Tom Wilkinson credited as playing...
Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis
- Lord General Cornwallis: 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."
- [about Benjamin Martin]
- Lord General Cornwallis: [Furious] My reputation suffers because of *your* incompetence! That man *insults* me!
- Colonel William Tavington: Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, wouldn't you say?
- Lord General Cornwallis: I want you to find that man. I want you to capture him.
- Colonel William Tavington: The man has the loyalty of the people. They protect him, protect his family, 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.
- Lord 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 honour. What, I wonder, is to become of me?
- Lord General Cornwallis: When this war is over here in the colonies, the new aristocracy will be landowners.
- Colonel William Tavington: Tell me about Ohio.
- Lord General Cornwallis: Colonel Tavington, why, after six weeks, am I still here at Middleton place attending a ball in South Carolina, while I should be attending balls in *North Carolina?*
- Lord 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.
- Lord General Cornwallis: [referring to a replacement formal coat] It's horse blanket.
- Colonel William Tavington: Oh, I don't know, my Lord. It's really... quite nice.
- General O'Hara: Very nice, my Lord.
- Lord General Cornwallis: Very well, it's nice horse blanket.
- Lord General Cornwallis: These rustics are so inept. It nearly takes the honor out of victory. Nearly.
- [At the Battle of Cowpens]
- General O'Hara: My Lord, if we re-form and wheel right, we may be able to turn their flank.
- Lord General Cornwallis: You dream, General.
- General O'Hara: [At the Battle of Cowpens watching the Colonial Militia retreat] Congratulations My Lord.
- Lord General Cornwallis: Infantry reserve into the center.
- General O'Hara: But My Lord, you've taken the field.
- Lord General Cornwallis: Now we will take their spirits! Send the entire battalion over that hill and crush them! It ends today!
- Lord General Cornwallis: This is how His Majesty rewards those who fight for him as gentlemen.
- Colonel William Tavington: I dare to presume my own meagre contributions will be rewarded one day.
- Lord General Cornwallis: You may presume too much. 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?
- Lord 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?
- Lord General Cornwallis: You serve me. And the manner in which you serve me *reflects* upon me! I would have thought that a gentleman from a family as esteemed as yours would understand that.
- Colonel William Tavington: My father squandered any esteem in which we were held along with my inheritance. I advance myself only through victory.
- Lord 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.