John Pitcairn

"And we should live forever on castles in the sky. You wield your blade like a man, but your mouth like a child. And more will die because of that..."

―John Pitcairn.

John Pitcairn (1722 – 1775) was a member of the Templar Order and a British marine stationed in Boston, Massachusetts, for a time before the American Revolutionary War.

Biography

Early Life

Pitcairn, raised in Scotland, left in 1746 when he enlisted into the British Marine Corps as a Lieutenant to assist in the growing tension between the French and British in Colonial America. Eventually, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and began working reconnaissance jobs for the military. By 1754, Pitcairn had become a member of the Templar Order.

Templar beginnings

"I assume you've good reason for causing all this madness?"

―Pitcairn after being rescued by Haytham and Lee.

Using his contact with the Templar Rite of England, Pitcairn proved himself a valuable asset as a possible co-conspirator for the newly created group in the British American Colonies. Early in 1754, Commander Amherst arranged for him to be moved to the Copp's Hill Battery in Boston to assist the other Templars.

Pitcairn accompanying Haytham and Lee.

While in Boston, General Edward Braddock noticed Pitcairn's unauthorized presence in Boston and had him arrested and charged for desertion and treason. Haytham Kenway and Charles Lee arrived, revealing that both Lee and Pitcairn were in Haytham's service under Templar orders. Braddock reluctantly consented to give Lee to Haytham, but bitterly denied releasing Pitcairn and forced him to remain under his command.

In a plan to retrieve Pitcairn, Lee followed and pretended to be an angry citizen against the Redcoats, provoking Braddock into a chase by throwing horse manure on him. Lee lured Braddock and his men to a dead end, which allowed him, Haytham, and Pitcairn to attack and eliminate Braddock's patrol. Haytham spared Braddock, leaving him humiliated and furious as Pitcairn accompanied Haytham and Lee to Green Dragon Tavern.

Pitcairn joined Haytham's fold along with William Johnson, Thomas Hickey, Benjamin Church and Lee. At the tavern, Haytham proposed his plan to infiltrate Southgate Fort, murder Silas Thatcher, a notorious slaver, and free the Kanien'kehá:ka slaves. By freeing the captive slaves, Haytham would be able to gain favor with the Kanien'kehá:ka in order to gain information that would lead them to the mysterious precursor site.

Using a cart as a roadblock, Pitcairn and the others proceeded to ambush a slave convoy, killing the escorts, disguising themselves in their uniforms and escorted the cart to the fort. Inside the fort, Haytham stealthily freed the slaves while Pitcairn blended with and distracted the guards. However, upon realizing that the slaves had escaped, Silas raised the alarm. To this, Pitcairn and the others triggered a battle, fending off the guards while Haytham and Church killed Silas, allowing them to free the remaining slaves.

Pitcairn with his fellow Templars.

Over the next several months, Pitcairn resumed his service in the British military in Canada for the French and Indian War. In July of 1755, Pitcairn rejoined his Templar brothers in Lexington to participate in Haytham's plan to assassinate Braddock. Pitcairn attacked Braddock's expedition to Fort Duquesne. In the resulting chaos, Haytham assassinated Braddock and in the aftermath discovered the location to the precursor site.

Haytham soon after inducted Lee into the Templar Order and changed their mission to establish a permanent presence and influence in colonies. Pitcairn remained in the British Army, during his career he earned his reputation as a peacekeeper and was promoted to the rank of major by 1771.

The Battle at Lexington and Concord

"Disperse, you damned rebels! Lay down your arms and disperse!"

―Pitcairn.

The Colonists eventually rebelled against the British rule, escalating to the point of armed conflict and the Colonists formed their own army, the Patriots. Pitcairn led the British Army to Lexington and Concord in order to seize the rebel weapons and to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, the Patriot leaders, intending to negotiate a diplomatic solution.

Pitcairn ordering his troops to fall back.

Pitcairn and his forces marched into Lexington where he ordered rebels to leave, most of the rebels fled and Pitcairn made the first attack forcing rebels to retreat to Concord. En route to Concord to clear the remnants of what was still standing he was halted by the rebels where they made their stand just across a lake on one side of the area. With only one bridge to travel across Pitcairn had his men form firing lines and shoot down the rebels from afar; however Connor, an Assassin, directed the militia firing. Pitcairn suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat. The continued conflict delayed Pitcairn's chances of a peaceful settlement.

The Battle at Bunker Hill

The Continental Army soon after led an assault on the city of Boston, led by General Israel Putnam. Pitcairn remained safely inside the city while a pair of British Frigates provided cannon fire from the harbor, keeping the Continental Army at bay on Bunker Hill. Connor again assisted the Continentals. He was able to reach and sabotage the ships, forcing Pitcairn out of the city and to an encampment on top of Moultan's Hill where he continued to command his troops. Completely unaware that Connor was nearby he was out in the open watching the battle to continue unfolding.

Death

"It seems we are well and truly at war... A pity, that. For it's a war we did not ask for. A war we did not wish... And why would we? We're killing our brothers down there - and for what? Duty? Honor? Liberty and justice as the Yanks claim? No. Clinton, Pigot. To me. We must ready the next offensive."

―Pitcairn to his troops.

Connor assassinating Pitcairn.

Connor was able to evade the firing lines, advanced and infiltrated the camp undetected and finally assassinated Pitcairn. With his final words, Pitcairn stated that he wanted to make a truce with the rebels and blamed Connor for his death saying it will only worsen the war. After his last words, the Assassin took a letter from Pitcairn and fled the area, uncovering the Templar assassination plot of George Washington.

Personality and Characteristics

Pitcairn was a keen soldier and strategist from years of experience and service in the British Military. Pitcairn also had strong leadership qualities and charisma, as a result, he was well liked by his troops and even respected by his enemies. This earned Pitcairn's reputation as a peacekeeper, hence was sent to peacefully settle the colonist rebellion.

Similar to William Johnson, Pitcairn had a genuine concern for the lives of his enemies and desired to settle the conflict with few casualties. Despite this slight side of benevolence, Pitcairn did not hesitate to resort to the use of force in order to serve the Templar Order who ultimately aimed to oppress and control the Colonists. As a Templar, Pitcairn strongly believed that the British needed to stay in control of the Colonies, since they had the greater position of power and order.

Final Words

John's final moments.

• John: Why... Why did you do this?
• Connor: To protect Adams and Hancock - and those they serve. You meant to kill them-
• John: Kill them? Are you mad? I wanted only to parlay. There was so much to discuss. To explain... But you've put an end to that now.
• Connor: If you speak true, then I will carry your last words to them.
• John: They must lay down their arms. They must stop this war!
• Connor: Why them and not the Redcoats?
• John: Do you not think we asked the same question of the British? These things take time. And it would have succeeded, had you let me play my part...
• Connor: The part of the puppeteer.
• John: Better we hold the strings than another.
• Connor: No. The strings should be severed. All should be free.
• John: And we should live forever on castles in the sky. You wield your blade like a man, but your mouth like a child. And more will die now because of that...
• Connor: It's better to have faith in something, than none at all...

Reference

• Assassin's Creed III