George Washington and The Culper Spy Ring

The Culper Spy Ring is a small group of patriots during the American Revolutionary War. The actions of the Culper Spy Ring allows view to the techniques of early spy intelligence. The various methods and correspondence techniques achieved remarkable plots against the British forces. During the years of 1778 to 1785, this mastermind group held one goal in mind. To win freedom and liberty. This is a very simple definition of an extraordinary group of people. Consisting of both male and female participants, these brave patriots jeopardized their livelihood. The actions of this group of freedom fighters speaks volumes to our nation’s history.

As leader of the Continental Army, Washington expands his ideas involving spy intelligence. He understood the importance of staying one step ahead of the enemy. Washington especially felt the urgency of this need in the New York area during the winter of 1777. Failed attempts of earlier efforts prove to be costly during August 1776. It was at this point that Washington decided to test the waters of espionage and spoke to Lt. James Sprague directly. Sprague, a veteran of the French and Indian War desired not to take part with any of the Commander’s spy plans. Washington then instructed Lt. Colonel Thomas Knowlton to interview and recruit possible volunteers. Tensions were growing with the British forces sailing into the Long Island area of New York. The expectations of the French fleet strengthens the need of a spy ring and to hold the line from Rhode Island. Providence, the harbor targeted for arrival, must sustain the French Navy. Communications and intelligence were becoming more and more important as the patriots continued.

Knowles discovers a possible candidate for Washington and promotes this opinion August 1776. Lt. Nathan Hale, aged 21, volunteers and interviews with Knowles and Washington. Hale, a native of Coventry, Connecticut, has many relatives who are well-known loyalists. They are aware of his personal endeavors with the Continental Army. As American officers abandoned New York months before, Hale is riding with them. A positive identification from this military action would ruin any future spy. A teacher by trade and a scholar of Yale College, Hale maintains no profound knowledge of spying. Hale also understands nothing about the terrain surrounding New York. The Hudson River and the canals leading into the area are critical for any possible spy to have knowledge of. Captain William Hull, a personal friend of Hale, attempts to discourage this expedition. Hull also attended Yale College and graduated in 1772. Still, this young man became a patriot to cross enemy lines and impose himself as a loyalist. The instructions were vague at best. Retrieve details of the British Army, the movements and any other critical information.

Washington affirms this decision with Lt. Hale. Meanwhile, the British Army makes preparations for an attack in New York. Soon the inhabitants of New York will feel the wrath of the British troops. This first spying attempt allows Washington to learn from the errors made. These mistakes will advance the mission Washington has planned for future war intelligence. Hale’s expedition signifies no specific meeting locations. It also fails to give any specific instructions for him to follow. The only description of detail pertains to the patriot’s disguise as a spy. Using Hale’s trade of schoolmaster, he arrives in New York and attempts to seek employment. Great tension filled the air as Hale arrived in New York on September 12, 1776. Three days later, the British troops attacked and captured Manhattan. One week passed and on September 21, British forces arrest Hale for spying. Anyone caught spying received treatments of humiliation. A spy would not receive a soldier’s death by a firing squad but instead would be subject to disgrace at the end of a rope. The next day, Lt. Nathan Hale died by way of hanging. Everyone knew if you spy you die.

The stage is now set for the onset of the Culper Spy Ring to appear. The news of Lt. Nathan Hale’s death reached Washington by way of courier message. The demeanor of Hale at the time of his death was also shared with Washington and his comrades. Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge received the news with a bitter heart. He most presumably reflects back to the days at Yale College where he and Hale became good friends. The passion of freedom and liberty swells among the ranks as the year of 1776 winds down. Washington is not giving up on the idea of an organized spy ring in New York. With the war dragging onto a new year, it would be until 1778 when a new volunteer would stand up to the challenge. This true patriot would help to develop the most organized spy ring ever known. This endeavor would prove to the world how important spy intelligence and modern technology would influence the outcome of the American Revolutionary War.

Future articles will begin to uncover the fascinating story of the Culper Spy Ring. Our ancestors left an amazing trail to follow. Enjoy Your Journey To The Past !! To view more articles visit Piedmont Trails.

Sources:

• Allen, Thomas B. “George Washington Spymaster” published 2005 Scholastic Inc. New York
• Bakeless, John “Turncoats, Traitors and Heroes” published 2011 J. P. Lippincott Company, New York
• Hastedt, Glenn P. “Spies, Wiretaps and Secret Operations” volume I published 2011 ABC-CLIO California
• Kilmeade, Brian Yaeger, Don “George Washington’s Secret Six” published 2013 by the Penguin Group, New York
• Wilcox, Jennifer “Revolutionary Secrets: Cryptology In The American Revolution” published 2012 by The National Security Agency Maryland pp. 17–23, 33 and 48.