter will be given to British wounded and any who surrender.
Major Jean Villeneuve
The British men of war gave no such quarter when they fired on a ship carrying my wife and daughters. I watched from 200 yards off as they were burned alive.
Benjamin Martin
You have my sympathy, but my order stands.
Major Jean Villeneuve
Damn your sympathy! Who are you to give such an order? I know what you and your men did to my countrymen at Fort Wilderness.
Benjamin Martin
We are militia. This is not regular army. Every man here is free to come and go as he pleases, but while you are here, you will obey my command or I will have you shot.
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A Father's Love for His Daughters
Benjamin Martin
How old were your daughters?
Major Jean Villeneuve
Juliette was 12. And Pauline, 10. They had green eyes.
Benjamin Martin
I'm sure they were lovely.
Major Jean Villeneuve
Yes…they were.
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Defending Home and Family: A Moral Dilemma
Taglines
What would you do if they destroyed your home, threatened your family. Where would you draw the line?
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