The Patriot Movie Wiki

During the American Revolution in 1776, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a veteran of the French and Indian War and widower with seven children, is called to Charleston to vote in the South Carolina General Assembly on a levy supporting the Continental Army. Fearing war against Great Britain, Benjamin abstains. Captain James Wilkins (Adam Baldwin) votes against and joins the Loyalists. A supporting vote is nonetheless passed and against his father’s wishes, Benjamin’s eldest son Gabriel (Heath Ledger) joins the Continental Army.
Some years later, Charleston falls to the British and a wounded Gabriel returns home carrying dispatches. The Martins care for both British and American wounded from the nearby battle, before British Dragoons led by a ruthless Colonel William Tavington (Jason Isaacs) arrive and arrest Gabriel. When Benjamin’s young son Thomas tries to free Gabriel, he is shot and killed by Tavington, who orders the Martins’ house burned and wounded American regulars executed. After the British leave, Benjamin gives his next two eldest sons muskets and they ambush the British unit escorting a shackled Gabriel. Benjamin skillfully, yet brutally, kills many soldiers with his tomahawk. A British survivor tells Tavington of an almost unseen man rapidly killing the soldiers, earning Benjamin the moniker of the “Ghost”. Benjamin and Gabriel resolve to fight the British, leaving the younger children in the care of Benjamin’s sister-in-law, Charlotte (Joely Richardson).