MovieChat Forums > Turn (2014) Discussion > Nathan Hale's last words

Nathan Hale's last words


I understand artistic license and all that but I was bothered by the implication that Washington and others deliberately lied about Nathan Hale's last words. From what I've read, it's unclear exactly what he said before he was hanged, but there is some support for what's come down to us in history. Supposedly a British officer who was at his hanging reported those words to an American later. And even assuming his words were embellished after the fact, I've seen no suggestion that Washington knew anything about that. It seemed a disservice to both Hale and Washington for the final episode to suggest otherwise.

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That is straight from the book.

Does anyone have the reference?

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Wikipedia says "From the memoirs of Captain William Hull, quoting British Captain John Montresor."

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My understanding is that Hale's final words were attributed to him by friends of his who wanted him remembered as a hero. Sadly, Hale was not a very bright man and was caught when a "Tory" at a bar pretended to be a rebel. Hale believed the ruse and spilled the beans to the man, who betrayed him, resulting in his arrest and eventual hanging.
What he truly said before his death was written in the diary of a British captain: “He behaved with great composure and resolution, saying he thought it the duty of every good officer, to obey any orders given him by his commander in chief; and desired the spectators to be at all times prepared to meet death in whatever shape it may appear.”

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