He won`t be the last to leave.
Trust me. Soon my countrymen will arrive.
-The French army is-- -To hell with you.
And to hell with the French army.
We don`t need them.
We got Benjamin Martin. We know what he done to the French.
Father.
Men always buy you drinks because of what happened at Fort Wilderness.
Strangers know more about you than l do.
Tell me what happened.
Your mother asked me that question around about the time you were born.
l was drunk and foolish enough to answer it.
The French and the Cherokee had raided along the Blue Ridge.
The English settlers had sought refuge at Fort Charles.
By the time we got there, the fort was abandoned.
They`d left about a week before.
But what we found was....
Go on.
They`d killed all the settlers, the men.
With the women and...
...some of the children, they had....
We buried them all, what was left of them.
We caught up with them at Fort Wilderness.
We took our time.
We cut them apart slowly.
Piece by piece.
l can see their faces.
l can still hear their screams.
All but two. We let them live.
We sent the heads on a pallet...
...with the two that lived back to Fort Ambercon.
The eyes, tongues, fingers...
...we put in baskets.
Sent them down the Asheulot to the Cherokee.
Soon after, the Cherokee broke their treaty with the French.
That`s how we justified it.
We were...
...heroes.
And men bought you drinks.
Not a day goes by where l don`t ask God`s forgiveness for what l did.
Thomas was my brother, as well as your son.
You may not believe this, but l want satisfaction as much as you do.
But not at the expense of our cause.
There will be a time for revenge.
But until then, stay the course.
Your mother said that when l`d get drunk or lose my temper.
She`d say it to me when l picked on Thomas.
l miss him.
The British got 1 8 of our men at Fort Carolina.
They`ll be hung one at a time until they give up the rest of us.
Reverend...
...can you write a letter for me?
-To my wife and boy. -Yes, of course l will.
But first let us pray.
My Iord...
...there is a rider at the gates.
A civilian carrying a white flag.
l am occupied.
He has a pair of dogs with him.
Great Danes.
And dearLord...
...protect us in this, our hour of need.
This we ask in the name of the Father, the Son....
And the Holy Ghost.
Wait here.
General Lord Cornwallis will be with you shortly.
Jupiter, Mars. Come, boys.
Come.
My good boys. My brave boys. You seem to be well-fed.
l thank you for that.
l`m afraid l don`t know your name.
l`m a colonel in the Continental Army. My rank should be sufficient for now.
As you wish.
Please be seated.
Thank you.
Would you, as the initiating officer, care to begin?
l will, unless you`d like to claim aggrieved status.
Yes, l would like to claim aggrieved status.
Very well, sir. Proceed.
You have in your possession belongings of mine including clothing...
...furniture, personal effects of a non-military nature...
...which l`d like returned to me.
lndeed. l will do so as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Now we come to the matter of the 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.
To your mind, what are appropriate levels of hostile attention?
lmagine the chaos that would follow...
...from leaderless armies having at each other.
There must be gentlemen in command to lead...
...and, where necessary, restrain their men.
Restrain them from, say, targeting civilians. Women, children and such.
That`s a separate issue.
No. l consider them linked.
And as long as your soldiers attack civilians...
...l will order the shooting of officers at every engagement.
And my men are excellent marksmen.
Very well.
-Now, let us move on to-- -Prisoner exchange.
Sir?
You have 1 8 of my men. l want them back.
l do have 1 8 criminals under sentence of death...
...but l hold no prisoners of war.
lf that`s your position, 1 8 of your officers will have to die.
Nineteen, if you hang me with my men.
My officers?
Sir.
Top of the ridge, to your left. Below the tree line.
Their names and ranks?
They refused to give names. There are 9 lieutenants, 5 captains, 3 majors...
...and one fat colonel who called me...
...a cheeky fellow.
This is not the conduct of a gentleman.
lf the conduct of your officers is the measure of a gentleman...
...l`ll take that as a compliment.
Get my men.
-Arrange the exchange. -My lord.
Thank you, sir.
Release the prisoners!
-What is this? -Prisoner exchange.
He has 1 8 of our officers.
Who is he? l recognize him.
He`s the commander of the militia.
Your ghost.
Stay that sword, colonel!
He rode in under a white flag for formal parley.
This is madness.
lf you harm him, you condemn our officers.
With respect, sir, he`s killed as many officers in the last two months.
He has shown no aggression here. Hence he cannot be touched.
Has he not?
You!
So you`re the ghost, are you? l remember you!
On that farm! That stupid little boy!
Did he die?
You know...
...it`s an ugly business, doing one`s duty.
But just occasionally...
...it`s a real pleasure.
Before this war is over, l`m going to kill you.
Why wait?
Soon.
Move out!
But l still think it`s imperative to push north.
One of our captured officers, my lord.
My reputation suffers because ofyourincompetence!
That man insults me!
Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, wouldn`t you say?
l want you to find that man.
l want you to capture him.
The man has the loyalty of the people.
They protect him. Protect his family.
Protect the families of his men.
l 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,`` l think.
Go on.
l am prepared to do what is necessary.
l alone will assume the full mantle of responsibility for my actions...
...free of the chain of command...
...rendering you blameless.
However...
...if l do this...
...you and l both know that l can never return to England with honor.
What, l wonder, is to become of me?
When this war is over here in the Colonies...
...the new aristocracy...
...will be landowners.
Tell me about Ohio.
Make way.
As you were.
Wilkins. A plantation seven miles from Wakefield, on the Santee...
...east of Black Swamp. Who lived there?
Benjamin Martin.
He`s the ghost.
What do you know about him?
Hell, everything. l could tell you the size of his boot.
Does he have family? Where would he hide his children?
His wife`s sister has a plantation.
lt`s not far.
Aunt Charlotte! Wake up, someone`s coming!
Get the boys.
Margaret, come quickly.
-Let`s go. -Boys, come.
Go.
Stay close.
This way.
Follow me.
We`ll go downstairs to the kitchen.
Margaret, quick! Get down there! Fast!
Samuel, get down there fast!
Beneath the sill. There.
There`s no one in the house.
They can`t be far.
Search the outbuildings and the woods, quickly.
Prepare to fire the house.
Go.
This one`s head of the house slaves.
Where are they hiding?
Keep looking! They`re here somewhere!
-Gabriel. -Where`s Father?
Torch the house!
To horse!
Come on! lt`s all right.
Susan, come here.
Charlotte!
They won`t stop looking for us.
You`ll be safe where we`re taking you.
Father said it was a perfect place to hide.
How is he?
l don`t know. l`m his son.
Where is Father?
Speaking for months now.
Speaking for months.
Why did he go?
He didn`t want those mean men to find you, so he led them away.
He`ll come see you as soon as he can.
l don`t care. l hate him.
Susan, you don`t hate him.
l hate him, and l hope he never comes back.
lt`s the children.
Abigale!
You`re alive!
She spoke. Susan talked to you?
ln full sentences.
As if she`d been speaking all along.
Damn, l wasn`t there for it.
What did she say?
She said...
...that she loves you and misses you...
...but understands why you can`t be with her.
My Lord, she said that.
lsn`t that something?
Tavington has a list of our men. He`s burning our homes...
...killing whomever resists.
Where?
Seven homes along the Santee so far.
John, this is not a time for vengeance.
This is a time for mourning.
Attend to your families.
One week furlough for all men.
Any man who does not return will not be thought a coward or uncommitted.
Father!
Papa!
They`re huge. What have you been feeding them?
They`re from good stock on their father`s side.
Susan?
l see it. There it is. Look. Look, father.
l got it! l got it!
You got it.
l got it!
-Careful. -l caught it.
-All the fish are over here. -Let`s get them.
Father, what changed you?
Are you sure l have?
Yes. You changed.
That`s simple.
lt was your mother.
A woman can have a strange effect on a man.
There were times...
...l had trouble breathing around your mother.
l know the feeling.
You once said...
...when l had a family of my own, l`d understand.
You were right.
You`re trying to tell me something.
-Apple? -Thank you.
Congratulations.
Anne Patricia Howard...
...will you have this man to be your husband to live in marriage?
Will you love, comfort and honor him...
...for so long as you both shall live?
l will.
Gabriel Edward Martin, will you have this woman to be your wife...
...to live together in the covenant of marriage?
Will you love, comfort and honor her as long as you both shall live?
l will.
Then by the power vested in me by our mutual faith...
...in the Lord, our God...
...l now pronounce you man and wife.
l`m sorry we didn`t give you more warning.
lt`s fine.
l have something for you.
lt belonged to Gabriel`s mother.
lt`s beautiful.
Allow me.
lt`s the North Star.
That`s the only star in the sky that never moves.
lt`s constant, unwavering.
A guide.
l`d be honored.
May l?
-lf you must. -l must.
May l sit with you?
lt`s a free country.
Or at least it will be.
l`m not my sister.
l know that.
Do you?
Yes, l do.
Very well, then.
Well?
Well what?
l`ll see you in Pembroke soon.
Not soon enough.
l`m counting on you to make sure--
-l know. -What?
Say my prayers, take care of everyone.
Couldn`t have said it better.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Susan.
Goodbye?
Just one word, that`s all l want.
All right.
Papa!
Papa, don`t go! l`ll say anything.
Please, Papa.
l`ll say anything you want.
Tell me what you want me to say. l`ll say anything.
l promise, Papa. Please don`t go.
l promise.
l`ll come back.
l`ll come back. You believe me?
You know, you make me very happy.
Just the three of us?
John Raskin did come by earlier.
He looked around, then he left.
He would`ve made four.
Four would have been better.
l got another two months to go before l get to twelve months.
Colonel.
Reverend.
Trust the French.
Yes, trust the French.
Where else do l get the opportunity to kill a few Redcoats?
Perhaps a few wounded ones when you are not looking.
Everyone must gather at the church.
Mr. Wilkins?
Colonel Tavington wishes to address the whole village.
This town has given aid to Benjamin Martin and his rebels.
l wish to know his whereabouts.
So...
...anyone who comes forward...
...may be forgiven their treason.
Very well.
-You had your chance. -Wait!
-This man gives them supplies. -Quiet!
-He brings them to Black Swamp. -Liar!
ln the marsh, by the old Spanish mission.
This man here?
-Yes. -The Black Swamp, you say?
By the old Spanish mission.
Thank you very much.
Shut the doors.
But you said we`d be forgiven.
And indeed you may!
That`s between you and God.
Be strong. We must.
l`ll fire the town on your orders.
The town?
Burn the church.
There`s no honor in this.
Didn`t you say all those who stand against England...
...deserve to die a traitor`s death?
Burn the church, captain.
Give me the torch.
The honor is found in the end, not the means.
This will be forgotten.
Bordon.
Anne!
Mrs. Howard?
Where is everybody?
They`re not here.
Gabriel`s gone.
To arms! To arms!
Father.
Just don`t talk. Don`t talk.
Father.
-l`m sorry. -Be quiet.
l`ll take care of you. You`ll be all right.
l`m sorry about Thomas.
Oh, son, that wasn`t your fault.
That was mine.
Hold on. You`re gonna be all right.
Don`t go. Gabriel, don`t.
Oh, God help me. God help me.
Where is he?
l`ll help you bury him.
l`ll bury him.
My wife in Alexandria is with child.
My first.
l fight for that child.
Benjamin, nothing will replace your sons.
But if you come with us, you can justify their sacrifice.
Why?
Why do men feel they can justify death?
ls it arrogance or...?
l have long feared...
...that my sins would return to visit me.
And the cost is more than l can bear.
Benjamin, we have a chance.
Greene and Dan Morgan are down from Virginia.
lf we win this next battle, victory in the war is within our grasp.
Go, then.
Seek your victory.
-l`m small issue to it. -You`re wrong, Benjamin.
You matter to your men...
...and to others as well.
Your victories...
...and your losses...
...are shared by more than you know.
Stay with us.
Stay the course.
l have run my course.
You men will be leaving with us.
Prepare the baggage.
Jean.
Tomorrow`s battle can alter the course of the war.
General Greene, what exactly is the task before us?
Gentlemen, Cornwallis has us cornered.
Not only does he outnumber us...
...but nearly half of our force is militia.
Unreliable, at best.
Excuse me, sir.
You underestimate our militia.
All of you do.
We`ve seen our militia lines break time and again.
Kips Bay, Princeton.
But the British have seen that too.
Cornwallis` own letters bear out that he has no respect for the militia.
What are you suggesting, Ben?
l`m suggesting we use that.
l know you men have sacrificed a lot so far.
But all l`m asking is that you...
...let the front line of the militia fire two shots tomorrow.
A lot can happen in the time it takes to fire two shots.
Especially against British Regulars.
lndeed. That`s why l`m not asking you to fire three.
lf l die, l will die well-dressed.
Fire!
-Battalion! -Company, halt!
Harry...
...will you give this to my children?
Thank you.
lt`s October now.
l know.
lt`s more than 1 2 months.
You`re a free man.
l`m here now on my own accord.
l`m honored to have you with us.
Honored.
Shoulder arms!
Forward...
...march!
How old were your daughters?
Violette was 1 2 and Pauline, 1 0.
They had green eyes.
l`m sure they were lovely.
Yes, they were.
-Battalion! -Company!
March!
Fire!
Unless l`m dreaming...
...l believe l see militia forming at their center.
Battalion, halt!
Dress ranks!
Make ready!
Battalion!
Halt!
Take aim!
Fire!
Hold the line!
-Prepare to charge! -We haven`t been given that order.
Charge!
Tavington.
Damn him! Damn that man!
Make ready.
Take aim!
Fire!
Take aim!
Fire!
Retreat!
Bayonet charge. We`ll see who takes the glory from this field.
Charge!
Congratulations, my lord.
lnfantry reserve into the center.
But you`ve taken the field.
Now we`ll take their spirits.
Send the battalion over that hill and crush them.
lt ends today.
Hold the charge!
Fire!
Hold the charge!
Fire!
Take aim!
Fire!
Charge!
Charge bayonets!
Halt!
Hold! Dress your ranks!
Fire!
Charge!
Retreat!
Colonel!
The line is faltering!
Retreat! Retreat!
Wait!
No retreat!
Hold the line!
Push forward, men!
Artillery, concentrate on the center.
lf we reform and wheel right, we may be able to turn their flank.
You dream, general.
Kill me before the war is over, will you?
lt appears you are not...
...the better man.
You`re right.
My sons were better men.
Sound the retreat.
Sound...
...retreat.
Dear CharIotte:
The warhas turned.
GeneraI CornwaIIis took fIight with his army and moved north.
We continued to engage the British, and in the foIIowing months...
...CornwaIIis entrenched himseIf at Yorktown, Virginia.
Washington escaped from the north...
...and surrounded CornwaIIis, who couId not retreat to the seas.
It was bIocked offby ourIong-Iost friends...
...who had finaIIy arrived.
Vive Ia France.
Vive Ia Iiberté.
My lord, l beseech you.
You must order the surrender.
How could it come to this? An army of rabble.
Peasants.
Everything will change.
Everything has changed.
Though he eventuaIIy surrendered...
...CornwaIIis himseIfhid in shame...
...appointing his subordinate to reIinquish his sword.
With the war ending, and ourmiIitia disbanding...
...I take measure of what we have Iost...
...and what we have won.
My hope and prayeris that the sacrifices borne by so many...
...wiII spawn and fuIfiII the promise of ournew nation.
TeII the chiIdren, and especiaIIy Susan, that I wiII keep mypromise...
...as I wiII be returning to you aII soon.
Where will you go now?
Home. Start over.
Your wife`s expecting a child, isn`t she?
She gave birth to a son three weeks ago.
What`d you name him?
We named him Gabriel.
Thank you, Harry.
Gabriel is a good name for a farmer.
lt is. lt is.
Jean.
Ben.
Gabriel said if we won the war...
...we could build a whole new world.
Just figured we`d get started right here...
...with your home.
Sounds good.
Thank you.