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The Call for a Spy
George Washington calls for a volunteer. His mission will be to gather information on the British before the Battle of Harlem Heights. Nathan Hale volunteers. -
The First Successful Spy
Disguised as a school master, Nathan Hale successfully gathered information for weeks before the battle. However, while he was in enemy territory, the British invaded Manhattan. Washington had previously occupied the city but he realized how diffcult it would be to defend the city and retreated. -
Burning of Manhattan
After Washington vacated New York, he was encouraged to set the city on fire, hindering possible British bases of operation. However, Washington did not set the Great Fire of New York. It was agreed that he should flee the city but not that he should destroy it. The fire started next to The Fighting Cock Tavern and quickly spread. Rebel patriots were suspected of starting the fire. -
The Spy is Caught
Due to British suspicion over 200 patriot sympathizers were arrested. That night Nathan Hale was discovered trying to flee into American territory by boat. He was interrogated and incriminating documents were discovered on his person. He was scheduled for execution. -
Execution
The morning of September 22, Nathan Hale was hanged. He said the now famous line " I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country". There is no historical record to prove that he said these words. It is also suspected that Hale was given away by his cousin and British sympathizer Samuel Hale. Hale's death paved the way for the Culper Spy Ring. -
Tallamadge Takes Command
Benjamin Tallamadge was the creator of the Culper Spy Ring. He and Nathan Hale met while at Yale and in November of 1778, he was appointed Commander of Military Intelligence by George Washington and charged with gathering intelligence from New York. This appointment came after a rapid elevation of military status and several amateur and unorganized attempts at gaining information. He recruited childhood friends Abraham Woodhull and Caleb Brewster as well as Anna Strong and Austin Roe. -
Benedict Arnold
The Culper Spy ring was instrumental in the passing of information to George Washington and one of the renowned captures is that of Benedict Arnold who was put in charge of Philadelphia in June of 1778 where he was exposed to many of loyalist sympathies and later married a woman of a loyalist family in early April of 1779, cementing his British loyalties. -
Clinton's Attempt on Rhode Island
One of the major accomplishments of the Culper ring was the prevention of General Clinton's invasion and destruction of the French base in Rhode Island. They passed along information that allowed rebel forces to distract the British long enough that ships were able to land in Rhode Island and unload supplies and men. -
Andre and Arnold
Andre saw the dissatisfaction of Benedict Arnold and took advantage of his loyalist connections. On the night of September 21, Andre left his ship, the Victory, anchored in the Hudson south of West Point to meet with Arnold. When he returned to the ship, it had been destroyed and Andre was forced to travel by land over rebel territory to reach British land. -
Arnold Abandons Andre
Andre was captured and found guilty as a spy on September 29th. He was found by minutemen while traveling back to British territory with papers from Benedict Arnold. The papers were originally thought to be stolen as Arnold was not yet discovered as a spy. -
Execution of Jon Andre
When Andre was captured, he was initally to be sent to West Point where Arnold was stationed. However, due to Tallamadge's suspicion of Andre, he was not sent to West Point, as previously planned.
