Benjamin Martin In the future, full quarter will be given to British wounded and any who surrender.
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.
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.
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 Camden and Charleston were perfect, perfect. The thing is, he knows that... and perhaps that's his weakness.
Benjamin Martin Pride. Pride's a weakness.
Personally, I would prefer stupidity.
Benjamin Martin Pride will do.
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?
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.
Benjamin Martin No, no. I consider them linked. And as long as your soldiers attack civilians, I will order the shooting of officers at every engagement. And my men are excellent marksmen.
Very well. Let us move on to...
Benjamin Martin Prisoner exchange.
Benjamin Martin You have eighteen of my men. I want them back.
[Visibly confused, General Cornwallis turns to General O'Hara, who whispers to him.]
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 them.
Benjamin Martin [Martin gets up, taking a field telescope off the General's desk. He looks out the window behind him, and hands the device to Cornwallis.]
Top of the ridge, to your left. Just below the tree line.
[General Cornwallis looks, and locates what appears to be a group of British officers held at gunpoint by Colonial militia.]
Their names and ranks?
Benjamin Martin They refuse 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."
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. [Pauses] Get my men.
[To O'Hara]
Arrange the exchange.
BG Brigadier General O'Hara
My lord.
BG Brigadier General O'Hara
Prisoner exchange. He has eighteen of our officers.
Who is he? I recognize him.
BG Brigadier General O'Hara
He is the commander of the militia. Your "Ghost". [Tavington draws his sword and advances on Martin.] Stay that sword, Colonel! He rode in under a white flag for formal parley.
BG Brigadier General O'Hara
If you harm him, you condemn our officers.
General, with respect, sir, he's killed as many officers in the last two months.
BG Brigadier General O'Hara
He has shown no aggression here. Hence he cannot be touched.
Has he, now? [to Martin] You! So you're the Ghost, are you? I remember you! On that farm, and that stupid little boy! [Martin turns around] Did he die? Hm? [Martin walks up to him.] You know, it's an ugly business, doing one's duty. But just occasionally... it's a real pleasure.
Benjamin Martin ...Before this war is over, I'm going to kill you.
Benjamin Martin Soon.
Col. Harry Burwell [referring to Gabriel, who was just killed by Tavington]
I'll help you bury him.
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… [voice trails off] I have long feared, that my sins would return to visit me. And the cost is more than I can bear.
Col. Harry Burwell Benjamin, we have a chance. Green and Dan Morgen are down from Virginia. If we win this next battle victory in the war is within our grasp.
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.
[Tavington has Benjamin wounded and on his knees]
Kill me before the war is over, will you? It appears you are not the better man.
Benjamin Martin [he swings his sword, but Benjamin dodges it, grabs a rifle and impales him with its bayonet]
You're right. [picks up a loose bayonet…] My sons were better men. […and slits Tavington's throat with it]
