george washington's secret six
TRANSCRIPT
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SENTINELPublishedbythePenguinGroupPenguinGroup(USA)LLC
375HudsonStreetNewYork,NewYork10014
USA|Canada|UK|Ireland|Australia|NewZealand|India|SouthAfrica|
Chinapenguin.com
APenguinRandomHouseCompanyFirstpublishedbySentinel,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)LLC,2013
Copyright©2013bySoLonelyProductions,Inc.andDonYaeger
Penguinsupportscopyright.Copyrightfuelscreativity,encouragesdiverse
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voices,promotesfreespeech,andcreatesavibrantculture.Thankyouforbuyinganauthorizededitionofthisbookandforcomplyingwithcopyrightlawsbynotreproducing,scanning,ordistributinganypartofitinanyformwithoutpermission.YouaresupportingwritersandallowingPenguintocontinuetopublishbooksforeveryreader.
IllustrationcreditsCollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety:Insert4:no.1940.16;9,top:no.87315d;10:no.45397;11:no.
87312d;12:no.87311d.Creditsforotherillustrationsappearadjacenttotherespectiveimages.
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LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION
DATAKilmeade,Brian.
GeorgeWashington’ssecretsix:thespyringthatsavedtheAmerican
Revolution/BrianKilmeadeandDonYaeger.pagescm
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN978-0-698-13765-31.UnitedStates—History—Revolution,1775–1783—Secretservice.2.NewYork(State)—History—Revolution,1775–1783—Secretservice.3.Spies—UnitedStates—History—18thcentury.4.Spies—NewYork(State)—History—18thcentury.5.Washington,George,
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1732–1799—Friendsandassociates.6.Townsend,Robert,1753–1838.I.
Yaeger,Don.II.Title.E279.K552013973.4'1092—dc23
2013032285
Whiletheauthorhasmadeeveryefforttoprovideaccuratetelephonenumbers,Internetaddresses,andothercontactinformationatthetimeofpublication,neitherthepublishernortheauthorassumesanyresponsibilityforerrorsorforchangesthatoccurafterpublication.Further,publisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partyWebsitesortheircontent.
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ThisbookisdedicatedtomyFantasticFive—wife,Dawn;son,Bryan;daughters,Kirstynand
Kaitlyn;andmyincrediblemom—whohaveheardmetalkaboutthisstoryforyears,spentcountless
hoursresearchingit,andurgedmetowritethisbook.Finally,it’s
done.
—B.K.
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Tiffany:Youareapro’spro,oneofthebestwritersI’veever
workedwith.I’mhonoredyou’reonmyteam.
—D.Y.
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WashingtondidnotreallyoutfighttheBritish,hesimplyoutspiedus!
MAJORGEORGEBECKWITH,
BRITISHINTELLIGENCE
OFFICER1782–1783
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CONTENTS
TITLEPAGE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
EPIGRAPH
AUTHORS’NOTE
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PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER1HoldNewYork,WintheWar
CHAPTER2TheNeedforaSpyRing
CHAPTER3LaunchingtheRing
CHAPTER4
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CrossingtheSound
CHAPTER5TheRingSpringsintoAction
CHAPTER6TownsendJoinstheFight
CHAPTER7CreatingaCode
CHAPTER8MountingTensionsandDouble-Dealings
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CHAPTER9WashingtonDemandsMore
CHAPTER10TheFrenchConnection
CHAPTER11BenedictandPeggy
CHAPTER12NegotiationsandTreachery
CHAPTER13TheDealIsDone
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CHAPTER14AnotherSpyattheGallows
CHAPTER15TheRinginPeril
CHAPTER16TheBeginningoftheEnd
CHAPTER17RetakingNewYorkatLast
CHAPTER18LifeAftertheRing
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EPILOGUE
PHOTOGRAPHS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SELECTEDSOURCES
INDEX
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AUTHORS’NOTE
Muchofthedialoguecontainedinthisbookisfictional,butitisbasedonconversationsthatdidtakeplaceand,whereverpossible,incorporatesactualphrasesusedbythespeaker.
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HPREFACE
owdoyoudiscovertheidentityofaspy—someone
whosemainconcernisremaininganonymous—whohasbeendeadfornearlyacentury?ThatwasthemissionofMortonPennypacker,LongIsland’spremierhistorian,duringthe
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1920s.HeknewtheAmericanswouldnothavewontheRevolutionaryWarwithouttheCulperSpyRing,buthedidn’tknowtheidentityofthering’smostvaluablemember.
Thespies’contributionsincludeduncoveringaBritishcounterfeitingscheme,preventinganambushofFrenchreinforcements,smugglingaBritishnavalcodebooktoYorktown,and
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(mostimportant)preventingBenedictArnoldfromcarryingoutoneofthegreatestactsoftreacheryinAmericanhistory:hisplantosurrenderWestPointtotheenemy.
AlthoughtheseeventswererecordedaspartofRevolutionaryWarhistory,noneofthemwereattributedtoanyindividualorgroup.Noplaquesattestedtothebraveworkofthemenand
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womenresponsibleforalertingGeorgeWashingtontotheplots;nostatueswereerectedintheirhonor.ThesixmembersoftheCulperSpyRinghadservedWashingtonunderonecondition:theirnamesandactivitieswerenevertoberevealed.Washingtonkepthispromise,buthealsokepttheirletters.
Bythe1920s,thepassingyearshadrevealedtheidentitiesofmostofthespies,
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buttwo—includingthatofthering’schiefspy—werestillinquestion.Pennypacker,arelentless,solemnarchivist,madeithispersonalmissiontoidentifytheprincipalspy,theunknownmanwhofedGeorgeWashingtoncrucialinformationabouttheBritishpresenceinNewYorkCityandhelpedturnthetideoftheRevolutionaryWar.Heneededanametofinallysolvethemysteryoftheman
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Washingtonhadlaudedinhislettersbutnevermet.Pennypackerbelievedthatifhecouldgiveanametothemanknownonlybythepseudonym“CulperJunior,”thenthiscitizen-spyandallthosewhoservedintheringwithhimcouldascendtotheirrightful,prominentplacealongsidePaulRevere,PatrickHenry,BetsyRoss,andtherestofAmerica’smostfamousPatriots.
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Pennypackerwasnostrangertointricatehistoricaldetectivework,butforyearshiseffortsbroughthimnoclosertosolvingthemystery.Andthenaphonecallinthesummerof1929changedeverything.
WheneverthetelephonerangatMortonPennypacker’shouse,thecallwasalmostalwaysaboutthehistoryofNewYork,notasocialevent—andthis
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particularcallwasnoexception.
“We’vefoundsomeTownsendfamilypapers,”avoicecrackledontheotherendoftheline.“Doyouhaveanyinterestinsiftingthroughthem?”
Afewdayslater,theyellowedsheetsofpaperwerepiledhighonhisdesk.Pennypackerhandledeachonegingerly,asifitweremadeofspungold.Anything
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withthenameTownsenddatingtotheeighteenthcenturywasconsideredhistoricallysignificantbyLongIslandhistorians.TheTownsendfamilyhadbeenonAmericansoilsincethesixteenhundreds,andaprominentfamilyinOysterBay,LongIsland,sincebeforetheRevolution.Anyscrapsofledgersoroldbillswouldhelpcreateamorecompletepictureofthe
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family’shistory,andPennypackerwaseagertoseewhatnewdetailshemightlearn.
Townsendpaperswerefairlyordinaryfinds,butsomethingabouttheseparticulardiscoveriesintriguedPennypacker.Theywerenotjustisolatedreceiptsorbillsofsale;theywerelettersandaccountbooksdatedduringtheRevolutionaryWarand
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immediatelyafterward.Thehandwritingseemedoddlyfamiliar.PennypackeradjustedhisglassestogetacloserlookatthedistinctwaythefourthsonofSamuelTownsend,Robert,hadhookedhisD’sandarchedhisC’s.Italmostremindedhimof—!
Pennypackerrushedtothearchiveswherehestoredseverallettersofespionagethathadbeensignedby
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membersofWashington’ssecretserviceduringthewar.HetookasamplefromthestackofRobertTownsend’spapersnexttohimandplaceditsidebysidewiththeCulperJuniorletters,peeringthroughamagnifyingglassuntilhewasconvincedhehadamatch.WasheholdinginhishandsclearproofoftheidentityoftheNewYorkspyWashingtontrustedwithhissecrets?Thereserved,
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bookishRobertTownsend—perhapsthemostprivateofalltheTownsendbrothersofhisgeneration—wasthedaringandcourageousCulperJunior!
Ofcourse,Pennypackerneededaprofessionalconfirmationofhishunch,sohesentthesamplestothenation’sleadinghandwritinganalyst.Justafewweekslater,hereceivedareply.Therewasnodoubt:Oyster
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Bay,thehomeofPresidentTeddyRoosevelt,hadanotherherotocelebrate.
WithTownsend’sidentityconfirmed,thepiecesoftheCulperpuzzlebegantofallintoplace.Thepreviouslydisconnectedspiesnowformedacoherentring,withTownsendatitscenter.UnderthecommandofMajorBenjaminTallmadge,thesefivemenandoneunidentifiedwoman—RobertTownsend,
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AbrahamWoodhull,AustinRoe,CalebBrewster,JamesRivington,andAgent355—neverreceivedtheacclaimtheydeservedintheirlifetimes.Together,thesemenandonewomanwhohadnoformaltrainingintheartofespionage,livinginOysterBay,Setauket,andManhattan,brokethebackoftheBritishmilitaryandhelpeddefeatthemostpowerfulfightingforceon
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earth.Oneagentremains
unidentified:awomanmentionedintheCulperRing’scorrespondencebythespecificcodenumber355,“lady.”Thepagesthatfollowpresentacompilationofthevariousactivitiesassociatedwith355,whathistorytellsusaboutherprobablecontributionstotheeffortsoftheCulperRing,andwhatresultedfromherwork.
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Thoughhernamecannotbeverified,andmanydetailsaboutherlifeareunclear,herpresenceandhercourageundoubtedlymadeadifference.Sherepresentsallcovertagents—thosemenandwomenwhosetrueidentitiesareneverrevealedandwhosestoriesarenevertold,butwhooffertheirserviceandtheirlivesonbehalfoftheircountry.Toeachofthem,weoweaninexpressibledebt.
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Thisbookrecountsthemethods,thebravery,thecunning,thenearmisses,andtheincrediblesuccessesoftheCulperRing,whichhelpedtosaveournationandshapeourfuture.Mostofall,thisisastoryaboutordinarycitizensdoingextraordinarythings,peoplewhosefearsandhopesandliveswerenotmuchdifferentfromourown,andhowtheychangedthecourseofhistory.Their
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humilitystoppedthemfromseekingfameorfortunebecausetheirloveofcountrysparkedtheirexploits.
AllAmericansoweatremendousdebtofgratitudetoGeorgeWashington’ssecretsix.Thisbookiswrittentohonorthemandthegroundworktheylaidforourfutureoffreedom.
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H
Introduction
SEPTEMBER1776
ewastwenty-oneyearsoldandknewthatinamatterof
momentshewoulddie.Hisrequestforaclergyman—refused.Hisrequestfora
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Bible—refused.Afterwritingaletterortwotohisfamily,thisYalegraduttered,withdignity,thefamousstatement“IonlyregretthatIhavebutonelifetoloseformycountry.”
Anoosewasplacedaroundhisneck,andtheladderhehadclimbedwasrippedaway.OnSeptember22,1776,ontheislandofManhattaninanareanowlocatedatSixty-SixthStreet
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andThirdAvenue,CaptainNathanHalewashangedforbeingaspy.HehadvolunteeredtogobehindenemylinesonLongIslandforGeorgeWashington,andtheBritishwouldclaimthathewascaughtwithsketchesofBritishfortificationsandmemosoftheirtroopmovements.Withoutatrial,hewassentencedtodeath.ThemessagesenttoallNewYorkerswasclear:Youspy,
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youdie.
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CHAPTER1
HoldNewYork,WintheWar
NewYork,withoutexaggeration,isthepivotonwhichtheentireRevolutionaryWarturns.
—JohnAdams
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TheexecutionofNathanHaleonSeptember22,1776,was
thelowestpointinamonthoflowpointsforGeneralGeorgeWashington.First,
theBritishhadtakenNewYorkCityandLongIsland—thecornerstonesofWashington’sstrategybecauseoftheirvaluablegeographicandeconomicpositionsattheheartoftheNorthAmericancolonies.
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Now,Washington’sattemptatbuildinganintelligencenetworktorecoupthatlosshadfailedspectacularly.Justtwomonthsafterthefledglingcountry’sdeclarationofindependence,thereseemedtobenofutureforthenewnation.
Andyettherehadbeensomuchhopejustaseasonago,inspring.AftersuccessfullysendingtheBritishpackingfromBostoninMarchaftera
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prolongedsiege,WashingtonhadbegunorderingtroopstowardNewYorkCity,whoseharborwasoftremendoustactical—andpsychological—importance.IfthePatriotscouldholdthatothergreatportoftheNortheast,victorymightbewithinreach.
AsWashingtonleftMassachusettsonApril4,1776,tobeginhisownmarchsouthwardtorejoinhismen,
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thecheerfulreportssentbackbytheadvancepartieswereconfirmed:FarmersandtradesmenweregreetingtheAmericantroopsastheypassedthroughruralvillages,pressinggiftsoffoodanddrinkonthesoldierswhohaddisplayedsuchcourageandpluckfightingtheredcoats.
“Enjoythisbacon,”urgedlocalbutchers,heavingslabsofsaltedmeatontothesupplywagons.
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“Freshmilk!”announcedthehousewiveswhoscrambledoutoftheircottageswieldingbucketsanddippers.
Gagglesoflittleboyswearinghomespunbluejacketsgatheredtoparadeinfrontofthemenastheytraversedthroughtown—onechildheldupatwigasifplayingafife;anotherpretendedtobeatadruminamarchingrhythm;therest
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chantedthepopularrefrain“Joinordie!”astheyreveledinthePatrioticfervorandholidayatmosphere.
Eventhesophisticatedcitycrowd,usuallymuchmorereservedintheirdisplaysofcelebrationthanthecountryfolk,hadcheeredinthestreetsasWashingtoncrossedintoProvidence,RhodeIsland.Inroadsidetavernsandstylishurbancoffeehousesacross
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Connecticut,toastswereraisedtotheunlikelyhomegrownheroesandtheirquietbutimposingleader.AswordspreaduptheHudsonValleythattheContinentalArmywasonthemove,settlerswhonowconsideredthemselvesAmericans,ratherthanDutchorGermanorBritishsubjects,hadwhisperedprayersfortheprotectionandadvancementofthecauseofindependence.
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Throughouthisnine-dayjourneyspanningfourstatesandnearlythreehundredmilesofforestroadssoggywithspringtimemud,Washingtonhadseenincreasinghopeamongthepeople.Thereweredissentingvoices—thosewhoseclosedshuttersanddrawnshadesastheContinentalArmypassedbespoketheirloyaltytoKingGeorgeIIIandthemotherland.Butitwasclear
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thattherewasasenseofgrowingexcitementthatthiswild,untestedexperimentinpersonalfreedomandindividualrightsjustmightprovemorepowerfulthanthemostdisciplinedandwell-equippedfightingforceonearth.
Despitethebuoyantspiritsofthepeople,Washington’sownhopewaskeptincheckbyasoberviewoffacts.WhilethePatriots
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hadenjoyedsomeearlyvictoriesinMassachusetts,thesewinscameatahighcostwhencomparedwiththeirtacticalsignificance.TheBattleofBunkerHillinJune1775,however,hadgonetotheBritish,thoughwithheavylossoflifeandlimbonbothsides.TheSiegeofBoston,whichendedthefollowingMarch,hadbeenawinforthePatriots,buttheirsuccesswasduemoretothe
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positionandstrengthoftheAmericanfortificationsthananygreatoffensivemaneuverstorouttheenemy.Intheend,theBritishgaveuponthecity,leavingvoluntarilyratherthanfleeinginanall-outretreat.GeneralWilliamHowe,commanderinchiefoftheBritisharmyinNorthAmerica,hadhissightssetonamuchbiggerandmoreagreeableprizethanbelligerentBoston.
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NewYork,tenuouslyheldbyafewAmericantroops,wasdesiredbybothsides.Inthenorth,theAmericanshadsecuredBostonforthemoment.Tothesouth,theactionhadnotyetreachedacriticalpoint,thoughitstimewascoming.Rightnow,themostpressingconcernwasinthemiddlestates,wherePhiladelphiaandNewYorklayvulnerable.Philadelphiawasthelargest
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cityinthecoloniesatthetimeandheldgreatsymbolicstatusasaseatofinnovation,boastingoneofthefirsthospitalsandpubliclibraries,aswellashostingthemeetingsoftheContinentalCongress.Capturingtheseatofthefledglingnation’sgovernmentwouldbeagreatvictoryfortheBritish.AndNewYorkCitywasthelinchpin—iftheBritishwonittheycouldbringthe
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coloniestotheirknees.Asthesecond-most-
populouscityinthecolonies,NewYorkwastheirnortherneconomichub.ButevenmoresignificantwasNewYork’slocationandsituation—rightinthecenterofBritain’sNorthAmericansettlementsandhometobothalargedeep-waterharborandaccesstotheHudsonRiver.ThearmythatheldNewYorkCityanditswaterwayshada
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strategicadvantagenotonlyincontrollingtheimportandexportoffoodstuffsanddrygoods(which,inturn,affectedtheeconomicstabilityoftheregion)butalsoinsecuringakeyfootholdfortransportingtroopsupanddownthecoast.
MaintainingcontrolofNewYorkwouldgivetheAmericanfightingcorpsandthecolonialpopulaceatremendousboostin
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confidence.FailingtocaptureandholdNewYorkCityandNewYorkHarborwouldcertainlybeanembarrassmenttotheBritisharmyandnavy,buttheywouldsurvivetheblow.FortheAmericans,however,losingtheregionwouldbeatragedy,destroyingmorale,cuttingofftrade,anddrasticallyloweringtheoddsthatthePatriotswouldwinthewar.
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NewYork’sstrategicsignificance,fromatradeperspective,wasnotlostonGeneralHowe.ThelossinMassachusettswasadisappointment,butBostonwasnottheultimateprizefortheBritish.HowewantedtochokeofftheRevolutionbyisolatingthenortherncoloniesfromthesouthernones.Ifthepoliticalradicalsinthesomewhatgeographicallyclustered
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northerncitiesweresegregatedfromtheircounterpartsinthemorespread-outsouth,theycouldnotcross-pollinateideologies,andthevariousfactionsmightbemoreeasilyeliminated.Itwasaclassiccaseofdivideandconquer,withNewYorkCityastheessentialelementincreatingthechasm.
AfterregroupinginHalifax,NovaScotia,
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followingtheirdefeatinBoston,theBritishsetoutforNewYork.OnJune29,1776,threeBritishshipssailedintolowerNewYorkHarbor,withGeneralHoweaboardoneofthem.Bothsidesknewabattlewasimminent.
AsWashingtonmarchedsouthinanticipationofHowe’sattack,hemusthavenursedthehopethattheContinentalArmy’smuscleandmoxiewereenoughto
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outfighttheBritishandholdManhattan.Beingaseasonedfighterandabrilliantstrategist,hewouldhaveunderstood,perhapsbetterthananyoneelseinNorthAmericaatthetime,thatcontrolofNewYorkCitywasessentialforthecauseofliberty—andthatkeepingthecitywouldbeadauntingtask.
WashingtonandhismenarrivedinNewYorkinmid-April1776andsettledin
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Manhattan.Thatsummernewsarrivedthatbothcheeredandsoberedthem.Fifty-sixdelegateshadconvenedinthemidstofstiflingJulyheatinPhiladelphiatoformtheSecondContinentalCongress,andhadforgedtheDeclarationofIndependence.Ifevertherewasapointofnoreturn,thiswasit.
KnowingtheattackonNewYorkwouldnotbelong
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delayed,WashingtonmadeashorttriptoNewJerseyandPennsylvaniatomeetwithhisgenerals.TheydiscussedNewYork’sdefensesandsupplies—allwhiletryingtoanticipatetheexactmodeofattack.TheBritish,meanwhile,beganamassingtroopsonundefendedStatenIslandinadvanceofstormingtheAmericanpositionsjustacrossthewaterinBrooklynandManhattan.
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AsAugustdraggedon,tensionsmounted.AcopyoftheJulyfourthdeclarationhadbeenputbeforetheCrown,whichmeantthatKingGeorgefinallyunderstoodtheseriousnessofthecolonists’determinationtofight.NolongerwouldKingGeorgeorderhisgeneralstoshowrestraintintheireffortstosquelchtherebelsormaintainthatamereshowofforcewouldbe
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enoughtosubduetheRevolution.Hewouldnotholdback.Hewouldnotshowmercy.OfthisWashingtonfeltsure,andtheweightofthe“lives,fortunes,andsacredhonor”pledgedinthenameoffreedomrestedheavilyuponhisshoulders.
AcrosstheriverfromWashington,GeneralHenryClintonhadarrivedtohelpleadtheattackupontheAmericanpositionsinNew
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York.AsAugustwaned,theBritishshipsloomedlargeintheharbor,thegrowingnumberofredcoatsonStatenIslandintimidatingthesparseAmericantroops.
Facedwithanimpendingattack,WashingtonsighedoneAugustdayashesurveyedtheundisciplined,ragtagarmyathiscommandinlowerManhattan;hisaide-de-campshiftednervouslybehindhim.Thegeneral
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clearedhisthroat.“GeneralHoweisrumoredtohavemorethanthirtythousandmenintheRoyalNavyassembledoffshore,andtwentythousandmenamassedonStatenIsland.Andwehave...?”
Hisaidewasreluctanttoreply:“Tenthousand.”
IfthenumberwasablowtoWashington,hedidnotshowit.Everthestoic,herefusedtoallowthisdismal
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newstothrowhimintodespair.Washingtonwasfamedasamanwhoneverlosthisnerveinbattle.Thesoundofmusketfire,thecrashofcannonballs,thesmellofsmoke—noneofthatseemedtoshakehiscalm,measuredwayofsurveyingthechaosandkeepinghiswitsabouthimasheledhismenforward.
ButdespiteWashington’ssteelynerve,theAmericans
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wereingravetrouble.Evensubstantialnumbersoftroopsmeantlittlewithoutpropertrainingandequipment,andWashington’smenlackedboth.Washingtonhadtheutmostconfidenceinhisofficers,buttosaythattherankandfileoftheContinentalArmywasrougharoundtheedgeswasanunderstatement.Citymenwhohadneverbeforewieldedariflestoodwith
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countryfolkwhohadneverhadadayofformalschooling.Hardyhomesteadersstruggledtocooperatewithyoungmenoflandedwealthwhohadneverknownamomentofdiscomfortorhungerintheirlives.Oldmenlinedupwithboyswhohadliedabouttheiragetojointherebelsinpursuitofadventure.Theycamefromalloverthecountry:fromasfarnorthas
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themountainsofNewHampshireandasfarsouthastheswampsofGeorgia.ManyofWashington’smenhadneverbeforebeenmorethanfiftymilesfromtheplaceoftheirbirth,letalonemetanyonewithsuchastrangeaccentascouldbefoundinthehillsofVirginiaorthePuritansettlementsofMassachusetts.Theywereallonthesideofliberty,buttheretheunityended.
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Mostwerebrave,tobesure,andloyal—perhapstoafault.Andtheywereallpassionateabouttheirliberty.Washingtonknewhehadtheheartsofhismen,butwhetherthepassionofanundisciplinedfewcouldholdNewYorkagainstthemeticulouslytrainedBritishforceswasanotherquestion.
“Hangtogetherorweallhangseparately,”Washingtonmused,recitingoneofthe
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familiarmantrasofthePatriotcause,ashecaughtafewstrainsofabawdypubsongledbytheMarylanderssittingaroundacampfire.AllpossiblepreparationsagainsttheBritishonslaughthadbeenmade,andheandhismenwouldhavetotrustitwouldbeenough.
Knowingthatanattackwasimminent,Washingtonhadmadethestrategicdecisiontodividehismen
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intofivegroups.OnehadalreadycrossedtheharbortoLongIsland,andanotherwasstationedinnorthernManhattantofendoffaBritishencroachmentfromthatdirection.TheotherthreegroupsweresituatedtodefendthelowerendofManhattan.TherewereseverallandroutestheBritishmighttake,butWashingtonfeltconfidentthatallbuttheleastlikelyandsomewhat
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untraveledroute,throughJamaicaPass,weresecure.Andnow...theywaited.
BETRAYALATJAMAICAPASS
Thebattlewasswiftanddevastating.
Tippedoffbysomeone—whetheraspywithinWashington’sownranksoradisgruntledLoyalistinNew
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Yorkwasunclear—theBritishlearnedthatJamaicaPasswasguardedbyonlyfivemenandsetoutinthatdirection.
WilliamHowardJr.,ayoungPatriotwhoranatavernwithhisfathernearJamaicaPass,LongIsland,wokeabouttwohoursaftermidnightonthemorningofAugust27toaBritishsoldierstandingbesidehisbed.Thesoldierorderedhimtogetup,
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dress,andgodownstairs.Hequicklyobeyedandfoundhisfathercorneredbythreeredcoatspointingtheirmusketswithfixedbayonetsathim.Aglanceoutthewindowrevealedthatawholefightingunitstoodatthereadyuponthegrounds.
GeneralHowewaitedforthetwomeninthebarroom.Sippingaglassofcommandeeredliquor,heattempted,ratherabsurdly,to
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makesmalltalkwiththeterrifiedfatherandsonbeforefinallygettingtothepoint.“ImusthavesomeoneofyoutoshowmeovertheRockawayPatharoundthepass,”heremarked,settingdownhisemptyglass.
“Webelongtotheotherside,General,”thefatherreplied,“andcan’tserveyouagainstourduty.”
Howe’sreplywaskindbutcurt.“Thatisallvery
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well;sticktoyourcountryorsticktoyourprincipleswhenyouarefreetodoso.Buttonight,Howard,youaremyprisoner,andmustguidemymenoverthehill.”
TheseniorHowardbegantoprotest,butHowecuthimoff:“Youhavenoalternative.Ifyourefuseyouwillbeshot.”
Shaking,andunawareofjusthowdamagingtheircompliancewouldprove,the
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HowardsdirectedGeneralHowesafelyupthewindingfootpath.Behindthemmarchedtenthousandmenthroughthevulnerablepass,arrivingattheothersideintimetoeffectivelyflankthePatriotgeneralNathanWoodhullandhismen,whowereoccupiedwiththefrontalassaultwagedagainsttheirdefensesinManhattanwhendaylightcame.Asthebattlecontinuedthroughout
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theday,WashingtonrecognizedhismiscalculationthatthefullcontingentofBritishtroopswouldstormManhattan—theredcoatswerealsobringingheavyforcetobearonBrooklyn.WashingtonshiftedmoremenandmatérieltoBrooklyn,butitwastoolatefortheAmericanstorecoverandholdtheirground.Byday’send,Brooklynandthesurroundingareawaslargely
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inBritishhands,withtheretreatingPatriotstrappedinBrooklynHeights.Manhattanalonestillheld,butWashingtonwassureitwasonlyamatteroftimeuntiltheBritishovertookit,too.
Washington’stroopsweredecimated.Alltold,theAmericanshadlostmorethan300menthatday,inadditiontonearly700woundedand1,000captured.TheBritish(andtheirGerman
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mercenaries,theHessians)hadlostamere64men,with31reportedasmissing,and293wounded.
AMIRACLEINTHEMIST
ThingscouldnothavegonemorebadlyfortheContinentalArmy,andbothsidesknewit.Anditwasn’tover,thoughthecannonshadceasedtofire.Thefighting
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hadtakenWashingtonacrosstheEastRiver,butnowhewasessentiallytrappedinBrooklynHeights,surroundedbytheBritishandwithnowaytoescape.Ifhistroopspursuedaretreatbyland,theywouldwalkdirectlyintotheBritishcampsandbeeithershotonsightorcapturedandhangedfortreason.IftheytooktothewatertoescapetoPatriot-heldManhattan,theywould
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besittingducksastheBritishfiredcannonballsintotherowboats.Thenagain,thatwaslikelytoomessy—theBritishpridedthemselvesontheirextremepragmatism.No,theywouldprobablytakethemoregentlemanlyrouteofallowingtheirmarksmentopickofftheretreatingAmericansonebyone.
Justlikethat,theRevolutionwasallbutover.Washingtonmusthavereeled
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attheturnofevents.Maybeitwasinevitable;afterall,whowerethecoloniststothinktheyhadachanceagainstthemightykingofEnglandandanempirethatencircledtheglobe?Washingtonhadbeenentrustedwiththehopes,dreams,lives,andfuturesofeveryAmericanPatriot—andhewasstandingonthebrinkoffailure.
TheAmericansneededtogetoutandgetoutfast.Ifthe
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bedraggledandpunch-drunkPatriotsoldierscouldsomehowmanagetoescape,theycouldregroupwiththefriendlytroopswaitinginAmerican-controlledterritory.Itwasabig“if.”
“Wehavenootheroptions?”WashingtonaskedtheofficersassembledwithhimathismakeshiftheadquartersinBrooklynHeights.
Therewasapauseas
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eachmanlookedaroundthetablewithraisedeyebrows,asifaskinghiscomrades,“Haveyougotanymiraclestospare?”
ButWashingtonalreadyknewtheanswer.UnlesshecouldsomehowferryninethousandmenundetectedacrossNewYorkHarbor,currentlypatrolledbythemightoftheRoyalNavy,hewouldbeforcedtosurrenderoraskhismentodieina
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siegefromwhichtherewasnoforeseeableescape.AndwiththebetrayalregardingtheirvulnerabilityatJamaicaPass,andnoindividualabletoconveyintelligencefromtheBritishpositions,therewasnowaytoanticipatewhattheredcoats’nextmovemightbe.
Washingtonwasneardespair,buthewasalsoamanoffaith.Nooneknowswhatprayerspassedhislips
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duringthosetensetwodaysashefacedalmostcertaindefeat.AsnightfellontheeveningofAugust29,hepeeredoverNewYorkHarborandknewhehadnootherhope.Escapebywaterwastheonlychance—andeventhatwouldtakeamiracle.Orderingahastyretreat,Washingtonoversawtheeffortstoferryhisarmyandtheirpossessions—everyman,beast,cannon,andrifle
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—safelyacrossthewaterunderthecoverofdarkness.Tohisrelief,theBritishsentinelsfailedtospottheshadowysilhouettesoftheescapingsoldiers.Butastheskybegantolighten,therewerestillmentomove—anditwasthenthatWashington’sprayersprovedeffective.Athickfogbegantorollin,likethebenevolentbreathofGod,providingcoverandprotectionuntileverylast
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soldierandpieceofequipmentreachedsafetyontheotherside.Washington’sbootswerethelasttoleavetheBrooklynHeightssideoftheharbor,andthelasttoalightinManhattan,whichthePatriotsstillheld.
BythetimethefoghadfullyliftedandtheBritishrealizedwhathadhappened,theAmericanswerealreadyoutofthereachofBritishcannons.Theyweredown,
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butnotout—thoughjustbarely.WashingtonknewitwouldbeonlyamatterofdaysbeforeGeneralHoweorderedanattackontheremainingAmericanfortificationsinManhattan,whichwouldsurelyfall.
MovingnorthtoConnecticut,Washingtonandhismenrejoicedintheirescape,thoughtheall-but-completelossofNewYorkwasaseriousblow.Gonewas
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theoptimismcreatedbytheBostonvictory.Troopmoralewaslow.Backedintoacorner,Washingtonnowrealizedwhateverysmallchildcomestorecognizewhenfacedwiththebrutestrengthofaschool-yardbully:Hecouldnotdefeathisfoewithmanpower,arms,oranyothershowofforce.HewouldhavetobeattheBritishinabattleofwits.
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ACHAPTER2
TheNeedforaSpyRing
sifthelossofmostofNewYorkweren’tbad
enough,Washington’sautumnwasabouttogetworse.WhilethedefeatattheBattleofBrooklynhadbeena
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blow,theretreathadgonebetterthanplanned.Washington’snextendeavorwouldnotbesofortunate,endinginsteadindisaster.
ThefewAmericantroopsstillholdingManhattanwerehangingonbyathread,andWashingtonwasdesperatetostrengthentheirposition.Todoso,hewouldneedaspytocollectinformationonBritishplans.EspionagewasnotanewactivitytoWashington.
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HavingfoughtintheFrenchandIndianWarandservedasaspyhimself,heunderstoodtherootsofthepresentconflict—aninsightthatwouldframehisuseofanintelligencenetworkintheRevolution.
THEFRENCHANDINDIANWAR
Twodecadesearlier,in1754,
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theBritisharmy(consistingofbothsoldiersfromthemotherlandandlocalcolonialmilitias)hadlaunchedawarinNorthAmericaagainsttheFrencharmyandnativetribeswhowereattackingBritishcitizensinregionsgrantedinprevioustreatiestotheBritishgovernment.Forthenextnineyears,thecontinentwasembroiledinbattlestocontrolthevariousoutpostsandfortssprinkledacrossthe
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wildernessregionsoftheOhioRiverandAppalachianMountains.
Thepreviousyear,Washington,justtwenty-oneyearsold,volunteeredtoengagewiththeFrenchsoldiersandlearnwhateverhecouldabouttheirintentionsandfortificationsthroughleadingconversations,aswellaswhateverwascarelesslysharedoverwinebottles.As
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itdidthroughouthislife,Washington’stemperatenaturehadservedhimwellonthatmission;hemaintainedhissobrietyandclearheadednesssothathecouldreportbacktohissuperiorsthattheFrenchhadnointentionsofquittingthecountrywithoutafight.
Thisconflict,inwhichWashingtoncameofage,waspartoftheinternationalunrestrootedinancient
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rivalriesandgrudgesresurrectedbymodernambitions.ButworldattitudeshadchangedfollowingtheTreatyofParisin1763,andWashington’srolewouldchange,too.France’sclaimstoitsoverseascoloniesweredevastated.BritaingainedseveralofFrance’sNorthAmericancoloniesalongthenorthernAtlanticandintheCaribbean,aswellasthe
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FloridaterritoryheldbySpain.Peoplesuddenlyfoundthemselvessubjecttoanewcrownandanewflag—sometimeseventhoseofaformerenemy.FortheAmericancolonists,whohadlongbeensubjectsofthekingofEngland(despitetheirDutch,German,Irish,Scottish,Welsh,orWestAfricanancestry)andnecessarilyviewedhisenemiesastheirown,the
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expulsionoftheFrenchandSpanishfromborderingregionsliftedmuchoftheirfearofinvasionandneedforprotection.Nowtheycouldfocusmoreontheirowninterests.Recognizingthattheirrightsandfreedomswerebeingneitherdefendednoradvancedbythekingtheyhadfaithfullyserved,theybegantorebelagainsttheverygovernmenttheyhadoncerelieduponforsecurity.
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ACTSOFAGGRESSION
In1764,theBritishParliamentdeterminedthatthecostoftheFrenchandIndianWarhadbeentoohigh.Troopsremainedstationedinthecolonies,addingtothefinancialstrain,soadditionalrevenueswereneededtopayfortheirpresence,aswellastotightentraderestrictionsonthecolonies.Overthenextfew
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years,ParliamentvotedtolevyaseriesoftaxesagainsttheAmericancolonists.TheSugarActandtheCurrencyActrestrictedtradeandtheissuanceofcolonialmoney.ThenParliamentexpandeditsreachin1765withtheStampAct,whichrequiredthatallprintedmatter—newspapers,legalcontracts,pamphlets—mustbeproducedwithpaperfromLondonandembossedwithasealofverification.
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Thisactionwas,initself,notunreasonable—thecolonistscouldbeexpectedtohelppayfortheirowndefense.Buttheindependent-mindedcolonistsreactedangrilybecauseoftheact’sbroaderimplications.AllEnglishcitizensweresupposedtobeaffordedtherightofrepresentationinParliament,buttherewerenomembersofParliamentfortheAmericancoloniesto
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agreetothetaxationandinsistthatitbereasonable.Thecryof“notaxationwithoutrepresentation”wassounded,andaStampActCongressconvenedinNewYorkCityinOctober1765toprotestthemeasure.TheStampActwaseventuallyrepealed,butothersfollowedinitswakeasKingGeorgecontinuedtoexpandthepowerandgraspoftheCrown,whilesimultaneously
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diminishingtherightsofhiscolonialsubjects.
InMarch1770,theso-calledBostonMassacreillustratedjusthowhightensionswererunning.BritishsoldiersfiredintoacrowdofprotestingAmericans,killingfiveandwoundingsix.AfterthegrassrootsSonsofLibertystagedtheirfamousBostonTeaPartyinDecember1773,dumping342chestsofteaintoBostonHarbor,London
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respondedthefollowingspringwithharshlawsdesignedtomakeanexampleofMassachusettsasawarningtotheothercoloniesnottochallengetheCrown’sauthority.
Thewarningwasheardloudandclear,butitdidnotquellthefiresofrebellionasParliamenthadhoped.Infact,ithadtheoppositeeffect.InresponsetotheIntolerableActs,asthelawshadbeen
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dubbedbytheAmericans,theFirstContinentalCongressmetinPhiladelphiainSeptemberandOctoberof1774.Fifty-sixmenrepresentingtwelveofthethirteencolonies(Georgiaoptednottoattend)votedtouniteinaseriesofboycottsagainstBritishgoods;prominentPatriots,includingThomasJefferson,PatrickHenry,andHenryLee,wereamongtheoutspoken
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dissenters.TheyalsoresolvedtosendapetitionoftheirgrievancestoKingGeorgeinalastefforttopreventanescalationofhostilities.
Thepetitionwentunanswered.InApril1775,combatbrokeoutbetweencolonistsandBritishtroopsatLexingtonandConcordinMassachusetts;thefollowingmonth,theSecondContinentalCongressconvenedtopreparefora
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full-scalewar.AmongthedelegatesfromVirginiawasthetall,soft-spokensurveyor,farmer,andformerspywidelyregardedforhisvalorinbattleandexemplaryleadershipinthemilitiaduringthepreviouswar:GeorgeWashington.
HOWTOWINAWAR
Followinghisbriefstintasa
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spy,Washingtonhadledthousandsoftroopsintobattle,ridingtallandremainingcalmthrougheventheheaviestbombardment.LatermythsgrewuparoundWashington—thathewasspokenofinnativeprophesiesasamanfavoredbythegods,thatnoarrowscouldtouchhim.Ifnotactuallyinvincible,hewasatleastregardedasunflappablebyhispeers,asober-minded
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manofvision,wisdom,humility,andexperience.ForthesereasonsWashingtonwasaskedtoserveasthecommanderinchiefoftheContinentalArmy.Now,twodecadesafterhisfirstspyingmission,hewouldbeengagedinabattleofhisowntodrivefromthatsamelandtheBritishgovernmenthehadoncefaithfullyserved.Whocouldhaveimaginedsuchanoutcome?Butlifewasa
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strangepageant;heunderstoodthatwellenough.AndWashingtonknewthatespionagewouldplayamoreimportantroleinthisnewwar.
Intraditionalwarsthatpittedmonarchagainstmonarch,therewasamutualrespectfortheauthorityofthecrowneveniftherewasadeephatredforthepersonwhoworeitorthelandclaimsheorsherecognized.
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Inthosebattles,itwasallaboutmight;thearmiesfoughtuntilsomeonewasfinallyoverpowered.Or,ashadhappenedsoofteninnewterritories,onearmyfoughtwithweapons,manpower,disease—whatevertheyhad—untiltheotherpopulationwassimplyeradicated.Washingtonquicklyrealizedthatthisrevolutionwasdifferent.KingGeorgerespectednooneand
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recognizednoauthority,certainlynotwhatevermakeshiftgovernmentthecoloniescouldcobbletogether.Hisincreasinglyoppressivelawsandhissilenceinthefaceoforganizedprotestshadmadethatclear.Yetthekingwouldnotseektocompletelydecimatethepopulationofthecolonies;deadsubjectscannotpaytaxes.
No,thiswarwouldbe
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differentfromanyotherthathadcomebeforeit.OfthatWashingtonfeltsure.Itwouldnotbeafighttothedeath,norcoulditbesimplyaclashofarmies.IftheAmericanswantedtoemergevictoriousfromthisconflict,theywouldnottrytooverpowertheirenemy;theywouldsimplyrefusetobackdownorgoaway.Theydidn’tneedtobeconqueringheroes—theyjustneededto
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survive.AsNewYorkslipped
fromhisgrasp,WashingtonsawthatthePatriotswouldneedtooutmaneuver,notoverpower,theenemy.And,bylearningtheenemy’ssecrets,spieswouldplayacrucialroleinunderminingBritishattacksthroughanticipatingtheredcoats’nextmoves.Itwouldbetheonlywaytocounterthesuperiornumbers,training,supplies,
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andequipmentoftheBritisharmyandnavy.Thiswasespeciallytrueinthemorepopulouscities,wheretheenemyhadstationedlargepocketsoftroops.TherewaslittlehopeofdefeatingtheBritishinhead-to-headcombatunlesstheirbattleplansandtheirweaknesseswerealreadyknown.
Unfortunatelyfortherough-hewnPatriotarmy,spyingrequiredfarmore
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accuracyanddelicacythansimplyaimingacannon,anditalsotookmoretime.Unlikewagingatraditionalbattle,whereintwoarmiestooktoafieldandfiredateachotherforseveralhoursordaysuntilonesidedeclaredvictory,gatheringusefulintelligencemighttakeweeksormonthsbeforecombatevenbegan.Developingthesophisticationandbuyingthetimenecessarytogrowan
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effectivespyringwouldbedifficult—especiallyinthelocationswhereitmatteredmost.
Recognizingthedifficultyofsettingupagoodespionagenetwork,WashingtonbeganconvertinghiswartimestrategyfromrelyingonnonexistentcombatstrengthtoplacinghistrustinintelligencegatheringevenbeforethecatastrophiclossofNewYorkwas
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complete.Tobegin,heneededonegoodman.
NATHANHALESTEPSFORWARD
CaptainNathanHalefelthisheartleapwhenhelearnedofGeneralWashington’srequestthatSeptember.ThegeneralneededamantoventurebehindenemylinesdisguisedasaLoyalist.He
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wouldmakecasualinquiriesandinvestigationsintothetroopmovementsandsupplystoresandreportbacktoWashington.Hisworkwouldinformthegeneral’splanstotakebackNewYorkCity,itsharbor,andtheneighboringareas.
LieutenantColonelThomasKnowltonhadassembledaselectgroupofofficerstoinformthemoftheneed.Eachwasbrave,each
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wastrustworthy,andeachwassilentashestoodbeforethemaskingforavolunteer.Finally,twenty-one-year-oldNathanHalesteppedforward.
“AreyouanativeofLongIsland?”ColonelKnowltonquestionedtheeageryoungmanastheymetinKnowlton’smakeshiftofficetodiscusstheparticularsofthemission.
“No,sir.Coventry,Connecticut,andfromthere
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toYaleCollege.”“Thenyoumusthave
visitedLongIslandasaboy?”
“No,sir.Ihaveneverbeen,thoughIdohavesomedistantcousinsthere.”HaleneglectedtoaddthatthosecousinswereLoyalists,rightlyassumingsuchinformationwouldgivenoboosttohispetition.
“Haveyouevenapassingfamiliaritywiththeland?
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Perhapsfromstudyingitsgeographyorthesurveyors’charts?”
“Well,sir,mygoodfriendfromcollege,LieutenantBenjaminTallmadge,oftenurgedmetovisithisfamilythereduringthesummerandsometimesshowedmeonmapswherehishomewaslocatedandwhichwerethebestcovesforwatchingtheshipscomein.”
“Nothingmore?”
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“No,sir.”Thecolonelshiftedinhis
campchair.Thisinterviewwasgrowinguncomfortable.“HowdidyouoccupyyourtimeatYale?”
“Withmystudies,astronomy,debates—andtheatricals,sir.”
Theatricals.Well,thatwassomething,Knowltonthought.AtleastHalewouldhavesomeabilitytoassumearoleandplayitconvincingly.
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Thenagain,healsoknewthatcollegeplaystendedtobeeitheroverwroughtclassicaldramasoftheGreeksandRomansorelsehilariousfarcesfeaturingboisterousyoungactorsmoreinterestedinlaughingastheirfriendsdonnedladies’dressesandwigsthaninconveyinganypartofanintelligiblestory.
“IseethatyourunitoftheConnecticutmilitiaparticipatedinthevictorious
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SiegeofBostonlastyear;amIcorrecttoassume,then,thatyouareaseasonedsoldieracquaintedwiththedeprivationsofsuppliesandthestressofbattle?”
Haleblinkedrapidlyandcolorroseinhisface.“No,sir.IwasaschoolmasterinNewLondonandmyteachingcontractdidnotenduntilthatJuly.ThesiegewasalreadyoverbythetimeIwasreleasedfrommy
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obligations.Ihavebeeninvolvedinsomesmallactions,butnothingofmuchsignificance.However”—hefumbledinhispocketanddrewoutaletter—“LieutenantTallmadgetookituponhimselftowritetomelastsummerwhenIwaspreparingtoleavetheschoolandjoinupwiththeSeventhConnecticutRegiment,andhiswords...well,theyinspiredme,sir.”
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TheoldermaneyedHalewarily.ThatTallmadgewasarisingstarintheContinentalArmywasundeniable,butTallmadge’sownshrewdnessandabilitydidnotautomaticallytransfertohisidealisticyoungfriend.“Whatdidhesaythatcouldhavepossiblystirredyoursoulsomuchthatyouwouldvolunteertobetheloneoperativeinadangerousmission?”
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“Withyourpermission,sir?”Halehelduptheletter.
Knowltonnodded.“‘Iaminformedthatyou
arehonoredbytheAssemblywithaLieutenant’scommission,’”Halebeganreadinginaclear,strongvoicethatbothsurprisedandimpressedhisloneaudiencemember.MaybetheyoungmanhadbeenapromisingthespianontheYalestageafterall.“‘Ithinkthemore
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extensiveServicewouldbemychoice.OurholyReligion,thehonourofourGod,agloriouscountry,&ahappyconstitutioniswhatwehavetodefend.Someindeedmaysaythereareotherswhomaysupplyyourplace.Truetherearemenwhowouldgladlyacceptsuchaproposalbutarewecertainthattheywouldbelikelytoanswerjustasgoodanend?...Weallshouldbereadytostepforth
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inthecommoncause.’”Thetaperonthewax
candleatopKnowlton’sdesksputteredalittleastinyflecksofashfellontothewood;otherwise,theroomwassilent.Heweighedtheconflictingthoughtsinhismind.Halecertainlyseemedintelligent,ifwetbehindtheears,andhisconvictionwasundeniableandmoving—inspiring,even.True,heknewnothingofLongIsland,
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butaquickstudyonlocalgeographyandcustomswouldbesufficient.Besides,whoelsehadsteppedup?Therewerenoothervolunteersasfarasheknew,andWashingtonneededhismanasquicklyaspossible.“Youtrulybelieveyoucandothis?”
“Ihavenodoubt,sir,thatIamtherightman.”
“Andyouhavenoconcernsaboutespionage
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beingabreachofhonor?”Haletookadeepbreath,
thenvoicedasentimenthehadclearlybeenmullingforsometime:“Iwishtobeuseful,andeverykindofservicenecessarytothepublicgoodbecomeshonorablebybeingnecessary.Iftheexigenciesofmycountrydemandapeculiarservice,itsclaimstotheperformanceofthatserviceareimperious.”
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KnowltonhidasmileattheearnestnessofthispreparedspeechbuthadtoadmireHale’sseriousness.“Howsooncanyoutravel,Lieutenant?”
Halegrinned.“Rightaway,sir.”
“IshallinformGeneralWashingtonofthefact,andofyoureagernesstoundertakethetaskathand.”ColonelKnowltonrosetohisfeet,closingtheinterview.
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“Speaktonooneofourmeeting.Youwillbecalleduponinduetimeifneeded.Youaredismissed.”
Withasharpsalute,Haleturnedonhisheelandstrodebuoyantlyoutthedoor.
ANARMYOFONE
WashingtonimmediatelyapprovedHale’sassignment.OnSeptember12,theyoung
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manwasferriedacrossthewaterfromStamford,Connecticut,toLongIsland.Hewouldposeasaschoolmasterlookingforwork,acoverthatwouldgivehimanexcusetomeetleadingtownsmenandaskquestionsaboutthearea.
Butthemovewastoolate.AsSeptemberadvanced,sohadtheBritishtroops,capturingthelowerendofManhattanonSeptember15,
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justthreedaysafterHalelanded.ThedefeathadbeeninevitableandWashingtonwaspreparedfortheblow,butthetimingcouldnothavebeenworse.
Halehadlittlechancetoestablishhisidentity,letalonetransmitanyhelpfulintelligencetoWashington,beforetheattackcameandchangedtheentirepurposeofhismission.Insteadofgatheringcluesforhowthe
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Americansmightdefendtheirlaststronghold,henowhadtoequipthemwiththeknowledgeofhowtheymightwinbackthecity.Washingtonfearedthefledglingspywouldnotbeabletoadapt.
NotthatWashingtonhadn’tbeenimpressedwithHale.Quitetheopposite,infact.Thepassion,boldness,andjustatouchofcockinessthatHalehaddemonstrated
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seemedtoWashingtontoperfectlyencapsulatethePatriotmovement.ButjustasmanyquestionedthewisdomoftheAmericans’challengetotheBritishCrown,Washington,too,foundhimselfwonderingwhetherHale’sfervor,whilecertainlyadmirable,wasnotalsoalittlenaive.Didhereallyknowwhathewasgettinginto?Thenagain,didanyofthem?TheAmericanshad
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yankedthelion’smane,andnowHalehadwalkedintooneofitslairs.
WashingtonfeltkeenlytheresponsibilityforHale’ssafety,havinghadthefinalsayonwhetherornotthemissionwouldgoforward.Therewasnowayofknowinghowtheyoungmanwascoping,andthisconcernedWashingtonevenmore.Wherewashestaying?Withwhomwashespeaking?
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Hadhestumbledintoanysituationsthatmightputhiminharm’sway—moresothanthemissionitself,thatis?Everytimeheheardtherapidhoovesofapost-rider’shorse,hehadtofighttheurgetorunoutandseizethelettersfromthecourier’shands.JustasmuchashecravedtheinformationHalewouldbesending,Washingtonwantedtheassurancethattheyounglieutenantstillmaintainedhis
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coverandfeltconfidentinhisabilitytoquietlyexitLongIslandwhentherightmomentcame.
LongIslandwasenemyterritory.Itsfarmlandcrawledwithsoldiersdeterminedtoholdontotheirsliceoflandandeagertoarrestanyonewhomightthreatentheirprospectsofgainingmore.BecausetheBritishweresofirmlyentrenchedintheirprizerealestate,itwasa
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perfectholdingpenfortheBritisharmyawaitingthenextoffensivestrike,andthetroopspouredin.BythetimeHalelanded,theislandwasfullofredcoatsarmedanditchingforafightwithanyonewhohadevenawhiffofPatriotsentimentsabouthim.
ButjustaspotentiallydamningtoHale’smissionwasthecivilianpopulation.WhileafewPatriotssuffered
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throughtheoccupation,thesympathiesofmostLongIslanderslaywithKingGeorge.EvenifafarmerwasaPatriot,withaBritishmilitaryofficertakingquarterinhishousehewasverylikelytoshout“Godsavetheking!”ifitkepthischildrensafeandhisfieldsunscathed.Forthisreasonalone,Washingtonworriedthataseeminglytrustworthycontactmightbetemptedto
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reportasuspectedspy,whetheroutoftrueloyaltytotheCrownorinthehopesofprocuringsomeadditionalprotectionforhisownfamilyandproperty.
AnynumberofinnocentsituationscouldblowHale’scovertoasuspiciouslocal:anignoranceoftheproximityofonetowntothenext,themispronunciationofawordpeculiartothatregion,aslipofthetonguethatbetrayed
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himasamainlander.TheflimsynatureofHale’scoverstorymighteasilybeblownaswell—whatschoolwouldbelookingforateacherthisfarintoSeptember?Perhapshemightbespottedbyanoldfriendandhailedwithafamiliaritythatwouldbeimpossibletodeny.ALoyalistrelativemightdothesamething,butwithlessinnocentintentions.OrmaybeevenHale’sown
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Patrioticzealwoulddohimin,wereheunabletoremainsilentinthefaceofinsultstohiscauseorsotrustingthathesharedhistruefeelingswithsomeonemasqueradingasasympatheticear.
Aweekpassedwithnodisaster,andWashingtonbreathedasighofrelief.Whilethedangerwasstillintense,hehopedHalehadestablishedasolidcoverandwasoutofdirectsuspicion.
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Unfortunately,hisreliefwaspremature.
FAILURE
OnSeptember21,Washingtonspentmostofthedaystudyingmapsandpotentialbattleplansand,intheevening,writingafewletters.Hehadnowayofknowingthatatthetipofthepeninsula,NathanHalewas,
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atthatverymoment,beingarrested,chargedwithspying,andsentencedto“behangedbytheneckuntildead”thefollowingmorning.
AsiftohighlightHale’slonelyexperienceonLongIsland,noonecansaywithcertaintyexactlywherehewasdetectedandcaptured,orevenwhatactivitieshewasengagedinbeforethatfatefulevent.SomehowhemadehiswaywestwardtoBrooklyn,
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thencrossedoverintolowerManhattan,thoughnorecordsshowexactlywhenorhow.Perhapsheonlymadethatcrossinglater,asaprisoner.Bysomereports,hewasrecognizedbysomeLoyalistcousinsandreportedtotheBritish;byotherreports,hemistookaBritishboatastheferrysenttoreturnhimtosafety;bystillothers,hewaslulledintoafalsesenseofsecurityandsharedthedetails
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ofhisplanswithsomeLoyalistlocalsatatavernandtheyturnedhimin.Whateverthecase,hewascaptured,tried,andhangedallinthespanofroughlytwelvehours.
ShortlyafterHale’sbodyceasedtoswinglikeapendulumintheParkofArtillery,CaptainJohnMontresorofHisMajesty’sarmysetoutfortheAmericancampunderaflagoftruce.Hewasgrantedanaudience
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withayoungPatriotcaptainandaidetoGeneralWashingtonnamedAlexanderHamiltontoexplainthepurposeofhisvisitandinformtheAmericansoftheexecutionofLieutenantHale.Thevisitwasnotonlyaformalcourtesybutalsoathinlyveiledwarningthattheirsadlittleattemptatespionagehadbeenanembarrassingfailure.
ThenewscutWashington
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deeply.Casualtieswereanunavoidablepartoftheuglybusinessofwar,buthadthegeneralnotknownthefutilityoftheeffortevenbeforesendingHaleonhismission?Hadhenotimmediatelydetectedadozenproblemswiththeplan?Didhenotsense,deepdown,thatithadbeendoomedfromthestartwhenonebravebutuntriedyoungmanhadtakenalloftheresponsibilityupon
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himself?Hale’sdeathwasatragedyforitsownsake,forthefactthatWashingtonnowhadnoagenttofeedhimtheinformationhedesperatelyneededfromLongIsland,andbecauseofhowunnecessaryitwas.Hadthereonlybeenamoreknowledgeable,lessconspicuousringinplacewhosememberscouldnotonlygatherthenecessaryinformationbutalsoprotectoneanotherevenasthey
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operatedinanonymity,thingsmighthavegoneverydifferently.
Hale’sattempttogatherandconveyinformationhadbeenanutterfailure,buthehadgivenhisbelovedgeneralsomethingjustasvaluable:therecognitionthatWashingtonneededmorethanjustonebravemanonLongIsland;heneededanentirenetwork.
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ATURNATTRENTON
Astheautumnof1776progressedtowinter,GeneralGeorgeWashingtonfoundhimselfmarchingfromNewYorktoNewJerseytoPennsylvaniainaseriesofdishearteningcampaigns.Histroopsweredemoralizedandthecivilianpopulationevenmoreso,asmanywhowereformerlyenthusiasticsupportersofthePatriotic
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causetookoathsoffidelitytothekingorelsesimplyquietlywithdrewtheirsupportforliberty.InOctober,Washingtonmetupwithreinforcements,butfoundtheirnumberamerehalfofthefivethousandtroopshehadanticipated.Supplieswerelowandhecouldnolongercountonthelocalpopulacetoshowtheirsupportbysellingfoodandothernecessarysuppliesto
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theContinentalArmy.TheBritishtroops,ontheotherhand,werewellsuppliedandtheirnumbersbolsteredbytheHessians,Germanmercenarieswithareputationforbeingbouldersofmenandunflappableinbattle.
JustbeforethecelebrationofChristmas,WashingtonwaseyeingareturntoNewJersey.Hehadtoregaincontrolofthemid-Atlanticafterthe
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disappointingautumnorlosethewar,sohebegantoformulateaplantoattacktheHessianencampmentatTrenton—adaringraidrequiringyetanothertreacherousferryingofmenandsuppliesacrosswater.Bravinglargemassesoficeandwinterwindsthatcouldeasilyoverturnthesmallboats,hismenwouldcrosstheriverandcapturethecityinanattempttobreaka
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strongholdofBritishcontrolintheregion.
“WeareinaverydisaffectedpartoftheProvence,”WashingtonwrotetohisbrothersJohnandSamuelintwotellingandverynearlyverbatimletters.Samuel’sversion,datedDecember18,1776,reads:
Andbetweenyouandme,IthinkourAffairs
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areinaverybadsituation;notsomuchfromtheapprehensionofGenl.Howe’sArmy,asfromthedefectionofNewYork,Jerseys,andPennsylvania.Inshort,theConductoftheJerseyshasbeenmostInfamous.InsteadofturningouttodefendtheirCountryandaffordingaidtoourArmy,theyaremaking
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theirsubmissionsasfastastheycan.IftheJerseyshadgivenusanysupport,wemighthavemadeastandatHackensackandafterthatatBrunswick,butthefewMilitiathatwereinArms,disbandedthemselvesorslunkoffinsuchamannerupontheappearanceofdangerastoleaveusquite
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unsupportedandtomakethebestshiftswecouldwithoutthemandleftthepoorremainsofourArmytomakethebestwecouldofit.
IhavenodoubtbutthatGeneralHowewillstillmakeanattemptuponPhiladelphiathisWinter.Iseenothingtoopposehimafortnighthence,asthetimeofalltheTroops,except
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thoseofVirginia(reducedalmosttonothing,)andSmallwood’sRegimentofMaryland,(equallyasbad)willexpireinlessthanthattime.InawordmydearSir,ifeverynerveisnotstrain’dtorecruittheNewArmywithallpossibleexpedition,Ithinkthegameisprettynearup....
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YoucanformnoIdeaoftheperplexityofmySituation.NoMan,Ibelieve,everhadagreaterchoiceofdifficultiesandlessmeanstoextricatehimselffromthem.HoweverunderafullpersuasionofthejusticeofourCauseIcannotbutthinktheprospectwillbrighten,althoughforawise
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purposeitis,atpresenthidunderacloudentertainanIdeathatitwillfinallysinktho’itmayremainforsometimeunderaCloud.
Washingtonhadsmiledalittle,inspiteofhimself,asheclosedtheletterwithgreetingssenttohissister-in-lawandherchildren.Yes,thepastfewmonthshadbeen
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bleakandthefuturelookedlikeitwouldbeverymuchthesame,butWashingtonclungtothatshredofhopewithwhichhehadreassuredhisbrother.ThoughthePatriotcausewascloakedbyacloud,hiscautiousoptimismwasrootedinsomethingmoresolidthanjustadesperatehopethatanothermiraclemayyetcometohisaid.Washingtonhadasecret.
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JohnHoneyman,aScots-IrishimmigrantwhohadservedtheBritishCrownfaithfullyduringtheFrenchandIndianWar,wasnowplyinghistradeasaweaverandbutcherinTrenton,supplyingtheHessiantroopsandmakinghisallegiancetotheCrowncommonknowledge.WhilewanderingdangerouslyclosetotheAmericanlinesoneday,Honeymanhadbeencaptured
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andquestionedbynoneotherthanGeneralWashingtonhimself.Afewdayslater,shortlyafterWashingtonhadwrittentohisbrothers,HoneymanescapedbacktoTrentonunderthecoverofsomesmalldisturbanceinthecamp.OnceagainbehindHessianlines,heinsisteduponanaudiencewithColonelJohannRall,informinghimofwhathehadobservedwhileheldbythe
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Americans.“Therewillbenoattack,”
HoneymantoldRall.“TheAmericantroopsaresodisheartenedandsobedraggled,theyhavenoplansofadvancinganytimesoon.”
ThebigGermanlaughedatthethoughtoftheupstartcolonialswastingawayastheytriedtoputonabraveshow:“WirwerdenfröhlichesWeihnachtenschließlich
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haben!”(WewillhaveamerryChristmas,afterall!)
ColonelRalldismissedthetrustedtradesmanwithaheartyslapontheback,andwenttoinformhissubordinatesthattheycouldstanddownandcommencewiththeChristmascelebrations.Someonehadprocuredquiteafewcasksofale,andtheywerealleagertotoastthebirthoftheChristchildinroaringfashioneven
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asthechurchtolledthebellsmarkingChristmasEve.Meanwhile,HoneymanquicklyandquietlygatheredhisfamilyandretreatedeastwardtoNewBrunswick,NewJersey...andWashingtonpreparedtostrike.
Ithadallbeenabeautifullyorchestratedsetup,fromHoneyman’spositioninTrentontohiscapture,escape,andmeetingwith
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Rall.HehadbeenadedicatedBritishsoldiertwentyyearsago,butnowhewasWashington’sman.LearningfromHale’sdeath,thegeneralhadreachedouttoHoneymanearlierthatfall,countingonhisoutstandingcredentialsfromthepreviouswar,unshakablebravery,andunsuspiciousoccupationtoenablehimtooperateundetected.Sureenough,Honeymancasually
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questionedandcarefullycountedthemenaboutthecityandofferedafullreportofitbacktoWashingtonfromhisjailcellfollowinghis“capture.”Washington,havingpersonallyarrangedforthemeansbywhichHoneymancouldescape,hadthenaskedhisagenttoplantthefalsestoryinRall’searbeforespiritinghimselfandhisfamilyoutofharm’swaywhentheattackcameonthe
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unsuspectingHessians.Itwasaperfectplanthat
wentoffwithoutahitch.Honeymanplayedhispartbeautifully,andtheHessiantroops,allfightingmassivehangoversfromtheirraucousChristmasrevelries,werecaughtcompletelyoffguardwhenthePatriotslaunchedtheirattackintheweehoursofDecember26.Thevictorywasswift,decisive,andcrucialfortheAmerican
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cause.Washington’sespionage
successfurtherbuoyedhimandthetroops.ButthelossofLongIslandandManhattanstillweighedheavilyonthegeneral’smind.Hedidn’tthinkthewarcouldbewonwithoutrecapturingthemand,likeTrenton,theycouldnotbetakenwithoutgood,reliableintelligence.Honeyman’seffortsatTrentonhadprovedthevalue
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ofawell-placedspyandtaughttwogoodlessons:Washington’sspieswouldhavetoblendinasHoneymanhad(andHalehadnot),andtheywouldhavetobeabsolutelyconvincingintheirroles.
Washingtonwouldneedacollectionofagents—aringofcommonmenandwomenwithunquestionablefidelityandunassumingidentities.Hisfirsttaskwouldbeto
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enlisttwokeyindividuals:(1)anofficerfamiliarwiththeterritoryandwellacquaintedwiththelocalfamiliesandcustoms,whocouldorchestratethewholeenterprisebutremainclosetoWashington’sside,and(2)anagentonthegroundwhocouldrecruittheothermembers,preferablyapersonwhowaswellconnectedbuthadlargelykepthispoliticalopinionstohimself
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throughouttheconflictthusfar—amanwhowouldnotraisesuspicionsbutwouldratherdiethansurrenderhisGod-givenliberties.
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ICHAPTER3
LaunchingtheRing
nFebruary1777,WashingtonwrotetoNathanielSackett,a
NewYorkmerchant,suppliertotheContinentalArmy,andPatriotactivist.Theshortlettergottotheheartofthematterimmediately.He
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offeredSackettfiftydollarsamonth—ageneroussumfromthecash-strappedAmericangovernment—toestablishanetworkofspiestolearn“theearliestandbestintelligenceofthedesignsoftheenemy.”Sackett’sefforts,whileinitiallyfruitful,collapsedafewmonthslaterinaseriesofunfortunatemishapsandfailedmissionsthatyieldedfewresultsoftheimpactWashingtonwasseeking.
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FindingtherightmantoleadtheNewYorkringwasprovingharderthanplanned.
Inthefallof1777,ayearafterNathanHale’sdeath,WashingtonstillhadnoNewYorkspyring,mostlybecausethegeneral’sattentionsweredivertedagainfromNewYorktoPhiladelphia,whichtheBritishhadrecentlycaptured.Forthenextfewmonths,Washingtondevotedmostof
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hisattentiontoregainingtheCityofBrotherlyLoveandplacedtheNewYorkintelligenceeffortsonholdindefinitely.
AMISSION
As1777turnedinto1778,thetideofthewarchanged.WhenBenjaminFranklin’snegotiationsinFrancefinallyculminatedinLouisXVI’s
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commitmenttosupporttheAmericancauseinFebruary1778,theBritishstrategyhadtochange.DespiteadevastatingwinteratValleyForge,theAmericanswerenolongerfightingalone,scrapingoutvictoriesfromsheerluck,pluck,andwhatevergoodfortuneProvidencethrewtheirway.ByJune1778,orderswereissuedfortheBritisharmyinPhiladelphiatoabandonthe
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cityandsettheirsightsonstrengtheningtheirall-importantholdonNewYork.
Washingtonandhismenpreparedtofollowsuit,packinguptheragtagarmytoleaveValleyForge.Thelogisticsofmovinganarmywereall-consuming,butWashingtonwaspreoccupiedwithanevenmoreimportanttask—thetimehadcometofocushisfullattentiononforminghisspynetwork,and
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nothingwoulddistracthimnow.
WashingtontappedBrigadierGeneralCharlesScott,arusticmanfromcentralVirginia,toserveashischiefofintelligence.Itwasalogicalappointment;Scottwasexperiencedandable,withanimpressiverecordincommand.HehaddistinguishedhimselfasascoutduringtheFrenchandIndianWarandhadserved
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alongsideWashingtonforthedurationofthePennsylvaniacampaign.ButdespiteScott’scapabilitiesandqualifications,hewasabrasiveandunimaginative.Evenworse,hisknowledgeofthetopographyandwaterwaysofManhattanandLongIslandwasseverelylimited.
QuicklyrecognizingthatScott’seffortscouldeasilygothesamewayasNathan
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Hale’sandNathanielSackett’s,WashingtonscrambledtofindanothermantoheaduptheactualinfiltrationofNewYork.Heneededsomeonewhoknewnotonlythecityandthevariousroutesintoandoutofitbutalsoenoughtrustedlocalstorecruitasspies.Thecandidatewouldalsoneedtobenearlyinexhaustibleifheweretodevotethetime,strategy,andenergy
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necessarytomaketheringsuccessful.
FortunatelyforWashington,oneoftherisingyoungstarsoftheContinentalArmyfitthebillexactly.BenjaminTallmadge,agallantyoungmajorwhosecurlsalwaysseemedtobeescapingbeneathhissharpdragoonhelmet,wasstillrathergreen,buthiskeennessofmindwasapparenttoeveryonewhomethim,and
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heknewhowtoearntherespectandfaithofhismendespitetheoccasionalmisstep.Besides,hisdemonstratedcourage,hisimagination,and,mostimportant,hisbackgroundmadehimtheperfectcandidate.
ARISINGSTAR
MajorBenjaminTallmadge
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wasaratherunlikelymilitaryman.HewasbornonFebruary25,1754,thesecondsonoftheReverendBenjaminandSusannahSmithTallmadge,inaparsonageinSetauket,ahamletintheregionofBrookhaven,SuffolkCounty,LongIsland.Thesonandgrandsonofaminister,youngBenjaminseemeddestinedforthepulpitratherthanthetrenches.
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BenjaminJuniorwasanextremelybright,precociouschild.Oneofhisfather’sdutiesasparsonwastoinstructtheyoungmenofthevillagewhowerehopingtoattendcollege,preparingthemfortherigorousentranceexamsbysupplyingthemwiththerequisiteknowledgeofLatin,Greek,theology,andrhetoric.Energeticandenthusiasticaboutanythingthatseemed
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remotelychallenging,youngBenjaminwaseagertojoinhisfather’sclassesandthrivedunderincreasinglydifficultcurricula.Bytheageoftwelveorthirteen,hehadprovedsoproficientthathewasadmittedtoYalebythecollegepresident,buttheReverendTallmadgefelthissonwastooyoung.Athisfather’sbidding,Benjaminwaiteduntilhewasfifteentoenroll.Inthemeantime,
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Susannahdied,leavingtheTallmadgemenaloneintheparsonage.Thesadnessinthehousefollowingherpassingwasoppressive,andBenjaminfoundthatleavingwassomethingofarelief.
Hewaswellpreparedforcollegelife.“BeingsowellversedintheLatinandGreeklanguages,Ihadnotmuchoccasiontostudyduringthefirsttwoyearsofmycollegiatelife,”Tallmadge
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lateradmitted,“whichIhavealwaysthoughthadatendencytomakemeidle.”Buthistimewasnotwasted.Hequicklybecamepopularamonghisclassmates,includingNathanHale,whofoundTallmadge’sintelligence,energy,andgoodnaturefascinating.
Playhouseswereveryrareinthecoloniesatthetime,andpublicopinionconsideredtheater
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somewherebetweenfrivolousanddownrightsinful.Thisirresistiblecombinationofnoveltyandpotentialscandalmadetheatricalsafavoritepastimeamongcollegestudents.TallmadgeandHalewereoftenatthecenteroftheseproductions,andfrequentedseveralotherclubsthatexploredthevariousdisciplinesfutureschoolmastersshouldmaster:astronomy,geometry,history,
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debate,andnaturalsciences.Thesesubjectswerealsocoveredinclasses,butthiswastheAgeofEnlightenmentandthepursuitofknowledgewasalltherage—evenamongfun-lovingyoungmen.
BenjamingraduatedfromYalein1773withadistinguishedacademicrecord,despitehissomewhatlackadaisicalfreshmanandsophomoreyears,anda
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severeboutofmeaslesthatmarkedpartofhisjuniorandsenioryears;hewaseveninvitedbythecollegepresidenttospeakatthecommencementceremony.Upongraduation,thepositionofsuperintendentofthehighschoolinWethersfield,Connecticut,wasofferedtohim,andTallmadgeseizedtheopportunitytoimparthisenthusiasmforstudytoayoungergeneration.There,he
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servedfaithfullyforthreeyears,thoughhisambitionsdrewhimtowardthelegalprofessionandhebegantoseriouslyconsiderstudyinglaw.
Butinthespringof1775,“theshotheard’roundtheworld”rangoutatLexington,Massachusetts,followedbyaskirmishatConcordafewhourslater.Thatoneday,April19,wouldmarkanindeliblechangeinthecourse
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ofhistory,andBenjaminTallmadge,likemanyotheryoungmenofhistime,wassweptupinPatrioticfervorastheWarofIndependenceofficiallybegan.ThebloodybattleatBunkerHillragedshortlyafterwardinJune,andTallmadgetookadvantageofhisschool’ssummerholidaytoridetheonehundredmilestoBostontolearnofthelatestnewsfirsthand.HemetwithsomeConnecticutfriends
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whohadbeeninvolvedinthecombat,andtheirstoriesofheroismandzealbegantoshiftTallmadge’sgoalfromfightinginjusticeinthecourtroomtofightingtyrannyonthebattlefield.
HebeganthefalltermatWethersfieldseriouslyweighingvariouscoursesforhisfuture.Withthearrivalof1776,theContinentalCongressgaveapprovalforthecoloniestoactively
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expandtheirfightingbrigades.CaptainJohnChester,oneoffriendswithwhomTallmadgehadvisitedtheprevioussummer,waselevatedtotherankofcolonel,andinvitedTallmadgetojoinhisregimentasacommissionedofficer.Thus,LieutenantBenjaminTallmadge,hiscommissionsignedbyGovernorJonathanTrumbull,tookhisleaveoftheschoolat
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theendofthetermandofficiallybecameamemberofConnecticut’sContinentalLineonJune20,1776.
ItwasamovethatastonishedBenjamin’sfatherandhissecondwife,theformerMissZipporahStrong.AshisunitmarchedtowardManhattan,LieutenantTallmadgegainedleavetoventureacrossthewatertoLongIslandtoseehisfamily.Hispiousfatherwasshocked
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tolearnthatbothBenjaminandhisolderson,William,hadenlisted,buthegrantedhisblessingatBenjamin’srequest.
Nowasoldier,Tallmadgecontinuedtodistinguishhimselfwithhisboundlessenergyanduncannyknackforwinningpeopleover,buttheartofwardidn’tcomeeasilytothenewrecruit.WithAugustcamethefatefulBattleofBrooklynandthe
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betrayalofBrigadierGeneralNathanielWoodhullandhisbranchoftheLongIslandmilitiaatJamaicaPass.ThebattlewasTallmadge’sfirsttasteofwar,anditshookhim.
“ThiswasthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhadwitnessedtheawfulsceneofabattle,whenmanwasengagedtodestroyhisfellow-man,”Tallmadgewrotemorethanfiftyyearslater.“Iwell
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remembermysensationsontheoccasion,fortheyweresolemnbeyonddescription,andveryhardlycouldIbringmymindtobewillingtoattemptthelifeofafellow-creature.”
Theirfather’sblessingprovedfruitfulforBenjaminbutnotforhisbrotherWilliam.AtthesametimethatBenjaminwasexperiencingsuchaconflictofconscienceatthehorrorof
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killing,Williamwasbeinghauledoffasaprisoner,capturedinbattlebytheBritish.Inthedesperateweeksthatfollowed,Benjamin’sgoodnatureanddoggeddeterminationfailedhimforperhapsthefirsttimeinhislife.Togetherwithsomeinfluentialfriends,hemaderepeatedattemptstohaveprovisionsdeliveredtoWilliamintheBritishprisonshipwherehewasbeingheld,
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butalleffortswererebuffed,allfoodparcelsandblanketsdenied.Williamstarvedtodeathatsomepointintheautumnof1776,andhisbodywaseitherthrownoverthesideoftheshipintocoldNewYorkHarbororburiedinanunmarkedgraveontheshore.
NathanHale’sdeath,coincidingwithWilliam’sdesperateplight,wasadifficultblow.Tallmadge’sconscienceshoutedthathe
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wouldhavebeenafarbettermanforthejobthanpoorHale,whohadneverevensetfootonLongIsland.ButtheopportunityhadnotbeenofferedtoTallmadgeandhehadpreciouslittletimetodwellonthetragedy.HisunitcontinuedtomarchwithGeneralWashington,engagingintheBattleofWhitePlainsonOctober28,whenBenjaminhimselfwasverynearlycapturedby
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Hessiantroopsashewasusheringhismenacrosstheriver.
Inmid-December1776,BenjaminTallmadgewasappointedcaptainoftheSecondContinentalLightDragoonsbyGeneralGeorgeWashingtonhimself,whohadadmiredtheyoungman’sabilitiesandconduct,nottomentionhisloyalty.Theappointmentwassignedintheunmistakablehandof
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JohnHancock,andTallmadgeaccepteditwillingly.Hedevotedthefirstthirdof1777totrainingmenandhorsesforreconnaissance,scoutingmissions,andlightraidsaheadofthemoreheavilyarmedcavalryandartillerybrigades,ajob,Tallmadgelaterwrote,thatheenjoyedthoroughly:“Myowntroopwascomposedentirelyofdapplegrayhorses,which,
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withblackstrapsandblackbear-skinholster-covers,lookedsuperb.IhavenohesitationinacknowledgingthatIwasveryproudofthiscommand.”
Tallmadgecontinuedhisdedicatedanddistinguishedservice,andapromotiontomajorfollowedinApril1777.Attheendofthatyear,somethinghappenedthatwouldchangehiscareer.Afteranattackonhistroops,
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Tallmadgereceivedwordofanunusualnature.Ashedescribedit,“acountrygirlhadgoneintoPhiladelphia;witheggs,instructedtoobtainsomeinformationrespectingtheenemy.”ArrangementsweremadethatsheshouldmeetTallmadgeattheRisingSunTavern,whereshequicklypassedonallinformationabouttroopnumbersandsupplycountsthatshehadbeenableto
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gather,likelyfromanothersympatheticcontactinsidethecity.
ButtheRisingSunwasnotanidealplaceforcover,asitwasclearlyvisiblefromtheBritishlines,andTallmadgewasspottedandidentifiedenteringtheestablishment.Whilethegirlwasstillofferingherreport,thealarmwassoundedthatanarmedBritishguardwasfastapproaching;Tallmadge
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dashedoutside,swungthegirlupbehindhimonhishorse,andthetwotookoffatfullspeed,streakingtowardGermantown,alittlemorethanthreemilesaway,withtheBritishinclosepursuit.Onceinthesafetyoftown,thegirldismountedanddisappeared,andTallmadgebegantomakehiswaybacktohisunit.
Buttheexperienceoftheyoungcitizen-spystayedwith
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him.“Duringthewholeride,”herecordedinhismemoirs,“althoughtherewasconsiderablefiringofpistols,andnotalittlewheelingandcharging,sheremainedunmoved,andneveroncecomplainedforfearaftershemountedmyhorse.Iwasdelightedwiththistransaction,andreceivedmanycomplimentsfromthosewhobecameacquaintedwithit.”
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Braveryandresolvefromthemostunlikelycornerscouldstillbecountedontorisetothechallengeandtakeonwhatevermissionwasnecessaryforthesakeoffreedom.Thesafetyofthosesoulswasalsoasacredtrust.ThatmuchwascleartoTallmadge,andsoonhewouldnotonlyhaveanotherchancetoseesuchcourageinactionbutalsobeawillingplayer.
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Duringthatbrutalwinterof1777andintoJanuary1778,TallmadgestayedclosetoGeneralWashingtonatValleyForge;insuchcrampedandmiserablequarters,theyoungofficerimpressedhiscommander.Hewasstillsomewhatuntestedandnotalwaysasfarsightedasmoreseasonedofficers,butitwasclearthatbothhisinputandhisunsinkableenthusiasmwere
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valuedbybothsubordinatesandsuperiors.
WhenWashingtontappedhimtoactasspymasteronLongIsland,Tallmadgeactedquickly.Heknewrightawaywhomhewouldapproachtobehismanontheground.
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GCHAPTER4
CrossingtheSound
rowingup,AbrahamWoodhullhadbeen
aneighborofTallmadge’s,andhesharedmanyoftheyoungofficer’sideals,butthat’swheretheirresemblanceended.Byall
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accounts,Woodhullwasnobright-eyed,optimistic,jolly-young-man-turned-soldierwhoraneagerlyintothewelcomingarmsoftheAmericancause.Hissentimentslaywithliberty,butasaconfirmedbachelorandself-proclaimedoldmanbeforetheageofthirty,heputsuchapremiumonpersonalautonomythatheavoidedofficialmilitaryservice,wherehewouldhave
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beensubjecttotheordersofsuperiors.
Abrahamwashisparents’thirdson,raisedundertheshadowofaprominentandcelebratedfamily(whichincludedtheill-fatedGeneralNathanWoodhull,acousin)tobeneithertheheirnorthesparetothepaternalestate.Whilehisolderbrothers,RichardVandAdam,weregroomedtostepintotheroleofAmericangentlemen,
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youngAbrahamwasreleasedtothefreedomoftheoutdoors.Itwasadismissalheneithermindednorresented,ashefoundthetediumofschoolworkuninspiring.Whilehisbrotherswerelaboringoverpassagesofclassicalrhetoric,AbrahamgainedanintimateknowledgeofthelandscapeofLongIsland,connectingeverytopographicalfeaturewithitsowner.
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TheWoodhullgirls,SusannahandMary,dotedontheirbabybrother,andAbrahamwasequallyfondofthem.WhenMarymarriedAmosUnderhillandmovedwithhimtoManhattan,Abrahammadeahabitofvisitingthem.SometimeshetraversedLongIslandandthencrossedtheEastRivertoManhattan,andothertimeshecaughtaridewithalongshoremanrowingacross
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LongIslandSoundtoConnecticutandthentraveledsouthwardtothecity.Heenjoyedthesetrips,butthefamilywassoontofacedifficulttimes.In1768,attheageoftwenty-one,Adamdied;sixyearslater,attheageofthirty,RichardVdied.Andso,in1774,AbrahamfoundhimselfsuddenlyandunexpectedlyinpositiontoinherittheWoodhullfamily’shomestead.
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Itwasawindfallhehadneitherhopedforwhenitwasoutofreachnorrelishednowthatitwashis.Hehadneverconsideredhimselfcutfromthesamefabricastherestoftheprominentlandowners,andhadgonetosomepainstodistinguishhimselffromtheiruprightanduptightbehavior.AbrahamWoodhullwasproudofbeingtheblacksheepofhisstraitlacedfamily,andheassumedthe
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burdenoffamilialdutywithreluctance;itsmackedofOldWorldthinking.IfhewastorejectKingGeorge’sauthorityonthebasisthatthemonarchhadsimplybeenbornintohisposition,whycouldhenotalsorejecthisownfamily’sexpectationsforhimtopickupthemantleofWoodhullrespectabilitysimplybecausehewasthesolesurvivingson-of-a-son-of-a-son-of-a-son-of-a-son?
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OCCUPIEDNEWYORK
Whenwareruptedthefollowingyear,Woodhull’sjourneystoManhattanbyboththenorthernandthesouthernroutesbecamemoreperilous,thoughhecontinuedtovisithissisterwheneverhecould.By1777,NewYorkhadfallenfromquiteaheightofPatrioticfervor.ManhattananditssurroundingareashadalwaysleanedLoyalist,butin
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theearlyyearsoftheconflict,therewasstillasignificantPatriotpopulation.WhenthenewlypennedDeclarationofIndependencewasreadpubliclythesummerbefore,thereactionhadbeenwildlyenthusiastic.RowdyPatriotstoredownastatueofKingGeorgeinspontaneousprotestandmelteditsfourthousandpoundsofleadforbullets.GeneralGeorgeWashington,while
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appreciatingthemettle(andresourcefulness)demonstrated,chastisedsomeofhisownofficersinvolvedinwhatheviewedasanundignifiedanddisrespectfulact.
AftertheBritishprovedvictoriousattheBattleofBrooklynandthenwiththefallofManhattan,inAugustandSeptemberof1776,respectively,therewasademographicshiftasmany
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Patriotsleftthecityformorelike-mindedlocalesandLoyalistsfloodedintothecitythatwasviewedasasafehavenforthosewhosidedwiththeCrown.ThefirethatragedthroughasignificantportionofthecityfollowingtheAmericans’retreatalsocontributedtothechangeinpopulation.MorethanonePatriotlosthishomeorbusinesstothefire.Itmighthavebeenworthstayingand
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rebuildinghadtheconqueringarmybeenasympatheticone,butthelossofshelter,livelihood,andpoliticalpowerwastoomuchformanypeopletobearallatonce.
Whatdestructionandpoliticsdidn’tdriveout,filthdid.NicholasCresswell,anEnglishmanvisitingNewYork,recordedhisdisgustwiththestateofthecityfollowingthewinterthawin
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thespringof1777.Hecomplainedaboutthesheernumberofpeoplecrowdedintothecity’sconfines,“almostlikeherringsinabarrel,mostofthemverydirtyandnotasmallnumbersickofsomedisease,theItch,Pox,Fever,orFlux.”Hefurtheropined,“Ifanyauthorhadaninclinationtowriteatreatiseuponstinksandillsmells,henevercouldmeetwithmoresubjectmatterthan
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inNewYork.”Forthosewell-to-do
Loyalistswhostayedinthecitybecauseitwastheirhome,thegeneralsqualorwasoflittleconcern;therewasstillasparklingsocialscenefullofdinnerpartiesandballs,providingaglitteringmaskofdenial.Afterall,suchwasurbanlife,andNewYorkwascertainlylargeenoughtoabsorbwhateverelementscameits
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way.TheBritishofficersstationedthereenjoyedthehighlife,onlyoccasionallyinterruptedbythenecessaryevilofhavingtoearntheirpaybyleadingtroopsintobattle.Whenthetentswerestruckandthecannonsmokecleared,theywentbacktolivingitupintheballrooms,coffeehouses,andtavernsofManhattan.
Thecommonfootsoldiersstationedtherewere
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hardlyenjoyingthesameprivilegesastheircommissionedleadership,butthey,too,hadthebenefitsofsteadypayandtheautomaticauthorityconferredbytheiruniforms.Lifeforcivilianswhowerelesswell-offwasharder,astheycompetedforwhatresourceswereleftoverafterthetroopsweresupplied.
ForthosePatriotswhoremainedbehindwhenthe
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Americantroopswithdrew,lifebecameakindoffragilemaze;itcouldbesuccessfullynavigatedifonetrodcarefully,butawrongturnorfalsemovecouldleaveoneisolatedandalone,andasingleerrantstepcouldcauseanirreparablecrack.Thephysicalfightingbetweenarmieshadsubsided,butthatdidnotmeanpeacehadfilledthevacuum.
Yetdespitethedisease,
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stink,vice,andeveryotherundesirabletraitwithwhichthecitywasplagued,NewYorkwasstillthemostdesirablepieceofrealestateontheNorthAmericancontinent.AsthegeographicalheartoftheEnglisheasternseaboard,itwasstrategicallysignificantfrombothanavalandaneconomicperspective.AnditwasstillsolidlyoutsideofGeneralWashington’sgrasp
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—butnotoutofreachofAbrahamWoodhull.WhetherornothewastransportinggoodsbackandforthbetweenManhattanandLongIslandwithoutofficialBritishsanctionwas,byhisownestimation,noone’sbusinessbuthisown.Afterall,itwashisneckonthelineifhewascaught.
SMUGGLING
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Woodhullwasinfinitelypracticalandtookprideinhispragmatism.Whatusedidafarmerhaveforfrivolity?Unlikeamerchant,whoseprofitabilityhingedontheartofaccuratelyreadingandpredictingthesocialwhimsofthespendingpublic,afarmerdependedonthehardscienceofnatureforhislivelihood.Butsometimesthoseworldsintersected—afarmerwithashrewd
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businesssensecouldcapitalizeonthetastesandtrendsofthegeneralpopulationbytradinghisproduceforluxurygoodsthathecouldsellforaheftyprofitwhileneverhavingtoindulgeinthetrappingsoffashionabilityhimself.Whatcouldbemorepracticalthanthat?
Urbane,bustlingNewYorkimportedexoticandhigh-endmerchandisefrom
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aroundtheglobe;suchtradewasthebasisofmuchofitseconomy.Butitscobblestonestreetsandtightlypackedhomesandbusinessesleftlittleearthforgardens,letalonelarge-scalefarming.Andyetthepopulationneededtoeat.Northofthecity,workingfarmsdottedtheHudsonValley,butthoseareaswerelargelyinPatriothands.Britishsoldierscloselymonitoredeveryroadinand
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outofManhattan,andfarmerswhobroughtinwagonsofmeats,grains,cheeses,andvegetablesforsaleinthecitywerelikelytofacetaxesorevenconfiscationofpartoftheirgoods.Still,itwasgoodbusiness,evenifsomelosseshadtobefactoredinaspartofthegame.
ThefarmersandfishermenonLongIslanddevisedwaystogetaround
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theBritishtaxes.SometooktheferrythatranbetweenBrooklynandManhattan,carryingbundlesoffooddisguisedasordinarygoodsoflittleinteresttotheauthorities;othersfoundtheirownmeansoftransport.OneortwomencouldcrosstheSoundduewesttolargelyPatriotConnecticut,thentravelbyfootorelserowsouthtoManhattanwithawell-stockedwhaleboat.After
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quicklyandeasilyunloadingtheirgoodsathighpricestocityresidentshungryforfresh,wholesomeproduce,theywouldfilltheskiffupwithtea,spices,foreignwines,andtrinketsnotavailableonLongIslandthattheycouldbuycheaplyinthecity.Someofthesecapitaliststradedfortheirowngratification(orthatoftheirfamilies);others,likeWoodhull,foundtheycould
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sellthegoodsatexaggeratedpricestotheisolatedandluxury-starvedresidentsofLongIsland.Itwasasimplecaseofsupplyanddemand.LuxurygoodswerewantedandWoodhullwashappytosupplythem—inreturnforsilver.
Butitwasalsoriskybusiness.TheSoundwaspatrolledbytheformidableBritishnavyand,eventhoughsmugglingwasacceptedas
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commonpractice,anexamplewassometimesmadeofviolators.Menwhowerecaughtcouldfaceanythingfromasternwarningtoaheavyfinetoimprisonment.Thosewhowerenotcaughtcouldexpecttoliverathercomfortably.
Woodhullfoundhimselffavoringthelower-riskrouteoftheBrooklynferryasheonceagainbeganmakinghisregulartripsfromhishomein
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SetaukettovisithissisterMaryandherhusband,AmosUnderhill,attheirManhattanboardinghouse.Thisfamilyconnectiongavehimawarmmealandaroofoverhisheadforthenight,possiblyabuilt-inclientele(ifnotamongboardersthenamongneighbors)forhissmuggledgoods,and,mostimportant,aplausiblereasontobeheadedforthecitywithregularity.NewYorkwasnotinastate
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ofsiege,andprivatecitizenscouldtravelwithsomedegreeoffreedom,butregulationswerecertainlytightenedandtheoccupyingarmywasalwaysonthelookoutforsuspiciousactivitythatmightbeliesmugglingorevenespionage.Oftheformer,Woodhullwascertainlyguilty;hehadlittlethoughtofthelatteryet.
Woodhullheldhispoliticalcardsclosetothe
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vest;heknewwhathappenedtothefamiliesofoutspokendissenters.Evenifhechafedunderasenseofinheritedobligation,hestillfelttheweightofresponsibilitytocareforhisagingparentsandhissisterSusannah.HequicklysquelchedanyburgeoningsenseofPatrioticdutythattriedtotakerootinhismindorinhisheart.Hecouldn’tleavetojointhearmy,evenifhispersonality
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hadbeenbettersuitedformilitaryservice.Notwithbothofhisbrothersnowdead.
No,hisplacewasinSetauket,evenifitmeanthavingtoenduretheinconvenienceoftheredcoats’watchfuleyesonalltradeandcommerce.
ISLANDLIFE
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WhileNewYorkerswerefacingtheirownuncertainfuture,theirfriendsandrelationsacrosstheSoundwerefindingtheirlivesevenmoredisrupted.Thesoaringpopulation,crime,anddemandonresourcesmaynothavebeenanythingnewtoManhattanresidents,butforLongIslanders,itwasquiteachangefromtheiridyllicexistencepriortothewar.
Inthesecondhalfofthe
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eighteenthcentury,LongIslandwasstilllargelyruralandwooded,withthetowngreeninfrontofthechurchoftentheonlyopenareaforacresinanydirection,saveforafewclearedpatchesforcropsandpasturelands.Eventheshorelinesweredensewithtrees.Combinedwiththeruggedtopographyofthelanditself,thatmeantsweepingvistasoftheseawerenotnearlyascommon
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asboggyinletsthatoverlookedmoreforestsorweresituatedatthefootofsmall,hillyfarms.Freshproduce,meats,cheese,milk,andeggsfromthesesmallestatesallfetchedhighpricesinthecity,thoughthetradewastightlyregulatedbytheBritish.
Thefarmersweresupposedtobefairlycompensatedforwhatevergoodswereprocuredforthe
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occupyingsoldiers,butthiswasnotalwaysthecase.Insteadofcash,localswereoftengivenpromissorynotesthatlaterprovedworthless;sometimesboisteroustroopssimplyhelpedthemselvestoafarmer’slivestockororchard,ortoatavernkeeper’sale.Evenmoreconcerningwasthewantondisregardforlandrights.TheBritishdisassembledfencesandbarnsforthesakeoflumber,
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whichcosttheownertimeandmoneyforrepairandreplacementandalsothreatenedthefutureviabilityofthefarmbyallowinganimalstogetlooseorexposingplowingequipmenttotheelements.IfthelandownerobjectedtobeingsogrosslymisusedbytheBritish,hewastoldtotakehiscomplaintstotheofficerincharge.Disciplinarymeasuresandrestitutionwere
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neverguaranteed—consequencesvariedaccordingtothemoralcharacterofthepresidingofficer.
AllaroundtheBritish-occupiedareasofNewYorkandNewJersey,reportsofattacksuponlocalwomenbybothindividualsoldiersandgroupsofthegarrisonedtroopsweremadewithstartlingregularityasearlyasthesummerof1776.Many
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caseswerehandledwithacasualnonchalanceassimplypartofthecollateraldamageofwar.OnAugust5,1776,LordRawdon,acavalryofficerstationedonStatenIsland,wrotearathercavalierlettertohisgoodfriendFrancisHastings,tenthEarlofHuntingdon,backhomeinEngland,inwhichRawdondeclared:
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Thefairnymphsofthisisleareinwonderfultribulation,asthefreshmeatourmenhavegotherehasmadethemasriotousassatyrs.Agirlcannotstepintothebushestopluckarosewithoutrunningthemostimminentriskofbeingravished,andtheyaresolittleaccustomedtothesevigorousmethodsthat
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theydon’tbearthemwiththeproperresignation,andofconsequencewehavemostentertainingcourts-martialeveryday.
Inthecity,therewasalreadyagrowingindustrycateringtothecarnalurgesoftheoccupyingtroops.AsWoodhull’ssisterMary
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surelydiscovered,runningareputableboardinghouseinManhattanwasagrowingchallengeasthedemandgrewforroomsthatofferedmorethanjustacot,abasinforwashing,andahotmeal.ButonthemoreprovincialStatenIslandandonLongIslandtherewerenotnearlyasmanyopportunitiesforpaidpleasure—sowomenfoundthemselvesafraidfortheirsafetyevenasupper-and
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middle-classfamilieswereoftenrequiredtoopentheirhousesforquarteringsoldiers.Withmanymenawayfightingoneitherside,orbeingheldaspoliticalprisoners,wivesanddaughtersleftbehindtotendtoahousefullofstrangemenwithmusketsfoundthemselvesinaprecarioussituation.Evenifmostofficersconductedthemselvesasbefittedan
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Englishgentleman,therewasanervoustension,aconstantfearanddistrustthatsettledovereachtownwheretheking’smenmadethemselvesathome.
Woodhullhadnoticeditintheeyesofthemenandwomenhepassedonthestreeteachday—thatfearandwearinessofawarthatwasstillrelativelyyoung.Manyislandersexpressedlittleornoopinionastheywentabout
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theirdailylives,butthereweresomewhoseemedtospeaktooneanotherthroughglances:
“Didwenotwelcometheking’sarmylikeloyalsubjects?Isthishowwearetoberepaid?”
“Mustwegowithoutsotheycanliveinabundance?”
“Theyattackourfarmsandourdaughters,andyetweareforcedtokeepsilentorbebrandedatraitor.”
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“IamsubjecttoKingGeorgewithmyland,mymoney,andmyfidelitybut—byGod!—Iamnotsubjecttohismenandcertainlynotundermyownroof!”
ANINTERVIEW
HowexactlyTallmadgeandWoodhullreconnectedandconcoctedthefirstphaseoftheirplanisnotexactlyclear.
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ItisalmostcertainthatTallmadgeinterceptedhisoldneighborandfamilyfriendinConnecticut,astheriskofsettingfootinoccupiedNewYorkCityorLongIslandwouldhavebeentoogreat.MostofConnecticutwasstillsolidlyinAmericanhandsinAugust1778,providingagoodmeetingpointforthetwomen.
Underheavycover,whetheratalocalwatering
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holeorwithinthehomeofawell-vettedgovernmentofficialwithprovenallegiances,TallmadgeinformedWoodhullofhischargefromWashington.HewastoinstallaringofspiestoconveyinformationfromManhattaneitherdirectlyoverthebordertoConnecticutor,perhapsmoresafely,acrosstheSoundtoLongIslandandfromtheretothemoreruralareasof
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Connecticut—andthusmuchfartherfromBritishinspectorswhomightpossiblyintercepttheintelligence.There,TallmadgecouldreceiveandanalyzethesensitiveinformationbeforespiritingitawaytowhereverWashingtonhappenedtobeencampedatthetime,whichwasalmostalwayswithinjustafewdays’rideofNewYorkCity.
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“You’resayingI’dhavelicensetoworkasIseefit—hirethemenIwantandcarryout...thebusinessthewayIthinkitoughttogo?”Woodhullaskedgruffly.
“Completely,”Tallmadgeassuredhim.“GeneralWashingtonwantstheworkcarriedoutbymenwhoknowtheland,thewater,andthepeople—alocalman,inotherwords.”
“Whoelseknowsabout
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this?Idon’twantmynameandmybusinessputouttheretoanyoneIdon’tknowandtrust.”
“Everythingwouldbeguardedwiththeutmostconfidence,”Tallmadgepromised.“OnlyGeneralWashingtonandIneedknowaboutyourinvolvement.”Woodhullseemedtwitchy,nervous—andnotwithoutcause.Tallmadgethereforefelttherewasnoneedto
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mentionBrigadierGeneralScott,thespymasterfortheContinentalArmyandamanwithwhomTallmadgerarelysaweye-to-eye,ashishopewastobypassScottasmuchaspossibleanyway.
Woodhullturnedthepropositionovercarefullyinhismind.“Butwhyme,ofallthefolksonLongIslandyoucouldhavechosen?WhatareyoutodoifIdeclineyouroffer?”
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TallmadgelookedWoodhullintheeye.“Youhaveagoodestatewithagoodfarmandagoodincome.Now,IknowyoursisterSusannahisstilllivingathome,buttherearenowifeandnochildrenwaitingathomeforyouwhosewelfaremaycauseyoutocheckyourdaring.Youknowthecountryside,thebestplacestopickupgossip,whichroadstouse.I’vebeenawaysome
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yearsbutyou’vestayedonathome,buildingalifeandbuildingrelationships.IknowthingshavebeendifficultsincetheBritishlandedandIdon’tenvywhatyouhavehadtoendurewatchingtheredcoatslootandburntheplacesyoulovemost.Youknow(Godforbid!)theescaperoutes.But,mostimportant,Iknowthatnomatterwhatmaskyoumaywearinpublicrightnow,you
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believethatthiswarmustbewonforthesakeofhumandignity.AndNewYorkmustbehadifthatistohappen.”
TherewasamomentofsilencebeforeWoodhullspoke.“Butit’snotjustme.Whatabouttheothersyouwantmetoenlist?Whatmakesyouthinktheycanbereliedupontocarryouttheirjobs?Tostaysilentratherthanpanicthefirsttimealobsterbackcomestoonear?”
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“Iassumeyouwouldrecruitonlymenyouknewtobeofstalwartdispositionandcouragecommensuratetothetask.”
“SoImustaskmyclosestfriendstogambletheirownfortunesandlives?”
“Wewentoverthatalreadyandtookthoseconcernsintoaccount.”Tallmadgeleanedforward.“Abraham,we’veknowneachotherforalongtime.
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Ourfamilieshaveknowneachotherforalongtime.Ifyoubelievethat”—hepausedandcheckedhiswords—“thosehandfulofnameswe’vediscussedcanbetrustedwithamissionthisimportantinpursuitofacausesosacred,thensodoI.Ihavethefullestfaithinyoutodispatchyourdutyaswellasyouandyourassistantsareable.”
“AndyoupromiseI
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won’thaveanydandifiedofficersfromCharlestonorBostonorGodknowswhereelselandingonmysliveroflandandtryingtotellmeabouthowthingsshouldwork?”Woodhullinsisted.
Tallmadgeraisedaneyebrow.“Isn’tthatexactlythesortofthingthatstartedthiswarinthefirstplace?”
NEWIDENTITIES
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Afewdayslater,ontheafternoonofAugust25,MajorTallmadgemetwithhiscommanderinchiefathiscurrentencampmentinWhitePlains,NewYork.Theaimofthistwo-mancongresswastoallowTallmadgetorecountthemeetinginConnecticutandassuageWashington’sconcernonseveralfronts—whetherWoodhullcouldbetrusted,whetherhewasaskilledenoughjudgeof
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charactertorecruitloyalmen,andwhetherhisprimaryaimwaspatriotismorprofit.Theotherissueofutmostimportancewasthecreationofpseudonyms.ThestakeswerefartoohighforTallmadgeandWoodhulltousetheirrealnames,especiallyinanykindofcorrespondence.InTallmadge’scase,aninterceptedletterwouldmakehimanevenhigher-value
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targetshouldtheBritishlearnhewasnowdabblinginespionage.InWoodhull’scase,livinginthemidstoftheenemy,identificationmeantimmediatearrestlikelyfollowedbyatriptothegallows.
Thegeneralandthemajordiscussedthebestapproachtotheassignmentofnames—atoncespecificenoughtobeclearlyandinstantlyidentifiabletothe
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intendedrecipient,yetnotsounusualastoobviouslybeafakenamenorsocommonthataninnocentindividualwhohappenedtobearthesamenamemightbehunteddownbytheenemy.Thus,Tallmadgewasdubbed“JohnBolton,”amildandunassumingmonikerwithasurnamethatwasamongtheoldestinthecolonies.ThegenesisofWoodhull’snamewasalittlemorecreative.
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CharlesScott’sinitialswereinvertedasanodtohispositionaschiefspymasterfortheContinentalArmy,andTallmadgeselected“Samuel”forafirstname,probablyinhonorofhisyoungerbrother,SamuelTallmadge,whohaddonesomecourierworkforPatrioteffortsonLongIsland.Thelastname,ithasbeensuggested,becameanadaptationof“Culpeper,”thecountyinVirginiathat
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borderedthewesternedgeofWashington’sboyhoodhomeofStaffordCounty,andtheregioninwhichhedidsomeofhisearlyworkasasurveyor.Thus,“SamuelCulper”wasborn.
Pseudonymswereinplace.Courierrouteswereset.SpecificsastothetypeofinformationWashingtonsoughtwereestablished.Thegroundworkwaslaidfortheringtobeginitswork.The
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firsttwocogs,TallmadgeandWoodhull,wereinplacetobeginturningthewheelthatwouldsteadilyrolloutthedefeatoftheBritishinNewYork.Theywouldnotdisappearintotheirnewidentitiesandleavetheiroldlivesbehind.Instead,theirspynameswouldserveastheirpassportsintoadoublelife—Tallmadgeasanintelligenceofficerwithacloselyguardedsecretanda
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covertpostinConnecticutwherehewouldretrievethelatestnews,andWoodhullasamanwhomustgounnoticedinthedenwhileseekingwaystooverthrowthelions.
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WCHAPTER5
TheRingSpringsintoAction
oodhullhadhissightssetonCalebBrewster
asafellowspyfromthebeginning.Hehadtoadmiretheaudacityofthebrashlongshoremanwhowasabull
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ofaman—physicallyhugeandimposing—andwasusinghisintimidatingsizeandtremendousathleticskilltomakehimselfaregularnuisancetotheBritish.Everthedaredevil,hetauntedthemfromhiswhalerladenwithsmuggledgoodsandthenamazinglyevadedcapture.JustasWoodhullknewthelandscape,Brewsterknewthecovesandthewaterways,slippingoutofreachofthe
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Britishbyduckingintooneoranotheruntilthepatrolgaveuptryingtocatchhimred-handed.
ButthathadalwaysbeenBrewster’sway.BackinJune1775,somelocalmenhadcirculatedadocumentdeclaringtheirdeterminationtofightBritishoppression,swearingthattheywouldnever“becomeslaves.”Despitehisusualcaution,Woodhullhadsignedit,as
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hadoneofBenjaminTallmadge’sbrothers.So,too,hadCalebBrewster.RememberingBrewster’ssignatureandobservingtheman’shighspiritsandtasteforadventure,WoodhullknewthatBrewsterwouldbeaneasyconverttothemission.
WhatWoodhulldidnotknowwasthatBrewsterhadalreadyembracedthethrillofespionage.Theyoungman
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hadbeenincorrespondencewithGeneralWashingtonsinceJuly1778—severalweeksbeforeTallmadgehadrecruitedWoodhulltomanagethering—reportingonthestateoftheBritishwarshipsinNewYorkHarbor,aswellastroopmovementsandnavalpreparationsaroundLongIsland.Hisreportsrevealedlittlenewinformationandweresomewhatout-of-date
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bythetimetheyreachedWashington,butthegestureprovedtothecommanderinchiefthattherewerePatriotsreadyandwillingtospyandthatawell-organizedringofsecretagentscouldyieldrealintelligence.
Whiletakingcarenottobeoverheard,WoodhullwasprobablyratherdirectinhisproposaltoBrewster.Theman’svigorandfearlessnessinopenlydefyingtheBritish
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navyontheSoundleftlittledoubtaboutwhichwayhissentimentslay.Alreadyhookedontheadrenalinerushofespionage,Brewsterwasaneasysell.HeenthusiasticallyagreedtoferrymessagestoConnecticutandevenofferedtoaddhisownobservationstothereportsheadedtoTallmadge.
WoodhullsupposedthathisoldfriendAustinRoe,however,mightprove
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somewhatmoredifficulttorecruit.RoewasfriendswithBrewster,andwhilehewasjovialandspiritedaswell,Roewasalsocomfortablysituated,married,firmlyestablishedinhisbusiness,andtooknojoyinevadingarrestinarowboatforsport.ButunlikeWoodhull,whocouldfindreadybuyersforhisproduceinthecityevenifhealienatedhisLoyalistneighbors,orBrewster,who
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couldfindworkasalongshoremanatanydockthatneededthehands,Roewasatavernkeeper.Hislivelihoodwasentirelydependentupontheloyalpatronageoflocalfolksandtheoccasionaltravelerwhopassedhiswayandneededaroomforthenight.Shouldthespies’workbediscovered,theycouldallexpectsomethingfarworsethanalossofemployment.
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Butsuspicionshaveawayofbecomingwhispersinsmalltowns,andrumorsaboutRoe’sactivitiescouldhurthisbusinessevenafterthewar.
Despiteinitialconcerns,Roewaspleasedbythemissionandeagertoofferhisserviceinanywayhecould.Nowateamofthree,Woodhull,Brewster,andRoedevisedaplanbywhichtheirintelligencewouldmakeitswayacrosslandandwaterto
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reachGeneralWashington.WoodhullwouldoperatefromAmosUnderhill’sboardinghouseinManhattan,alocationunlikelytoarousesuspicionbecauseofWoodhull’sfamilyconnectionandbecausehealreadymadefairlyregularvisits.Theinformationhegatheredwouldleavethecityinoneoftwoways.EitherRoewouldmakethetripintothecityonthepretenseof
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purchasingprovisionsforhisbusiness,orelseWoodhullhimselfwouldtravelbacktoSetauket,wherehewouldleavethepapersatRoe’stavernorapredeterminedlocationinafieldnearRoe’shousesothetwomenwouldnotbeseentogether.This“dead-drop”methodwaslesslikelytoraisesuspicionsbutpresentedamuchhigherriskofastranger’sstumblinguponthepapersbeforethey
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hadbeenpickedup,sothemenrarelyemployedit.Thetwofamilieswereknowntobeoldfriends—Roe’sfatherhadpurchasedthebuildingheusedforhishomeandbusinessfromtheWoodhullsbackin1759—sonothingwouldseemoutofplaceevenifthetwomenweretobeseentogethercarryinglettersforthefolksathomeorvisitinginthecity.ButRoeandWoodhulltookcareto
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ensurethatthepatternsoftheirmeetingswouldnotbecometoopredictableandseemshadytonosylocalsoreagle-eyedBritishsoldiers.
CalebBrewster,whosefamilylivedjustyardsawayfromRoe,wouldwaitforanopportunitytoretrievethepapersfromRoe.HewouldthendashacrossthewaterwhentheBritishnavyhadtheirbacksturned.OntheConnecticutsideofthe
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Sound,TallmadgewouldbewaitingforBrewstertodockandpassofftheletters,whichTallmadgewouldthenhand-delivertothegeneral.
Thewholeprocesstookapproximatelytwoweeksfrombeginningtoendandofferedseveraladvantagesoverthemoretraditionalmethodofasolitaryspyslippingintogatherintelligenceandthenslippingbackoutagain.Localmen
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werelesslikelytoraisesuspicionsthananoutsiderwhosuddenlyappearedinthetown,skulkedaboutforafewdays,andthendisappearedagain.Usingexistingroutinesalsoallowedforalonger-termobservancethatcouldnotechangesinpatternsandproceduresofthetroops.And,ofcourse,ifonemanattractedsuspicion,theseeminglyconvolutedmethodofpassingoffinformation
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fromonemembertoanotherwouldmakeitmuchmoredifficultfortheenemytointerceptsensitivedocuments.TheinterveningstepofentrustingthepaperstoRoewasabrilliantone.ItminimizedtheconnectionbetweenWoodhull’sfrequenttripstoandextendedstaysinthecityandBrewster’sregulardashesacrossthewaterandallowedthementoavoidapparentcontact.But
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theproximityofBrewster’shometoRoe’smadetheirfamiliarityfarmorenatural.
EvenastheCulperRingtookshape,Tallmadge’ssuperior,BrigadierGeneralScott,stillclungtothemoreconventionalmethodsofdispatchingspies.HehadsentatleastfivemenonseparatescoutingmissionstoLongIsland,hopingtochecktheirreportsagainstoneanotherforaccuracy.Hebelievedthat
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evenifonemanwascaughttheotherswouldnotbecompromisedbecauseeachmissionwasconductedindependentlyoftheothers.WhatScotthadfailedtoplanforwasthecaptureofthreeofhisfivespieswhentheirpresenceandsuspiciousbehaviortippedofftheBritishthatallwasnotasitseemed.
Washingtonpreferredthistraditionalapproachatfirst,
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butitsoonbecameclearthatScott’smethodcostlives,andWashington’sconsciencewouldnotallowhimtokeeppayingthathighprice.Battlesdemandedsacrifice,butWashingtoncouldnotstandtoseeanymorespiesgothewayofNathanHale—andallfornothing.SoonafterhisLongIslandspieswerecaught,ScotttookafurloughandreturnedhometoVirginiatosortoutsome
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personalbusiness.WashingtonappointedTallmadgeashisreplacement.Atthetenderageoftwenty-four,BenjaminTallmadgebecamethechiefofintelligence,therolethatwoulddefinehiscareerandultimatelyhelpsecurethenascentcountry’sfuture.
REPORTSBEGIN
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Almostimmediately,Woodhullrevealedhimselftobearemarkablyacuteobserver,aswellasanextremelynervousoperative.OnNovember23,1778,WoodhullasCulperwrotetoGeneralWashingtonwithaprecisecountoftroopsatvarioustownsonLongIsland,aswellasarequestforreimbursementforhisexpenses:“Mybusinessisexpensive;sodangerous
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travelingthatIamobligedtogivemyassistantshighwages,butamassparingaspossible.”
WashingtonwasimpressedwiththedetailedinformationhereceivedandspokewithTallmadgeaboutarrangingaface-to-facemeetingwithhisbravenewringleader—asuggestionthatrattledWoodhullnosmallamount.Hethoughthehadmadeitabundantlyclearto
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Tallmadgethathedidnotwanthisassociationwithspyingactivitiestobeopenlyacknowledgedinanypublicway.Ofcourse,thegeneralknewaboutthering,butWoodhullfeltthathispersonalappearancebeforeWashingtonwasunnecessaryandwouldraisequestions.Becauseherarelytraveledbeyondthecity,hisneighborsmightaskuncomfortablequestions.Localfriendsor
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relativesinWashington’scampmightlookaskanceathispresencethere.Besidestheseobjections,itisalsolikelythatWoodhullresistedoutofasenseofinferiority;laterletterscontainapologiesforhissimpleandunschooledwritingandhislackofaprivatefortunewithwhichtobankrollthework.Eventhoughhisfamilyheldasizablefarm,theywerelandrichandcashpoor,and
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Woodhullhadreceivedapracticaleducationongrowingsustainablecropsratherthanaclassicalone.Thus,ameetingwithanesteemed“gentlemanfarmer,”anarchetypalfigureofbothBritishandAmericanmythologyandofwhomWashingtonwastheideal,wouldonlyhighlightWoodhull’sownshortcomingsoflearning,culture,andperson.
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Theproposedmeetingwasabandoned,butWoodhull’shacklesremainedraised.Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehebecameunnervedbythewholematter—andthisagitationwasnotimprovedbyaslightadjustmentmadetothedeliveryroutejustfiveweekslater,inJanuary1779.InsteadofTallmadgepersonallydeliveringtheletterstoGeneralWashington’shand,
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hewasnowgoingtopassthemofftoGeneralIsraelPutnam,whowouldthencarrythemandotherdispatchesfromDanbury,Connecticut,tothecommanderinchief.EventhoughPutnam,aheroofBunkerHill,knewnothingofthetrueidentityof“Culper’”itwasnerve-rackingforWoodhull,whofearedanyinvolvementofstrangers.
AustinRoealsomadea
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movethatrankledWoodhullevenfurther;hehiredayoungmannamedJonasHawkinsasanoccasionalcourier,bothtodilutesuspicionandtogetlettersintoTallmadge’shandsmorequickly,becauseHawkinscouldcarryinformationattimeswhenRoe’sbusinesspreventedhimfromtraveling.EvenifHawkinswasnotprivytothefullextentoftheoperation,anotherpersonnowknewat
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leastpartofthesecret,andthisworriedWoodhull.ButthechangesnearlyhalvedtheamountoftimeittookforWoodhull’sintelligencetoreachWashington,fromtwoweekstoonlyone.Woodhullcouldn’targueagainsttheimprovement.
Despitehisfrayingnerves,WoodhullpersistedwithhismeticulousscoutingreportsonManhattan,detailingwhereBritishtroops
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weresituatedandhowstrongtheirpositionswere.HealsoaddedanoteofpersonalconcernfortherapidlydeterioratingstateofaffairsonLongIsland.“Icannotbearthethoughtsofthewarcontinuinganotheryear,ascouldwishtoseeanendofthisgreatdistress.WereItoundertaketogiveanaccountofthesaddestructionthattheenemymakeswithintheselinesIshouldfail.Theyhave
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noregardtoage,sex,whigortory,”helamented.
CalebBrewstersupplementedthereportswithhisownreportingonshipbuildingactivitiesandtheparticularshipsineachLongIslandinletandharbor.“IhavereturnedfromtheIslandthisday,”Brewsterwrote:
Genl.Erskine[quartermastergeneral
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oftheBritisharmy]remainsyetatSouthampton.Hehasbeenreinforcedtothenumberof2500.TheyhavethreeredoubtsatSouthandEastHamptonandareheavingupworksatCanoePlaceatanarrowpassbeforeyougetintoSouthHampton.Theyarebuildinganumberof
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flatbottomboats.TherewentanumberofcarpentersdownlastweektoSouthHampton.ItisthoughtbytheinhabitantsthattheywillcrossovertoNewLondonaftertheContinentalFrigates.Col.Hewlet[oftheThirdBattalion,DeLancey’sbrigade]remainsyetonLloyd’sNeckwith350,wood
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cuttersincluded.Col.Simcoe[oftheQueen’sRaiders]remainsatOysterbaywith300FootandLightHorse.ThereisnotroopsfromOysterBaytillyoucometoJamaica.ThereisoneRegt.ofHighlandersandsomeatFlushingandNewtown,thenumbersIcannottell,butnotaregimentatbothplaces.
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Together,thesereportsbegantocreatearichanddetailedpictureofNewYork’sdefenses,aswellasprovideimportantcluesabouttheenemy’sfuturestrategy.
ASECRETWEAPON
Asthespringof1779creptintoNewYork,Woodhullwasnearpanic,obsessedwiththefearthathewasonthe
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vergeofbeingfoundoutandarrested.HewascertainthattheBritishweresuspiciousofhisfrequenttripstoManhattan,perhapsevenshadowinghimtolearnhiswhereaboutsandactivitiesinthecity,andnotinganypatternsofbehaviorfollowinghisreturnfromeachtrip.Therewasonepromisingdevelopment,however,whichgaveWoodhullasenseofrelief:
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thelong-awaitedarrivalofaparticularconcoctionintendedtogivehimanaddedlayerofsecurity.WashingtonhadobtainedasupplyofinvisibleinkandissuedWoodhullavialoftheprecioussubstanceforthewritingoftheCulperreports.
Thepracticeofwritingwithdisappearinginkswasnothingnew.Forcenturiespeoplehadbeencommunicating
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surreptitiouslythroughnaturalandchemicallymanipulatedinksthatbecamevisiblewhenexposedtoheat,light,oracid.Amessagewritteninonionjuice,forexample,driedonpaperwithoutatracebutbecamereadablewhenheldtoacandle.SecretcorrespondenceintheBritishmilitaryoftenhadasubtleForAinthecornerindicatingtotherecipientwhetherthe
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papershouldbeexposedtofireoracidtorevealitsmessage.
Buttheusefulnessofthesedeviceswaslimitedbecausetheywereallsowellknown.WashingtonwantedsomethinginnovativeandunknowntotheBritish,andhereceivedjustsuchasolutionfromnoneotherthanJohnJay,thestatesmanandspymasteroftheHudsonValley.
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SirJamesJay,JohnJay’solderbrother,hadtraveledtoEnglandin1762inanefforttoraisefundsforKing’sCollegeinNewYork.In1763,hewasknightedbyKingGeorgeandremainedinEnglandforatimebeforereturningtoAmericajustashostilitieswereheatingupbetweenthecolonistsandthemothercountry.Thoughhispoliticalviewswouldshiftduringthewar,SirJames
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initiallysidedwiththePatriotsandusedhisknowledgeofchemistrytodevelopaninkthatbecamevisibleonlythroughtheapplicationofaspecific“sympatheticstain.”Boththeinkandthereagentrequiredacomplicatedrecipeandspecialworkshop,makingthemvaluablecommoditiesthatwerealsoextremelydifficulttomanufactureinanygreatquantity.The
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youngerJaybrothertookituponhimselftolearnthepainstakingprocesssohecouldpersonallymakethemforGeneralWashington’suse.
WhenWashingtonreceivedhisfirstbatchoftheink,hewasdelightedwiththeeffect.Itwas,inaway,anunbreakablecode,impervioustoanyoftheusualmeansofdiscovery.EveniftheBritishsuspectedawhite-ink
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messageinanyparticularletter,theyhadnowayofrevealingitunlessthey,too,wereinpossessionoftherelatedformula.BecausetherecipewasJay’suniquecreation,itwasnearlyimpossibleforthemtodecipherthesedispatches.
ThatsmallvialofinkmusthaveseemedliketheHolyGrailtotheincreasinglynervousWoodhull—apreciouschalicethathelda
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mysticalliquidthatcouldsavehislife.Hehadbeenwaitingforitsarrivalformonths,eversincetheink’sexistencewasfirstmentionedtohim,awareofhowsparinghemustbewithitsuseandyeteagertoentrustallofhisgatheredreportstoitsprotection.Hewouldneverfullyrelaxaslongashewaslivingadoublelife,thatmuchwasclear,buthedidfindgreatcomfortinpossessing
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thatink.HecouldhardlywaittogetstartedwritingbacktoWashingtonallthathewaswitnessingasNewYorkbegantothawfromanotherlongwinter.
ACRISISPOINT
Justafewdaysbeforereceivingthelong-awaitedwhiteink,WoodhullhadcomposedaletteronApril
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10,1779,thatrevealssomethingoftheconcernhewasfeelingforthesecurityofhismissive.“Sir.No.10,”theletterbegins,usingacrudecodetodisguisethenameoftheintendedrecipient.Immediately,helaunchedintoanapology,stating:
WheneverIsitdownIalwaysfeelandknowmyInabilitytowritea
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goodLetter.Asmycallinginlifeneverrequiredit—Norledtoconsiderhownecessaryaqualificationitwasforaman—andmuchlessdidIthinkitwouldeverfalltomylottoserveinsuchpublickandimportantbusinessasthis,andmylettersperusedbyoneoftheworthiestmenonearth.ButItrusthewill
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overlookanyimperfectionshemaydiscoverinthedressofmywords,andrestassuredthatIindevourtocollectandcoveythemostaccurateandexplicitintelligencethatIpossiblycan;andhopeitmaybeofsomeservicetowardalleviatingthemiseryofourdistressedCountry,nothingbut
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thatcouldhaveinducedmetoundertakeit.
ItwascleartoallinvolvedthatWoodhullwassufferingfromseverelystrainednervesandmightsoonquitthewholebusinesswerehenotreassuredastothevalueofhisinformationandtheconfidencetheothermembersoftheringhadinhisabilitytoobtainitintotal
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security.TallmadgethereforeundertookadangeroustripwithBrewsterbackacrossLongIslandSoundtoWoodhull’shomeinSetauketinordertoofferhimthissupportinperson,aswellastogivehimpaymentforhisexpensesandpains.However,asiftounderscorethefactthatWoodhull’sfearswererootedinrealityratherthanparanoia,severalBritishofficersunexpectedlytookup
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quarterinWoodhull’shomeatthatsametime,forcingTallmadgetokeepcoverandonlyseehisfriendbrieflybeforereturningtoConnecticut.
ItwasaperfectstormofworryforWoodhull:OneofthemostwantedmenintheContinentalArmyhadshownuponhislandevenastherewereBritishtroopsmakingthemselvesathomeunderhisroof.Oneortheotherwould
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havebeenquiteenoughtopushhimtothebrinkofnervousexhaustion;thetwooccurringsimultaneouslywassufficienttotiphimovertheedge.
Oneevening,Woodhullsatathiswritingdesk,composingalettertoWashingtonfromhissmallsupplyofinvisibleink,acutelyawareofthepresenceofBritishsoldiersintheneighboringchamber.
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Glancingrepeatedlyatthedoorashehurriedtofinishhisreport,hesatreadytocoverhisworkanddivertattentionshouldhebeinterrupted.Theoldhousewasquiet,whichwasacomfortandallowedhimtobreathealittleeasierthanhemighthaveotherwise.
Suddenly,thedoorflewopenandtwofiguresbargedintotheroom.Woodhullleaptup,attemptingtosweepall
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hispaperstohischestintheprocess,andoverturnedthetable.Itfelltothegroundwithacrash,scatteringitscontentsandsmashingthevialofinkuponthewoodenfloor.ButwhereWoodhullexpectedtoheartheroarofdiscoveryfromaBritishofficer,heinsteadheardthegigglesofteenagegirls.Twocousins,whohadobservedthetwitchydepressionfromwhichWoodhullwas
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suffering,hadtakenitintotheirheadstosurprisehiminsuchamannerastomakehimlaugh.Thejokehadtheoppositeeffect.“SuchanexcessivefrightandsogreataturbulenceofpassionssowroughtonpoorCulperthathehashardlybeenintolerablehealthsince,”TallmadgewrotetoWashington,recountingtheeventasWoodhullhadtoldittohim.Woodhullapparently
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managedtosalvagesomeoftheink,sincehisnextlettertothegeneralwascomposedinthestain,buthissupplywasseverelycompromised,aswaswhatlittlepeaceofmindhehadremaining.
ThingsonlycontinuedtoworsenforWoodhull.Justafewdayslater,whileinHuntington(abouttwentymilesaway),hewasheldupbyhighwaymenwhotookallthemoneyhewascarrying
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butwereunawarethathewasinpossessionofpapersthatwouldhaveprovedevenmorevaluableifturnedovertotheBritish.Woodhull,accordingtoTallmadge,“wasgladtoescapewithhislife.”Ithadbeenacoincidence,withWoodhullsimplyanotherrandomvictimofthecrimewavethathadseeminglytakenoverLongIsland,butwhathappenednextwasnocoincidenceat
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all.Hisworstfearswereconfirmed:Woodhullhadbecomeatarget.
MANHUNT
JohnWolseywasjustoneofmanyprivateersoperatinginLongIslandSound.Privateersmadetheirlivingthroughacombinationofsmugglingandtheftonthewater.Akintopiracyinmany
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ways,privateeringwasapopularprofessionatthetimeforresidentsonbothsidesoftheSound.Thatspring,Wolsey,aConnecticutmanwhomadethetriptoandfromLongIslandquiteregularly,foundhimselfinBritishcustody.Fearingforhislife,hewasdesperatetosecureleniency.
HowhehappenedtoknowanythingaboutthedoingsofAbrahamWoodhull
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isunclear.PerhapssomeoneatRoe’stavernhadcaughtontotheschemeandspokealittletoofreelywhenaleloosenedhistongue.PerhapsWolseynoticedthatWoodhulltraveledtoseehissisterinManhattanmoreoftenthanfraternaldutymightotherwisecallfor,andthatCalebBrewsterseemedalwaystobepassingbyWolsey’sownboatonurgentbusinessadayortwoafter
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Woodhull’sreturn.Whateverthecase,WolseynamedWoodhullasapersonofinterest,andhisbetrayalseemedacredibleenoughthreattorouseLieutenantColonelJohnSimcoe,aBritishcavalryofficer,fromhiscomfortablelodginginOysterBayandtosendhimoverthenearlyfiftymilesofroadeastwardtoSetauket.WithahandfuloftheQueen’sRangersintow,
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SimcoeintendedtoarrestWoodhullonsuspicionofespionage.
Simcoe’smensurroundedtheWoodhullhouse,musketspoisedandsabersattheirsides,andSimcoepoundedonthedoor,demandingthatWoodhullbehandedover.Richard,Abraham’selderlyfatherwhohadalreadylosthistwooldersonstountimelydeaths,musthavefeltanoverwhelmingsenseofrelief
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thathecouldreporthonestlythatAbrahamwasawayinthecityandnotathome.Thesoldierssearchedthehouseandinterrogatedthefamily,butitwasquicklyevidentthattheoldmanhadbeentellingthetruth.ThiswasnottheoutcomeSimcoehaddesired—heknewthatWoodhullwouldcatchwindofhispresencebeforehearrivedhomeandwoulddisposeofanyincriminatingevidence.
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Furiousthattheopportunitytocatchasuspectedspyred-handedhadbeensquandered,Simcoeorderedthesuspect’sfatherbeateninhisstead.TherangersfelluponRichard,bludgeoninghimwhiletherestofthefamilylookedoninhorror.Oncetheoldmanlaycrumpledontheground,thetroopsrodeoff.SimcoewasconfidentthatAbraham,uponhisreturn,wouldinterpretthemessageloud
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andclear:“Thisiswhathappenstothefamiliesofspies.”
TheattackcameasashocktoWoodhull.Itwasterribletowatchhisfatherstrugglefeeblytorecoverfromtheattackevenasthesummercameonquicklyandtheheatandfliesonlyseemedtointensifyhissuffering.AbrahamWoodhullrealizedthatthoughhisabsencehadsavedhislife,hecouldno
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longeraffordthesuspicionbroughtonbyhisfrequenttripstoNewYork,andsaidasmuchtoTallmadge,whowasforcedtoexplaintoGeneralWashingtonwhathisspieswereenduringbackhome.Washingtonheardthestorywithcompassion,andwrotebacktoTallmadgepromising“moreoftheliquidCulperwritesfor”andassuringhimthat“shouldsuspicionsofhimrisesohigh
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astorenderitunsafetocontinueinNewYorkIshouldwishhimbyallmeanstoemploysomepersonofwhoseattachmentsandabilitiesheentertainsthebestopinion,toactinhisplace.”Woodhulleagerlytookhimuponthatoffer.
Meanwhile,backinhiscozyquartersinOysterBay,ColonelSimcoehadlittlenotionofthetangledwebhe’dwoven—thattheman
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he’dtriedinvaintoarrestwas,atthatsamemoment,recruitingtohiscauseanothermanwhoalreadyalsodeeplyhatedSimcoeforhisownpersonalreasons.
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ECHAPTER6
TownsendJoinstheFight
spionagewas,bynomeans,agentleman’sgamein
theeighteenthcentury.Inaworldruledbyhonor,acareerofdeceptionandduplicitycarriedlittleofthe
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allureandintriguethatitwouldcometoenjoyamonglatergenerations.Spieswereeverywhere,butthegeneralrulewasthatonegatheredintelligenceforthesakeofbraggingrightslateron,forthemoneyitpaidoutnow,fortheglamorouslifebroughtbyproximitytothoseinpower,orforsheerideologicalfanaticism.
Mild-mannered,bookishRobertTownsendfitnoneof
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thosemolds.Hewasnobraggart,hadnosumptuoustastesormercenarytendencies,andwhileheharboredcertaintightlyheldbeliefs,hewasnozealot.HewasaquietboyfromaprominentLongIslandfamilywithahistoryofindependentthinkingthathehadinherited.Apeaceableman,hedidhisbesttostayoutofthewar—untilaneventforcedhimtotakeastand.
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THETOWNSENDSOFOYSTERBAY
LiketheirSetauketneighbors,theTallmadgesandtheWoodhulls,theTownsendswereaproudandancientfamilybyAmericanstandards.ThefourthgenerationofTownsendsborninAmericaincludedSamuelTownsend,anoutspokenandintrepidmanwhoin1738,attheageof
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twenty-one,hadpurchasedsixacresoflandintheheartofOysterBay,neartothewaterandontheroadtothemill.Theproperty,whichhechristenedtheHomestead,includedasmallhouseofpracticaldesign:tworoomsbuiltatoptwootherrooms,withacentralchimneytodistributeheatthroughout.Overthenextseveralyears,Samuelhiredlocalbuilderstoexpandthestructuretoatotal
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ofeightroomsinthesaltboxstyle.Whentherenovationandexpansionwerecomplete,hemovedin,openedageneralstore,andmarriedalocalgirl.ItwasattheHomesteadthatheandhiswife,Sarah,begantocultivatebothafairlysizableorchardaswellasasizablefamily.TherewereeightchildreninthatfifthgenerationofTownsends:foursons,adaughter,another
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son,andtwomoredaughters.SamuelalsoacquiredafleetoffourshipsthattraversedtheAtlantic—east,north,andsouth—which,inturn,kepthisshopwellstockedandallowedhimtotradeinjustaboutanythingfromfabrictorum,molasses,spices,sugar,andsnuff.
Besideshissmallfleetandwell-provisionedshop,whichwasthemostprominentinOysterBay,
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Samuelwasalsowellknownforhispoliticalviews,whichwereoftenatoddswiththoseinpower.In1758,abouthalfwaythroughtheFrenchandIndianWar,hehadfiredoffastronglywordedlettertotheNewYorkGeneralAssemblyonthesubjectofthetreatmentofprisoners.Townsendfoundfaultwiththewayenemycombatantswerebeingshelteredandprovidedforbythecolonial
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armoftheBritishCrownandwastednowordsinformingtheassemblymenofsuch.Hewasarrestedandbroughtbeforetheassemblytojustifyhisconductofinsultingthemsoopenly.Severaldaysunderlockandkeyandastifffinelefthimpromisingnofurtheroutbursts—apromisethatlastedforawhile.Asthelocalschoolmasternotedinhisjournal,intheweeksfollowing,Samuel“hasbeen
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asstillasamouseinacheese.”
Hetookontheroleoftownclerkandwhentalkofindependencebegantocirculate,SamuelwasgenerallyconsideredoneofthosewhofavoredabreakwiththeCrown,eventhoughheseemedtoconsiderhimselfmiddleoftheroadontheissue.Hisstancesandpolitickinggraduallygotthebetterofhimandagain
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landedhiminhotwaterwiththelocalauthoritiesmorethanonce.Hischildren,inthemeantime,weregrowingintosuccessfuladults,theirbusinessconnectionslargelyunsulliedbytheirfather’sreputationasarabble-rouserandaPatriot.
ODDMANOUT
SolomonTownsendwas,by
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allaccounts,theconsummateoldestson.Hewasjustaseageramerchantashisfatherand,afterashortapprenticeship,assumedthecaptaincyofoneofhisfather’sships.AfterprovinghimselfforseveralyearswithvoyagestoCanada,Portugal,andtheAzores,hetookoveraEuropeantradingrouteonathree-riggedshipfortheBuchananfamily,staunchLoyalistsrelatedtothe
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Townsendsbymarriage.Thesecondson,Samuel
Junior,beganworkinginNorthCarolinaaspartoftheflaxtrade,butdiedin1773attheageoftwenty-threeortwenty-four.AsthethirdTownsendson,William,wasemployedelsewherewhenSamuelJuniorpassedaway,thefourthson,Robert,wentsouthtobrieflytakehisbrother’splacebeforereturningtoNewYork.
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BornonNovember25,1753,RobertwasinmanywaysoutofplaceintheTownsendfamily—asdarkandleanasSolomonwasblondandbroad,andasshyandreservedasWilliam(nicknamedthe“flowerofthefamily”)wasgallantandflirtatious.Hisdesirewasnotforadventureorprestige;ofamuchmorebookishdispositionthanhisfatherorbrothers,hepreferredtowork
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quietlybehindthescenes,managingtheledgersandaccountsandinspectingincomingshipments—anythingthatkepthimoutofthelimelightandtheribaldrythattheotherTownsendmensharedwiththeirsailorsandclients.NotthatRobertresentedtheirquickwitandheartylaughter;infact,heratheradmiredthespirittherestofhisfamilybroughttolife.Butasthefourthson
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quicklyfollowedbyalong-awaiteddaughter,hehadlearnedalmostfrominfancythathehadnohopeofbeingheardoverhisclamorousbrothersorcoddledashismother’sdarling,soheseparatedhimselfbybeingthequietoneofsucharowdybunch.
OldSamuelprobablywonderedhowRobertmaintainedsubduedhabitsashewatchedhisyoungson
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withhislopinggaitstridepastarough-and-tumblewrestlingmatchonthefamily’sfrontlawn.TheTownsendfamilytreewaspepperedwithQuakers,thoughSamuelhadmarriedadaughterofprominentEpiscopalians,which,alongwithhistasteforluxurygoodsandtheoccasionalbitofostentatiousaccessorizing,puthimlargelyontheoutswiththeFriendsamonghisrelatives.But
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RobertseemedtohaveinheritedalltheQuakertendenciesofsomberdress,quiethabit,andhumblebearingthatSamuelhadrejected,andtheysuitedhimwell.Robert’snaturemadehimfastidiousandgavehimaneyefordetail—traitsessentialforsuccessinthemerchanttrade.
“Still,”Samuelthoughttohimself,“theboycouldusealittlelessrigidityinhislife.”
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TherewaslikelynosmallsourceofamusementintheTownsendfamilywhenSamuelsecuredthetermsofRobert’sapprenticeshipinManhattanwithTempleton&Stewart,amerchanthouseintheunfortunatelynamed“HolyGround”district,adisreputablepartoftown.TheblocksaroundBarclay,Church,andVeseyStreetswerenotmoredangerousthananyothersluminthe
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city,buttheyweremorallytreacherous.Thedistrict’sproximitytothedocksmeantitwasprimerealestateforbothprofit-consciousmerchantswhowantedtobeneartheirshipsreturningfromvoyagesandforladiesofpleasurewhowantedtobenearrandysailorsreturningfrommonthsatsea.
Surroundedbybrothels,whores,andtheirclientele,straitlacedRobert
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distinguishedhimselfathisworkandnavigatedtheseedystreetswithoutawhiffofscandalabouthiminwhatwasalmostcertainlyaverylonelytimefortheyoungman.Hemarkedthecloseofhisteenageyearsinthefirm’semployment,dealingwithalmosteveryothercommoditythantheonebeingpliedinthestreetsandcathousesaroundit.
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CHOOSINGALLEGIANCES
Robertwasnotquitetwenty-twowhenthefirstshotswerefiredatLexingtonandConcord.Forallofhisdifferencesfromtherestofhisfamily,hesharedsomethingofhisfather’sPatrioticfervor.ThebattlefieldsinMassachusettsseemedfaraway,though,andmanypeopleexpectedtheconflicttoresolveitself
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beforeformalcombatevercrossedthebordersofNewYorkState.Bythefollowingsummer,however,itwasclearthatsuchassumptionswerewrong.TheDeclarationofIndependencewassignedinJuly,warwasmovinginevitablyclosertohome,andallmenoffightingageinthemid-Atlanticregionwereforcedtomakethedifficultdecisionofwhethertoenlist—andonwhatside.
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OnAugust22,1776,BritishtroopsbeganpouringontoLongIslandwhiletheAmericanshunkereddownintheirpositionsinManhattanandintheareaofBrooklyn,hopingtoprotectthemainlandofNewYorkCity.TherecordofproceedingsfromtheProvincialCongressforthestateofNewYorkshowthatonSaturday,August24,1776,amongothermotionsadoptedwas
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theunanimousresolutionthat“RobertTownsendbeaCommissarytosupplytheBrigadewithprovisionstillsuchtimeasGenlWashingtonshallgivefurtherordersforthatpurpose.”Afootnotefurtheridentifiestheyoungmannamedas“SonofSamuelTownsend,thememberforQueensCounty.”Accordingtothefollowingmorning’srecords,Samuel
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SeniormadefurtherrecommendationsforthepurchasingprocessbywhichthenewlyappointedcommissaryshouldsupplyprovisionstoBrigadierGeneralNathanielWoodhullandtheQueensCountymilitia.
SobeganRobertTownsend’swhirlwindtenureintheContinentalArmy.FightingbrokeoutacrossLongIslandandManhattanin
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theearlymorninghoursofthetwenty-seventh,justdaysafterRobert’sappointmenthadbeenconfirmed.TheQueensCountymilitia,guardingtheill-fatedJamaicaPass,sufferedgreatlyinbattle;theirbelovedBrigadierGeneralWoodhullwasmortallywounded.Robert’sservicedidnotlastmuchbeyondtheBattleofBrooklyn,nordidhisfather’scareerasaleaderforthe
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PatriotcauseonLongIsland.SamuelwasarrestedinearlySeptember(thoughheavoidedanunpleasantimprisonmentwhenThomasBuchanan,ofthesamefamilyforwhichSolomonwasworking,vouchedforhischaracter).Afewdayslater,onSeptember10,SamuelwascalledintocourttoswearhisallegiancetotheCrown.Hehumblycompliedandrathermeeklyreturnedtothe
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Homestead.Bytheendof1776,
nearlythirteenhundredothermenfromQueensCountyhadtakenthatsamevowofloyalty,thoughhowmanydidsounderduressisunknowable.Robertfollowedhisfather’sexampleandtookthedistastefulpledge,too.HeleftOysterBaysoonafterwardandreturnedtohisquietlifeasamerchantinManhattan,runningamodest
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drygoodsshopneartheFlyMarketinlowerManhattanwhilethecitycleanedupfromthegreatfirethathadravageditfollowingtheretreatoftheAmericans.
NewYorkwasnowsolidlyinBritishhands,butitmatteredlittletoRobert.Hisunobtrusivepersonalityandlackofanydistinguishingbattlefieldheroicsduringhisbriefservicewereperhapshisgreatestalliesinallowinghim
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tocontinuetoworkandprosperinthemidstoftheenemy.Buteverymanhasabreakingpoint—amomentwhenhehasseenoneatrocitytoomany,weatheredoneinsulttoomany,stayedstillforonedaytoolong—andheknowshemustactorhatehimselfforkeepingsilent.
ForRobertTownsend,thatmomentarrivedinthefallof1778.AsAbrahamWoodhullandhisinitialring
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werebeginningtheirintelligencewaragainsttheBritishinManhattanandLongIsland,theoccupyingarmiesweresettlinginquitecomfortablyinvariousprivateresidencesincludingtheHomestead,RobertTownsend’sbelovedhome,inOysterBay.
LieutenantColonelJohnSimcoe,themanwhohadorderedthebeatingofWoodhull’sfather,decided
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thattheTownsendfamily’shousefithispurposesquitenicelyandproceededtosetuphisheadquartersinthemainpartofthehome,sequesteringthefamilytojustafewbackroomsandtheshop.AtSimcoe’sorders,Britishtroopsdestroyedtheorchard,ofwhicholdSamuelhadbeensoproud,tofeedBritishfiresandhelpbuildafort.Woodfromallovertown,includingchurchesand
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privatestructures,wascommandeeredforthiseffortinamovethatwasverymuchinkeepingwithSimcoe’sreputationasaheartlesscombatant.Thetownoperatedasifundermartiallaw,withroughly470enemysoldiersquarteringthere,includingHessianbrutesquadsthatroamedthestreetstomakesureresidentsstayedindoorsatnight.Therewerepubliclashingsforthosewho
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displeasedthesoldiersandlittlerecourseforthosewhobroughtcomplaints.Thetownwasquicklydescendingintoasimmeringchaos,andanylingeringLoyalistfeelingsamongthegoodpeopleofOysterBaywererapidlyevaporating.
OldSamuelTownsend’shistoryofoutspokenpoliticalopinionswaswellknowntothewholecommunityandlikelythecauseofhis
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“special”treatmentfromtheQueen’sRangers.Thathishousewasoneofthemorecomfortablysituatedandfurnisheddwellingsinthetownwasabonus.
WhenRobertreturnedhomeinNovember1778tovisithisfamily,hewasnodoubtshockedbyhisfather’sdefeatedappearanceandposture.
“Whathashappenedtoyou,Father?”Robertcried
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uponapproachingthehouse.Samuelshookhishead.
Thereweretoomanysoldiersaroundtodarevoiceanydissatisfactionwiththecurrentstateofthings.“IhavebeengiventhehonorofplayinghosttoHisMajesty’stroops,”hesaid,somewhatshakily.“WhocouldhaveimaginedourhumbleHomesteadwouldbeputtosuchapurposeasthis?”
Talesofhardshipsand
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abuses,recountedinhushedtonesandwithsidewaysglances,seasonedRobert’smealsduringhistimeathome.Heburnedwithangerashelearnedofthewantonlibertiestakenwithneighbors’propertiesandlives,buthecouldonlystareinmutefuryasheobservedhowthesoldiers,includingColonelSimcoehimself,flirtedopenlywithhissistersundertheirfather’sownroof.
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Attheconclusionofhisvisit,RobertreturnedtohisshopinManhattan,buthewashauntedbywhathehadseen.Thecrime,thesqualor—theseweretheunfortunateaccessoriesofcitylife.Orsohehadassumed.ButnowhehadseenthatOysterBayandcountlessothertownsthatdottedLongIslandwerenotimmunetothecollateraldamageofwar.Rumorscontinuedtoreachhimduring
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thespringofatrocitiescommittedbySimcoeandothersagainstunarmedcitizens,includingthewoundsinflicteduponoldRichardWoodhull.Butwhatcouldanyonedo?TheTownsendfamilystoodasmuchofachanceofevictingSimcoefromtheirpropertyastheydidofexpellingthewholeenemyencampmentfromLongIsland.Therewasnootheroption.Theywerein
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British-heldterritory,soBritishlawsstoodandprotestersfell—orhanged.
ThefeelingsoffrustrationandhelplessnessweighedheavilyuponRobert.Eachday,BritishsoldiersandcommonNewYorkcitizensalikecameintohisshoptopurchaseeverydayitemssuchasbuttonsandpaper.Heknewhewoulddohisfamilynofavorsifhetookuparmsagainstthisarmy—they
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wouldonlybelabeledashavingtiestoabelligerent.Besides,Robertwasnotafightingmanandhispreviousservicehadbeenfocusedonsupplytents,nottrenches;hissoulwasnotthesorttobestirredbymarchingfeetkeepingtimetoafifetuneanddrumbeat.
RobertadmiredthewaythathisolderbrotherSolomonhadfoundhisownwaytosteerhisallegiances.
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StillsailingfortheLoyalistBuchananfamily,in1777SolomonhadcarriedsuppliesfortheBritisharmytoMontrealaheadoftheinvasionofnorthernNewYork.Butinthespringof1778,roughlyeightmonthsbeforeSimcoehadcommandeeredtheTownsendfamilyhomeforhisownuses,Solomonhadmadeacalculatedmove.Helefthisemploymentwiththe
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BuchanansandhadmanagedtovisitwithnoneotherthanBenjaminFranklininFrance.ObtainingaletterfromFranklinvouchingforhispatriotismandfidelitytotheAmericancause,SolomonthenboardedanAmericanwarshipandtraveledbackacrosstheAtlantictorelaunchhiscareerathome,sailingandtradingundertheprotectionoftheContinentalArmyandsupplyingits
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troopswithmuch-neededprovisions.Robert,meanwhile,wasleftshakenbyhisvisithomelaterthatfall,andfelttheweightofinactionashewalkedthestreetsofoccupiedNewYorkundertheBritishflaganddidbusinesswithHisMajesty’stroopsforsuchtriflesasribbonsandsugar.
Despitehisinternalstrugglesinthemonthsfollowinghisreturnto
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ManhattanfromhistriphometoOysterBay,TownsendwasalmostcertainlysurprisedandwasnoteasilywonoverwhenWoodhullmadehisproposaltoworkasaspyjustasahot,dustysummerwasbeginningin1779.Hewasdebatinghisownroleinthestruggleforindependence,thatmuchwastrue.Buthewasnotlikehisbrothers,sobrashlyfearlessandreadyforanyadventure;hewasRobert,thequietone
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(somemightevensaythetimidone)oftheTownsendboys.Hiswasthenamealltherelationsandneighborsforgotwhenspeakingofhisfamily,andhewasperfectlycontentthatthingsshouldstaythatway.
CULPERJUNIOR
Itispossiblethatthenotionofspyinghadalreadycrossed
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RobertTownsend’smindbeforeAbrahamWoodhulldarkenedthedoorofhisshopinthelatespringof1779.ItmayhavealreadybeencleartoTownsendthathewasprivytoscrapsofconversationbetweensoldiersinhisownshop,tonotingtheflowofsuppliesandmenintoandoutoftheharborasheinspectedhisownshipmentsonthedocks,toobservingthehabitsandpatternsofthe
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higher-rankingofficerswhogracedJamesRivington’sposhnewcoffeehousejustdownthestreet.ItmusthavebeencleartoTownsendthathispositioninthecitygavehimaccesstopotentiallyvaluableinformation.Butevenifsuchafancyhadintroduceditselftohismind,itdoesnotmeanitwasawelcomethoughtoronethatherelished.Andevenifhehadbeeneagertoundertake
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suchaneffort,hewouldhavehadnochannelforit,noclearlydefinedplanforhowtogetsuchinformationintothehandsofthosetowhomitmeantsomething—untilhefoundhimselfacrossthetablefromtheoldacquaintancewhoofferedhimanewmissionandanewname:SamuelCulperJr.
“Ihavedisclosedeverysecrettoyouandlaidbeforeyoueveryinstructionthathas
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beenhandedtome,”Woodhullsaid,leaningbackinhischairafterthelongconversation.“Ihavetoldyouthewholebusiness.”
Townsendlookedathisfriendskeptically.Despitetheirnearnessinage,theyhadneverbeenespeciallyclose—bothgeographyandtemperamenthadkeptthematadistancefromeachother.ButeveryoneonLongIsland,itseemed,wasrelatedto
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everyoneelseifyouwentbackagenerationortwo.Townsendknewtheirfamilieswereconnectedsomehow,andtheytrustedeachotherbecauseofit.Evenmoreimportantthanbloodties,though,wereideologicalones.TownsendunderstoodthatWoodhullhadaheartforthecauseofliberty,despitehisgruffexterior;histrustinTownsend,consideringhimworthyofsuchan
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undertaking,wasmoving.Townsendlookedacross
thetabletowhereWoodhullwatchedhim,hisfaceeagerforadecision.Hehadlaidoutthenatureofthemission—everyrisk,fright,andsleeplessnightithadbroughthim—inpainfuldetail.TownsendknewthatifheagreedtojointhesilentfightbytakingovertheobservationsinManhattan,itwouldwearhimdownas
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muchasithadWoodhull.Thoughtheyweredifferentinpersonality(WoodhullsomewhatcantankerousandTownsendmerelyreserved),Townsendsuspectedtheywerequitealikeintheirdesiretosimplybeleftinpeace.Adoublelifewouldonlyerodewhateversenseofcalmhehadmanagedtocreateforhimself,buthealsosuspectedthatdenyingachancetofightbackwould
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erodehisconscience.Hewasfrightened—
frightenedofalltheunthinkablepossibilitiesifhewereeverfoundout,frightenedthathealreadyknewtoomuch,frightenedofwhatwouldhappenifhesatbyanddidnothing.
TownsendreachedacrossthetableandshookWoodhull’shand.Itwasnotwithouttrepidation,butitwasahandshakenonetheless.
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Thetwomentalkedlongintothenight,discussingeveryeventuality,everyrisk,andeverypressingreasonwhythoserisksdidn’tultimatelymatter.Woodhullwouldadda“Senior”tohiscodename,andTownsendcouldbecome“CulperJunior.”Nooneneedeverknow—norevenhavethemeanstodiscover—therealmanbehindtheintelligencereports.
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Woodhull’searlierdesireforanonymitynowpaledincomparisontoTownsend’sinsistencethatnooneotherthanWoodhullandthecourier,notevenGeneralWashington,shouldbeawareofhisinvolvement.Townsendwasleeryevenofthecourierknowinghisfacebutrelentedonthepointoutofnecessity.
Townsenddidnotaccepttheassignmentwith
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enthusiasm.However,despitehisfearandreluctance,hewasalsoSamuelTownsend’sson.Thoughhemightnotsharehisfather’sfieryboldness,hewasnolessamanofbraveconviction.Withthatconvictionhardenedbyhisfather’smistreatmentbySimcoeandhismen,hewasreadytojointhering.WoodhullwrotetoWashingtononJune20:
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Mysuccesshathexceededmymostsanguineexpectations.Ihavecommunicatedmybusinesstoanintimatefriend....ItwaswithgreatdifficultyIgainedhiscomplyance,checkedbyfear.HeisapersonthathaththeinterestofourCountryatheartandofgoodreputation,characterandfamilyas
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anyofmyacquaintance.IamunderthemostsolomnobligationsnevertodisclosehisnametoanybutthePost,whounavoidablymustknowit.Ihavereasontothinkhisadvantagesforservingyouandabilitiesarefarsuperiortomine.
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WASHINGTON’SORDERS
GeneralWashingtonwasdelightedwiththeproposaland,togetherwithTallmadge,draftedadetailedlistofguidelinesanddirectivesforhisnewagentinNewYork.Thefulldocument,includedbelow,offersanintimateperspectiveonWashington’sphilosophiesregardingspying,andthespecificmissionofCulperJunior:
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INSTRUCTIONS.C——Junr,toremainintheCity,tocollectalltheusefulinformationhecan—todothisheshouldmixasmuchaspossibleamongtheofficersandRefugees,visittheCoffeeHouses,andallpublicplaces.Heistopayparticularattentiontothemovementsbylandandwaterinandaboutthe
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cityespecially.Howtheirtransportsaresecuredagainstattempttodestroythem—whetherbyarmedvesselsupontheflanks,orbychains,Booms,oranycontrivancestokeepofffireRafts.
ThenumberofmendestinedforthedefenceoftheCityandEnvirons,endeavoringtodesignatethe
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particularcorps,andwhereeachisposted.
TobeparticularindescribingtheplacewheretheworkscrosstheIslandintheRearoftheCity—howmanyRedoubtsareuponthelinefromRivertoRiver,howmanyCannonineach,andofwhatweightandwhethertheRedoubtsareclosedoropennext
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thecity.Whetherthereare
anyWorksupontheIslandofNewYorkbetweenthoseneartheCityandtheworksatFortKnyphausenorWashington,andifany,whereaboutsandofwhatkind.
TobeveryparticulartofindoutwhetheranyworksarethrownuponHarlem
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River,nearHarlemTown,andwhetherHorn’sHookisfortifyed.Ifso,howmanymenarekeptateachplace,andwhatnumberandwhatsizedCannonareinthoseworks.
ToenquirewhethertheyhavedugPitswithinandinfrontofthelinesandWorksingeneral,threeorfour
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feetdeep,inwhichsharppointedstakesarefixed.Theseareintendedtoreceiveandwoundmenwhoattemptasurpriseatnight.
Thestateoftheprovisions,ForageandFueltobeattendedto,asalsotheHealthandSpiritsoftheArmy,NavyandCity.
Thesearethe
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principalmatterstobeobservedwithintheIslandandabouttheCityofNewYork.ManymoremayoccurtoapersonofC——Junr’spenetrationwhichhewillnoteandcommunicate.
C——Senior’sstationtobeuponLongIslandtoreceiveandtransmittheintelligenceofC——
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Junior.Asitisimagined
thattheonlypostofconsequencewhichtheenemywillattempttoholduponLongIslandincaseofattackwillbeatBrooklyn,Iwouldrecommendthatsomeinhabitantintheneighborhoodofthatplace,andseeminglyintheinterestoftheenemy,shouldbe
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procured,whomightprobablygaindailyadmissionintotheGarrisonbycarryingonmarketing,andfromhimintelligencemightbegainedeverydayortwoofwhatwaspassingwithin,asthestrengthoftheGarrison,thenumberandsizeoftheCannon,&c.
Properpersonsto
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beprocuredatconvenientdistancesalongtheSoundfromBrooklyntoNewtownwhosebusinessitshallbetoobserveandreportwhatispassinguponthewater,aswhetheranyVesselsorBoatswithtroopsaremoving,theirnumberandwhichwaytheyseembound.
Therecanbe
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scarcelyanyneedofrecommendingthegreatestCautionandsecrecyinaBusinesssocriticalanddangerous.Thefollowingseemtobethebestgeneralrules:
TointrustnonebutthepersonsfixedupontotransacttheBusiness.
Todeliverthedispatchestonone
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uponoursidebutthosewhoshallbepitcheduponforthepurposeofreceivingthemandtotransmitthemandanyintelligencethatmaybeobtainedtonoonebuttheCommander-in-Chief.
WashingtonthoughtBrooklynwastheoneplaceonLongIslandthatthe
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Britishwouldregardasindispensable.BecausetheCulperRing’srouteofconveyingmessagespasseddirectlyfromManhattantoBrooklyn,beforecontinuingontoSetauketandacrosstheSoundtoConnecticut,thecourierwouldhaveanexcellentopportunitytoobservemilitaryactivityinBrooklynandcouldaddanyrelevantinformationtotheletterhewascarryingfrom
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Townsend.Inshort,therouteseemedasclosetoanidealarrangementasWashingtoncouldhopeforatthetime.
SHOPKEEPERANDREPORTER
RobertTownsend’scareerasaspybeganinthatsummerof1779.Hisfearsofthecourierknowinghisidentityprovedlargelyneedless—Woodhull
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himself(atleastatfirst)seemstohavebeentheprimarypersonwhoretrievedTownsend’sreportstobegintheircircuitousroutetoGeneralWashington.Woodhull’snameappearsintheledgerofTownsend’sstoreseveraltimesduringthatseason:July18,August15,andAugust31.Andtheycertainlysaweachothermoreoftenthanthat.AlettertoTallmadgefromWoodhullon
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July9revealsthatthepairhadrecentlymet,andinalettertoWashingtondatedJuly15,Townsendwrote:“IsawS.C.[SamuelCulper]Senr.afewdaysago,andinformedhimofthearrivalof10sailofvesselsfromtheWestIndies,withRum,&c.andasmallfleetfromHalifax,butnoTroops.”
Infact,Townsend’sdetailedreportsonnavalactivitieswerefarmore
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precisethananyWoodhullhadbeenabletoprovide,butTownsend’sdifficultieswithobtaininggoodtroopcountsforthearmyrevealhowseriouslyhetookhiswork.“IamsorrythatIcannotgiveyouanexactaccountofthesituationofthetroops,”hepennedonAugust6:
YoumaythinkthatIhavenottaken
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sufficientpainstoobtainit.IassureyouthatIhave,andfinditmoredifficultthanIexpected.Itissomemeasureowingtomynothavinggotintoaregularlineofgettingintelligence.Todependuponcommonreportswouldnotdo.IsawandconversedwithtwoofficersofdifferentcorpsfromKings-
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bridgefromneitherofwhomIcouldobtainanaccountofthesituationofthearmythere.Iwasafraidofbeingtooparticular.
Townsendneededawaytomovemorefreelyaboutthecity,makinginquiriesandgivingpeopleareasontotrusthim.Inotherwords,heneededacoverstory,andhe
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foundonejustdownthestreetinthecoffeehouseandprintshopofanEnglishexpatriatenamedJamesRivington.Aprinterandabooksellerbytrade,RivingtonhadleftEnglandin1760oversomeunpleasantness(mostlikelyhavingtodowithlosinghisshareofhisfather’sbusinessinhorseracing),sailedtoAmerica,andopenedupaprintingshopfirstinPhiladelphiaandthenlaterin
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NewYorkCity.In1773,hestartedpublishinghisownnewspaperasaneutralpresswiththetagline“OpenandUninfluenced,”buteventuallyitbegantopromote(asdidsomanynewspapersoftheera)averyspecificandforcefulworldview.InRivington’scase,itwasloyaltytoKingGeorge,astancethatgothimhungineffigybytheSonsofLibertyandmockedopenlyinPatriotwritings—gestures
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thatseemedtogreatlyamusehim.
Townsendhadalwayshadaknackforwriting;forallofhisnaturalreserveinspeaking,hecouldbeveryexpressivewithapen,andhismeticulous,detailed-orientednaturethathadservedhimwellinspectingcargoshipsalsolentitselftocomposinginterestingletters.Recognizingaperfectcoveropportunity,heappliedfora
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jobatRivington’spapertowritetheoccasionalcolumnoflocalinterest.RivingtonrecognizedthequietshopkeeperfromdownthestreetandwashappytotakehimuponhisoffertocontributetotheRoyalGazette’sofferings.
ItwasastrokeofbrillianceonTownsend’spart.Henowhadtheperfectexcuseforaskingquestions,jottingdowndetails,and
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queryingvariousmovementsoftroopsandmatérielinto,outof,andaroundthecity.Whatwasmore,Rivington’sTorypoliticswouldhelpdeflectanysuspicionthatTownsendmightbeharboringPatrioticsentiments.
Townsendfoundhimselfquitebusyasheadjustedtotheworkofthreejobs:shopkeeper,journalist,andundercoveragent.Asasolitarymanwithnofamily
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andfewfriendstodistracthim,hemayhavefoundthenewdutiesanerve-rackingbutinterestingdistraction.HisassociationwithRivingtonlikelyintroducednewacquaintancestohiscircleaswell,astheprosperoussetflockedtothecoffeehousetobeseeninsuchesteemedcompanyastheBritishofficers.IfTownsend’splain,darkclothessethimapartfromthe
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fashionablegentlemenandladieswhodiscussedpoliticsandsoirees,militarystrategyanddinnerparties,nooneseemedtomindtoomuch.
Townsendmightevenhavecaughtsightofafamiliarfaceortwoamongthecoffee-sippingpatrons.HemighthavespottedanoldacquaintancefromOysterBay,orthenephewofaneighbor,oramemberofaprominentLongIslandfamily
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suchastheFloyds,orperhapsevenoneofhisowndistantcousins.Therewasnoreasonforhimtofearsuchrecognitions,shouldtheyoccur,however.Hisshopwassituatedjustafewyardsawayandhadbeenforseveralyears,soitwascompletelynaturalforhimtobefoundatthecoffeehouse,makingtheacquaintanceofallwhocamethrough.
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MAJORJOHNANDRÉ
Another,moresinisterfigurewasestablishinghimselfatRivington’scoffeehouseatthesametimeasTownsend.TheBritishhadwastednotimeindevelopingtheirowncounterspynetwork.Inthespringof1779,GeneralHenryClintonhadappointedthedashingyoungmajorJohnAndréashischiefintelligenceofficer.The
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majorhadimpressedthegeneralwithhiswitandsavvywhenthegeneralarrivedinPhiladelphiaintheearlymonthsof1778.Now,alittleoverayearaftertheyfirstbecameacquainted,ClintonentrustedAndréwiththetaskofmanagingtheespionageeffortsinthecolonies,withaspecificeyeonNewYork.AndréandClintonwerewellawarethatWashingtonwasdesperateto
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retakeNewYorkandhadtobesendingspiesthere.EagertointerceptPatriotagents,thenewintelligenceofficersetuphisheadquartersinManhattan.
Andréwasoneofthoseindividualswhothrivewhereverplanted.He’dalwaysbeenaratherworldlyman;hisfatherwasfromGenevaandhismotherfromParis,andtheyhadraisedhiminLondon,educatinghim
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withhighhopesforafutureindiplomacy.Hewasfluentinseverallanguages,includingEnglish,French,German,andItalian,wasagiftedartist,andoftencomposedcomicalversesmuchtotheamusementofhiscomrades.Hewasalsofamedasapartyplannerandasocialcoordinator,havingdirectedandpaintedmanyofthesetsforacelebratorytheatricaleventinhonorofGeneral
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Howe’sreturntoEnglandfromPhiladelphia.Hehadbeenthetoastofthatcityduringtheoccupation,andwasrumoredtohaveofferedmorethanjustbrotherlylovetoseveralladiestherein.AmongthosewhowerethoughttohavefanciedhimwasPeggyShippen,asparklingteenagerfromaprominentLoyalistfamily,whowasrenownedasmuchforhergraciousnessasforher
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beauty.Bythesummerof1779,
AndréhadmovedontoNewYorkandShippenhadrecentlymarriedawidowernamedBenedictArnold,ageneralintheContinentalArmywhohadgottentoknowherwhentheAmericansreclaimedthecitythepreviousyear.ItwasanunlikelyalliancegivenArnold’semploymentandherfamily’spolitics,butonethat
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seemedtodelightbrideandgroomalike.André,forhispart,consideredNewYorkastepupfromPhiladelphia,asitwastheclosestthingAmericahadtooffer,intermsofbustleandvariety,tohishometownofLondon.Hequicklybecameafixtureonthesocialscene,charmingallcompanywithhisgallantmannersandjovialpersonality,andspendingmanylanguidafternoons
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sippingcoffeeandtradingideasatRivington’sshop.
AndréfoundyetanotheradvantagetohispatronageofRivington’sestablishment:Henowhadawillingpublisherforhispoems.RivingtonwashappytopublishanydoggerelthedashingyoungMajorAndrésenthisway,aseventhesillyrhymesofsuchapopularfigureweresuretosellpapersamongtheLoyalistsetin
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Manhattan.Soitwasthatthecounterspyunwittinglypublishedhispoetrynexttothecolumnsofhisbiggesttarget.
THELADY
ItwasprobablythroughhisnewspaperworkthatTownsendfirstmadetheacquaintanceofayoungfemalesocialite,ofwhomhe
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informedWoodhull.InhisletterdatedAugust15,1779,Woodhullrecordedthattherewasaspecific“[lady]ofmyacquaintance”sosituatedasto“outwitthemall.”HersuddenappearanceinhislettersfollowingtherecruitmentofTownsend,aswellasthefactthatTownsend’sledgershowsheandWoodhullmetthatsameday,hintsatthefactthatshemayhavebeenintroducedto
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theringbyTownsendhimself.ThatshewasalreadyinWoodhull’sacquaintanceindicatesthathername,atleast,wasalreadyknowntohimpriortothatday,perhapsindicatingthatsheorherfamilywereoriginallyfromLongIsland.ButherapparentpresenceinManhattanoflatemeantthatshewassomehowuniquelypositionedtocollectimportantsecretsinacunningandcharmingmannerthat
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wouldleavethoseshehaddupedcompletelyunawarethattheyhadjustbeen“outwitted”byasecretagent.
Butjustwhowasthismysteriouswomansoperfectlypoisedtostealsuchvitalsecrets?Woodhullwascarefulnottorecordhername,offeringonlyanumber—355—inthecodethatwastodefinetheCulperRing.
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ECHAPTER7
CreatingaCode
venasRobertTownsendwassettlingintohisnew
role,somethinghappenedthathighlightedtheprecariousnatureoftheworldinwhichhenowlived.OnJuly2,1779,Britishraidershad
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attackedMajorTallmadge’scampatdawn,killingtenmenandcapturingeight,plusadozenhorses.Thoselossesweredevastating,butintheaftermathTallmadgemadeadiscoverythatprovedunsettlingandwaspotentiallythreateningtothePatriots’intelligenceoperations.OneofthehorsestheBritishhadstolenwashisown,whichstillboreitssaddlebagsandsomeofTallmadge’spersonal
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papers—includingsomemoneyearmarkedforWoodhullandaletterfromWashingtonthatspecificallynamedGeorgeHigday,aresidentofManhattan“whoIamtoldhathgivensignalproofsofhisattachmenttous,andatthesametimestandswellwiththeenemy.”
Elevendayslater,HigdaywasarrestedathishomeandconfessedtohavingmetwithGeneralWashingtonto
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discussthepossibilityofspying,butclaimedthathenevercarriedoutanysuchactivitybecausethepaymenthadbeeninfakebills.ThereisnorecordofanypunishmentcarriedoutagainstHigday;hewasprobablydeemedharmlessandsufficientlyterrifiednottobetemptedintoanycovertactionsinthefuture,sothematterwasdropped.ButWashingtonhadnowseenthe
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dangersofusingrealnamesincorrespondenceand,again,felttheweightoftheresponsibilityhehadtoguardthelivesofthoseriskingthemselvesfortheirsharedcause.
BeyondHigday’sfate,therewasanother,evenmoreimmediateconcerntotheCulpers.OnJune13,WashingtonhadwrittentoTallmadgeinregularinkandmentionedhavinga
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particular,special“liquid.”Whatwasfurther,hereferredto“C——r,”acommonformofaddressforthedaywhenanamewaswellknownbetweentwocorrespondents.TheletterwasinterceptedandlandedinthehandsoftheBritishpriortotheJulysecondraid,alertingthemtothedefinitepresenceofanAmericanspyinNewYork—onewithwhomTallmadgewasinclosecontact.The
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BritishhadnowayofknowingifC——rwasacodenameoraproperone,buttheydidn’tcare.Theywereafterbiggerfishthanjustaspy;theywantedthespymasterhimself,andtheseizedletterpointedstraighttohiscamp.
ThoughTallmadgehadbeenfortunateenoughtoescapecapture,heknewthatdamagehadbeendone.Iftheringweretosurvive,thespies
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wouldhavetodisguiseinformationtoprotectitfrompryingeyeswhilekeepingitunderstandabletothosewhodependeduponthecontentsoftheletters.
Alarmedbythetwoclosecalls,Tallmadgeturnedtothedevelopmentofacodewithanewsenseofurgency.Theringhadalreadybeguntouseafewnumericalsubstitutionsintheirletters:forexample,10stoodforNewYorkand
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20forSetauket,sothattherecipientwouldknowthesourceoftheinformationcontainedinthereports.Twoadditionalnumbers,30and40,wereusedtodesignateJonasHawkinsandAustinRoeaspostridersdeliveringthemessagestotheirnextdestination.Tallmadgerealizedhowessentialitwasthatamorecompletelexiconbedevelopedandthateverymemberorassociateofthe
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ringhaveanumberratherthanjustacodename.InastyleofcryptographydevelopedoriginallybytheFrench,Tallmadgeselectedabookandgottowork.Makingalistfrom1to763,heporedoverhiscopyofEntick’sSpellingDictionary,the1777Londonedition,andassignedeachpertinentword,location,ornameanumericcode.Hebecame721,WoodhullasCulperSenior
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722,TownsendasCulperJunior723,Roe724,andBrewster725.GeneralWashingtonwas711andhisBritishcounterpart,GeneralClinton,was712.Numberswereoftenrepresentedbyletters,sothattheyear“1779,”forexample,mightreadas“ennq.”Ifawordneededtobemadeplural,orputinthepastorfuturetense,a“flourish”wouldbewrittenontopofittodesignatethe
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change.Thenewsystemwasnot
foolproofandrequiredsomeadjustmentsonthepartoftheusers,butWoodhullandTallmadgewereabletouseittocorrespondcomfortablywithinafewweeks,thoughwithalingeringsenseofconcernforwhatdamagehadbeendonebytheinterceptedmessageinJune.Inhissameletterthatmentionedthe“[lady]ofmyacquaintance,”
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Woodhullopened:
7292915th1779
Sir.DqpeuBeyocpuagreeableto28met723notfarfrom727&receiveda356,butonhisreturnwasunderthenecessitytodestroythesame,orbedetected....Thersbeennoaugmentation
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by592of680or347forces,andeverythingveryquiet.Every356isopenedattheentranceof727andevery371issearched,thatforthefutureevery356mustbe691withthe286received.Theyhavesome345oftherouteour356takes.Ijudgeitwasmentionedinthe356takenortheywouldnotbeso660.
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Translated,andwithafewcreativegrammaticaladjustmentsrequiredbythereader,theletterconveyedthefollowingmessage:
SetauketAugust15th1779
Sir.JonasHawkinsagreeabletoappointment.MetCulperJuniornotfarfromNewYork&
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receivedaletter,butonhisreturnwasunderthenecessitytodestroythesame,orbedetected....[There’s]beennoaugmentationbyshipofwarorlandforces,andeverythingveryquiet.EveryletterisopenedattheentranceofNewYorkandeverymanissearched,thatforthefutureeverylettermust
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bewrite[written]withtheinkreceived.Theyhavesomeknow[knowledge]oftherouteourlettertakes.Ijudgeitwasmentionedinthelettertakenortheywouldnotbesovigilant.
AGENT355
Tallmadge’scodecontaineda
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quirkthatbothreflectsitstimeandoffersupcluestoamystery.Therearedifferentcodestodesignate“man”(371)and“gentleman”(237),and“woman”(701)and“lady”(355);thus,therewasakindofcommentaryuponthesocialsituationofasubjectembeddedwithinthecodeitself.Anymatureadultmightbereferredtowiththegenericterm“man”or“woman,”accordingtothe
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subject’ssex;however,a“gentleman”intheAmericancolonieswasnearlyalwaysconsideredamanwhoownedlandoraconsiderableamountofproperty,andwasrespectedasapersonofcharacterinhislocalcommunity.Awomanmightbereferredtoasa“lady”ifshewasofawell-to-dofamily,orwasanaccomplishedyoungwoman(thatis,eitherliterateand
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educated,orproficientintheartsofdomesticleisuresuchasmusic,painting,andneedlework).Inotherwords,amanorawomanwouldgenerallyonlybereferredtoasagentlemanoraladyifheorshewereofcertainmeansandsocialstanding.Socialstandingdirectlyaffectedthequalityofinformationapersoncouldacquire:awasherwomanoracoachmanmighthavebeeninaposition
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tooverhearsomekindsofprivateconversations,whereasanestablishedgentlemanorladymighthavebeenintroducedtodifferenttypesofgossipinadiningroom,soTallmadge’sdifferentiationwasstrategic.
Inthecaseof355(the“lady”oftheCulpers’acquaintance),hercodeindicatesthatshewasofsomedegreeofsocialprominence.WassheAnna
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SmithStrong,thewifeofJudgeSelahStrong,afiercePatriotwhowasfirstdetainedonaBritishprisonshipinNewYorkHarbor,thenfledtoConnecticutafterhisrelease?LocallegendhasitthatMrs.Strong,whoremainedbehindtomanagethehouseandfamilywhenherhusbandwentintoexile,usedtohanglaundryinspecificpatternsonherline.TheStrongestate,situatedon
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ahighbluff,wouldbevisibletoanyonepassingbyboatacrosstheDevil’sBeltportionofLongIslandSound.Thehangingclotheswouldappearasjustthat—wetclothesdryinginthesun—totheuntrainedeye,buttoCalebBrewster,thearrangementofgarmentsandtheircolorssignifieddifferentcountsofshipsandtroops,orinwhichcoveitwassafeforhimtodockhisboat,
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dependingonwhichversionofthestoryonehears.HewouldthenbeabletocompilethisinformationandpassitonwiththeCulperlettersfromNewYorkwhenherowedbackacrossthewatertomeetTallmadgeorhiscourierinConnecticut.
WhileAnnaSmithStrongmighthaveplayedasatelliteroleinthering—shewascertainlyanacquaintanceofmanyofitsmembers—
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assistingWoodhull,Roe,orBrewsteratsomepoint,thereisnoactualevidencethateithersheorherlaundryeverservedtheircountrybygatheringorpassingalongintelligence.Itseemsquiteunlikelythatthefortyishhousewife,mother,andspouseofawell-knownPatriotrabble-rouserwouldhaveventuredfromLongIslandtoManhattantoattendpartieswhereshewouldhave
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rubbedelbowswiththeLoyalisteliteandgainedthetrustofhigh-rankingBritishofficers.
AmuchmorelikelycontenderwouldbeayoungwomanlivingafashionablelifeinNewYork.Thoughofpro-Americansentimentsherself,shealmostcertainlywouldhavebeenattachedtoaprominentLoyalistfamily,eitherasafreethinkingdaughteroracousinora
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niecewhowasstayinginthecitywithherToryrelations.Itisthereforepossiblethat355waspartoftheglittering,gigglingclusterofcoquetteswhoflockedaboutMajorAndréashemovedaroundthecity,enjoyingthefinestfood,wine,andcompanyNewYorkhadtooffer.SomeofNewYork’sbrighterbloomsweredemureandothersplayedcoy,but,justashadbeenthecasein
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Philadelphia,afewfoundthemselvesadmittedintoAndré’sprivatechambersandhisconfidence,too.
BEYONDLETTERS
Despitethewhiteinkandthecodedcommunications,WashingtonknewthattheBritishweregrowingmoresuspiciousofthemailandthatthetiniestdetailscould
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attractscrutiny.WritingfromhisheadquartersatWestPoint,NewYork,WashingtonsentTallmadgealetteradvisingthemajoronthismatterandalsosuggestingthatTownsendnotsacrificehiscurrentemploymentinordertooperatefull-timeasaspy.Hiscoverstory,asitstood,protectedhimfarbetterandallowedhimmorefreedomtogatherinformationthanhe
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wouldhaveifhefocusedsolelyonintelligencegathering.TheletterrevealsmuchofGeneralWashington’sthoughtprocessconcerningespionage,especiallyinregardtoprotectinghisvaluedsource.
Head-Quarters,WestPoint,24September,1779.
Sir,Itisnotmyopinionthat
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CulperJuniorshouldbeadvisedtogiveuphispresentemployment.Iwouldimaginethatwithalittleindustryhewillbeabletocarryonhisintelligencewithgreatersecuritytohimselfandgreateradvantagestous,undercoverofhisusualbusiness,thanifheweretodedicate
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himselfwhollytothegivingofinformation.Itmayaffordhimopportunitiesofcollectingintelligencethathecouldnotobtainsowellinanyothermanner.Itpreventsalsothosesuspicionswhichwouldbecomenaturalshouldhethrowhimselfoutofthelineofhispresentemployment.Hemay
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restassuredofeveryproperattentionbeingpaidtohisservices.Onethingappearstomedeservingofhisparticularconsideration,asitwillnotonlyrenderhiscommunicationslessexposedtodetection,butrelievethefearsofsuchpersonsasmaybeentrustedwithitsconveyancetothe
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secondlinkinthechain,andofcourseverymuchfacilitatetheobjectwehaveinview;Imean,thatheshouldoccasionallywritehisinformationontheblankleavesofapamphlet,onthefirst,second,andotherpagesofacommonpocketbook,orontheblankleavesateachendofregisters,
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almanacks,oranynewpublicationorbookofsmallvalue.Heshouldbedeterminedinthechoiceofthesebooksprincipallybythegoodnessoftheblankpaper,astheinkisnoteasilylegibleunlessitisonpaperofagoodquality.Havingsettledaplanofthiskindwithhisfriend,hemayforwardthemwithout
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riskofsearchorthescrutinyoftheenemy,asthisischieflydirectedagainstpapermadeupintheformofletters.
Iwouldaddafurtherhintonthissubject.Evenlettersmaybemademoresubservienttothiscommunication,thantheyhaveyetbeen.Hemaywriteafamiliar
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letterondomesticaffairs,oronsomelittlemattersofbusiness,tohisfriendatSetauketorelsewhere,interliningwiththestainhissecretintelligence,orwritingitontheoppositeblanksideoftheletter.Butthathisfriendmayknowhowtodistinguishthesefromlettersaddressedsolelytohimself,hemay
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alwaysleavesuchascontainsecretinformationwithoutdateorplace(datingitwiththestain),orfoldthemupinaparticularmanner,whichmaybeconcertedbetweentheparties.Thislastappearstobethebestmarkofthetwo,andmaybethesignaloftheirbeingdesignatedforme.Thefirst
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mentionedmode,however,orthatofthebooks,appearstometheoneleastliabletodetection.Iam,&c.
Washington,itseems,wasanadvocateofthepracticeofhidingmessagesinplainview.Ifaletterappearedsuspiciousorwastreatedwiththeutmostcautionandconcern,itwas
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morelikelytotipoffBritishinspectors.Byinsteadpassingalongthehighlysensitiveinformationdisguisedasdulllettersonday-to-dayfamilynewsorhiddeninabook,thevehiclebywhichthemessagewasbeingsentwouldprobablynotwarrantasecondglance.Onlytheintendedrecipientwouldknow,alertedbyanotherwisemeaninglesscluesuchasaspecificfold,thattherewas
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anythingmoretotheitemthanwhatmettheeye.
WithRivington’sprintshopoperatingjustdownthestreet,andassomeonewhoenjoyedanestablishedrelationshipwiththeowner,TownsendhadnoshortageofbooksavailableforsendingmessagesthewayWashingtonhadputforward.ButTownsend,usinghisinvisibleink,seemstohavepreferredanalternative
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meansofhisowndesign:Whenthecourier(usuallyWoodhullorRoe,judgingfromhisstore’sledger)arrivedtopickupthegoodshehadpurchasedtobringbacktoLongIsland,amongthemwouldbeapacketofblankwritingpaper.Concealedwithinthoselooseleaveswasaseeminglyblanksheetthatcontainedtheinvisiblelettertoberenderedreadableonceitreachedits
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destinationandthestainwasapplied.Clearcommunicationastohowmanysheetsintothestackthesignificantpaperwouldbeplacedwasessentialtoavoidwastingpreciousreagentinanattempttodiscernwhichsheetcontainedthemessage,butallinallitworkedextremelywellasaninnocuouswaytosmugglereportsoutofthecity.
Withthesenewsecuritymeasuresinplace,andCulper
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Juniorand355firmlyestablishedintheirrolesinNewYork,theringcouldnowbegintoforwardintelligencemoreswiftly,safely,andingreaterdetailthanbefore,thoughtheriskofdetectionandcaptureremained.Thelifeofaspyalwaysrequireslookingoverone’sshoulder,butnowWashington’soperativescouldenjoyatleastalittlemorefreedomtospeakabout
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theirobservancesandadvisementswithoutneedingtocensortheirwordsincasealetterfellintothewronghands.
Theaddedsecuritywasjustintime,too,withAndré’sarrivalinthecity.Therewereplotsafoot—plansofdeceit,treason,andbetrayal—andtheonlyhopetheAmericanshadtosurvivethemwastobeprepared.WashingtonknewthatNewYorkCitywasof
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theutmoststrategicimportancefromamilitaryperspective,butevenhecouldnotanticipatehowcrucialtheintelligencecollectedtherewouldbeinsavingthecauseforliberty.Andneitherside,AmericannorBritish,couldyetimaginejusthowdeepthetreacheryreachedwithinitsownranks.
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SCHAPTER8
MountingTensionsandDouble-Dealings
uspicionsandtensionswerebeginningtorise
evenasthesummerof1779reacheditspeak,andalltheagentswerefeelingthestress.Washingtonsent“allthe
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whiteInkInowhave(indeedallthatthereisanyprospectofgettingsoon)”withatrustedcolonel,alongwiththedesperateinstructions:
YouwillsendthesetoC——r,Junr.,assoonaspossible,andIbegthatnomentionmayeverbemadeofyourhavingreceivedsuchliquidsfrommeoranyone
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else.Inallcasesandatalltimesthisprocedureandcircumspectionisnecessary,butitisindispensablysonowasIaminformedthatGovr.Tryon[BritishgovernorofNewYork]hasapreparationofthesameacidorsomethingsimilartoit,whichmayleadtoadetectionifitiseverknownthatamatterofthissorthas
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passedfromme.
Justfourdayslater,TownsendpreparedanotherletterforGeneralWashington,closingwithseverallinesthatpointedtotheincreaseddangerhewasalsoobserving.“Thetimesnowareextreamlydifficult,”hewrote.“GuardboatsarekeptouteverynightintheNorthandEastRiversto
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preventanyboatsfrompassing,&IaminformedthatsomepersonshavebeensearchedonLongIsland;therefore,wheneveryouthinkthatmyintelligenceisofnoservice,begyouwillnotifyme.”
Indeed,letterswerenowbeingsearchedwithregularityastheyleftthecity.JonasHawkins,thering’ssometimecourier,twicebelievedhewasindangerof
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beingfoundoutanddestroyedthemissiveshewascarryingfromTownsend,muchtotheolderman’sannoyance.
OnSeptember11,1779,WoodhullactedascourierinplaceofHawkinsandwrotetoexplainwhathadhappenedtothelettersfromCulperJuniorthathadnevermadeittoWashingtonasaresultofHawkins’sfear.“Thebearerthoughthimselfindanger.I
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believeitwasmerelyimaginary,”Woodhullpenned.“Fromtimidityandthesituationofaffairsatthetime,hedidtochoosetocometoN.Yk;IthereforemethimataplacequiteoutofdangeronLong-Island.Ithenmadeanappointment...atwch.timehecame,Iwroteit,andtookitovertheFerrythathemightrunnohazardfromtheInspectorofLettersthere.”
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TownsendhadneverfeltconfidentinHawkins,havingresentedthathisidentitynecessarilyshouldbeknownbyaboyheconsideredtooimmatureforsuchseriouswork.ForallofTownsend’snaturalreserve,hisreactionwasalmostcertainlyfarfromcalm.
“Heshouldhaveneverbeenentrustedwithsuchatask!”TownsendstormedtoWoodhullwhenhelearnedof
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thedestructionofhissecondletter.
“Weneededanothercourier,”Woodhulltriedtoexplain.
“ButwhyamIriskingmylifegatheringinformationdayafterdayifmylettersaretobedestroyedbeforetheyreachthegeneral?”
Woodhullshookhishead.“Theboysimplypanicked.”
“Butonewhopanics—orevenlooksnervous—before
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theinspectorsisboundtobringextrascrutinyuponhimself.Andifheissearchedandanythingsuspiciousisfounduponhim,wherewillbethefirstplacetheBritishturn?”Hepaused,lookingtoWoodhullforananswer,butWoodhulljustscrapedatabitofcandlewaxonthetable.“They’lllooktoanyofhisknownassociates,andtothelastplacehedidbusinesswhich,inevitably,willbring
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themtomyshop,”Townsendfinished,flatly.
“Weare,allofus,onedge,”Woodhullsaidquietly.
“Andweare,allofus,endangeredbythatboy’swantofgoodsenseandcomposure.”Townsendbangedhisfistuponthetablewithsuchforceitcausedthecandlestojump.
“Icannotalwaysbecomingheretoretrieveyourinformationmyself.Thatwill
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raisesuspicions,too,”Woodhullinsisted.“Besides,GeneralWashingtondesirestheinformationevenmorequicklythanwehavebeensupplyingit.IfyouwaituntilIamabletomakethetrip,itwillonlydelaytherelayofnews.”
“Thenwegetanotherman,”Townsendsaid,sighingandsinkingintothestraight-backedchair.“Thistimeonewhoknowshowto
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keephiswitsabouthim.”“Butyouweretheone
whoinsistedthatyouridentitynotbedisclosedtoanyoneelse.Sowhatarewetodo?”
Townsenddroppedhisheadintohishands.Thetwofriendsdiscussedseveralscenarios,weighingtherisksandbenefitsofeach.Finally,theythoughtofAmosUnderhill,Woodhull’sbrother-in-lawandthe
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proprietoroftheboardinghousewhereWoodhullstayedonhisfrequenttripstoManhattan.
“Heneedsprovisionsasmuchasanyoneelse.Whycouldhenotfrequentmyshopforgoodsandpickupthereportsatthesametime?”Townsendmused.
Woodhullconsideredthis.“I’dstillhavetotravelintothecitytoretrievethem,unlessAmoscouldbe
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convincedtocomeacrossthewatersometimes.”
“Butitwouldlessenyourvisitstomyshop,andgiveusfeweropportunitiestobespottedtogether.Andheneednotknowtheexactnatureofourbusinesstogetherunlessyoudeemitabsolutelynecessary.”
“It’sagloomythingtotoaston,”Woodhullremarked.“ButIagreethatit’safarbetterthingthanto
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haveyoungHawkinsdestroyanymoreofyourlettersor,worse,bedriventomadnessandconfessall.GivemeabitoftimetopresentthemattertoAmosandmakeproperarrangements.Untilthen,Iwillcontinuetoserveascourier.”
OnecanhardlyblameHawkinsforhistrepidation;thethreatsweregrowingandthewholeCulperRingfeltthesqueeze.Thepressure
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continuedtomountasautumnapproached.BesidesfearingBritishsearches,thecouriersalsofaceddangersfromincreasinglyactiveprivateers.InhisletterdatedNovember1,1779,TallmadgewrotetoGeneralWashingtonofthegrowinghazardsfacedbymembersofthering,includingtheonce-fearlessCalebBrewster:“TheboatthatcrossesfordispatchesfromC——has
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beenchasedquiteacrosstheSoundbythoseplunderers,perhapsforthesakeofbeingthemoresecretintheirVillany,whileourcrewhassuspectedthemtobetheEnemy.IndeedifsomestopcannotbeputtosuchnefariouspracticesC——willnotrisque,nor725[Brewster]gooverfordispatches.”
BytheendofNovember,AmosUnderhill’sname
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begantoappearregularlyinTownsend’sledger.Hawkins,meanwhile,seemsalsotohavequestionedhisinvolvementandquietlyremovedhimselffromthering.Underhill’sappearancecouldnothavebeenbettertimed,asWoodhull’snerveswereagaingettingthebestofhim.WoodhullhadbeenquestionedbyapartyofBritishtroopswhileenroutetomeetupwithTownsendat
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asafehouseonLongIsland,butapparentlyhekepthiswitsabouthim,becausehewasreleasedwithouthavingtosuccumbtoamorethoroughsearch;Townsend,however,didnotshow.Woodhullwaitedattherendezvouspointthenextdayaswell,buttherewasnosignofCulperJunior.TheexcuseforhisabsencedoesnotappearinanyofTownsend’sletters,butashewasquite
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condemninginhiscorrespondenceofotherswhofailedtomakeappointments,itwasundoubtedlyaseriousmatterbeyondsimplyalackofcourage.TheslipbroughtWoodhullnearlytoabreakingpoint,promptinghimtotellTallmadgeafterwardthathehadendured“afullyear’sanxiety,whichnoonecanscarcelyhaveanideaof,butthosethatexperience.Notlongsince,
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therewasnoteventhebreadthofyourfingerbetwixtmeanddeath.”
Woodhull’scomplaintwasnotunwarranted.TheresidentsofLongIslandwerebracingforanevengreaternumberoftroopstobequarteredthereduringthecomingwinterthantheyhadenduredthewinterbefore;theyalsocontinuedtoabsorbLoyalistrefugeesfromallovertheeasternseaboard.
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“TheinhabitantsofthisIslandatpresentliveamiserablelife,whichyoumayreadilyjudgewhenhavingtherefuseofthreekingdomsandthirteenStatesamongstthem.Plunderingandrapineincreasethatnosmallrate,”WoodhullwroteinthesamelettertoTallmadge.“Iamtiredofthisbusiness,itgivesmeadealoftrouble,especiallywhendisappointmentshappen.
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CouldnotconsenttobeanylongeranassistantifIwasnotalmostanEnthusiastforoursuccess.”
ButtherewasacovertstormbrewinginNewYork—onethatTownsendwasintheprocessofuncoveringandconfirming—thatthreatenedtheAmericansnotthroughbloodshedorsiege,butthroughtheirpocketbooks.Andifitwasonaccountofuncoveringthisbusinessthat
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TownsendwasunabletomeetupwithWoodhull,hemightverywellbeexcusedbyreasonofthemagnitudeoftheplothethwarted.
STRIKINGAMINT
TheBritishwerehighlyskilledcounterfeiters,andoneoftheirfavoritewaystoattacktheAmericanswasbydepreciatingcolonial
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currency.Atthemostbasiclevel,aworthlesscurrencymadeitdifficultfortheContinentalArmytopurchaserationsandrenderedthesoldiers’payquiteliterallynotworththepaperitwasprintedon.Onagranderscale,havingawildlyinflatedcurrencymadeitnearlyimpossibleforAmericandiplomatsoverseastosecurecreditwithforeignbanks—asevereprobleminboththe
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shortandlongterms.Withoutfinancialbacking,theAmericanscouldnotbankrollthefood,men,horses,warships,andweaponsneededtowintheRevolution.If,againstallodds,theyweresuccessfulintheirsplitfromtheBritishCrown,thenewnationwouldneedcredittorebuilditsinfrastructure—aconcerntheBritishdidnothavetocontendwith,becausethewarwasanoceanaway
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fromLondon.Recognizingthe
vulnerabilityoftheAmericancurrency,theBritishrancounterfeitingoperationsaboardBritishshipsandonshorewherepossible.Distributionofcounterfeitbillswasanopensecretintheearlyyearsofthewar,withadvertisementsevenrunninginnewspapersfortravelersheadedtoothercoloniestocarrywiththemfakebillsof
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theircurrentlocationtotheirnewdestination.Awareofthedanger,Woodhullhimselfeveninsistedonbeingpaidintheking’scurrency—arequestWashingtonhonoredwithoutquestion.
TheContinentalCongresshadmadesomeeffortstocombatthecounterfeitingbutsawlimitedsuccess.Eventually,theydevelopedaspecialpaperofaveryprecisequalityandthickness
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thatwouldbeusedtoproducethebulkofthemoneymintedinPhiladelphiaand,itwashoped,wouldbeextremelydifficulttoreplicate.Thiswouldallowthegovernmentmuchgreatercontrolastotheamountincirculation,whichwould,inturn,controlinflation.
WhatTownsendlearned,however,andwroteaboutwithurgencytoWashingtononNovember27,1779,was
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that“severalreamsofthepapermadeforthelastemissionsstruckbyCongresshavebeenprocuredfromPhiladelphia.”TheonesafeguarduponwhichtheAmericanswerecountingtoprotecttheircurrencyhadbeenbreached.Somehow,whetherthroughnegligenceoradoubleagent,thepaperandpossiblyeventheprinterplateshadmadetheirwaytoNewYork,wheretheBritish
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couldusethemtochurnoutperfectcounterfeits.DistributioninNewYorkwoulddrivedownpricesandsinktheeconomyofthecoloniesrightintheheartoftheirmaintradinghub.GeneralClinton,MajorAndré,andtheircolleaguesbasedinNewYorkwouldmeanwhilebefeastinganddiningontheunmatchedpowerofsterlingcurrencyasthecity—andtheentire
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fledglingnation—crumbledaroundthem.
Thoughtheattemptstodestroythewareffortthroughcounterfeitbillswereneithernewnorsecret,themagnitudeofthisparticularplotandthefactthattheworthlessbillswouldbeundetectablebeforeitwastoolatemadethisintelligenceofnosmallsignificance.WithwordfromtheCulpersdeliveredswiftly,Washingtonwasabletoalert
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Congresstothescheme.Theresultingaction—acancellationofallcolonialbillsafewmonthslaterinMarch1780—wasdrasticandpotentiallydevastatinginitself,butfarlessdestructivetotheAmericaneconomyandmoralethanasneakattackonitscurrencywouldhavebeen.
JusthowhadTownsenduncoveredsuchaplan?Hemayhavehappeneduponsomegossipbylucky
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coincidence,butthecertaintywithwhichTownsendoutlinedtheplanforTallmadgeandWashingtonindicatesthathehadamuchmoreintimateknowledgeoftheschemethanjusthearsay.Hissource?Thenewestmemberofthering.
THEMANYLIVESOFJAMESRIVINGTON:THELASTPIECE
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JamesRivington,thatsameenterprisingprinter,newspapereditor,andcoffeehouseownerwithwhombothTownsendandAndréhadafriendship,wassomethingofanAmericansuccessstory—thoughhispathwasfarfromtypical.WhatevermisfortuneshehadsufferedinEngland,hisbusinesseswerethrivingintheNewWorldandhewasamasterofspottingnew
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opportunities.Bythemiddleofthe1770s,hisNewYork–basednewspaperwasbeingreadatleastasfarsouthasBaltimore.Whenthesparksofrevolutionbecamethefull-fledgedflamesofwarin1775,however,Rivington’sshopwaslootedandburnedbytheSonsofLiberty,withsomeofhispressesandtypefacesbeingmelteddownforammunition.HemovedhisfamilybacktoEngland
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fortheirownsafety,thenreturnedtoNewYorkin1777,whereheopenedhisbusinessesnearTownsend’sshop.
WhileRivingtonwasaway,hissurvivingpresseswerebusyservingthekingwithouthim.OnJune26,1776,acounterfeiternamedIsraelYoungtestifiedtohavingheardfromatrustedsourcethatashipinNewYorkwaters,theDuchessof
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Gordon,hadbeenthesiteofacounterfeitingworkshop.Whatwasmore,Youngrecounted,theworkwasoverseenbynoneotherthanNewYork’scolonialgovernor,WilliamTryon.Youngsworethatheheardfromhissourcethathe“hadalsoseenGovernourTryonoften,andthattheGovernourwouldtalkveryfreewiththem;thattheyhadonboardanumberofRivington’s
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typesandoneofhisprinters.”Thesource“receivedaletterwhichhesaidwasfromtheGovernour,andalsosomewater-workmoney,whichhesaidtheycounterfeitedonboardtheDuchess,andhehimselfhadseenthemprintingitoff;thattheyhadachestofit.”
WhetheritwaswithRivington’sknowledgeatthetimeornot,hisnamewasthuslinkedwiththe
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counterfeitingtradeandheundoubtedlydrankfreeinBritishcirclesafterwardforhavingsuchareputation.AnyrumorsofcounterfeitingschemescirculatingamongtheBritishofficercorpsofNewYorkwouldhavecertainlybeenconsideredofinteresttoRivington,andhemayhaveevenbeenconsultedastothebestwaytocarryouttheendeavor.WithTownsendinhis
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employandfrequentingthecoffeehouse,wordoftheplancouldhaveeasilyslippedouteitheraccidentallyorasamatterofinteresttothecuriouspart-timereporter.
Oritmighthavebeenverydeliberatelyshared.
Asitturnsout,therewasmuchmoretoJamesRivington,“PrintertotheKing’sMostExcellentMajesty,”thanmettheeye.Atsomepointfollowinghis
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returntoAmericafromEnglandattheendof1777,itseemsthathisloyaltiesshifted.ItremainsunclearwhetherhewasdrivenbyachangeofhearttowardtheAmericancause,adesireformonetarygain,orsimplyfrustrationattheCrown’sobjectionsandprohibitionstohisprintingcriticismsoftheleadershipofGeneralHoweintheautumnof1778.Butwhatiscertainisthat
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RivingtonsecretlythrewinhislotwiththeAmericansandbegantoworkalongsideRobertTownsendgatheringinformationandconveyingitoutsidethecitytoGeneralWashington’swaitinghands.
Rivington’snamewasthelasttoappearamongtheCulpercodemonikers,726,indicatingthatTownsendhadrecruitedhimsoonafterhisownengagement,probablybythelatesummerof1779,
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whenthecodewasdeveloped.Thecodefirstliststhespies’names,concludingwithRivingtonas726,thenseamlesslymovesonfrompersonalnamestoplace-names,withNewYorkdesignatedas727.HowsocautiousandreservedamanasTownsendwasabletoestablishaconfidencewithanavowedlyTorypropagandistishardtoimagine.Oncetheconnectionwasmade,
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however,Rivington’smischievousnaturemusthavedelightedintheironyofhisrecruitment.Thiswasthesameman,afterall,whofoundgreatamusementinseeinghimselfhungineffigyandwhohappilyreprinteddamninglettersabouthischaracterfromPatriotcircularsinhisownnewspaper.
Hisunconventionalsenseofhumoraside,Rivington
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provedavaluableassettoTownsend’swork.Takingadvantageofhisprofession,heprovidedbooksforthespies’use.Sometimesthebooks’bindingshidslipsofpaperholdingintelligenceRivingtonhimselfhadgleanedfromhisLoyalistguestsandfriends.
Severalyearslater,WilliamHooper,aNorthCarolinalawyerwhohadsignedtheDeclarationof
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Independence,wrotetohisfriendandfutureSupremeCourtjusticeJamesIredell:
IthascomeoutasthereisnownolongeranyreasontoconcealitthatRivingtonhasbeenveryusefultoGenWashingtonbyfurnishinghimwithintelligence.Theunusualconfidence
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whichtheBritishplacedinhimowinginagreatmeasuretohisliberalabuseoftheAmericansgavehimampleopportunitiestoobtaininformationwhichhehasbountifullycommunicatedtoourfriends.
TheBritishwerebeing
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played,andfromtheleastlikelyofcorners.Buttheyremainedoblivioustothedouble-dealingsintheirmidst.Thepartieswenton.Thecoffeehousedebatescontinuedastheofficerswentaboutsurroundedbytheircirclesofadmirers.MajorAndré’ssillylovepoemswerecomposedandpublishedinRivington’sRoyalGazette.Thewineandthewordsflowedfreelyasthey
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banteredabouttheirplans.Thearmywasingarrison—comfortable,amused,andcompletelyoblivioustothefactthatanyshopkeeper,newspaperman,orcharmingladyintheirmidstwaslistening,remembering,andplotting.
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NCHAPTER9
WashingtonDemandsMore
owWashingtonhadtastedvictory;hisagentshad
outsmartedtheenemyintheirownterritory.Itcouldbedone.Byrevealingthecounterfeitingplot,the
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CulperRinghadprovedthatNewYorkwasnotsomeinsurmountablefortress;theyhadpenetrateditsvaultofsecretssuccessfullyandunmaskedanentireplotbeforeitcouldbeplayedouttoitscatastrophicend.Bestofall,theenemyhadnowayofknowingatwhatstagetheplanmayhavebeenleakedortracingbackanybreachesofsecrecy.Washington’sinformants,therefore,were
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relativelysafefromdetectionandcouldcontinuetheiractivitieswithouttoomuchconcernfortheirwelfare.
Evenso,therewasmuchmoreafoot—ofthatWashingtonwascertain.Nowthatoneplanhadbeenfoiledanotherwouldsoonbehatched,probablywithmorespeedthistimetominimizetheriskofleaks.Somedelicacymustbesacrificedforthesakeofurgency,but
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couldhemakehismosttrusted,mostvalued,andmostsecretiveringunderstandthat?Heporedoverthemapsashewouldbeforeabattle;perhapstherewasawaytoconveymessagesacrosstheHudsonRiverorviaStatenIsland?HewroteasmuchtoTallmadge,urginghimtotalktoCulperSenioraboutsuchanoption,hopingtoimpressupontheringtheimportanceoftimely
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reports.TheCulpers,meanwhile,
wereenjoyingsomethingofareprievefromtheoppressiveworriesthathadplaguedthemoflate.ColonelSimcoehadlefthisreluctanthosts,theTownsends,andledtheQueen’sRangersbacktothemainlandinanefforttocaptureGeorgeWashington.Theyhadfailed,andSimcoewasnowbeingheldprisonerbytheAmericans.Woodhull,
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nodoubtvoicingthesentimentsofnumerouspeople,concludedhislettertoTallmadgeonDecember12,1779:“WereInowintheStateofNewJerseywithoutfearofLaworGospel,[I]wouldcertainlykillCol.Simcoe,forhisusagetome.”Inthatsamemessage,heincludedablanksheetcontainingastainletterfromTownsendwithwhomhewroteheplannedtocelebrate
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Christmas.Holidayleisurewasa
luxurythecommanderinchiefcouldillaffordasthefateoftheentireRevolutionrestedheavilyuponhisshoulders.EvenasWoodhullwrotethathis“fearsaremuchabated,”WashingtonfeltagrowingsenseofurgencytoseethecracksinNewYork’sarmorexploitedevenmoreaggressively.Mattersinthesoutherncoloniesshowed
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signsofdeterioratingcomespring,whichmeantthathisattentionandresourceswouldbeevenmoredividedandstrained.IftheBritishwereplottinganyoffensivemaneuversfromthecity,hewantedtobeprepared.
Washingtonmusthavecommunicatedhisurgencytothering,becauseAmosUnderhillvisitedTownsend’sshopwithincreasedfrequencystartinginmid-
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January1780,appearinginhisledgerfourtimesinjustoverthreeweeks.ButthesmuggledmessageswerenotmeetingthepressingdemandsWashingtonwasfacing.Eventswereacceleratingrapidly,andthelaboriousmeansofconveyingthelettersoutofoccupiedNewYorkandLongIsland,intoConnecticut,andoverlandtoWashington’scampweretooslow.Insteadofproviding
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newinformation,theCulperRing’sintelligencewasnowprovidingverificationoffactsthegeneralhadalreadylearned.“Hisaccountsareintelligent,clear,andsatisfactory,consequentlywouldbevaluable,butowingtothecircuitousroutethroughwhichtheyaretransmittedIcanderivenoimmediateorimportantadvantagefromthem,”WashingtonwroteTallmadge
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onFebruary5.“And(asIrelyuponhisintelligence)theonlysatisfactionIderivefromit,is,thatotheraccts.areeitherconfirmedorcorrectedbyhis,aftertheyhavebeensometimereceived.”
Hewasnotunsympathetictothetremendouschallengeshisringfaced—mostspecifically,therisksCulperJunior,wholivedandworkedintheheart
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oftheBritishoperations,enduredeveryday.“Iamsensibleofthedelicacyofhissituation,andthenecessityofcaution,”Washingtonaddedtohisletter,asifrealizingtheharshtoneofhiscriticismintheprecedinglinesdirectedtohisfavoritespy.HewentontosuggestthathemaybeabletoprovideCulperJuniorwithmoredirectpossibilitiesformovingthelettersoutofNewYork,thoughhe
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acknowledgedtherisksinvolvedinexpandingtheringbeyonditscurrentmembers:“Ihavehithertoforbornandamyetunwillingtomention,personstohimasthevehiclesofconveyancelesttheyshouldnotprovesotrustworthyandprudentaswecouldwish.”
Afewweekslater,WoodhullfoundhimselfwritingbacktoWashington,informingthegeneralof
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detailedshipmovements,aswellaswarninghimofevenmorepotentialriskfromgreatlyincreasedscrutinyandenemypresenceinSetauket:“Tworegts.istobestationedinthisTown.IfitshouldtakeplaceitwillIfearentirelyruinourcorrespondence.TopreventwhichIshallgiveyouearlyintelligenceoftheirmotionsfromtimetotime,thatyoumaybepreparedtogivethemafatalblowatthe
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beginning,orweshallbetotallyruined.”
ThereprieveWoodhull’semotionshadenjoyedinDecemberhadprovedalltoobrief.ItwasMarchnow,whichmeantincreasedactivitycouldbeanticipatedwiththespringthaw.Butthewinterof1779–80,knownas“theHardWinter,”provedtobeoneofthecoldestrecordedseasonsoftheeighteenthcenturyinNorthAmerica,
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andrefusedtoletup.Theweathertookaturnfortheworse,withtumultuousspringstormsthwartingseveraleffortstoconveyletterstoWashingtonexplainingthattheCulpershadtakenseriouslyhisconcernsregardingthespeedoftheirreports.Underincreasedpressuretoperform,Woodhullonceagainlethisnervesgetthebestofhimasheattemptedto
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countandrecounttheblanksheetsofpaperthathadcometohimaspartofhislastbatchofgoodsfromTownsend.Somehow,thenumberneverseemedtocomeuprightandthesamesheetwasneverlandedupontwice.Worriedaboutsendingaworthlesspaperratherthantheonethatcontainedthemessagewritteninthestain,Woodhullfinallythrewuphishandsanddashedoffanote:“Sir.
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Inclosedyouhaveablank—Somethingfearfulnotsendingtherightandhaveinclosedthree.”
THEMESSENGERDEBACLE
Meanwhile,TownsendlookedfornewcourierswhocouldcarrymessagesnorthwardacrosstheHudsonasthegeneralhadrequestedinsteadofacrosstheSound
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andthroughConnecticut.Ratherthanchooseanoutsider,heturnedtoafamilymember,acousinnamedJamesTownsend,whowasonlysixteenorseventeenyearsoldatthetime.Theyoungmanhadnoideaastotheexactnatureoftheletterswithwhichhewasentrusted;heonlyknewthattheycontainedsensitiveinformationthatwasimportanttohisgrave,
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sombercousin—andthattheywouldlandhiminprisonifhismissionwasfoundout.
Armedwithjustenoughignorancetobesafe,justenoughknowledgetobecautious,andjustenoughbraverytobedangerous,JamessetoffundertheassumedidentityofaLoyalistvisitingrelativesoutsidethecity.HistravelsprogressedsmoothlyuntilhestoppedatthehomeoftheDeausenberry
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family.Heexpectedtheywouldbesympathetictogivinghimrestandshelter,astheywereardentPatriotsinanotherwiseTory-dominatedarea,butJamesseemstohaveplayedhispartasaLoyalisttooconvincingly.TheDeausenberrydaughters,youngwomenabouthisownage,suspectedthathemightevenbeaToryspy.Inthehopesofcausinghimtospillhisstory,theypretendedtobe
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Loyalists,too,muchtoJames’ssurprise.Confusedbytheirswitch,theboyfeignedintoxicationinthehopesofcoveringhistracksandconvincingthefamilyhewasharmless,butitwastootangledofawebtoescapebythatpoint.
“Oh,IwaswithintwomilesofNewYorkCitythedaybeforeyesterday,”heslurred,“carryinganumberofstockingstomyuncleand
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brother.IplannedtojoinupwiththeBritishwhileIwasthere.”
“Whyeverdidn’tyou?”oneoftheyoungladiesinquired.
“TheytoldmeIshouldcomeoverhereandrecruitseveralmoreladstojoinupwithmesowecouldmeetupwiththeBritishtogetherwhentheyheaduptheriverinaweek,astheyareexpectedtodo.”
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“Andisthatwhatyouareendeavoringtodoatpresent?”
“I’vepersuadedmanyagoodfellowtoenlist,”Jamespushedon.“VeryfrequentlyoverthecourseofthelastsummerI’vebeenbackwardandforwardtoandfromNewYork,havingpilotedseveralcompaniesofBritishsoldiers.I’vecarriedinandbroughtoutmanyvaluablearticles.”
Theyoungladiesaffected
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appropriatereactionsofadmiration,whichonlyemboldenedJamesfurther.“OnceIwastakenuponbythedamnedrebelswholeftmeconfinedandchaineddown,flatonmybackintheProvostthreeweeks.”Thegamewastoofun,toodeliciousanopportunityforared-bloodedyoungmantoresistembellishinghisstory,especiallywhenhecoulddosowithacleanconscience,
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believingittobenecessarytosavebothhislifeandhismission.Hecontinued:“Finally,Imademyescapebybreakingout—”
Witharoar,JohnDeausenberry,theelderbrotherofthetwoladies,leaptfromhishidingplaceandpounceduponJames,declaringhimaprisoner.AterrifiedJameswasimmediatelycartedofftotheAmericanarmycampnearby,
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wherehewassearchedthoroughly,andJohnDeausenberrygaveafullanddetaileddepositiononthematter.TothegreatdisappointmentofboththeDeausenberrysandthesoldiers,nothingofinterestwasfoundonJames,thoughtheydidcommandeerthetwosheetsofpaperhewascarryingthatcontainedagroan-worthypoemcalled“TheLady’sDress”onapage
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foldedinapeculiarmannerandsignedwithanearlyillegible“S.T.”Thesoldierssentthelettersontoheadquarters,andJameswasheldinPatriotcustody.
PoorJames’smissionwasnotacompletedebacle,becausethepapersdidreachWashington.Thegeneralrecognizedtheunusualmanneroffolding(hisownsuggestionfromtheSeptember24,1779,letter)
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andknewtheinitials“S.T.”indicatedthatstainwastobeapplied.Thehandwriting,too,wasagiveawaythatthepapershadcomefromnoneotherthanCulperJunior.AsWashingtondabbedthestainbetweenthelinesofthepoem(whichhumorouslydescribestheeleganceofahealthy-lookinglady’sappareluntilahusbandrealizeshiswifeishalfthesizesheappearsonceherhoopsandmanylayers
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havebeenremoved)Townsend’smessagebegantoappear.Unfortunately,itwasalmostcompletelyunreadableand,beforeheevenreachedtheend,Washingtonresolvedtowastenomoreofhispreciousstaininanattempttodevelopsomethingthatwasinscrutable.
Evenmorefrustratingtothegeneralwasthathispersonalinvolvementwas
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requiredtosecureJames’sfreedom.Washingtonwasfuriousthatsomuchunnecessaryattentionhadbeendrawntocovertoperations,wastingresourcesandtimeonwhatprovedtobeanunfruitfulmission.Morethanalittleofthegeneral’spreciousfocushadtobedivertedfromstrategyandplanningtohandlingthematterwithdelicacybeforeJameswasfinallyreleasedto
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slinkbacktoNewYorkwithhistailbetweenhislegs.Tallmadgewasbriefedonthesituationandhe,inturn,madesurethatWoodhullunderstoodthedepthofWashington’sdispleasure.Thatmessage,itseems,wasreceiveddirectlyandnotatallsoftenedintone.
TUMULTUOUSSPRING
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Admittedly,Townsend’spapershadreachedtheirdestination,butthewholeembarrassingincidentdidnothingtoboostanyone’sconfidenceintheNewYorkspies’abilitytospeedupthetransmissionoftheirintelligence.Iteventhreatenedafissurewithintheringitself;WoodhullwasleftmakingapologiesandexcusesforwhatheconsideredtobeRobert
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Townsend’sprofoundlackofjudgmentinrecruitingJames,whileTownsendinsistedthatastheprimeinformationgathererithadbeenincumbentuponhimtoatleastattemptadifferentmodeofcommunication.Thedisagreementwassharp,andintheendprovednearlyfataltothering.WoodhullwrotetoTallmadgeonMay4,1780,“IhavehadaninterviewwithC.Junr.and
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amsorrytofindhedeclinesservinganylonger.”
Washingtonhadhadenough.NewYorkcontinuedtotaunthimandnointelligencehehadreceivedoflateofferedanyhopethathemightbeabletowageanattacksoon.Thering’sfailurewasnorealfaultoftheirown,andWashingtonknewtherehadbeennolackofefforttomeethisincreasinglyurgentrequests,buttheresultswere
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discouragingallthesame.WhenthegenerallearnedthatCulperJunior—thelinkintheringwhoseintelligencehehadoncevaluedabovethatofallotheragentsintheemployoftheContinentalArmy—wantedtowithdraw,hedecidedtheentireendeavorwouldbepointlesswithouthim.Infrustration,hedeterminedtostartfromscratchandbuildanewnetwork.
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FromhisheadquartersinMorristown,NewJersey,hewrotetoTallmadgeonMay19:“AsC.JuniorhastotallydeclinedandC.Seniorseemstowishtodoit,Ithinktheintercoursemaybedropped....IamendeavoringtoopenacommunicationwithNewYorkacrossStatenIsland,butwhoaretheagentsintheCity,Idonotknow.”Afewotherspieswereacting
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independentlyinthecity,amongthematailornamedHerculesMulligan,whopickedupgossipwhilemeasuringEnglishsoldiersforuniformsandsuits,aswellasDanielDiehel,amanofWoodhull’sacquaintance.NoonecomparedtothefinelytunedandprovenCulperRing,buttheywerealmostallLongIslanders,andcouldoperatemostsafelyintheirownenvirons.Their
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familiaritywiththepeopleandwaterwayshadkeptthemfromdiscoverythusfar.IfWashingtonthoughtadiversionofroutetoStatenIslandwasnecessarytospeedthedeliveryofthemessages,thenhemustfindspieswhocouldnavigatethatislandinstead.Itwasjustthatsimple.Asfarashewasconcerned,theCulperbusinesswasfinished,evenifithadconcludedona
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somewhatsournote.Thisnewswounded
Woodhulldeeply.HerepliedtoTallmadgeonJune10inatonethatreadsalmostlikethatofajiltedlovertryingtomaintaindignityafteranaffair:
Iamhappytofindthat711[Washington]isabouttoestablishamoreadvantageous
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channelofintelligencethanheretofore.Iperceivethattheformerheintimateshathbeenoflittleservice.Sorrywehavebeenatsomuchcostandtroubleforlittleornopurpose.Healsomentionsofmybackwardnesstoserve.Hecertainlyhathbeenmisinformed.YouaresensibleIhavebeenindefatigable,andhave
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doneitfromaprincipalofdutyratherthanfromanymercenaryend—andashintedheretofore,ifatanytimetheresneedyoumayrelyonmyfaithfulendeavours.Iperceivethere’snomentionmadeofanymoneytodischargetheremainingdebts,whichhathincreasedsinceIsawyou,owingtoyour
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directiontocontinuethecorrespondenceregularuntilIreceivedyouranswerfrom711.
ItisnowonderthattheCulpercommunicationshadprovedsodisappointingtoGeneralWashingtoninthespringof1780.Thedifficultiesofdeliveringthemessagesinatimelyfashiongiventhegeographical
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constraintsandweatherwerereal,buttheotherrealitywasthattherewaslittlereliableinformationtobesent.GeneralClintonhadleftthecityforSouthCarolina,takingthekeydecisionmakerswithhim.Evenifthespieshadbeenatthetopoftheirgame,theystillwouldhavehadlittlenewsforWashington.
Agent355foundherselfinanespeciallydifficult
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position.Onlycampwomenandwivestraveledwithofficersonthemove—norespectablesinglewomanwouldeverfollowthesoldiers,andcertainlynotaladyofhersocialstanding.Intheabsenceoftheofficers,whateverintelligenceshewasgleaningfromwhisperedconversationswithAndré,orfromplotscarelessly(orcockily)mentionedinpassing,completelydriedup.
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Townsend,forhispart,couldcontinuetochatwithsoldiersinhisshopormakehisinquiriesatthedocksandaroundthecityasheinspectedcargoshipsfortheirwaresorinterviewedpeopleforhisnewspapercolumn.Rivingtoncouldcontinuepassingonbitsofgossiphecollectedasanewspapermanandcoffeehouseowner.But355couldonlyawaitthereturnofhersourcesandthe
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revivalofhersetbeforeshecouldimpartanyfurtherinformation.
Clinton’sabsencewasshort-lived.CharlestonfellmuchthesamewayManhattanhad,andClintonfeltnoneedtostaytoputdownthebackwoodscolonistsstillcausingtroubleintheAppalachians.HewouldleavethattohisofficersandreturntothemetropolitandelightsofNew
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York:mistresses,theaters,balls,andthesatisfactionofbeingthetoastofoneofthelargestcitiesonthecontinent.
TherewasanotherreasonwhyGeneralClintonhastenedbacktotheglitteringpleasuresofNewYorkinJune1780.RumorhadreachedhisearsthatafleetofFrenchshipscarryingtroopswasboundforNorthAmerica.Ascomplacentashewas,thisnewdevelopment
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troubledhim.WiththeassistanceoftheFrench,theAmericansmightbeabletotakebackNewYork—orevenwinthewarwithoutthecity.
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GCHAPTER10
TheFrenchConnection
eneralWashingtoncouldnotholdagrudgeforlong.
AftercoolingoffforseveralweeksandrealizingthatnorealharmhadbeendonebythemisadventuresofJames
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Townsend,hebegantoreconsiderhisdecision.Slowbutcredibleintelligencewasbetterthanfastbutmuddled—ornointelligenceatall.WashingtonhadgrownaccustomedtohisreliableanddetailedreportsfromtheCulperRing;thosemessagesprovidedhimwithasensethatsomethingwashappeningtoadvancethePatriotcauseinNewYork,evenifhewaspowerlesstoleadthecharge
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torecapturethecity.Meanwhile,thesame
rumorthatClintonhadheardgrewtoabuzz.AfleetofFrenchshipswascrossingtheAtlanticatthatverymoment,comingtogivetheAmericansamuch-neededboostofmen,might,andmorale.IftheBritishinterceptedthemitwouldbedevastating.
WashingtondidnotknowwheretheFrenchwouldland.Hedidnotknowwhetherthe
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Britishknew,and,iftheydidknow,howGeneralClintonwasplanningtoambushthefleet.Evengreatmenmakemistakes,andWashingtonknewhehadcommittedagraveoneinendingthespyring.Neverbefore,herealized,hadheneededeyesandearsinNewYorksourgently.IthadtakenalongtimetowinoverFrance,andtheAmericanscouldnotaffordtosquandertheirnew
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ally’sgoodfavor.
LOUISXVI’SSECRETWAR
Aftercenturiesofwarfareanduneasytrucesbothonhomesoilandincoloniesabroad,theFrenchwantednothingmorethantoseetheBritishdefeatedintheNewWorld.NotonlywoulditbebeneficialforFrenchclaimsinNorthAmerica,butthe
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humiliationheapedonKingGeorgeforhislosstoabunchofupstartcolonialswastoodeliciousanopportunityforLouisXVItoignore.ThedefeatofBritainintheAmericancolonieswouldmeangoodthingsforFrance,andLouiswasastuteenoughtorealizethatsuchadefeatwouldnotbepossiblewithoutoutsideassistance.
Whatwastheretolosebyofferinghelptotherebels?
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TheBritishhatedtheFrenchanyway,andthefeelingwasmutual,soFrenchinvolvementwouldnotpoisonanywellsthatwerenotalreadyamplytainted.AndwhatcouldbeamoreconvenientmeansofdeflatingtheBritishthansupportingawarfoughtonsomeoneelse’ssoil,displacingsomeoneelse’spopulationanddestroyingsomeoneelse’sinfrastructure?
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Asearlyas1776,thefictitiousRoderigueHortalez&CompanytradinghousehadsmuggledFrenchmoneyandprovisionsintothecolonies.ThecompanybolsteredtheAmericancausepriortotheformaldeclarationofindependencefromBritain,andcontinuedtosupplythecolonists’needsuntiltheFrenchandAmericansfinalizedatreaty.AfterBenjaminFranklinsecured
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theFranco-AmericanallianceinFebruary1778,thecompanyhadnoneedtooperateundercover.
ThatisnottosayFrenchinvolvementhadbeeninvisiblebeforethetreatywassigned.AnumberofFrenchmilitaryofficersjoinedtheAmericancause;mostnotablewastheMarquisdeLafayette,whohadbeenservingwithGeneralWashingtonsince1777.AdmiralJean-Baptiste-
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Charles-Henri-Hectord’EstaingnavigatedafleetofshipsupfromtheWestIndiestoRhodeIslandin1778,wheretheyengagedwiththeBritishinanattackonNewport.D’Estaing’sexpeditiondisappointedWashington:Notonlywasthebattlesomethingofadraw,butthefleetdeclinedtoattacktheBritishnavystationedaroundNewYork.UnabletosaveSavannah,
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Georgia,fromsiegeinSeptemberandOctober1779,thefleeteventuallysailedbacktoFrance,takingwithitWashington’shighhopesforadecisivenavalengagementthatwouldshiftthemomentuminhisfavor.
Inthespringof1780,wordspreadthatanotherfleethadlaunchedonApril6fromtheportcityofBrest.Code-namedtheExpéditionParticulière(theBritishcalled
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it“SpecialExpedition”),thefleetwasinchargeoftransportingmorethansixthousandtroopsunderthecommandofCountJean-BaptisteDonatiendeVimeurdeRochambeau.Bothsidesknewithadthepotentialtoswaytheoutcomeofthewar.
ThatalargeFrenchfleetwassailingtotheaidoftheAmericancausewasnosecretinEurope;theextensivepreparationsforsucha
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venturecouldscarcelybekeptunderwraps.ButwhenandwheretheshipswouldlandwasaguessinggameforboththeAmericansandtheBritish.NewsofFrenchplanshadtotravelbyshipviaalmostexactlythesamerouteasthefleetitself,makingitnearlyimpossibletoknowaheadoftimethedestinationofthereinforcements.
Washingtonhadreceivedintelligencethatthefleet
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wouldbearrivingsoonandheadingforNewport,RhodeIsland.WhathecouldnotbesureofwaswhethertheBritishknewthesamethingorhadonlyrumorsandsuspicionsfromwhichtooperate.IftheBritishwereignorantofthespecifics,theAmericansmighthavetheelementofsurpriseontheirside.IftheBritishhadadvanceknowledge,theycouldmovetroopstoengage
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theFrenchassoonastheydisembarkedoreventopreventtheirlandinginthefirstplace.
ByJune,theBritishwereinfull-onpreparationmode,makingtheirbestguessesandshoringuptheareastheysuspectedtobethemostvulnerable.InWoodhull’sletterofJune10—thesameinwhichhewrotewithsomeoffensetowardWashington’srevocationoftheCulpers’
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duties—healsoalertedTallmadgetotheflurryofactivityonLongIsland.“YouspeakwithsomeassurancethattheFrenchishourlyexpectedtoourassistance—hopetheymaynotfailus....Ther’sagrandmovementonfootinN.York.ThetroopsarecalledfromLloyd’sNeckandissaidfromeveryotherdistantpost,andanembargolaidonallshipsandsmallSloops.Itissuspectedthey
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areagoingtoquiteN.York,oraregoingtomakesomediversionuptheriver,orareafraidoftheFrench.ButIcannotbutthinktheformerislikelytotakeplace.ForIbelievetheirwholedesignistotheSouthward.”
RACETONEWYORK
OnJuly11—and,unbeknownsttoWashington,
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lessthantwenty-fourhoursaftertheFrenchshipsdroppedanchorinNarragansettBay,RhodeIsland—WashingtonsentanurgentlettertoTallmadge,askinghimtoreorganizetheCulperRing.“AswemayeverymomentexpectthearrivaloftheFrenchFleetarevivalofcorrespondencewiththeCulperswillbeofverygreatimportance,”hescrawled,continuing:
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Iftheyoungercannotbeengagedagain,youwillendeavortoprevailupontheoldertogiveyouinformationofthemovementsandpositionoftheenemyuponLongIsland—aswhethertheyareallconfinedtotheportatBrooklynorwhethertheyhaveanydetachedpostsandwhere,andwhatistheirstrengthatthose
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posts—inshortdesirehimtoinformyouofwhatevercomesunderhisnoticeandwhatseemsworthyofcommunication.
TallmadgereceivedtheletteronJuly14andimmediatelyrepliedtothegeneralthathewouldsetoutthenextmorningtofindBrewster,whowasstill
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regularlycrossingLongIslandSoundtoConnecticutfortradingandtauntingpurposes.HealsomadeadelicatesuggestiontoWashington:“IwouldatthesametimehintthatbyCr’slastletter,wearesomethinginarrearstohim,andinordertoenablehimtoprosecutethebusiness,itmaybenecessarytoaffordhimasmallsupplyofmoney.”
Oncelocated,Brewster
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eagerlysetofftofindWoodhull,who,unfortunately,wasillwithafeverandcouldnottravel(hemighthavebeensufferingfromanervousillnessaswell).Instead,AustinRoeleaptuponahorseandheadedstraightforNewYorktoalertTownsend,anexhaustingfifty-five-miletriponeway.Washingtonknewbynowthatthelandinghadoccurred,andherealizedthatGeneral
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Clintonwouldknow,too.Townsend’smissionwastospyouttheBritishresponsetothefleet’sarrival.
RoewaitedinManhattanfourdayswhileTownsend(andverylikelyAgent355)madeinquiriesandgatheredasmuchinformationaspossiblefromtheiracquaintancesamongtheBritishofficers.Townsendthenrecordedthefindingsininvisibleinkbetweenthe
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linesofanorderformforgoodsfromhisstore,andincludedafakenoteapologizingthatthemerchandisewasnotavailableatthetimebutwouldbeforwardedwhenitarrived.Roecarriedthenotebackwithhim—asimplecoverstoryastowhyhewascarryingpapersbutnomerchandise,incaseheshouldbesearched—andgavethesensitiveletterto
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Woodhull.WoodhullpasseditontoBrewsterthatsamenighttorowacrosstheSound,addingpressingdirections:“Theenclosedrequiresyourimmediatedeparturethisdaybyallmeansletnotanhourpass:forthisdaymustnotbelost.Youhavenewsofthegreatestconsequenceperhapsthateverhappenedtoyourcountry.”
Woodhullalsosubmitted
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asummaryofwhathehadheardasanadjuncttoTownsend’sfindings,writingthatthereport
alsoassuresofthearrivalofAdmiralGraveswithsixshipsofthelineandisjoinedbythreemoreoutofNewYork,alsooneof50andtwoof40gunsandhassailedforRhode
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Islandandissupposedtheywillbetherebeforethiscanpossiblyreachyou.Also8000TroopsarethisdayembarkingatWhitestoneforthebeforementionedport.IamtoldforcertainthattheFrenchhaveonlysevensailoftheline.Igreatlyfeartheirdestination.
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Understandingtheurgency,WoodhulldecidedtoeliminateTallmadgefromthechainofcommunication,crossinghiscodename,JohnBolton,offtheaddressofoneletterbeforehandingthedispatchtoBrewster,whorusheditstraighttoWashington’sheadquarters.AlexanderHamilton,Washington’sclosestaide,receivedthereportontheafternoonofJuly21.
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Unflappableasever,Washingtonreceivedtheinformationcalmlyandcarefullyconsideredthepossibilities.HedesperatelywantedtocaptureNewYorkCity,andwithClintonleadingmostoftheBritishtroopsstationedtherenorthwardtoengagetheFrench,thiscouldbehisbestopportunity.ButWashingtonalsoknewbetterthantoactrashly.Hecalledtogether
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severalofhistopofficers,andtheydiscussedthelikelihoodofasuccessfulattack;theprevailingsentimentwasthatitwouldbeunwise.EvenwithClintonandalargenumberofhismengone,thecitywasstillwellfortifiedandthebattlewouldendasasiege,givingClintontimetoreturnwithhissoldiersandengagetheAmericans.Regretfully,Washingtonwasforcedto
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agreewithhiscounselorsandadmitthathemustrejecthisambitionstorecapturethecity,butthebrilliantstrategistrealizedhecouldstillcapitalizeonManhattan’svulnerability.
ADIRTYBUSINESS
Washingtonwasalwaysconsciousthatevenashehadspiesworkingbehindthe
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scenes,somusttheBritish.Everymoverequiredariskwhosecosthemustcalculate.EachmaneuverheplannedthathadthepotentialtooutsmarttheenemycouldbecounteredbytheBritishtothedetrimentofhisownforces.Plantingalittlestrategicinformationwasthebestwaytoprotecthisarmyagainstcounterintelligence.
SatisfiedwiththedecisionnottoattackNew
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York,Washingtondismissedhisofficers—andthenhurriedlybegandrawingupplansandpenningcorrespondencesignalingafull-fledgedattackuponManhattanassoonasClinton’sforceswereclearofthecityandtooneartoNewporttobeeasilyrecalled.Theparcelwasdispatchedwithacourierwhohastilyleftcampwithveryspecificinstructionsonwhereand
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whentodeliverthedocuments.ThenWashingtonwaited.
Afewhourslater,amanstumbleduptoaBritishoutpostwithabundleofpapers.Hetoldthesoldiershehadfoundthebundlelyingbythesideoftheroadandassumedithadtumbledoutofthepoorlysecuredsaddlebagsofaridertravelingatbreakneckspeed.Howeveritgottherewasn’timportant,
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theBritishimmediatelyconcluded.AquickglancerevealedbattleplansforapendingattackonNewYorkandlettersoutliningthestrategycomingfromthehandofWashingtonhimself.Thesoldiersrousedtheirseniorofficers,whoquicklydecidedthatClintonandhistroopsmustberecalled.DefeatingthenewlyarrivedFrenchtroopswasimportant,butholdingNewYorkwas
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doublyso.Flaressignaledthe
messagetoClinton,andtheBritishshipsdidanabout-facetosailbacktoNewYorkHarbor,whereClintonorderedhistroopstobracethecityforanattackthatcouldcomeatanytime.Thewholecityhelditsbreath,everycitizenstrainingtohearthefirstsoundofcannonfirebreakingthesilenceofthecountrysideastheAmericans
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advanced.Theywaited.Andwhile
theywaited,theFrenchdisembarkedandmovedtoanareaofsafetytoawaittheirmarchingorderswithnointerferencefromtheBritish,nonavalattacksupontheirships,andnogroundoffensivesfromClinton’sarmy.Washington’sgamblehadpaidoffbeautifully.
GeorgeWashington,whomgenerationsof
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schoolchildrenwouldlaterknowasamanwho“couldnottellalie,”couldn’thelpbutbepleased.Evenifthevictorywasbittersweet,becausehisfirstchoicewouldhavebeentorecaptureNewYork,hehadbeenabletosecure,throughhisdesignofafakeattack,thesafearrivaloftheFrenchreinforcements,whichwouldshoreuphisprospectsforamoresuccessfulassaultatNew
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Yorkorelsewhereinthefuture.Byintentionallyplantingmisinformation,heachievedonagrandscalewhathehadaccomplishedinasmallerwaywithJohnHoneymanatTrentoninDecember1776.
AsfortheCulpers,theringwassecurelybackinWashington’sgoodgraces.Thequalityoftheirinformationandtheprudencetheyexercisedindeliveringit
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hadenabledhimtobothunderstandtheplansoftheBritishandtakedecisiveactionbychoosingnottoriskanattackonNewYork.Theringhadmorethanproveditsworth,butthewarwasnotyetwon.
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ECHAPTER11
BenedictandPeggy
venastheAmericanswerecongratulating
themselvesonthesuccessoftheircounterintelligence,atraitorwasbuildinghisownnetworkwithintheirmidst.Intheearlysummerof1780,
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justastheCulperRingwasenteringitshiatusandClintonandAndréweresettlingbackintoNewYorkaftertheirforaytoSouthCarolina,MajorGeneralBenedictArnoldwasworkingtogethishandsonanewcommand.ThoughhehadbeenlivingthehighlifeinPhiladelphia,somerecentunpleasantnesshadwoundedhisego,andhehadfoundhimselfinanall-too-familiarposition:
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humiliated,angry,anddesperatetoprovehisworth.Hewasabouttoshowtheworldjusthowimportanthereallywas.IftheAmericanscouldn’tseehisvalue,theBritishwould.
Arnoldhadbeenamanwithsomethingtoproverightfromthestart.DespitehiscurrentrankofmajorgeneralintheContinentalArmy,hewasprofoundlyinsecureandcarriedachiponhisshoulder
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fromalifetimeoffeelingperpetuallyslightedbyfate.Giventhepaternalnameof“Benedict”afteranolderbrotherbearingthesamenamediedinchildhood,Arnoldstartedoutlifelivingintheshadowofsomeoneelse,andnomatterhislatersuccesses,healwaysseemedplaguedbyinsecuritiesandasenseofsomehowalwaysfallingshort.
UnabletoattendYaledue
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tohisfather’sfinancialwoesbroughtonbyalcoholismandpoorhealth,Arnoldwasforcedtolearnatradeinstead.Heapprenticedwithtwoofhismaternalunclesintheirapothecaryandmercantileshopbutlongedforsomethinggreater.In1755,attheageoffourteen,hebeggedtobeallowedtojointhecolonialmilitiathatwasinserviceofthekingofEnglandintheFrenchand
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IndianWar.Hismotherforbadehimtodoso,buttwoyearslaterheenlistedanyway,onlytoleavethemilitiathefollowingyear,allegedlydeserting.
Howeverhecametobeseparatedfromhisfirsttermofmilitaryservice,heprovedtohaveastrongbusinesssenseandbyhisearlytwentieswasrunningasuccessfulpharmacyandbookshopinNewHaven,
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Connecticut.EventuallyhewasabletopurchasepartialownershipinasmallfleetofmerchantshipsandoccasionallysailedontradingventurestotheCaribbean.WiththeincreaseofBritishtaxation,startingwiththeSugarActin1764andtheStampActthenextyear,ArnoldfeltthepinchbutfollowedtheexampleofmanyAmericanmerchantswhosimplyignoredthelaws
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theyviewedasunwarrantedandunjustfromagovernmentthattaxeditscolonialcitizenswithoutgrantingthemrepresentationinParliament.
In1767,hemarriedMargaretMansfield,ahardworkingandprudentwomanwhoprovedavaluablepartnertohim,thanksinlargeparttoherfamily’ssolidstandinginNewHaven,whereherfatherservedassheriff.Arnold
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begantofallonfinancialhardtimesandaccumulatedsomesubstantialdebts,buthecontinuedinhistradingbusinessevenashisoutrageoverthepoliticalclimateinthecoloniesincreased.OnMarch5,1770,BritishsoldiersfiredintoacrowdofprotestersinBoston,killingfiveciviliansandwoundingsix.TheBostonMassacreinfuriatedArnold.HehadbeenintheWestIndiesatthe
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time,sothenewsdidnotreachhimuntilmorethanamonthafterthefact,butitstirredinhimaprofoundsenseofactionandresponsibility.“GoodGod,”hewroteonJune9.“AretheAmericansallasleep&tamelygivinguptheirgloriouslibertiesor,aretheyallturnedphilosophers,thattheydon’ttakeimmediatevengeanceonsuchmiscreants;Iamafraidofthe
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latter.”InMarch1775,Arnold
joinedtheConnecticutmilitiaasacaptainandjusttwomonthslaterreceivedacolonel’scommissionintheMassachusettsCommitteeofSafetyafterheofferedplansforattackingtheBritishoutpostatFortTiconderogainnorthernNewYork.ThemissionwasasuccessandArnoldgarneredaccoladesforhisperformance,buthe
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resignedhiscommissionafteradisagreementwithanothermilitialeader.HethensetouttoreturnhometoserveinConnecticut.BadnewsseemedtohaveawayofreachingArnoldwheneverhewastraveling,andhewasontheroadwhenhelearnedhiswifehaddied.
Overthenextfewyears,ArnoldwasinvolvedinanumberofkeyAmericanvictoriesanddistinguished
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himselfasaninsightfulstrategistandableofficer.ButhistalentswerenotnearlysocelebratedasArnoldbelievedwashisdue.Hisadvicewasoftenheeded,thoughhewasnotsoughtoutasaleader;hewaspassedoverforcommandandpromotionseveraltimes,whichdeeplywoundedhisego.Hebecameapolarizingfigure,eitherlovedorloathedbyhiscomradesinarms.Thosewho
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arguedinhisfavorpointedtohiskeenunderstandingofstrategyandshrewdassessmentsoftheenemy’svulnerabilities.Thosewhoarguedagainsthimpointedtohisquicktemper,hisgrowingpessimismtowardthesuccessoftheAmericanwareffort,andhisapparentmotivationbypersonalgloryandgain.ColonelJohnBrown,oneofArnold’srivals,propheticallywroteofhimin1777:
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“Moneyisthisman’sGod,andtogetenoughofithewouldsacrificehiscountry.”
AfterdistinguishinghimselfintheBattlesofSaratogainthefallof1777,Arnoldbelievedhehadfinallyshamedhiscriticsanddetractorswhowerestandinginthewayofthemeteoricrisehesodesperatelydesired.Hisvalorincombatwasundeniable—eventhoughhehadactedindirectdefianceof
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anorderfromhissuperiorofficer,withwhomhehadapersonaldispute.Hehadbeenseverelywoundedinhisleftlegbutrefusedtoallowanamputation;instead,hehaditsettoheal,butthejobwaspoorlydone.Asaresult,Arnoldwalkedwithalimpfortherestofhislife.
InJune1778,astheAmericanswerereestablishingtheirpresenceinPhiladelphia—androughly
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twomonthsbeforeWoodhullbeganspyinginNewYorkasCulperSenior—WashingtonappointedArnoldthemilitarycommanderofPhiladelphia.Arnoldquicklyrealizedthatthisnewpositionwouldallowhimtoengageinavarietyofbusinessdealstorestorehisfinances,whichwerestillplaguedbyhisnumerousdebtsbackhomeinNewHaven.Hewasnotparticularlypopularamong
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manycitizensofPhiladelphia,however,andcomplaintsweresoonraisedthatnotallofhisventureswerelegitimate.OnevocalcriticwasAllenMcLane,ahighlyrespectedanddistinguishedsoldierfromDelaware,whohadbeenamongthefirstAmericanstoenterPhiladelphiawhentheBritishleft;McLanevoicedhisconcernstoGeneralWashingtonbutwas
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reprimandedforchallengingsuchahigh-rankingofficer.WhenArnoldlearnedaboutthecomplaints,hewasangrythatsomanycitizensandfellowsoldiersquestionedhisintegrity,particularlybecausehispositionwasoneofpublicservicetoawar-torncity.WashenotanofficeroftheContinentalArmywhowasfightingforthelibertyandfreedomofallAmericans?
Thisupturninhis
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fortunespleasedArnold,andhelivedwellinPhiladelphia,evenundertheshadowofaccusationsthathisgainswereillgotten.LikehisBritishpredecessors,heenjoyedrichfurnishingsandluxuriousdinnersandentertainments.HeevenmingledwithPhiladelphia’ssocietybelles,oneofwhom,PeggyShippen,especiallycaughthisattention.
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PEGGY
Astheyoungestsurvivingchildbornintoapoliticallyprominentfamily,Margaret“Peggy”Shippengrewupapampered,spoileddarlingofherparentsandblossomedintooneofthestarsofPhiladelphia’ssocialscene.Underherfather’ssupervision,shereceivedanexcellenteducation,evendabblinginpoliticaltheory,
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whichwashighlyunusualforayoungwomanofhertimebutlatermadeheradelightatdinnerpartiesandafavoriteconversantamongthemilitaryofficersquarteredinthecity.
TheShippensweredevoutLoyalistslivinginthemidstofwhatwas,inmanyways,theheartoftheAmericancause.PhiladelphiahadhostedtheFirstContinentalCongressin
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1774,whichconvenedinresponsetotheIntolerableActsimposedaspunishmentonthecolonistsbytheBritishParliamentaftertheBostonTeaParty.InMay1775,theSecondContinentalCongresswascalled,andagainthedelegatesmetinPhiladelphia.Thecityplayedhosttoseveralofthedelegates’meetingsoverthenextsixyears,includingtheirmostfamous,in1776,which
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resultedintheDeclarationofIndependence,allwhiletheShippens—andmanyotherresidentswhoconsideredthemselvesloyaltoKingGeorge—lookedonindisapproval.
WhentheBritishmarchedonPhiladelphiainSeptember1777andcapturediteasily,theShippensandtheirfriendswelcomedthem.Thewinterthatfollowed,whilemiserableforthe
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AmericansencampedoutsidethecityatValleyForge,wasratherdelightfulfortheBritishsoldiersstationedintown.Galasanddinnerswerehostedinhonoroftheofficers,whowerethecenterpieceofthesocialscene.MajorJohnAndré,thedashingBritishpoet-spywhowouldlaterbepublishedbyRivingtoninNewYork,wasoneofthemostsoughtafter,andheattractedabevyof
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femalefollowerswhereverhewent.
Seventeen-year-oldPeggywasamongAndré’sadmirers,andhistoryhintsthatherattentionsmighthavebeenreturned.Membersoftheleisureclassunderstoodthatflirtationwasalovelygamewhenbothpartiesengagedinitmerelyforsport;sowhentheBritishdecidedtoabandonPhiladelphianinemonths
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laterinordertoshoreuptheirdefensesinNewYork,therewereprobablyveryfewtearsshedonPeggyShippen’spillow.ThedapperAndréhadmarchedaway,butnature,armies,andyoungheartsallabhoravacuum,andtheAmericantroopswhowerenowpouringintothecitypromisedtheirowndiversionsandcharmsfortheyounglady.
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ANUNLIKELYUNION
PeggyShippenfoundherlifelittlechangedwiththearrivaloftheContinentalArmy.Herfamilystillhadwealthandprestige,andthemostsignificantalterationtothesocialscenewassimplythecoloroftheofficers’jackets.Despiteherfamily’spoliticalallegiances,PeggysoonfoundherselfenamoredwiththewidowedPatriotgeneral
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BenedictArnold,eventhoughhewasnearlytwentyyearshersenior.Forhispart,hewasflatteredbytheattentionsoftheyoungandvivaciouswomanwhoremainedoneofthemostprominentladiesinPhiladelphia.
JustwhattheattractionwasonPeggy’ssideisunclear.Arnoldhadpositionandprestige,buthealsohadsomefairlysubstantialdebts,amilitarycareerthatmightbe
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inperilduetohiswoundedleg,ashorttemper,anddeep-seatedinsecurities.PerhapsthiswaspreciselywhatmadeArnold’sSamsontheperfectcatchforPeggy’sDelilah.Peggywasawomanwithamindofherown,andshemayhaverealizedjusthowmuchpowershecouldwieldoversuchahusband.Hewould,inessence,beherslave,bendinghimselftoherwilloutoffearthatshemight
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cuckoldhimifshedidn’tgetherway.IftherewasonethingArnoldcraved,itwasadmiration,andPeggyknewhethoughtthatabeautifulyoungwifeonhisarmwouldwinhimtheenvyofhisrivals.
Whateverthecase,shecapturedhisnoticeandhisheart,andthetwoweremarriedthefollowingApril,in1779.Arnold’slifehadneverbeenbetter:His
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financeswereimproving,boththroughhisowninvestmentsandthroughthefortuneofhisprettynewwife.Hewasfinallygarneringthekindofrespectandauthorityhefelthedeserved.Still,hewasbitterbecauseotherAmericanofficersseemedtobemorepopularandlovedbytheirmen.JustonemonthafterhismarriagetoPeggy,anindignantArnoldwroteto
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GeneralWashingtonregardingthechargesagainsthisbusinesspracticesinPhiladelphia:“IfyourExcellencythinksmecriminal,forHeaven’ssakeletmebeimmediatelytried,and,iffoundguilty,executed.Iwantnofavor;Iaskonlyforjustice....Havingmadeeverysacrificeoffortuneandblood,andbecomeacrippleintheserviceofmycountry,Ilittleexpectedtomeetthe
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ungratefulreturnsIhavereceivedfrommycountrymen.”
CHANGEOFHEART
WhileArnoldwasrevelinginhisnewfoundprominenceandrespect,Peggywasthrowinggrandpartiesthathelpedtoraiseherhusband’ssocialprofile—andhisdebts.TheArnoldsenjoyedan
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extravagantlifestyleinPhiladelphia,livingwellbeyondtheirmeans,whichmayhavecontributedtoBenedict’swanderingeyeintermsofhisPatrioticallegiances.
DespitehisinitialzealfortakinguparmsagainstthetyrannyofKingGeorge,ArnoldhadlongbeenlosingfaithintheAmericans’chancesatsuccess,andthecompanyhewaskeepingin
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Philadelphiadidlittletochangehismind.Nowitseemedhehadhischancetothrowinhislotwithbothsidesand(ifheplayeditright)emergefromthewaravictor,nomatterwhicharmyprevailed.InMay1779,ArnoldmadeoverturestoGeneralClintoninNewYork,bywayofaLoyalistmerchantinPhiladelphia,astowhetherhecouldbeofservice.TheBritishdidnot
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immediatelyjumpathisoffer;afterall,howoftendoesahigh-rankingenemyofficervoluntarilyoffertospy?Suspicionswererampant,buttheproposalseemedlegitimateand,ifArnoldcouldprovehimselftrustworthytotheking,hisintelligencewouldbeaninvaluablesourceofinformationaboutAmericanstrategies,plans,andplots.TotestArnold’sproposalby
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degrees,MajorJohnAndré,thenewlyappointedchiefofintelligencefortheBritisharmy,contactedArnold—aconnectionaided,nodoubt,byAndré’spreviousacquaintancewithArnold’snewwife.
ThecorrespondencebetweenthetwomenofteninvolvedPeggy.EvenassheactedasamessengerbetweenPhiladelphiagirlsandtheirBritishloverswhowerenow
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stationedinNewYork,secretlycarryinglettersandparcelsbackandforth,shewouldnowalsoactasacourierbetweenAndré’sagentandherownhusband.Herconductonthefirstcountwasanopensecret,whichprovidedanexcellentcoverforhermorenefariousrole.
ArnoldusedamethodsimilartothatoftheCulperswhencommunicatingwithAndré:invisibleinkanda
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book-basedcode.Hebasedhiscodeontwobooks:WilliamBlackstone’sCommentariesontheLawsofEnglandandNathanBailey’sAnUniversalEtymologicalEnglishDictionary.Eachwordwasdenotedbythreenumbersseparatedbyaperiod.Thefirstwasthepagenumber,thesecondwastheline,andthethirdwasthepositionoftheword,startingfromtheleftmargin,inthat
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line.Forexample,172.8.7sstoodfor“troops”:page172,line8,seventhwordin.Thesattheendsimplymadeitplural.LikethecommunicationsoftheCulpersandotherspiesoftheera,thelettersofArnoldandAndréwereoftendisguisedasordinarynotesaboutfamilymattersorinconsequentialgossipaddressedtoorwrittenbyPeggy.Inbetweenthelines,
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writteninsomeformofinvisibleink,weretherealmessages.
Despitethesimilaritiesintechniquebetweenthetwospyrings,theCulperswereoperatingwithseveraladvantages.First,theyhadanaddedlayerofsecurity:Noteverymemberorsatellitewasawareoftheidentitiesoftheothersinthering.ArnoldandAndréandtheirvariousgo-betweensknewthenamesof
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everyonewithwhomtheyweredealing,whichmeantahigherriskofdetectionshouldsomeonebecaught.Second,ArnoldandAndrécouldcommunicateonlywitheachother,buttheCulpershaddevelopedamorecomplexnetworkthatallowedWoodhull,Brewster,orRoetoaddintelligenceenroutetoGeneralWashington,confirmingorcorrectingtheinitialreports,andmakingthe
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informationmoredetailedwhenitfinallyreacheditsintendeddestination.
Third,theCulperswereabletooperateinawidersocialcirclebecausethememberswerecitizensfromallwalksoflife.Townsendgatheredinformationfromsoldiersaroundthecityandsailorsatthedock;Agent355charmedstrategicdetailsoutofhigh-rankingofficersatsoirees;Rivingtonrepeated
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gossipandplansoverheardinhisshop;WoodhullenhancedthesereportswithhisownobservationsoftroopactivitiesonLongIslandandrecountedwhatshopownersweresayingoriftherewasanuptickinlumbersalesandshiprepairs;Roelearnedwhatevernewswassharedwhentonguesloosenedinhistavern;andfromthewaterBrewsterspiedonBritishnavalmovements.The
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ArnoldsandAndréwerelimitedtotheuppertierofLoyalistsocialcirclesfortheirintelligence.
EVERYMANHASHISPRICE
Arnold’sdouble-dealingshadtobesidelinedintheautumnof1779whensuspicionsfellonanumberofLoyalistsstillresidingandworkingin
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Philadelphia.BecauseArnoldhadmarriedintooneofthemostprominentToryfamilies,he,too,foundhimselfforcedtoprovehisallegiancetotheContinentalArmyandtheAmericancause.
FurthercomplicatingmattersandfrustratingArnoldwasthefactthathefacedacourt-martialforsomeofhisbusinessdealingsinthecity.Nevermindthatthetrial
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hadinitiallybeenhisideawhentheconcernswerefirstraised;hehadhopedthatjustsuchaneventwouldbeanexcellentopportunitytopubliclyshamehiscriticsandexoneratehimself.Now,itjustseemedtoaddtohisstressbybringinghisactionsunderclosescrutiny—anuncomfortableprospectforanyoneleadingadoublelife.
Thehearingwentforward,however,and
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Arnoldconductedhimselfbrilliantly.OnJanuary26,1780,hewasfoundguiltyoftwominorcharges;therestweredropped.ItwasatremendousmoralvictoryforArnold,andhewastednotimeorexpenseinspreadingthewordthathehadprevailedoverhisdetractors.Tomakehishappinesscomplete,sixweekslaterPeggygavebirthtotheirfirstchild,aboynamedEdward
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ShippenArnold,afterthebaby’smaternalgrandfather.
Thecelebrationwassoondampened,however,whentheContinentalCongressconductedakindofself-auditandruledinAprilthatArnoldowedthegovernmentmorethanonethousandpoundsforundocumentedexpensesfromtheunsuccessfulinvasionofQuebechehelpedtoleadin1775.TherecordsshowedasubstantialsumtiedtoArnold
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forwhichtherewasnoaccountingorreceipts;accordingtopractice,theamountduewashisownresponsibility.
TheinvestigationhumiliatedArnold—andalsoputhiminafinancialbind.Shortlyaftertheaudit,hestruckupacorrespondenceonceagainwiththeBritish.GeneralClintonwasespeciallyinterestedinexpandinghisgrasponNew
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YorkbeyondtheboundariesofLongIslandandManhattan,andwaseyeingtheHudsonValleyasameansofcontrollingthelandnorthoftheHudsonRiveraswellastheharbor.HewouldhandsomelyrewardArnoldforhisassistance,butArnoldandPeggywerestilllockedinPatriotPhiladelphia,whichwasn’tnearlysorichagroundsfortheintelligenceClintonandAndrédesired.
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Despitehiswillingnesstosellwhatheknew,thedamagethatArnoldwasabletoinflictupontheAmericancausewassomewhatlimitedbyhiscurrentcapacityandlocation.ClintonwantedtoseehisspysituatedsomewheremuchmoresignificantfortheCrown’sgoalsofreestablishingauthorityoverasmuchland,population,andkeytransportationandresourcechannelsaspossible,
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andheurgedArnoldtoseeknewopportunitiesandanewcommand.
Forthepastyear,ArnoldhadfoundlifeinPhiladelphiaquitetohisliking,butnowhewasfedup.ThebillfromCongressfortheinvasionofQuebecwasashumiliatingasitwasbeyondhisabilitytopay.HehadheardthatthecommandatFortWestPointwasavailable,anditseemedtheperfectsolutiontohis
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variouswoes.Whilehemaynothaverelishedthethoughtofmovingtoaremoteoutpost,thethoughtofbeinginabsoluteauthorityinhisownfortawayfromPhiladelphiamusthaveappealedtohispride.Hecouldquitthecity,assumecontrolofthestrategicfort,andatpreciselytherighttimeturnitovertotheBritish.Hewouldthencollecthisrewardandenjoyalifeofleisureas
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themanwhohadmadetheking’svictoryovertherebellionpossible.AwayinNewYork,GeneralClinton,too,recognizedthepotentialofWestPoint;itwassituatedfifty-fivemilesnorthofManhattan,onasharpturnoftheHudsonRiver.Fromthere,itwaspossibletocontroltheaccessofshipstotherestoftheriver,therebylimitingoropeningthemovementoftroops,supplies,
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andgoodsfortrade.Itwas,inmanyways,thekeytotherestofthestate.ThroughMajorAndré,heurgedArnoldtopresshiscaseforthecommandofthefort.
Washingtonresistedthepetitionatfirst.ArnoldhadresignedhispositioninPhiladelphiaaftertheQuebecpaymentinsult,anddespitehisacquittalonallbuttwominorchargesresultingfromthecourt-martial,hisconduct
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inthosemattershadstillbeendisappointing.WashingtonhadpersonallywrittenastronglywordedlettertoArnoldchastisinghimforsuchbehaviornotlongaftertheverdictwashandeddown,despitewhichArnoldhadcommencedwithhisverypubliccelebrationsoftheoutcome.Still,WestPointneededanexperiencedmanatitshelm,andmuchofArnold’scombatandstrategy
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experiencehadbeeninupstateNewYork.WashingtonmulledoverthematterevenasArnoldandseveralofhisallieslobbiedheavilyfortheappointment.
WithapermanentdeparturefromPhiladelphiaonhismind,ArnoldsetoffforNewHaveninordertosettlehisaffairsinthatcity,aswellastobeginquietlytransferringhiscashassetstoLondonbanks.He
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deliberatelyroutedhistravelssothathecouldstopandinspectWestPointonthewayundertheguiseofwantingtogetasenseofthestateoftheforttobetterpreparefortakingcommand.HesecretlysentoffwhateverinformationhewasabletogathertoAndréwiththeimpliedpromisethatmuchmorewouldfollowshouldtheirplansucceedandhebegivencontrolinthecoming
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months.Initially,thepricehenamedforhistreacherywastenthousandpounds,inadditiontohisout-of-pocketcostsandlosses(whichmakesWoodhull’soccasionalrequeststoGeneralWashingtonforfiftypoundstoreimbursemembersoftheCulperRingseemhumble,paltry,evenlaughable).ButArnoldknewtheBritishhadthemoneyandhewascertaintheywouldpayasmuchfor
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theinformationasforthesheersatisfactionofhumiliatingtheAmericans.
Justafewweekslater,however,whetherfromdiscoveringthathisdebtsinConnecticutwerefarworsethanhehadanticipated,fromfindingPeggy’sinfluencegreatlydiminishedwithhisgeographicalseparationfromher,orsimplyfromlosingheart,Arnoldsuddenlygrewpanicked,evenparanoid.Ina
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lettertoAndrédatedJuly11,1780,hecomplainedthathewasnotbeingtrustedandhintedthathewouldputastoptothewholedealunlessthingschangedtohissatisfaction.Thenextday,hewroteagain,thistimedoublinghispricetotwentythousandpounds,overtlyofferingtosurrenderthefort,andinsistingthataportionoftherewardbetenderedasadownpaymentforhis
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services.Inallfairness,Arnold’s
anxietywasnotunfounded.Hewas,infact,beingspieduponbyorderofGeneralClintonbecausetheBritishdidnotconsiderhimaltogethertrustworthy;afterall,ifhechangedhisloyaltiesonce,whatwastostophimfromplayingtheturncoatagain?Buthiscoursewassetandhewasdeterminedtocarryitout,certainthathe
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wouldemergeasvictorintheend.
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BCHAPTER12
NegotiationsandTreachery
enedictArnold’streasonwaswellunderwaywhenthe
FrenchfleetarrivedinNewportduringthesummerof1780.ObservingthatWashingtonwasactively
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workingonseveralcovertplanstooutmaneuvertheBritish,Arnoldtriedjustasactivelytoundotheminsecret.FortunatelyforWashington,thedeepsecrecysurroundingtheCulperskepttheringoutofArnold’sreach,butthesuccessofthespies’tipandWashington’srusehadalertedBenedictArnold.Heknewhewouldneedtoinfiltrateorstoptheringwerehisbetrayaltobe
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successful.Littledidheknowthatmembersoftheveryringhewasattemptingtoensnarewereremovedfromhimbyjustafewdegreesofseparation.
AttheendofJuly,withtheFrenchtroopssafelydisembarkedinRhodeIsland,WashingtonpreparedtorideouttomeetthemandproposedthatArnoldleadaraidagainstsomeofClinton’stroopsstationedaroundNew
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Yorkatthesametime.Arnoldpleadedtobeexcusedfromsuchexertion,usingthesamereasoninghehadbackinMarchtoremovehimselffromotheraction:Aninjuryhadlefthimwithastiffankle,andhisdoctorshadrecommendedthathenottakecommandofanarmyuntilithealed.ConcedingtoArnold’srequestsandcomplaints,Washingtonkepthimoffthebattlefieldand
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divertedhiminsteadtothelessphysicallydemandingpostascommanderofWestPoint,exactlyasArnoldhadhoped.OnAugust3,1780,BenedictArnoldfoundhimselfthemostpowerfulmanontheHudson.
Hewastednotimeincapitalizingonhisnewposition.Almostimmediatelyhebeganrepairingthefortandstockingitwithasmanyprovisionsaspossible.Ifhe
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wasgoingtoturnWestPointovertotheBritish,hemightaswellwinpointswithhisnewcommandersbyoutfittingitontheAmericandimefirst;heevenconsultedaFrenchengineerfightingalongsidetheAmericans,MajorChevalierdeVillefranche.“MajorVillefranchehassurveyedtheworksatWestPoint,andinformsmethatthereisavastdealtodotocompletethem,”
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ArnoldwroteWashingtononAugust8.“Thatlargequantitiesofmaterials,suchastimber,plank,boards,stone,&c.,willbewanted.Partofthematerialsareatdifferentplacesnearthispost;butIdonotfindthatthereareanyteamsorforageinthedepartment,and,atpresentthereisnoprospectofanybeingfurnished.”
Evenmoreurgently,Arnoldbegantoinquireabout
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thenamesandaddressesofPatriotspiesheclaimedmightbeofimportancetohimindefendingthefortagainstanyplannedattacksbytheBritish.OfparticularinteresttoArnoldwastheringoperatinginNewYork,uponwhomWashingtonhadreliedsoheavilyintherecentincidentwiththeFrenchfleetaswellasinpreviousmattersofsignificantintelligence,suchastroopmovementson
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LongIslandandthefoiledcounterfeitingplan.Thecommanderinchiefdeclinedtherequestoutofbothhonorandnecessity;hedidnotknowtheidentityofmostofhisspiesbydesignandhehadsworntoupholdthesecrecyofthosehedidknow.LafayetterespondedtoArnold’srequestinasimilarmanner.
Disappointedthathewasnotabletoensnarethe
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Culpers,whichwouldhavedelightedGeneralClintonnoend,Arnoldneverthelesspursuedwhateverpreyhecould.OnAugust5,ArnoldwrotealettertoMajorGeneralRobertHoweoftheContinentalArmy,beggingforthissameinformationaboutafewoperativesinHowe’semployinsuchaneloquentandreasonablemannerthathismotivesseemedquiteaboveboard.
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“AsthesafetyofthisPostandgarrisoninagreatmeasuredependsonhavinggoodintelligenceofthemovementsanddesignsoftheenemy,”hepenned,“andasyouhavebeenfortunateintheagentsyouhaveemployedforthatpurpose,Imustrequest,withtheirpermission,tobeinformedwhotheyare,asIwishtoemploythem,forthesamepurpose.Iwillengageupon
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themtomakenodiscoveryofthemtoanypersonbreathing.”
Howerepliedninedayslaterinamannerthatshowshewasclearlydistressedbyhisspies’responseatthetime,thoughitmusthaveseemedatremendousblessingonlyafewweekslaterwhenArnold’struenaturewasrevealed:
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ThetwomostintelligentandconfidentialIgottoundertakewithdifficulty,andtheydiditwiththegreatestreluctanceandnotwithoutmypledginginthemostsolemnmannermyhonornottoinformanypersonuponearthoftheirnames,oroftheiractinginthecapacityofemisarys,theyarepersonsof
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characterandproperty,whocannotwithoututterruingetoutoftheenemy’spower,andyetdevotedtoAmerica,haveagreedtoserveinawaytheydonotlike,butwhichistheonlywaytheycanatpresentserveherin.Ihavewrittentothemandurgedthemtoletmegivetheiraddresstoyou,but...theyinthe
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mostpositivetermsrefused;anditisnotwithoutgreatpersuasionanddifficultythattheyareprevailedupontocontinuetheiractingevenforme;thismakesmefeartheywillnotconsenttoitthoIsincerelywishtheymay.Icannotindeedblamethiscaution,astheirlifeandtheruinof
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theirfamiliesmustbethecertainconsequenceshouldanyaccidenthappentothem.
HowedidmanagetopersuadeoneoperativeinhisemploytocorrespondwithArnold,thoughthiswasunderanassumedname.“HewillmarkthelettersPrivate,andyoumustinjoinyourfamilynottoopenanyletters
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somarked,”Howewarnedintheclosingofhismessage.
Arnold’sresponsewasgracious,ifdisappointed.HehadclearlyanticipatedobtainingspecificdetailsaboutthevariouscovertoperativesatworkinandaroundNewYorkthathecouldpassontoAndréviaPeggy,buthadlearnedalmostnothing.HepledgedhishonortoHowethathewouldnotexposetheonemanwho
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hadagreedtosendinformationtoArnold,norrevealhisnameshouldheaccidentallydiscoverit.Inaculturewhereaman’shonorwasconsideredquitesacred,thesesentimentsseemespeciallycrassgivenArnold’sintention,but,tohiscredit,hewasnotentirelydisingenuous.“Iwilltakeproperprecautionsthatnogentlemenofmyfamilyopenanylettersaddressedtomeas
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Private,”headded.Peggy,afterall,wasnotagentleman.
AWOLFINSILKANDLACE
PeggyArnoldwasnottheonlywomanwithasecretconnectedtoBenedictArnold.ThewhirlofcelebrationthathaddieddownwiththeabsenceoftheBritishtopbrassfromNewYorknowbegananew,and
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Agent355foundherselfonceagaininthecompanyofNewYork’swealthiestLoyalistsandmostpowerfulBritishofficers.Thegossipwasgenerallyunchanged.Manyofthewell-to-dofamiliesoftheNortheastwerecasuallyconnectedthroughintermarriageorbusinessassociationsofonekindoranother.MorethanonefamilyloyaltoKingGeorgehadacousinortwoserving
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underGeneralGeorgeWashington,norwasitunheardofthatafamilywithonepoliticalallegianceshouldsuddenlyfinditselfrelatedtooneoftheoppositepersuasionwhenmembersfromeachdecidedtowed.
Therefore,itdidn’tseemunusualatallthattheArnolds’namesshouldcomeupinconversationthatsummer.Benedict’sfamilywasestablishedjustacross
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theborderinConnecticut,andtheformerMissShippen—whoseownfamilywasextremelywellconnected—hadbeenacquaintedwithmanyoftheofficersnowinNewYork.BenedictArnold’snamemighthaveevenbeensomethingofajoke,atfirst,amongtheBritish.Herewasanoverlyeagermerchant–turned–majorgeneralwhoseemeddesperateforpraiseandforcash—andwas
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willingtogotogreatlengthsforeitherone.Hispricechangedevenashisemotionalinvestmentdid,andhisletterswereatoncefullofself-importanceandakindofpanickedneedforvalidation.Theofficerswhodespisedhimmayhaveridiculedhimovertheirdrinkswithin355’shearing.
BySeptember,however,thesnickeringwouldhaveceased.Arnoldhadassumed
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thecommandheandGeneralClintonhadbothsodesperatelywantedforhim,andnotimehadbeenwastedinacceptinghistermsofsurrender.Onlyafewthingswereneedednowtobringthewholeplantofruition.First,anopportunitytofamiliarizetheBritishwiththeplansofthefortsothattheycouldexploititsvulnerabilitiesandstormitasswiftlyaspossibleand,second,timetogetthe
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necessarymenandweaponsinplacetoensurethatanyresistancethePatriotsofferedwasfutile.
Noplansofsuchasensitivenaturewereexplicitlydiscussedinsocialsettingslikedinnerparties,butcertainphrases,pointedglances,anddeliciousinsinuationsthatsomethingwascomingwouldhaveaboundedamongthemostseniorofficers.Red-faced
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brasschortled,slappingeachotheronthebackandtoastingtheirportglassestotheHudsonRiverortoWestPointitself.WhenMajorAndréletdropinconversationthathewasgoingnorthforafewdays,anyonewhowassimplyminglingforcompany,conversation,andculinarydelightswouldhaveassumedhewasattendingtoroutinebusiness.Tosomeonewitha
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moreseriousmissionthansimplyseeingandbeingseen,however,somethingseemedamissintheseveiledhints.Whatexactlywasafootwasunclear,buttheladywhosejobitwasto“outwitthemall”wouldhavereportedwhatshehadobserved.
TWOWOLVESINMERCHANTS’SHIRTSLEEVES
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WhilehisnamewasbeingbandiedaroundNewYork’smostexclusivecirclesduringhisfirstweeksofcommand,Arnoldwasquitebusysendingletters.BesideswritingtoWashingtonabouthisdesiretoincreasetheprovisionsandmakeimprovementsatthefortandcomposinglettersabouthisneedtolearntheidentityofspies,Arnoldalsofoundthetimetosendalettertoan
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Americanoutpost,informingitsmembersthatacertainmerchantfromthecitybythenameofJohnAndersonmightbepassingtheirwayandbeggingtheirassistanceinhelpinghimtosecuresafepassagetoWestPoint.Additionally,ArnoldwasalsocarryingonhiscorrespondencewithAndrésoastoarrangethemeetingoutsidethecitythatwouldfinalizetheirnegotiationsand
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plansforthehandingoverofthefort.
Whenthelong-anticipatedmeetingfinallytookplace,Andréwastoposeasaprosperousbusinessman,Arnoldashispatron.Inkeepingwiththeircover,themenwrotetheirlettersnotinthenumberedcodeorinvisibleinkoftheirpreviousexchanges,butverymuchintheroleofaclientandavendormakingplanstocarry
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outalargetransaction—which,inmanyways,theywere,thoughtheroleswerereversed.
Townsend,meanwhile,foundthatwhenhelefthisshoptoobservethegoings-onaroundManhattanthatSeptemberhecouldnothelpbutnoticetheuptickinpreparationsalongthedocks.TheBritishwereclearlyfittingshipsforsomekindofengagement,though
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TownsendcouldnotbesureifthiswasmerelyaresponsetothearrivaloftheFrenchfleetandthefearthatanavalbattlemightbebrewing,orifitwaswithsomeotherspecificaim.Eventhesoldiersandsailorswithwhomheconversedseemeduncertainastotheirorders.Itseemedunlikelythatsignificanttroopmovementswouldbefollowingsocloselyontheheelsoftheintentional
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misinformationregardingWashington’ssupposedplanstoattackthecityandtheunanticipatedrecalloftroops.Thenagain,theblowtoClinton’spridethatincidenthaddeliveredmayhavepromptedhimtoplananaggressiveresponsesimplytoprovehewouldnotbemadethefool.
Theincreaseofactivityinmid-Septemberwasdefinitelynew,though,afterarelatively
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quietAugust.WoodhullhadwrittentoTallmadgeonSeptember1:“Inregardofthestateofaffairsingeneralhe[CulperJunior]assuredtheexpresstheyremainedasheretoforeoraswhenwroteyoulast,nothingnew,everythingappearedtobeatastand,andtheenemymuchembarissedexpectinganattack.”DespitethecalminthecityinAugust,troopshadcontinuedtoshiftaround
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LongIsland,andWoodhullhadevenmentionedthataBritishspyhadcrossedtheSoundtoConnecticut—amanwhowas“positivelyanagentfortheenemy.Hehathbeenalongtimeserviceableinthatway,andthisishissecondembassy.Iknowittobetrueandhavelatelyhadaperfectknowledgeofhisconductforthisthreeyearspast,andhavebeensolicitedbyhisfriendasanassistant.”
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Itwasworthnoting,buthardlyearthshakingnews.Spieswereeverywhere,andbothsidesknewit.ThatthisoperativetriedtoconvertWoodhulltohissidewhileclearlyunawareastoWoodhull’strueloyaltiesisbothcomicalandatestimonytotheconvincingroleWoodhullwasplayingasamanofprofoundapathy.Hissecretletters,however,revealjusthowdeephispassions
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trulyran.Fourdayslater,WoodhullwroteagaintoTallmadgetoinformhimofamovementoftroopsawayfromSetauket,whichleftthetownmuchmorevulnerabletoanAmericaninvasiontoreclaimit:“ForGod’ssakeattackthem,you’llcertainlybesuccessful,ifyouaresecretaboutit....Setauketisexceedinglydistressed.Prayoffersomerelief.”
Noprospectcouldhave
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delightedTallmadgemorethanthepossibilityofliberatinghishometown,andhewrotetoWashingtontoproposejustsucharaid:“TheenclosedDispatchesfromCulperhavethismomentcometohand....C.writeswithgreatsollicitudefortroopstobesentfromthissidetoattackthoselyingatSetauket.IneednotrepeattoyourExcellencyhowexceedinglyhappyIshould
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betoassistinsuchanExpedition,shoulditbethot.advisable.”ToTallmadge’sdisappointment,Washingtondidnotapprovetheplan,andhewouldhavetowaitseveralmoremonthsbeforehecouldwagebattleonLongIsland.
Asthewarmweatherfaded,Townsendcontinuedtosubmitreportswrittenininvisibleink,whichnowfellalmostexclusivelyonTallmadgetorevealand
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decipher.ThejobhadpreviouslybelongedtoWashington’saide-de-campAlexanderHamilton,whileTallmadgewasinchargeofmakingsenseofthegeneralintelligenceandsummaryreportsWoodhull,Roe,andBrewstercompiled.ButrecentlyTallmadgehadbeentaskedwiththewhite-inkletters—perhapsafterWashingtonrecognizedtheurgencyoftheinformation
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conveyedabouttheFrenchtroops—andTallmadgefoundhimselfevenmoreimpressednowwiththequalityandaccuracyofTownsend’sreportsthanhehadbeenbefore.
Noneofthemknew,however,justquitewhattheywereinthemidstofinSeptember1780.Thereportsfromthecity,thestrangebehaviors,theactivitywiththeships—Tallmadge
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couldn’tputhisfingeronit,buthisinstinctstoldhimsomethingwasnotright.Hefeltasifhehadnearlyalltheelementsinfrontofhim,almostallthecluesgathered,buthewasnotsurewhathewaslookingatorwhatthepicturewasthatheneededtoassemble.Thathehadlettersonhisdeskfromhismerchant-spyinNewYorkregardinganofficerfromNewYorkventuringtoward
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WestPointseemedwhollyunconnected.Despiteallthehintshereceivedfrom355,Woodhull,andTownsend,Tallmadgedidn’tconnectthedotsuntilitwasalmosttoolate.
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OCHAPTER13
TheDealIsDone
ntheafternoonofSunday,September10,1780,Benedict
Arnoldsteppedontoabargeundertheauspicesofmeetingwithhislong-awaitedmerchantfriendfromNewYork,JohnAnderson.Ifthe
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generalseemednervousoranxious,thebargementooknonotice.They,too,wereprobablyonalertforBritishgunboatspatrollingthewatersofthelowerHudsonRiverandwerenotespeciallydelightedwiththethoughtoftravelingsouthwardtowardenemyterritory.Theyfollowedtheriverseveralmiles,thenletArnoldoffontheshoretostaythenightatthehomeofafriendwho
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livedneartheriver.Thenextmorning,thecrewsailedtheapproximatelytwentymilesremaining,toDobbsFerry,wherethemeetingwastotakeplace.
Asthebargeapproached,abarrageofBritishgunfireopeneduponthelittlevessel,whichquicklyretreatedupriverasafedistance.Arnold,whohadnotanticipatedthisattack,orderedthecrewtolandthe
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bargeonthewestbankoftheriver,wherehecouldsafelyawaitAnderson’sarrivalatasmalloutpostofAmericantroops.Themerchantneverappeared,andArnold,forcedtodeclarethemeetingafailure,returnedtoWestPoint.André,itturnsout,hadbeeninthevicinity,butthevigilantgunboatshadmadecrossingtheriverquiteperilousinriskingbothhislifeandrecognitionbysome
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ofhisownsoldiers.HereturnedtoNewYorktoarrangeasecondattemptatmeetingwithhiscoconspirator.
ColonelSimcoe,thecold-bloodedleaderoftheQueen’sRangerswhohadoccupiedtheTownsendHomesteadinOysterBay,hadsometimepastbeenransomedfromhisprisoninNewJerseyandwasonceagaincommandinghismenonraids.Andréhad
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promisedhimtheprivilegeofbeingpresentforthesurrenderofthefort,butSimcoenowreceivedwordthattherangerswerebeingorderedtoridesouthtowardChesapeakeBayandwrotetoAndrégreatlyworriedthatthissuddenchangewouldcausehimtomissoutonthefun.“Relyuponityouralarmsarevain,”AndréwrotethedayafterhismissedrendezvouswithArnold.He
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added,tantalizingly,“Ishouldhavebeenhappytohaveseenyouandhavehintedthatapparentarrangementsarenotalwaysrealones,butIbegyoutoseeknoexplanation.”
OnSeptember15,Arnoldpennedaletterto“JohnAnderson”recountingthefailedmeetingandattemptingtosetupanotheropportunity“onWednesdaythe20thinstant”atthesamelocation.(“Instant”wasaformof
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eighteenth-centuryshorthandmeaning“ofthecurrentmonth.”)Hemayhaveregardedtheirmissingeachotherasabadomen,andwascertainlyfeelingagitatedandexposed.“TheforegoingletterwaswrittentocautionyounottomentionyourbusinesstoColonelSheldon,oranyotherperson,”hewarned,clearlyconcernedthatArnoldmightplayhispartasaPatriotmerchanttoo
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convincinglybychattingwiththeleaderoftheLightDragoonsashepassedthroughtheirpatrolarea.“Ihavenoconfidant.Ihavemadeonetoomanyalready.”Theletter,whichhesigned“Gustavus”ashehadseveralofthisseriesofmessages,wasdirectedtowardNewYork,andArnoldreturnedhisattentiontomakinghispreparations.
Hehadbeenquiteeager
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tolearntheitineraryofGeneralWashington,afactthatAlexanderHamiltonlaternotedmayhavebeenanattempttosecurethecommanderinchief’scapturealongwiththefort.Infact,Arnold’slettersindicatethathewasanticipatingWashington’sarrivalatWestPointinamatterofdayswiththeintentofthegeneral’sstayingSaturdaynightatthefort.Themainfocusofthe
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plan,however,wastosecurethehandover;Arnold,afterall,wasactingmorefromasenseofmonetarygainthanfromanydeep-seatedpoliticalzealregardingwhowouldultimatelywintheconflict.
JOHNANDERSONSETSFORTH
TheeveningofMonday,
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September18,witnessedanelaboratedinnerpartyatthehomeofawell-to-doNewYorkLoyalist.ThoughitwashostedinhonorofGeneralClintonandhisclosestofficers,specialattentionwaspaidtoMajorAndré,anditseemstoactuallyhavebeensomethingofanunofficialsend-offfortheyoungman,ashewasabouttoembarkuponamissionthat,theyhoped,wouldresultinoneof
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thegreatestvictoriesfortheBritishsincethewarbegan.
ThenextdayAndrésetoutnorthwardwiththegoalofreachingHMSVulture,afourteen-gunsloopdockednearTeller’sPoint,byevening.BecauseitwasaBritishship,hearrivednotas“JohnAnderson,Patriotmerchant”butashimself,bearinglettersfromGeneralClintonthatneededtobehand-deliveredfartherup-
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country.ThecrewwasignorantastothetruenatureofAndré’svisit,likelybecauseoftheirproximitytoWestPoint.Shouldanysailorletacasualwordslipwhileonshore,thewholedealwouldberuined.AndréboardedtheVultureforthenightandawaitedamessagefromArnoldfortheirmeetingthenextday.Nonecame.
OnThursday,September21,Arnoldreceivedaletter
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complainingthatboatsfromWestPointhadfireduponasmallvesseltravelingtoshoreundertheflagoftruce,whichwasaviolationofthetermsofwar.“Fortunatelynoneofmypeoplewerehurt,butthetreacherousintentionsofthosewhofiredarenotvindicatedfromthatcircumstance,”CaptainSutherlandhadwritten.Thenotewassignedbyboththecaptainandacertain“John
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Anderson.”André’slikelyexplanationtoSutherlandforthepseudonymwasthattheycouldexpectanattackshouldtheAmericansknowthatAndréhimselfwascurrentlyonboard;therealreason,ofcourse,wastoalertArnoldtohispresenceontheship.
Andréalsowrotealetterbacktohiscommand,stating:
Asthetidewas
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favorableonmyarrivalatthesloopyesterday,IdeterminedtobemyselfthebearerofyourExcellency’slettersasfarastheVulture.Ihavesufferedforit,havingcaughtaverybadcold,andhadsoviolentareturnofadisorderinmystomachwhichhadattackedmeafewdaysago,thatCaptainSutherlandand
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ColonelRobinson[BeverlyRobinson,atwhosehomeArnoldwasstaying]insistonmyremainingonboardtillIambetter.Ihopetomorrowtogetdownagain.
HealsoincludedaprivatemessageintendedjustforGeneralClinton’seyes:“Nobodyhasappeared.This
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isthesecondexpeditionIhavemadewithoutanostensiblereason,andCol.Robinsonbothtimesoftheparty.Athirdwouldinfalliblyfiresuspicions.Ihavethereforethoughtitbesttoremainhereonpleaofsickness,asmyenclosedletterwillfeign,andtryfurtherexpedients.”
Thatsamenight,ArnoldorderedsomeboatmentorowtotheVultureunderaflagof
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truce,andtobringbackwiththemacertaingentlemanonboard.ArnoldcouldnotapproachtheVulturehimselfwithoutarousingsuspicion,givenhisrankandcurrentassignment.Inhisstead,hesentJoshuaHettSmith,alocalresidentwhomhechargedwithmanagingtheretrieval.Oneoftherowers,aseasonedoldhand,complainedwhenorderedtomuffletheoarstodisguise
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theirsound,lestapatrolboatfindthem.“Ifthebusinessisofafairanduprightnature,asyouassureusitis,Iseenonecessityforanydisguiseortoseizetheveilofnighttoexecutewhatmightbeaswelltransactedinbroaddaylight,”hegrumbledtothegeneral.
Arnoldrespondedbyorderingthecrewtocarryouttheirplansashehadchargedthem,coollyremindingthem,“Ihavethecommandofthe
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militiaofthecountyforsixtymilesaroundWestPointbytheorderofCongress.”
ThepartysetoutwithnofurtherobjectionsandapproachedtheVulturewiththetruceflaghoisted.Smithclimbedaboardand,afterexplaininghistaskandshowinghispassestotheofficersincharge,AndersonwasintroducedandagreedtoaccompanySmithbacktoshoreforthemeeting.“Very
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littleconversationpassedbetweenMr.Andersonandmyself,”Smithlaterrecalled,“exceptingtrivialremarksaboutthetide,theweather,andmattersofnoconcern.Mr.Anderson,fromhisyouthfulappearanceandthesoftnessofhismanners,didnotseemtometobequalifiedforabusinessofsuchmoment.”ButSmithconveyedhimbacktoshoreanyway,trustingthatGeneral
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Arnoldknewbest.Afterintroducingthetwo
men—bothofwhomweredressedinbluecoats—Smithwasorderedtoreturntotheboattowaitwiththecrew.Thisannoyedhimsomewhat,ashefelthehadearnedtherighttobepresentforthediscussion,givenhiseffortsinbringingthemeetingabout,buthedidashewastold.Sometimelater,Arnoldandhisfriendreturnedandthe
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orderwasgiventobringAndersonbacktotheVulture,butSmithobjected.Themenweretiredandcouldnotpossiblymakethetripbacktotheshipandtoshoreonceagainbeforesunrise,whentheyweresuretobespotted.Heproposedthatifthecoverofdarknesswas,indeed,soveryimportanttoArnoldthattheyhadbestwaituntilthefollowingeveningtoventureoutagain.Arnoldconceded
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thepointandSmithopenedhishometothemfortheremainderofthenight.
Bymorning,itwasclearthattherowboatwouldhavehadanevenmorestrenuousvoyagethanpreviouslyanticipated.TheVulturewassailingsouthward,havingbeenfireduponbyAmericanguns.AndréwasveryanxiousaboutthesituationbecausethelongerheremainedofftheshipandinAmerican
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territory,thegreaterhisriskofcapture.Arnoldpersuadedhimtotakeadvantageoftheday,however,andthetworodeout,presumablytoinspectsomeoftheroutestoWestPointandplanforthebestpossibleapproachbyfootsoldierssupplementingtheattackfromtheriver.
Butaseveningdrewnear,itwasevidentthatAndréwouldhavenohopeofsailingbacktoNewYorkonthe
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damagedVultureandwouldneedtoreturntothecitybylandinstead.“IwishIwasonboard,”hesaidwithaheavysigh,lookinginthedirectionoftheship,buthesetouttowardWhitePlainsonhorsebackwithSmithandaservantaccompanyinghimforthefirstpartofthejourneytohelphimnavigatetheunfamiliarterritory.SmithstoppedatseveralwaypointstoconversewiththePatriot
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soldiersstationedalongtheroute,butAndrékepttohimselfsothatwitnesseslaterrecalledlittleotherthanthatamanwitharound,floppyhatandcapefastenedtightlyaroundhisneckwasamemberoftheridingparty.SmithwaswellknowntomanyoftheAmericanmilitiamenintheareaandrespectedamongthembecause,asonemanlaternoted,“Ihadheardit
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frequentlymentionedthat[American]General[Robert]HoweusedtoemployMr.Smithingettingintelligence.”OtherAmericanofficersheldSmithincontempt;atleastonesuspectedhimofbeingadoubleagentandafewweekspriorhadchallengedArnoldonhisassociationwiththeman.
WhateverthenatureofSmith’scharacterandhislaterclaimedignorance,he
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guidedAndréeasilythroughtheAmericanterritory.SomeofthemenadvisedSmithagainstridinganyfartherthatnight,giventhepatrolsinthearea.Eveniffriendly,theymightgivehimsometroublebeforecheckingforhispasssignedbyArnoldgrantinghimsafepassage;however,themilitiamenweremostconcernedabouttheCowBoys,agroupofBritishmarauderswhomade
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criminalmischiefforresidentsinthearea,stealingfoodsuppliesorrobbingtravelers.Andréwouldhavebeenquitesafeintheircompany,hadtheyknownhistrueidentity—buthecouldnotrevealhimselfasaBritishofficerwithouttippingoffSmithtothewholebusiness.Reluctantly,Andréagreedthattheyshouldfindshelterandresumetheirtravelsbydaylight.Securinglodgingat
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anearbyhouse,themenretiredtorest,but,asSmithnoted,“Iwasoftendisturbedwiththerestlessmotions,anduneasinessofmindexhibitedbymybed-fellow,whoonobservingthefirstapproachofday,summonedmyservanttopreparethehorsesforourdeparture.”
AsthethreemennearedthebridgeovertheCrotonRiver,whichfeedsintotheHudsonRiverandprovided
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theswiftestmeansthroughtheremainderoftheAmericanterritorybackintotheBritish-helddistrictsapproachingNewYorkCity,aprofoundchangecameoverAndré.Sheddinghisanxietyandgloom,hebegantobemuchmorelikethecharming,cheerfulwitsobelovedbyhiscomrades.“Heappearedinthemorningasifhehadnotsleptanhourduringthenight;heatfirstwasmuchdejected,
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butapleasingchangetookplaceinhiscountenancewhensummonedtomounthishorse,”Smithremembered.
Iobservedthatthenearerweapproachedthebridge,themorehiscountenancebrightenedintoacheerfulserenity,andhebecameveryaffable;inshort,Inowfoundhimhighly
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entertaining....Hedescantedontherichnessofthesceneryaroundus,andparticularlyadmired,fromeveryeminence,thegrandeuroftheHighlandmountains,bathingtheirsummitsinthecloudsfromtheirseemingwaterybaseatthenorthextremityofHaverstrawBay.Thepleasantryofconverse,
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andmildnessoftheweather,soinsensiablybeguiledthetimethatweatlengthfoundourselvesatthebridgebeforeIthoughtwehadgothalfway;andInowhadreasontothinkmyfellow-travelleraverydifferentpersonfromthecharacterIhadatfirstformedofhim.
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Andréseemedquitetouchedbythewell-intentionedcompanyofSmithandhisservant,andashepreparedtocrossovertheriverandleavehisnewfriendstoheadhome,hepromisedtoreturnthesaddleandbridlethathehadborrowedfromSmithorsendpaymentforthem,andhemadeanofferof“avaluablegoldwatchinremembranceofhim,asakeepsake,which
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Irefused.”Andwiththatfinalgestureofgenerosityandamiability,Andrédirectedhishorseoverthebridgeinthedirectionofwhathehopedwouldbeasafepassagebacktothecity.
BETRAYALINBOOTS
OnthatsamemorningofSeptember23,threeAmericanmilitiamen,John
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Paulding,IsaacVanWart,andDavidWilliams,wereguardingtheroadinakindofno-man’s-landenroutetothecity.Sofar,thewatchhadbeendull,withonlyfamiliarlocalfacespassingby.Butwhentheyspottedastrangermakinghiswaydowntheroad,oneofthemembersofthepartywhispered,“Therecomesagentleman-likelookingman,whoappearstobewelldressed,andhas
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bootson,whoyouhadbetterstepoutandstopifyoudon’tknowhim.”
Pauldingsteppedforwardandraisedhisfirelockatthestranger.“Stand!”hedemanded.“Whereareyougoing?”
“IamaBritishofficeroutofthecountry,onparticularbusiness,andIhopeyouwon’tdetainmeaminute!”Andrésaid,flashingthegoldwatchhehadpreviously
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offeredtoSmitheithertomakeaplayonwordsorelsetoprovehisclaim,asonlyahigh-rankinggentlemancouldaffordsuchatimepiece.
“Dismount,”Pauldingordered,notamused.
“MyGod,Imustdoanythingtoget‘along,’”hesaid,laughingandpullingoutthepassfromGeneralBenedictArnoldthatgrantedhimsafepassage.Then,climbingdownfromthe
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horse,herepliedmoreseriously,“Gentlemenyouhadbestletmego,oryouwillbringyourselvesintrouble,for,byyourstoppingofmeyouwilldetaintheGeneral’sbusiness.I’mtogotoDobb’sFerrytomeetapersonthere.”
Itwasadifficultsituationforthethreemen.Didtheydareholdupamanwithapassfromageneralinordertosearchhim?Didtheydare
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notto?Finally,Pauldingspoke
again.“Ihopeyouwillnotbeoffended.Therearemanybadpeoplegoingalongtheroad,andIdonotknowbutperhapsyoumightbeone.Haveyouanylettersaboutyou?”
Andrérepliedcoolly,“No.”
Sensingsomethingwasamiss,themensearchedhisclothesbutfoundnothing
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hidden.ThenPauldingorderedAndrétoremovehisboots.Heremovedoneratherreluctantlyandinaslightlyawkwardmanner.Ratherthanfeelaroundinthebootitself,PauldingreachedoutandgraspedAndré’sfoot,wherehefeltpaperinhisstocking.“Pullofftheotherboot,”Pauldingordered.Withthreefirearmspointedathishead,Andréhadnochoicebuttocomply.Pauldingregarded
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thepapersbriefly,thenannouncedtoVanWartandWilliams,“Thisisaspy.”
Williamswinkedathisfriends.“Whatwouldyougiveustoletyougo?”
“Anysumofmoney.”“Wouldyougiveusyour
horse,saddle,bridle,watch—andahundredguineas?”
“Yes,”Andréresponded.“Iwilldirectittoanyplaceevenifitistothisveryspot,sothatyoucangetit.”
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“Wouldyougiveusmore?”Williamsgoaded,clearlyenjoyingthegentleman’sdistress.
“I’llgiveyouanyquantityofdrygoodsoranysumofmoney,andbringittoanyplaceyoumightpitchuponsothatyoumightgetit.”
“No,byGod!”Pauldingroared.“Ifyouwouldgiveustenthousandguineas,youshouldnotstirastep.”
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ThethreemilitiamenmarchedtheirprisonertoanearbyAmericancampatNorthCastletoturnhimovertoLieutenantColonelJohnJameson.Alongtheway,theyoungertwomenquestionedhim,stillnotclearastohisidentitybuthopingtohavealittlefunathisexpense.André’ssophisticatedsensibilitiesfinallyhadenoughofthebackwoodsbanter.“Ibegyouwouldask
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menonetillwecometosomeofficersandthenIwillrevealthewhole,”hepleaded.HewasturnedovertoJameson’scustody,andthethreemilitiamenwentontheirwaytoresumeguardingtheroad.
JAMESON’SMISTAKE
ColonelJamesonwasmortifiedbythesituationinwhichhenowfoundhimself.
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ThreeovereagermenhadjustdeliveredtohiscampamanbearingapassfromGeneralArnold;perhapstheyweresoexcitedattheprospectofhavingcapturedaBritishofficerthattheywereblindtothefactthatthepassshouldhaveautomaticallygrantedhimsafepassage,noquestionsasked—certainlyarrestordetentionwasnotnecessary.
Thecommandeered
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papershadbeenforwardedonforWashington’sinspection—rushedonJameson’sspecialorders—butnowJamesonwasfacedwiththematterofwhattodowiththemancurrentlyinhiscustody.Hecertainlyspokelikearational,genteelman,notapanickedspycaughtinasnare,andhissimplerequestwastobeescortedbacktoWestPoint,whereGeneralArnoldwouldexplain
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everythingandsetthematterstraight.ItseemedlogicaltoJameson,sohehurriedtomakethearrangementstocarryitout,lesthefindhimselfonthereceivingendofoneofArnold’sinfamousangryoutbursts.
BenjaminTallmadge,meanwhile,hadjustreturnedtoNorthCastlethateveningfromadaylongscoutingmission.Heheardtalkofthenewlyapprehendedprisoner
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namedJohnAndersonbroughtinthatmorning;somethingseemedstrangeaboutthestorybutsomuchhadoflatethatitwashardtopinpointwhatwassounsettling.AsTallmadgesatreviewingthelettersthathadaccumulatedinhisabsence,aswellasthosehehadputasidebeforeheleft,hehappenedtospotanotefromGeneralArnoldsentsomedaysprevious,informinghim
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ofacertainmannamedJohnAndersonwhomightpassTallmadge’sway:“IhavetorequestthatyouwillgivehimanescortoftwoHorsetobringhimonthiswaytothisplace,andsendanexpresstomethatImaymeethim.”Suddenly,itallmadesense—theprisoner,thestrangereportshewasreceivingfromtheCulpersinNewYork,andArnold’soddbehavior.
Tallmadgerushedto
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Jamesonanddemandedtoseetheprisoner,butthecolonelinformedhimitwasimpossible:JohnAndersonwasgonefromNorthCastleonJameson’sorders,escortedbyalieutenantwithaletterexplainingthesituation,throughtheopencountrybacktoGeneralArnoldatWestPoint.
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MCHAPTER14
AnotherSpyattheGallows
ajorBenjaminTallmadgerespectedthe
chainofcommandandherespectedhisseniorofficers,butinthisinstanceheknewthathiscommandingofficer
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hadmadeaperilousmistake.ColonelJamesonhadsensedthatsomethingwasamiss,becausehehadrushedthepapersfoundontheprisonertoWashingtonforexamination,butfearofdispleasingArnoldhadcloudedhisbetterjudgment,promptinghimtoreturntheprisonertoArnoldasherequested.Chagrined,Jamesonwaswillingtolistentohissubordinate’s
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suggestions.Tallmadgewasa
spymasterandmuchmoresavvyaboutthebackhandedoperationsofintelligencegatheringthanJameson.Hearingafullaccountofthestory,herecognizedtheseeminglydisparatepiecesandconcludedthatamajorbetrayalwasathand.Hisfirstthoughtwastosuggestadaringmissiondesignedtoentrapalltheinvolved
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parties.HeproposedtheschemetoJameson,whofoundtheplanmuchtoobold.Tallmadgelaterwrotetoafriendandhistorian:“[I]didnotfailtostatetheglaringinconsistencyoftheirconducttoLt.Col.Jamesoninaprivateandmostfriendlymanner.Heappearedgreatlyagitated,moreespeciallywhenIsuggestedtohimaplanwhichIwishedtopursue,offeringtotakethe
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entireresponsibilityonmyself,andwhich,ashedeemedittooperiloustopermit,Iwillnotfurtherdisclose.”
Withhisfirstsuggestionrejected,Tallmadgeimmediatelypursuedthenextbestwayofinterceptingtheprisonerandreturninghimtotheircustody.Jamesonremainedhesitant,afraidofupsettingGeneralArnold,butTallmadgefinallymanagedto
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persuadehimtorescindhisorderandbringAndrébacktoNorthCastlewhiletheyawaitedwordfromWashington.Oddlyenough,JamesonstillinsistedoninformingArnoldoftheturnofevents.“Strangeasitmayseem,”Tallmadgewrote,“Lt.Col.J.wouldpersistinhispurposeofsendinghislettertoGen.Arnold—Theletterdidgoon,andwasthefirstinformationthatArchTraitor
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receivedthathisplotwasblownup.TheOfficerreturned[toJameson’scamp]withhisprisonerearlythenextmorning.”
Jameson’sdecisiontoalertArnoldtothematter,whileshockinginretrospect,wasquiteunderstandable,givenArnold’sreputation.Foronething,ArnoldwaswidelytrustedbymanyofficersoftheContinentalArmy;eventhosewhoheld
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himincontemptwouldgenerallynothaveanticipatedthathisimprudencecouldgosofarastocommittreason.TallmadgenotedlaterthatJameson,inwritingtoArnoldaboutthematter,“expressedgreatconfidenceinhimasIbelievewasthecasethro’thearmy.UntilthepaperswerefoundonAnderson,Ihadnosuspicionofhislackofpatriotismorpoliticalintegrity.”Foranother,
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Arnoldwaswidelyfeared,andJamesonwaswillingtotakeextremestepstoprotecthimselffromtheman’swrathfornotfollowinghisdirectives.HadTallmadgenotbeenasacutelyattunedtosubtlecluesandnotbeenactivelytryingtopiecetogethertheCulperRing’sreports,he,too,mighthavefallenunderArnold’sspellandfailedtorealizewhoJohnAndersonwas.
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Evennow,TallmadgekeptthespiesinmindandrealizedthatmorethanjustthefateofFortWestPointwasatstake.Thesurrenderoftheforthadtobestoppedatallcosts,butinasomewhatdelicateway.Andréwouldnothavebroadcasthistravelplansbeyondaselectcircle,andthecollapseofhisplancouldendangerthespieswhohadhelpedunraveltheplot.IfwordreachedtheBritishthat
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therewasamoleinAndré’sinnercircle,Agent355andanyofherassociates—likeTownsend—couldbequicklyunmasked.Theentireringwouldcollapse,andthegallowswouldbecomealittlemorecrowded.Tallmadgewouldhavetoactswiftlybutcarefully.
THEPRIZEOFWESTPOINT
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GeneralWashingtonwasridingtowardWestPointontheeveningofSunday,September24.HehadbeenvisitingHartford,Connecticut,andhisschedulehadchangedslightlyfromhisoriginalplantoarriveonSaturday.Still,heimaginedArnoldwouldbehappytoseehim,justashewaseagertoseewhatimprovementsArnoldhadputintoeffectatthefort,nowthathehadbeen
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incommandnearlytwomonths.
Washingtonintendedtoarrivelatethateveningbutfoundhimselfdetainedoutofpolitenesswithafriend,anddecidedtolodgeatanearbyinnforthenightandfinishhisjourneyinthemorning.Veryearlythenextday,WashingtonsentAlexanderHamiltonaheadwiththebaggageforthelastfifteenmilestoannouncetheir
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arrivaltoArnoldandsuggestthatWashingtonbreakfastwithhimbeforetouringthefort.
ToWashington’ssurprise,whenhearrivedatWestPointnotlongafterHamilton,Arnoldwasnotwaitingforhim.Instead,asWashingtonwouldlaterrecall:
Soonafterhe
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[Hamilton]arrivedatArnold’sheadquarters,aletterwasdeliveredtoArnoldwhichthrewhimintothegreatestconfusion.HetoldColonelHamiltonthatsomethingrequiredhisimmediateattendanceatthegarrisonwhichwasontheoppositesideoftherivertohisquarters;andimmediatelyordereda
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horse,totakehimtotheriver;andthebargewhichhekepttocross,tobeready;anddesiredMajorFranks,hisAid,toinformmewhenIshouldarrivethathewasgoneovertheriverandwouldreturnimmediately.
Itwasastrangereceptionforhiscommanderinchief,
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butArnoldwas,admittedly,somethingofastrangeman.Washingtondecidednottostandonceremony,butsimplywentabouthisdayashewouldhavehadArnoldbeenpresentasplanned.Hehadbreakfast,thenrodedowntotherivertoviewthefortificationsofthegarrisonandanticipated,notunreasonably,thathewouldencounterArnoldintheprocess.WhenArnoldstill
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failedtomaterialize,however,Washingtonbegantoaskthemenstandingguardwheretheircommanderwas;nonecouldtellhim.Washingtonwaspuzzled.“TheimproprietyofhisconductwhenheknewIwastobethere,struckmeveryforcibly,andmymindmisgaveme;butIhadnottheleastideaoftherealcause,”heremembered.
Afterabouttwohoursof
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inspectingthefortandinquiringafteritsofficerincharge,WashingtonreturnedtoArnold’sheadquarters,whereHamiltonwaswaitingwithaparcelthathadjustarrived.ThecourierseemedingreatconcernthatGeneralWashingtonreviewthecontentsofthepackageimmediately,ashehadbeentravelinghardmanyhourstofindhim,underthestrictordersthatheshould“ride
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nightandday”untilhereachedthegeneral.HavingheadedstraightforConnecticutusingthesamerouteWashingtonhadtakentogetthere,theunfortunatecourierdidnotrealizethatWashingtonhadtakenadifferentroadback.Thus,theriderhadbeenfranticallychasingthegeneralfromNewYorktoConnecticutandbackagaininordertodeliverthepapershecarried,freshly
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pluckedfromthebootofamangoingbythenameofJohnAnderson.
Somethingwasterribly,terriblywrong:FirstArnold’sabsenceandnowthis?Washingtonfelthisconcerngrowashereachedforthepacket,whichexplainedthewholematter.Alarmed,WashingtonorderedHamiltontomounthishorseandgalloptoapostontheriverabouteightmilesbelow,
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hopinghecouldstopArnold’sbarge.Hamiltonpushedhishorsetoitslimit,buthewastoolate.BenedictArnoldhadescaped.
ARNOLD’SESCAPE
WhenAlexanderHamiltonhadriddenuptothegatesofWestPointthatmorning,ArnoldknewthatGeneralWashingtonwouldbe
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followingjustanhourortwobehind.Hehadbeenanticipatingthisvisitforseveraldays,thoughitisimpossibletoguesswhatArnold’sfeelingsmighthavebeennowthatthecommanderinchiefwasabouttoenterthroughtheverygatesArnoldplannedtoswingopentotheenemyupontheirapproach.Forallheknew,AndréhadmadeitsafelybacktoNewYorkandtheBritishhada
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smallfleetofshipssailinguptheHudsonandseveralregimentsofsoldiersmarchingthroughtheNewYorkforestsevennowtostormthefort.Ifeverythinghadgoneaccordingtoplan—andArnoldhadnoreasontothinkithadnot—theentirecourseofthewarmightbechangedbytheendoftheday.
Arnoldhadlittletimetomulloverhisplan,becausea
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lieutenantarrivedveryshortlyafterHamilton,carryingaletterfromLieutenantColonelJamesonexplainingthatagentlemanbythenameofAndersonwhowascarryingpassesissuedbyArnoldhadbeencapturedandhadnowbeenreturnedtoconfinementwhilesomeoddpapersandplansfoundonhimweresenttoWashingtonviaanexpressrider.ItwasallawickedplanbytheBritish,
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Jamesonconcluded,tobesmirchBenedictArnold’sgoodnameandtocausedivisionintheranksbyunderminingtheContinentalArmy’sconfidenceinhim.HejustfeltArnoldshouldbemadeawareoftheslanderouseffortsbeingmadeagainsthimbytheenemy.
Thejigwasup.Arnold’sworstfearshadallbeenrealized:TheAmericanswereaware(orsoonwouldbe)of
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thedepthofhistreachery,buttheBritishhadyettodoanythingtocapturethefortand,withouttheplans,likelyneverwouldbeabletodoso.Thus,hewasatraitortoonegroup,buthardlytheherohehadanticipatedbecomingtotheother.Nowhewouldbenothingmorethanafailedturncoat—ifhewasevenabletoescapewithhislife,thatis.
MakinghastyapologiestoHamiltonandtohisown
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aide,whowerebothwaitingforWashington’sarrivalandthetourtobegin,Arnolddashedofftowardthewaterfullofemptypromisestoreturnpromptly,justassoonashesortedoutsomeurgentmatteracrosstheriver.HecalledforhisbargementorowhimasswiftlyaspossibledownstreamtowardwhereHMSVulturehadrecentlyretreated,explainingtotheconfusedmenattheoarsthat
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theywouldreceivetwogallonsofrumapieceiftheydidtheirjobquickly,ashewouldneedtoturnaroundveryshortlytomeetGeneralWashingtonforhismuchanticipatedvisit.Theyexertedthemselvesadmirably.ThebargereachedtheVultureunderaflagoftruce,whichkeptthemfrombeingfireduponandallowedArnoldtoboardinsafety.Hisloyalcrewwasalsotaken
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aboard,whereArnoldpromptlyinformedthemthattheywerenowprisonersoftheBritisharmy.
PeggyandbabyEdward,meanwhile,wereleftbehindatWestPoint—entrustedtowhatArnoldknewwouldbethemercifulandbenevolentjudgmentofGeneralWashington.
ANDRÉ’SFATE
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AfterbeinginterceptedonhiswaytoWestPoint,JohnAndré(whosetrueidentitywasnotyetknownbyhiscaptors)wastakentoSalem,Connecticut,whereColonelElishaSheldon,commandingofficerofTallmadge’sownSecondLightDragoons,washeadquartered.AndréseemedtohavegivenJamesonlittletrouble,butuponbeingtransferredtoSheldon’ssupervisionatSalemon
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September24,Tallmadgenotedthat“itwasmanifestthathisagitationandanxietyincreased.”
Laterthatafternoon,Andrémadeasimplerequestofhisguards:“MayIbefurnishedwithpen,ink,andpaper?”
Therequestwasapproved,andAndréseatedhimselfatatabletocomposeanhonest,forthright,andgentlemanlynotetoGeneral
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WashingtonthatconfirmedTallmadge’ssuspicionsandgreatestfears.“Inthisletter,”Tallmadgerecalled,“hedisclosedhisCharactertobeMajorJohnAndré,AdjutantGenl.totheBritishArmy.WhenIhadperusedtheletter,whichhehandedtometoread,myagitationwasextreme,andmyemotionswhollyindescribable.”
ThoughhehadnoreasontoimaginethatArnoldwould
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everturntraitor,Tallmadgehadnevercountedhimselfamonghisfans,either.“WithArnold’scharacterIbecameacquaintedwhileIwasamemberofYaleCollegeandheresidinginNewHaven,andIwellrememberthatIwasimpressedwiththebeliefthathewasnotamanofintegrity,”hewouldlaterpen.“TherevolutionarywarwascomingonsoonafterIleftcollege,andArnoldengaged
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initwithsomuchzeal...weallseemed,asifbycommonconsent,toforgethisknavishtricks.”
Arnold’sbackhanded,cowardlycharactercontrastedsharplywiththatofhiscoconspirator,André,whocomportedhimselfwithdignitybyallaccounts,andtreatedhiscaptorswithrespectandevenfriendliness.Tallmadgecouldnothavehelpedseeingsomethingof
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himselfreflectedbackinthepersonofAndré.Theywerebothyoungmen—twenty-sixandthirty,respectively—entrustedwithsimilarrolesofsecrecyandresponsibilitybytheircountries.Bothmenhadrisentotheirranksthroughhardwork,keenintelligence,andpersonalaffabilityratherthansimplythroughpurchasingacommission,aswasoftenthecase.Theywerepopular,likableyoung
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officerswithpromisingcareersaheadofthem,andbothhadgallantmannersandasenseofhonorthatwouldotherwiseseemincongruouswiththelowopinionofspiesintheirday.
Butthiswaswartime,andtheremustbewinnersandlosers.AndréhadbeencaughtandcapturedatthesamegamethatTallmadgewasplaying;theybothknewtherules,therewards,therisks—
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andtheybothknewthepenalties.
OnOctober25,WashingtonwrotetoJamesonregardingthetreatmentofthehigh-profileprisoner,noting,“IwouldnotwishMr.Andrétobetreatedwithinsult;buthe...istobemostcloselyandnarrowlywatched.”Then,followinghissign-off,Washingtonaddedonelineasifhewereunsurethattheseriousnessofhismessage
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hadtrulybeenunderstoodandhewishedtounderscorethisimperative:“Andrémustnotescape.”TwodayslaterhewrotetoMajorGeneralNathanaelGreeneasimilarcaution,stating,“IwouldwishtheroomforMr.Andrétobeadecentone,andthathemaybetreatedwithcivility;butthathemaybesoguardedastoprecludeapossibilityofhisescaping,whichhewillcertainly
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attempttoeffect,ifitshallseempracticableinthemostdistantdegree.”
Inthetensedaysthatfollowed,aprisonerexchangewasproposed,aswasoftenthecasewhenhigh-rankingofficerswerecaptured.WashingtonwasagreeableonlyiftheprisonersurrenderedwasArnold;Clintonwouldnotagreetotheseterms,soWashingtonproceededashewouldwith
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anycommonspy(though,admittedly,perhapswithalittlemoreceremonygiventheparticularnatureofthiscase).Thereiseveryindicationthatheregrettedwhatcamenext,buthealsoknewthatitwasnecessarytodemonstratetotheBritishthathismilitarywastobetakenseriouslyandwasoperatingwithinitsrightsasanindependententitynotsubjecttothewishesofthe
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kingorhissubordinates.Washingtongranted
Andréatrial,inwhichseveralofthetopofficersamongtheContinentalArmyanditsallieswerespeedilyassembledtoheararguments.Andrémaintainedthatbecausehehadbeentrappedbehindenemylinesandwascapturedthere,hewastechnicallynotaspyscoutingtheterritoryintheuniformofhisservicebutwas,instead,a
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prisonerofwar.Allsuchprisoners,hereasoned,canbeexpectedtoatleastconsidermakinganescapedressedincivilianclothes.Thepleafailedtopersuadethetribunal,butnoone(includingAndré,presumably)hadexpecteditwould.HewassentencedtodeathbyhangingonSeptember29.
Thatsameday,AndrépennedalettertoGeneral
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Clinton,absolvinghiscommanderofanyguilthemightfeelforthemissiononwhichhehadsentAndré.Thecircumstanceshadsimplybeenunfortunateandhadnotgoneaccordingtotheircarefullylaid-outplan:
UndertheseCircumstancesIhaveobtainedGeneralWashington’s
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permissiontosendyouthisLetter,theobjectofwhichistoremovefromyourBreastanySuspicionthatIcouldimaginethatIwasboundbyyourExcellencysOrderstoexposemyselftowhathashappened.TheEventsofcomingwithinanEnemyspostsandofChangingmydresswhichledmetomy
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presentSituationwerecontrarytomyownIntentionsastheyweretoyourOrders;andthecircuitousroutewhichItooktoreturnwasimposed(perhapsunavoidably)withoutalternativeuponme.
IamperfectlyandtranquilinmindandpreparedforanyFatetowhichanhonestZealformyKingsService
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mayhavedevotedme.Inaddressing
myselftoyourExcellencyonthisOccasion,theforceofallmyObligationstoyouandoftheAttachmentandGratitudeIbearyou,recurrstome.WithalltheWarmthofmyheartIgiveyouthanksforyourExcellencysprofusekindnesstome,
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andIsendyouthemostearnestWishesforyourWelfarewhichafaithfullaffectionateandrespectfullAttendantcanframe.
IhaveaMotherandThreeSisters....ItisneedlesstobemoreexplicitonthisSubject;IampersuadedofyourExcellencysGoodness.IreceivethegreatestAttentionfromhis
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ExcellencyGeneralWashingtonandfromeverypersonunderwhosechargeIhappenedtobeplaced.IhavethehonortobewiththemostrespectfullAttachment,
YourExcellencysMostobedient
andmosthumbleServant,
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JohnAndréAdjGen
ThesentencewastobecarriedoutonOctober2,justoveraweekafterAndré’scapture.Byallaccounts,hecomportedhimselfwithdignityandpropriety,stoicallyrecognizinghissadfateassimplyoneoftheunfortunateperilsofwar.Ononlyonecountdidheofferupanyresistance:mannerof
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execution.Andrérequestedtodiebyfiringsquad,astheEnglishconsideredthistheproperformbywhichtocarryoutexecutionordersforahigh-rankingofficer.Hisrequest—perhapsinremembranceofNathanHale’sownunceremoniousdeath—wasdenied.AndréwashangedontheappointeddayinTappan,NewYork,andhisbodyburiedunderthegallows,whereitremained
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formorethanfortyyears,untilitwasdisinterredandreturnedtoEnglandtobeburiedwithmilitaryhonorsatWestminsterAbbey.
BACKINMANHATTAN
NewsofArnold’sbetrayal,aswellasAndré’scaptureandexecution,sentshockwavesthroughallofthecolonies,butnowherewastheimpact
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morekeenlyfeltthaninNewYorkCity.EvenRobertTownsendfoundhimselfdeeplymovedbythedeathofoneoftheverymenonwhomhehadspied.“IneverfeltmoresensiblyforthedeathofapersonwhomIknewonlybysight,andhadheardconverse,thanIdidforMajorAndré,”TownsendwrotetoTallmadgeabouttwoweeksaftertheevent.“Hewasamostamiablecharacter.
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GeneralClintonwasinconsolableforsomedays;andthearmyingeneralandinhabitantsweremuchexasperated,andthinkthatGeorgeWashingtonmusthavebeendestituteoffeeling,orhewouldhavesavedhim.IbelieveGeneralWashingtonfeltsincerelyforhim,andwouldhavesavedhimifitcouldhavebeendonewithpropriety.”EvenWashingtonhimselflaterreflectedthat
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Andréwas“moreunfortunatethancriminal.”
NoonehadanysuchpraiseforArnold.InhissamelettertoTallmadge,Townsendexpressedhisopinionoftheturncoat,probablybasedonreportsoftheman’scharacterprovidedbyAgent355:“Iwasnotmuchsurprisedathis[Arnold’s]conduct,foritwasnomorethanIexpectedofhim.”
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NowsafelytuckedawayonashipinNewYork,BenedictArnoldwasenjoyingtheluxuriesofhighliving,includingtheknowledgethathiswifeandinfantsonweresafefromretribution.HehadwrittentoWashingtonaskingifhewouldguaranteetheirsecurepassagetohim,andWashingtonhadagreed,notbelievingitpropertovisitthesinsofthefatheruponthe
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headofthechild.WithArnold’strueloyaltiesnowexposedandhisbody,mind,andenergiesopenlyalignedwiththeBritish,hecouldposenofurtherthreattoAmericanfortsorforcesunderhiscommand.
ButArnoldwasnotfinishedsowingchaosfortheCulperRing.AsTallmadgehadfeared,hiscapturespelleddangerforthesecretsix.
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ACHAPTER15
TheRinginPeril
lthoughArnoldwasexposed,theplottosurrender
WestPointwasshattered,andAndréwasdead,thedangertotheCulperRingwasstillverymuchalive.“IamhappytothinkthatArnolddoesnot
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knowmyname.However,nopersonhasbeentakenuponhisinformation,”TownsendnotedinalettertoTallmadge.Clearly,Townsendwasanticipatingwhatallofthecovertoperativesmusthavebeendreading—thatArnoldwoulddisclosetheidentitiesofanyspiesknowntohiminordertokeephimselfinthegoodgracesoftheBritish.
Thisfearwasnotparanoia;somethingsimilar
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wascertainlyhappeningontheAmericanside,wheremanyofArnold’scomradesandconfidants,includingtheshadyJoshuaHettSmith,werebeingarrestedandinterrogatedtolearnwhomayhavebeenincahootswiththegeneralandwhohadmerelybeenmanipulatedunwittingly.ThelinksoftheCulperchainandeveryindependentspyinNewYork—perhapsinthewholeofthe
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colonies—wereallonedge,wellawarethattheywouldbethetargetofArnold’swrathifhehadanyindicationoftheiridentities,andthathewaslikelytoseekrevengeonanyonehe—ortheBritish—suspectedmighthavehadknowledgeofanypartofthefailedplot.
Tallmadgewaskeenlyawareoftheirconcern,andwrotetoWashingtononOctober11:
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TheconductofArnold,sincehisarrivalatN.Y.hasbeensuch,thatthoughheknowsnotasinglelinkinthechainofmycorrespondence,stillthosewhohaveassistedusinthisway,areatpresenttooapprehensiveofDangertogivetheirimmediateusualintelligence.Ihopeasthetumultsubsidesmatterswillgo
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onintheiroldchannels.
Culper,Junr.hasrequestedaninterviewwithmeonLongIslandonthe13thinst[ant],butinthepresentsituationofaffairsIbelieveitwouldberatherimprudent.
Washingtonunderstoodtheperilousstateofallthe
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membersoftheCulperRing,andjudgedTallmadge’savoidanceofacovertvisittoLongIslandatthisparticularpointintimeasquitewise.“Ithinkyouwererightindeclininganinterviewatthistime,astheenemywouldactwithmorethancommonrigorjustnowshouldanofficerbetakenundercircumstancestheleastsuspicious,”hewroteback,thoughheadded,“Ishouldbeexceedinglygladto
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hearfromC.Junior.”OnOctober15,
WashingtonwrotetothepresidentoftheContinentalCongress(atthattime,SamuelHuntingtonofConnecticut),informinghimofseveralmattersandnotingwithregardtoCulperJunior:“Unluckily,thepersoninwhomIhavethegreatestconfidenceisafraidtotakeanymeasuresforcommunicatingwithmejust
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atthistime,asheisapprehensivethatArnoldmaypossiblyhavesomeknowledgeoftheconnection,andmayhavehimwatched.Butasheisassured,thatArnoldhasnotthemostdistanthintofhim,Iexpectsoontohearfromhimasusual.”
Townsend’sreturntospyingwasnotasswiftasWashingtonseemstohavehoped,however.Woodhull
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sentaletterdatedOctober26,inwhichheexplained:“IhavethisdayreturnedfromNewYork,andamsorrytoinformeyouthatthepresentcommotionsandwatchfullnessoftheEnemyatNewYorkhathresolvedC.Jur.forthepresenttimetoquitwritingandretireintothecountryforatime.—Mostcertainlytheenemyareverysevere,andthespiritsofourfriendsverylow.”Inan
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interestingshowofsteelinghisnerves,despitehisearlieranxieties—perhapsbecauseherecognizedhowmuchsaferhewasincomparisontothespieswhohadworkedcloselywiththeBritishofficersinNewYork—WoodhullvolunteeredhisserviceswhileTownsendwasonhiatus.Afewweekslater,hewroteagain,“Dependmyendeavoursshallcontinue,asIhopenevertolosesightof
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ourcause,trulysensibleourallisatstake.”
ATURNOFAFFAIRS
GeneralClintonexhibitedmorehumanitythanhadArnold,andpromptlyreleasedtheunfortunatebargemenwhohadrowedArnoldtotheVulture.Butthatwasthelastpieceofgoodnewstoreachthe
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Americans’earsforsometime.JustastheconfusionoftheArnoldbetrayalbegantodissipate,ablowwasstruckthatthrewallcovertagentsintoastateoffearonceagain.
WoodhullwrotetoTallmadge,onNovember12,ofsomedisturbingnews:“Severalofourdearfriendswereimprisoned,inparticularonethathathbeeneverserviceabletothiscorrespondence.Thisstepso
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dejectedthespiritsofC.Junr.thatheresolvedtoleaveNewYorkforatime.”ThelettergoesontoaddthatAustinRoehadreturnedfromNewYorkandthatBrewsterhadbeenpursuedandnarrowlyescapedcapturewhilecrossingtheSound.ThereisnoindicationthatRivingtonwaseversuspectedorhisnewspaperoperationssuspended,andthering’ssatellitememberswhohad
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functionedascouriersallseemedtobesafe.ThepersonimprisonedwassomeonewhowasknowntoTownsendandwhoenjoyedveryclosetiestohim,makingitlikelythatthe“everserviceable”friendapprehendedwasnoneotherthanAgent355.WhethershewastracedbyArnoldorcaughtbecauseofgeneralsuspicion,thelady’scaptureshatteredthemoraleoftheotherfivespies.
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WhatcouldAgent355expecttofaceinawartimeprison?Becausenoseparatewomen’sprisonforcombatantsexisted,Agent355wouldhavebeenheldintheprimaryconfinementfacilityatthetime—HMSJersey,anchoredinWallaboutBay,nearBrooklyn.Prisonships,oftencalled“deathships”fortheirdeplorableconditions,wereroutinelyusedbytheBritish
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duringthewar,andtheJerseyhadareputationforbeingtheworstoftheworst,earningthenickname“Hell.”Diseaseandverminranrampantamongthestarvingprisoners.Thebodiesofinmateswhodiedmightnotberecoveredforaweekormore,lefttorotinthecramped,airlesshullsinwhichtheunfortunatepassengerswereforcedtospendtwenty-fourhoursaday.Bytheendofthewar,
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approximatelyeightthousandpeoplewereestimatedtohavediedaboardprisonshipsinNewYorkalone.
Itisnowonder,then,thatRobertTownsendsankintosuchadeepdepression.AsWoodhullnoted,hetemporarilyclosedhisstoreinManhattanandreturnedtoLongIslandforseveralweekstocheckonthesafetyofthosewithwhomhehadworked,toremovehimself
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(asmuchaspossible)fromharm’sway,andtotrytonursehisspiritsbacktohealthevenashemournedthecaptureandimprisonmentofsuchabraveandfaithfulfriend.
And,asitturnsout,themembersoftheCulperRingwerenottheonlyspiesuponwhomArnoldhadsethissights.AlettertoBenjaminTallmadgeonOctober25revealedthatArnoldhad
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hopesofpersuadingtheAmericanspymasterhimselftofollowinhistraitorousfootsteps:
AsIknowyoutobeamanofsense,IamconvincedyouarebythistimefullyofopinionthattherealinterestandhappinessofAmericaconsistsofareunionwithGreat
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Britain.ToeffectwhichhappypurposeIhavetakenacommissionintheBritishArmy,andinviteyoutojoinmewithasmanymenasyoucanbringoverwithyou.Ifyouthinkpropertoembracemyoffer,youshallhavethesamerankyounowhold,intheCavalryIamabouttoraise.Ishallmakeuseofnoargumentsto
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convinceyou,ortoinduceyoutotakeastepwhichIthinkright.YourowngoodsensewillsuggesteverythingIcansayonthesubject.
Inexplicably,however,theletterdidnotreachTallmadgeforthreemonths.“Iamequallyastrangertothechannelthroughwhichitwasconveyed,thereason
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whyitwassolongonitsway,orthemotiveswhichinducedtheTraitortoaddresshimselfthusparticularlytome,”TallmadgewrotetoWashingtononJanuary28,1781.“IhavedeterminedtotreattheAuthorwiththecontempthisconductmerits,bynotansweringhisletter,unlessYourExcellencyshouldadviseadifferentMeasure.”
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KIDNAPPINGARNOLD
EvenasTownsendwascrushedbythenewsofthecaptureoffellowagentsinthecity,ontheothersideofthematterArnoldfoundhimselfsomewhatdejectedratherquicklyaswell.Despitehishighesthopesanddelusionsofgrandeur,noneofhiseffortshadledtoanythingparticularlyfruitful.EventhesuspectedPatriot
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spiesroundedupintheaftermathofhisfleeingtotheBritishfailedtoyieldanymorenamesofcoconspirators,whichleftallofhiseffortsonlyhalfrealizedandhardlyworththeexcitementtheyraised.Asaresult,hewasonlypaidatotalof£6,315andanannualpensionof£360ratherthanthefull£20,000onwhichhehadbeencounting.Hewassomewhatmollified,
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however,byreceivingacommissionintheBritisharmyasabrigadiergeneral,whichcarriedwithitafairlyrespectablesalary.
WashingtonhadnotgivenuphopeofcapturingArnold.UsingtheCulperRingtokidnapthetraitorwasoutofthequestion—toomanyofthespieswerevulnerabletobeingknowntoArnold,andtheywerealreadyinenoughdanger.
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Instead,Washingtoncommissionedseveralnewspiestomakeanattempt,explicitlyinstructingthemtobringArnoldbackalivetostandtrial.
WorkingcovertlywithMajorHenryLee—thesameHenryLeewhohadspokenoutagainsttheIntolerableActsof1774—Washingtondevisedadaringplanthatwouldrequiretheyoungofficertooperateincomplete
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secrecyandtodisavowanyinvolvementonthegeneral’spart.AsergeantnamedJohnChampevolunteeredtocarryoutadangerousmission,theparticulardetailsofwhichhelearnedonlyaftersteppingforward.“[Champe]wasabouttwentythreeortwentyfouryearsofage,”LeelaterrecalledinhisMemoirsoftheWarintheSouthernDepartmentoftheUnitedStates,and“ratherabovethe
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commonsize,fullofboneandmuscle,withasaturninecountenance,gravethoughtfulandtaciturne,oftriedcourageandinflexibleperseverance.”Inshort,hewaslarge,strong,serious,andstubborn—theperfectmanforsuchadifficultjob.
HismissionwastodesertfromLee’sSecondPartisanCorpsandjointheBritishinNewYorkCityasadefector.Ifheimpliedthathehadbeen
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inspiredbyArnold’sactions,hestoodachanceofmeetingArnoldandgaininghisconfidence.OnceingratiatedwithArnold,hewastostudyhisroutinesandhabitsanddiscoverthemostefficientmeansofkidnappinghimwiththehelpofahandfulofoperativesinandaroundManhattan.ThemenwouldthensmugglethetraitoroutofthecityandbackintoAmerican-heldterritoryin
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NewJersey,whereWashingtoncouldtakecustodyofArnold.
Champeandhisassociatesneededtobeextremelycareful,however,forWashingtondidnotwanttogivetheBritishanyreasontobelievethattheAmericanshadsimplysentinthugstofinishoffArnoldasrevenge.ThegeneralwrotetoLeeonOctober20:“Nocircumstancewhatevershall
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obtainmyconsenttohisbeingputtodeath.TheideawhichwouldaccompanysuchaneventwouldbethatRuffianshadbeenhiredtoassassinatehim.Myaimistomakeapublicexampleofhim,andthisshouldbestronglyimpresseduponthosewhoareemployedtobringhimoff.”
Theplanworkedbeautifully.Champemanagedtosuccessfullydesert,though
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theextremesecrecyoftheplanmeantthatLee’sunsuspectingmengavechaseandnearlycapturedChampetobringhimbackforpunishment.Nevertheless,hemadeittotheshorenotfarfromtwoBritishshipsanddoveintothewater,swimmingmadlytowardthem.Afterhewastakenaboardandquestioned,theBritishbroughthimintothecity,whereGeneralClinton,
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uponinterviewinghim,deemedhisdesiretojointheBritishgenuine,introducedhimtoArnold,andplacedhimintheforceArnoldnowcommanded.
OverthenextfewweeksheformedaplantocaptureArnoldduringhiseveningwalk.However,ChampeneverturnedupontheeveningofDecember21,whenhewasscheduledtobringanunconsciousArnold
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toasmallboatwaitingintheriver.Afewdayslater,itwaslearnedthatArnold’sunit(inwhichChampewasnowservingaspartofhiscover)hadbeenunexpectedlyshippedofftoVirginiathedaybefore.WhathadbegunasapromisingattempttopurchaseadditionalsafetyfortheCulpersbyremovingadangerousenemyendedindisappointment.
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SMALLVICTORIES
DespitethecleverplottingofWashingtonandLeeandthevalianteffortsofJohnChampe,BenedictArnoldwasstillatlarge,whichmeanttheCulperRingwasstillatrisk—andoneofthemwasstillimprisoned.Thepressurewasfeltbyeverymember,butthespyatthecenteroftheringsufferedthemost.
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EvidenceofTownsend’scontinuedanxietyanddespondencythroughoutthefallandwinterof1780–81showsupintheaccountbookfromhisstore.Whereashehadpreviouslybeenquitepromptinrecordinghisbusinesstransactions,theentriessuddenlyappearfarmoresporadic.BetweenNovember1779andJuly1780,heupdatedhisaccountseverythreetofivedaysat
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first,thensloweddowntoeveryseventoninedays.Duringthoseeightmonths,hewasalmostpredictableinhisreckonings,withtheexceptionofFebruary–March1780,whenhetwicelapsedthirteendaysbetweenentries.Duringthesummerof1780,hisentriesbegantohavemuchlargerspansbetweenthem.HemadenoentriesforSeptember,justoneinOctober(ontheseventh),and
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thennothingagainuntilDecember2.Thenexttimeheseemstohavecrackedopenhisledgerafterthatwasnearlyfourmonthslater,onMarch29,1781.
Townsend’sspyingactivitieslargelyceasedduringtheseasonofhiswithdrawalfrombusiness,butWashingtontookadvantageofthattimetoshifthisfocustemporarilyfromManhattantothesurrounding
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areas.ThanksinparttothereportsstillcominginfromWoodhullonLongIsland,WashingtonbegantoreconsiderTallmadge’searlierproposalstostormcertainvulnerablelocationsontheisland.
OnNovember21,1780,Tallmadge(nowacolonelintheContinentalArmy)ledacontingencyofeightymenselectedfromhisSecondDragoons—alongwithCaleb
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Brewster,whoislistedasacaptainintheoperation—fromFairfield,Connecticut,acrossLongIslandSoundinwhaleboatstothetownofMountSinai,roughlysixmilesfromTallmadge’snativeSetauket.Battlingrainandhighwinds,theymarchedroughlytwentymilesthroughthenightofthetwenty-second,straightacrosstheislandtoMastic,onthesouthernshore,andattacked
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FortSt.GeorgeonthemorningofNovember23.ConstructedandfortifiedthepreviousyearbystaunchLoyalistsandnamedforthepatronsaintofEngland,theforthadalargestockpileofsuppliesandprovisions,includinganamplesupplyofhayuponwhichBritishsoldiersintheareadependedtofeedtheirlivestock.Afterabrieffightagainstthewell-armedresidents,Tallmadge’s
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menwereabletoseizecontrol,destroythestockpile,burnthehay,andtakethefort’sinhabitantsprisoner—allwithsufferingonlyoneinjuryontheirside.Theprisonersweremarchedbackacrosstheislandtotheboatsthatwerewaitingunderguard,andthewholecompanycrossedtheSoundagainforConnecticut.
Washingtonwaspleasedbytheeffortsandapplauded
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Tallmadgeinapersonalletter.Woodhull,too,senthiscongratulations,writingonNovember28,“Theburningtheforageisagreeabletomeandmusthurttheenemymuch.”
Itwasnotamajorbattlefromastrategicstandpoint,butitdeliveredanimportantmoraleboosttothePatriotsandprovidedapsychologicalvictoryovertheBritishbyprovingthatNewYorkand
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LongIslandhadnotbeenforgotten,norweretheyinvincible.
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WCHAPTER16
TheBeginningoftheEnd
iththedeathofAndré,theBritishfound
themselveswithoutaspymasteratatimewhensuchanofficerwasparticularlyimportant.Things
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wereheatingupinthesouthagain,particularlyinVirginia,whereArnold(withpoorChampeintow)hadsailedwithfifteenhundredtroopsinDecember1780.ClintonfoundhisattentionsdrawntotheChesapeakeevenastheraidatFortSt.GeorgehadprovedthatNewYorkcouldnotbeleftunattended.AmanwasnamedtofillAndré’svacancyandmanage
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intelligenceforthecommanderoftheBritishtroopsonAmericansoil.
MajorOliverDeLanceywasinhisearlythirties—aNewYorkCitynativewhosefamilywasamongtheearliestJewishsettlersintheAmericancolonies.HehadbeeneducatedinEnglandbutreturnedhomesoonafterthewarbeganinordertoorganizeaLoyalistregimentinNewYork.Hemaynot
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havehadthesamelevelofstarappealthatAndréenjoyed,buthewasbrilliant,able,andnowoperatinginhisnativeterritory,whichgavehimadistinctadvantageinunderstandingthepeople,customs,andterrain.HeimmediatelysetabouttoreorganizetheBritishintelligencesystem,unifyingcodesandbringinganumberofdisparateandindependentelementstogethersothat
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informationcouldmoreeasilybeshared,analyzed,andactedupon.
TheCulperRing,inthemeantime,stayedbusy(ifnotactiveinspying)asthecalendarturnedfrom1780to1781.Lateinthewinter,CalebBrewstercapturedaBritishboatandeightprisoners,includingtwoofficers.TownsendresumedhisbusinessandreopenedhisshopinthecityinMarch.
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Woodhulltriedtopersuadehimtostartgatheringintelligenceagain,butTownsendbelievedthattheBritishhaddispatchedaspyoftheirowninNewYorkwhowasactivelytryingtorootoutthesourcesandpathsoftheCulpers’informationandinsistedonlyinglow.ThematterwasdroppeduntiltheendofApril,whenTallmadgecouldfinallyreportthepending
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resurrectionofthering’sactivities,withafewadjustmentsmadetotheirformerroutine.“Theplanwhichhe[Woodhull]hasconsentedtoadopt,oncertainconditions,isforhimtoremainforthemostpartonLongIslandandC.Junr.whomhethinksmightbeengagedagain,toresideconstantlyatNewYork,”hewrotetoWashingtononthetwenty-fifth.“Thatsome
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confidentialpersonmustofcoursebeemployedtocarrydispatchesasitwouldcausesuspicionswhichmightleadtodetectionifeitheroftheCulpersshouldbefrequentlypassingfromNewYorktoSetauket,&c.theybeingmenofsomeconsiderablenote.”
Washingtonpreferredamoretimelydeliveryofintelligence,butheagreedtothisarrangement.TheCulpers’reportswere
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essentialtothecontinuedsuccessoftheAmericans,eveniftheydidtakeafewdayslongertoarrive.Thegeneralhadlearnedfromhisearliermistake;vitalinformationreceivedafewdayslatewasinfinitelypreferabletonoinformationatall.HequicklyrepliedtoTallmadge:
Thegreatobjectof
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informationyouareverywellacquaintedwith—suchas,Arrivals,Embarkations,PreparationsforMovements,alterationsofPositions,situationofPosts,Fortifications,Garrisons,strengthorweaknessofeach,distributionsandstrengthofCorps,andingeneraleverythingwhichcanbe
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interestingandimportantforustoknow.Besidesthese,uponasmallerscale,whicharenecessarytobereported:andthatwhateverintelligenceiscommunicatedoughttobenotingeneralterms,butindetail,andwiththegreatestprecision.
AtpresentIamanxioustoknow(forthereportshavebeen
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verynumerousvagueanduncertain)whetheranotherembarkationispreparing,andifsotowhatamount,andwheredestined.WhatthepresentforceoftheEnemyis;particularlyonLongIsland,inNewYorkandatKing’sBridge.WhatCorpsareatthelatterplace,howstrong,andwherepostedexactly—and
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indeedwhatthesituation,prospect,anddesignsoftheenemyare,sofarastheycanbepenetratedinto.
Washington’sinstructionsarevastintheirscopeanddisplaytheextremeconfidencehehadinhismostvaluableringtoobtainpreciselythebreadthanddepthofintelligencehe
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required.Hetookpainsinthesamelettertonotethathewas“engaginginbehalfoftheUnitedStatesaliberalrewardfortheservicesoftheC——s,(ofwhosefidelityandabilityIentertainahighopinion)itiscertainlybutreasonable,frompatriotismandeveryotherprinciple,thattheirexertionsshouldbeproportionatelygreat,tosubserveessentiallytheinterestofthePublic.”
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DespiteWashington’spraise,Townsendadamantlyrefusedtoputpentopaper.HehadseenhowAndréhadbeendoneinbythediscoveryofpapersandplans—hardanddamningevidencehecouldnotdenyortalkhiswayoutof.Hewouldbehappytoconveyorallywhateverinformationhehadobserved,TownsendexplainedtoWoodhullwhentheymetinthecityinearly
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May,buttheriskoftryingtosmugglewrittendocumentsoutofManhattanwasfartoogreat.Woodhullcouldnotdenythetruthofthoseconcerns,especiallynowthatOliverDeLanceywasassertinghisauthoritywithnewideasforuncoveringplotsintheirmidst.
InhisMay19lettertoTallmadge,Woodhullnotedthat,onthewaybacktoLongIslandfromvisiting
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Townsend,“theenemymusthavegotsomehintofmeforwhenpassingatBrooklynFerrywasstrictlyexaminedandtoldsomeviliansupportedacorrespondencefromthisplace.”TheletteralsoincludedintelligenceAustinRoehadobtainedverballyfromTownsendonhislastvisittothecity,buttheyallknewtheirvisitscouldnotbesofrequentastoraisesuspicions.Woodhull
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andTownsendworkedexhaustivelytorecruitanewmemberforthering,onewhowasnotalreadyunderthewatchfuleyesofBritishoperativesandcouldoperatefreelyinManhattanandsmuggleoutdetailedwrittenreports.“WhenatNewYorkmyself,togetherwithCulperJunior[we]almostrackedourinventiontopointoutaproperpersonandmadeseveralattemptsbutfailed—
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nopersonwillwrite,”Woodhulllamented.
SECRETSIXDELIVERYORKTOWNTOWASHINGTON
GeneralWashingtonremainedhopefulthatthenextmajormilitaryengagementwouldbefocusedonretakingNewYork,buthewasdepending
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heavilyontheFrenchnavy—specifically,thelargefleetunderthecommandofAdmiralFrançois-Joseph-PauldeGrasse,whichwascurrentlyintheCaribbean—becausethesuccessofthemissionwouldrelyinlargepartuponthemen,supplies,andshipsthattheFrenchcouldprovidetoshoreuptheinadequatelymannedandprovisionedAmericanforces.ThismeantthatWashington’s
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planswereatthemercyoftheFrenchleaderswhoorderedtheadmiraltosail.SowhenwordreachedthegeneralthatthefleetwouldbesailinginAugust1781toYorktown,Virginia,andnottoNewYork,hewasdisappointedbutknewhecouldnotaffordtosquandersuchanopportunity—especiallybecausehehadasecretweapon.
Byleavingasmall
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contingencyoftwenty-fivehundredmennorthofNewYorkandorderinganotherunittofakepreparationsforstormingStatenIsland,WashingtongambledthatthefeintswouldfrustrateGeneralClintonandleavehimunsureofwhetherornothecouldaffordtosendreinforcementstohelpoutLieutenantGeneralCharlesCornwallis,oneofBritain’smostesteemedandfearedgenerals,
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atYorktown.Meanwhile,Washingtonledhistroopsonamiserable,sweatysummermarchsouthwardtothemalarialswampsofeasternVirginia.
Atroughlythesametime,AllenMcLane—thesameMcLanewhohadharboredsuspicionsagainstBenedictArnoldinPhiladelphiain1778—hadbeenorderedtoLongIslandtogatheranyinformationhecould
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regardingthepreparationsoftheBritishshipssettobringreliefand,presumably,tomeetwiththeagentsalreadyworkingtherewhocouldprovidehimwithafullerpicturebeforeheslippedbackouttorejoinWashington’stroopsastheymadecampatYorktown.McLanehadspecialinstructionstolearnasmanyoftheBritishnavy’scodesignalsaspossible,sothattheFrenchfleetcould
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decipherwhattheenemyshipswerecommunicatingtooneanotherduringnavalengagements.Itwasanearlyimpossibletask,becauseshipsinharborareunlikelytousedistresscodesorsignalsforattack,soMcLanewaslefttotryanydesperateoraccidentalmannerhecoulddevisetopiecetogetherthesecretsystem—anineffective(nottomentiondangerous)approach.
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Fortunately,whileonLongIsland,McLanewasputintocontactwithJamesRivington.TheprinterandcoffeehouseownerwasstilloperatinghispressesandstillfraternizingwiththeBritishinManhattandespitethedangerstospies,andhispersistencehadpaidoff.WhethersomeonehadleftacopyinRivington’scoffeehouseortheBritishhadcommissionedhimtoprint
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additionalcopiesisnotclear,butsomehowhemanagedtoprocureacopyoftheentireBritishnavalcodebook.RivingtonpasseditontoMcLane,whorushedittoWashington.
BothMcLaneandthecodebookmadeitsafelyoffLongIslandanddowntoVirginiabytheendofthesummer,andWashingtonwasabletotransportthebooktoAdmiraldeGrasse’scustody
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bymid-September.InFrenchhands,itwasamoreeffectiveresourcethantheAmericanscouldhavedaredhopefor,anditslosswasmoredevastatingthantheBritishcouldhaveimagined.
ThesiegeofYorktownwasaroaringsuccess,thanksinnosmallparttodeGrasse’sabilitytoanticipatenearlyeverymovementoftheBritishfleet.Paralyzedbyindecisionforfearofleaving
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NewYorkvulnerabletoattack,anddespitecontinuedassurancestoCornwallisthathewouldsendreinforcements,GeneralClintonfailedtodeliveranyofthepromisedtroopstoVirginia.Trappedbybothlandandsea,Cornwalliswasunabletomusterthepowertobreakthroughineitherdirection.Hecouldnotattack;hecouldnotretreat.Awhiteflagwastheonly
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option.HesurrenderedonOctober19.
ThedefeatatYorktownwasanembarrassmenttotheentireBritishmilitaryandcausedatremendousspatbetweenClintonandCornwallisthatbecameapublicscandalbackinBritain.CornwallissetsailonthesameshipthatcarriedBenedictArnoldandhisfamilytoLondoninJanuary1782;onceonEnglishsoilhe
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wasabletoperformsomemeasureofdamagecontrolbyspeakingcriticallyofClinton’sleadership.ClintonsubmittedhisresignationasthecommanderinchiefforNorthAmericaanddepartedforEnglandinmid-May.In1783,hepublishedabooknarratinghisaccountofthe1781campaigninNorthAmerica,inwhichhewrotethatCornwallis’sfailingsultimatelyledtothedefeatat
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Yorktown.Tomilitaryleaderson
bothsides,however,theeventsatYorktownmadeitclearthattheconflictwasreachingitsnaturalend.TheAmericanshadstoodtheirgroundanddoggedlyfoughtforeveryinchoflandtheydeemedrightfullytheirown;theBritishgovernmentwasfinallyrecognizingthatsuperiormilitarymusclewasnotenoughtomakethe
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determinedPatriotarmybackdownwhentheyhadpowerfulalliesontheirside.OnMarch28,1782,wordreachedNewYorkfromLondonthattheHouseofCommonshadvotedtoendalloffensivestrikesintheAmericancolonies,thoughthatbynomeanssignifiedtheendofmilitaryoccupationorexercises.Atthesametime,amoremoderateprimeministerwascomingto
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powerbackedbyaParliamentthatgenerallyopposedthewar.Anendtothehostilitiesseemedinevitable,butmatterswerefarfromsettled.
Savannah,Charleston,andNewYorkstillremainedstrongholdsoftheBritisharmy,andWashingtonwasforcedtodecide,inthecriticalweeksfollowingYorktown,ifheshouldcontinuetomarchsouthward
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andeliminatethosethreatsbeforerefocusinghisenergiesandresourcesnorthwardonNewYork.Intheend,hedecidedtodividehisforces,sendingsometostrengthenthebeleagueredtroopsintheCarolinasandGeorgiabutreturningwiththemajorityofhistroopstotheHudsonValley,justabovethecity.HewassurethattheBritishwerenotgoingtoallowNewYorktofallwithoutafight.
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CHANGINGTIDESINNEWYORK
Unrestwaseruptingthroughoutthecity.ThepocketsofPatriotdissidentswhohaddugintheirheelsandstayedduringthelongdurationofthewarnowgrewbolderwhileLoyalistswhohadbeencertainofcomingoutofthewaronthewinningsidefeltbetrayedbytheCrown.Broadsidesandother
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printedmatterbegantoappearpostedonwallsandclutchedincitizens’hands.NewYorkersventeddiscontentmentwithvariouspoliticians,withtheking,withthewaringeneral.Rumorsofpeacenegotiationsbetweenthetwodelegationsbegantotrickleinviapacketships,andallwonderedwhatthetermsofpeacemightbe.SirGuyCarletonassumedtheroleofcommanderinchief
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fromClintoninMay1782,whichonlyaddedtothefeelingsofuncertainty,transition,andunrestevenastheBritishgovernmentseemedtoturnawayfromallinterestinacontinuedinvestmentintheAmericanconflict.
TheBritishofficersgarrisonedinNewYorkfearedanuprisingfromwithinbyemboldenedPatriotsalmostasmuchas
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theyfearedanexternalattackfromtheContinentalArmy.Bothoutofdesperationandasashowofpower,theBritishmilitarybeganenactingimpressmentmeasuresaroundthecity,pullingciviliansoutoftheirordinarylivestoserveintemporaryguarddutiesforkingandcountry,asCarleton’stightcommandofthecitymadeClinton’sauthorityseempaltry.
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WoodhullremarkedonthistrendwhenhewrotetoTallmadgeonJuly5:
TheirdesignappearsonlytoactonthedefensiveandbeaslittleexpensetotheCrownaspossible.Godgranttheirtimemaybeshortforwehavemuchreasontofearwithintheirlinesthat
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Carlton’sfingerwillbeheavierthanClinton’sThigh.Carlton’scalledaTyrantatNewYorkbytheinhabitantsingeneralandmakesthemdoSoldiersdutyinthecitywithoutdistinction.ThefirstGentlemenintheCitystandatOfficer’sdoorsSoldierlike.
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RobertTownsendmayhavebeenoneoftheseunwillingtemporaryrecruits.FamilytraditionheldthatyearslateraBritishuniformwasfoundstoredwithhisbelongings;whenquestionedaboutit,hereluctantlyspokeofhavingbeenimpressedintostandingwatchattheofficers’headquartersinNewYork.
InJuly1782,theBritishleftSavannah.Therewasno
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doubtthatthewarwouldsoonbeofficiallyover,withtheAmericansemergingvictorious;allbutthemostardentanddesperateToriesrecognizedthatonlytheformaltermsofapeacetreatyneededtobeestablishedbeforetheremainingenemytroopswouldbeforcedtoleavethesoilofthesovereign,independentUnitedStatesofAmerica.
Loyalistsnowhada
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difficultchoicetomake:Didtheystayandrebuildtheirlives,ordidtheyemigratebacktoEuropeornorthwardtoCanada?Therewassomehope,atfirst,thatanylandsandpropertyformerlyinToryhandswouldbereturnediftheyhadbeenseizedduringthewar;however,mostpeoplerecognizedthatsuchameasurewouldbedifficulttocarryoutand,insomecases,mightactuallyposeathreatto
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thenewnation,especiallyiflargetractsofacreageendedupbackinthehandsofthosewhoremainedloyaltothekingandwishedtorevivehostilities.Besides,thereasoningwas“Tothevictorsgothespoils”—evenifthatseemedunfortunateandunjust.ThemajorityofLoyalists,likethemajorityofPatriots(andtherevolutionaryagnostics),werehumblemenandwomen
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ofmodestmeans:smalllandowners,tenantfarmers,laborersinthecities,fishermenandlongshoremenalongthecoasts,huntersandtradersinthefrontiersoftheAppalachians.Anypropertytheypossessedlikelyhadnotbeen,norwouldbe,threatenedbyseizure.Indecidingwheretoliveouttheremainderoftheirdays,theyhadtotakeintoconsiderationtheinclinationsoftheir
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neighborsandtheirownconsciences;itwouldnotbeapleasantthingtobeforeverregardedas“theneighborwhofoughtagainstourgovernment.”SomeofthewealthiestcitizenshadalreadybookedpassagebacktoEngland;nowthecommonfolkbegantodothesame.
EachpacketshipthatarrivedinNewYorkHarborcarriedmorenewsfromEnglandandlesshopethat
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KingGeorgewouldprevail,orthatthosesubjectswhohadprofessedfidelitytohimwouldreceiveanykindofrewardfortheirloyaltyandfaithinthemostpowerfulmilitaryonearth.
TOWNSEND’SLASTLETTER
AsRobertTownsendrodeintoWestchesterCounty,
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NewYork,hecouldnothavehelpedbutadmirethebeautyofthefoliageandthecrispnessintheSeptemberair.NearlysixyearstothedayafterNathanHale’shanging,herewasanotherspycarryinghisreportsonNewYorkdirectlytoBenjaminTallmadge,andfromTallmadge’shandtheywouldreachWashington.
Itwasanunlikelymeetinginseveralways.Not
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longago,theridewestfromNewYorkCitytoWestchesterwouldhavebeenbarredbysentriesandcheckpoints.Itwasstillheavilyguarded,thatwastrue—theBritishdidnotwanttoletgoofNewYorkuntilabsolutelyrequiredtodoso,andtheyknewWashingtonwasprowlingoutside,readytopounceathisfirstopportunity—butonecouldnowpassmoresafelyinto
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American-heldterritorywithouthavingtotraversethesametrickyno-man’s-landthathadensnaredAndré.
ItwasalsoanunlikelymeetingbecauseTownsendhadfirmlydeclinedtocommitanythingtowritingbackinMay.ButnowhecouldseetheshakypositionofthecityandknewthatWashingtonneededthebestintelligencehecouldofferinordertocalculatethenext—
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andmaybefinal—moveofthewar.Townsendshoulderedtheresponsibilityofdeliveringthelatestreporthimself,figuringthatatthislatepointinthewarwithallthathadalreadytranspired,ifhewasarrestedandtriedasaspyhewouldhaveonlyhimselftoblame.
Finally,themeetingwasunlikelybecauseTownsendwascarryingnewsthatthewarwasnearlyover.Despite
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theBritishholdonNewYork,theAmericanswereinpositiontosecuretheirindependence,thanksinnosmallparttotheCulperRing.
ThemessageTownsenddeliveredtoTallmadge,withthedateSeptember19,1782,writtenacrossthetop,isthefinalsurvivingletterfromCulperJunior’shand.Thenewspaintedacityinupheaval:
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Thelastpacket[ship],sofarfrombringingbetternewstotheloyalists,hasindeedbroughttheclearestandunequivocalProofsthattheindependenceofAmericaisunconditionallytobeacknowledged,norwilltherebeanyconditionsinsistedonforthosewhojoinedtheKing’sStandard.
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ItissaidthatanExpeditionisnowformingatN.Y.andbymanyconjecturedtobeagainsttheFrenchFleet&c.atBoston;anumberofBritishTroopswereembarkingwhenIleftthecityonthe14thand15thinst[ant].ButIconversedfullywithoneofCarleton’sAidesonthissubject,who
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toldmethatImightdependtheywereboundtotheW.IndiesorHalifax.FormyownpartIhavenoexpectationthattheythinkofanyoffensivemovements.Theabovegentleman,withwhomIammostintimatelyconnected,informedmethatitisnowunderconsiderationtosendalltheB.Troopstothe
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WestIndies....Itisafactthat
afleetisgoingtoCharlestowntobringoffthatGarrison.
...SirGuyhimselfsaysthathethinksitnotimprobablethatthenextPacketmaybringordersforanevacuationofN.York.
AfleetisgettingreadytosailfortheBayofFundyaboutthe
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firstofOctobertotransportalargenumberofRefugeestothatQuarter.TheAideabovereferredtoinformsusthathethinksitprobableheshallgotherehimself.Indeed,IneversawsuchgeneraldistressanddissatisfactioninmylifeasispaintedinthecountenanceofeveryToryatN.Y.
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TheBeefContractorshadordersafewdayspasttoceasepurchasinganymorefortheNavyandfromtheappearanceofthingsthewholefleetaregettingreadyforamovement.
IammyselfuncertainwhentheTroopswillleaveN.Y.butImustconfessIratherbelieveifthe
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King’sMagazinescanberemoved,thattheywillleaveusthisfall.
UnfortunatelyforWashington,Townsend’spredictionofaBritishevacuationbeforetheendof1782provedalittletoooptimistic.InParis,whereJohnAdams,BenjaminFranklin,JohnJay,andHenryLaurenswererepresentingthe
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Americangovernment,negotiationsweredraggingonwithnosignofresolution.EvenafterCharlestonwasabandonedtotheAmericansonDecember14andSouthCarolinacouldboastitsfreedomfromtheCrown,SirGuyCarletonstayedplantedfirmlyandstubbornlyinNewYorkwithnoplanstomoveuntilorderedtodosobyKingGeorgehimself.Thetollonlifeandpropertythatwould
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resultfromanattackonNewYorknolongerseemedworththerisktoWashington,buthecouldnotcelebratevictory(norcouldanyofthecitizens)untilabindingtreatyhadbeenratifiedandNewYork—andAmerica—hadriditselfofforeignoccupation.
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TCHAPTER17
RetakingNewYorkatLast
heyear1783dawnedfullofpromise.OnFebruary3,the
governmentofGreatBritainformallyacknowledgedtheindependenceofwhatwereonceitsAmericancoloniesas
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theUnitedStatesofAmerica.Thefollowingdayitagreedtohaltallmilitaryinvolvement.InApril,apreliminarypeacetreatywasratified,andinJulytractsoflandinCanadawereopenedtoLoyalistsseekinganewlifeandaregionwasdesignatedforformerslaveswhohadfoughtforBritain.CrowdedshipsboundforNovaScotiaandNewBrunswicksailednorthward
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fromNewYorkHarbor.Butstill,theBritisharmyremainedfirmlyandfixedlyinManhattan.
Northofthecity,nearhisencampmentinNewburgh,WashingtonwasstrugglingtosubduearisinginsurrectionagainstthebackwagesowedandpromisesoflandthathadbeenofferedtoPatriotsoldiersbutwhichCongresshadfailedsofartodeliver.Combatmayhavereachedan
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end,buttheenemystillwouldnotleaveandthedauntingtaskofrebuildingthecountrywhilepayingdownthedebtsofwarloomedaschallengesstilltobefaced.
Woodhull,meanwhile,continuedtosendtheoccasionalreportfromLongIsland,thoughtherewasnothingofgreaturgencyorimportanceanymore.TheCulpershaddonetheirduty,
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anddoneitwell.AnotedatedJuly5,1783,wasaccompaniedbyafinalbalancerecordthatWoodhullsubmittedtoTallmadge,atthemajor’srequest:“IonlykeptthemostsimpleaccountthatIpossiblycould,forfearitshouldbetrayme,butItrustitisajustone—andIdoassureyouIhavebeenasfrugalaspossiblycould.IdesireyouwouldexplaintotheGenl.thecircumstances
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thatattendedthislengthycorrespondencethathemaybesatisfiedthatwehavenotbeenextravagant.”WoodhullthenconcludedtheletterinawaythatclearlyreflectedthepresentoptimisticmoodonLongIsland:“Wishingyouhealthandhappiness,Iamyourveryhumbleservant,Saml.Culper.”
Afterfiveyears,fourmajorplotsthwarted,
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countlessmisgivingsandclosecalls,anduntoldsleeplessnights,theCulpercorrespondencecametoanend.Theringhadoperatedeffectivelyfromtheveryheartoftheenemy’sheadquartersandhadneverbeensuccessfullyinfiltrated,uncovered,orunmasked,despitenumerouseffortsinthatvein.ThelossofAgent355wasatragedy,butitwasalsoremarkablethatthe
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casualtieswerenotmuchhighergivenhowclosetheCulpersweretotheenemyinManhattanandthedaringmovementsandmaneuversoftheagentsonLongIsland.WhilethespieshadnotbeenabletodeliverManhattantoWashingtonbeforethewar’send,theyhadbeenhiseyesandearsthere,enablinghimtobeattheBritishevenwithoutholdingthecity.TheCulperRingwasasuccess.
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AllthatremainednowbetweenWashingtonandhisspieswasthesettlingofsomesmallmonetarydebts;thelargerdebts—theintangiblekindthathelpedtoprotectafledglingnation—couldneverbefullyrepaid,nordidtheremainingmembersoftheCulperRingseekoutsuchpayment.Areturntoanopen,honest,andsimplelifeinanindependentnationfoundedontheirnativesoilwouldbe
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rewardenough.Andsotheyhoped,andprayed,andwaitedfortheBritishtodepartfromNewYorkatlonglast,evenastheaftermathofwarswirledaroundthem.
PEACERAGES
TheBritishdelegationfinallysignedtheTreatyofParisinSeptember,andWashington’s
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troopswereatthereadytorideintoManhattanasthelastredcoatleftthecity.ColonelTallmadge,however,wasconcernedforthesafetyofhisspieswhohadlivedandworkedasLoyalistsduringtheoccupationandmightnowfindthemselvesthreatenedbytheirnewlyempoweredPatriotneighborswhohadnoinklingoftheirtruesentimentsandbravery.HowcouldTownsenderase
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thefactthathehadrunastorethatservedBritishsoldiers,workedforaLoyalistnewspaper,frequentedthecoffeehousepopularamongtheofficers,andkeptcompanywiththosewhohadpenetratedtheinnercirclesofthetopbrassinthecity?
Toanyoneontheoutside,RobertTownsendhadnotonlyenjoyedarathercushylifeduringthewarbutalsoprofitedfromit.Thiswould
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hardlysitwellwiththosewhohadsufferedthelossoflife,limb,andpropertyforthesakeofAmericanindependence,andColonelTallmadgewasfearfulthatsomevengefulPatriotmightcomelookingforhispoundofflesh.Hewasdesperatetoseekouthisspiesandcontractbodyguardstoensuretheirpersonalwelfare,sendthemunderground,createforthemyetanotherfalse
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identityelsewhereinthecity,orevenspiritthemoutofNewYorkforatimeuntilpassionscooled.
Tallmadgewroteinhismemoirsoftheseconcerns:
Aslittledoubtcouldbeentertainedbutthatpeacewouldsoonfollow,Ifounditnecessarytotakesomestepstoinsurethe
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safetyofseveralpersonswithintheenemy’slines,whohadservedusfaithfullyandwithintelligenceduringthewar.AssomeofthesewereconsideredtobeoftheTorycharacter...IsuggestedtoGen.WashingtontheproprietyofmybeingpermittedtogotoNewYork,underthecover
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ofaflag.Thisheveryreadilygranted,andIproceededtoNewYork,whereIwassurroundedbyBritishtroops,tories,cowboys,andtraitors.
ThewholeexperienceofcrossingintoManhattanmusthavebeenrathersurrealforTallmadge,asheenjoyedtheunusualprivilegeofdining
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withGeneralCarletonhimself,andnotedthat“bytheofficersofthearmyandnavyIwastreatedwithgreatrespectandattention.”Headded,“Itwasnotalittleamusingtoseehowmen,toriesandrefugees,whoalittlebeforeutterednothingbuttheterms,rebelsandtraitorstotheirKing,againstalltheofficersoftheAmericanarmy,wouldnowcomearoundmewhilein
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NewYork,andbegmyprotectionagainstthedreadedrageoftheircountrymen.”
Despitethevariousdistractions,thebidsforhisattention,andhishigh-profilestatus,TallmadgewasabletomeetquietlyandsafelywithTownsendandtheothershewasseekingouttoensuretheirsecuritywhentheBritishfinallyevacuatedthecity.“WhileatNewYorkIsawandsecuredallwhohad
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beenfriendlytousthroughthewar,andespeciallyouremissaries,”hewrote.ThenherodenorthagaintoNewburghtowaitforWashington’snextorders:
HavingaccomplishedallmybusinessinNewYork,Ireturnedagaintothearmy,andmademyreporttotheCommander-in-Chief.
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Thetroopsnowbegantobeimpatienttoreturntotheirrespectivehomes,andthosethatweredestinedforthatpurpose,totakepossessionofthecity.Gen.Washingtonnowdismissedthegreaterpartofthearmyinsojudiciousaway,thatnounpleasantcircumstances
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occurred.
Thetroopsbrokecampandreturnedhome,theirservicecompletedandtheirdreamsforlibertyrealized.OnlythosesoldiersappointedtorideintoNewYorkwithWashingtonstayedon,eagerandgratefultobepartofthathistoricmoment.
FINALLYBACKINNEW
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YORK
AtnoononTuesday,November25,1783—coincidentally,thesamedateasRobertTownsend’sthirtiethbirthday—WashingtonrodeintoManhattan,withBenjaminTallmadgeamongtheofficersathisside.Acontingentrodeahead,scanningthestreetsasthelastoftheBritishofficersboardedtheirships;
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Washingtonfollowedwithhisofficersandtroopsspanningeightacross.Inthepreviousdaysandhoursleadinguptothatmoment,somejoyfulPatriotshadhoistedAmericanflagsovertheirhomesonlytohavethemtorndown;inafewcases,theycametoblowswiththeredcoatenforcers.ButnowthecitizensofNewYork,nolongersubjecttoBritishlaworBritishsoldiers,waved
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flagsfreelyasWashingtonrodeforward.Churchbellstollednotinwarningbutincelebration,andtheshoutsaftereachfiringofthecannonsweretriumphantratherthanterrified.Somepeopleevencrowdedatthewater’sedge,wavingattheshipssetfordepartureandlaughinglybiddingthedefeatedsoldiersonboardalovelytriphome.“Soperfectwastheorderofmarch,that
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entiretranquilityprevailed,andnothingoccurredtomarthegeneraljoy,”Tallmadgewrote.
Everycountenanceseemedtoexpressthetriumphofrepublicanprinciplesoverthemilitarydespotismwhichhadsolongpervadedthisnowhappycity.Mostofthe
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refugeeshadembarkedforNovaScotia,andthefewwhoremained,weretooinsignificanttobenoticedinthecrowd.Itwasindeedajoyfuldaytotheofficersandsoldiersofourarmy,andtoallthefriendsofAmericanindependence,whilethetroopsoftheenemy,stillinourwaters,andthehostoftoriesand
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refugees,weresorelymortified.Thejoyofmeetingfriends,whohadlongbeenseparatedbythecruelrigorsofwar,cannotbedescribed.
ThenextninedayswerefilledwithcelebrationsandvisitationsasWashingtontouredthecity.Ashisstep-grandson,George
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WashingtonParkeCustis,wouldlaterrecord,thegeneralevenmadeaspecialstopattheshopofJamesRivington,muchtothesurpriseofmanyoftheofficersinhiscompany,whoconsideredRivingtonaLoyalistscoundrelwhosecontinuedpresenceinthenewlyfreedNewYorkseemedanaffronttoallPatriots.ButWashingtonseemedpurposeful,even
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determined,asheexcusedhimselftospeakprivatelywithRivingtonabout(soheclaimed)certainbooksthattheprinterintendedtoorderfromLondon.Thetwomendisappearedbriefly,thencamebacktothefrontroom,whereWashingtonpreparedtotakehisleave.
“YourExcellencymayrelyuponmyespecialattentionbeinggiventotheagriculturalworks,”
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Rivingtonsaidasheescortedthepartytothedoor,voicingthesentimentsmostdeartothetiredgeneral’sheartatthatmoment,“which,ontheirarrival,willbeimmediatelyforwardedtoMountVernon,whereItrusttheywillcontributetoyourgratificationamidtheshadesofdomesticretirement.”
AtnoononDecember4,WashingtonmetwithhisofficersinFrauncesTavern,
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justafewblocksfromRivington’sestablishmentandtheFlyMarket,whereRobertTownsendhadoperatedhisshopandcarriedouthisspyingduties.“ThetimenowdrewnearwhentheCommander-in-ChiefintendedtoleavethispartofthecountryforhisbelovedretreatatMountVernon,”Tallmadgerecordedinhismemoirs,addingthat“itwasmadeknowntotheofficers
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theninNewYork,thatGen.Washingtonintendedtocommencehisjourneyonthatday.”
Enteringtheroompromptlyattwelveo’clock,Washingtonseatedhimselfandenjoyedalightlunchbeforeraisinghisglassofwine;speakinginavoiceheavywithemotion,hetoldthem:“WithaheartfullofloveandgratitudeInowtakeleaveofyou.Imostdevoutly
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wishthatyourlatterdaysmaybeasprosperousandhappyasyourformeroneshavebeengloriousandhonorable.”
Followingthetoast,Washingtonpausedbeforeadding,“[I]shallfeelobligedifeachofyouwillcomeandtakemebythehand.”Onebyone,theofficerssilentlycameforwardtoembracethegeneral.
“Thesimplethoughtthatwewerethenabouttopart
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fromthemanwhohadconductedusthroughalongandbloodywar...andthatweshouldseehisfacenomoreinthisworld,seemedtomeutterlyinsupportable,”Tallmadgewrote.AsolemnprocessionmarchedWashingtontothedocks,wherehewouldbeginhisjourneyhometoVirginia.Hewasatiredmanwhoearnestlybelievedhislifeofpublicservicewasover,and
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thatthenextgenerationwouldbethosecalledupontoleadthecountrythroughthecomingyears.Tallmadgenarratedthescenewithanoteoffinality:
Weallfollowedinmournfulsilencetothewharf,whereaprodigiouscrowdhadassembledtowitnessthedepartureofthe
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manwho,underGod,hadbeenthegreatagentinestablishingthegloryandindependenceoftheseUnitedStates.Assoonashewasseated,thebargeputoffintotheriver,andwhenoutinthestream,ourgreatandbelovedGeneralwaivedhishat,andbidusasilentadieu.
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“WETHEPEOPLE”
NotlongafterGeneralWashington’sdepartureforcivilianlife,hisbrothersinarmsfollowedsuit.“Inafewdays,”Tallmadgerecorded,“alltheofficerswhohadassembledatNewYorktoparticipateintheforegoingheart-rendingscene,departedtotheirseveralplacesofabode,tocommenceanewtheiravocationsforlife.”
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Theycould,atlonglast,enjoythefutureforwhichtheyhadallsogallantlyfought.
Tallmadge,too,returnedhometoamemorablecelebrationhedescribedinratherpoetictermsinhismemoirs:
Havingforsevenyearsbeenbanishedfromthehomeofmyfather,at
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Brookhaven,inSuffolkcounty,onLongIsland,Ideterminedtovisittheplaceofmynativity....BeingprincipallyWhigs,andnowemancipatedfromtheirlateseverebondage,thepeoplehaddeterminedthattheywouldcelebratetheoccasionbysomepublicdemonstrationoftheirjoy.They
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thereforeconcludedtohavepublicnoticegiven,thatonadaynearathand,theywouldhaveanoxroastedwholeonthepublicgreen,topartakeofwhichallwereinvitedtoattend.Irememberwell,thatafteramostjoyfulmeetingwithmyformerfriends(manyofwhomIhadnotseensincethe
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warcommenced),Iwasappointedmasterofceremoniesfortheoccasion.Whentheoxwaswellroasted,thenobleanimalonhisspitwasremovedtoaproperplace,andafterablessingfromtheGodofBattleshadbeeninvokedbymyhonoredfather,Ibegantocarve,dissect,anddistributetothemultitudearound
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me.Theagedandtheyoung,themaleandthefemale,rejoicedtoreceiveaportion,which,fromthenoveltyofthescene,andbeingincommemorationofsogreatanevent,obtainedaparticularzest.Allwasharmonyandjoy,forallseemedtobeofonemind.
ATorycouldnothavelivedinthat
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atmosphereoneminute....ThejoyoftheWhigpopulationthroughtheislandwasliterallyunbounded.
TallmadgethensetouttorideeastwardacrossLongIslandtovisitfriendsandsurveytheland.Asherodefromtowntotown,hewasquitedelightedtofindthatthePatrioticfervorhadnotbeen
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lostbythosecitizenswhohadenduredmuchsufferingundertheruleoftheBritishandthepoliticaldominanceoftheLoyalists:“Privatehospitalityandpublichonorweremostliberallybestowedonanymanwhohadservedintherevolutionaryarmy.”
AspicturesqueasTallmadge’stransitionbacktocivilianlifewas,hisformercommanderGeorgeWashingtonwouldnothave
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longtoenjoyhisown“shadesofdomesticretirement,”asJamesRivingtonhadwishedforhim.Despitemakingeveryefforttoremainoutofthepubliceye,onApril30,1789,WashingtononceagainfoundhimselfinNewYorkCity,thecapitalofthenewnation.Thistime,however,hishandwasrestingnotuponhisswordbutuponaBibleashewasswornintotheofficeofpresidentoftheUnited
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States.Hehadnotwantedthepositionandhadonlyacceptedreluctantlywhenhewasfinallypersuadedthathisleadershipwouldhelpunifytheformercoloniesoftheinfantnationthatwerestillstrugglingonwobblinglegstowardcompleteself-governancefreeofforeignpresenceoroccupation.Washingtonalsodeclinedallothertitlesandhonorariaotherthanthesimpleand
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directaddressof“Mr.President.”
ADISAPPOINTINGVISIT
Thefollowingyear,WashingtonmadeatourofLongIslandtomeetthepeopleandexaminethedamagedonetolandandpropertyduringtheBritishoccupation.Buthealsohaditinmindtoprivatelyvisitwith
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andthanktheindividualswhohadriskedsomuchtogatherintelligenceandsmuggleittohim.
HeapproachedSetauketonApril22,1790,andmadeastopat“theHouseofaCapt.Roe,whichistolerablydect.withobligingpeopleinit.”WhetherthoseobligingpeoplewithwhomhepassedseveralpleasanthoursincludedtherestoftheSetauketCulpers—Benjamin
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Tallmadge,AbrahamWoodhull,andCalebBrewster—orifhewasevenawarethathewaslodgingundertheroofofoneofthoseveryspieshehadjourneyedtothank,Washingtondidnotsay.Hisknowledgeoftheringmembers’trueidentitieswas,afterall,quitelimitedbydesign.Hehadnotwantedtoknowmorethanheneededtoinordertoprotectthem,andseveralofthemembers
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(Townsendinparticular)hadbeeninsistentthatWashingtonneverlearntheirnames.ThefollowingdayhetookhisleaveofRoe’stavernandcontinuedwestward,wherehistourtookhimtoOysterBay.HisbriefnotesmakenomentionofameetingwithRobertTownsendoranymemberofhisfamily,despitetheseniorSamuel’snumerousrun-inswiththelawandhissuffering
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asColonelSimcoe’sreluctantlandlord.HadWashingtonbeenawareofthedebtofgratitudethatheowedtoacertainnativesonofthistown,hisstaysurelywouldnothavebeensobrief.Instead,hemadehisvisit,paidhisrespectstothebravecitizensofthetown,androdeon,havingnevermetthemanhesoearnestlysoughttothank.
Bythetimethepresident
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crossedtheferrybacktoManhattanatsundownonApril24,hehadcompletedhiscircuitaroundthepartoftheislandwhereinlivedtheringofspieswhohadservedhimsofaithfullyandcarriedouttheirweightytaskwithsuchdedicationandcourage.HehadsincerelyhopedtohavesometimewiththemysteriousCulperJunior,whohadriskedhislife,health,andwell-beingforso
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long,passinginandoutofthelion’smoutheveryday,seekingtostillthemonarch’sroarwithinAmericanborders.Butnomatterthegreetingssentthegeneral’swayandtheinvitationsextended,Townsendneversteppedoutoftheshadowstomeetwithhiscommanderinchief.Itwasagreathonor,tobesure,butnotonethatTownsendsought.Hedidnotwantpraiseorcelebration;
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thegreatestrewardWashingtoncouldgivehimwassimplyareturntoaquietandunassuminglifeasamansubjecttonokingbutGod.
ThosefewwhoknewtheCulpers’secretkeptitclose,andallWashingtoncoulddowascarryinhisheartthegratitudehehadforthesacrificesofhisbravespies,whichwerenolessmeaningfulforhavingbeenmadeincitystreetsand
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countrybackroadsasonabattlefield.Forthesemenandwomen,too,hadgiventheirallto“establishJustice,insuredomesticTranquility,provideforthecommondefence,promotethegeneralWelfare,andsecuretheBlessingsofLibertytoourselvesandourPosterity.”
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WCHAPTER18
LifeAftertheRing
iththeendofthewarandthestartofthe
Americanrepublic,theCulperscouldreturntotheirlivesasordinarycitizens.Whileafewwerenotshyabouttheirroleinthewar
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effortandenjoyedabitofnotorietyfortheirdaringadventures,mostdidwhatallgoodspiesdo:Theycarriedoninobscurityasordinaryandunassumingpeoplewhoseneighborsneverknewtheyhadleddoublelives.Theirstorieswerepackedawaylikepressedflowersinthepagesofabook—quietlywaiting,undetectedforyears—torewardsomecuriousreaderdecadeslaterwiththe
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intricacyandbeautyoftheirdesign.Therewerewhispers,rumors,andlegends,ofcourse—butnoonepursuedthem,happytoleavewellenoughalonewhenthedesiredoutcomeoflibertyhadbeenreached,thoughatahighandterriblecost.
CalebBrewster,afterhisyearsofexcitementrowingbackandforthacrossLongIslandSoundinhiswhaleboatandengaginginhard-fought
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skirmishes,foundthatthesecondpartofhislifewasmuchquieterthanthefirst,thoughhewasneverfarfromthesea.HemarriedAnneLewisofFairfield,Connecticut,in1784,andmovedtoafarmatBlackRock,southwestofBridgeport,wherethecouplehadseveralchildren.BrewsterpassedawayathisfarmonFebruary13,1827,andforallofhisprodigious
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featsofbraveryandskillduringthewar,hisheadstonenoteshiseventualrankofcaptainandthensumsuphisservicesimply:“HewasabraveandactiveofficeroftheRevolution.”
JamesRivingtonhadalesstranquilretirement.AccordingtoGeorgeWashingtonParkeCustis,duringtheprivatemeetingbetweenWashingtonandRivingtoninthebookshop,
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theofficersinthefrontroomcoulddistinctlyhearabagofgoldcoinsbeinghandedtothebooksellerforhisspyingservicesduringthewar.Custis,however,wasnotactuallypresentfortheeventsandhadahabitofoccasionallyembellishingstoriesinaccordancewithhisownimagination.Whethergoldreallychangedhandsduringthismeetingornotremainsunclear.Butwhatis
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certainisthatRivingtonandhisshopreceivedspecialprotectioninthedaysandweeksfollowingtheBritishevacuation;therewouldbenoburningandlootingashadoccurredatthehandsoftheSonsofLibertyin1775.LatercorrespondenceofWashington’sconfidantsdefendedRivingtonagainstlibel.HeremainedinNewYork,thoughhisnewspaperbusinesssufferedbecauseof
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hisreputationasastaunchenemyofthenewrepublic.Hewaseventuallyforcedtoclosehisshop,butwitheightchildrentosupportbackinEngland,severalbadinvestments,andapersonaltasteforthehighlife,hisfinancialsituationdeteriorateduntilhewasforcedtoservetimeindebtors’prison.HediedinNewYork,wherehehadspentthirty-sixofhis
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seventy-eightyearsoflife,onJuly4,1802.
AustinRoe,likeCalebBrewster,achievedtherankofcaptainandcarriedthattitleproudlyfortherestofhislife.Heandhiswife,theformerCatherineJones,hadeightchildren;in1798,thefamilymovedfromSetauket,onthenorthshoreofLongIsland,toPatchogue,almostexactlyoppositeonthesouthernshore,andopeneda
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hotel.UnlikemanyoftheotherCulpers,Roeenjoyedsharingstoriesofhisspyingadventureswithlocalsandpatronsathisinn,thoughhewascarefultoprotecttheprivacyofhisfellowringmembers.HepassedawayonNovember29,1830,attheageofeighty-one.
BenjaminTallmadgemarriedMaryFloyd,daughterofMajorGeneralWilliamFloyd,asignerofthe
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DeclarationofIndependence.ThecouplemovedtoConnecticut,wheretheyhadsevenchildren;in1792,TallmadgewasappointedpostmasterforthetownofLitchfield.HewouldlaterservesixteenyearsintheHouseofRepresentatives(1801–17).Interestingly,inJanuary1817,oneofthefinalmattersTallmadgeundertookasacongressmanbeforeleavingofficewasto
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campaignagainstgrantingapensiontothethreemen(JohnPaulding,IsaacVanWart,andDavidWilliams)whofirstcapturedJohnAndré.Accordingtoapopularweeklycircularofthetime,Tallmadgearguedthatthemenwerehardlyheroes,despitetheirpublicimage,butwere,infact,“ofthatclassofpeoplewhopassedbetweenbotharmies,asofteninonecampasintheother.”
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Hisobjectionwasrootedinthefactthat“whenMajorAndré’sbootsweretakenoffbythem,itwastosearchforplunder,andnottodetecttreason....IfAndrécouldhavegiventothesementheamounttheydemandedforhisrelease,heneverwouldhavebeenhungforaspy,norincaptivity.”TallmadgediedonMarch7,1835.Hewaseighty-oneyearsold.
RobertTownsendnever
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spokeofhisservice,neverappliedforapension,nevercorrectedthosewhoassumedhehaddonenothingbuttendhisshopduringthewar,andnever,itseems,recoveredemotionallyfromtheblowofAgent355’scaptureandimprisonment.Afterthewarhegrewevenmorereservedandreclusive.Dr.PeterTownsend,thesonofhisbrotherSolomon,tookaparticularinterestinhis
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somber,silentuncleRobertandoftenaskedhimabouthisserviceduringthewar,buttheoldermanwastight-lippedandsharedverylittle.Townsendkepttohimself,stayingnearhisbrothersandtheirfamiliesbutnevermarryinghimself,thoughhemayhavefatheredachildwithhisFrench-Canadianhousekeeperintheyearsfollowingthewar.Thechild—alarge,blond,blue-eyed
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boywhoresembledalltheTownsendmenexcepttheslender,darkRobert—wasnamedRobertTownsendJr.byhismother,Mary.TherewassomesuspicionthatanotherTownsendbrother,theflirtatiousWilliam,the“flowerofthefamily,”whohappenedatthattimetoshareahousewithRobert,wasactuallythefather.ButRobert,havingnootherchildren,tookresponsibility
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fortheboy’seducationandwelfare;hiswillincludesbequestsforhissupposedson,severalnephews,andaniece.Townsenddevelopedstrongabolitionistbeliefsandstaunchlyopposedanytypeofslaveownership;laterinlifeheworkedonbehalfofsomeformerslavesofhisfather’stohelpthemgaintheirfreedom.ThemanonceknownasCulperJuniordiedexactlythreeyearsafter
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BenjaminTallmadge,onMarch7,1838,attheageofeighty-four.
AbrahamWoodhullmarriedMarySmithin1781.HespenttherestofhislifeinSetauket,whereheraisedthreechildrenandservedinrolesofauthorityintheSuffolkCountygovernment.Heneverspokemuchabouthisroleinthespyring.MarydiedbeforeAbraham;LydiaTerrybecamehissecondwife
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inhisfinalyears.HepassedawayonJanuary23,1826,andwasburiedintheSetauketPresbyterianChurchgraveyard.In1936,theMayflowerChapteroftheDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolutionerectedthefollowingmarkernearhissimpleheadstone:
FriendandconfidantofGeorgeWashington,
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HeadoftheLongIslandSecretServiceDuringtheAmericanRevolutionheoperatedunderthealiasSamuelCulper,Sr.TohimandhisassociateshavebeencreditedalargeshareofthesuccessoftheArmyoftheRevolution.BorninSetauketOct.7,1750intheoriginalWoodhullhomestead,sonof
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RichardW.&MargaretSmith.FifthgenerationfromRichardWoodhull,theoriginalgranteeofalargeportionofBrookhavenTown.HewasaPresbyterian,occupyinga“PewofAuthority”intheoldchurchanddoingmuchtowardthebuildingofthenewchurch.Hewasamanofintegrity
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punctualandpreciseinhisbusinessrelations.Hefreedhisslaveslongbeforetheywerelegallyfree.HefillednumerousimportantpositionsbeingMagistrateinSetauketmanyyears,JudgeoftheCourtofCommonPleas1793–1799,FirstJudgeofSuffolkCo.from1799–1810.
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Agent355,whosenameandwhosefatehavebothbeenlosttotime,mighthaveescapedimprisonmentandgoneontolivealongandhappylife.Orshemighthavepassedawaysomewhereinthedark,disease-infestedhullofHMSJersey.WhentheBritishleftNewYorkinNovember1783,theyabandonedtheJerseyintheharbor,withseveralthousandstarvingprisonersstillon
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board.Itisextremelydifficultto
learnmuchatallaboutthelivesanddeathsofthoseunluckyenoughtohavebeencaptured.AfterthesurrenderoftheBritish,theformercolonistssoughttopiecetogethertheirshatteredlivesandhomes;manyrecordswerelost,destroyed,orsimplyfiledawaywithoutanythoughttotheirdeepersignificance.Thousandsof
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individualsweremissingfrombattlefields,prisoncamps,andprisonships;thousandsmorewereuntraceableduetoemigration,desertion,orsimplywestwardmovementintothenewlyopenedterritoriesbeyondtheAppalachians.Inthemid-nineteenthcentury,asthegenerationwholivedduringtheRevolutionwaspassingaway,historiansmadesome
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effortstoreconstructlistsofinmates’namesbyinterviewingsurvivorsoftheJersey.Thoughquiterare(and,sincetheywererecalledseveraldecadesafterthefact,notwhollyreliableaccounts),women’snamesdoappearonsomeoftheselists;nonehaveyetbeenprovedtobethatofAgent355.
•••
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Forgenerations,theonlyRevolutionaryWarspyimmortalizedinhistorybookswasthebravebutultimatelyunsuccessfulNathanHale.TalesoftheCulperRingwererelegatedtolocallegendormystery(whowasCulperJunior?).LearningthetrueidentityofWashington’smostconsistentandvaluablespyintheonecitythegeneralvaluedmostwasapursuitundertakenbyseveral
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prominentresearchers,whoanalyzedtheoraltraditionsandfolloweduponhunches.Townsendwasalwaysamongthoseconsideredlikelycontenders,butthespycouldnotbeunmaskeduntilthe“wagonfull”ofhisletterswasfoundin1929andgivenovertothecareofMortonPennypacker,whocomparedthewritingwiththatofsurvivingCulperletters.Atlastamuchmorecomplete
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storyoftheringcouldbetold.
ThismomentousdiscoverywasmadeduringadarkanduncertaintimeinAmericanhistory.TheGreatDepressionthreatenedtheveryfabricofthenation,thenalleyeswerefocusedontheupheavalinEuropeandthecreepingthreatinthePacific.TheUnitedStateswaspoisedatthebrinkofitsnextgreatchapterandwasnot
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concernedwithrewritinghistory.DespitePennypacker’seffortstoshinealightontheseprovincialheroesofLongIsland,Manhattan,andcoastalConnecticut,theCulpersonceagainsankintoobscurity.Buteveniftheirstorywasnotknownacrossthenation,thefruitsoftheirlabors,theirletters,andtheirliveswere—andcontinuetobe—feltfromseatoshining
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seainthefreedomsandindependenceallAmericancitizensenjoy.
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WEpilogue
eknewthestoryoftheCulperRingwas
important.Weknewitwasastorywhosecharactersandeventsshouldbestandardfareinhistoryclassesacrossthecountry.Butwhatwedidn’tknowwashowrelevantitstillprovestoday
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withintheintelligencecommunityoftheUnitedStates.
InFebruary2012,weweregrantedaccesstoCIAHeadquartersinLangley,Virginia,wherewemetwiththeagency’schiefhistorian.
OutsidethebuildingisastatuehonoringNathanHale’scourageandpatriotism;insidethebuildingareexhibitsonvariousspyingoperationsofthepast.But
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nowheredidwefindhomagetotheCulperRing—untilwesatdownforourmeeting.
Wewerestunnedtolearnthatthehistoryoftheringistaughtaspartoftheintroductorytrainingfornewagents.WhethersuggestedbyWashingtonorTallmadge,orsimplyfiguredout,throughbraveryandintelligence,ontheirown,themethodsusedbythesecitizen-spies—thedeaddrops,thewell-crafted
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backstories,thecompartmentalizingofintelligence,thesecretencryptedcode—aremanyofthesamemethodsstillusedtodaybysecretagentstheworldover.
Andlikethecourageousmenandwomenofourmoderncovertservices,theCulpersworkedinprofoundsecrecy.Theyneversoughtcredit,neverreceivedaccolades,andneverrevealed
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theriskstheytookorthesacrificestheymadetoserveourcountry.UndertheunblinkingleadershipofBenjaminTallmadge,Washington’ssecretsixservedanewbornnationagainstamilitarythatwasconsideredtobeunbeatable.TheobservationofMajorGeorgeBeckwithbearsrepeating:“WashingtondidnotreallyoutfighttheBritish,hesimplyoutspiedus!”
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Inthisbook,wehaveincludedphotographsofsomeoftheplaces,portraits,andhumblegravesthatbearsilenttestimonytoournation’sfirstandmostaccomplishedringofclandestineoperatives.
Therearenostatuesofthesebravesouls,whosefeatsshouldearnthemaplaceofhonoralongsidetheheroesoftheRevolution.ItisoursinceresthopethatRobertTownsend,Abraham
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Woodhull,CalebBrewster,AustinRoe,JamesRivington,andAgent355willbegiventheirrightfulplaceinAmericanhistory.Theirextraordinaryheroismandpatriotism,unknowntotheircontemporaries,shouldnotbeforgotten.GeorgeWashingtonwouldn’thavewanteditanyotherway—afterall,hepreservedtheirlettersamonghisbelongings,anditisbecauseofhimthat
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weknowtheirstory.
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Thesecretsix’sintelligencerouteallowedthemtotransmittop-secretinformationfrom
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ManhattanthroughenemyterritorytoGeorgeWashingtoninabouttwoweeks.
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BenjaminTallmadge,whofoughtsidebysidewithGeorgeWashington,wastaskedwithformingtheCulperRing.HisleadershipandknowledgeofLongIslandmadehimindispensable.
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CollectionoftheLitchfieldHistoricalSociety,Litchfield,Connecticut,agratiscopyoftheworkdepositedinthesociety’slibrary
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RobertTownsenddidnothavethebravadoofhisolderbrotherorhisfather,buthisquieterheroicqualitiesmadehimtheperfectspyleader—CulperJunior.Truetohisunassumingcharacter,heseemsnevertohavecommissionedapaintingof
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himself.Thisoneroughsketchdepictinghiminhisfortiesisknown.CourtesyoftheFriendsofRaynhamHall,Inc.
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JamesRivingtonwastherespectedpublisheroftheRivingtonGazette,aloyalistnewspaper.WhattheBritishdidn’tknowwasthathewasalsoaspyforGeorgeWashington.Withthehelp
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ofRobertTownsend,heinterviewedBritishofficersabouttheirmilitaryexploitsandtooktheirinsideintelligencedirectlytoWashington.Rivington’sbiggestcontributionwasacquiringtheredcoats’battleplanforYorktown.ThecolonistswouldbeatLordCornwallisinthatbattleandwinthewarintheprocess.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety
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AustinRoe’stavernstillstandstoday,thoughitwasmovedfromitsoriginallocation.Fromhere,Roemadethefifty-five-milejourneytoManhattan,passingthroughoccupied
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ManhattanandLongIslandtoreachRobertTownsend.CourtesyKurtKnappPhotography
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ThefirstmantosignontothespyingmissionwasAbrahamWoodhull,knownasCulperSenior.Hisdetailedlogbookenabledhistorianstoputtogethermanyofhismovementsduringthering’syearsof
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operation.(Woodhullneverwantedtobepaidforspyingbutdidwanttobereimbursedforhisexpenses,oneofthereasonshislogentriesweresodetailedandaccurate.)Afterthewar,hebecamearespectedjudgebutneverspokeabouthisdaysintheCulperRing.NoportraitofAbrahamWoodhullexiststoday,buthisgravereflectshiseminentpositionasajudgeandhisanonymityasaspy.
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CourtesyKurtKnappPhotography
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Asthewarheatedup,thecoverforthesecretsixgrewdeeper.Firsttheyusedinvisibleink,thencode
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numbers,andfinallytheyusedboth,writingininvisibleinkbetweenthelinesinbooksusingthecodenumbersystem.Thispagefromoneofthefewcodebooksinventedbyandissuedtothesecretsixdemonstrateshowthespiesreplacedplacesandpeoplewithnumbers.CourtesyofLibraryofCongress,ManuscriptDivision
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RobertTownsend’sbusiness,Templeton&Stewart,wasjustafewblocksfromRivington’s
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Gazetteoffice,withtheLongIslandferrydocklocatedconvenientlybetweenthetwo.CourtesyofLibraryofCongress,ManuscriptDivision
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MajorJohnAndré,acharismaticladies’man,ranaBritishspyringandultimatelylosthislifebecauseofit.Afterhiscapture,hetriedtonegotiateaprisonerswapforhimself,butGeneral
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Washingtonhadonlyonedealinmind:aswapofAndréforBenedictArnold.Afterthatwasrejected,AndréwashangedonOctober2,1780.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety
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BenedictArnoldisknownforbeingatraitorbutbeforethatwasbestcharacterizedasarespectedbattlefieldgeneral.Hisexpectationthatthecolonistswouldlose
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thewarandhisbitternessoverhisbeliefthatCongressowedhimmoneytogetherpromptedhimtosecretlyjointheBritish.HadhesucceededinhandingoverWestPointtotheredcoats,WashingtonwouldhavelosttheHudsonRiverandmostcertainlythewar.TheCulperstippedoffWashingtontoArnold’straitorouswaysandthwartedtheplot.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety
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InadditiontoWestPoint,ArnoldhopedtodeliverGeorgeWashingtonintoBritishhandsaswell.HesentimportantintelligencebacktoManhattanwithMajorJohnAndré,whowas
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codenamedJohnAnderson.ThenoteshownhereultimatelycostAndréhislifewhenPatriotsinterceptedhimandfounditinhisboot.Andréhimselflaterdrewtheself-portraitbelowthenoteonthedaybeforehisexecution.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety
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In1783,GeorgeWashingtonandhisarmyreturnedtoNewYorkCityinvictory.HewouldreturnaspresidentsevenyearslaterandwouldgovernthecountryfromManhattan.MajorTallmadgeaskedthe
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generaltodelayhisentrysothathecouldsecuremembersofthering,becausemanythoughttheywereloyaltothekingandtheycouldbeharmedunlessprotected.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety
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RobertTownsend’sgrave,locatedontheedgeoftheTownsendfamilyburialsiteupagainstafence,isstartlinglynondescript.Townsendwouldn’thavewanteditanyotherway:an
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unassumingman,helivedanddiedwithoutrevealinghiskeyroleasoneofGeorgeWashington’smostsuccessfulandessentialspies.CourtesyKurtKnappPhotography
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Therearesomanygreatpeopleresponsibleforthecompletionofthisbook.Iurgeyoutoreadwhatfollowsandtakenoteofthemall.First,ImustthankmylongtimefriendBruceStegner,whomIinformedofthisringin1988;heheldontotheconceptandhas
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relentlesslyresearchedthesecretsixeversince,unwaveringinthebeliefthatthisstoryjusthadtobetoldtoalargeraudience.Andthankstoourrespectivefamilies—Renee,Rebecca,Olivia,andJuliaStegner;mywife,Dawn,Bryan,Kirstyn,andKaitlynKilmeade;andJeanette,Will,andMadeleineYaeger—forindulgingourexcitementaboutthestoryandmirroringourenthusiasm
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aseveryaspectoftheringwasbroughttolightandlife.
ThankstothebrilliantTiffanyYeckeBrooks,withoutwhomwecouldnothaveresearchedandwrittenthisproject.TiffanyhasworkedwithDonforyearsbutabsolutelyfellintohersweetspotonthisbook,becauseitcombinedherpassionforhistoricalresearchwithcreativewriting.Shekeptbothofusontask.
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RogerAiles,whoallowsmetoworkatthemostpatrioticcompanyinAmerica,isdueatremendousamountofthanks.HeunderlinedtheneedforallofustoknowourhistoryandrecognizetheincrediblebraveryandselflessnessofthefirstgenerationsofAmericans,whicharedemonstratedinthestoryofthesixbraveindividualswhomadeupAmerica’sfirstspy
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ring.Ofcourse,thisbook
couldnothavebeenwrittenwithouttheguidanceofall-starFoxVPBillShine,aLongIslanderwhoisendlesslysupportiveandunderstandsthesignificanceofthestorybecauseithappenedinhisbackyard.WealsooweasalutetoDianeBrandi,whowasthefirsttohearthebookpitch;withoutherguidanceandsupportthe
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projectwouldnevergottendone.
ImustalsosalutemyFox&Friendscohosts,SteveDoocy,GretchenCarlson,andAlisynCamerota,whohaveheardmetalkaboutthisstoryforyearsandcouldnothavebeenmoresupportive.ThanksforsteppinguptohelpmeduringherfreetimegotoAlysonMansfield,executiveproducerofKilmeade&Friends.Ialso
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can’tsayenoughfortheproducingteamonFox&Friends,ledbyLaurenPettersonandJenniferRauchet,fortheirfaithintheprojectbeforetheyreadevenawordonpaper.
ToBobBarnett,whobelievedintheprojectsomuchthathewiselynavigatedustotheSentinelimprintofthePenguinGrouptoseeitthrough—thankyou.Weareinaweofhis
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perpetuallysunny,upbeatapproachtolifeandhumbledbyhisloyaltytousevenashehandlesthemostfamousandpowerfulpeopleintheworld.
DonandIweretrulythrilledandmovedtoknowthatAdrianZackheim,presidentandpublisherofSentinel,wouldbeeditingthebook,anditfloweredunderhisskilledeye.AndwhatcanwesayaboutBriaSandfordthatwouldbesufficient
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thanksforherrole,exceptthatsheisatrueprofessionalineveryway,thrivesonmakingdeadlineshappen,isendlesslypatient,andisextremelybright?TosaythatshewaskindofimportanttothisprojectwouldbelikesayingthatLeBronJamesiskindofimportanttotheMiamiHeat.
Overthetwenty-plusyearsthatIhavespentlearningaboutthisstory,
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manypassionatepeopleandorganizationshavesharedwithmetheirhard-earnedknowledgeandresearchoftheringandthesehistoricalfigures.IfearImightleavesomeoneout,buthereitgoesnonetheless.
SteveRussellBoerneroftheEastHamptonLibraryLongIslandCollectionofferedpatienceandinsightthatwerecriticalinsomanywaystothesuccessofthe
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book.GinaPiastuckandFrankSorrentinofromthecollectionbroughtMortonPennypackerbacktolife,andthankstoFrank’srapidtranslationoftheWoodhull-Townsendlogs,wewereabletobreakmuchnewgroundonthisstory.ThankstoAndreaMeyerandJohnBurkeforthierworkonAgent355.AndthegoodpeopleatBlackRockhistoryinConnecticutwereagreatresourceforour
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CalebBrewsterresearch.TheinvaluableJohn
TsunisnotonlygaveusaconferenceroomathisHolidayInntoholdamajorsecretsixsummitwithhistoriansfromaroundLongIslandbutalsointroducedmetoGloriaRocchioandtheWardMelvilleHeritageOrganization.Gloriashedlightonmanyaspectsofthisstoryandhasbeenastalwartinsupportingthelegacyof
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theringandpreservingLongIslandhistory.Shehasbeennotonlyagreathelpbutalsoagreatfriend.MichaelColucciandDeborahBoudreau,alsopartoftheWardMelvillegroup,wereatremendoussourceofassistanceandencouragement.
WecouldnothaveseenthisprojectthroughwithoutthecooperationandhelpofthepeopleoftheRaynham
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HallMuseuminOysterBay.ClaireBellerjeau,Townsendfamilyhistorian,isoneofthemostknowledgeablepeopleyouwillmeetontheeraandthering;herknowledgeandenthusiasmwereessentialinmakingRobertTownsendandtherestofhisfamilycomealiveonthesepages.CollectionsmanagerNicoleMenchiseandexecutivedirectorHarrietGerardClarkcouldnothavebeenmore
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helpfulorinsightful.TheyallowedustowalkthehouseasRobertTownsenddidcenturiesago,fuelingourmotivationtospreadthisstorytomillionsmore.
IcouldnotimaginecarryingoutthisprojectwithoutBarbaraRussell,townofBrookhavenhistorian.ShenotonlyeducatedmeabouttheSetauketspiesof1780butalsobroughtmetothe
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locationsastheystandtoday.ElizabethKahnKaplanhelpedmenotonlywiththestorybutalso,ascuratoroftheThreeVillageHistoricalSociety’sexhibit,gotmyfamilyexcitedwithhertremendousknowledgeandpassion.Ifyoutrulywanttounderstandhowspecialthisrevolutionaryspystoryis,justspendafewminuteswithBevTyler.Hehasanawe-inspiringdepthofknowledge
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onthetopicandplayedakeyroleinacquiringmanyofthesketchesandmapsyouseeinthebook.
Specialthanksaredue,too,toMattArthur,LivingHistoryProgramcoordinatoratTryonPalaceHistoricSitesandGardensinNewBern,NorthCarolina,andtoRebeccaReimerArthur,lecturerinhistoryatLibertyUniversity,forsharingtheirtremendousknowledgeofthe
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eraandgenealogicalinvestigationsduringtheearlystagesofwritingthisbook.
Iftherewasonetripthatgalvanizedourbeliefthatthiswasabookthatshouldbewritten,itwasthejourneywetooktoCIAHeadquartersinLangley,Virginia.WhenweheardtheCIA’shistoriansandagentstalksomovinglyaboutthesuccessofthisringanditsmethods,weknew
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thatourinterestandawewerejustified.AttheirrequestIwillnotlisttheirnames,butIwouldliketoacknowledgetheCIAOfficeofPublicAffairsandtheCIA’shistoricalstaff.
Finally,I’dliketothanktheCIAOfficersMemorialFoundation(www.ciamemorialfoundation.org),theArmedForcesFoundation(www.armedforcesfoundation.org),andtheWoundedWarrior
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Project(www.woundedwarriorproject.org)fortheirsupportfortoday’sgenerationoffightersandspies,whichneedssupportmorethaneverbefore.
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SELECTEDSOURCES
Allen,ThomasB.,andCherylHarness.GeorgeWashington,Spymaster:HowAmericaOutspiedtheBritishandWontheRevolutionaryWar.Washington,D.C.:NationalGeographic,2004.
Ahighlyaccessiblebook,thisisagreatstartingpoint
![Page 1114: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1114.jpg)
foradultsandolderchildrenalikewhoareinterestedinthespyingactivitiesunderWashington’scommandduringtheRevolution.Itistheresultofsolidresearchandoffersagoodoverviewofespionageactivitiesthroughoutthewar.
Bakeless,JohnEdwin.Turncoats,Traitors,and
![Page 1115: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1115.jpg)
Heroes.NewYork:DaCapo,1998.
ThisworkprovidesalookattheunfortunateincidentofNathanHale,thesagaofBenedictArnold’streachery,andmanyothercovertoperationsintheAmericantheaterduringthewar,includingtheincredibleadventureofJohnChampeandhisattempttokidnapArnoldbackforthePatriots.
![Page 1116: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1116.jpg)
Baker,WilliamS.“ItineraryofGeneralWashingtonfromJune15,1775,toDecember23,1783.”ThePennsylvaniaMagazineofHistoryandBiography15,no.1(1891):41–87.http://jstor.org.
Crary,CatherineSnell.“TheToryandtheSpy:TheDoubleLifeofJamesRivington,”TheWilliamandMaryQuarterly,3rd
![Page 1117: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1117.jpg)
ser.,16,no.1(January1959):61–72.AccessedonlineMarch22,2013.
ThisarticlepullstogetheranumberofprimarysourcesthatshedlightonRivington’sspyingactivities,includinghiscontributiontothevictoryatYorktown,thatwerepreviouslydiscountedasapocryphal,andthereforeunreliable,bymanyhistorians.
![Page 1118: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1118.jpg)
Fernow,Brian,ed.DocumentsRelatingtotheColonialHistoryoftheStateofNewYork.Vol.15.StateArchives,vol.1.Albany,NY:Weed,ParsonsandCompany,1887.
“GeorgeWashingtonandtheCulperSpyRing.”StonyBrookUniversityLibraries.http://guides.library.stonybrook.edu/culper-spy-ring.
![Page 1119: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1119.jpg)
Kerber,LindaK.WomenoftheRepublic:IntellectandIdeologyinRevolutionaryAmerica.ChapelHill:UniversityofNorthCarolinaPress,1997.
Macy,Harry,Jr.“RobertTownsend,Jr.,ofNewYorkCity.”TheNewYorkGenealogicalandBiographicalRecord126(1995):25–34,108–12,192–98.
![Page 1120: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1120.jpg)
Perhapsmorethananyothersinglesource,thisarticleshedlightonthephysicalappearanceandrelationshipsoftheTownsendfamilyandalsoofferedanin-depthlookatRobertTownsendandhisinteractionwiththechildnamedRobertTownsendJr.afterthewar.
Nagy,JohnA.InvisibleInk:SpycraftoftheAmerican
![Page 1121: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1121.jpg)
Revolution.Yardley,PA:Westholme,2010.
NagyhascompiledasearchingandfascinatingexaminationofvarioustechniquesusedbyspiesthroughouttheAmericancoloniesandabroadtocommunicatecovertly.HisexplorationofthehistoryofinvisibleinkpriortotheCulperstain’sdevelopmentbySirJamesJay,aswellastheuseof
![Page 1122: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1122.jpg)
thatparticularformula,wastremendouslyhelpfulforthisbook.
———.SpiesintheContinentalCapital:EspionageAcrossPennsylvaniaDuringtheAmericanRevolution.Yardley,PA:Westholme,2011.
NewYorkGazette&Weekly.Templeton&Stewart.April
![Page 1123: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1123.jpg)
25,1774.Mercuryissue1174,p.2.
———.Templeton&Stewart.August15,1774.Mercuryissue1192,p.4.
———.Templeton&Stewart.February27,1775.Mercuryissue1220,p.3.
Norton,MaryBeth.Liberty’sDaughters:TheRevolutionaryExperienceofAmericanWomen,1750–
![Page 1124: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1124.jpg)
1800.Ithaca,NY:CornellUniversityPress,1996.
Afascinatingcompilationofprimarysources,thisbookoffersvaluableinsightintothechallengesandperilsofwomenlivinginwar-tornareasduringtheRevolution,includingthelightheartedletterfromLordRawdonabouttheoutbreakofsexualassaultsagainstladiesinBritish-occupiedStatenIsland.
![Page 1125: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1125.jpg)
Paul,JoelRichard.UnlikelyAllies:HowaMerchant,aPlaywright,andaSpySavedtheAmericanRevolution.NewYork:Riverhead,2009.
AdetailedaccountofthecovertactivitiesoftheFrenchgovernmentviathefabricatedRoderigueHortalez&Company,Paul’sresearchoffersadynamicandintriguingreconstructionofthe
![Page 1126: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1126.jpg)
eventsleadingupto,andresultingfrom,thesmugglingefforts.
Pennypacker,Morton.GeneralWashington’sSpies.WalnutCreek,CA:AegeanPark,1999.
Pennypacker’s1939publicationoftheCulperlettersincludesanarrativeofmanyoftheeventsinvolvingthering,astheywereknownatthetime,as
![Page 1127: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1127.jpg)
wellasbothtranscriptsandphotographsofmanyoftheoriginallettersexchangedbetweenseveralofthering’smembers,Tallmadge,andWashington.ItwasabsolutelyinvaluablenotonlytothecompositionofthisbookbutalsotounderstandingtheCulperstoryingeneral.
———.TwoSpies:Nathan
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HaleandRobertTownsend.BostonandNewYork:HoughtonMifflin,1930.
Pierce,Kara.“ARevolutionaryMasquerade:TheChroniclesofJamesRivington.”BinghamtonUniversity.n.d.http://wwwz.binghampton.edu/history/esources/journal-of-history/chronicles-of-james-rivington.html.
Pierce’sarticleoffersafascinatinglookintothe
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personallifeofJamesRivingtonaswellashisspyingactivitiesduringthewarandwasanimportantresourceinhelpingtoreconstructRivington’smysteriouscharacter.
Pierce,SusanM.TheHistoryofRaynhamHall.Thesis,ColumbiaUniversity,1986.
Thisthesisstudyprovidedmanyhelpfuldetailsabout
![Page 1130: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1130.jpg)
thearchitecturalhistoryoftheTownsendfamilyhomesteadanditspositionincolonialOysterBay.
Rose,Alexander.Washington’sSpies:TheStoryofAmerica’sFirstSpyRing.NewYork:Bantam,2006.
Roseundertookatremendousdepthofresearchtocompletehisbook,anditservedasan
![Page 1131: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1131.jpg)
excellentstartingpointinquiteafewplacesforourowninvestigationintothematter.EspeciallyhelpfulwashisengagementwithdisparateprimarysourcesthattogetherformedafullerpictureoftheCulperRing’sactivitiesandaccomplishments.
Ross,Peter.“AFewRevolutionaryHeroes—GeneralWoodhull—
![Page 1132: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1132.jpg)
ColonelTallmadge—GeneralParsons—ColonelMeigs.”AHistoryofLongIsland,fromItsEarliestSettlementtothePresentTime.NewYorkandChicago:Lewis,1902.
Schecter,Barnet.TheBattleforNewYork:TheCityattheHeartoftheAmericanRevolution.NewYork:Walker,2002.
Thisbookproved
![Page 1133: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1133.jpg)
especiallyimportantinhelpingustounderstandthevitalimportanceofNewYorkCitytotheoveralloutcomeofthewarandallowedustobettergraspthesignificanceofitspolitical,strategic,andsymbolicimpact.ItalsohelpedusexplainthehighregardthatWashingtonhadforhisspynetworkwithinthecity.
![Page 1134: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1134.jpg)
Tallmadge,Benjamin.MemoirofColonelBenjaminTallmadgePreparedbyHimselfattheRequestofHisChildren.NewYork:ThomasHolman,1858.Reprint,NewYork:NewYorkTimes,1968.
MostoftheaccountsofTallmadge’sactivitiesandemotionscomedirectlyfromhisownpeninthememoirsheoriginally
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wroteinthefinalyearsofhislifeandfirstpublishedforwidespreaddistributionin1858.Rarelyisanauthorsoluckyastohavetheimpressionsandreflectionsofahistoricalfigureinhisoriginalwords.ThisisanespeciallyvaluableresourceforanystudentoftheAmericanRevolutionorWashington’sspycraft.
![Page 1136: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1136.jpg)
Townsend,Robert.“AccountBookofRobertTownsend,Merchant,ofOysterBayTownship,N.Y.,andNewYork,N.Y.,BegunNovember23,1779,andContinuedtoMarch29,1781.”Transcription.EastHamptonLibrary,LongIslandCollection,EastHampton,NY.
Thefirsthandinformationrevealedinthisdocumentwasextremelyhelpfulin
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understandingmoreabouthowTownsendoperatedfirstinOysterBayandlaterinManhattan.BoththedetailedentriesandtheperiodsofinactivityrevealagreatdealaboutTownsend’spatternsofbehavior,possibleemotionalstruggles,andbusinesshabitsinmanaginghisshopandhisdailylife.
![Page 1138: George Washington's Secret Six](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022071523/613cb73fa3339922f86ee65d/html5/thumbnails/1138.jpg)
Woodhull,MaryGould,andFrancisBowesStevens.WoodhullGenealogy:TheWoodhullFamilyinEnglandandAmerica.Philadelphia:H.T.Coates,1904.
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INDEX
Thepagenumbersinthisindexrefertotheprintedversionofthisbook.Thelinkprovidedwilltakeyoutothebeginningofthatprintpage.Youmayneedtoscrollforwardfromthatlocationtofindthecorrespondingreferenceonyoure-reader.
abolitionism,212
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Adams,John,3,195Agent355,xvii,97,123,135,
144–46,149,213,216André’spossibleconnectionwith,94,117,146
ascovertagent,xviii,87possiblecaptureof,177–78,211speculationastoidentityof,93–94
Townsendand,87,165,173,177–78,211
AmericanRevolution,11,36Anderson,John,seeAndré,JohnAndré,John,85–86,97,108,117,
127BenedictArnoldand,134–38,
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144–46,151–61captureandexecutionof,160–61,163–73,175,185,187,211
PeggyShippenArnoldand,86,131–32,134
AppalachianMountains,16,117,193,213
Arnold,Benedict,xv,86André’scaptureand,160–61,163–64,166–68
inBritisharmy,179–80,185asBritishspy,134–39,141–46,151–53,155,219
courtshipandmarriageofPeggyShippenby,132–33
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CulperRingand,142–43,161,164,173,175–81
inEngland,190escapeby,167–68insecureandresentfulnatureof,127–28,129,133,145,169,173
moneytroublesof,129,130,133,136–37
newcommandsoughtby,127inPhiladelphia,127,130–34,136–38,189
plotstorecapture,180–81WestPointcommandof,137–39,142,146,149,154–56,159–61
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Arnold,EdwardShippen,136,168,173,190
Arnold,MargaretMansfield,128–29
Arnold,Margaret“Peggy”Shippen,131–34,136,145,168,173,190
Andréand,86,132,134,144asLoyalist,86,131,138
AtlanticOcean,16,70,77,119
Bailey,Nathan,134Beckwith,George,216BlackRock,Conn.,210Blackstone,William,134Bolton,John,seeTallmadge,
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BenjaminBoston,Mass.,17,37Britishexpelledfrom,3,5,13
Boston,Siegeof,5,21BostonMassacre,17,128–29BostonTeaParty,17,131Brest,121Brewster,AnneLewis,209Brewster,Caleb,xvii,58,66,91,
93,148,206,216characterandpersonalityof,55–57
ascourier,102,123–24,177navalandshipbuildingreportsof,60–61,135
postwarlifeof,209–10
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withSecondLightDragoons,182,186
Tallmadgeferriedby,64Bridgeport,Conn.,210Britain,British:Americanindependencegrantedby,197
attacksonwomenby,48–49Brooklyncapturedby,10–11counterfeitingschemeby,xv,103–6,142
expelledfromBoston,3,5,13France’srivalrywith,120inFrenchandIndianWar,15–16
HudsonRiverpatrolsof,151–52
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intelligencesystemof,185–86LongIslandoccupiedby,1,3,27,31,49,56,59,73,75–76,110,135,136,142,187
navalcodebookof,xv,189–90NewYorkoccupiedby,xvi,3,13–14,15,19–20,28,34,43–44,49,73–75,93,110,113,126,127,132,134,139,145–46,157,177,180,185,187,191–93,194–99
Philadelphiaabandonedby,34,130,132
prisonshipsof,38spiesof,125Tallmadge’scampraidedby,
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89–90WashingtontrappedinBrooklynHeightsby,11
Britisharmy,26,27,102Brookhaven,35,204,212Brooklyn,7,10,26,73portof,122strategicimportanceof,81–82
Brooklyn,Battleof,15,37,43,74Brooklynferry,46,188BrooklynHeights,10–12Brown,John,129Buchanan,Thomas,74Buchananfamily,71,74,77BunkerHill,Battleof,36–37,60
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Canada,192,197CaribbeanSea,16,128,188Carleton,SirGuy,191–92,195–
96,200CentralIntelligenceAgency,215Champe,John,180–81,185,219Charleston,S.C.,117,191,195–96ChesapeakeBay,152,185Chester,John,37Clinton,Henry,7,85,91,117,
119,123–25,127,141,147,154,177,181,185,189–92
André’scaptureand,170–73Arnoldand,134,136–37,139,143,145,170
Concord,Mass.,36
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Connecticut,4,12,37,42,45,49,51,65,93,110,112,123,129,138,145,147,166,176,183,211,214
militiaof,21,129Tallmadgein,53,56,57,64,82
Connecticut’sContinentalLine,37ContinentalArmy,4,8,11,18–20,
22,27,33,35,64,77,130,132,135,143,167,170–71,182,192,197
impactofBritishcounterfeitingon,103–4
Townsendand,73–74ContinentalCongress,5,37,176,
197
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Arnoldchargedreparationsby,136–37
First,18,131mintof,104Second,7,18,131
Cornwallis,Charles,189,190counterfeiting,xv,103–6,142Coventry,Conn.,20CowBoys,156–57Cresswell,Nicholas,43CrotonRiver,157Culper,Samuel,Junior,see
Townsend,RobertCulper,Samuel,Senior,see
Woodhull,AbrahamCulperRing,xv–xviii,58,82,87,
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102,138,141,186–88,194,197–98,222–23
Arnoldand,142–43,161,164,173,175–81
codeusedby,90–92,94,107comparedwithArnoldandAndré,134–35
invisibleinkusedby,62–67,90,96–97,99,114,134,148
lettersof,222postwarlivesof,209–14relativeobscurityof,213–14returnof,122–24,126revocationof,122,127taughtinCIAtraining,215–16timelinessofreportsof,109–12,
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116,119Townsend’sresignationand,115
Washington’spostwarvisitswith,205–7
CurrencyAct,17Custis,GeorgeWashingtonParke,
202,210
Danbury,Conn.,60Deausenberry,John,113–14Deausenberryfamily,112–14DeclarationofIndependence,7,
43,73,107,131,211DeLancey,Oliver,185–86,188Delaware,130
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Devil’sBelt,93Diehel,Daniel,115–16DobbsFerry,N.Y.,151,159DuchessofGordon,106
EastHampton,61EastRiver,42,100England,62,86,105,106,172,
185,193,210Enlightenment,Ageof,36Entick’sSpellingDictionary,91Erskine,General,61espionage,eighteenth-century
perceptionsof,69Estaing,Jean-Baptiste-Charles-
Henri-Hectord’,121
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Europe,214tradingwith,71
ExpéditionParticulière(SpecialExpedition),121
Fairfield,Conn.,182,209farmers:Britishoccupationand,47gentleman,59inHudsonValley,45merchantsand,44–45smugglingby,45–46
fishermen,smugglingby,45–46Florida,16Floyd,Mary,211Floyd,William,211
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Floydfamily,85Flushing,61FlyMarket,74,203FortKnyphausen,81FortSt.George,182,185FortTiconderoga,129France,77asAmericanally,221Britainasrivalof,120cryptographyin,91Franklinin,34,120inFrenchandIndianWar,15–16
troopssentby,xv,117,119–22,124–26,141–42,147–48
Franklin,Benjamin,34,77,120,
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195Franks,Major,166FrauncesTavern,203FrenchandIndianWar,15–16,17,
29,34,70,128
GeorgeIII,kingofEngland,4,7,11,17,19,25,42,43,49,62,84,120,131,133,145,193,196
Georgia,8,18,191Germans,seeHessiansGermantown,Pa.,39Grasse,François-Joseph-Paulde,
124,188,190Graves,Admiral,124
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GreatDepression,214Greene,Nathanael,170
Hackensack,N.J.,28Hale,Nathan,20–25,31,34,36,
213,215executionof,1,3,26–27,30,33,38,58,172,193,219
Halifax,NovaScotia,6,83,195Hamilton,Alexander,26,124,148,
153,165–68Hancock,John,38HardWinter,11Harlem,81HarlemRiver,81Hartford,Conn.,165
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HaverstrawBay,157Hawkins,Jonas,60,90,92,100Henry,Patrick,xvi,18Hessians,10–11,27,29–30Higday,George,89–90Honeyman,John,29–31,126Hooper,William,107–8Horn’sHook,81HouseofRepresentatives,U.S.,
211Howard,William,Jr.,9–10Howard,William,Sr.,9–10Howe,Robert,143–44,156Howe,William,28,86,107NewYorkasgoalof,5–6,8,10,12
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HudsonRiver,6,109,112,142,146,151,157,167
HudsonValley,4,45,62,136,191Huntingdon,FrancisHastings,
tenthEarlof,48Huntington,N.Y.,65Huntington,Samuel,176
IntolerableActs,18,131,180invisibleink,62–67,90,96–97,99,
114,134,148,221Iredell,James,107
Jamaica,61JamaicaPass,9,12,37,74Jameson,John,160–61,163–64,
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167,170Jay,James,62,63,221Jay,John,62,195Jefferson,Thomas,18Jersey,HMS,178,213Jewishsettlers,earliest,185
King’sBridge,187King’sCollege(Columbia
University),62Knowlton,Thomas,20–23
Lafayette,Marquisde,121,142Langley,Va.,215Laurens,Henry,195Lee,Henry,18,180–81
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Lexington,Mass.,36LexingtonandConcord,fighting
at,18,36,73Litchfield,Conn.,211Lloyd’sNeck,122London,17,86,190–91,202LongIsland,xv,xvi,9,34,35,41,
48,50,66,69,78,81,82,85,93,96,100,102,122,148,176,178,186,188,198,214
Britishoccupationof,1,3,27,31,49,56,59,73,75–76,110,135,136,142,187
deterioratingstateofaffairson,60
fightingon,74
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Haleon,1,20,21,23–26,38impactofRevolutionon,47–49Loyalistson,21,25–26,56,75,103,182,205
luxurygoodsand,45–46Patriotson,52Scott’smissionsto,58shipsandshipbuildingon,60–61,189
smugglingon,45troopmovementson,142,147–48
Washington’stourof,205–6Woodhull’sreportson,59
LongIslandmilitia,37LongIslandSound,42,46,47,57,
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62,82,93,112,123,147,177,182–83,209
privateersin,65–66LouisXVI,kingofFrance,34,120Loyalists:Buchananfamilyas,71,77emigrationtoEnglandandCanadaby,192–93,197
Haleand,20–21,25–26onLongIsland,21,25–26,56,75,103,182,205
masqueradingas,112–14inNewYork,9,42–43,84–87,93–94,144–45,153,185,191,195
PeggyShippenArnoldas,86,
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131inPhiladelphia,131,134–35postwarconcernsforspieswhomasqueradedas,199–201,202
Rivington’sspyingamong,107–8,177,189–90,220,222
luxurygoods,45–46,72
McLane,Allen,130,189Manhattan,xviii,1,6,7,9,10,26,
34,61,87,93,139,198,206,214
Andréin,85–86Britishcaptureof,23,31,43–44,73–74,117
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“HolyGround”districtin,72–73Patriot-held,11–12Townsendin,72–73,74–77,79–82,83–85,106,146–47,149,178,186–88,202,224
Underhillboardinghousein,42,46,48,57,66,67
seealsoNewYork,N.Y.Mary(housekeeper),212Maryland,9,28Massachusetts,4,6,8,17fightingatLexingtonandConcordin,18,36,73
Patriotvictoriesin,5MassachusettsCommitteeof
Safety,129
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Mastic,N.Y.,182MemoirsoftheWarinthe
SouthernDepartmentoftheUnitedStates(Lee),180
mid-Atlanticregion,27,73Montreal,77Montresor,John,26Morristown,N.J.,115MountSinai,N.Y.,182MountVernon,202–3Mulligan,Hercules,115–16
NarragansettBay,R.I.,122Navy,French,122,188–90NewBrunswick,N.J.,28,30,197Newburgh,N.Y.,197,200
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NewHampshire,8NewHaven,Conn.,128,130,138,
169NewJersey,7,27,28,110,152,
180NewLondon,Conn.,21Newport,R.I.,121,125,141Newtown,61,82NewYork,N.Y.,50,90,100,105,
106,115,122,123,131,152,156,177,189,210
Arnoldin,176Britishin,xvi,3,13–14,15,19–20,28,34,43–44,49,73–75,93,110,113,127,132,134,136,139,145–46,157,177,
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180,185,187,191–93,194–99
asBritishtarget,5,9Britishwithdrawalfrom,199–201,213
Culperlettersfrom,110–11fashionablesocietyin,93–94Loyalistsin,42–43,84–87,93–94,144–45,153,185,191,195
merchantsin,45strategicimportanceof,5–7,97,190,223
Townsendin,80–82Washington’sdecisionnottoattack,124–26,182–83
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Washington’sinaugurationin,205
Washington’splanstorecapture,20,85,117,119,124,147,188,191,193–96
seealsoManhattanNewYorkGeneralAssembly,70NewYorkHarbor,3,6,38,56,93,
124,125,193,197NewYorkProvincialCongress,73NewYorkState,27,71,73,166needforspyringin,33–34,49–50,120
northern,77,129upstate,138
NorthCarolina,71,107–8,191
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NorthCastle,160–61,164NorthRiver,100NovaScotia,197,202
OhioRiver,16OysterBay,N.Y.,xvi,xvii,xviii,
27,61,66,67,70,74–75,76,85,152,205,222,224
PacificOcean,214Paris,negotiationsin,195–96ParkofArtillery,26Parliament,British,17–18,128,
131oppositiontoAmericanwarin,190–91
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Patchogue,N.Y.,210Patriots,xvi,4,5Paulding,John,158–60,211Pennsylvania,7,27,28Pennypacker,Morton,xv–xvii,
214,222Philadelphia,Pa.,4,7,28,33,39,
84,86,94,104Arnoldin,127,130–34,136–38,189
Britisharmy’sabandonmentof,34,130,132
ContinentalCongressin,18,131Loyalistsin,86,131,134–35
prisonships,178privateers,65–66
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prostitution,48–49,72–73Providence,R.I.,4Putnam,Israel,60
Quakers,72Quebec,invasionof,136–37QueensCounty,74QueensCountyMilitia,74Queen’sRangers,66–67,75,110,
152
Rall,Johann,29–30Rawdon,Lord,48,220Revere,Paul,xviRhodeIsland,121,124,141RisingSunTavern,39
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Rivington,James,xvii,78,84–85,96,117,131,205,216
asAmericanagent,105–8,177,189–90,220,222
coffeehouseof,85,86,135Washingtonand,202,210
Robinson,Beverly,154Rochambeau,CountJean-Baptiste
DonatiendeVimeurde,121RockawayPath,10RodrigueHortalez&Company,
120,221Roe,Austin,xvii,9,56–58,60,90,
93,96,123,148,177,188,216
postwarlifeof,210–11
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tavernof,66,135,206,211Roe,CatherineJones,210Roosevelt,Theodore,xviiRoss,Betsy,xviRoyalGazette,84–85,86,105–8,
199RoyalNavy,British,8,12,56–57,
121movementsof,111,135,195
Sackett,Nathaniel,33,34Salem,Conn.,168Saratoga,Battlesof,130Savannah,Ga.,121,191Britishdeparturefrom,192
Scott,Charles,34,50,52,58
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SecondContinentalLightDragoons,38–50,152,168,182
SecondPartisanCorps,180Setauket,N.Y.,xviii,35,46,57,
62,66,70,82,90,95,111,182,186,206,210
SetauketPresbyterianChurch,212–13
Sheldon,Elisha,152,168Shippen,Margaret“Peggy,”see
Arnold,Margaret“Peggy”Shippen
Simcoe,John,61,66–67,75–76,77,110,152,206
Smallwood’sRegiment,28
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Smith,JoshuaHett,154–58,175socialclass,92–93SonsofLiberty,17,84,210Southampton,N.Y.,61SouthCarolina,117,127,191,196Spain,Floridaheldby,16Stamford,Conn.,23StampAct,17,128StampActCongress,17StatenIsland,7,8,19,48,109,
115,220Strong,AnnaSmith,93Strong,Selah,93SuffolkCounty,35SugarAct,17,128SupremeCourt,U.S.,107
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Sutherland,Captain,154
Tallmadge,Benjamin,55,83,206,223
André’scaptureand,160–61,163–65,168–70,172–73
Arnoldand,169,178–79onArnoldasrisktoCulpers,176–79
backgroundandeducationof,35–37
Britishraidsoncampof,89–90aschiefofintelligence,58codedevelopedby,90–93concernforpostwarsafetyofspiesby,199
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CulperRingcommandedby,xvii,57,60,80,94,109–11,114–16,215–16
Haleand,21–22,37onNewYorkreturn,201–4postwarlifeof,211,212returntoLongIslandby,204–5andSecondContinentalLightDragoons,35,38–40,168,182–83
Townsend’sdeliveryto,193–94Washingtonand,119,123Woodhulland,89,114,122,124,147–49,183,186,192,198,222
Woodhullrecruitedby,49–53,
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56Woodhull’sanxietiesand,64–65,67,102–3
Tallmadge,Benjamin(father),35,37–38,204
Tallmadge,Samuel,52Tallmadge,SusannahSmith,35Tallmadge,William,37–38Tallmadge,ZipporahStrong,37Tallmadgefamily,70Tappan,N.Y.,172taxesonAmericancolonists,17,
45,128Teller’sPoint,153Templeton&Stewart,72Townsend,James,112–15,119
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Townsend,Peter,211Townsend,Robert,69,71,74–77,
91,201,202,216,220,224Agent355and,87,165,173,177–78,211
onAndré’sdeath,172–73onBritishcounterfeiting,104–5Britishimpressmentof,192characterandpersonalityof,71–72
concernsinwakeofArnold’sescape,176–79,182
ContinentalArmyand,73–74identificationas“CulperJunior”of,xvi–xvii,214
postwarconcernsof,199–200
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postwarlifeof,211–12recruitmentof,77–80resignationof,115resumptionofspyingby,123–24Rivingtonand,105–8spyingcareerof,83–85,89,94–97,100–102,112,114,135,146–47,149,186–88
Washingtonon,80–82,94–96,111,176–77,206–7
WestchesterdeliverytoTallmadgeby,193–96
Townsend,Robert,Jr.,211–12,220
Townsend,Samuel,xvii,70–74,79arrestof,74
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Britishoccupationofhomeof,75–76,110,152,206
Townsend,Samuel,Jr.,71Townsend,Sarah,70,72Townsend,Solomon,71,74,77,
211Townsend,William,71,212Townsendfamily,xvi–xvii,70,
71–72,76–77,110,205,220,222
TreatyofParis,16,199Trenton,N.J.,27,29,126Trumbull,Jonathan,37Tryon,William,99,106
Underhill,Amos,42,46,57
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inCulperRing,101–2,110Underhill,MaryWoodhull,42,46,
48,66
ValleyForge,Pa.,34,40,131VanWart,Isaac,158–60,211Villefranche,Chevalierde,142Virginia,8,18,28,34,58,181,
185,189–90,203Vulture,HMS,153–56,168,177
WallaboutBay,178Washington,George,1,3,38,43–
44,56,73,79,89,91,104,145,148,200–201,212,215
Arnoldand,133,137–38,141–
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42,146,152–53,163–73,179–81
andBattleofTrenton,29–31ascommanderinchiefofContinentalArmy,18
counterintelligenceby,125–26decisionnottoattackNewYork,124–26,182–83
departureforMountVernonby,203–4
departurefromMassachusettsby,4
asfirstpresident,205inFrenchandIndianWar,15–16
Haleand,19–20,23–27,58
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headquartersof,124Honeyman’sspyingand,28–31invisibleinkand,62–63,65andJamaicaPassmishap,9–10Lafayetteand,121lettersof,28–29LongIslandattackreconsideredby,182–83
LongIslandtouredby,205–6marchtoNewYorkby,6NewYorkCityasgoalof,20,85,117,119,124,147,188,191,193–96
NewYorkdefendedby,7–9,11–12
Pennsylvaniacampaignof,34
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returntoNewYorkCityby,199,201–3
atSecondContinentalCongress,18
Simcoe’sfailedattempttocapture,110
speedofCulperoperationscriticizedby,109–12,120,122
spynetworkof,xv–xvi,xviii,15,19–20,27,30–31,33–35,40,49–52,57,59,60,67,80–83,94–97,99–100,101–2,107,109,114,115–16,135,141,186,193–96,216,219,222,223
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onTownsend,80–82,84–86,111,176–77,206–7
inYorktown,189–91Washington,John,28Washington,Samuel,28WestchesterCounty,N.Y.,193–96WestIndies,83,121,129,195WestminsterAbbey,172WestPoint,xv,94,137–38,142,
146,149,152–56,160–61,164–65,175
Wethersfield,Conn.,36–37WhitePlains,Battleof,38WhitePlains,N.Y.,51,156Whitestone,124Williams,David,158–60,210
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Wolsey,John,65–66Woodhull,Abraham,xvii,41–42,
44–46,48,75,91,93,104,110,135,138,197–98,206,216
anxietiesof,59–61,64–66,102–3,111–12,123
Brewsterrecruitedby,55–58Britishofficersquarteredinhomeof,64–65
invisibleinkand,62–67postwarlifeof,212–13onreplacementspies,116Roerecruitedby,56–58Simcoe’spursuitof,66–67Tallmadgeand,89,114,122,
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124,147–49,183,186,192,198,222
Tallmadge’srecruitmentof,49–53,222
onTownsend,177–78,186Townsendand,83,89,96,100–103,187–88
Townsendrecruitedby,77–80onWashington’srevocation,122
Woodhull,Adam,41–42Woodhull,LydiaTerry,212Woodhull,MargaretSmith,212Woodhull,Mary,seeUnderhill,
MaryWoodhullWoodhull,MarySmith,212
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Woodhull,Nathaniel,10,37,41,74–75
Woodhull,RichardV.(brother),41–42
Woodhull,RichardW.(father),66–67,75,76,212
Woodhull,Susannah,42,46,50Woodhullfamily,70
YaleCollege,20–22,35,36,128,169
Yorktown,Battleof,188–91,220capturedBritishcodebookin,xv,189–90
Young,Israel,106