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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,

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.

ThisbookisdedicatedtomyFantasticFive—wife,Dawn;son,Bryan;daughters,Kirstynand

Kaitlyn;andmyincrediblemom—whohaveheardmetalkaboutthisstoryforyears,spentcountless

hoursresearchingit,andurgedmetowritethisbook.Finally,it’s

done.

—B.K.

Tiffany:Youareapro’spro,oneofthebestwritersI’veever

workedwith.I’mhonoredyou’reonmyteam.

—D.Y.

WashingtondidnotreallyoutfighttheBritish,hesimplyoutspiedus!

MAJORGEORGEBECKWITH,

BRITISHINTELLIGENCE

OFFICER1782–1783

CONTENTS

TITLEPAGE

COPYRIGHT

DEDICATION

EPIGRAPH

AUTHORS’NOTE

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER1HoldNewYork,WintheWar

CHAPTER2TheNeedforaSpyRing

CHAPTER3LaunchingtheRing

CHAPTER4

CrossingtheSound

CHAPTER5TheRingSpringsintoAction

CHAPTER6TownsendJoinstheFight

CHAPTER7CreatingaCode

CHAPTER8MountingTensionsandDouble-Dealings

CHAPTER9WashingtonDemandsMore

CHAPTER10TheFrenchConnection

CHAPTER11BenedictandPeggy

CHAPTER12NegotiationsandTreachery

CHAPTER13TheDealIsDone

CHAPTER14AnotherSpyattheGallows

CHAPTER15TheRinginPeril

CHAPTER16TheBeginningoftheEnd

CHAPTER17RetakingNewYorkatLast

CHAPTER18LifeAftertheRing

EPILOGUE

PHOTOGRAPHS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

SELECTEDSOURCES

INDEX

AUTHORS’NOTE

Muchofthedialoguecontainedinthisbookisfictional,butitisbasedonconversationsthatdidtakeplaceand,whereverpossible,incorporatesactualphrasesusedbythespeaker.

HPREFACE

owdoyoudiscovertheidentityofaspy—someone

whosemainconcernisremaininganonymous—whohasbeendeadfornearlyacentury?ThatwasthemissionofMortonPennypacker,LongIsland’spremierhistorian,duringthe

1920s.HeknewtheAmericanswouldnothavewontheRevolutionaryWarwithouttheCulperSpyRing,buthedidn’tknowtheidentityofthering’smostvaluablemember.

Thespies’contributionsincludeduncoveringaBritishcounterfeitingscheme,preventinganambushofFrenchreinforcements,smugglingaBritishnavalcodebooktoYorktown,and

(mostimportant)preventingBenedictArnoldfromcarryingoutoneofthegreatestactsoftreacheryinAmericanhistory:hisplantosurrenderWestPointtotheenemy.

AlthoughtheseeventswererecordedaspartofRevolutionaryWarhistory,noneofthemwereattributedtoanyindividualorgroup.Noplaquesattestedtothebraveworkofthemenand

womenresponsibleforalertingGeorgeWashingtontotheplots;nostatueswereerectedintheirhonor.ThesixmembersoftheCulperSpyRinghadservedWashingtonunderonecondition:theirnamesandactivitieswerenevertoberevealed.Washingtonkepthispromise,buthealsokepttheirletters.

Bythe1920s,thepassingyearshadrevealedtheidentitiesofmostofthespies,

buttwo—includingthatofthering’schiefspy—werestillinquestion.Pennypacker,arelentless,solemnarchivist,madeithispersonalmissiontoidentifytheprincipalspy,theunknownmanwhofedGeorgeWashingtoncrucialinformationabouttheBritishpresenceinNewYorkCityandhelpedturnthetideoftheRevolutionaryWar.Heneededanametofinallysolvethemysteryoftheman

Washingtonhadlaudedinhislettersbutnevermet.Pennypackerbelievedthatifhecouldgiveanametothemanknownonlybythepseudonym“CulperJunior,”thenthiscitizen-spyandallthosewhoservedintheringwithhimcouldascendtotheirrightful,prominentplacealongsidePaulRevere,PatrickHenry,BetsyRoss,andtherestofAmerica’smostfamousPatriots.

Pennypackerwasnostrangertointricatehistoricaldetectivework,butforyearshiseffortsbroughthimnoclosertosolvingthemystery.Andthenaphonecallinthesummerof1929changedeverything.

WheneverthetelephonerangatMortonPennypacker’shouse,thecallwasalmostalwaysaboutthehistoryofNewYork,notasocialevent—andthis

particularcallwasnoexception.

“We’vefoundsomeTownsendfamilypapers,”avoicecrackledontheotherendoftheline.“Doyouhaveanyinterestinsiftingthroughthem?”

Afewdayslater,theyellowedsheetsofpaperwerepiledhighonhisdesk.Pennypackerhandledeachonegingerly,asifitweremadeofspungold.Anything

withthenameTownsenddatingtotheeighteenthcenturywasconsideredhistoricallysignificantbyLongIslandhistorians.TheTownsendfamilyhadbeenonAmericansoilsincethesixteenhundreds,andaprominentfamilyinOysterBay,LongIsland,sincebeforetheRevolution.Anyscrapsofledgersoroldbillswouldhelpcreateamorecompletepictureofthe

family’shistory,andPennypackerwaseagertoseewhatnewdetailshemightlearn.

Townsendpaperswerefairlyordinaryfinds,butsomethingabouttheseparticulardiscoveriesintriguedPennypacker.Theywerenotjustisolatedreceiptsorbillsofsale;theywerelettersandaccountbooksdatedduringtheRevolutionaryWarand

immediatelyafterward.Thehandwritingseemedoddlyfamiliar.PennypackeradjustedhisglassestogetacloserlookatthedistinctwaythefourthsonofSamuelTownsend,Robert,hadhookedhisD’sandarchedhisC’s.Italmostremindedhimof—!

Pennypackerrushedtothearchiveswherehestoredseverallettersofespionagethathadbeensignedby

membersofWashington’ssecretserviceduringthewar.HetookasamplefromthestackofRobertTownsend’spapersnexttohimandplaceditsidebysidewiththeCulperJuniorletters,peeringthroughamagnifyingglassuntilhewasconvincedhehadamatch.WasheholdinginhishandsclearproofoftheidentityoftheNewYorkspyWashingtontrustedwithhissecrets?Thereserved,

bookishRobertTownsend—perhapsthemostprivateofalltheTownsendbrothersofhisgeneration—wasthedaringandcourageousCulperJunior!

Ofcourse,Pennypackerneededaprofessionalconfirmationofhishunch,sohesentthesamplestothenation’sleadinghandwritinganalyst.Justafewweekslater,hereceivedareply.Therewasnodoubt:Oyster

Bay,thehomeofPresidentTeddyRoosevelt,hadanotherherotocelebrate.

WithTownsend’sidentityconfirmed,thepiecesoftheCulperpuzzlebegantofallintoplace.Thepreviouslydisconnectedspiesnowformedacoherentring,withTownsendatitscenter.UnderthecommandofMajorBenjaminTallmadge,thesefivemenandoneunidentifiedwoman—RobertTownsend,

AbrahamWoodhull,AustinRoe,CalebBrewster,JamesRivington,andAgent355—neverreceivedtheacclaimtheydeservedintheirlifetimes.Together,thesemenandonewomanwhohadnoformaltrainingintheartofespionage,livinginOysterBay,Setauket,andManhattan,brokethebackoftheBritishmilitaryandhelpeddefeatthemostpowerfulfightingforceon

earth.Oneagentremains

unidentified:awomanmentionedintheCulperRing’scorrespondencebythespecificcodenumber355,“lady.”Thepagesthatfollowpresentacompilationofthevariousactivitiesassociatedwith355,whathistorytellsusaboutherprobablecontributionstotheeffortsoftheCulperRing,andwhatresultedfromherwork.

Thoughhernamecannotbeverified,andmanydetailsaboutherlifeareunclear,herpresenceandhercourageundoubtedlymadeadifference.Sherepresentsallcovertagents—thosemenandwomenwhosetrueidentitiesareneverrevealedandwhosestoriesarenevertold,butwhooffertheirserviceandtheirlivesonbehalfoftheircountry.Toeachofthem,weoweaninexpressibledebt.

Thisbookrecountsthemethods,thebravery,thecunning,thenearmisses,andtheincrediblesuccessesoftheCulperRing,whichhelpedtosaveournationandshapeourfuture.Mostofall,thisisastoryaboutordinarycitizensdoingextraordinarythings,peoplewhosefearsandhopesandliveswerenotmuchdifferentfromourown,andhowtheychangedthecourseofhistory.Their

humilitystoppedthemfromseekingfameorfortunebecausetheirloveofcountrysparkedtheirexploits.

AllAmericansoweatremendousdebtofgratitudetoGeorgeWashington’ssecretsix.Thisbookiswrittentohonorthemandthegroundworktheylaidforourfutureoffreedom.

H

Introduction

SEPTEMBER1776

ewastwenty-oneyearsoldandknewthatinamatterof

momentshewoulddie.Hisrequestforaclergyman—refused.Hisrequestfora

Bible—refused.Afterwritingaletterortwotohisfamily,thisYalegraduttered,withdignity,thefamousstatement“IonlyregretthatIhavebutonelifetoloseformycountry.”

Anoosewasplacedaroundhisneck,andtheladderhehadclimbedwasrippedaway.OnSeptember22,1776,ontheislandofManhattaninanareanowlocatedatSixty-SixthStreet

andThirdAvenue,CaptainNathanHalewashangedforbeingaspy.HehadvolunteeredtogobehindenemylinesonLongIslandforGeorgeWashington,andtheBritishwouldclaimthathewascaughtwithsketchesofBritishfortificationsandmemosoftheirtroopmovements.Withoutatrial,hewassentencedtodeath.ThemessagesenttoallNewYorkerswasclear:Youspy,

youdie.

CHAPTER1

HoldNewYork,WintheWar

NewYork,withoutexaggeration,isthepivotonwhichtheentireRevolutionaryWarturns.

—JohnAdams

TheexecutionofNathanHaleonSeptember22,1776,was

thelowestpointinamonthoflowpointsforGeneralGeorgeWashington.First,

theBritishhadtakenNewYorkCityandLongIsland—thecornerstonesofWashington’sstrategybecauseoftheirvaluablegeographicandeconomicpositionsattheheartoftheNorthAmericancolonies.

Now,Washington’sattemptatbuildinganintelligencenetworktorecoupthatlosshadfailedspectacularly.Justtwomonthsafterthefledglingcountry’sdeclarationofindependence,thereseemedtobenofutureforthenewnation.

Andyettherehadbeensomuchhopejustaseasonago,inspring.AftersuccessfullysendingtheBritishpackingfromBostoninMarchaftera

prolongedsiege,WashingtonhadbegunorderingtroopstowardNewYorkCity,whoseharborwasoftremendoustactical—andpsychological—importance.IfthePatriotscouldholdthatothergreatportoftheNortheast,victorymightbewithinreach.

AsWashingtonleftMassachusettsonApril4,1776,tobeginhisownmarchsouthwardtorejoinhismen,

thecheerfulreportssentbackbytheadvancepartieswereconfirmed:FarmersandtradesmenweregreetingtheAmericantroopsastheypassedthroughruralvillages,pressinggiftsoffoodanddrinkonthesoldierswhohaddisplayedsuchcourageandpluckfightingtheredcoats.

“Enjoythisbacon,”urgedlocalbutchers,heavingslabsofsaltedmeatontothesupplywagons.

“Freshmilk!”announcedthehousewiveswhoscrambledoutoftheircottageswieldingbucketsanddippers.

Gagglesoflittleboyswearinghomespunbluejacketsgatheredtoparadeinfrontofthemenastheytraversedthroughtown—onechildheldupatwigasifplayingafife;anotherpretendedtobeatadruminamarchingrhythm;therest

chantedthepopularrefrain“Joinordie!”astheyreveledinthePatrioticfervorandholidayatmosphere.

Eventhesophisticatedcitycrowd,usuallymuchmorereservedintheirdisplaysofcelebrationthanthecountryfolk,hadcheeredinthestreetsasWashingtoncrossedintoProvidence,RhodeIsland.Inroadsidetavernsandstylishurbancoffeehousesacross

Connecticut,toastswereraisedtotheunlikelyhomegrownheroesandtheirquietbutimposingleader.AswordspreaduptheHudsonValleythattheContinentalArmywasonthemove,settlerswhonowconsideredthemselvesAmericans,ratherthanDutchorGermanorBritishsubjects,hadwhisperedprayersfortheprotectionandadvancementofthecauseofindependence.

Throughouthisnine-dayjourneyspanningfourstatesandnearlythreehundredmilesofforestroadssoggywithspringtimemud,Washingtonhadseenincreasinghopeamongthepeople.Thereweredissentingvoices—thosewhoseclosedshuttersanddrawnshadesastheContinentalArmypassedbespoketheirloyaltytoKingGeorgeIIIandthemotherland.Butitwasclear

thattherewasasenseofgrowingexcitementthatthiswild,untestedexperimentinpersonalfreedomandindividualrightsjustmightprovemorepowerfulthanthemostdisciplinedandwell-equippedfightingforceonearth.

Despitethebuoyantspiritsofthepeople,Washington’sownhopewaskeptincheckbyasoberviewoffacts.WhilethePatriots

hadenjoyedsomeearlyvictoriesinMassachusetts,thesewinscameatahighcostwhencomparedwiththeirtacticalsignificance.TheBattleofBunkerHillinJune1775,however,hadgonetotheBritish,thoughwithheavylossoflifeandlimbonbothsides.TheSiegeofBoston,whichendedthefollowingMarch,hadbeenawinforthePatriots,buttheirsuccesswasduemoretothe

positionandstrengthoftheAmericanfortificationsthananygreatoffensivemaneuverstorouttheenemy.Intheend,theBritishgaveuponthecity,leavingvoluntarilyratherthanfleeinginanall-outretreat.GeneralWilliamHowe,commanderinchiefoftheBritisharmyinNorthAmerica,hadhissightssetonamuchbiggerandmoreagreeableprizethanbelligerentBoston.

NewYork,tenuouslyheldbyafewAmericantroops,wasdesiredbybothsides.Inthenorth,theAmericanshadsecuredBostonforthemoment.Tothesouth,theactionhadnotyetreachedacriticalpoint,thoughitstimewascoming.Rightnow,themostpressingconcernwasinthemiddlestates,wherePhiladelphiaandNewYorklayvulnerable.Philadelphiawasthelargest

cityinthecoloniesatthetimeandheldgreatsymbolicstatusasaseatofinnovation,boastingoneofthefirsthospitalsandpubliclibraries,aswellashostingthemeetingsoftheContinentalCongress.Capturingtheseatofthefledglingnation’sgovernmentwouldbeagreatvictoryfortheBritish.AndNewYorkCitywasthelinchpin—iftheBritishwonittheycouldbringthe

coloniestotheirknees.Asthesecond-most-

populouscityinthecolonies,NewYorkwastheirnortherneconomichub.ButevenmoresignificantwasNewYork’slocationandsituation—rightinthecenterofBritain’sNorthAmericansettlementsandhometobothalargedeep-waterharborandaccesstotheHudsonRiver.ThearmythatheldNewYorkCityanditswaterwayshada

strategicadvantagenotonlyincontrollingtheimportandexportoffoodstuffsanddrygoods(which,inturn,affectedtheeconomicstabilityoftheregion)butalsoinsecuringakeyfootholdfortransportingtroopsupanddownthecoast.

MaintainingcontrolofNewYorkwouldgivetheAmericanfightingcorpsandthecolonialpopulaceatremendousboostin

confidence.FailingtocaptureandholdNewYorkCityandNewYorkHarborwouldcertainlybeanembarrassmenttotheBritisharmyandnavy,buttheywouldsurvivetheblow.FortheAmericans,however,losingtheregionwouldbeatragedy,destroyingmorale,cuttingofftrade,anddrasticallyloweringtheoddsthatthePatriotswouldwinthewar.

NewYork’sstrategicsignificance,fromatradeperspective,wasnotlostonGeneralHowe.ThelossinMassachusettswasadisappointment,butBostonwasnottheultimateprizefortheBritish.HowewantedtochokeofftheRevolutionbyisolatingthenortherncoloniesfromthesouthernones.Ifthepoliticalradicalsinthesomewhatgeographicallyclustered

northerncitiesweresegregatedfromtheircounterpartsinthemorespread-outsouth,theycouldnotcross-pollinateideologies,andthevariousfactionsmightbemoreeasilyeliminated.Itwasaclassiccaseofdivideandconquer,withNewYorkCityastheessentialelementincreatingthechasm.

AfterregroupinginHalifax,NovaScotia,

followingtheirdefeatinBoston,theBritishsetoutforNewYork.OnJune29,1776,threeBritishshipssailedintolowerNewYorkHarbor,withGeneralHoweaboardoneofthem.Bothsidesknewabattlewasimminent.

AsWashingtonmarchedsouthinanticipationofHowe’sattack,hemusthavenursedthehopethattheContinentalArmy’smuscleandmoxiewereenoughto

outfighttheBritishandholdManhattan.Beingaseasonedfighterandabrilliantstrategist,hewouldhaveunderstood,perhapsbetterthananyoneelseinNorthAmericaatthetime,thatcontrolofNewYorkCitywasessentialforthecauseofliberty—andthatkeepingthecitywouldbeadauntingtask.

WashingtonandhismenarrivedinNewYorkinmid-April1776andsettledin

Manhattan.Thatsummernewsarrivedthatbothcheeredandsoberedthem.Fifty-sixdelegateshadconvenedinthemidstofstiflingJulyheatinPhiladelphiatoformtheSecondContinentalCongress,andhadforgedtheDeclarationofIndependence.Ifevertherewasapointofnoreturn,thiswasit.

KnowingtheattackonNewYorkwouldnotbelong

delayed,WashingtonmadeashorttriptoNewJerseyandPennsylvaniatomeetwithhisgenerals.TheydiscussedNewYork’sdefensesandsupplies—allwhiletryingtoanticipatetheexactmodeofattack.TheBritish,meanwhile,beganamassingtroopsonundefendedStatenIslandinadvanceofstormingtheAmericanpositionsjustacrossthewaterinBrooklynandManhattan.

AsAugustdraggedon,tensionsmounted.AcopyoftheJulyfourthdeclarationhadbeenputbeforetheCrown,whichmeantthatKingGeorgefinallyunderstoodtheseriousnessofthecolonists’determinationtofight.NolongerwouldKingGeorgeorderhisgeneralstoshowrestraintintheireffortstosquelchtherebelsormaintainthatamereshowofforcewouldbe

enoughtosubduetheRevolution.Hewouldnotholdback.Hewouldnotshowmercy.OfthisWashingtonfeltsure,andtheweightofthe“lives,fortunes,andsacredhonor”pledgedinthenameoffreedomrestedheavilyuponhisshoulders.

AcrosstheriverfromWashington,GeneralHenryClintonhadarrivedtohelpleadtheattackupontheAmericanpositionsinNew

York.AsAugustwaned,theBritishshipsloomedlargeintheharbor,thegrowingnumberofredcoatsonStatenIslandintimidatingthesparseAmericantroops.

Facedwithanimpendingattack,WashingtonsighedoneAugustdayashesurveyedtheundisciplined,ragtagarmyathiscommandinlowerManhattan;hisaide-de-campshiftednervouslybehindhim.Thegeneral

clearedhisthroat.“GeneralHoweisrumoredtohavemorethanthirtythousandmenintheRoyalNavyassembledoffshore,andtwentythousandmenamassedonStatenIsland.Andwehave...?”

Hisaidewasreluctanttoreply:“Tenthousand.”

IfthenumberwasablowtoWashington,hedidnotshowit.Everthestoic,herefusedtoallowthisdismal

newstothrowhimintodespair.Washingtonwasfamedasamanwhoneverlosthisnerveinbattle.Thesoundofmusketfire,thecrashofcannonballs,thesmellofsmoke—noneofthatseemedtoshakehiscalm,measuredwayofsurveyingthechaosandkeepinghiswitsabouthimasheledhismenforward.

ButdespiteWashington’ssteelynerve,theAmericans

wereingravetrouble.Evensubstantialnumbersoftroopsmeantlittlewithoutpropertrainingandequipment,andWashington’smenlackedboth.Washingtonhadtheutmostconfidenceinhisofficers,buttosaythattherankandfileoftheContinentalArmywasrougharoundtheedgeswasanunderstatement.Citymenwhohadneverbeforewieldedariflestoodwith

countryfolkwhohadneverhadadayofformalschooling.Hardyhomesteadersstruggledtocooperatewithyoungmenoflandedwealthwhohadneverknownamomentofdiscomfortorhungerintheirlives.Oldmenlinedupwithboyswhohadliedabouttheiragetojointherebelsinpursuitofadventure.Theycamefromalloverthecountry:fromasfarnorthas

themountainsofNewHampshireandasfarsouthastheswampsofGeorgia.ManyofWashington’smenhadneverbeforebeenmorethanfiftymilesfromtheplaceoftheirbirth,letalonemetanyonewithsuchastrangeaccentascouldbefoundinthehillsofVirginiaorthePuritansettlementsofMassachusetts.Theywereallonthesideofliberty,buttheretheunityended.

Mostwerebrave,tobesure,andloyal—perhapstoafault.Andtheywereallpassionateabouttheirliberty.Washingtonknewhehadtheheartsofhismen,butwhetherthepassionofanundisciplinedfewcouldholdNewYorkagainstthemeticulouslytrainedBritishforceswasanotherquestion.

“Hangtogetherorweallhangseparately,”Washingtonmused,recitingoneofthe

familiarmantrasofthePatriotcause,ashecaughtafewstrainsofabawdypubsongledbytheMarylanderssittingaroundacampfire.AllpossiblepreparationsagainsttheBritishonslaughthadbeenmade,andheandhismenwouldhavetotrustitwouldbeenough.

Knowingthatanattackwasimminent,Washingtonhadmadethestrategicdecisiontodividehismen

intofivegroups.OnehadalreadycrossedtheharbortoLongIsland,andanotherwasstationedinnorthernManhattantofendoffaBritishencroachmentfromthatdirection.TheotherthreegroupsweresituatedtodefendthelowerendofManhattan.TherewereseverallandroutestheBritishmighttake,butWashingtonfeltconfidentthatallbuttheleastlikelyandsomewhat

untraveledroute,throughJamaicaPass,weresecure.Andnow...theywaited.

BETRAYALATJAMAICAPASS

Thebattlewasswiftanddevastating.

Tippedoffbysomeone—whetheraspywithinWashington’sownranksoradisgruntledLoyalistinNew

Yorkwasunclear—theBritishlearnedthatJamaicaPasswasguardedbyonlyfivemenandsetoutinthatdirection.

WilliamHowardJr.,ayoungPatriotwhoranatavernwithhisfathernearJamaicaPass,LongIsland,wokeabouttwohoursaftermidnightonthemorningofAugust27toaBritishsoldierstandingbesidehisbed.Thesoldierorderedhimtogetup,

dress,andgodownstairs.Hequicklyobeyedandfoundhisfathercorneredbythreeredcoatspointingtheirmusketswithfixedbayonetsathim.Aglanceoutthewindowrevealedthatawholefightingunitstoodatthereadyuponthegrounds.

GeneralHowewaitedforthetwomeninthebarroom.Sippingaglassofcommandeeredliquor,heattempted,ratherabsurdly,to

makesmalltalkwiththeterrifiedfatherandsonbeforefinallygettingtothepoint.“ImusthavesomeoneofyoutoshowmeovertheRockawayPatharoundthepass,”heremarked,settingdownhisemptyglass.

“Webelongtotheotherside,General,”thefatherreplied,“andcan’tserveyouagainstourduty.”

Howe’sreplywaskindbutcurt.“Thatisallvery

well;sticktoyourcountryorsticktoyourprincipleswhenyouarefreetodoso.Buttonight,Howard,youaremyprisoner,andmustguidemymenoverthehill.”

TheseniorHowardbegantoprotest,butHowecuthimoff:“Youhavenoalternative.Ifyourefuseyouwillbeshot.”

Shaking,andunawareofjusthowdamagingtheircompliancewouldprove,the

HowardsdirectedGeneralHowesafelyupthewindingfootpath.Behindthemmarchedtenthousandmenthroughthevulnerablepass,arrivingattheothersideintimetoeffectivelyflankthePatriotgeneralNathanWoodhullandhismen,whowereoccupiedwiththefrontalassaultwagedagainsttheirdefensesinManhattanwhendaylightcame.Asthebattlecontinuedthroughout

theday,WashingtonrecognizedhismiscalculationthatthefullcontingentofBritishtroopswouldstormManhattan—theredcoatswerealsobringingheavyforcetobearonBrooklyn.WashingtonshiftedmoremenandmatérieltoBrooklyn,butitwastoolatefortheAmericanstorecoverandholdtheirground.Byday’send,Brooklynandthesurroundingareawaslargely

inBritishhands,withtheretreatingPatriotstrappedinBrooklynHeights.Manhattanalonestillheld,butWashingtonwassureitwasonlyamatteroftimeuntiltheBritishovertookit,too.

Washington’stroopsweredecimated.Alltold,theAmericanshadlostmorethan300menthatday,inadditiontonearly700woundedand1,000captured.TheBritish(andtheirGerman

mercenaries,theHessians)hadlostamere64men,with31reportedasmissing,and293wounded.

AMIRACLEINTHEMIST

ThingscouldnothavegonemorebadlyfortheContinentalArmy,andbothsidesknewit.Anditwasn’tover,thoughthecannonshadceasedtofire.Thefighting

hadtakenWashingtonacrosstheEastRiver,butnowhewasessentiallytrappedinBrooklynHeights,surroundedbytheBritishandwithnowaytoescape.Ifhistroopspursuedaretreatbyland,theywouldwalkdirectlyintotheBritishcampsandbeeithershotonsightorcapturedandhangedfortreason.IftheytooktothewatertoescapetoPatriot-heldManhattan,theywould

besittingducksastheBritishfiredcannonballsintotherowboats.Thenagain,thatwaslikelytoomessy—theBritishpridedthemselvesontheirextremepragmatism.No,theywouldprobablytakethemoregentlemanlyrouteofallowingtheirmarksmentopickofftheretreatingAmericansonebyone.

Justlikethat,theRevolutionwasallbutover.Washingtonmusthavereeled

attheturnofevents.Maybeitwasinevitable;afterall,whowerethecoloniststothinktheyhadachanceagainstthemightykingofEnglandandanempirethatencircledtheglobe?Washingtonhadbeenentrustedwiththehopes,dreams,lives,andfuturesofeveryAmericanPatriot—andhewasstandingonthebrinkoffailure.

TheAmericansneededtogetoutandgetoutfast.Ifthe

bedraggledandpunch-drunkPatriotsoldierscouldsomehowmanagetoescape,theycouldregroupwiththefriendlytroopswaitinginAmerican-controlledterritory.Itwasabig“if.”

“Wehavenootheroptions?”WashingtonaskedtheofficersassembledwithhimathismakeshiftheadquartersinBrooklynHeights.

Therewasapauseas

eachmanlookedaroundthetablewithraisedeyebrows,asifaskinghiscomrades,“Haveyougotanymiraclestospare?”

ButWashingtonalreadyknewtheanswer.UnlesshecouldsomehowferryninethousandmenundetectedacrossNewYorkHarbor,currentlypatrolledbythemightoftheRoyalNavy,hewouldbeforcedtosurrenderoraskhismentodieina

siegefromwhichtherewasnoforeseeableescape.AndwiththebetrayalregardingtheirvulnerabilityatJamaicaPass,andnoindividualabletoconveyintelligencefromtheBritishpositions,therewasnowaytoanticipatewhattheredcoats’nextmovemightbe.

Washingtonwasneardespair,buthewasalsoamanoffaith.Nooneknowswhatprayerspassedhislips

duringthosetensetwodaysashefacedalmostcertaindefeat.AsnightfellontheeveningofAugust29,hepeeredoverNewYorkHarborandknewhehadnootherhope.Escapebywaterwastheonlychance—andeventhatwouldtakeamiracle.Orderingahastyretreat,Washingtonoversawtheeffortstoferryhisarmyandtheirpossessions—everyman,beast,cannon,andrifle

—safelyacrossthewaterunderthecoverofdarkness.Tohisrelief,theBritishsentinelsfailedtospottheshadowysilhouettesoftheescapingsoldiers.Butastheskybegantolighten,therewerestillmentomove—anditwasthenthatWashington’sprayersprovedeffective.Athickfogbegantorollin,likethebenevolentbreathofGod,providingcoverandprotectionuntileverylast

soldierandpieceofequipmentreachedsafetyontheotherside.Washington’sbootswerethelasttoleavetheBrooklynHeightssideoftheharbor,andthelasttoalightinManhattan,whichthePatriotsstillheld.

BythetimethefoghadfullyliftedandtheBritishrealizedwhathadhappened,theAmericanswerealreadyoutofthereachofBritishcannons.Theyweredown,

butnotout—thoughjustbarely.WashingtonknewitwouldbeonlyamatterofdaysbeforeGeneralHoweorderedanattackontheremainingAmericanfortificationsinManhattan,whichwouldsurelyfall.

MovingnorthtoConnecticut,Washingtonandhismenrejoicedintheirescape,thoughtheall-but-completelossofNewYorkwasaseriousblow.Gonewas

theoptimismcreatedbytheBostonvictory.Troopmoralewaslow.Backedintoacorner,Washingtonnowrealizedwhateverysmallchildcomestorecognizewhenfacedwiththebrutestrengthofaschool-yardbully:Hecouldnotdefeathisfoewithmanpower,arms,oranyothershowofforce.HewouldhavetobeattheBritishinabattleofwits.

ACHAPTER2

TheNeedforaSpyRing

sifthelossofmostofNewYorkweren’tbad

enough,Washington’sautumnwasabouttogetworse.WhilethedefeatattheBattleofBrooklynhadbeena

blow,theretreathadgonebetterthanplanned.Washington’snextendeavorwouldnotbesofortunate,endinginsteadindisaster.

ThefewAmericantroopsstillholdingManhattanwerehangingonbyathread,andWashingtonwasdesperatetostrengthentheirposition.Todoso,hewouldneedaspytocollectinformationonBritishplans.EspionagewasnotanewactivitytoWashington.

HavingfoughtintheFrenchandIndianWarandservedasaspyhimself,heunderstoodtherootsofthepresentconflict—aninsightthatwouldframehisuseofanintelligencenetworkintheRevolution.

THEFRENCHANDINDIANWAR

Twodecadesearlier,in1754,

theBritisharmy(consistingofbothsoldiersfromthemotherlandandlocalcolonialmilitias)hadlaunchedawarinNorthAmericaagainsttheFrencharmyandnativetribeswhowereattackingBritishcitizensinregionsgrantedinprevioustreatiestotheBritishgovernment.Forthenextnineyears,thecontinentwasembroiledinbattlestocontrolthevariousoutpostsandfortssprinkledacrossthe

wildernessregionsoftheOhioRiverandAppalachianMountains.

Thepreviousyear,Washington,justtwenty-oneyearsold,volunteeredtoengagewiththeFrenchsoldiersandlearnwhateverhecouldabouttheirintentionsandfortificationsthroughleadingconversations,aswellaswhateverwascarelesslysharedoverwinebottles.As

itdidthroughouthislife,Washington’stemperatenaturehadservedhimwellonthatmission;hemaintainedhissobrietyandclearheadednesssothathecouldreportbacktohissuperiorsthattheFrenchhadnointentionsofquittingthecountrywithoutafight.

Thisconflict,inwhichWashingtoncameofage,waspartoftheinternationalunrestrootedinancient

rivalriesandgrudgesresurrectedbymodernambitions.ButworldattitudeshadchangedfollowingtheTreatyofParisin1763,andWashington’srolewouldchange,too.France’sclaimstoitsoverseascoloniesweredevastated.BritaingainedseveralofFrance’sNorthAmericancoloniesalongthenorthernAtlanticandintheCaribbean,aswellasthe

FloridaterritoryheldbySpain.Peoplesuddenlyfoundthemselvessubjecttoanewcrownandanewflag—sometimeseventhoseofaformerenemy.FortheAmericancolonists,whohadlongbeensubjectsofthekingofEngland(despitetheirDutch,German,Irish,Scottish,Welsh,orWestAfricanancestry)andnecessarilyviewedhisenemiesastheirown,the

expulsionoftheFrenchandSpanishfromborderingregionsliftedmuchoftheirfearofinvasionandneedforprotection.Nowtheycouldfocusmoreontheirowninterests.Recognizingthattheirrightsandfreedomswerebeingneitherdefendednoradvancedbythekingtheyhadfaithfullyserved,theybegantorebelagainsttheverygovernmenttheyhadoncerelieduponforsecurity.

ACTSOFAGGRESSION

In1764,theBritishParliamentdeterminedthatthecostoftheFrenchandIndianWarhadbeentoohigh.Troopsremainedstationedinthecolonies,addingtothefinancialstrain,soadditionalrevenueswereneededtopayfortheirpresence,aswellastotightentraderestrictionsonthecolonies.Overthenextfew

years,ParliamentvotedtolevyaseriesoftaxesagainsttheAmericancolonists.TheSugarActandtheCurrencyActrestrictedtradeandtheissuanceofcolonialmoney.ThenParliamentexpandeditsreachin1765withtheStampAct,whichrequiredthatallprintedmatter—newspapers,legalcontracts,pamphlets—mustbeproducedwithpaperfromLondonandembossedwithasealofverification.

Thisactionwas,initself,notunreasonable—thecolonistscouldbeexpectedtohelppayfortheirowndefense.Buttheindependent-mindedcolonistsreactedangrilybecauseoftheact’sbroaderimplications.AllEnglishcitizensweresupposedtobeaffordedtherightofrepresentationinParliament,buttherewerenomembersofParliamentfortheAmericancoloniesto

agreetothetaxationandinsistthatitbereasonable.Thecryof“notaxationwithoutrepresentation”wassounded,andaStampActCongressconvenedinNewYorkCityinOctober1765toprotestthemeasure.TheStampActwaseventuallyrepealed,butothersfollowedinitswakeasKingGeorgecontinuedtoexpandthepowerandgraspoftheCrown,whilesimultaneously

diminishingtherightsofhiscolonialsubjects.

InMarch1770,theso-calledBostonMassacreillustratedjusthowhightensionswererunning.BritishsoldiersfiredintoacrowdofprotestingAmericans,killingfiveandwoundingsix.AfterthegrassrootsSonsofLibertystagedtheirfamousBostonTeaPartyinDecember1773,dumping342chestsofteaintoBostonHarbor,London

respondedthefollowingspringwithharshlawsdesignedtomakeanexampleofMassachusettsasawarningtotheothercoloniesnottochallengetheCrown’sauthority.

Thewarningwasheardloudandclear,butitdidnotquellthefiresofrebellionasParliamenthadhoped.Infact,ithadtheoppositeeffect.InresponsetotheIntolerableActs,asthelawshadbeen

dubbedbytheAmericans,theFirstContinentalCongressmetinPhiladelphiainSeptemberandOctoberof1774.Fifty-sixmenrepresentingtwelveofthethirteencolonies(Georgiaoptednottoattend)votedtouniteinaseriesofboycottsagainstBritishgoods;prominentPatriots,includingThomasJefferson,PatrickHenry,andHenryLee,wereamongtheoutspoken

dissenters.TheyalsoresolvedtosendapetitionoftheirgrievancestoKingGeorgeinalastefforttopreventanescalationofhostilities.

Thepetitionwentunanswered.InApril1775,combatbrokeoutbetweencolonistsandBritishtroopsatLexingtonandConcordinMassachusetts;thefollowingmonth,theSecondContinentalCongressconvenedtopreparefora

full-scalewar.AmongthedelegatesfromVirginiawasthetall,soft-spokensurveyor,farmer,andformerspywidelyregardedforhisvalorinbattleandexemplaryleadershipinthemilitiaduringthepreviouswar:GeorgeWashington.

HOWTOWINAWAR

Followinghisbriefstintasa

spy,Washingtonhadledthousandsoftroopsintobattle,ridingtallandremainingcalmthrougheventheheaviestbombardment.LatermythsgrewuparoundWashington—thathewasspokenofinnativeprophesiesasamanfavoredbythegods,thatnoarrowscouldtouchhim.Ifnotactuallyinvincible,hewasatleastregardedasunflappablebyhispeers,asober-minded

manofvision,wisdom,humility,andexperience.ForthesereasonsWashingtonwasaskedtoserveasthecommanderinchiefoftheContinentalArmy.Now,twodecadesafterhisfirstspyingmission,hewouldbeengagedinabattleofhisowntodrivefromthatsamelandtheBritishgovernmenthehadoncefaithfullyserved.Whocouldhaveimaginedsuchanoutcome?Butlifewasa

strangepageant;heunderstoodthatwellenough.AndWashingtonknewthatespionagewouldplayamoreimportantroleinthisnewwar.

Intraditionalwarsthatpittedmonarchagainstmonarch,therewasamutualrespectfortheauthorityofthecrowneveniftherewasadeephatredforthepersonwhoworeitorthelandclaimsheorsherecognized.

Inthosebattles,itwasallaboutmight;thearmiesfoughtuntilsomeonewasfinallyoverpowered.Or,ashadhappenedsoofteninnewterritories,onearmyfoughtwithweapons,manpower,disease—whatevertheyhad—untiltheotherpopulationwassimplyeradicated.Washingtonquicklyrealizedthatthisrevolutionwasdifferent.KingGeorgerespectednooneand

recognizednoauthority,certainlynotwhatevermakeshiftgovernmentthecoloniescouldcobbletogether.Hisincreasinglyoppressivelawsandhissilenceinthefaceoforganizedprotestshadmadethatclear.Yetthekingwouldnotseektocompletelydecimatethepopulationofthecolonies;deadsubjectscannotpaytaxes.

No,thiswarwouldbe

differentfromanyotherthathadcomebeforeit.OfthatWashingtonfeltsure.Itwouldnotbeafighttothedeath,norcoulditbesimplyaclashofarmies.IftheAmericanswantedtoemergevictoriousfromthisconflict,theywouldnottrytooverpowertheirenemy;theywouldsimplyrefusetobackdownorgoaway.Theydidn’tneedtobeconqueringheroes—theyjustneededto

survive.AsNewYorkslipped

fromhisgrasp,WashingtonsawthatthePatriotswouldneedtooutmaneuver,notoverpower,theenemy.And,bylearningtheenemy’ssecrets,spieswouldplayacrucialroleinunderminingBritishattacksthroughanticipatingtheredcoats’nextmoves.Itwouldbetheonlywaytocounterthesuperiornumbers,training,supplies,

andequipmentoftheBritisharmyandnavy.Thiswasespeciallytrueinthemorepopulouscities,wheretheenemyhadstationedlargepocketsoftroops.TherewaslittlehopeofdefeatingtheBritishinhead-to-headcombatunlesstheirbattleplansandtheirweaknesseswerealreadyknown.

Unfortunatelyfortherough-hewnPatriotarmy,spyingrequiredfarmore

accuracyanddelicacythansimplyaimingacannon,anditalsotookmoretime.Unlikewagingatraditionalbattle,whereintwoarmiestooktoafieldandfiredateachotherforseveralhoursordaysuntilonesidedeclaredvictory,gatheringusefulintelligencemighttakeweeksormonthsbeforecombatevenbegan.Developingthesophisticationandbuyingthetimenecessarytogrowan

effectivespyringwouldbedifficult—especiallyinthelocationswhereitmatteredmost.

Recognizingthedifficultyofsettingupagoodespionagenetwork,WashingtonbeganconvertinghiswartimestrategyfromrelyingonnonexistentcombatstrengthtoplacinghistrustinintelligencegatheringevenbeforethecatastrophiclossofNewYorkwas

complete.Tobegin,heneededonegoodman.

NATHANHALESTEPSFORWARD

CaptainNathanHalefelthisheartleapwhenhelearnedofGeneralWashington’srequestthatSeptember.ThegeneralneededamantoventurebehindenemylinesdisguisedasaLoyalist.He

wouldmakecasualinquiriesandinvestigationsintothetroopmovementsandsupplystoresandreportbacktoWashington.Hisworkwouldinformthegeneral’splanstotakebackNewYorkCity,itsharbor,andtheneighboringareas.

LieutenantColonelThomasKnowltonhadassembledaselectgroupofofficerstoinformthemoftheneed.Eachwasbrave,each

wastrustworthy,andeachwassilentashestoodbeforethemaskingforavolunteer.Finally,twenty-one-year-oldNathanHalesteppedforward.

“AreyouanativeofLongIsland?”ColonelKnowltonquestionedtheeageryoungmanastheymetinKnowlton’smakeshiftofficetodiscusstheparticularsofthemission.

“No,sir.Coventry,Connecticut,andfromthere

toYaleCollege.”“Thenyoumusthave

visitedLongIslandasaboy?”

“No,sir.Ihaveneverbeen,thoughIdohavesomedistantcousinsthere.”HaleneglectedtoaddthatthosecousinswereLoyalists,rightlyassumingsuchinformationwouldgivenoboosttohispetition.

“Haveyouevenapassingfamiliaritywiththeland?

Perhapsfromstudyingitsgeographyorthesurveyors’charts?”

“Well,sir,mygoodfriendfromcollege,LieutenantBenjaminTallmadge,oftenurgedmetovisithisfamilythereduringthesummerandsometimesshowedmeonmapswherehishomewaslocatedandwhichwerethebestcovesforwatchingtheshipscomein.”

“Nothingmore?”

“No,sir.”Thecolonelshiftedinhis

campchair.Thisinterviewwasgrowinguncomfortable.“HowdidyouoccupyyourtimeatYale?”

“Withmystudies,astronomy,debates—andtheatricals,sir.”

Theatricals.Well,thatwassomething,Knowltonthought.AtleastHalewouldhavesomeabilitytoassumearoleandplayitconvincingly.

Thenagain,healsoknewthatcollegeplaystendedtobeeitheroverwroughtclassicaldramasoftheGreeksandRomansorelsehilariousfarcesfeaturingboisterousyoungactorsmoreinterestedinlaughingastheirfriendsdonnedladies’dressesandwigsthaninconveyinganypartofanintelligiblestory.

“IseethatyourunitoftheConnecticutmilitiaparticipatedinthevictorious

SiegeofBostonlastyear;amIcorrecttoassume,then,thatyouareaseasonedsoldieracquaintedwiththedeprivationsofsuppliesandthestressofbattle?”

Haleblinkedrapidlyandcolorroseinhisface.“No,sir.IwasaschoolmasterinNewLondonandmyteachingcontractdidnotenduntilthatJuly.ThesiegewasalreadyoverbythetimeIwasreleasedfrommy

obligations.Ihavebeeninvolvedinsomesmallactions,butnothingofmuchsignificance.However”—hefumbledinhispocketanddrewoutaletter—“LieutenantTallmadgetookituponhimselftowritetomelastsummerwhenIwaspreparingtoleavetheschoolandjoinupwiththeSeventhConnecticutRegiment,andhiswords...well,theyinspiredme,sir.”

TheoldermaneyedHalewarily.ThatTallmadgewasarisingstarintheContinentalArmywasundeniable,butTallmadge’sownshrewdnessandabilitydidnotautomaticallytransfertohisidealisticyoungfriend.“Whatdidhesaythatcouldhavepossiblystirredyoursoulsomuchthatyouwouldvolunteertobetheloneoperativeinadangerousmission?”

“Withyourpermission,sir?”Halehelduptheletter.

Knowltonnodded.“‘Iaminformedthatyou

arehonoredbytheAssemblywithaLieutenant’scommission,’”Halebeganreadinginaclear,strongvoicethatbothsurprisedandimpressedhisloneaudiencemember.MaybetheyoungmanhadbeenapromisingthespianontheYalestageafterall.“‘Ithinkthemore

extensiveServicewouldbemychoice.OurholyReligion,thehonourofourGod,agloriouscountry,&ahappyconstitutioniswhatwehavetodefend.Someindeedmaysaythereareotherswhomaysupplyyourplace.Truetherearemenwhowouldgladlyacceptsuchaproposalbutarewecertainthattheywouldbelikelytoanswerjustasgoodanend?...Weallshouldbereadytostepforth

inthecommoncause.’”Thetaperonthewax

candleatopKnowlton’sdesksputteredalittleastinyflecksofashfellontothewood;otherwise,theroomwassilent.Heweighedtheconflictingthoughtsinhismind.Halecertainlyseemedintelligent,ifwetbehindtheears,andhisconvictionwasundeniableandmoving—inspiring,even.True,heknewnothingofLongIsland,

butaquickstudyonlocalgeographyandcustomswouldbesufficient.Besides,whoelsehadsteppedup?Therewerenoothervolunteersasfarasheknew,andWashingtonneededhismanasquicklyaspossible.“Youtrulybelieveyoucandothis?”

“Ihavenodoubt,sir,thatIamtherightman.”

“Andyouhavenoconcernsaboutespionage

beingabreachofhonor?”Haletookadeepbreath,

thenvoicedasentimenthehadclearlybeenmullingforsometime:“Iwishtobeuseful,andeverykindofservicenecessarytothepublicgoodbecomeshonorablebybeingnecessary.Iftheexigenciesofmycountrydemandapeculiarservice,itsclaimstotheperformanceofthatserviceareimperious.”

KnowltonhidasmileattheearnestnessofthispreparedspeechbuthadtoadmireHale’sseriousness.“Howsooncanyoutravel,Lieutenant?”

Halegrinned.“Rightaway,sir.”

“IshallinformGeneralWashingtonofthefact,andofyoureagernesstoundertakethetaskathand.”ColonelKnowltonrosetohisfeet,closingtheinterview.

“Speaktonooneofourmeeting.Youwillbecalleduponinduetimeifneeded.Youaredismissed.”

Withasharpsalute,Haleturnedonhisheelandstrodebuoyantlyoutthedoor.

ANARMYOFONE

WashingtonimmediatelyapprovedHale’sassignment.OnSeptember12,theyoung

manwasferriedacrossthewaterfromStamford,Connecticut,toLongIsland.Hewouldposeasaschoolmasterlookingforwork,acoverthatwouldgivehimanexcusetomeetleadingtownsmenandaskquestionsaboutthearea.

Butthemovewastoolate.AsSeptemberadvanced,sohadtheBritishtroops,capturingthelowerendofManhattanonSeptember15,

justthreedaysafterHalelanded.ThedefeathadbeeninevitableandWashingtonwaspreparedfortheblow,butthetimingcouldnothavebeenworse.

Halehadlittlechancetoestablishhisidentity,letalonetransmitanyhelpfulintelligencetoWashington,beforetheattackcameandchangedtheentirepurposeofhismission.Insteadofgatheringcluesforhowthe

Americansmightdefendtheirlaststronghold,henowhadtoequipthemwiththeknowledgeofhowtheymightwinbackthecity.Washingtonfearedthefledglingspywouldnotbeabletoadapt.

NotthatWashingtonhadn’tbeenimpressedwithHale.Quitetheopposite,infact.Thepassion,boldness,andjustatouchofcockinessthatHalehaddemonstrated

seemedtoWashingtontoperfectlyencapsulatethePatriotmovement.ButjustasmanyquestionedthewisdomoftheAmericans’challengetotheBritishCrown,Washington,too,foundhimselfwonderingwhetherHale’sfervor,whilecertainlyadmirable,wasnotalsoalittlenaive.Didhereallyknowwhathewasgettinginto?Thenagain,didanyofthem?TheAmericanshad

yankedthelion’smane,andnowHalehadwalkedintooneofitslairs.

WashingtonfeltkeenlytheresponsibilityforHale’ssafety,havinghadthefinalsayonwhetherornotthemissionwouldgoforward.Therewasnowayofknowinghowtheyoungmanwascoping,andthisconcernedWashingtonevenmore.Wherewashestaying?Withwhomwashespeaking?

Hadhestumbledintoanysituationsthatmightputhiminharm’sway—moresothanthemissionitself,thatis?Everytimeheheardtherapidhoovesofapost-rider’shorse,hehadtofighttheurgetorunoutandseizethelettersfromthecourier’shands.JustasmuchashecravedtheinformationHalewouldbesending,Washingtonwantedtheassurancethattheyounglieutenantstillmaintainedhis

coverandfeltconfidentinhisabilitytoquietlyexitLongIslandwhentherightmomentcame.

LongIslandwasenemyterritory.Itsfarmlandcrawledwithsoldiersdeterminedtoholdontotheirsliceoflandandeagertoarrestanyonewhomightthreatentheirprospectsofgainingmore.BecausetheBritishweresofirmlyentrenchedintheirprizerealestate,itwasa

perfectholdingpenfortheBritisharmyawaitingthenextoffensivestrike,andthetroopspouredin.BythetimeHalelanded,theislandwasfullofredcoatsarmedanditchingforafightwithanyonewhohadevenawhiffofPatriotsentimentsabouthim.

ButjustaspotentiallydamningtoHale’smissionwasthecivilianpopulation.WhileafewPatriotssuffered

throughtheoccupation,thesympathiesofmostLongIslanderslaywithKingGeorge.EvenifafarmerwasaPatriot,withaBritishmilitaryofficertakingquarterinhishousehewasverylikelytoshout“Godsavetheking!”ifitkepthischildrensafeandhisfieldsunscathed.Forthisreasonalone,Washingtonworriedthataseeminglytrustworthycontactmightbetemptedto

reportasuspectedspy,whetheroutoftrueloyaltytotheCrownorinthehopesofprocuringsomeadditionalprotectionforhisownfamilyandproperty.

AnynumberofinnocentsituationscouldblowHale’scovertoasuspiciouslocal:anignoranceoftheproximityofonetowntothenext,themispronunciationofawordpeculiartothatregion,aslipofthetonguethatbetrayed

himasamainlander.TheflimsynatureofHale’scoverstorymighteasilybeblownaswell—whatschoolwouldbelookingforateacherthisfarintoSeptember?Perhapshemightbespottedbyanoldfriendandhailedwithafamiliaritythatwouldbeimpossibletodeny.ALoyalistrelativemightdothesamething,butwithlessinnocentintentions.OrmaybeevenHale’sown

Patrioticzealwoulddohimin,wereheunabletoremainsilentinthefaceofinsultstohiscauseorsotrustingthathesharedhistruefeelingswithsomeonemasqueradingasasympatheticear.

Aweekpassedwithnodisaster,andWashingtonbreathedasighofrelief.Whilethedangerwasstillintense,hehopedHalehadestablishedasolidcoverandwasoutofdirectsuspicion.

Unfortunately,hisreliefwaspremature.

FAILURE

OnSeptember21,Washingtonspentmostofthedaystudyingmapsandpotentialbattleplansand,intheevening,writingafewletters.Hehadnowayofknowingthatatthetipofthepeninsula,NathanHalewas,

atthatverymoment,beingarrested,chargedwithspying,andsentencedto“behangedbytheneckuntildead”thefollowingmorning.

AsiftohighlightHale’slonelyexperienceonLongIsland,noonecansaywithcertaintyexactlywherehewasdetectedandcaptured,orevenwhatactivitieshewasengagedinbeforethatfatefulevent.SomehowhemadehiswaywestwardtoBrooklyn,

thencrossedoverintolowerManhattan,thoughnorecordsshowexactlywhenorhow.Perhapsheonlymadethatcrossinglater,asaprisoner.Bysomereports,hewasrecognizedbysomeLoyalistcousinsandreportedtotheBritish;byotherreports,hemistookaBritishboatastheferrysenttoreturnhimtosafety;bystillothers,hewaslulledintoafalsesenseofsecurityandsharedthedetails

ofhisplanswithsomeLoyalistlocalsatatavernandtheyturnedhimin.Whateverthecase,hewascaptured,tried,andhangedallinthespanofroughlytwelvehours.

ShortlyafterHale’sbodyceasedtoswinglikeapendulumintheParkofArtillery,CaptainJohnMontresorofHisMajesty’sarmysetoutfortheAmericancampunderaflagoftruce.Hewasgrantedanaudience

withayoungPatriotcaptainandaidetoGeneralWashingtonnamedAlexanderHamiltontoexplainthepurposeofhisvisitandinformtheAmericansoftheexecutionofLieutenantHale.Thevisitwasnotonlyaformalcourtesybutalsoathinlyveiledwarningthattheirsadlittleattemptatespionagehadbeenanembarrassingfailure.

ThenewscutWashington

deeply.Casualtieswereanunavoidablepartoftheuglybusinessofwar,buthadthegeneralnotknownthefutilityoftheeffortevenbeforesendingHaleonhismission?Hadhenotimmediatelydetectedadozenproblemswiththeplan?Didhenotsense,deepdown,thatithadbeendoomedfromthestartwhenonebravebutuntriedyoungmanhadtakenalloftheresponsibilityupon

himself?Hale’sdeathwasatragedyforitsownsake,forthefactthatWashingtonnowhadnoagenttofeedhimtheinformationhedesperatelyneededfromLongIsland,andbecauseofhowunnecessaryitwas.Hadthereonlybeenamoreknowledgeable,lessconspicuousringinplacewhosememberscouldnotonlygatherthenecessaryinformationbutalsoprotectoneanotherevenasthey

operatedinanonymity,thingsmighthavegoneverydifferently.

Hale’sattempttogatherandconveyinformationhadbeenanutterfailure,buthehadgivenhisbelovedgeneralsomethingjustasvaluable:therecognitionthatWashingtonneededmorethanjustonebravemanonLongIsland;heneededanentirenetwork.

ATURNATTRENTON

Astheautumnof1776progressedtowinter,GeneralGeorgeWashingtonfoundhimselfmarchingfromNewYorktoNewJerseytoPennsylvaniainaseriesofdishearteningcampaigns.Histroopsweredemoralizedandthecivilianpopulationevenmoreso,asmanywhowereformerlyenthusiasticsupportersofthePatriotic

causetookoathsoffidelitytothekingorelsesimplyquietlywithdrewtheirsupportforliberty.InOctober,Washingtonmetupwithreinforcements,butfoundtheirnumberamerehalfofthefivethousandtroopshehadanticipated.Supplieswerelowandhecouldnolongercountonthelocalpopulacetoshowtheirsupportbysellingfoodandothernecessarysuppliesto

theContinentalArmy.TheBritishtroops,ontheotherhand,werewellsuppliedandtheirnumbersbolsteredbytheHessians,Germanmercenarieswithareputationforbeingbouldersofmenandunflappableinbattle.

JustbeforethecelebrationofChristmas,WashingtonwaseyeingareturntoNewJersey.Hehadtoregaincontrolofthemid-Atlanticafterthe

disappointingautumnorlosethewar,sohebegantoformulateaplantoattacktheHessianencampmentatTrenton—adaringraidrequiringyetanothertreacherousferryingofmenandsuppliesacrosswater.Bravinglargemassesoficeandwinterwindsthatcouldeasilyoverturnthesmallboats,hismenwouldcrosstheriverandcapturethecityinanattempttobreaka

strongholdofBritishcontrolintheregion.

“WeareinaverydisaffectedpartoftheProvence,”WashingtonwrotetohisbrothersJohnandSamuelintwotellingandverynearlyverbatimletters.Samuel’sversion,datedDecember18,1776,reads:

Andbetweenyouandme,IthinkourAffairs

areinaverybadsituation;notsomuchfromtheapprehensionofGenl.Howe’sArmy,asfromthedefectionofNewYork,Jerseys,andPennsylvania.Inshort,theConductoftheJerseyshasbeenmostInfamous.InsteadofturningouttodefendtheirCountryandaffordingaidtoourArmy,theyaremaking

theirsubmissionsasfastastheycan.IftheJerseyshadgivenusanysupport,wemighthavemadeastandatHackensackandafterthatatBrunswick,butthefewMilitiathatwereinArms,disbandedthemselvesorslunkoffinsuchamannerupontheappearanceofdangerastoleaveusquite

unsupportedandtomakethebestshiftswecouldwithoutthemandleftthepoorremainsofourArmytomakethebestwecouldofit.

IhavenodoubtbutthatGeneralHowewillstillmakeanattemptuponPhiladelphiathisWinter.Iseenothingtoopposehimafortnighthence,asthetimeofalltheTroops,except

thoseofVirginia(reducedalmosttonothing,)andSmallwood’sRegimentofMaryland,(equallyasbad)willexpireinlessthanthattime.InawordmydearSir,ifeverynerveisnotstrain’dtorecruittheNewArmywithallpossibleexpedition,Ithinkthegameisprettynearup....

YoucanformnoIdeaoftheperplexityofmySituation.NoMan,Ibelieve,everhadagreaterchoiceofdifficultiesandlessmeanstoextricatehimselffromthem.HoweverunderafullpersuasionofthejusticeofourCauseIcannotbutthinktheprospectwillbrighten,althoughforawise

purposeitis,atpresenthidunderacloudentertainanIdeathatitwillfinallysinktho’itmayremainforsometimeunderaCloud.

Washingtonhadsmiledalittle,inspiteofhimself,asheclosedtheletterwithgreetingssenttohissister-in-lawandherchildren.Yes,thepastfewmonthshadbeen

bleakandthefuturelookedlikeitwouldbeverymuchthesame,butWashingtonclungtothatshredofhopewithwhichhehadreassuredhisbrother.ThoughthePatriotcausewascloakedbyacloud,hiscautiousoptimismwasrootedinsomethingmoresolidthanjustadesperatehopethatanothermiraclemayyetcometohisaid.Washingtonhadasecret.

JohnHoneyman,aScots-IrishimmigrantwhohadservedtheBritishCrownfaithfullyduringtheFrenchandIndianWar,wasnowplyinghistradeasaweaverandbutcherinTrenton,supplyingtheHessiantroopsandmakinghisallegiancetotheCrowncommonknowledge.WhilewanderingdangerouslyclosetotheAmericanlinesoneday,Honeymanhadbeencaptured

andquestionedbynoneotherthanGeneralWashingtonhimself.Afewdayslater,shortlyafterWashingtonhadwrittentohisbrothers,HoneymanescapedbacktoTrentonunderthecoverofsomesmalldisturbanceinthecamp.OnceagainbehindHessianlines,heinsisteduponanaudiencewithColonelJohannRall,informinghimofwhathehadobservedwhileheldbythe

Americans.“Therewillbenoattack,”

HoneymantoldRall.“TheAmericantroopsaresodisheartenedandsobedraggled,theyhavenoplansofadvancinganytimesoon.”

ThebigGermanlaughedatthethoughtoftheupstartcolonialswastingawayastheytriedtoputonabraveshow:“WirwerdenfröhlichesWeihnachtenschließlich

haben!”(WewillhaveamerryChristmas,afterall!)

ColonelRalldismissedthetrustedtradesmanwithaheartyslapontheback,andwenttoinformhissubordinatesthattheycouldstanddownandcommencewiththeChristmascelebrations.Someonehadprocuredquiteafewcasksofale,andtheywerealleagertotoastthebirthoftheChristchildinroaringfashioneven

asthechurchtolledthebellsmarkingChristmasEve.Meanwhile,HoneymanquicklyandquietlygatheredhisfamilyandretreatedeastwardtoNewBrunswick,NewJersey...andWashingtonpreparedtostrike.

Ithadallbeenabeautifullyorchestratedsetup,fromHoneyman’spositioninTrentontohiscapture,escape,andmeetingwith

Rall.HehadbeenadedicatedBritishsoldiertwentyyearsago,butnowhewasWashington’sman.LearningfromHale’sdeath,thegeneralhadreachedouttoHoneymanearlierthatfall,countingonhisoutstandingcredentialsfromthepreviouswar,unshakablebravery,andunsuspiciousoccupationtoenablehimtooperateundetected.Sureenough,Honeymancasually

questionedandcarefullycountedthemenaboutthecityandofferedafullreportofitbacktoWashingtonfromhisjailcellfollowinghis“capture.”Washington,havingpersonallyarrangedforthemeansbywhichHoneymancouldescape,hadthenaskedhisagenttoplantthefalsestoryinRall’searbeforespiritinghimselfandhisfamilyoutofharm’swaywhentheattackcameonthe

unsuspectingHessians.Itwasaperfectplanthat

wentoffwithoutahitch.Honeymanplayedhispartbeautifully,andtheHessiantroops,allfightingmassivehangoversfromtheirraucousChristmasrevelries,werecaughtcompletelyoffguardwhenthePatriotslaunchedtheirattackintheweehoursofDecember26.Thevictorywasswift,decisive,andcrucialfortheAmerican

cause.Washington’sespionage

successfurtherbuoyedhimandthetroops.ButthelossofLongIslandandManhattanstillweighedheavilyonthegeneral’smind.Hedidn’tthinkthewarcouldbewonwithoutrecapturingthemand,likeTrenton,theycouldnotbetakenwithoutgood,reliableintelligence.Honeyman’seffortsatTrentonhadprovedthevalue

ofawell-placedspyandtaughttwogoodlessons:Washington’sspieswouldhavetoblendinasHoneymanhad(andHalehadnot),andtheywouldhavetobeabsolutelyconvincingintheirroles.

Washingtonwouldneedacollectionofagents—aringofcommonmenandwomenwithunquestionablefidelityandunassumingidentities.Hisfirsttaskwouldbeto

enlisttwokeyindividuals:(1)anofficerfamiliarwiththeterritoryandwellacquaintedwiththelocalfamiliesandcustoms,whocouldorchestratethewholeenterprisebutremainclosetoWashington’sside,and(2)anagentonthegroundwhocouldrecruittheothermembers,preferablyapersonwhowaswellconnectedbuthadlargelykepthispoliticalopinionstohimself

throughouttheconflictthusfar—amanwhowouldnotraisesuspicionsbutwouldratherdiethansurrenderhisGod-givenliberties.

ICHAPTER3

LaunchingtheRing

nFebruary1777,WashingtonwrotetoNathanielSackett,a

NewYorkmerchant,suppliertotheContinentalArmy,andPatriotactivist.Theshortlettergottotheheartofthematterimmediately.He

offeredSackettfiftydollarsamonth—ageneroussumfromthecash-strappedAmericangovernment—toestablishanetworkofspiestolearn“theearliestandbestintelligenceofthedesignsoftheenemy.”Sackett’sefforts,whileinitiallyfruitful,collapsedafewmonthslaterinaseriesofunfortunatemishapsandfailedmissionsthatyieldedfewresultsoftheimpactWashingtonwasseeking.

FindingtherightmantoleadtheNewYorkringwasprovingharderthanplanned.

Inthefallof1777,ayearafterNathanHale’sdeath,WashingtonstillhadnoNewYorkspyring,mostlybecausethegeneral’sattentionsweredivertedagainfromNewYorktoPhiladelphia,whichtheBritishhadrecentlycaptured.Forthenextfewmonths,Washingtondevotedmostof

hisattentiontoregainingtheCityofBrotherlyLoveandplacedtheNewYorkintelligenceeffortsonholdindefinitely.

AMISSION

As1777turnedinto1778,thetideofthewarchanged.WhenBenjaminFranklin’snegotiationsinFrancefinallyculminatedinLouisXVI’s

commitmenttosupporttheAmericancauseinFebruary1778,theBritishstrategyhadtochange.DespiteadevastatingwinteratValleyForge,theAmericanswerenolongerfightingalone,scrapingoutvictoriesfromsheerluck,pluck,andwhatevergoodfortuneProvidencethrewtheirway.ByJune1778,orderswereissuedfortheBritisharmyinPhiladelphiatoabandonthe

cityandsettheirsightsonstrengtheningtheirall-importantholdonNewYork.

Washingtonandhismenpreparedtofollowsuit,packinguptheragtagarmytoleaveValleyForge.Thelogisticsofmovinganarmywereall-consuming,butWashingtonwaspreoccupiedwithanevenmoreimportanttask—thetimehadcometofocushisfullattentiononforminghisspynetwork,and

nothingwoulddistracthimnow.

WashingtontappedBrigadierGeneralCharlesScott,arusticmanfromcentralVirginia,toserveashischiefofintelligence.Itwasalogicalappointment;Scottwasexperiencedandable,withanimpressiverecordincommand.HehaddistinguishedhimselfasascoutduringtheFrenchandIndianWarandhadserved

alongsideWashingtonforthedurationofthePennsylvaniacampaign.ButdespiteScott’scapabilitiesandqualifications,hewasabrasiveandunimaginative.Evenworse,hisknowledgeofthetopographyandwaterwaysofManhattanandLongIslandwasseverelylimited.

QuicklyrecognizingthatScott’seffortscouldeasilygothesamewayasNathan

Hale’sandNathanielSackett’s,WashingtonscrambledtofindanothermantoheaduptheactualinfiltrationofNewYork.Heneededsomeonewhoknewnotonlythecityandthevariousroutesintoandoutofitbutalsoenoughtrustedlocalstorecruitasspies.Thecandidatewouldalsoneedtobenearlyinexhaustibleifheweretodevotethetime,strategy,andenergy

necessarytomaketheringsuccessful.

FortunatelyforWashington,oneoftherisingyoungstarsoftheContinentalArmyfitthebillexactly.BenjaminTallmadge,agallantyoungmajorwhosecurlsalwaysseemedtobeescapingbeneathhissharpdragoonhelmet,wasstillrathergreen,buthiskeennessofmindwasapparenttoeveryonewhomethim,and

heknewhowtoearntherespectandfaithofhismendespitetheoccasionalmisstep.Besides,hisdemonstratedcourage,hisimagination,and,mostimportant,hisbackgroundmadehimtheperfectcandidate.

ARISINGSTAR

MajorBenjaminTallmadge

wasaratherunlikelymilitaryman.HewasbornonFebruary25,1754,thesecondsonoftheReverendBenjaminandSusannahSmithTallmadge,inaparsonageinSetauket,ahamletintheregionofBrookhaven,SuffolkCounty,LongIsland.Thesonandgrandsonofaminister,youngBenjaminseemeddestinedforthepulpitratherthanthetrenches.

BenjaminJuniorwasanextremelybright,precociouschild.Oneofhisfather’sdutiesasparsonwastoinstructtheyoungmenofthevillagewhowerehopingtoattendcollege,preparingthemfortherigorousentranceexamsbysupplyingthemwiththerequisiteknowledgeofLatin,Greek,theology,andrhetoric.Energeticandenthusiasticaboutanythingthatseemed

remotelychallenging,youngBenjaminwaseagertojoinhisfather’sclassesandthrivedunderincreasinglydifficultcurricula.Bytheageoftwelveorthirteen,hehadprovedsoproficientthathewasadmittedtoYalebythecollegepresident,buttheReverendTallmadgefelthissonwastooyoung.Athisfather’sbidding,Benjaminwaiteduntilhewasfifteentoenroll.Inthemeantime,

Susannahdied,leavingtheTallmadgemenaloneintheparsonage.Thesadnessinthehousefollowingherpassingwasoppressive,andBenjaminfoundthatleavingwassomethingofarelief.

Hewaswellpreparedforcollegelife.“BeingsowellversedintheLatinandGreeklanguages,Ihadnotmuchoccasiontostudyduringthefirsttwoyearsofmycollegiatelife,”Tallmadge

lateradmitted,“whichIhavealwaysthoughthadatendencytomakemeidle.”Buthistimewasnotwasted.Hequicklybecamepopularamonghisclassmates,includingNathanHale,whofoundTallmadge’sintelligence,energy,andgoodnaturefascinating.

Playhouseswereveryrareinthecoloniesatthetime,andpublicopinionconsideredtheater

somewherebetweenfrivolousanddownrightsinful.Thisirresistiblecombinationofnoveltyandpotentialscandalmadetheatricalsafavoritepastimeamongcollegestudents.TallmadgeandHalewereoftenatthecenteroftheseproductions,andfrequentedseveralotherclubsthatexploredthevariousdisciplinesfutureschoolmastersshouldmaster:astronomy,geometry,history,

debate,andnaturalsciences.Thesesubjectswerealsocoveredinclasses,butthiswastheAgeofEnlightenmentandthepursuitofknowledgewasalltherage—evenamongfun-lovingyoungmen.

BenjamingraduatedfromYalein1773withadistinguishedacademicrecord,despitehissomewhatlackadaisicalfreshmanandsophomoreyears,anda

severeboutofmeaslesthatmarkedpartofhisjuniorandsenioryears;hewaseveninvitedbythecollegepresidenttospeakatthecommencementceremony.Upongraduation,thepositionofsuperintendentofthehighschoolinWethersfield,Connecticut,wasofferedtohim,andTallmadgeseizedtheopportunitytoimparthisenthusiasmforstudytoayoungergeneration.There,he

servedfaithfullyforthreeyears,thoughhisambitionsdrewhimtowardthelegalprofessionandhebegantoseriouslyconsiderstudyinglaw.

Butinthespringof1775,“theshotheard’roundtheworld”rangoutatLexington,Massachusetts,followedbyaskirmishatConcordafewhourslater.Thatoneday,April19,wouldmarkanindeliblechangeinthecourse

ofhistory,andBenjaminTallmadge,likemanyotheryoungmenofhistime,wassweptupinPatrioticfervorastheWarofIndependenceofficiallybegan.ThebloodybattleatBunkerHillragedshortlyafterwardinJune,andTallmadgetookadvantageofhisschool’ssummerholidaytoridetheonehundredmilestoBostontolearnofthelatestnewsfirsthand.HemetwithsomeConnecticutfriends

whohadbeeninvolvedinthecombat,andtheirstoriesofheroismandzealbegantoshiftTallmadge’sgoalfromfightinginjusticeinthecourtroomtofightingtyrannyonthebattlefield.

HebeganthefalltermatWethersfieldseriouslyweighingvariouscoursesforhisfuture.Withthearrivalof1776,theContinentalCongressgaveapprovalforthecoloniestoactively

expandtheirfightingbrigades.CaptainJohnChester,oneoffriendswithwhomTallmadgehadvisitedtheprevioussummer,waselevatedtotherankofcolonel,andinvitedTallmadgetojoinhisregimentasacommissionedofficer.Thus,LieutenantBenjaminTallmadge,hiscommissionsignedbyGovernorJonathanTrumbull,tookhisleaveoftheschoolat

theendofthetermandofficiallybecameamemberofConnecticut’sContinentalLineonJune20,1776.

ItwasamovethatastonishedBenjamin’sfatherandhissecondwife,theformerMissZipporahStrong.AshisunitmarchedtowardManhattan,LieutenantTallmadgegainedleavetoventureacrossthewatertoLongIslandtoseehisfamily.Hispiousfatherwasshocked

tolearnthatbothBenjaminandhisolderson,William,hadenlisted,buthegrantedhisblessingatBenjamin’srequest.

Nowasoldier,Tallmadgecontinuedtodistinguishhimselfwithhisboundlessenergyanduncannyknackforwinningpeopleover,buttheartofwardidn’tcomeeasilytothenewrecruit.WithAugustcamethefatefulBattleofBrooklynandthe

betrayalofBrigadierGeneralNathanielWoodhullandhisbranchoftheLongIslandmilitiaatJamaicaPass.ThebattlewasTallmadge’sfirsttasteofwar,anditshookhim.

“ThiswasthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhadwitnessedtheawfulsceneofabattle,whenmanwasengagedtodestroyhisfellow-man,”Tallmadgewrotemorethanfiftyyearslater.“Iwell

remembermysensationsontheoccasion,fortheyweresolemnbeyonddescription,andveryhardlycouldIbringmymindtobewillingtoattemptthelifeofafellow-creature.”

Theirfather’sblessingprovedfruitfulforBenjaminbutnotforhisbrotherWilliam.AtthesametimethatBenjaminwasexperiencingsuchaconflictofconscienceatthehorrorof

killing,Williamwasbeinghauledoffasaprisoner,capturedinbattlebytheBritish.Inthedesperateweeksthatfollowed,Benjamin’sgoodnatureanddoggeddeterminationfailedhimforperhapsthefirsttimeinhislife.Togetherwithsomeinfluentialfriends,hemaderepeatedattemptstohaveprovisionsdeliveredtoWilliamintheBritishprisonshipwherehewasbeingheld,

butalleffortswererebuffed,allfoodparcelsandblanketsdenied.Williamstarvedtodeathatsomepointintheautumnof1776,andhisbodywaseitherthrownoverthesideoftheshipintocoldNewYorkHarbororburiedinanunmarkedgraveontheshore.

NathanHale’sdeath,coincidingwithWilliam’sdesperateplight,wasadifficultblow.Tallmadge’sconscienceshoutedthathe

wouldhavebeenafarbettermanforthejobthanpoorHale,whohadneverevensetfootonLongIsland.ButtheopportunityhadnotbeenofferedtoTallmadgeandhehadpreciouslittletimetodwellonthetragedy.HisunitcontinuedtomarchwithGeneralWashington,engagingintheBattleofWhitePlainsonOctober28,whenBenjaminhimselfwasverynearlycapturedby

Hessiantroopsashewasusheringhismenacrosstheriver.

Inmid-December1776,BenjaminTallmadgewasappointedcaptainoftheSecondContinentalLightDragoonsbyGeneralGeorgeWashingtonhimself,whohadadmiredtheyoungman’sabilitiesandconduct,nottomentionhisloyalty.Theappointmentwassignedintheunmistakablehandof

JohnHancock,andTallmadgeaccepteditwillingly.Hedevotedthefirstthirdof1777totrainingmenandhorsesforreconnaissance,scoutingmissions,andlightraidsaheadofthemoreheavilyarmedcavalryandartillerybrigades,ajob,Tallmadgelaterwrote,thatheenjoyedthoroughly:“Myowntroopwascomposedentirelyofdapplegrayhorses,which,

withblackstrapsandblackbear-skinholster-covers,lookedsuperb.IhavenohesitationinacknowledgingthatIwasveryproudofthiscommand.”

Tallmadgecontinuedhisdedicatedanddistinguishedservice,andapromotiontomajorfollowedinApril1777.Attheendofthatyear,somethinghappenedthatwouldchangehiscareer.Afteranattackonhistroops,

Tallmadgereceivedwordofanunusualnature.Ashedescribedit,“acountrygirlhadgoneintoPhiladelphia;witheggs,instructedtoobtainsomeinformationrespectingtheenemy.”ArrangementsweremadethatsheshouldmeetTallmadgeattheRisingSunTavern,whereshequicklypassedonallinformationabouttroopnumbersandsupplycountsthatshehadbeenableto

gather,likelyfromanothersympatheticcontactinsidethecity.

ButtheRisingSunwasnotanidealplaceforcover,asitwasclearlyvisiblefromtheBritishlines,andTallmadgewasspottedandidentifiedenteringtheestablishment.Whilethegirlwasstillofferingherreport,thealarmwassoundedthatanarmedBritishguardwasfastapproaching;Tallmadge

dashedoutside,swungthegirlupbehindhimonhishorse,andthetwotookoffatfullspeed,streakingtowardGermantown,alittlemorethanthreemilesaway,withtheBritishinclosepursuit.Onceinthesafetyoftown,thegirldismountedanddisappeared,andTallmadgebegantomakehiswaybacktohisunit.

Buttheexperienceoftheyoungcitizen-spystayedwith

him.“Duringthewholeride,”herecordedinhismemoirs,“althoughtherewasconsiderablefiringofpistols,andnotalittlewheelingandcharging,sheremainedunmoved,andneveroncecomplainedforfearaftershemountedmyhorse.Iwasdelightedwiththistransaction,andreceivedmanycomplimentsfromthosewhobecameacquaintedwithit.”

Braveryandresolvefromthemostunlikelycornerscouldstillbecountedontorisetothechallengeandtakeonwhatevermissionwasnecessaryforthesakeoffreedom.Thesafetyofthosesoulswasalsoasacredtrust.ThatmuchwascleartoTallmadge,andsoonhewouldnotonlyhaveanotherchancetoseesuchcourageinactionbutalsobeawillingplayer.

Duringthatbrutalwinterof1777andintoJanuary1778,TallmadgestayedclosetoGeneralWashingtonatValleyForge;insuchcrampedandmiserablequarters,theyoungofficerimpressedhiscommander.Hewasstillsomewhatuntestedandnotalwaysasfarsightedasmoreseasonedofficers,butitwasclearthatbothhisinputandhisunsinkableenthusiasmwere

valuedbybothsubordinatesandsuperiors.

WhenWashingtontappedhimtoactasspymasteronLongIsland,Tallmadgeactedquickly.Heknewrightawaywhomhewouldapproachtobehismanontheground.

GCHAPTER4

CrossingtheSound

rowingup,AbrahamWoodhullhadbeen

aneighborofTallmadge’s,andhesharedmanyoftheyoungofficer’sideals,butthat’swheretheirresemblanceended.Byall

accounts,Woodhullwasnobright-eyed,optimistic,jolly-young-man-turned-soldierwhoraneagerlyintothewelcomingarmsoftheAmericancause.Hissentimentslaywithliberty,butasaconfirmedbachelorandself-proclaimedoldmanbeforetheageofthirty,heputsuchapremiumonpersonalautonomythatheavoidedofficialmilitaryservice,wherehewouldhave

beensubjecttotheordersofsuperiors.

Abrahamwashisparents’thirdson,raisedundertheshadowofaprominentandcelebratedfamily(whichincludedtheill-fatedGeneralNathanWoodhull,acousin)tobeneithertheheirnorthesparetothepaternalestate.Whilehisolderbrothers,RichardVandAdam,weregroomedtostepintotheroleofAmericangentlemen,

youngAbrahamwasreleasedtothefreedomoftheoutdoors.Itwasadismissalheneithermindednorresented,ashefoundthetediumofschoolworkuninspiring.Whilehisbrotherswerelaboringoverpassagesofclassicalrhetoric,AbrahamgainedanintimateknowledgeofthelandscapeofLongIsland,connectingeverytopographicalfeaturewithitsowner.

TheWoodhullgirls,SusannahandMary,dotedontheirbabybrother,andAbrahamwasequallyfondofthem.WhenMarymarriedAmosUnderhillandmovedwithhimtoManhattan,Abrahammadeahabitofvisitingthem.SometimeshetraversedLongIslandandthencrossedtheEastRivertoManhattan,andothertimeshecaughtaridewithalongshoremanrowingacross

LongIslandSoundtoConnecticutandthentraveledsouthwardtothecity.Heenjoyedthesetrips,butthefamilywassoontofacedifficulttimes.In1768,attheageoftwenty-one,Adamdied;sixyearslater,attheageofthirty,RichardVdied.Andso,in1774,AbrahamfoundhimselfsuddenlyandunexpectedlyinpositiontoinherittheWoodhullfamily’shomestead.

Itwasawindfallhehadneitherhopedforwhenitwasoutofreachnorrelishednowthatitwashis.Hehadneverconsideredhimselfcutfromthesamefabricastherestoftheprominentlandowners,andhadgonetosomepainstodistinguishhimselffromtheiruprightanduptightbehavior.AbrahamWoodhullwasproudofbeingtheblacksheepofhisstraitlacedfamily,andheassumedthe

burdenoffamilialdutywithreluctance;itsmackedofOldWorldthinking.IfhewastorejectKingGeorge’sauthorityonthebasisthatthemonarchhadsimplybeenbornintohisposition,whycouldhenotalsorejecthisownfamily’sexpectationsforhimtopickupthemantleofWoodhullrespectabilitysimplybecausehewasthesolesurvivingson-of-a-son-of-a-son-of-a-son-of-a-son?

OCCUPIEDNEWYORK

Whenwareruptedthefollowingyear,Woodhull’sjourneystoManhattanbyboththenorthernandthesouthernroutesbecamemoreperilous,thoughhecontinuedtovisithissisterwheneverhecould.By1777,NewYorkhadfallenfromquiteaheightofPatrioticfervor.ManhattananditssurroundingareashadalwaysleanedLoyalist,butin

theearlyyearsoftheconflict,therewasstillasignificantPatriotpopulation.WhenthenewlypennedDeclarationofIndependencewasreadpubliclythesummerbefore,thereactionhadbeenwildlyenthusiastic.RowdyPatriotstoredownastatueofKingGeorgeinspontaneousprotestandmelteditsfourthousandpoundsofleadforbullets.GeneralGeorgeWashington,while

appreciatingthemettle(andresourcefulness)demonstrated,chastisedsomeofhisownofficersinvolvedinwhatheviewedasanundignifiedanddisrespectfulact.

AftertheBritishprovedvictoriousattheBattleofBrooklynandthenwiththefallofManhattan,inAugustandSeptemberof1776,respectively,therewasademographicshiftasmany

Patriotsleftthecityformorelike-mindedlocalesandLoyalistsfloodedintothecitythatwasviewedasasafehavenforthosewhosidedwiththeCrown.ThefirethatragedthroughasignificantportionofthecityfollowingtheAmericans’retreatalsocontributedtothechangeinpopulation.MorethanonePatriotlosthishomeorbusinesstothefire.Itmighthavebeenworthstayingand

rebuildinghadtheconqueringarmybeenasympatheticone,butthelossofshelter,livelihood,andpoliticalpowerwastoomuchformanypeopletobearallatonce.

Whatdestructionandpoliticsdidn’tdriveout,filthdid.NicholasCresswell,anEnglishmanvisitingNewYork,recordedhisdisgustwiththestateofthecityfollowingthewinterthawin

thespringof1777.Hecomplainedaboutthesheernumberofpeoplecrowdedintothecity’sconfines,“almostlikeherringsinabarrel,mostofthemverydirtyandnotasmallnumbersickofsomedisease,theItch,Pox,Fever,orFlux.”Hefurtheropined,“Ifanyauthorhadaninclinationtowriteatreatiseuponstinksandillsmells,henevercouldmeetwithmoresubjectmatterthan

inNewYork.”Forthosewell-to-do

Loyalistswhostayedinthecitybecauseitwastheirhome,thegeneralsqualorwasoflittleconcern;therewasstillasparklingsocialscenefullofdinnerpartiesandballs,providingaglitteringmaskofdenial.Afterall,suchwasurbanlife,andNewYorkwascertainlylargeenoughtoabsorbwhateverelementscameits

way.TheBritishofficersstationedthereenjoyedthehighlife,onlyoccasionallyinterruptedbythenecessaryevilofhavingtoearntheirpaybyleadingtroopsintobattle.Whenthetentswerestruckandthecannonsmokecleared,theywentbacktolivingitupintheballrooms,coffeehouses,andtavernsofManhattan.

Thecommonfootsoldiersstationedtherewere

hardlyenjoyingthesameprivilegesastheircommissionedleadership,butthey,too,hadthebenefitsofsteadypayandtheautomaticauthorityconferredbytheiruniforms.Lifeforcivilianswhowerelesswell-offwasharder,astheycompetedforwhatresourceswereleftoverafterthetroopsweresupplied.

ForthosePatriotswhoremainedbehindwhenthe

Americantroopswithdrew,lifebecameakindoffragilemaze;itcouldbesuccessfullynavigatedifonetrodcarefully,butawrongturnorfalsemovecouldleaveoneisolatedandalone,andasingleerrantstepcouldcauseanirreparablecrack.Thephysicalfightingbetweenarmieshadsubsided,butthatdidnotmeanpeacehadfilledthevacuum.

Yetdespitethedisease,

stink,vice,andeveryotherundesirabletraitwithwhichthecitywasplagued,NewYorkwasstillthemostdesirablepieceofrealestateontheNorthAmericancontinent.AsthegeographicalheartoftheEnglisheasternseaboard,itwasstrategicallysignificantfrombothanavalandaneconomicperspective.AnditwasstillsolidlyoutsideofGeneralWashington’sgrasp

—butnotoutofreachofAbrahamWoodhull.WhetherornothewastransportinggoodsbackandforthbetweenManhattanandLongIslandwithoutofficialBritishsanctionwas,byhisownestimation,noone’sbusinessbuthisown.Afterall,itwashisneckonthelineifhewascaught.

SMUGGLING

Woodhullwasinfinitelypracticalandtookprideinhispragmatism.Whatusedidafarmerhaveforfrivolity?Unlikeamerchant,whoseprofitabilityhingedontheartofaccuratelyreadingandpredictingthesocialwhimsofthespendingpublic,afarmerdependedonthehardscienceofnatureforhislivelihood.Butsometimesthoseworldsintersected—afarmerwithashrewd

businesssensecouldcapitalizeonthetastesandtrendsofthegeneralpopulationbytradinghisproduceforluxurygoodsthathecouldsellforaheftyprofitwhileneverhavingtoindulgeinthetrappingsoffashionabilityhimself.Whatcouldbemorepracticalthanthat?

Urbane,bustlingNewYorkimportedexoticandhigh-endmerchandisefrom

aroundtheglobe;suchtradewasthebasisofmuchofitseconomy.Butitscobblestonestreetsandtightlypackedhomesandbusinessesleftlittleearthforgardens,letalonelarge-scalefarming.Andyetthepopulationneededtoeat.Northofthecity,workingfarmsdottedtheHudsonValley,butthoseareaswerelargelyinPatriothands.Britishsoldierscloselymonitoredeveryroadinand

outofManhattan,andfarmerswhobroughtinwagonsofmeats,grains,cheeses,andvegetablesforsaleinthecitywerelikelytofacetaxesorevenconfiscationofpartoftheirgoods.Still,itwasgoodbusiness,evenifsomelosseshadtobefactoredinaspartofthegame.

ThefarmersandfishermenonLongIslanddevisedwaystogetaround

theBritishtaxes.SometooktheferrythatranbetweenBrooklynandManhattan,carryingbundlesoffooddisguisedasordinarygoodsoflittleinteresttotheauthorities;othersfoundtheirownmeansoftransport.OneortwomencouldcrosstheSoundduewesttolargelyPatriotConnecticut,thentravelbyfootorelserowsouthtoManhattanwithawell-stockedwhaleboat.After

quicklyandeasilyunloadingtheirgoodsathighpricestocityresidentshungryforfresh,wholesomeproduce,theywouldfilltheskiffupwithtea,spices,foreignwines,andtrinketsnotavailableonLongIslandthattheycouldbuycheaplyinthecity.Someofthesecapitaliststradedfortheirowngratification(orthatoftheirfamilies);others,likeWoodhull,foundtheycould

sellthegoodsatexaggeratedpricestotheisolatedandluxury-starvedresidentsofLongIsland.Itwasasimplecaseofsupplyanddemand.LuxurygoodswerewantedandWoodhullwashappytosupplythem—inreturnforsilver.

Butitwasalsoriskybusiness.TheSoundwaspatrolledbytheformidableBritishnavyand,eventhoughsmugglingwasacceptedas

commonpractice,anexamplewassometimesmadeofviolators.Menwhowerecaughtcouldfaceanythingfromasternwarningtoaheavyfinetoimprisonment.Thosewhowerenotcaughtcouldexpecttoliverathercomfortably.

Woodhullfoundhimselffavoringthelower-riskrouteoftheBrooklynferryasheonceagainbeganmakinghisregulartripsfromhishomein

SetaukettovisithissisterMaryandherhusband,AmosUnderhill,attheirManhattanboardinghouse.Thisfamilyconnectiongavehimawarmmealandaroofoverhisheadforthenight,possiblyabuilt-inclientele(ifnotamongboardersthenamongneighbors)forhissmuggledgoods,and,mostimportant,aplausiblereasontobeheadedforthecitywithregularity.NewYorkwasnotinastate

ofsiege,andprivatecitizenscouldtravelwithsomedegreeoffreedom,butregulationswerecertainlytightenedandtheoccupyingarmywasalwaysonthelookoutforsuspiciousactivitythatmightbeliesmugglingorevenespionage.Oftheformer,Woodhullwascertainlyguilty;hehadlittlethoughtofthelatteryet.

Woodhullheldhispoliticalcardsclosetothe

vest;heknewwhathappenedtothefamiliesofoutspokendissenters.Evenifhechafedunderasenseofinheritedobligation,hestillfelttheweightofresponsibilitytocareforhisagingparentsandhissisterSusannah.HequicklysquelchedanyburgeoningsenseofPatrioticdutythattriedtotakerootinhismindorinhisheart.Hecouldn’tleavetojointhearmy,evenifhispersonality

hadbeenbettersuitedformilitaryservice.Notwithbothofhisbrothersnowdead.

No,hisplacewasinSetauket,evenifitmeanthavingtoenduretheinconvenienceoftheredcoats’watchfuleyesonalltradeandcommerce.

ISLANDLIFE

WhileNewYorkerswerefacingtheirownuncertainfuture,theirfriendsandrelationsacrosstheSoundwerefindingtheirlivesevenmoredisrupted.Thesoaringpopulation,crime,anddemandonresourcesmaynothavebeenanythingnewtoManhattanresidents,butforLongIslanders,itwasquiteachangefromtheiridyllicexistencepriortothewar.

Inthesecondhalfofthe

eighteenthcentury,LongIslandwasstilllargelyruralandwooded,withthetowngreeninfrontofthechurchoftentheonlyopenareaforacresinanydirection,saveforafewclearedpatchesforcropsandpasturelands.Eventheshorelinesweredensewithtrees.Combinedwiththeruggedtopographyofthelanditself,thatmeantsweepingvistasoftheseawerenotnearlyascommon

asboggyinletsthatoverlookedmoreforestsorweresituatedatthefootofsmall,hillyfarms.Freshproduce,meats,cheese,milk,andeggsfromthesesmallestatesallfetchedhighpricesinthecity,thoughthetradewastightlyregulatedbytheBritish.

Thefarmersweresupposedtobefairlycompensatedforwhatevergoodswereprocuredforthe

occupyingsoldiers,butthiswasnotalwaysthecase.Insteadofcash,localswereoftengivenpromissorynotesthatlaterprovedworthless;sometimesboisteroustroopssimplyhelpedthemselvestoafarmer’slivestockororchard,ortoatavernkeeper’sale.Evenmoreconcerningwasthewantondisregardforlandrights.TheBritishdisassembledfencesandbarnsforthesakeoflumber,

whichcosttheownertimeandmoneyforrepairandreplacementandalsothreatenedthefutureviabilityofthefarmbyallowinganimalstogetlooseorexposingplowingequipmenttotheelements.IfthelandownerobjectedtobeingsogrosslymisusedbytheBritish,hewastoldtotakehiscomplaintstotheofficerincharge.Disciplinarymeasuresandrestitutionwere

neverguaranteed—consequencesvariedaccordingtothemoralcharacterofthepresidingofficer.

AllaroundtheBritish-occupiedareasofNewYorkandNewJersey,reportsofattacksuponlocalwomenbybothindividualsoldiersandgroupsofthegarrisonedtroopsweremadewithstartlingregularityasearlyasthesummerof1776.Many

caseswerehandledwithacasualnonchalanceassimplypartofthecollateraldamageofwar.OnAugust5,1776,LordRawdon,acavalryofficerstationedonStatenIsland,wrotearathercavalierlettertohisgoodfriendFrancisHastings,tenthEarlofHuntingdon,backhomeinEngland,inwhichRawdondeclared:

Thefairnymphsofthisisleareinwonderfultribulation,asthefreshmeatourmenhavegotherehasmadethemasriotousassatyrs.Agirlcannotstepintothebushestopluckarosewithoutrunningthemostimminentriskofbeingravished,andtheyaresolittleaccustomedtothesevigorousmethodsthat

theydon’tbearthemwiththeproperresignation,andofconsequencewehavemostentertainingcourts-martialeveryday.

Inthecity,therewasalreadyagrowingindustrycateringtothecarnalurgesoftheoccupyingtroops.AsWoodhull’ssisterMary

surelydiscovered,runningareputableboardinghouseinManhattanwasagrowingchallengeasthedemandgrewforroomsthatofferedmorethanjustacot,abasinforwashing,andahotmeal.ButonthemoreprovincialStatenIslandandonLongIslandtherewerenotnearlyasmanyopportunitiesforpaidpleasure—sowomenfoundthemselvesafraidfortheirsafetyevenasupper-and

middle-classfamilieswereoftenrequiredtoopentheirhousesforquarteringsoldiers.Withmanymenawayfightingoneitherside,orbeingheldaspoliticalprisoners,wivesanddaughtersleftbehindtotendtoahousefullofstrangemenwithmusketsfoundthemselvesinaprecarioussituation.Evenifmostofficersconductedthemselvesasbefittedan

Englishgentleman,therewasanervoustension,aconstantfearanddistrustthatsettledovereachtownwheretheking’smenmadethemselvesathome.

Woodhullhadnoticeditintheeyesofthemenandwomenhepassedonthestreeteachday—thatfearandwearinessofawarthatwasstillrelativelyyoung.Manyislandersexpressedlittleornoopinionastheywentabout

theirdailylives,butthereweresomewhoseemedtospeaktooneanotherthroughglances:

“Didwenotwelcometheking’sarmylikeloyalsubjects?Isthishowwearetoberepaid?”

“Mustwegowithoutsotheycanliveinabundance?”

“Theyattackourfarmsandourdaughters,andyetweareforcedtokeepsilentorbebrandedatraitor.”

“IamsubjecttoKingGeorgewithmyland,mymoney,andmyfidelitybut—byGod!—Iamnotsubjecttohismenandcertainlynotundermyownroof!”

ANINTERVIEW

HowexactlyTallmadgeandWoodhullreconnectedandconcoctedthefirstphaseoftheirplanisnotexactlyclear.

ItisalmostcertainthatTallmadgeinterceptedhisoldneighborandfamilyfriendinConnecticut,astheriskofsettingfootinoccupiedNewYorkCityorLongIslandwouldhavebeentoogreat.MostofConnecticutwasstillsolidlyinAmericanhandsinAugust1778,providingagoodmeetingpointforthetwomen.

Underheavycover,whetheratalocalwatering

holeorwithinthehomeofawell-vettedgovernmentofficialwithprovenallegiances,TallmadgeinformedWoodhullofhischargefromWashington.HewastoinstallaringofspiestoconveyinformationfromManhattaneitherdirectlyoverthebordertoConnecticutor,perhapsmoresafely,acrosstheSoundtoLongIslandandfromtheretothemoreruralareasof

Connecticut—andthusmuchfartherfromBritishinspectorswhomightpossiblyintercepttheintelligence.There,TallmadgecouldreceiveandanalyzethesensitiveinformationbeforespiritingitawaytowhereverWashingtonhappenedtobeencampedatthetime,whichwasalmostalwayswithinjustafewdays’rideofNewYorkCity.

“You’resayingI’dhavelicensetoworkasIseefit—hirethemenIwantandcarryout...thebusinessthewayIthinkitoughttogo?”Woodhullaskedgruffly.

“Completely,”Tallmadgeassuredhim.“GeneralWashingtonwantstheworkcarriedoutbymenwhoknowtheland,thewater,andthepeople—alocalman,inotherwords.”

“Whoelseknowsabout

this?Idon’twantmynameandmybusinessputouttheretoanyoneIdon’tknowandtrust.”

“Everythingwouldbeguardedwiththeutmostconfidence,”Tallmadgepromised.“OnlyGeneralWashingtonandIneedknowaboutyourinvolvement.”Woodhullseemedtwitchy,nervous—andnotwithoutcause.Tallmadgethereforefelttherewasnoneedto

mentionBrigadierGeneralScott,thespymasterfortheContinentalArmyandamanwithwhomTallmadgerarelysaweye-to-eye,ashishopewastobypassScottasmuchaspossibleanyway.

Woodhullturnedthepropositionovercarefullyinhismind.“Butwhyme,ofallthefolksonLongIslandyoucouldhavechosen?WhatareyoutodoifIdeclineyouroffer?”

TallmadgelookedWoodhullintheeye.“Youhaveagoodestatewithagoodfarmandagoodincome.Now,IknowyoursisterSusannahisstilllivingathome,buttherearenowifeandnochildrenwaitingathomeforyouwhosewelfaremaycauseyoutocheckyourdaring.Youknowthecountryside,thebestplacestopickupgossip,whichroadstouse.I’vebeenawaysome

yearsbutyou’vestayedonathome,buildingalifeandbuildingrelationships.IknowthingshavebeendifficultsincetheBritishlandedandIdon’tenvywhatyouhavehadtoendurewatchingtheredcoatslootandburntheplacesyoulovemost.Youknow(Godforbid!)theescaperoutes.But,mostimportant,Iknowthatnomatterwhatmaskyoumaywearinpublicrightnow,you

believethatthiswarmustbewonforthesakeofhumandignity.AndNewYorkmustbehadifthatistohappen.”

TherewasamomentofsilencebeforeWoodhullspoke.“Butit’snotjustme.Whatabouttheothersyouwantmetoenlist?Whatmakesyouthinktheycanbereliedupontocarryouttheirjobs?Tostaysilentratherthanpanicthefirsttimealobsterbackcomestoonear?”

“Iassumeyouwouldrecruitonlymenyouknewtobeofstalwartdispositionandcouragecommensuratetothetask.”

“SoImustaskmyclosestfriendstogambletheirownfortunesandlives?”

“Wewentoverthatalreadyandtookthoseconcernsintoaccount.”Tallmadgeleanedforward.“Abraham,we’veknowneachotherforalongtime.

Ourfamilieshaveknowneachotherforalongtime.Ifyoubelievethat”—hepausedandcheckedhiswords—“thosehandfulofnameswe’vediscussedcanbetrustedwithamissionthisimportantinpursuitofacausesosacred,thensodoI.Ihavethefullestfaithinyoutodispatchyourdutyaswellasyouandyourassistantsareable.”

“AndyoupromiseI

won’thaveanydandifiedofficersfromCharlestonorBostonorGodknowswhereelselandingonmysliveroflandandtryingtotellmeabouthowthingsshouldwork?”Woodhullinsisted.

Tallmadgeraisedaneyebrow.“Isn’tthatexactlythesortofthingthatstartedthiswarinthefirstplace?”

NEWIDENTITIES

Afewdayslater,ontheafternoonofAugust25,MajorTallmadgemetwithhiscommanderinchiefathiscurrentencampmentinWhitePlains,NewYork.Theaimofthistwo-mancongresswastoallowTallmadgetorecountthemeetinginConnecticutandassuageWashington’sconcernonseveralfronts—whetherWoodhullcouldbetrusted,whetherhewasaskilledenoughjudgeof

charactertorecruitloyalmen,andwhetherhisprimaryaimwaspatriotismorprofit.Theotherissueofutmostimportancewasthecreationofpseudonyms.ThestakeswerefartoohighforTallmadgeandWoodhulltousetheirrealnames,especiallyinanykindofcorrespondence.InTallmadge’scase,aninterceptedletterwouldmakehimanevenhigher-value

targetshouldtheBritishlearnhewasnowdabblinginespionage.InWoodhull’scase,livinginthemidstoftheenemy,identificationmeantimmediatearrestlikelyfollowedbyatriptothegallows.

Thegeneralandthemajordiscussedthebestapproachtotheassignmentofnames—atoncespecificenoughtobeclearlyandinstantlyidentifiabletothe

intendedrecipient,yetnotsounusualastoobviouslybeafakenamenorsocommonthataninnocentindividualwhohappenedtobearthesamenamemightbehunteddownbytheenemy.Thus,Tallmadgewasdubbed“JohnBolton,”amildandunassumingmonikerwithasurnamethatwasamongtheoldestinthecolonies.ThegenesisofWoodhull’snamewasalittlemorecreative.

CharlesScott’sinitialswereinvertedasanodtohispositionaschiefspymasterfortheContinentalArmy,andTallmadgeselected“Samuel”forafirstname,probablyinhonorofhisyoungerbrother,SamuelTallmadge,whohaddonesomecourierworkforPatrioteffortsonLongIsland.Thelastname,ithasbeensuggested,becameanadaptationof“Culpeper,”thecountyinVirginiathat

borderedthewesternedgeofWashington’sboyhoodhomeofStaffordCounty,andtheregioninwhichhedidsomeofhisearlyworkasasurveyor.Thus,“SamuelCulper”wasborn.

Pseudonymswereinplace.Courierrouteswereset.SpecificsastothetypeofinformationWashingtonsoughtwereestablished.Thegroundworkwaslaidfortheringtobeginitswork.The

firsttwocogs,TallmadgeandWoodhull,wereinplacetobeginturningthewheelthatwouldsteadilyrolloutthedefeatoftheBritishinNewYork.Theywouldnotdisappearintotheirnewidentitiesandleavetheiroldlivesbehind.Instead,theirspynameswouldserveastheirpassportsintoadoublelife—Tallmadgeasanintelligenceofficerwithacloselyguardedsecretanda

covertpostinConnecticutwherehewouldretrievethelatestnews,andWoodhullasamanwhomustgounnoticedinthedenwhileseekingwaystooverthrowthelions.

WCHAPTER5

TheRingSpringsintoAction

oodhullhadhissightssetonCalebBrewster

asafellowspyfromthebeginning.Hehadtoadmiretheaudacityofthebrashlongshoremanwhowasabull

ofaman—physicallyhugeandimposing—andwasusinghisintimidatingsizeandtremendousathleticskilltomakehimselfaregularnuisancetotheBritish.Everthedaredevil,hetauntedthemfromhiswhalerladenwithsmuggledgoodsandthenamazinglyevadedcapture.JustasWoodhullknewthelandscape,Brewsterknewthecovesandthewaterways,slippingoutofreachofthe

Britishbyduckingintooneoranotheruntilthepatrolgaveuptryingtocatchhimred-handed.

ButthathadalwaysbeenBrewster’sway.BackinJune1775,somelocalmenhadcirculatedadocumentdeclaringtheirdeterminationtofightBritishoppression,swearingthattheywouldnever“becomeslaves.”Despitehisusualcaution,Woodhullhadsignedit,as

hadoneofBenjaminTallmadge’sbrothers.So,too,hadCalebBrewster.RememberingBrewster’ssignatureandobservingtheman’shighspiritsandtasteforadventure,WoodhullknewthatBrewsterwouldbeaneasyconverttothemission.

WhatWoodhulldidnotknowwasthatBrewsterhadalreadyembracedthethrillofespionage.Theyoungman

hadbeenincorrespondencewithGeneralWashingtonsinceJuly1778—severalweeksbeforeTallmadgehadrecruitedWoodhulltomanagethering—reportingonthestateoftheBritishwarshipsinNewYorkHarbor,aswellastroopmovementsandnavalpreparationsaroundLongIsland.Hisreportsrevealedlittlenewinformationandweresomewhatout-of-date

bythetimetheyreachedWashington,butthegestureprovedtothecommanderinchiefthattherewerePatriotsreadyandwillingtospyandthatawell-organizedringofsecretagentscouldyieldrealintelligence.

Whiletakingcarenottobeoverheard,WoodhullwasprobablyratherdirectinhisproposaltoBrewster.Theman’svigorandfearlessnessinopenlydefyingtheBritish

navyontheSoundleftlittledoubtaboutwhichwayhissentimentslay.Alreadyhookedontheadrenalinerushofespionage,Brewsterwasaneasysell.HeenthusiasticallyagreedtoferrymessagestoConnecticutandevenofferedtoaddhisownobservationstothereportsheadedtoTallmadge.

WoodhullsupposedthathisoldfriendAustinRoe,however,mightprove

somewhatmoredifficulttorecruit.RoewasfriendswithBrewster,andwhilehewasjovialandspiritedaswell,Roewasalsocomfortablysituated,married,firmlyestablishedinhisbusiness,andtooknojoyinevadingarrestinarowboatforsport.ButunlikeWoodhull,whocouldfindreadybuyersforhisproduceinthecityevenifhealienatedhisLoyalistneighbors,orBrewster,who

couldfindworkasalongshoremanatanydockthatneededthehands,Roewasatavernkeeper.Hislivelihoodwasentirelydependentupontheloyalpatronageoflocalfolksandtheoccasionaltravelerwhopassedhiswayandneededaroomforthenight.Shouldthespies’workbediscovered,theycouldallexpectsomethingfarworsethanalossofemployment.

Butsuspicionshaveawayofbecomingwhispersinsmalltowns,andrumorsaboutRoe’sactivitiescouldhurthisbusinessevenafterthewar.

Despiteinitialconcerns,Roewaspleasedbythemissionandeagertoofferhisserviceinanywayhecould.Nowateamofthree,Woodhull,Brewster,andRoedevisedaplanbywhichtheirintelligencewouldmakeitswayacrosslandandwaterto

reachGeneralWashington.WoodhullwouldoperatefromAmosUnderhill’sboardinghouseinManhattan,alocationunlikelytoarousesuspicionbecauseofWoodhull’sfamilyconnectionandbecausehealreadymadefairlyregularvisits.Theinformationhegatheredwouldleavethecityinoneoftwoways.EitherRoewouldmakethetripintothecityonthepretenseof

purchasingprovisionsforhisbusiness,orelseWoodhullhimselfwouldtravelbacktoSetauket,wherehewouldleavethepapersatRoe’stavernorapredeterminedlocationinafieldnearRoe’shousesothetwomenwouldnotbeseentogether.This“dead-drop”methodwaslesslikelytoraisesuspicionsbutpresentedamuchhigherriskofastranger’sstumblinguponthepapersbeforethey

hadbeenpickedup,sothemenrarelyemployedit.Thetwofamilieswereknowntobeoldfriends—Roe’sfatherhadpurchasedthebuildingheusedforhishomeandbusinessfromtheWoodhullsbackin1759—sonothingwouldseemoutofplaceevenifthetwomenweretobeseentogethercarryinglettersforthefolksathomeorvisitinginthecity.ButRoeandWoodhulltookcareto

ensurethatthepatternsoftheirmeetingswouldnotbecometoopredictableandseemshadytonosylocalsoreagle-eyedBritishsoldiers.

CalebBrewster,whosefamilylivedjustyardsawayfromRoe,wouldwaitforanopportunitytoretrievethepapersfromRoe.HewouldthendashacrossthewaterwhentheBritishnavyhadtheirbacksturned.OntheConnecticutsideofthe

Sound,TallmadgewouldbewaitingforBrewstertodockandpassofftheletters,whichTallmadgewouldthenhand-delivertothegeneral.

Thewholeprocesstookapproximatelytwoweeksfrombeginningtoendandofferedseveraladvantagesoverthemoretraditionalmethodofasolitaryspyslippingintogatherintelligenceandthenslippingbackoutagain.Localmen

werelesslikelytoraisesuspicionsthananoutsiderwhosuddenlyappearedinthetown,skulkedaboutforafewdays,andthendisappearedagain.Usingexistingroutinesalsoallowedforalonger-termobservancethatcouldnotechangesinpatternsandproceduresofthetroops.And,ofcourse,ifonemanattractedsuspicion,theseeminglyconvolutedmethodofpassingoffinformation

fromonemembertoanotherwouldmakeitmuchmoredifficultfortheenemytointerceptsensitivedocuments.TheinterveningstepofentrustingthepaperstoRoewasabrilliantone.ItminimizedtheconnectionbetweenWoodhull’sfrequenttripstoandextendedstaysinthecityandBrewster’sregulardashesacrossthewaterandallowedthementoavoidapparentcontact.But

theproximityofBrewster’shometoRoe’smadetheirfamiliarityfarmorenatural.

EvenastheCulperRingtookshape,Tallmadge’ssuperior,BrigadierGeneralScott,stillclungtothemoreconventionalmethodsofdispatchingspies.HehadsentatleastfivemenonseparatescoutingmissionstoLongIsland,hopingtochecktheirreportsagainstoneanotherforaccuracy.Hebelievedthat

evenifonemanwascaughttheotherswouldnotbecompromisedbecauseeachmissionwasconductedindependentlyoftheothers.WhatScotthadfailedtoplanforwasthecaptureofthreeofhisfivespieswhentheirpresenceandsuspiciousbehaviortippedofftheBritishthatallwasnotasitseemed.

Washingtonpreferredthistraditionalapproachatfirst,

butitsoonbecameclearthatScott’smethodcostlives,andWashington’sconsciencewouldnotallowhimtokeeppayingthathighprice.Battlesdemandedsacrifice,butWashingtoncouldnotstandtoseeanymorespiesgothewayofNathanHale—andallfornothing.SoonafterhisLongIslandspieswerecaught,ScotttookafurloughandreturnedhometoVirginiatosortoutsome

personalbusiness.WashingtonappointedTallmadgeashisreplacement.Atthetenderageoftwenty-four,BenjaminTallmadgebecamethechiefofintelligence,therolethatwoulddefinehiscareerandultimatelyhelpsecurethenascentcountry’sfuture.

REPORTSBEGIN

Almostimmediately,Woodhullrevealedhimselftobearemarkablyacuteobserver,aswellasanextremelynervousoperative.OnNovember23,1778,WoodhullasCulperwrotetoGeneralWashingtonwithaprecisecountoftroopsatvarioustownsonLongIsland,aswellasarequestforreimbursementforhisexpenses:“Mybusinessisexpensive;sodangerous

travelingthatIamobligedtogivemyassistantshighwages,butamassparingaspossible.”

WashingtonwasimpressedwiththedetailedinformationhereceivedandspokewithTallmadgeaboutarrangingaface-to-facemeetingwithhisbravenewringleader—asuggestionthatrattledWoodhullnosmallamount.Hethoughthehadmadeitabundantlyclearto

Tallmadgethathedidnotwanthisassociationwithspyingactivitiestobeopenlyacknowledgedinanypublicway.Ofcourse,thegeneralknewaboutthering,butWoodhullfeltthathispersonalappearancebeforeWashingtonwasunnecessaryandwouldraisequestions.Becauseherarelytraveledbeyondthecity,hisneighborsmightaskuncomfortablequestions.Localfriendsor

relativesinWashington’scampmightlookaskanceathispresencethere.Besidestheseobjections,itisalsolikelythatWoodhullresistedoutofasenseofinferiority;laterletterscontainapologiesforhissimpleandunschooledwritingandhislackofaprivatefortunewithwhichtobankrollthework.Eventhoughhisfamilyheldasizablefarm,theywerelandrichandcashpoor,and

Woodhullhadreceivedapracticaleducationongrowingsustainablecropsratherthanaclassicalone.Thus,ameetingwithanesteemed“gentlemanfarmer,”anarchetypalfigureofbothBritishandAmericanmythologyandofwhomWashingtonwastheideal,wouldonlyhighlightWoodhull’sownshortcomingsoflearning,culture,andperson.

Theproposedmeetingwasabandoned,butWoodhull’shacklesremainedraised.Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehebecameunnervedbythewholematter—andthisagitationwasnotimprovedbyaslightadjustmentmadetothedeliveryroutejustfiveweekslater,inJanuary1779.InsteadofTallmadgepersonallydeliveringtheletterstoGeneralWashington’shand,

hewasnowgoingtopassthemofftoGeneralIsraelPutnam,whowouldthencarrythemandotherdispatchesfromDanbury,Connecticut,tothecommanderinchief.EventhoughPutnam,aheroofBunkerHill,knewnothingofthetrueidentityof“Culper’”itwasnerve-rackingforWoodhull,whofearedanyinvolvementofstrangers.

AustinRoealsomadea

movethatrankledWoodhullevenfurther;hehiredayoungmannamedJonasHawkinsasanoccasionalcourier,bothtodilutesuspicionandtogetlettersintoTallmadge’shandsmorequickly,becauseHawkinscouldcarryinformationattimeswhenRoe’sbusinesspreventedhimfromtraveling.EvenifHawkinswasnotprivytothefullextentoftheoperation,anotherpersonnowknewat

leastpartofthesecret,andthisworriedWoodhull.ButthechangesnearlyhalvedtheamountoftimeittookforWoodhull’sintelligencetoreachWashington,fromtwoweekstoonlyone.Woodhullcouldn’targueagainsttheimprovement.

Despitehisfrayingnerves,WoodhullpersistedwithhismeticulousscoutingreportsonManhattan,detailingwhereBritishtroops

weresituatedandhowstrongtheirpositionswere.HealsoaddedanoteofpersonalconcernfortherapidlydeterioratingstateofaffairsonLongIsland.“Icannotbearthethoughtsofthewarcontinuinganotheryear,ascouldwishtoseeanendofthisgreatdistress.WereItoundertaketogiveanaccountofthesaddestructionthattheenemymakeswithintheselinesIshouldfail.Theyhave

noregardtoage,sex,whigortory,”helamented.

CalebBrewstersupplementedthereportswithhisownreportingonshipbuildingactivitiesandtheparticularshipsineachLongIslandinletandharbor.“IhavereturnedfromtheIslandthisday,”Brewsterwrote:

Genl.Erskine[quartermastergeneral

oftheBritisharmy]remainsyetatSouthampton.Hehasbeenreinforcedtothenumberof2500.TheyhavethreeredoubtsatSouthandEastHamptonandareheavingupworksatCanoePlaceatanarrowpassbeforeyougetintoSouthHampton.Theyarebuildinganumberof

flatbottomboats.TherewentanumberofcarpentersdownlastweektoSouthHampton.ItisthoughtbytheinhabitantsthattheywillcrossovertoNewLondonaftertheContinentalFrigates.Col.Hewlet[oftheThirdBattalion,DeLancey’sbrigade]remainsyetonLloyd’sNeckwith350,wood

cuttersincluded.Col.Simcoe[oftheQueen’sRaiders]remainsatOysterbaywith300FootandLightHorse.ThereisnotroopsfromOysterBaytillyoucometoJamaica.ThereisoneRegt.ofHighlandersandsomeatFlushingandNewtown,thenumbersIcannottell,butnotaregimentatbothplaces.

Together,thesereportsbegantocreatearichanddetailedpictureofNewYork’sdefenses,aswellasprovideimportantcluesabouttheenemy’sfuturestrategy.

ASECRETWEAPON

Asthespringof1779creptintoNewYork,Woodhullwasnearpanic,obsessedwiththefearthathewasonthe

vergeofbeingfoundoutandarrested.HewascertainthattheBritishweresuspiciousofhisfrequenttripstoManhattan,perhapsevenshadowinghimtolearnhiswhereaboutsandactivitiesinthecity,andnotinganypatternsofbehaviorfollowinghisreturnfromeachtrip.Therewasonepromisingdevelopment,however,whichgaveWoodhullasenseofrelief:

thelong-awaitedarrivalofaparticularconcoctionintendedtogivehimanaddedlayerofsecurity.WashingtonhadobtainedasupplyofinvisibleinkandissuedWoodhullavialoftheprecioussubstanceforthewritingoftheCulperreports.

Thepracticeofwritingwithdisappearinginkswasnothingnew.Forcenturiespeoplehadbeencommunicating

surreptitiouslythroughnaturalandchemicallymanipulatedinksthatbecamevisiblewhenexposedtoheat,light,oracid.Amessagewritteninonionjuice,forexample,driedonpaperwithoutatracebutbecamereadablewhenheldtoacandle.SecretcorrespondenceintheBritishmilitaryoftenhadasubtleForAinthecornerindicatingtotherecipientwhetherthe

papershouldbeexposedtofireoracidtorevealitsmessage.

Buttheusefulnessofthesedeviceswaslimitedbecausetheywereallsowellknown.WashingtonwantedsomethinginnovativeandunknowntotheBritish,andhereceivedjustsuchasolutionfromnoneotherthanJohnJay,thestatesmanandspymasteroftheHudsonValley.

SirJamesJay,JohnJay’solderbrother,hadtraveledtoEnglandin1762inanefforttoraisefundsforKing’sCollegeinNewYork.In1763,hewasknightedbyKingGeorgeandremainedinEnglandforatimebeforereturningtoAmericajustashostilitieswereheatingupbetweenthecolonistsandthemothercountry.Thoughhispoliticalviewswouldshiftduringthewar,SirJames

initiallysidedwiththePatriotsandusedhisknowledgeofchemistrytodevelopaninkthatbecamevisibleonlythroughtheapplicationofaspecific“sympatheticstain.”Boththeinkandthereagentrequiredacomplicatedrecipeandspecialworkshop,makingthemvaluablecommoditiesthatwerealsoextremelydifficulttomanufactureinanygreatquantity.The

youngerJaybrothertookituponhimselftolearnthepainstakingprocesssohecouldpersonallymakethemforGeneralWashington’suse.

WhenWashingtonreceivedhisfirstbatchoftheink,hewasdelightedwiththeeffect.Itwas,inaway,anunbreakablecode,impervioustoanyoftheusualmeansofdiscovery.EveniftheBritishsuspectedawhite-ink

messageinanyparticularletter,theyhadnowayofrevealingitunlessthey,too,wereinpossessionoftherelatedformula.BecausetherecipewasJay’suniquecreation,itwasnearlyimpossibleforthemtodecipherthesedispatches.

ThatsmallvialofinkmusthaveseemedliketheHolyGrailtotheincreasinglynervousWoodhull—apreciouschalicethathelda

mysticalliquidthatcouldsavehislife.Hehadbeenwaitingforitsarrivalformonths,eversincetheink’sexistencewasfirstmentionedtohim,awareofhowsparinghemustbewithitsuseandyeteagertoentrustallofhisgatheredreportstoitsprotection.Hewouldneverfullyrelaxaslongashewaslivingadoublelife,thatmuchwasclear,buthedidfindgreatcomfortinpossessing

thatink.HecouldhardlywaittogetstartedwritingbacktoWashingtonallthathewaswitnessingasNewYorkbegantothawfromanotherlongwinter.

ACRISISPOINT

Justafewdaysbeforereceivingthelong-awaitedwhiteink,WoodhullhadcomposedaletteronApril

10,1779,thatrevealssomethingoftheconcernhewasfeelingforthesecurityofhismissive.“Sir.No.10,”theletterbegins,usingacrudecodetodisguisethenameoftheintendedrecipient.Immediately,helaunchedintoanapology,stating:

WheneverIsitdownIalwaysfeelandknowmyInabilitytowritea

goodLetter.Asmycallinginlifeneverrequiredit—Norledtoconsiderhownecessaryaqualificationitwasforaman—andmuchlessdidIthinkitwouldeverfalltomylottoserveinsuchpublickandimportantbusinessasthis,andmylettersperusedbyoneoftheworthiestmenonearth.ButItrusthewill

overlookanyimperfectionshemaydiscoverinthedressofmywords,andrestassuredthatIindevourtocollectandcoveythemostaccurateandexplicitintelligencethatIpossiblycan;andhopeitmaybeofsomeservicetowardalleviatingthemiseryofourdistressedCountry,nothingbut

thatcouldhaveinducedmetoundertakeit.

ItwascleartoallinvolvedthatWoodhullwassufferingfromseverelystrainednervesandmightsoonquitthewholebusinesswerehenotreassuredastothevalueofhisinformationandtheconfidencetheothermembersoftheringhadinhisabilitytoobtainitintotal

security.TallmadgethereforeundertookadangeroustripwithBrewsterbackacrossLongIslandSoundtoWoodhull’shomeinSetauketinordertoofferhimthissupportinperson,aswellastogivehimpaymentforhisexpensesandpains.However,asiftounderscorethefactthatWoodhull’sfearswererootedinrealityratherthanparanoia,severalBritishofficersunexpectedlytookup

quarterinWoodhull’shomeatthatsametime,forcingTallmadgetokeepcoverandonlyseehisfriendbrieflybeforereturningtoConnecticut.

ItwasaperfectstormofworryforWoodhull:OneofthemostwantedmenintheContinentalArmyhadshownuponhislandevenastherewereBritishtroopsmakingthemselvesathomeunderhisroof.Oneortheotherwould

havebeenquiteenoughtopushhimtothebrinkofnervousexhaustion;thetwooccurringsimultaneouslywassufficienttotiphimovertheedge.

Oneevening,Woodhullsatathiswritingdesk,composingalettertoWashingtonfromhissmallsupplyofinvisibleink,acutelyawareofthepresenceofBritishsoldiersintheneighboringchamber.

Glancingrepeatedlyatthedoorashehurriedtofinishhisreport,hesatreadytocoverhisworkanddivertattentionshouldhebeinterrupted.Theoldhousewasquiet,whichwasacomfortandallowedhimtobreathealittleeasierthanhemighthaveotherwise.

Suddenly,thedoorflewopenandtwofiguresbargedintotheroom.Woodhullleaptup,attemptingtosweepall

hispaperstohischestintheprocess,andoverturnedthetable.Itfelltothegroundwithacrash,scatteringitscontentsandsmashingthevialofinkuponthewoodenfloor.ButwhereWoodhullexpectedtoheartheroarofdiscoveryfromaBritishofficer,heinsteadheardthegigglesofteenagegirls.Twocousins,whohadobservedthetwitchydepressionfromwhichWoodhullwas

suffering,hadtakenitintotheirheadstosurprisehiminsuchamannerastomakehimlaugh.Thejokehadtheoppositeeffect.“SuchanexcessivefrightandsogreataturbulenceofpassionssowroughtonpoorCulperthathehashardlybeenintolerablehealthsince,”TallmadgewrotetoWashington,recountingtheeventasWoodhullhadtoldittohim.Woodhullapparently

managedtosalvagesomeoftheink,sincehisnextlettertothegeneralwascomposedinthestain,buthissupplywasseverelycompromised,aswaswhatlittlepeaceofmindhehadremaining.

ThingsonlycontinuedtoworsenforWoodhull.Justafewdayslater,whileinHuntington(abouttwentymilesaway),hewasheldupbyhighwaymenwhotookallthemoneyhewascarrying

butwereunawarethathewasinpossessionofpapersthatwouldhaveprovedevenmorevaluableifturnedovertotheBritish.Woodhull,accordingtoTallmadge,“wasgladtoescapewithhislife.”Ithadbeenacoincidence,withWoodhullsimplyanotherrandomvictimofthecrimewavethathadseeminglytakenoverLongIsland,butwhathappenednextwasnocoincidenceat

all.Hisworstfearswereconfirmed:Woodhullhadbecomeatarget.

MANHUNT

JohnWolseywasjustoneofmanyprivateersoperatinginLongIslandSound.Privateersmadetheirlivingthroughacombinationofsmugglingandtheftonthewater.Akintopiracyinmany

ways,privateeringwasapopularprofessionatthetimeforresidentsonbothsidesoftheSound.Thatspring,Wolsey,aConnecticutmanwhomadethetriptoandfromLongIslandquiteregularly,foundhimselfinBritishcustody.Fearingforhislife,hewasdesperatetosecureleniency.

HowhehappenedtoknowanythingaboutthedoingsofAbrahamWoodhull

isunclear.PerhapssomeoneatRoe’stavernhadcaughtontotheschemeandspokealittletoofreelywhenaleloosenedhistongue.PerhapsWolseynoticedthatWoodhulltraveledtoseehissisterinManhattanmoreoftenthanfraternaldutymightotherwisecallfor,andthatCalebBrewsterseemedalwaystobepassingbyWolsey’sownboatonurgentbusinessadayortwoafter

Woodhull’sreturn.Whateverthecase,WolseynamedWoodhullasapersonofinterest,andhisbetrayalseemedacredibleenoughthreattorouseLieutenantColonelJohnSimcoe,aBritishcavalryofficer,fromhiscomfortablelodginginOysterBayandtosendhimoverthenearlyfiftymilesofroadeastwardtoSetauket.WithahandfuloftheQueen’sRangersintow,

SimcoeintendedtoarrestWoodhullonsuspicionofespionage.

Simcoe’smensurroundedtheWoodhullhouse,musketspoisedandsabersattheirsides,andSimcoepoundedonthedoor,demandingthatWoodhullbehandedover.Richard,Abraham’selderlyfatherwhohadalreadylosthistwooldersonstountimelydeaths,musthavefeltanoverwhelmingsenseofrelief

thathecouldreporthonestlythatAbrahamwasawayinthecityandnotathome.Thesoldierssearchedthehouseandinterrogatedthefamily,butitwasquicklyevidentthattheoldmanhadbeentellingthetruth.ThiswasnottheoutcomeSimcoehaddesired—heknewthatWoodhullwouldcatchwindofhispresencebeforehearrivedhomeandwoulddisposeofanyincriminatingevidence.

Furiousthattheopportunitytocatchasuspectedspyred-handedhadbeensquandered,Simcoeorderedthesuspect’sfatherbeateninhisstead.TherangersfelluponRichard,bludgeoninghimwhiletherestofthefamilylookedoninhorror.Oncetheoldmanlaycrumpledontheground,thetroopsrodeoff.SimcoewasconfidentthatAbraham,uponhisreturn,wouldinterpretthemessageloud

andclear:“Thisiswhathappenstothefamiliesofspies.”

TheattackcameasashocktoWoodhull.Itwasterribletowatchhisfatherstrugglefeeblytorecoverfromtheattackevenasthesummercameonquicklyandtheheatandfliesonlyseemedtointensifyhissuffering.AbrahamWoodhullrealizedthatthoughhisabsencehadsavedhislife,hecouldno

longeraffordthesuspicionbroughtonbyhisfrequenttripstoNewYork,andsaidasmuchtoTallmadge,whowasforcedtoexplaintoGeneralWashingtonwhathisspieswereenduringbackhome.Washingtonheardthestorywithcompassion,andwrotebacktoTallmadgepromising“moreoftheliquidCulperwritesfor”andassuringhimthat“shouldsuspicionsofhimrisesohigh

astorenderitunsafetocontinueinNewYorkIshouldwishhimbyallmeanstoemploysomepersonofwhoseattachmentsandabilitiesheentertainsthebestopinion,toactinhisplace.”Woodhulleagerlytookhimuponthatoffer.

Meanwhile,backinhiscozyquartersinOysterBay,ColonelSimcoehadlittlenotionofthetangledwebhe’dwoven—thattheman

he’dtriedinvaintoarrestwas,atthatsamemoment,recruitingtohiscauseanothermanwhoalreadyalsodeeplyhatedSimcoeforhisownpersonalreasons.

ECHAPTER6

TownsendJoinstheFight

spionagewas,bynomeans,agentleman’sgamein

theeighteenthcentury.Inaworldruledbyhonor,acareerofdeceptionandduplicitycarriedlittleofthe

allureandintriguethatitwouldcometoenjoyamonglatergenerations.Spieswereeverywhere,butthegeneralrulewasthatonegatheredintelligenceforthesakeofbraggingrightslateron,forthemoneyitpaidoutnow,fortheglamorouslifebroughtbyproximitytothoseinpower,orforsheerideologicalfanaticism.

Mild-mannered,bookishRobertTownsendfitnoneof

thosemolds.Hewasnobraggart,hadnosumptuoustastesormercenarytendencies,andwhileheharboredcertaintightlyheldbeliefs,hewasnozealot.HewasaquietboyfromaprominentLongIslandfamilywithahistoryofindependentthinkingthathehadinherited.Apeaceableman,hedidhisbesttostayoutofthewar—untilaneventforcedhimtotakeastand.

THETOWNSENDSOFOYSTERBAY

LiketheirSetauketneighbors,theTallmadgesandtheWoodhulls,theTownsendswereaproudandancientfamilybyAmericanstandards.ThefourthgenerationofTownsendsborninAmericaincludedSamuelTownsend,anoutspokenandintrepidmanwhoin1738,attheageof

twenty-one,hadpurchasedsixacresoflandintheheartofOysterBay,neartothewaterandontheroadtothemill.Theproperty,whichhechristenedtheHomestead,includedasmallhouseofpracticaldesign:tworoomsbuiltatoptwootherrooms,withacentralchimneytodistributeheatthroughout.Overthenextseveralyears,Samuelhiredlocalbuilderstoexpandthestructuretoatotal

ofeightroomsinthesaltboxstyle.Whentherenovationandexpansionwerecomplete,hemovedin,openedageneralstore,andmarriedalocalgirl.ItwasattheHomesteadthatheandhiswife,Sarah,begantocultivatebothafairlysizableorchardaswellasasizablefamily.TherewereeightchildreninthatfifthgenerationofTownsends:foursons,adaughter,another

son,andtwomoredaughters.SamuelalsoacquiredafleetoffourshipsthattraversedtheAtlantic—east,north,andsouth—which,inturn,kepthisshopwellstockedandallowedhimtotradeinjustaboutanythingfromfabrictorum,molasses,spices,sugar,andsnuff.

Besideshissmallfleetandwell-provisionedshop,whichwasthemostprominentinOysterBay,

Samuelwasalsowellknownforhispoliticalviews,whichwereoftenatoddswiththoseinpower.In1758,abouthalfwaythroughtheFrenchandIndianWar,hehadfiredoffastronglywordedlettertotheNewYorkGeneralAssemblyonthesubjectofthetreatmentofprisoners.Townsendfoundfaultwiththewayenemycombatantswerebeingshelteredandprovidedforbythecolonial

armoftheBritishCrownandwastednowordsinformingtheassemblymenofsuch.Hewasarrestedandbroughtbeforetheassemblytojustifyhisconductofinsultingthemsoopenly.Severaldaysunderlockandkeyandastifffinelefthimpromisingnofurtheroutbursts—apromisethatlastedforawhile.Asthelocalschoolmasternotedinhisjournal,intheweeksfollowing,Samuel“hasbeen

asstillasamouseinacheese.”

Hetookontheroleoftownclerkandwhentalkofindependencebegantocirculate,SamuelwasgenerallyconsideredoneofthosewhofavoredabreakwiththeCrown,eventhoughheseemedtoconsiderhimselfmiddleoftheroadontheissue.Hisstancesandpolitickinggraduallygotthebetterofhimandagain

landedhiminhotwaterwiththelocalauthoritiesmorethanonce.Hischildren,inthemeantime,weregrowingintosuccessfuladults,theirbusinessconnectionslargelyunsulliedbytheirfather’sreputationasarabble-rouserandaPatriot.

ODDMANOUT

SolomonTownsendwas,by

allaccounts,theconsummateoldestson.Hewasjustaseageramerchantashisfatherand,afterashortapprenticeship,assumedthecaptaincyofoneofhisfather’sships.AfterprovinghimselfforseveralyearswithvoyagestoCanada,Portugal,andtheAzores,hetookoveraEuropeantradingrouteonathree-riggedshipfortheBuchananfamily,staunchLoyalistsrelatedtothe

Townsendsbymarriage.Thesecondson,Samuel

Junior,beganworkinginNorthCarolinaaspartoftheflaxtrade,butdiedin1773attheageoftwenty-threeortwenty-four.AsthethirdTownsendson,William,wasemployedelsewherewhenSamuelJuniorpassedaway,thefourthson,Robert,wentsouthtobrieflytakehisbrother’splacebeforereturningtoNewYork.

BornonNovember25,1753,RobertwasinmanywaysoutofplaceintheTownsendfamily—asdarkandleanasSolomonwasblondandbroad,andasshyandreservedasWilliam(nicknamedthe“flowerofthefamily”)wasgallantandflirtatious.Hisdesirewasnotforadventureorprestige;ofamuchmorebookishdispositionthanhisfatherorbrothers,hepreferredtowork

quietlybehindthescenes,managingtheledgersandaccountsandinspectingincomingshipments—anythingthatkepthimoutofthelimelightandtheribaldrythattheotherTownsendmensharedwiththeirsailorsandclients.NotthatRobertresentedtheirquickwitandheartylaughter;infact,heratheradmiredthespirittherestofhisfamilybroughttolife.Butasthefourthson

quicklyfollowedbyalong-awaiteddaughter,hehadlearnedalmostfrominfancythathehadnohopeofbeingheardoverhisclamorousbrothersorcoddledashismother’sdarling,soheseparatedhimselfbybeingthequietoneofsucharowdybunch.

OldSamuelprobablywonderedhowRobertmaintainedsubduedhabitsashewatchedhisyoungson

withhislopinggaitstridepastarough-and-tumblewrestlingmatchonthefamily’sfrontlawn.TheTownsendfamilytreewaspepperedwithQuakers,thoughSamuelhadmarriedadaughterofprominentEpiscopalians,which,alongwithhistasteforluxurygoodsandtheoccasionalbitofostentatiousaccessorizing,puthimlargelyontheoutswiththeFriendsamonghisrelatives.But

RobertseemedtohaveinheritedalltheQuakertendenciesofsomberdress,quiethabit,andhumblebearingthatSamuelhadrejected,andtheysuitedhimwell.Robert’snaturemadehimfastidiousandgavehimaneyefordetail—traitsessentialforsuccessinthemerchanttrade.

“Still,”Samuelthoughttohimself,“theboycouldusealittlelessrigidityinhislife.”

TherewaslikelynosmallsourceofamusementintheTownsendfamilywhenSamuelsecuredthetermsofRobert’sapprenticeshipinManhattanwithTempleton&Stewart,amerchanthouseintheunfortunatelynamed“HolyGround”district,adisreputablepartoftown.TheblocksaroundBarclay,Church,andVeseyStreetswerenotmoredangerousthananyothersluminthe

city,buttheyweremorallytreacherous.Thedistrict’sproximitytothedocksmeantitwasprimerealestateforbothprofit-consciousmerchantswhowantedtobeneartheirshipsreturningfromvoyagesandforladiesofpleasurewhowantedtobenearrandysailorsreturningfrommonthsatsea.

Surroundedbybrothels,whores,andtheirclientele,straitlacedRobert

distinguishedhimselfathisworkandnavigatedtheseedystreetswithoutawhiffofscandalabouthiminwhatwasalmostcertainlyaverylonelytimefortheyoungman.Hemarkedthecloseofhisteenageyearsinthefirm’semployment,dealingwithalmosteveryothercommoditythantheonebeingpliedinthestreetsandcathousesaroundit.

CHOOSINGALLEGIANCES

Robertwasnotquitetwenty-twowhenthefirstshotswerefiredatLexingtonandConcord.Forallofhisdifferencesfromtherestofhisfamily,hesharedsomethingofhisfather’sPatrioticfervor.ThebattlefieldsinMassachusettsseemedfaraway,though,andmanypeopleexpectedtheconflicttoresolveitself

beforeformalcombatevercrossedthebordersofNewYorkState.Bythefollowingsummer,however,itwasclearthatsuchassumptionswerewrong.TheDeclarationofIndependencewassignedinJuly,warwasmovinginevitablyclosertohome,andallmenoffightingageinthemid-Atlanticregionwereforcedtomakethedifficultdecisionofwhethertoenlist—andonwhatside.

OnAugust22,1776,BritishtroopsbeganpouringontoLongIslandwhiletheAmericanshunkereddownintheirpositionsinManhattanandintheareaofBrooklyn,hopingtoprotectthemainlandofNewYorkCity.TherecordofproceedingsfromtheProvincialCongressforthestateofNewYorkshowthatonSaturday,August24,1776,amongothermotionsadoptedwas

theunanimousresolutionthat“RobertTownsendbeaCommissarytosupplytheBrigadewithprovisionstillsuchtimeasGenlWashingtonshallgivefurtherordersforthatpurpose.”Afootnotefurtheridentifiestheyoungmannamedas“SonofSamuelTownsend,thememberforQueensCounty.”Accordingtothefollowingmorning’srecords,Samuel

SeniormadefurtherrecommendationsforthepurchasingprocessbywhichthenewlyappointedcommissaryshouldsupplyprovisionstoBrigadierGeneralNathanielWoodhullandtheQueensCountymilitia.

SobeganRobertTownsend’swhirlwindtenureintheContinentalArmy.FightingbrokeoutacrossLongIslandandManhattanin

theearlymorninghoursofthetwenty-seventh,justdaysafterRobert’sappointmenthadbeenconfirmed.TheQueensCountymilitia,guardingtheill-fatedJamaicaPass,sufferedgreatlyinbattle;theirbelovedBrigadierGeneralWoodhullwasmortallywounded.Robert’sservicedidnotlastmuchbeyondtheBattleofBrooklyn,nordidhisfather’scareerasaleaderforthe

PatriotcauseonLongIsland.SamuelwasarrestedinearlySeptember(thoughheavoidedanunpleasantimprisonmentwhenThomasBuchanan,ofthesamefamilyforwhichSolomonwasworking,vouchedforhischaracter).Afewdayslater,onSeptember10,SamuelwascalledintocourttoswearhisallegiancetotheCrown.Hehumblycompliedandrathermeeklyreturnedtothe

Homestead.Bytheendof1776,

nearlythirteenhundredothermenfromQueensCountyhadtakenthatsamevowofloyalty,thoughhowmanydidsounderduressisunknowable.Robertfollowedhisfather’sexampleandtookthedistastefulpledge,too.HeleftOysterBaysoonafterwardandreturnedtohisquietlifeasamerchantinManhattan,runningamodest

drygoodsshopneartheFlyMarketinlowerManhattanwhilethecitycleanedupfromthegreatfirethathadravageditfollowingtheretreatoftheAmericans.

NewYorkwasnowsolidlyinBritishhands,butitmatteredlittletoRobert.Hisunobtrusivepersonalityandlackofanydistinguishingbattlefieldheroicsduringhisbriefservicewereperhapshisgreatestalliesinallowinghim

tocontinuetoworkandprosperinthemidstoftheenemy.Buteverymanhasabreakingpoint—amomentwhenhehasseenoneatrocitytoomany,weatheredoneinsulttoomany,stayedstillforonedaytoolong—andheknowshemustactorhatehimselfforkeepingsilent.

ForRobertTownsend,thatmomentarrivedinthefallof1778.AsAbrahamWoodhullandhisinitialring

werebeginningtheirintelligencewaragainsttheBritishinManhattanandLongIsland,theoccupyingarmiesweresettlinginquitecomfortablyinvariousprivateresidencesincludingtheHomestead,RobertTownsend’sbelovedhome,inOysterBay.

LieutenantColonelJohnSimcoe,themanwhohadorderedthebeatingofWoodhull’sfather,decided

thattheTownsendfamily’shousefithispurposesquitenicelyandproceededtosetuphisheadquartersinthemainpartofthehome,sequesteringthefamilytojustafewbackroomsandtheshop.AtSimcoe’sorders,Britishtroopsdestroyedtheorchard,ofwhicholdSamuelhadbeensoproud,tofeedBritishfiresandhelpbuildafort.Woodfromallovertown,includingchurchesand

privatestructures,wascommandeeredforthiseffortinamovethatwasverymuchinkeepingwithSimcoe’sreputationasaheartlesscombatant.Thetownoperatedasifundermartiallaw,withroughly470enemysoldiersquarteringthere,includingHessianbrutesquadsthatroamedthestreetstomakesureresidentsstayedindoorsatnight.Therewerepubliclashingsforthosewho

displeasedthesoldiersandlittlerecourseforthosewhobroughtcomplaints.Thetownwasquicklydescendingintoasimmeringchaos,andanylingeringLoyalistfeelingsamongthegoodpeopleofOysterBaywererapidlyevaporating.

OldSamuelTownsend’shistoryofoutspokenpoliticalopinionswaswellknowntothewholecommunityandlikelythecauseofhis

“special”treatmentfromtheQueen’sRangers.Thathishousewasoneofthemorecomfortablysituatedandfurnisheddwellingsinthetownwasabonus.

WhenRobertreturnedhomeinNovember1778tovisithisfamily,hewasnodoubtshockedbyhisfather’sdefeatedappearanceandposture.

“Whathashappenedtoyou,Father?”Robertcried

uponapproachingthehouse.Samuelshookhishead.

Thereweretoomanysoldiersaroundtodarevoiceanydissatisfactionwiththecurrentstateofthings.“IhavebeengiventhehonorofplayinghosttoHisMajesty’stroops,”hesaid,somewhatshakily.“WhocouldhaveimaginedourhumbleHomesteadwouldbeputtosuchapurposeasthis?”

Talesofhardshipsand

abuses,recountedinhushedtonesandwithsidewaysglances,seasonedRobert’smealsduringhistimeathome.Heburnedwithangerashelearnedofthewantonlibertiestakenwithneighbors’propertiesandlives,buthecouldonlystareinmutefuryasheobservedhowthesoldiers,includingColonelSimcoehimself,flirtedopenlywithhissistersundertheirfather’sownroof.

Attheconclusionofhisvisit,RobertreturnedtohisshopinManhattan,buthewashauntedbywhathehadseen.Thecrime,thesqualor—theseweretheunfortunateaccessoriesofcitylife.Orsohehadassumed.ButnowhehadseenthatOysterBayandcountlessothertownsthatdottedLongIslandwerenotimmunetothecollateraldamageofwar.Rumorscontinuedtoreachhimduring

thespringofatrocitiescommittedbySimcoeandothersagainstunarmedcitizens,includingthewoundsinflicteduponoldRichardWoodhull.Butwhatcouldanyonedo?TheTownsendfamilystoodasmuchofachanceofevictingSimcoefromtheirpropertyastheydidofexpellingthewholeenemyencampmentfromLongIsland.Therewasnootheroption.Theywerein

British-heldterritory,soBritishlawsstoodandprotestersfell—orhanged.

ThefeelingsoffrustrationandhelplessnessweighedheavilyuponRobert.Eachday,BritishsoldiersandcommonNewYorkcitizensalikecameintohisshoptopurchaseeverydayitemssuchasbuttonsandpaper.Heknewhewoulddohisfamilynofavorsifhetookuparmsagainstthisarmy—they

wouldonlybelabeledashavingtiestoabelligerent.Besides,Robertwasnotafightingmanandhispreviousservicehadbeenfocusedonsupplytents,nottrenches;hissoulwasnotthesorttobestirredbymarchingfeetkeepingtimetoafifetuneanddrumbeat.

RobertadmiredthewaythathisolderbrotherSolomonhadfoundhisownwaytosteerhisallegiances.

StillsailingfortheLoyalistBuchananfamily,in1777SolomonhadcarriedsuppliesfortheBritisharmytoMontrealaheadoftheinvasionofnorthernNewYork.Butinthespringof1778,roughlyeightmonthsbeforeSimcoehadcommandeeredtheTownsendfamilyhomeforhisownuses,Solomonhadmadeacalculatedmove.Helefthisemploymentwiththe

BuchanansandhadmanagedtovisitwithnoneotherthanBenjaminFranklininFrance.ObtainingaletterfromFranklinvouchingforhispatriotismandfidelitytotheAmericancause,SolomonthenboardedanAmericanwarshipandtraveledbackacrosstheAtlantictorelaunchhiscareerathome,sailingandtradingundertheprotectionoftheContinentalArmyandsupplyingits

troopswithmuch-neededprovisions.Robert,meanwhile,wasleftshakenbyhisvisithomelaterthatfall,andfelttheweightofinactionashewalkedthestreetsofoccupiedNewYorkundertheBritishflaganddidbusinesswithHisMajesty’stroopsforsuchtriflesasribbonsandsugar.

Despitehisinternalstrugglesinthemonthsfollowinghisreturnto

ManhattanfromhistriphometoOysterBay,TownsendwasalmostcertainlysurprisedandwasnoteasilywonoverwhenWoodhullmadehisproposaltoworkasaspyjustasahot,dustysummerwasbeginningin1779.Hewasdebatinghisownroleinthestruggleforindependence,thatmuchwastrue.Buthewasnotlikehisbrothers,sobrashlyfearlessandreadyforanyadventure;hewasRobert,thequietone

(somemightevensaythetimidone)oftheTownsendboys.Hiswasthenamealltherelationsandneighborsforgotwhenspeakingofhisfamily,andhewasperfectlycontentthatthingsshouldstaythatway.

CULPERJUNIOR

Itispossiblethatthenotionofspyinghadalreadycrossed

RobertTownsend’smindbeforeAbrahamWoodhulldarkenedthedoorofhisshopinthelatespringof1779.ItmayhavealreadybeencleartoTownsendthathewasprivytoscrapsofconversationbetweensoldiersinhisownshop,tonotingtheflowofsuppliesandmenintoandoutoftheharborasheinspectedhisownshipmentsonthedocks,toobservingthehabitsandpatternsofthe

higher-rankingofficerswhogracedJamesRivington’sposhnewcoffeehousejustdownthestreet.ItmusthavebeencleartoTownsendthathispositioninthecitygavehimaccesstopotentiallyvaluableinformation.Butevenifsuchafancyhadintroduceditselftohismind,itdoesnotmeanitwasawelcomethoughtoronethatherelished.Andevenifhehadbeeneagertoundertake

suchaneffort,hewouldhavehadnochannelforit,noclearlydefinedplanforhowtogetsuchinformationintothehandsofthosetowhomitmeantsomething—untilhefoundhimselfacrossthetablefromtheoldacquaintancewhoofferedhimanewmissionandanewname:SamuelCulperJr.

“Ihavedisclosedeverysecrettoyouandlaidbeforeyoueveryinstructionthathas

beenhandedtome,”Woodhullsaid,leaningbackinhischairafterthelongconversation.“Ihavetoldyouthewholebusiness.”

Townsendlookedathisfriendskeptically.Despitetheirnearnessinage,theyhadneverbeenespeciallyclose—bothgeographyandtemperamenthadkeptthematadistancefromeachother.ButeveryoneonLongIsland,itseemed,wasrelatedto

everyoneelseifyouwentbackagenerationortwo.Townsendknewtheirfamilieswereconnectedsomehow,andtheytrustedeachotherbecauseofit.Evenmoreimportantthanbloodties,though,wereideologicalones.TownsendunderstoodthatWoodhullhadaheartforthecauseofliberty,despitehisgruffexterior;histrustinTownsend,consideringhimworthyofsuchan

undertaking,wasmoving.Townsendlookedacross

thetabletowhereWoodhullwatchedhim,hisfaceeagerforadecision.Hehadlaidoutthenatureofthemission—everyrisk,fright,andsleeplessnightithadbroughthim—inpainfuldetail.TownsendknewthatifheagreedtojointhesilentfightbytakingovertheobservationsinManhattan,itwouldwearhimdownas

muchasithadWoodhull.Thoughtheyweredifferentinpersonality(WoodhullsomewhatcantankerousandTownsendmerelyreserved),Townsendsuspectedtheywerequitealikeintheirdesiretosimplybeleftinpeace.Adoublelifewouldonlyerodewhateversenseofcalmhehadmanagedtocreateforhimself,buthealsosuspectedthatdenyingachancetofightbackwould

erodehisconscience.Hewasfrightened—

frightenedofalltheunthinkablepossibilitiesifhewereeverfoundout,frightenedthathealreadyknewtoomuch,frightenedofwhatwouldhappenifhesatbyanddidnothing.

TownsendreachedacrossthetableandshookWoodhull’shand.Itwasnotwithouttrepidation,butitwasahandshakenonetheless.

Thetwomentalkedlongintothenight,discussingeveryeventuality,everyrisk,andeverypressingreasonwhythoserisksdidn’tultimatelymatter.Woodhullwouldadda“Senior”tohiscodename,andTownsendcouldbecome“CulperJunior.”Nooneneedeverknow—norevenhavethemeanstodiscover—therealmanbehindtheintelligencereports.

Woodhull’searlierdesireforanonymitynowpaledincomparisontoTownsend’sinsistencethatnooneotherthanWoodhullandthecourier,notevenGeneralWashington,shouldbeawareofhisinvolvement.Townsendwasleeryevenofthecourierknowinghisfacebutrelentedonthepointoutofnecessity.

Townsenddidnotaccepttheassignmentwith

enthusiasm.However,despitehisfearandreluctance,hewasalsoSamuelTownsend’sson.Thoughhemightnotsharehisfather’sfieryboldness,hewasnolessamanofbraveconviction.Withthatconvictionhardenedbyhisfather’smistreatmentbySimcoeandhismen,hewasreadytojointhering.WoodhullwrotetoWashingtononJune20:

Mysuccesshathexceededmymostsanguineexpectations.Ihavecommunicatedmybusinesstoanintimatefriend....ItwaswithgreatdifficultyIgainedhiscomplyance,checkedbyfear.HeisapersonthathaththeinterestofourCountryatheartandofgoodreputation,characterandfamilyas

anyofmyacquaintance.IamunderthemostsolomnobligationsnevertodisclosehisnametoanybutthePost,whounavoidablymustknowit.Ihavereasontothinkhisadvantagesforservingyouandabilitiesarefarsuperiortomine.

WASHINGTON’SORDERS

GeneralWashingtonwasdelightedwiththeproposaland,togetherwithTallmadge,draftedadetailedlistofguidelinesanddirectivesforhisnewagentinNewYork.Thefulldocument,includedbelow,offersanintimateperspectiveonWashington’sphilosophiesregardingspying,andthespecificmissionofCulperJunior:

INSTRUCTIONS.C——Junr,toremainintheCity,tocollectalltheusefulinformationhecan—todothisheshouldmixasmuchaspossibleamongtheofficersandRefugees,visittheCoffeeHouses,andallpublicplaces.Heistopayparticularattentiontothemovementsbylandandwaterinandaboutthe

cityespecially.Howtheirtransportsaresecuredagainstattempttodestroythem—whetherbyarmedvesselsupontheflanks,orbychains,Booms,oranycontrivancestokeepofffireRafts.

ThenumberofmendestinedforthedefenceoftheCityandEnvirons,endeavoringtodesignatethe

particularcorps,andwhereeachisposted.

TobeparticularindescribingtheplacewheretheworkscrosstheIslandintheRearoftheCity—howmanyRedoubtsareuponthelinefromRivertoRiver,howmanyCannonineach,andofwhatweightandwhethertheRedoubtsareclosedoropennext

thecity.Whetherthereare

anyWorksupontheIslandofNewYorkbetweenthoseneartheCityandtheworksatFortKnyphausenorWashington,andifany,whereaboutsandofwhatkind.

TobeveryparticulartofindoutwhetheranyworksarethrownuponHarlem

River,nearHarlemTown,andwhetherHorn’sHookisfortifyed.Ifso,howmanymenarekeptateachplace,andwhatnumberandwhatsizedCannonareinthoseworks.

ToenquirewhethertheyhavedugPitswithinandinfrontofthelinesandWorksingeneral,threeorfour

feetdeep,inwhichsharppointedstakesarefixed.Theseareintendedtoreceiveandwoundmenwhoattemptasurpriseatnight.

Thestateoftheprovisions,ForageandFueltobeattendedto,asalsotheHealthandSpiritsoftheArmy,NavyandCity.

Thesearethe

principalmatterstobeobservedwithintheIslandandabouttheCityofNewYork.ManymoremayoccurtoapersonofC——Junr’spenetrationwhichhewillnoteandcommunicate.

C——Senior’sstationtobeuponLongIslandtoreceiveandtransmittheintelligenceofC——

Junior.Asitisimagined

thattheonlypostofconsequencewhichtheenemywillattempttoholduponLongIslandincaseofattackwillbeatBrooklyn,Iwouldrecommendthatsomeinhabitantintheneighborhoodofthatplace,andseeminglyintheinterestoftheenemy,shouldbe

procured,whomightprobablygaindailyadmissionintotheGarrisonbycarryingonmarketing,andfromhimintelligencemightbegainedeverydayortwoofwhatwaspassingwithin,asthestrengthoftheGarrison,thenumberandsizeoftheCannon,&c.

Properpersonsto

beprocuredatconvenientdistancesalongtheSoundfromBrooklyntoNewtownwhosebusinessitshallbetoobserveandreportwhatispassinguponthewater,aswhetheranyVesselsorBoatswithtroopsaremoving,theirnumberandwhichwaytheyseembound.

Therecanbe

scarcelyanyneedofrecommendingthegreatestCautionandsecrecyinaBusinesssocriticalanddangerous.Thefollowingseemtobethebestgeneralrules:

TointrustnonebutthepersonsfixedupontotransacttheBusiness.

Todeliverthedispatchestonone

uponoursidebutthosewhoshallbepitcheduponforthepurposeofreceivingthemandtotransmitthemandanyintelligencethatmaybeobtainedtonoonebuttheCommander-in-Chief.

WashingtonthoughtBrooklynwastheoneplaceonLongIslandthatthe

Britishwouldregardasindispensable.BecausetheCulperRing’srouteofconveyingmessagespasseddirectlyfromManhattantoBrooklyn,beforecontinuingontoSetauketandacrosstheSoundtoConnecticut,thecourierwouldhaveanexcellentopportunitytoobservemilitaryactivityinBrooklynandcouldaddanyrelevantinformationtotheletterhewascarryingfrom

Townsend.Inshort,therouteseemedasclosetoanidealarrangementasWashingtoncouldhopeforatthetime.

SHOPKEEPERANDREPORTER

RobertTownsend’scareerasaspybeganinthatsummerof1779.Hisfearsofthecourierknowinghisidentityprovedlargelyneedless—Woodhull

himself(atleastatfirst)seemstohavebeentheprimarypersonwhoretrievedTownsend’sreportstobegintheircircuitousroutetoGeneralWashington.Woodhull’snameappearsintheledgerofTownsend’sstoreseveraltimesduringthatseason:July18,August15,andAugust31.Andtheycertainlysaweachothermoreoftenthanthat.AlettertoTallmadgefromWoodhullon

July9revealsthatthepairhadrecentlymet,andinalettertoWashingtondatedJuly15,Townsendwrote:“IsawS.C.[SamuelCulper]Senr.afewdaysago,andinformedhimofthearrivalof10sailofvesselsfromtheWestIndies,withRum,&c.andasmallfleetfromHalifax,butnoTroops.”

Infact,Townsend’sdetailedreportsonnavalactivitieswerefarmore

precisethananyWoodhullhadbeenabletoprovide,butTownsend’sdifficultieswithobtaininggoodtroopcountsforthearmyrevealhowseriouslyhetookhiswork.“IamsorrythatIcannotgiveyouanexactaccountofthesituationofthetroops,”hepennedonAugust6:

YoumaythinkthatIhavenottaken

sufficientpainstoobtainit.IassureyouthatIhave,andfinditmoredifficultthanIexpected.Itissomemeasureowingtomynothavinggotintoaregularlineofgettingintelligence.Todependuponcommonreportswouldnotdo.IsawandconversedwithtwoofficersofdifferentcorpsfromKings-

bridgefromneitherofwhomIcouldobtainanaccountofthesituationofthearmythere.Iwasafraidofbeingtooparticular.

Townsendneededawaytomovemorefreelyaboutthecity,makinginquiriesandgivingpeopleareasontotrusthim.Inotherwords,heneededacoverstory,andhe

foundonejustdownthestreetinthecoffeehouseandprintshopofanEnglishexpatriatenamedJamesRivington.Aprinterandabooksellerbytrade,RivingtonhadleftEnglandin1760oversomeunpleasantness(mostlikelyhavingtodowithlosinghisshareofhisfather’sbusinessinhorseracing),sailedtoAmerica,andopenedupaprintingshopfirstinPhiladelphiaandthenlaterin

NewYorkCity.In1773,hestartedpublishinghisownnewspaperasaneutralpresswiththetagline“OpenandUninfluenced,”buteventuallyitbegantopromote(asdidsomanynewspapersoftheera)averyspecificandforcefulworldview.InRivington’scase,itwasloyaltytoKingGeorge,astancethatgothimhungineffigybytheSonsofLibertyandmockedopenlyinPatriotwritings—gestures

thatseemedtogreatlyamusehim.

Townsendhadalwayshadaknackforwriting;forallofhisnaturalreserveinspeaking,hecouldbeveryexpressivewithapen,andhismeticulous,detailed-orientednaturethathadservedhimwellinspectingcargoshipsalsolentitselftocomposinginterestingletters.Recognizingaperfectcoveropportunity,heappliedfora

jobatRivington’spapertowritetheoccasionalcolumnoflocalinterest.RivingtonrecognizedthequietshopkeeperfromdownthestreetandwashappytotakehimuponhisoffertocontributetotheRoyalGazette’sofferings.

ItwasastrokeofbrillianceonTownsend’spart.Henowhadtheperfectexcuseforaskingquestions,jottingdowndetails,and

queryingvariousmovementsoftroopsandmatérielinto,outof,andaroundthecity.Whatwasmore,Rivington’sTorypoliticswouldhelpdeflectanysuspicionthatTownsendmightbeharboringPatrioticsentiments.

Townsendfoundhimselfquitebusyasheadjustedtotheworkofthreejobs:shopkeeper,journalist,andundercoveragent.Asasolitarymanwithnofamily

andfewfriendstodistracthim,hemayhavefoundthenewdutiesanerve-rackingbutinterestingdistraction.HisassociationwithRivingtonlikelyintroducednewacquaintancestohiscircleaswell,astheprosperoussetflockedtothecoffeehousetobeseeninsuchesteemedcompanyastheBritishofficers.IfTownsend’splain,darkclothessethimapartfromthe

fashionablegentlemenandladieswhodiscussedpoliticsandsoirees,militarystrategyanddinnerparties,nooneseemedtomindtoomuch.

Townsendmightevenhavecaughtsightofafamiliarfaceortwoamongthecoffee-sippingpatrons.HemighthavespottedanoldacquaintancefromOysterBay,orthenephewofaneighbor,oramemberofaprominentLongIslandfamily

suchastheFloyds,orperhapsevenoneofhisowndistantcousins.Therewasnoreasonforhimtofearsuchrecognitions,shouldtheyoccur,however.Hisshopwassituatedjustafewyardsawayandhadbeenforseveralyears,soitwascompletelynaturalforhimtobefoundatthecoffeehouse,makingtheacquaintanceofallwhocamethrough.

MAJORJOHNANDRÉ

Another,moresinisterfigurewasestablishinghimselfatRivington’scoffeehouseatthesametimeasTownsend.TheBritishhadwastednotimeindevelopingtheirowncounterspynetwork.Inthespringof1779,GeneralHenryClintonhadappointedthedashingyoungmajorJohnAndréashischiefintelligenceofficer.The

majorhadimpressedthegeneralwithhiswitandsavvywhenthegeneralarrivedinPhiladelphiaintheearlymonthsof1778.Now,alittleoverayearaftertheyfirstbecameacquainted,ClintonentrustedAndréwiththetaskofmanagingtheespionageeffortsinthecolonies,withaspecificeyeonNewYork.AndréandClintonwerewellawarethatWashingtonwasdesperateto

retakeNewYorkandhadtobesendingspiesthere.EagertointerceptPatriotagents,thenewintelligenceofficersetuphisheadquartersinManhattan.

Andréwasoneofthoseindividualswhothrivewhereverplanted.He’dalwaysbeenaratherworldlyman;hisfatherwasfromGenevaandhismotherfromParis,andtheyhadraisedhiminLondon,educatinghim

withhighhopesforafutureindiplomacy.Hewasfluentinseverallanguages,includingEnglish,French,German,andItalian,wasagiftedartist,andoftencomposedcomicalversesmuchtotheamusementofhiscomrades.Hewasalsofamedasapartyplannerandasocialcoordinator,havingdirectedandpaintedmanyofthesetsforacelebratorytheatricaleventinhonorofGeneral

Howe’sreturntoEnglandfromPhiladelphia.Hehadbeenthetoastofthatcityduringtheoccupation,andwasrumoredtohaveofferedmorethanjustbrotherlylovetoseveralladiestherein.AmongthosewhowerethoughttohavefanciedhimwasPeggyShippen,asparklingteenagerfromaprominentLoyalistfamily,whowasrenownedasmuchforhergraciousnessasforher

beauty.Bythesummerof1779,

AndréhadmovedontoNewYorkandShippenhadrecentlymarriedawidowernamedBenedictArnold,ageneralintheContinentalArmywhohadgottentoknowherwhentheAmericansreclaimedthecitythepreviousyear.ItwasanunlikelyalliancegivenArnold’semploymentandherfamily’spolitics,butonethat

seemedtodelightbrideandgroomalike.André,forhispart,consideredNewYorkastepupfromPhiladelphia,asitwastheclosestthingAmericahadtooffer,intermsofbustleandvariety,tohishometownofLondon.Hequicklybecameafixtureonthesocialscene,charmingallcompanywithhisgallantmannersandjovialpersonality,andspendingmanylanguidafternoons

sippingcoffeeandtradingideasatRivington’sshop.

AndréfoundyetanotheradvantagetohispatronageofRivington’sestablishment:Henowhadawillingpublisherforhispoems.RivingtonwashappytopublishanydoggerelthedashingyoungMajorAndrésenthisway,aseventhesillyrhymesofsuchapopularfigureweresuretosellpapersamongtheLoyalistsetin

Manhattan.Soitwasthatthecounterspyunwittinglypublishedhispoetrynexttothecolumnsofhisbiggesttarget.

THELADY

ItwasprobablythroughhisnewspaperworkthatTownsendfirstmadetheacquaintanceofayoungfemalesocialite,ofwhomhe

informedWoodhull.InhisletterdatedAugust15,1779,Woodhullrecordedthattherewasaspecific“[lady]ofmyacquaintance”sosituatedasto“outwitthemall.”HersuddenappearanceinhislettersfollowingtherecruitmentofTownsend,aswellasthefactthatTownsend’sledgershowsheandWoodhullmetthatsameday,hintsatthefactthatshemayhavebeenintroducedto

theringbyTownsendhimself.ThatshewasalreadyinWoodhull’sacquaintanceindicatesthathername,atleast,wasalreadyknowntohimpriortothatday,perhapsindicatingthatsheorherfamilywereoriginallyfromLongIsland.ButherapparentpresenceinManhattanoflatemeantthatshewassomehowuniquelypositionedtocollectimportantsecretsinacunningandcharmingmannerthat

wouldleavethoseshehaddupedcompletelyunawarethattheyhadjustbeen“outwitted”byasecretagent.

Butjustwhowasthismysteriouswomansoperfectlypoisedtostealsuchvitalsecrets?Woodhullwascarefulnottorecordhername,offeringonlyanumber—355—inthecodethatwastodefinetheCulperRing.

ECHAPTER7

CreatingaCode

venasRobertTownsendwassettlingintohisnew

role,somethinghappenedthathighlightedtheprecariousnatureoftheworldinwhichhenowlived.OnJuly2,1779,Britishraidershad

attackedMajorTallmadge’scampatdawn,killingtenmenandcapturingeight,plusadozenhorses.Thoselossesweredevastating,butintheaftermathTallmadgemadeadiscoverythatprovedunsettlingandwaspotentiallythreateningtothePatriots’intelligenceoperations.OneofthehorsestheBritishhadstolenwashisown,whichstillboreitssaddlebagsandsomeofTallmadge’spersonal

papers—includingsomemoneyearmarkedforWoodhullandaletterfromWashingtonthatspecificallynamedGeorgeHigday,aresidentofManhattan“whoIamtoldhathgivensignalproofsofhisattachmenttous,andatthesametimestandswellwiththeenemy.”

Elevendayslater,HigdaywasarrestedathishomeandconfessedtohavingmetwithGeneralWashingtonto

discussthepossibilityofspying,butclaimedthathenevercarriedoutanysuchactivitybecausethepaymenthadbeeninfakebills.ThereisnorecordofanypunishmentcarriedoutagainstHigday;hewasprobablydeemedharmlessandsufficientlyterrifiednottobetemptedintoanycovertactionsinthefuture,sothematterwasdropped.ButWashingtonhadnowseenthe

dangersofusingrealnamesincorrespondenceand,again,felttheweightoftheresponsibilityhehadtoguardthelivesofthoseriskingthemselvesfortheirsharedcause.

BeyondHigday’sfate,therewasanother,evenmoreimmediateconcerntotheCulpers.OnJune13,WashingtonhadwrittentoTallmadgeinregularinkandmentionedhavinga

particular,special“liquid.”Whatwasfurther,hereferredto“C——r,”acommonformofaddressforthedaywhenanamewaswellknownbetweentwocorrespondents.TheletterwasinterceptedandlandedinthehandsoftheBritishpriortotheJulysecondraid,alertingthemtothedefinitepresenceofanAmericanspyinNewYork—onewithwhomTallmadgewasinclosecontact.The

BritishhadnowayofknowingifC——rwasacodenameoraproperone,buttheydidn’tcare.Theywereafterbiggerfishthanjustaspy;theywantedthespymasterhimself,andtheseizedletterpointedstraighttohiscamp.

ThoughTallmadgehadbeenfortunateenoughtoescapecapture,heknewthatdamagehadbeendone.Iftheringweretosurvive,thespies

wouldhavetodisguiseinformationtoprotectitfrompryingeyeswhilekeepingitunderstandabletothosewhodependeduponthecontentsoftheletters.

Alarmedbythetwoclosecalls,Tallmadgeturnedtothedevelopmentofacodewithanewsenseofurgency.Theringhadalreadybeguntouseafewnumericalsubstitutionsintheirletters:forexample,10stoodforNewYorkand

20forSetauket,sothattherecipientwouldknowthesourceoftheinformationcontainedinthereports.Twoadditionalnumbers,30and40,wereusedtodesignateJonasHawkinsandAustinRoeaspostridersdeliveringthemessagestotheirnextdestination.Tallmadgerealizedhowessentialitwasthatamorecompletelexiconbedevelopedandthateverymemberorassociateofthe

ringhaveanumberratherthanjustacodename.InastyleofcryptographydevelopedoriginallybytheFrench,Tallmadgeselectedabookandgottowork.Makingalistfrom1to763,heporedoverhiscopyofEntick’sSpellingDictionary,the1777Londonedition,andassignedeachpertinentword,location,ornameanumericcode.Hebecame721,WoodhullasCulperSenior

722,TownsendasCulperJunior723,Roe724,andBrewster725.GeneralWashingtonwas711andhisBritishcounterpart,GeneralClinton,was712.Numberswereoftenrepresentedbyletters,sothattheyear“1779,”forexample,mightreadas“ennq.”Ifawordneededtobemadeplural,orputinthepastorfuturetense,a“flourish”wouldbewrittenontopofittodesignatethe

change.Thenewsystemwasnot

foolproofandrequiredsomeadjustmentsonthepartoftheusers,butWoodhullandTallmadgewereabletouseittocorrespondcomfortablywithinafewweeks,thoughwithalingeringsenseofconcernforwhatdamagehadbeendonebytheinterceptedmessageinJune.Inhissameletterthatmentionedthe“[lady]ofmyacquaintance,”

Woodhullopened:

7292915th1779

Sir.DqpeuBeyocpuagreeableto28met723notfarfrom727&receiveda356,butonhisreturnwasunderthenecessitytodestroythesame,orbedetected....Thersbeennoaugmentation

by592of680or347forces,andeverythingveryquiet.Every356isopenedattheentranceof727andevery371issearched,thatforthefutureevery356mustbe691withthe286received.Theyhavesome345oftherouteour356takes.Ijudgeitwasmentionedinthe356takenortheywouldnotbeso660.

Translated,andwithafewcreativegrammaticaladjustmentsrequiredbythereader,theletterconveyedthefollowingmessage:

SetauketAugust15th1779

Sir.JonasHawkinsagreeabletoappointment.MetCulperJuniornotfarfromNewYork&

receivedaletter,butonhisreturnwasunderthenecessitytodestroythesame,orbedetected....[There’s]beennoaugmentationbyshipofwarorlandforces,andeverythingveryquiet.EveryletterisopenedattheentranceofNewYorkandeverymanissearched,thatforthefutureeverylettermust

bewrite[written]withtheinkreceived.Theyhavesomeknow[knowledge]oftherouteourlettertakes.Ijudgeitwasmentionedinthelettertakenortheywouldnotbesovigilant.

AGENT355

Tallmadge’scodecontaineda

quirkthatbothreflectsitstimeandoffersupcluestoamystery.Therearedifferentcodestodesignate“man”(371)and“gentleman”(237),and“woman”(701)and“lady”(355);thus,therewasakindofcommentaryuponthesocialsituationofasubjectembeddedwithinthecodeitself.Anymatureadultmightbereferredtowiththegenericterm“man”or“woman,”accordingtothe

subject’ssex;however,a“gentleman”intheAmericancolonieswasnearlyalwaysconsideredamanwhoownedlandoraconsiderableamountofproperty,andwasrespectedasapersonofcharacterinhislocalcommunity.Awomanmightbereferredtoasa“lady”ifshewasofawell-to-dofamily,orwasanaccomplishedyoungwoman(thatis,eitherliterateand

educated,orproficientintheartsofdomesticleisuresuchasmusic,painting,andneedlework).Inotherwords,amanorawomanwouldgenerallyonlybereferredtoasagentlemanoraladyifheorshewereofcertainmeansandsocialstanding.Socialstandingdirectlyaffectedthequalityofinformationapersoncouldacquire:awasherwomanoracoachmanmighthavebeeninaposition

tooverhearsomekindsofprivateconversations,whereasanestablishedgentlemanorladymighthavebeenintroducedtodifferenttypesofgossipinadiningroom,soTallmadge’sdifferentiationwasstrategic.

Inthecaseof355(the“lady”oftheCulpers’acquaintance),hercodeindicatesthatshewasofsomedegreeofsocialprominence.WassheAnna

SmithStrong,thewifeofJudgeSelahStrong,afiercePatriotwhowasfirstdetainedonaBritishprisonshipinNewYorkHarbor,thenfledtoConnecticutafterhisrelease?LocallegendhasitthatMrs.Strong,whoremainedbehindtomanagethehouseandfamilywhenherhusbandwentintoexile,usedtohanglaundryinspecificpatternsonherline.TheStrongestate,situatedon

ahighbluff,wouldbevisibletoanyonepassingbyboatacrosstheDevil’sBeltportionofLongIslandSound.Thehangingclotheswouldappearasjustthat—wetclothesdryinginthesun—totheuntrainedeye,buttoCalebBrewster,thearrangementofgarmentsandtheircolorssignifieddifferentcountsofshipsandtroops,orinwhichcoveitwassafeforhimtodockhisboat,

dependingonwhichversionofthestoryonehears.HewouldthenbeabletocompilethisinformationandpassitonwiththeCulperlettersfromNewYorkwhenherowedbackacrossthewatertomeetTallmadgeorhiscourierinConnecticut.

WhileAnnaSmithStrongmighthaveplayedasatelliteroleinthering—shewascertainlyanacquaintanceofmanyofitsmembers—

assistingWoodhull,Roe,orBrewsteratsomepoint,thereisnoactualevidencethateithersheorherlaundryeverservedtheircountrybygatheringorpassingalongintelligence.Itseemsquiteunlikelythatthefortyishhousewife,mother,andspouseofawell-knownPatriotrabble-rouserwouldhaveventuredfromLongIslandtoManhattantoattendpartieswhereshewouldhave

rubbedelbowswiththeLoyalisteliteandgainedthetrustofhigh-rankingBritishofficers.

AmuchmorelikelycontenderwouldbeayoungwomanlivingafashionablelifeinNewYork.Thoughofpro-Americansentimentsherself,shealmostcertainlywouldhavebeenattachedtoaprominentLoyalistfamily,eitherasafreethinkingdaughteroracousinora

niecewhowasstayinginthecitywithherToryrelations.Itisthereforepossiblethat355waspartoftheglittering,gigglingclusterofcoquetteswhoflockedaboutMajorAndréashemovedaroundthecity,enjoyingthefinestfood,wine,andcompanyNewYorkhadtooffer.SomeofNewYork’sbrighterbloomsweredemureandothersplayedcoy,but,justashadbeenthecasein

Philadelphia,afewfoundthemselvesadmittedintoAndré’sprivatechambersandhisconfidence,too.

BEYONDLETTERS

Despitethewhiteinkandthecodedcommunications,WashingtonknewthattheBritishweregrowingmoresuspiciousofthemailandthatthetiniestdetailscould

attractscrutiny.WritingfromhisheadquartersatWestPoint,NewYork,WashingtonsentTallmadgealetteradvisingthemajoronthismatterandalsosuggestingthatTownsendnotsacrificehiscurrentemploymentinordertooperatefull-timeasaspy.Hiscoverstory,asitstood,protectedhimfarbetterandallowedhimmorefreedomtogatherinformationthanhe

wouldhaveifhefocusedsolelyonintelligencegathering.TheletterrevealsmuchofGeneralWashington’sthoughtprocessconcerningespionage,especiallyinregardtoprotectinghisvaluedsource.

Head-Quarters,WestPoint,24September,1779.

Sir,Itisnotmyopinionthat

CulperJuniorshouldbeadvisedtogiveuphispresentemployment.Iwouldimaginethatwithalittleindustryhewillbeabletocarryonhisintelligencewithgreatersecuritytohimselfandgreateradvantagestous,undercoverofhisusualbusiness,thanifheweretodedicate

himselfwhollytothegivingofinformation.Itmayaffordhimopportunitiesofcollectingintelligencethathecouldnotobtainsowellinanyothermanner.Itpreventsalsothosesuspicionswhichwouldbecomenaturalshouldhethrowhimselfoutofthelineofhispresentemployment.Hemay

restassuredofeveryproperattentionbeingpaidtohisservices.Onethingappearstomedeservingofhisparticularconsideration,asitwillnotonlyrenderhiscommunicationslessexposedtodetection,butrelievethefearsofsuchpersonsasmaybeentrustedwithitsconveyancetothe

secondlinkinthechain,andofcourseverymuchfacilitatetheobjectwehaveinview;Imean,thatheshouldoccasionallywritehisinformationontheblankleavesofapamphlet,onthefirst,second,andotherpagesofacommonpocketbook,orontheblankleavesateachendofregisters,

almanacks,oranynewpublicationorbookofsmallvalue.Heshouldbedeterminedinthechoiceofthesebooksprincipallybythegoodnessoftheblankpaper,astheinkisnoteasilylegibleunlessitisonpaperofagoodquality.Havingsettledaplanofthiskindwithhisfriend,hemayforwardthemwithout

riskofsearchorthescrutinyoftheenemy,asthisischieflydirectedagainstpapermadeupintheformofletters.

Iwouldaddafurtherhintonthissubject.Evenlettersmaybemademoresubservienttothiscommunication,thantheyhaveyetbeen.Hemaywriteafamiliar

letterondomesticaffairs,oronsomelittlemattersofbusiness,tohisfriendatSetauketorelsewhere,interliningwiththestainhissecretintelligence,orwritingitontheoppositeblanksideoftheletter.Butthathisfriendmayknowhowtodistinguishthesefromlettersaddressedsolelytohimself,hemay

alwaysleavesuchascontainsecretinformationwithoutdateorplace(datingitwiththestain),orfoldthemupinaparticularmanner,whichmaybeconcertedbetweentheparties.Thislastappearstobethebestmarkofthetwo,andmaybethesignaloftheirbeingdesignatedforme.Thefirst

mentionedmode,however,orthatofthebooks,appearstometheoneleastliabletodetection.Iam,&c.

Washington,itseems,wasanadvocateofthepracticeofhidingmessagesinplainview.Ifaletterappearedsuspiciousorwastreatedwiththeutmostcautionandconcern,itwas

morelikelytotipoffBritishinspectors.Byinsteadpassingalongthehighlysensitiveinformationdisguisedasdulllettersonday-to-dayfamilynewsorhiddeninabook,thevehiclebywhichthemessagewasbeingsentwouldprobablynotwarrantasecondglance.Onlytheintendedrecipientwouldknow,alertedbyanotherwisemeaninglesscluesuchasaspecificfold,thattherewas

anythingmoretotheitemthanwhatmettheeye.

WithRivington’sprintshopoperatingjustdownthestreet,andassomeonewhoenjoyedanestablishedrelationshipwiththeowner,TownsendhadnoshortageofbooksavailableforsendingmessagesthewayWashingtonhadputforward.ButTownsend,usinghisinvisibleink,seemstohavepreferredanalternative

meansofhisowndesign:Whenthecourier(usuallyWoodhullorRoe,judgingfromhisstore’sledger)arrivedtopickupthegoodshehadpurchasedtobringbacktoLongIsland,amongthemwouldbeapacketofblankwritingpaper.Concealedwithinthoselooseleaveswasaseeminglyblanksheetthatcontainedtheinvisiblelettertoberenderedreadableonceitreachedits

destinationandthestainwasapplied.Clearcommunicationastohowmanysheetsintothestackthesignificantpaperwouldbeplacedwasessentialtoavoidwastingpreciousreagentinanattempttodiscernwhichsheetcontainedthemessage,butallinallitworkedextremelywellasaninnocuouswaytosmugglereportsoutofthecity.

Withthesenewsecuritymeasuresinplace,andCulper

Juniorand355firmlyestablishedintheirrolesinNewYork,theringcouldnowbegintoforwardintelligencemoreswiftly,safely,andingreaterdetailthanbefore,thoughtheriskofdetectionandcaptureremained.Thelifeofaspyalwaysrequireslookingoverone’sshoulder,butnowWashington’soperativescouldenjoyatleastalittlemorefreedomtospeakabout

theirobservancesandadvisementswithoutneedingtocensortheirwordsincasealetterfellintothewronghands.

Theaddedsecuritywasjustintime,too,withAndré’sarrivalinthecity.Therewereplotsafoot—plansofdeceit,treason,andbetrayal—andtheonlyhopetheAmericanshadtosurvivethemwastobeprepared.WashingtonknewthatNewYorkCitywasof

theutmoststrategicimportancefromamilitaryperspective,butevenhecouldnotanticipatehowcrucialtheintelligencecollectedtherewouldbeinsavingthecauseforliberty.Andneitherside,AmericannorBritish,couldyetimaginejusthowdeepthetreacheryreachedwithinitsownranks.

SCHAPTER8

MountingTensionsandDouble-Dealings

uspicionsandtensionswerebeginningtorise

evenasthesummerof1779reacheditspeak,andalltheagentswerefeelingthestress.Washingtonsent“allthe

whiteInkInowhave(indeedallthatthereisanyprospectofgettingsoon)”withatrustedcolonel,alongwiththedesperateinstructions:

YouwillsendthesetoC——r,Junr.,assoonaspossible,andIbegthatnomentionmayeverbemadeofyourhavingreceivedsuchliquidsfrommeoranyone

else.Inallcasesandatalltimesthisprocedureandcircumspectionisnecessary,butitisindispensablysonowasIaminformedthatGovr.Tryon[BritishgovernorofNewYork]hasapreparationofthesameacidorsomethingsimilartoit,whichmayleadtoadetectionifitiseverknownthatamatterofthissorthas

passedfromme.

Justfourdayslater,TownsendpreparedanotherletterforGeneralWashington,closingwithseverallinesthatpointedtotheincreaseddangerhewasalsoobserving.“Thetimesnowareextreamlydifficult,”hewrote.“GuardboatsarekeptouteverynightintheNorthandEastRiversto

preventanyboatsfrompassing,&IaminformedthatsomepersonshavebeensearchedonLongIsland;therefore,wheneveryouthinkthatmyintelligenceisofnoservice,begyouwillnotifyme.”

Indeed,letterswerenowbeingsearchedwithregularityastheyleftthecity.JonasHawkins,thering’ssometimecourier,twicebelievedhewasindangerof

beingfoundoutanddestroyedthemissiveshewascarryingfromTownsend,muchtotheolderman’sannoyance.

OnSeptember11,1779,WoodhullactedascourierinplaceofHawkinsandwrotetoexplainwhathadhappenedtothelettersfromCulperJuniorthathadnevermadeittoWashingtonasaresultofHawkins’sfear.“Thebearerthoughthimselfindanger.I

believeitwasmerelyimaginary,”Woodhullpenned.“Fromtimidityandthesituationofaffairsatthetime,hedidtochoosetocometoN.Yk;IthereforemethimataplacequiteoutofdangeronLong-Island.Ithenmadeanappointment...atwch.timehecame,Iwroteit,andtookitovertheFerrythathemightrunnohazardfromtheInspectorofLettersthere.”

TownsendhadneverfeltconfidentinHawkins,havingresentedthathisidentitynecessarilyshouldbeknownbyaboyheconsideredtooimmatureforsuchseriouswork.ForallofTownsend’snaturalreserve,hisreactionwasalmostcertainlyfarfromcalm.

“Heshouldhaveneverbeenentrustedwithsuchatask!”TownsendstormedtoWoodhullwhenhelearnedof

thedestructionofhissecondletter.

“Weneededanothercourier,”Woodhulltriedtoexplain.

“ButwhyamIriskingmylifegatheringinformationdayafterdayifmylettersaretobedestroyedbeforetheyreachthegeneral?”

Woodhullshookhishead.“Theboysimplypanicked.”

“Butonewhopanics—orevenlooksnervous—before

theinspectorsisboundtobringextrascrutinyuponhimself.Andifheissearchedandanythingsuspiciousisfounduponhim,wherewillbethefirstplacetheBritishturn?”Hepaused,lookingtoWoodhullforananswer,butWoodhulljustscrapedatabitofcandlewaxonthetable.“They’lllooktoanyofhisknownassociates,andtothelastplacehedidbusinesswhich,inevitably,willbring

themtomyshop,”Townsendfinished,flatly.

“Weare,allofus,onedge,”Woodhullsaidquietly.

“Andweare,allofus,endangeredbythatboy’swantofgoodsenseandcomposure.”Townsendbangedhisfistuponthetablewithsuchforceitcausedthecandlestojump.

“Icannotalwaysbecomingheretoretrieveyourinformationmyself.Thatwill

raisesuspicions,too,”Woodhullinsisted.“Besides,GeneralWashingtondesirestheinformationevenmorequicklythanwehavebeensupplyingit.IfyouwaituntilIamabletomakethetrip,itwillonlydelaytherelayofnews.”

“Thenwegetanotherman,”Townsendsaid,sighingandsinkingintothestraight-backedchair.“Thistimeonewhoknowshowto

keephiswitsabouthim.”“Butyouweretheone

whoinsistedthatyouridentitynotbedisclosedtoanyoneelse.Sowhatarewetodo?”

Townsenddroppedhisheadintohishands.Thetwofriendsdiscussedseveralscenarios,weighingtherisksandbenefitsofeach.Finally,theythoughtofAmosUnderhill,Woodhull’sbrother-in-lawandthe

proprietoroftheboardinghousewhereWoodhullstayedonhisfrequenttripstoManhattan.

“Heneedsprovisionsasmuchasanyoneelse.Whycouldhenotfrequentmyshopforgoodsandpickupthereportsatthesametime?”Townsendmused.

Woodhullconsideredthis.“I’dstillhavetotravelintothecitytoretrievethem,unlessAmoscouldbe

convincedtocomeacrossthewatersometimes.”

“Butitwouldlessenyourvisitstomyshop,andgiveusfeweropportunitiestobespottedtogether.Andheneednotknowtheexactnatureofourbusinesstogetherunlessyoudeemitabsolutelynecessary.”

“It’sagloomythingtotoaston,”Woodhullremarked.“ButIagreethatit’safarbetterthingthanto

haveyoungHawkinsdestroyanymoreofyourlettersor,worse,bedriventomadnessandconfessall.GivemeabitoftimetopresentthemattertoAmosandmakeproperarrangements.Untilthen,Iwillcontinuetoserveascourier.”

OnecanhardlyblameHawkinsforhistrepidation;thethreatsweregrowingandthewholeCulperRingfeltthesqueeze.Thepressure

continuedtomountasautumnapproached.BesidesfearingBritishsearches,thecouriersalsofaceddangersfromincreasinglyactiveprivateers.InhisletterdatedNovember1,1779,TallmadgewrotetoGeneralWashingtonofthegrowinghazardsfacedbymembersofthering,includingtheonce-fearlessCalebBrewster:“TheboatthatcrossesfordispatchesfromC——has

beenchasedquiteacrosstheSoundbythoseplunderers,perhapsforthesakeofbeingthemoresecretintheirVillany,whileourcrewhassuspectedthemtobetheEnemy.IndeedifsomestopcannotbeputtosuchnefariouspracticesC——willnotrisque,nor725[Brewster]gooverfordispatches.”

BytheendofNovember,AmosUnderhill’sname

begantoappearregularlyinTownsend’sledger.Hawkins,meanwhile,seemsalsotohavequestionedhisinvolvementandquietlyremovedhimselffromthering.Underhill’sappearancecouldnothavebeenbettertimed,asWoodhull’snerveswereagaingettingthebestofhim.WoodhullhadbeenquestionedbyapartyofBritishtroopswhileenroutetomeetupwithTownsendat

asafehouseonLongIsland,butapparentlyhekepthiswitsabouthim,becausehewasreleasedwithouthavingtosuccumbtoamorethoroughsearch;Townsend,however,didnotshow.Woodhullwaitedattherendezvouspointthenextdayaswell,buttherewasnosignofCulperJunior.TheexcuseforhisabsencedoesnotappearinanyofTownsend’sletters,butashewasquite

condemninginhiscorrespondenceofotherswhofailedtomakeappointments,itwasundoubtedlyaseriousmatterbeyondsimplyalackofcourage.TheslipbroughtWoodhullnearlytoabreakingpoint,promptinghimtotellTallmadgeafterwardthathehadendured“afullyear’sanxiety,whichnoonecanscarcelyhaveanideaof,butthosethatexperience.Notlongsince,

therewasnoteventhebreadthofyourfingerbetwixtmeanddeath.”

Woodhull’scomplaintwasnotunwarranted.TheresidentsofLongIslandwerebracingforanevengreaternumberoftroopstobequarteredthereduringthecomingwinterthantheyhadenduredthewinterbefore;theyalsocontinuedtoabsorbLoyalistrefugeesfromallovertheeasternseaboard.

“TheinhabitantsofthisIslandatpresentliveamiserablelife,whichyoumayreadilyjudgewhenhavingtherefuseofthreekingdomsandthirteenStatesamongstthem.Plunderingandrapineincreasethatnosmallrate,”WoodhullwroteinthesamelettertoTallmadge.“Iamtiredofthisbusiness,itgivesmeadealoftrouble,especiallywhendisappointmentshappen.

CouldnotconsenttobeanylongeranassistantifIwasnotalmostanEnthusiastforoursuccess.”

ButtherewasacovertstormbrewinginNewYork—onethatTownsendwasintheprocessofuncoveringandconfirming—thatthreatenedtheAmericansnotthroughbloodshedorsiege,butthroughtheirpocketbooks.Andifitwasonaccountofuncoveringthisbusinessthat

TownsendwasunabletomeetupwithWoodhull,hemightverywellbeexcusedbyreasonofthemagnitudeoftheplothethwarted.

STRIKINGAMINT

TheBritishwerehighlyskilledcounterfeiters,andoneoftheirfavoritewaystoattacktheAmericanswasbydepreciatingcolonial

currency.Atthemostbasiclevel,aworthlesscurrencymadeitdifficultfortheContinentalArmytopurchaserationsandrenderedthesoldiers’payquiteliterallynotworththepaperitwasprintedon.Onagranderscale,havingawildlyinflatedcurrencymadeitnearlyimpossibleforAmericandiplomatsoverseastosecurecreditwithforeignbanks—asevereprobleminboththe

shortandlongterms.Withoutfinancialbacking,theAmericanscouldnotbankrollthefood,men,horses,warships,andweaponsneededtowintheRevolution.If,againstallodds,theyweresuccessfulintheirsplitfromtheBritishCrown,thenewnationwouldneedcredittorebuilditsinfrastructure—aconcerntheBritishdidnothavetocontendwith,becausethewarwasanoceanaway

fromLondon.Recognizingthe

vulnerabilityoftheAmericancurrency,theBritishrancounterfeitingoperationsaboardBritishshipsandonshorewherepossible.Distributionofcounterfeitbillswasanopensecretintheearlyyearsofthewar,withadvertisementsevenrunninginnewspapersfortravelersheadedtoothercoloniestocarrywiththemfakebillsof

theircurrentlocationtotheirnewdestination.Awareofthedanger,Woodhullhimselfeveninsistedonbeingpaidintheking’scurrency—arequestWashingtonhonoredwithoutquestion.

TheContinentalCongresshadmadesomeeffortstocombatthecounterfeitingbutsawlimitedsuccess.Eventually,theydevelopedaspecialpaperofaveryprecisequalityandthickness

thatwouldbeusedtoproducethebulkofthemoneymintedinPhiladelphiaand,itwashoped,wouldbeextremelydifficulttoreplicate.Thiswouldallowthegovernmentmuchgreatercontrolastotheamountincirculation,whichwould,inturn,controlinflation.

WhatTownsendlearned,however,andwroteaboutwithurgencytoWashingtononNovember27,1779,was

that“severalreamsofthepapermadeforthelastemissionsstruckbyCongresshavebeenprocuredfromPhiladelphia.”TheonesafeguarduponwhichtheAmericanswerecountingtoprotecttheircurrencyhadbeenbreached.Somehow,whetherthroughnegligenceoradoubleagent,thepaperandpossiblyeventheprinterplateshadmadetheirwaytoNewYork,wheretheBritish

couldusethemtochurnoutperfectcounterfeits.DistributioninNewYorkwoulddrivedownpricesandsinktheeconomyofthecoloniesrightintheheartoftheirmaintradinghub.GeneralClinton,MajorAndré,andtheircolleaguesbasedinNewYorkwouldmeanwhilebefeastinganddiningontheunmatchedpowerofsterlingcurrencyasthecity—andtheentire

fledglingnation—crumbledaroundthem.

Thoughtheattemptstodestroythewareffortthroughcounterfeitbillswereneithernewnorsecret,themagnitudeofthisparticularplotandthefactthattheworthlessbillswouldbeundetectablebeforeitwastoolatemadethisintelligenceofnosmallsignificance.WithwordfromtheCulpersdeliveredswiftly,Washingtonwasabletoalert

Congresstothescheme.Theresultingaction—acancellationofallcolonialbillsafewmonthslaterinMarch1780—wasdrasticandpotentiallydevastatinginitself,butfarlessdestructivetotheAmericaneconomyandmoralethanasneakattackonitscurrencywouldhavebeen.

JusthowhadTownsenduncoveredsuchaplan?Hemayhavehappeneduponsomegossipbylucky

coincidence,butthecertaintywithwhichTownsendoutlinedtheplanforTallmadgeandWashingtonindicatesthathehadamuchmoreintimateknowledgeoftheschemethanjusthearsay.Hissource?Thenewestmemberofthering.

THEMANYLIVESOFJAMESRIVINGTON:THELASTPIECE

JamesRivington,thatsameenterprisingprinter,newspapereditor,andcoffeehouseownerwithwhombothTownsendandAndréhadafriendship,wassomethingofanAmericansuccessstory—thoughhispathwasfarfromtypical.WhatevermisfortuneshehadsufferedinEngland,hisbusinesseswerethrivingintheNewWorldandhewasamasterofspottingnew

opportunities.Bythemiddleofthe1770s,hisNewYork–basednewspaperwasbeingreadatleastasfarsouthasBaltimore.Whenthesparksofrevolutionbecamethefull-fledgedflamesofwarin1775,however,Rivington’sshopwaslootedandburnedbytheSonsofLiberty,withsomeofhispressesandtypefacesbeingmelteddownforammunition.HemovedhisfamilybacktoEngland

fortheirownsafety,thenreturnedtoNewYorkin1777,whereheopenedhisbusinessesnearTownsend’sshop.

WhileRivingtonwasaway,hissurvivingpresseswerebusyservingthekingwithouthim.OnJune26,1776,acounterfeiternamedIsraelYoungtestifiedtohavingheardfromatrustedsourcethatashipinNewYorkwaters,theDuchessof

Gordon,hadbeenthesiteofacounterfeitingworkshop.Whatwasmore,Youngrecounted,theworkwasoverseenbynoneotherthanNewYork’scolonialgovernor,WilliamTryon.Youngsworethatheheardfromhissourcethathe“hadalsoseenGovernourTryonoften,andthattheGovernourwouldtalkveryfreewiththem;thattheyhadonboardanumberofRivington’s

typesandoneofhisprinters.”Thesource“receivedaletterwhichhesaidwasfromtheGovernour,andalsosomewater-workmoney,whichhesaidtheycounterfeitedonboardtheDuchess,andhehimselfhadseenthemprintingitoff;thattheyhadachestofit.”

WhetheritwaswithRivington’sknowledgeatthetimeornot,hisnamewasthuslinkedwiththe

counterfeitingtradeandheundoubtedlydrankfreeinBritishcirclesafterwardforhavingsuchareputation.AnyrumorsofcounterfeitingschemescirculatingamongtheBritishofficercorpsofNewYorkwouldhavecertainlybeenconsideredofinteresttoRivington,andhemayhaveevenbeenconsultedastothebestwaytocarryouttheendeavor.WithTownsendinhis

employandfrequentingthecoffeehouse,wordoftheplancouldhaveeasilyslippedouteitheraccidentallyorasamatterofinteresttothecuriouspart-timereporter.

Oritmighthavebeenverydeliberatelyshared.

Asitturnsout,therewasmuchmoretoJamesRivington,“PrintertotheKing’sMostExcellentMajesty,”thanmettheeye.Atsomepointfollowinghis

returntoAmericafromEnglandattheendof1777,itseemsthathisloyaltiesshifted.ItremainsunclearwhetherhewasdrivenbyachangeofhearttowardtheAmericancause,adesireformonetarygain,orsimplyfrustrationattheCrown’sobjectionsandprohibitionstohisprintingcriticismsoftheleadershipofGeneralHoweintheautumnof1778.Butwhatiscertainisthat

RivingtonsecretlythrewinhislotwiththeAmericansandbegantoworkalongsideRobertTownsendgatheringinformationandconveyingitoutsidethecitytoGeneralWashington’swaitinghands.

Rivington’snamewasthelasttoappearamongtheCulpercodemonikers,726,indicatingthatTownsendhadrecruitedhimsoonafterhisownengagement,probablybythelatesummerof1779,

whenthecodewasdeveloped.Thecodefirstliststhespies’names,concludingwithRivingtonas726,thenseamlesslymovesonfrompersonalnamestoplace-names,withNewYorkdesignatedas727.HowsocautiousandreservedamanasTownsendwasabletoestablishaconfidencewithanavowedlyTorypropagandistishardtoimagine.Oncetheconnectionwasmade,

however,Rivington’smischievousnaturemusthavedelightedintheironyofhisrecruitment.Thiswasthesameman,afterall,whofoundgreatamusementinseeinghimselfhungineffigyandwhohappilyreprinteddamninglettersabouthischaracterfromPatriotcircularsinhisownnewspaper.

Hisunconventionalsenseofhumoraside,Rivington

provedavaluableassettoTownsend’swork.Takingadvantageofhisprofession,heprovidedbooksforthespies’use.Sometimesthebooks’bindingshidslipsofpaperholdingintelligenceRivingtonhimselfhadgleanedfromhisLoyalistguestsandfriends.

Severalyearslater,WilliamHooper,aNorthCarolinalawyerwhohadsignedtheDeclarationof

Independence,wrotetohisfriendandfutureSupremeCourtjusticeJamesIredell:

IthascomeoutasthereisnownolongeranyreasontoconcealitthatRivingtonhasbeenveryusefultoGenWashingtonbyfurnishinghimwithintelligence.Theunusualconfidence

whichtheBritishplacedinhimowinginagreatmeasuretohisliberalabuseoftheAmericansgavehimampleopportunitiestoobtaininformationwhichhehasbountifullycommunicatedtoourfriends.

TheBritishwerebeing

played,andfromtheleastlikelyofcorners.Buttheyremainedoblivioustothedouble-dealingsintheirmidst.Thepartieswenton.Thecoffeehousedebatescontinuedastheofficerswentaboutsurroundedbytheircirclesofadmirers.MajorAndré’ssillylovepoemswerecomposedandpublishedinRivington’sRoyalGazette.Thewineandthewordsflowedfreelyasthey

banteredabouttheirplans.Thearmywasingarrison—comfortable,amused,andcompletelyoblivioustothefactthatanyshopkeeper,newspaperman,orcharmingladyintheirmidstwaslistening,remembering,andplotting.

NCHAPTER9

WashingtonDemandsMore

owWashingtonhadtastedvictory;hisagentshad

outsmartedtheenemyintheirownterritory.Itcouldbedone.Byrevealingthecounterfeitingplot,the

CulperRinghadprovedthatNewYorkwasnotsomeinsurmountablefortress;theyhadpenetrateditsvaultofsecretssuccessfullyandunmaskedanentireplotbeforeitcouldbeplayedouttoitscatastrophicend.Bestofall,theenemyhadnowayofknowingatwhatstagetheplanmayhavebeenleakedortracingbackanybreachesofsecrecy.Washington’sinformants,therefore,were

relativelysafefromdetectionandcouldcontinuetheiractivitieswithouttoomuchconcernfortheirwelfare.

Evenso,therewasmuchmoreafoot—ofthatWashingtonwascertain.Nowthatoneplanhadbeenfoiledanotherwouldsoonbehatched,probablywithmorespeedthistimetominimizetheriskofleaks.Somedelicacymustbesacrificedforthesakeofurgency,but

couldhemakehismosttrusted,mostvalued,andmostsecretiveringunderstandthat?Heporedoverthemapsashewouldbeforeabattle;perhapstherewasawaytoconveymessagesacrosstheHudsonRiverorviaStatenIsland?HewroteasmuchtoTallmadge,urginghimtotalktoCulperSenioraboutsuchanoption,hopingtoimpressupontheringtheimportanceoftimely

reports.TheCulpers,meanwhile,

wereenjoyingsomethingofareprievefromtheoppressiveworriesthathadplaguedthemoflate.ColonelSimcoehadlefthisreluctanthosts,theTownsends,andledtheQueen’sRangersbacktothemainlandinanefforttocaptureGeorgeWashington.Theyhadfailed,andSimcoewasnowbeingheldprisonerbytheAmericans.Woodhull,

nodoubtvoicingthesentimentsofnumerouspeople,concludedhislettertoTallmadgeonDecember12,1779:“WereInowintheStateofNewJerseywithoutfearofLaworGospel,[I]wouldcertainlykillCol.Simcoe,forhisusagetome.”Inthatsamemessage,heincludedablanksheetcontainingastainletterfromTownsendwithwhomhewroteheplannedtocelebrate

Christmas.Holidayleisurewasa

luxurythecommanderinchiefcouldillaffordasthefateoftheentireRevolutionrestedheavilyuponhisshoulders.EvenasWoodhullwrotethathis“fearsaremuchabated,”WashingtonfeltagrowingsenseofurgencytoseethecracksinNewYork’sarmorexploitedevenmoreaggressively.Mattersinthesoutherncoloniesshowed

signsofdeterioratingcomespring,whichmeantthathisattentionandresourceswouldbeevenmoredividedandstrained.IftheBritishwereplottinganyoffensivemaneuversfromthecity,hewantedtobeprepared.

Washingtonmusthavecommunicatedhisurgencytothering,becauseAmosUnderhillvisitedTownsend’sshopwithincreasedfrequencystartinginmid-

January1780,appearinginhisledgerfourtimesinjustoverthreeweeks.ButthesmuggledmessageswerenotmeetingthepressingdemandsWashingtonwasfacing.Eventswereacceleratingrapidly,andthelaboriousmeansofconveyingthelettersoutofoccupiedNewYorkandLongIsland,intoConnecticut,andoverlandtoWashington’scampweretooslow.Insteadofproviding

newinformation,theCulperRing’sintelligencewasnowprovidingverificationoffactsthegeneralhadalreadylearned.“Hisaccountsareintelligent,clear,andsatisfactory,consequentlywouldbevaluable,butowingtothecircuitousroutethroughwhichtheyaretransmittedIcanderivenoimmediateorimportantadvantagefromthem,”WashingtonwroteTallmadge

onFebruary5.“And(asIrelyuponhisintelligence)theonlysatisfactionIderivefromit,is,thatotheraccts.areeitherconfirmedorcorrectedbyhis,aftertheyhavebeensometimereceived.”

Hewasnotunsympathetictothetremendouschallengeshisringfaced—mostspecifically,therisksCulperJunior,wholivedandworkedintheheart

oftheBritishoperations,enduredeveryday.“Iamsensibleofthedelicacyofhissituation,andthenecessityofcaution,”Washingtonaddedtohisletter,asifrealizingtheharshtoneofhiscriticismintheprecedinglinesdirectedtohisfavoritespy.HewentontosuggestthathemaybeabletoprovideCulperJuniorwithmoredirectpossibilitiesformovingthelettersoutofNewYork,thoughhe

acknowledgedtherisksinvolvedinexpandingtheringbeyonditscurrentmembers:“Ihavehithertoforbornandamyetunwillingtomention,personstohimasthevehiclesofconveyancelesttheyshouldnotprovesotrustworthyandprudentaswecouldwish.”

Afewweekslater,WoodhullfoundhimselfwritingbacktoWashington,informingthegeneralof

detailedshipmovements,aswellaswarninghimofevenmorepotentialriskfromgreatlyincreasedscrutinyandenemypresenceinSetauket:“Tworegts.istobestationedinthisTown.IfitshouldtakeplaceitwillIfearentirelyruinourcorrespondence.TopreventwhichIshallgiveyouearlyintelligenceoftheirmotionsfromtimetotime,thatyoumaybepreparedtogivethemafatalblowatthe

beginning,orweshallbetotallyruined.”

ThereprieveWoodhull’semotionshadenjoyedinDecemberhadprovedalltoobrief.ItwasMarchnow,whichmeantincreasedactivitycouldbeanticipatedwiththespringthaw.Butthewinterof1779–80,knownas“theHardWinter,”provedtobeoneofthecoldestrecordedseasonsoftheeighteenthcenturyinNorthAmerica,

andrefusedtoletup.Theweathertookaturnfortheworse,withtumultuousspringstormsthwartingseveraleffortstoconveyletterstoWashingtonexplainingthattheCulpershadtakenseriouslyhisconcernsregardingthespeedoftheirreports.Underincreasedpressuretoperform,Woodhullonceagainlethisnervesgetthebestofhimasheattemptedto

countandrecounttheblanksheetsofpaperthathadcometohimaspartofhislastbatchofgoodsfromTownsend.Somehow,thenumberneverseemedtocomeuprightandthesamesheetwasneverlandedupontwice.Worriedaboutsendingaworthlesspaperratherthantheonethatcontainedthemessagewritteninthestain,Woodhullfinallythrewuphishandsanddashedoffanote:“Sir.

Inclosedyouhaveablank—Somethingfearfulnotsendingtherightandhaveinclosedthree.”

THEMESSENGERDEBACLE

Meanwhile,TownsendlookedfornewcourierswhocouldcarrymessagesnorthwardacrosstheHudsonasthegeneralhadrequestedinsteadofacrosstheSound

andthroughConnecticut.Ratherthanchooseanoutsider,heturnedtoafamilymember,acousinnamedJamesTownsend,whowasonlysixteenorseventeenyearsoldatthetime.Theyoungmanhadnoideaastotheexactnatureoftheletterswithwhichhewasentrusted;heonlyknewthattheycontainedsensitiveinformationthatwasimportanttohisgrave,

sombercousin—andthattheywouldlandhiminprisonifhismissionwasfoundout.

Armedwithjustenoughignorancetobesafe,justenoughknowledgetobecautious,andjustenoughbraverytobedangerous,JamessetoffundertheassumedidentityofaLoyalistvisitingrelativesoutsidethecity.HistravelsprogressedsmoothlyuntilhestoppedatthehomeoftheDeausenberry

family.Heexpectedtheywouldbesympathetictogivinghimrestandshelter,astheywereardentPatriotsinanotherwiseTory-dominatedarea,butJamesseemstohaveplayedhispartasaLoyalisttooconvincingly.TheDeausenberrydaughters,youngwomenabouthisownage,suspectedthathemightevenbeaToryspy.Inthehopesofcausinghimtospillhisstory,theypretendedtobe

Loyalists,too,muchtoJames’ssurprise.Confusedbytheirswitch,theboyfeignedintoxicationinthehopesofcoveringhistracksandconvincingthefamilyhewasharmless,butitwastootangledofawebtoescapebythatpoint.

“Oh,IwaswithintwomilesofNewYorkCitythedaybeforeyesterday,”heslurred,“carryinganumberofstockingstomyuncleand

brother.IplannedtojoinupwiththeBritishwhileIwasthere.”

“Whyeverdidn’tyou?”oneoftheyoungladiesinquired.

“TheytoldmeIshouldcomeoverhereandrecruitseveralmoreladstojoinupwithmesowecouldmeetupwiththeBritishtogetherwhentheyheaduptheriverinaweek,astheyareexpectedtodo.”

“Andisthatwhatyouareendeavoringtodoatpresent?”

“I’vepersuadedmanyagoodfellowtoenlist,”Jamespushedon.“VeryfrequentlyoverthecourseofthelastsummerI’vebeenbackwardandforwardtoandfromNewYork,havingpilotedseveralcompaniesofBritishsoldiers.I’vecarriedinandbroughtoutmanyvaluablearticles.”

Theyoungladiesaffected

appropriatereactionsofadmiration,whichonlyemboldenedJamesfurther.“OnceIwastakenuponbythedamnedrebelswholeftmeconfinedandchaineddown,flatonmybackintheProvostthreeweeks.”Thegamewastoofun,toodeliciousanopportunityforared-bloodedyoungmantoresistembellishinghisstory,especiallywhenhecoulddosowithacleanconscience,

believingittobenecessarytosavebothhislifeandhismission.Hecontinued:“Finally,Imademyescapebybreakingout—”

Witharoar,JohnDeausenberry,theelderbrotherofthetwoladies,leaptfromhishidingplaceandpounceduponJames,declaringhimaprisoner.AterrifiedJameswasimmediatelycartedofftotheAmericanarmycampnearby,

wherehewassearchedthoroughly,andJohnDeausenberrygaveafullanddetaileddepositiononthematter.TothegreatdisappointmentofboththeDeausenberrysandthesoldiers,nothingofinterestwasfoundonJames,thoughtheydidcommandeerthetwosheetsofpaperhewascarryingthatcontainedagroan-worthypoemcalled“TheLady’sDress”onapage

foldedinapeculiarmannerandsignedwithanearlyillegible“S.T.”Thesoldierssentthelettersontoheadquarters,andJameswasheldinPatriotcustody.

PoorJames’smissionwasnotacompletedebacle,becausethepapersdidreachWashington.Thegeneralrecognizedtheunusualmanneroffolding(hisownsuggestionfromtheSeptember24,1779,letter)

andknewtheinitials“S.T.”indicatedthatstainwastobeapplied.Thehandwriting,too,wasagiveawaythatthepapershadcomefromnoneotherthanCulperJunior.AsWashingtondabbedthestainbetweenthelinesofthepoem(whichhumorouslydescribestheeleganceofahealthy-lookinglady’sappareluntilahusbandrealizeshiswifeishalfthesizesheappearsonceherhoopsandmanylayers

havebeenremoved)Townsend’smessagebegantoappear.Unfortunately,itwasalmostcompletelyunreadableand,beforeheevenreachedtheend,Washingtonresolvedtowastenomoreofhispreciousstaininanattempttodevelopsomethingthatwasinscrutable.

Evenmorefrustratingtothegeneralwasthathispersonalinvolvementwas

requiredtosecureJames’sfreedom.Washingtonwasfuriousthatsomuchunnecessaryattentionhadbeendrawntocovertoperations,wastingresourcesandtimeonwhatprovedtobeanunfruitfulmission.Morethanalittleofthegeneral’spreciousfocushadtobedivertedfromstrategyandplanningtohandlingthematterwithdelicacybeforeJameswasfinallyreleasedto

slinkbacktoNewYorkwithhistailbetweenhislegs.Tallmadgewasbriefedonthesituationandhe,inturn,madesurethatWoodhullunderstoodthedepthofWashington’sdispleasure.Thatmessage,itseems,wasreceiveddirectlyandnotatallsoftenedintone.

TUMULTUOUSSPRING

Admittedly,Townsend’spapershadreachedtheirdestination,butthewholeembarrassingincidentdidnothingtoboostanyone’sconfidenceintheNewYorkspies’abilitytospeedupthetransmissionoftheirintelligence.Iteventhreatenedafissurewithintheringitself;WoodhullwasleftmakingapologiesandexcusesforwhatheconsideredtobeRobert

Townsend’sprofoundlackofjudgmentinrecruitingJames,whileTownsendinsistedthatastheprimeinformationgathererithadbeenincumbentuponhimtoatleastattemptadifferentmodeofcommunication.Thedisagreementwassharp,andintheendprovednearlyfataltothering.WoodhullwrotetoTallmadgeonMay4,1780,“IhavehadaninterviewwithC.Junr.and

amsorrytofindhedeclinesservinganylonger.”

Washingtonhadhadenough.NewYorkcontinuedtotaunthimandnointelligencehehadreceivedoflateofferedanyhopethathemightbeabletowageanattacksoon.Thering’sfailurewasnorealfaultoftheirown,andWashingtonknewtherehadbeennolackofefforttomeethisincreasinglyurgentrequests,buttheresultswere

discouragingallthesame.WhenthegenerallearnedthatCulperJunior—thelinkintheringwhoseintelligencehehadoncevaluedabovethatofallotheragentsintheemployoftheContinentalArmy—wantedtowithdraw,hedecidedtheentireendeavorwouldbepointlesswithouthim.Infrustration,hedeterminedtostartfromscratchandbuildanewnetwork.

FromhisheadquartersinMorristown,NewJersey,hewrotetoTallmadgeonMay19:“AsC.JuniorhastotallydeclinedandC.Seniorseemstowishtodoit,Ithinktheintercoursemaybedropped....IamendeavoringtoopenacommunicationwithNewYorkacrossStatenIsland,butwhoaretheagentsintheCity,Idonotknow.”Afewotherspieswereacting

independentlyinthecity,amongthematailornamedHerculesMulligan,whopickedupgossipwhilemeasuringEnglishsoldiersforuniformsandsuits,aswellasDanielDiehel,amanofWoodhull’sacquaintance.NoonecomparedtothefinelytunedandprovenCulperRing,buttheywerealmostallLongIslanders,andcouldoperatemostsafelyintheirownenvirons.Their

familiaritywiththepeopleandwaterwayshadkeptthemfromdiscoverythusfar.IfWashingtonthoughtadiversionofroutetoStatenIslandwasnecessarytospeedthedeliveryofthemessages,thenhemustfindspieswhocouldnavigatethatislandinstead.Itwasjustthatsimple.Asfarashewasconcerned,theCulperbusinesswasfinished,evenifithadconcludedona

somewhatsournote.Thisnewswounded

Woodhulldeeply.HerepliedtoTallmadgeonJune10inatonethatreadsalmostlikethatofajiltedlovertryingtomaintaindignityafteranaffair:

Iamhappytofindthat711[Washington]isabouttoestablishamoreadvantageous

channelofintelligencethanheretofore.Iperceivethattheformerheintimateshathbeenoflittleservice.Sorrywehavebeenatsomuchcostandtroubleforlittleornopurpose.Healsomentionsofmybackwardnesstoserve.Hecertainlyhathbeenmisinformed.YouaresensibleIhavebeenindefatigable,andhave

doneitfromaprincipalofdutyratherthanfromanymercenaryend—andashintedheretofore,ifatanytimetheresneedyoumayrelyonmyfaithfulendeavours.Iperceivethere’snomentionmadeofanymoneytodischargetheremainingdebts,whichhathincreasedsinceIsawyou,owingtoyour

directiontocontinuethecorrespondenceregularuntilIreceivedyouranswerfrom711.

ItisnowonderthattheCulpercommunicationshadprovedsodisappointingtoGeneralWashingtoninthespringof1780.Thedifficultiesofdeliveringthemessagesinatimelyfashiongiventhegeographical

constraintsandweatherwerereal,buttheotherrealitywasthattherewaslittlereliableinformationtobesent.GeneralClintonhadleftthecityforSouthCarolina,takingthekeydecisionmakerswithhim.Evenifthespieshadbeenatthetopoftheirgame,theystillwouldhavehadlittlenewsforWashington.

Agent355foundherselfinanespeciallydifficult

position.Onlycampwomenandwivestraveledwithofficersonthemove—norespectablesinglewomanwouldeverfollowthesoldiers,andcertainlynotaladyofhersocialstanding.Intheabsenceoftheofficers,whateverintelligenceshewasgleaningfromwhisperedconversationswithAndré,orfromplotscarelessly(orcockily)mentionedinpassing,completelydriedup.

Townsend,forhispart,couldcontinuetochatwithsoldiersinhisshopormakehisinquiriesatthedocksandaroundthecityasheinspectedcargoshipsfortheirwaresorinterviewedpeopleforhisnewspapercolumn.Rivingtoncouldcontinuepassingonbitsofgossiphecollectedasanewspapermanandcoffeehouseowner.But355couldonlyawaitthereturnofhersourcesandthe

revivalofhersetbeforeshecouldimpartanyfurtherinformation.

Clinton’sabsencewasshort-lived.CharlestonfellmuchthesamewayManhattanhad,andClintonfeltnoneedtostaytoputdownthebackwoodscolonistsstillcausingtroubleintheAppalachians.HewouldleavethattohisofficersandreturntothemetropolitandelightsofNew

York:mistresses,theaters,balls,andthesatisfactionofbeingthetoastofoneofthelargestcitiesonthecontinent.

TherewasanotherreasonwhyGeneralClintonhastenedbacktotheglitteringpleasuresofNewYorkinJune1780.RumorhadreachedhisearsthatafleetofFrenchshipscarryingtroopswasboundforNorthAmerica.Ascomplacentashewas,thisnewdevelopment

troubledhim.WiththeassistanceoftheFrench,theAmericansmightbeabletotakebackNewYork—orevenwinthewarwithoutthecity.

GCHAPTER10

TheFrenchConnection

eneralWashingtoncouldnotholdagrudgeforlong.

AftercoolingoffforseveralweeksandrealizingthatnorealharmhadbeendonebythemisadventuresofJames

Townsend,hebegantoreconsiderhisdecision.Slowbutcredibleintelligencewasbetterthanfastbutmuddled—ornointelligenceatall.WashingtonhadgrownaccustomedtohisreliableanddetailedreportsfromtheCulperRing;thosemessagesprovidedhimwithasensethatsomethingwashappeningtoadvancethePatriotcauseinNewYork,evenifhewaspowerlesstoleadthecharge

torecapturethecity.Meanwhile,thesame

rumorthatClintonhadheardgrewtoabuzz.AfleetofFrenchshipswascrossingtheAtlanticatthatverymoment,comingtogivetheAmericansamuch-neededboostofmen,might,andmorale.IftheBritishinterceptedthemitwouldbedevastating.

WashingtondidnotknowwheretheFrenchwouldland.Hedidnotknowwhetherthe

Britishknew,and,iftheydidknow,howGeneralClintonwasplanningtoambushthefleet.Evengreatmenmakemistakes,andWashingtonknewhehadcommittedagraveoneinendingthespyring.Neverbefore,herealized,hadheneededeyesandearsinNewYorksourgently.IthadtakenalongtimetowinoverFrance,andtheAmericanscouldnotaffordtosquandertheirnew

ally’sgoodfavor.

LOUISXVI’SSECRETWAR

Aftercenturiesofwarfareanduneasytrucesbothonhomesoilandincoloniesabroad,theFrenchwantednothingmorethantoseetheBritishdefeatedintheNewWorld.NotonlywoulditbebeneficialforFrenchclaimsinNorthAmerica,butthe

humiliationheapedonKingGeorgeforhislosstoabunchofupstartcolonialswastoodeliciousanopportunityforLouisXVItoignore.ThedefeatofBritainintheAmericancolonieswouldmeangoodthingsforFrance,andLouiswasastuteenoughtorealizethatsuchadefeatwouldnotbepossiblewithoutoutsideassistance.

Whatwastheretolosebyofferinghelptotherebels?

TheBritishhatedtheFrenchanyway,andthefeelingwasmutual,soFrenchinvolvementwouldnotpoisonanywellsthatwerenotalreadyamplytainted.AndwhatcouldbeamoreconvenientmeansofdeflatingtheBritishthansupportingawarfoughtonsomeoneelse’ssoil,displacingsomeoneelse’spopulationanddestroyingsomeoneelse’sinfrastructure?

Asearlyas1776,thefictitiousRoderigueHortalez&CompanytradinghousehadsmuggledFrenchmoneyandprovisionsintothecolonies.ThecompanybolsteredtheAmericancausepriortotheformaldeclarationofindependencefromBritain,andcontinuedtosupplythecolonists’needsuntiltheFrenchandAmericansfinalizedatreaty.AfterBenjaminFranklinsecured

theFranco-AmericanallianceinFebruary1778,thecompanyhadnoneedtooperateundercover.

ThatisnottosayFrenchinvolvementhadbeeninvisiblebeforethetreatywassigned.AnumberofFrenchmilitaryofficersjoinedtheAmericancause;mostnotablewastheMarquisdeLafayette,whohadbeenservingwithGeneralWashingtonsince1777.AdmiralJean-Baptiste-

Charles-Henri-Hectord’EstaingnavigatedafleetofshipsupfromtheWestIndiestoRhodeIslandin1778,wheretheyengagedwiththeBritishinanattackonNewport.D’Estaing’sexpeditiondisappointedWashington:Notonlywasthebattlesomethingofadraw,butthefleetdeclinedtoattacktheBritishnavystationedaroundNewYork.UnabletosaveSavannah,

Georgia,fromsiegeinSeptemberandOctober1779,thefleeteventuallysailedbacktoFrance,takingwithitWashington’shighhopesforadecisivenavalengagementthatwouldshiftthemomentuminhisfavor.

Inthespringof1780,wordspreadthatanotherfleethadlaunchedonApril6fromtheportcityofBrest.Code-namedtheExpéditionParticulière(theBritishcalled

it“SpecialExpedition”),thefleetwasinchargeoftransportingmorethansixthousandtroopsunderthecommandofCountJean-BaptisteDonatiendeVimeurdeRochambeau.Bothsidesknewithadthepotentialtoswaytheoutcomeofthewar.

ThatalargeFrenchfleetwassailingtotheaidoftheAmericancausewasnosecretinEurope;theextensivepreparationsforsucha

venturecouldscarcelybekeptunderwraps.ButwhenandwheretheshipswouldlandwasaguessinggameforboththeAmericansandtheBritish.NewsofFrenchplanshadtotravelbyshipviaalmostexactlythesamerouteasthefleetitself,makingitnearlyimpossibletoknowaheadoftimethedestinationofthereinforcements.

Washingtonhadreceivedintelligencethatthefleet

wouldbearrivingsoonandheadingforNewport,RhodeIsland.WhathecouldnotbesureofwaswhethertheBritishknewthesamethingorhadonlyrumorsandsuspicionsfromwhichtooperate.IftheBritishwereignorantofthespecifics,theAmericansmighthavetheelementofsurpriseontheirside.IftheBritishhadadvanceknowledge,theycouldmovetroopstoengage

theFrenchassoonastheydisembarkedoreventopreventtheirlandinginthefirstplace.

ByJune,theBritishwereinfull-onpreparationmode,makingtheirbestguessesandshoringuptheareastheysuspectedtobethemostvulnerable.InWoodhull’sletterofJune10—thesameinwhichhewrotewithsomeoffensetowardWashington’srevocationoftheCulpers’

duties—healsoalertedTallmadgetotheflurryofactivityonLongIsland.“YouspeakwithsomeassurancethattheFrenchishourlyexpectedtoourassistance—hopetheymaynotfailus....Ther’sagrandmovementonfootinN.York.ThetroopsarecalledfromLloyd’sNeckandissaidfromeveryotherdistantpost,andanembargolaidonallshipsandsmallSloops.Itissuspectedthey

areagoingtoquiteN.York,oraregoingtomakesomediversionuptheriver,orareafraidoftheFrench.ButIcannotbutthinktheformerislikelytotakeplace.ForIbelievetheirwholedesignistotheSouthward.”

RACETONEWYORK

OnJuly11—and,unbeknownsttoWashington,

lessthantwenty-fourhoursaftertheFrenchshipsdroppedanchorinNarragansettBay,RhodeIsland—WashingtonsentanurgentlettertoTallmadge,askinghimtoreorganizetheCulperRing.“AswemayeverymomentexpectthearrivaloftheFrenchFleetarevivalofcorrespondencewiththeCulperswillbeofverygreatimportance,”hescrawled,continuing:

Iftheyoungercannotbeengagedagain,youwillendeavortoprevailupontheoldertogiveyouinformationofthemovementsandpositionoftheenemyuponLongIsland—aswhethertheyareallconfinedtotheportatBrooklynorwhethertheyhaveanydetachedpostsandwhere,andwhatistheirstrengthatthose

posts—inshortdesirehimtoinformyouofwhatevercomesunderhisnoticeandwhatseemsworthyofcommunication.

TallmadgereceivedtheletteronJuly14andimmediatelyrepliedtothegeneralthathewouldsetoutthenextmorningtofindBrewster,whowasstill

regularlycrossingLongIslandSoundtoConnecticutfortradingandtauntingpurposes.HealsomadeadelicatesuggestiontoWashington:“IwouldatthesametimehintthatbyCr’slastletter,wearesomethinginarrearstohim,andinordertoenablehimtoprosecutethebusiness,itmaybenecessarytoaffordhimasmallsupplyofmoney.”

Oncelocated,Brewster

eagerlysetofftofindWoodhull,who,unfortunately,wasillwithafeverandcouldnottravel(hemighthavebeensufferingfromanervousillnessaswell).Instead,AustinRoeleaptuponahorseandheadedstraightforNewYorktoalertTownsend,anexhaustingfifty-five-miletriponeway.Washingtonknewbynowthatthelandinghadoccurred,andherealizedthatGeneral

Clintonwouldknow,too.Townsend’smissionwastospyouttheBritishresponsetothefleet’sarrival.

RoewaitedinManhattanfourdayswhileTownsend(andverylikelyAgent355)madeinquiriesandgatheredasmuchinformationaspossiblefromtheiracquaintancesamongtheBritishofficers.Townsendthenrecordedthefindingsininvisibleinkbetweenthe

linesofanorderformforgoodsfromhisstore,andincludedafakenoteapologizingthatthemerchandisewasnotavailableatthetimebutwouldbeforwardedwhenitarrived.Roecarriedthenotebackwithhim—asimplecoverstoryastowhyhewascarryingpapersbutnomerchandise,incaseheshouldbesearched—andgavethesensitiveletterto

Woodhull.WoodhullpasseditontoBrewsterthatsamenighttorowacrosstheSound,addingpressingdirections:“Theenclosedrequiresyourimmediatedeparturethisdaybyallmeansletnotanhourpass:forthisdaymustnotbelost.Youhavenewsofthegreatestconsequenceperhapsthateverhappenedtoyourcountry.”

Woodhullalsosubmitted

asummaryofwhathehadheardasanadjuncttoTownsend’sfindings,writingthatthereport

alsoassuresofthearrivalofAdmiralGraveswithsixshipsofthelineandisjoinedbythreemoreoutofNewYork,alsooneof50andtwoof40gunsandhassailedforRhode

Islandandissupposedtheywillbetherebeforethiscanpossiblyreachyou.Also8000TroopsarethisdayembarkingatWhitestoneforthebeforementionedport.IamtoldforcertainthattheFrenchhaveonlysevensailoftheline.Igreatlyfeartheirdestination.

Understandingtheurgency,WoodhulldecidedtoeliminateTallmadgefromthechainofcommunication,crossinghiscodename,JohnBolton,offtheaddressofoneletterbeforehandingthedispatchtoBrewster,whorusheditstraighttoWashington’sheadquarters.AlexanderHamilton,Washington’sclosestaide,receivedthereportontheafternoonofJuly21.

Unflappableasever,Washingtonreceivedtheinformationcalmlyandcarefullyconsideredthepossibilities.HedesperatelywantedtocaptureNewYorkCity,andwithClintonleadingmostoftheBritishtroopsstationedtherenorthwardtoengagetheFrench,thiscouldbehisbestopportunity.ButWashingtonalsoknewbetterthantoactrashly.Hecalledtogether

severalofhistopofficers,andtheydiscussedthelikelihoodofasuccessfulattack;theprevailingsentimentwasthatitwouldbeunwise.EvenwithClintonandalargenumberofhismengone,thecitywasstillwellfortifiedandthebattlewouldendasasiege,givingClintontimetoreturnwithhissoldiersandengagetheAmericans.Regretfully,Washingtonwasforcedto

agreewithhiscounselorsandadmitthathemustrejecthisambitionstorecapturethecity,butthebrilliantstrategistrealizedhecouldstillcapitalizeonManhattan’svulnerability.

ADIRTYBUSINESS

Washingtonwasalwaysconsciousthatevenashehadspiesworkingbehindthe

scenes,somusttheBritish.Everymoverequiredariskwhosecosthemustcalculate.EachmaneuverheplannedthathadthepotentialtooutsmarttheenemycouldbecounteredbytheBritishtothedetrimentofhisownforces.Plantingalittlestrategicinformationwasthebestwaytoprotecthisarmyagainstcounterintelligence.

SatisfiedwiththedecisionnottoattackNew

York,Washingtondismissedhisofficers—andthenhurriedlybegandrawingupplansandpenningcorrespondencesignalingafull-fledgedattackuponManhattanassoonasClinton’sforceswereclearofthecityandtooneartoNewporttobeeasilyrecalled.Theparcelwasdispatchedwithacourierwhohastilyleftcampwithveryspecificinstructionsonwhereand

whentodeliverthedocuments.ThenWashingtonwaited.

Afewhourslater,amanstumbleduptoaBritishoutpostwithabundleofpapers.Hetoldthesoldiershehadfoundthebundlelyingbythesideoftheroadandassumedithadtumbledoutofthepoorlysecuredsaddlebagsofaridertravelingatbreakneckspeed.Howeveritgottherewasn’timportant,

theBritishimmediatelyconcluded.AquickglancerevealedbattleplansforapendingattackonNewYorkandlettersoutliningthestrategycomingfromthehandofWashingtonhimself.Thesoldiersrousedtheirseniorofficers,whoquicklydecidedthatClintonandhistroopsmustberecalled.DefeatingthenewlyarrivedFrenchtroopswasimportant,butholdingNewYorkwas

doublyso.Flaressignaledthe

messagetoClinton,andtheBritishshipsdidanabout-facetosailbacktoNewYorkHarbor,whereClintonorderedhistroopstobracethecityforanattackthatcouldcomeatanytime.Thewholecityhelditsbreath,everycitizenstrainingtohearthefirstsoundofcannonfirebreakingthesilenceofthecountrysideastheAmericans

advanced.Theywaited.Andwhile

theywaited,theFrenchdisembarkedandmovedtoanareaofsafetytoawaittheirmarchingorderswithnointerferencefromtheBritish,nonavalattacksupontheirships,andnogroundoffensivesfromClinton’sarmy.Washington’sgamblehadpaidoffbeautifully.

GeorgeWashington,whomgenerationsof

schoolchildrenwouldlaterknowasamanwho“couldnottellalie,”couldn’thelpbutbepleased.Evenifthevictorywasbittersweet,becausehisfirstchoicewouldhavebeentorecaptureNewYork,hehadbeenabletosecure,throughhisdesignofafakeattack,thesafearrivaloftheFrenchreinforcements,whichwouldshoreuphisprospectsforamoresuccessfulassaultatNew

Yorkorelsewhereinthefuture.Byintentionallyplantingmisinformation,heachievedonagrandscalewhathehadaccomplishedinasmallerwaywithJohnHoneymanatTrentoninDecember1776.

AsfortheCulpers,theringwassecurelybackinWashington’sgoodgraces.Thequalityoftheirinformationandtheprudencetheyexercisedindeliveringit

hadenabledhimtobothunderstandtheplansoftheBritishandtakedecisiveactionbychoosingnottoriskanattackonNewYork.Theringhadmorethanproveditsworth,butthewarwasnotyetwon.

ECHAPTER11

BenedictandPeggy

venastheAmericanswerecongratulating

themselvesonthesuccessoftheircounterintelligence,atraitorwasbuildinghisownnetworkwithintheirmidst.Intheearlysummerof1780,

justastheCulperRingwasenteringitshiatusandClintonandAndréweresettlingbackintoNewYorkaftertheirforaytoSouthCarolina,MajorGeneralBenedictArnoldwasworkingtogethishandsonanewcommand.ThoughhehadbeenlivingthehighlifeinPhiladelphia,somerecentunpleasantnesshadwoundedhisego,andhehadfoundhimselfinanall-too-familiarposition:

humiliated,angry,anddesperatetoprovehisworth.Hewasabouttoshowtheworldjusthowimportanthereallywas.IftheAmericanscouldn’tseehisvalue,theBritishwould.

Arnoldhadbeenamanwithsomethingtoproverightfromthestart.DespitehiscurrentrankofmajorgeneralintheContinentalArmy,hewasprofoundlyinsecureandcarriedachiponhisshoulder

fromalifetimeoffeelingperpetuallyslightedbyfate.Giventhepaternalnameof“Benedict”afteranolderbrotherbearingthesamenamediedinchildhood,Arnoldstartedoutlifelivingintheshadowofsomeoneelse,andnomatterhislatersuccesses,healwaysseemedplaguedbyinsecuritiesandasenseofsomehowalwaysfallingshort.

UnabletoattendYaledue

tohisfather’sfinancialwoesbroughtonbyalcoholismandpoorhealth,Arnoldwasforcedtolearnatradeinstead.Heapprenticedwithtwoofhismaternalunclesintheirapothecaryandmercantileshopbutlongedforsomethinggreater.In1755,attheageoffourteen,hebeggedtobeallowedtojointhecolonialmilitiathatwasinserviceofthekingofEnglandintheFrenchand

IndianWar.Hismotherforbadehimtodoso,buttwoyearslaterheenlistedanyway,onlytoleavethemilitiathefollowingyear,allegedlydeserting.

Howeverhecametobeseparatedfromhisfirsttermofmilitaryservice,heprovedtohaveastrongbusinesssenseandbyhisearlytwentieswasrunningasuccessfulpharmacyandbookshopinNewHaven,

Connecticut.EventuallyhewasabletopurchasepartialownershipinasmallfleetofmerchantshipsandoccasionallysailedontradingventurestotheCaribbean.WiththeincreaseofBritishtaxation,startingwiththeSugarActin1764andtheStampActthenextyear,ArnoldfeltthepinchbutfollowedtheexampleofmanyAmericanmerchantswhosimplyignoredthelaws

theyviewedasunwarrantedandunjustfromagovernmentthattaxeditscolonialcitizenswithoutgrantingthemrepresentationinParliament.

In1767,hemarriedMargaretMansfield,ahardworkingandprudentwomanwhoprovedavaluablepartnertohim,thanksinlargeparttoherfamily’ssolidstandinginNewHaven,whereherfatherservedassheriff.Arnold

begantofallonfinancialhardtimesandaccumulatedsomesubstantialdebts,buthecontinuedinhistradingbusinessevenashisoutrageoverthepoliticalclimateinthecoloniesincreased.OnMarch5,1770,BritishsoldiersfiredintoacrowdofprotestersinBoston,killingfiveciviliansandwoundingsix.TheBostonMassacreinfuriatedArnold.HehadbeenintheWestIndiesatthe

time,sothenewsdidnotreachhimuntilmorethanamonthafterthefact,butitstirredinhimaprofoundsenseofactionandresponsibility.“GoodGod,”hewroteonJune9.“AretheAmericansallasleep&tamelygivinguptheirgloriouslibertiesor,aretheyallturnedphilosophers,thattheydon’ttakeimmediatevengeanceonsuchmiscreants;Iamafraidofthe

latter.”InMarch1775,Arnold

joinedtheConnecticutmilitiaasacaptainandjusttwomonthslaterreceivedacolonel’scommissionintheMassachusettsCommitteeofSafetyafterheofferedplansforattackingtheBritishoutpostatFortTiconderogainnorthernNewYork.ThemissionwasasuccessandArnoldgarneredaccoladesforhisperformance,buthe

resignedhiscommissionafteradisagreementwithanothermilitialeader.HethensetouttoreturnhometoserveinConnecticut.BadnewsseemedtohaveawayofreachingArnoldwheneverhewastraveling,andhewasontheroadwhenhelearnedhiswifehaddied.

Overthenextfewyears,ArnoldwasinvolvedinanumberofkeyAmericanvictoriesanddistinguished

himselfasaninsightfulstrategistandableofficer.ButhistalentswerenotnearlysocelebratedasArnoldbelievedwashisdue.Hisadvicewasoftenheeded,thoughhewasnotsoughtoutasaleader;hewaspassedoverforcommandandpromotionseveraltimes,whichdeeplywoundedhisego.Hebecameapolarizingfigure,eitherlovedorloathedbyhiscomradesinarms.Thosewho

arguedinhisfavorpointedtohiskeenunderstandingofstrategyandshrewdassessmentsoftheenemy’svulnerabilities.Thosewhoarguedagainsthimpointedtohisquicktemper,hisgrowingpessimismtowardthesuccessoftheAmericanwareffort,andhisapparentmotivationbypersonalgloryandgain.ColonelJohnBrown,oneofArnold’srivals,propheticallywroteofhimin1777:

“Moneyisthisman’sGod,andtogetenoughofithewouldsacrificehiscountry.”

AfterdistinguishinghimselfintheBattlesofSaratogainthefallof1777,Arnoldbelievedhehadfinallyshamedhiscriticsanddetractorswhowerestandinginthewayofthemeteoricrisehesodesperatelydesired.Hisvalorincombatwasundeniable—eventhoughhehadactedindirectdefianceof

anorderfromhissuperiorofficer,withwhomhehadapersonaldispute.Hehadbeenseverelywoundedinhisleftlegbutrefusedtoallowanamputation;instead,hehaditsettoheal,butthejobwaspoorlydone.Asaresult,Arnoldwalkedwithalimpfortherestofhislife.

InJune1778,astheAmericanswerereestablishingtheirpresenceinPhiladelphia—androughly

twomonthsbeforeWoodhullbeganspyinginNewYorkasCulperSenior—WashingtonappointedArnoldthemilitarycommanderofPhiladelphia.Arnoldquicklyrealizedthatthisnewpositionwouldallowhimtoengageinavarietyofbusinessdealstorestorehisfinances,whichwerestillplaguedbyhisnumerousdebtsbackhomeinNewHaven.Hewasnotparticularlypopularamong

manycitizensofPhiladelphia,however,andcomplaintsweresoonraisedthatnotallofhisventureswerelegitimate.OnevocalcriticwasAllenMcLane,ahighlyrespectedanddistinguishedsoldierfromDelaware,whohadbeenamongthefirstAmericanstoenterPhiladelphiawhentheBritishleft;McLanevoicedhisconcernstoGeneralWashingtonbutwas

reprimandedforchallengingsuchahigh-rankingofficer.WhenArnoldlearnedaboutthecomplaints,hewasangrythatsomanycitizensandfellowsoldiersquestionedhisintegrity,particularlybecausehispositionwasoneofpublicservicetoawar-torncity.WashenotanofficeroftheContinentalArmywhowasfightingforthelibertyandfreedomofallAmericans?

Thisupturninhis

fortunespleasedArnold,andhelivedwellinPhiladelphia,evenundertheshadowofaccusationsthathisgainswereillgotten.LikehisBritishpredecessors,heenjoyedrichfurnishingsandluxuriousdinnersandentertainments.HeevenmingledwithPhiladelphia’ssocietybelles,oneofwhom,PeggyShippen,especiallycaughthisattention.

PEGGY

Astheyoungestsurvivingchildbornintoapoliticallyprominentfamily,Margaret“Peggy”Shippengrewupapampered,spoileddarlingofherparentsandblossomedintooneofthestarsofPhiladelphia’ssocialscene.Underherfather’ssupervision,shereceivedanexcellenteducation,evendabblinginpoliticaltheory,

whichwashighlyunusualforayoungwomanofhertimebutlatermadeheradelightatdinnerpartiesandafavoriteconversantamongthemilitaryofficersquarteredinthecity.

TheShippensweredevoutLoyalistslivinginthemidstofwhatwas,inmanyways,theheartoftheAmericancause.PhiladelphiahadhostedtheFirstContinentalCongressin

1774,whichconvenedinresponsetotheIntolerableActsimposedaspunishmentonthecolonistsbytheBritishParliamentaftertheBostonTeaParty.InMay1775,theSecondContinentalCongresswascalled,andagainthedelegatesmetinPhiladelphia.Thecityplayedhosttoseveralofthedelegates’meetingsoverthenextsixyears,includingtheirmostfamous,in1776,which

resultedintheDeclarationofIndependence,allwhiletheShippens—andmanyotherresidentswhoconsideredthemselvesloyaltoKingGeorge—lookedonindisapproval.

WhentheBritishmarchedonPhiladelphiainSeptember1777andcapturediteasily,theShippensandtheirfriendswelcomedthem.Thewinterthatfollowed,whilemiserableforthe

AmericansencampedoutsidethecityatValleyForge,wasratherdelightfulfortheBritishsoldiersstationedintown.Galasanddinnerswerehostedinhonoroftheofficers,whowerethecenterpieceofthesocialscene.MajorJohnAndré,thedashingBritishpoet-spywhowouldlaterbepublishedbyRivingtoninNewYork,wasoneofthemostsoughtafter,andheattractedabevyof

femalefollowerswhereverhewent.

Seventeen-year-oldPeggywasamongAndré’sadmirers,andhistoryhintsthatherattentionsmighthavebeenreturned.Membersoftheleisureclassunderstoodthatflirtationwasalovelygamewhenbothpartiesengagedinitmerelyforsport;sowhentheBritishdecidedtoabandonPhiladelphianinemonths

laterinordertoshoreuptheirdefensesinNewYork,therewereprobablyveryfewtearsshedonPeggyShippen’spillow.ThedapperAndréhadmarchedaway,butnature,armies,andyoungheartsallabhoravacuum,andtheAmericantroopswhowerenowpouringintothecitypromisedtheirowndiversionsandcharmsfortheyounglady.

ANUNLIKELYUNION

PeggyShippenfoundherlifelittlechangedwiththearrivaloftheContinentalArmy.Herfamilystillhadwealthandprestige,andthemostsignificantalterationtothesocialscenewassimplythecoloroftheofficers’jackets.Despiteherfamily’spoliticalallegiances,PeggysoonfoundherselfenamoredwiththewidowedPatriotgeneral

BenedictArnold,eventhoughhewasnearlytwentyyearshersenior.Forhispart,hewasflatteredbytheattentionsoftheyoungandvivaciouswomanwhoremainedoneofthemostprominentladiesinPhiladelphia.

JustwhattheattractionwasonPeggy’ssideisunclear.Arnoldhadpositionandprestige,buthealsohadsomefairlysubstantialdebts,amilitarycareerthatmightbe

inperilduetohiswoundedleg,ashorttemper,anddeep-seatedinsecurities.PerhapsthiswaspreciselywhatmadeArnold’sSamsontheperfectcatchforPeggy’sDelilah.Peggywasawomanwithamindofherown,andshemayhaverealizedjusthowmuchpowershecouldwieldoversuchahusband.Hewould,inessence,beherslave,bendinghimselftoherwilloutoffearthatshemight

cuckoldhimifshedidn’tgetherway.IftherewasonethingArnoldcraved,itwasadmiration,andPeggyknewhethoughtthatabeautifulyoungwifeonhisarmwouldwinhimtheenvyofhisrivals.

Whateverthecase,shecapturedhisnoticeandhisheart,andthetwoweremarriedthefollowingApril,in1779.Arnold’slifehadneverbeenbetter:His

financeswereimproving,boththroughhisowninvestmentsandthroughthefortuneofhisprettynewwife.Hewasfinallygarneringthekindofrespectandauthorityhefelthedeserved.Still,hewasbitterbecauseotherAmericanofficersseemedtobemorepopularandlovedbytheirmen.JustonemonthafterhismarriagetoPeggy,anindignantArnoldwroteto

GeneralWashingtonregardingthechargesagainsthisbusinesspracticesinPhiladelphia:“IfyourExcellencythinksmecriminal,forHeaven’ssakeletmebeimmediatelytried,and,iffoundguilty,executed.Iwantnofavor;Iaskonlyforjustice....Havingmadeeverysacrificeoffortuneandblood,andbecomeacrippleintheserviceofmycountry,Ilittleexpectedtomeetthe

ungratefulreturnsIhavereceivedfrommycountrymen.”

CHANGEOFHEART

WhileArnoldwasrevelinginhisnewfoundprominenceandrespect,Peggywasthrowinggrandpartiesthathelpedtoraiseherhusband’ssocialprofile—andhisdebts.TheArnoldsenjoyedan

extravagantlifestyleinPhiladelphia,livingwellbeyondtheirmeans,whichmayhavecontributedtoBenedict’swanderingeyeintermsofhisPatrioticallegiances.

DespitehisinitialzealfortakinguparmsagainstthetyrannyofKingGeorge,ArnoldhadlongbeenlosingfaithintheAmericans’chancesatsuccess,andthecompanyhewaskeepingin

Philadelphiadidlittletochangehismind.Nowitseemedhehadhischancetothrowinhislotwithbothsidesand(ifheplayeditright)emergefromthewaravictor,nomatterwhicharmyprevailed.InMay1779,ArnoldmadeoverturestoGeneralClintoninNewYork,bywayofaLoyalistmerchantinPhiladelphia,astowhetherhecouldbeofservice.TheBritishdidnot

immediatelyjumpathisoffer;afterall,howoftendoesahigh-rankingenemyofficervoluntarilyoffertospy?Suspicionswererampant,buttheproposalseemedlegitimateand,ifArnoldcouldprovehimselftrustworthytotheking,hisintelligencewouldbeaninvaluablesourceofinformationaboutAmericanstrategies,plans,andplots.TotestArnold’sproposalby

degrees,MajorJohnAndré,thenewlyappointedchiefofintelligencefortheBritisharmy,contactedArnold—aconnectionaided,nodoubt,byAndré’spreviousacquaintancewithArnold’snewwife.

ThecorrespondencebetweenthetwomenofteninvolvedPeggy.EvenassheactedasamessengerbetweenPhiladelphiagirlsandtheirBritishloverswhowerenow

stationedinNewYork,secretlycarryinglettersandparcelsbackandforth,shewouldnowalsoactasacourierbetweenAndré’sagentandherownhusband.Herconductonthefirstcountwasanopensecret,whichprovidedanexcellentcoverforhermorenefariousrole.

ArnoldusedamethodsimilartothatoftheCulperswhencommunicatingwithAndré:invisibleinkanda

book-basedcode.Hebasedhiscodeontwobooks:WilliamBlackstone’sCommentariesontheLawsofEnglandandNathanBailey’sAnUniversalEtymologicalEnglishDictionary.Eachwordwasdenotedbythreenumbersseparatedbyaperiod.Thefirstwasthepagenumber,thesecondwastheline,andthethirdwasthepositionoftheword,startingfromtheleftmargin,inthat

line.Forexample,172.8.7sstoodfor“troops”:page172,line8,seventhwordin.Thesattheendsimplymadeitplural.LikethecommunicationsoftheCulpersandotherspiesoftheera,thelettersofArnoldandAndréwereoftendisguisedasordinarynotesaboutfamilymattersorinconsequentialgossipaddressedtoorwrittenbyPeggy.Inbetweenthelines,

writteninsomeformofinvisibleink,weretherealmessages.

Despitethesimilaritiesintechniquebetweenthetwospyrings,theCulperswereoperatingwithseveraladvantages.First,theyhadanaddedlayerofsecurity:Noteverymemberorsatellitewasawareoftheidentitiesoftheothersinthering.ArnoldandAndréandtheirvariousgo-betweensknewthenamesof

everyonewithwhomtheyweredealing,whichmeantahigherriskofdetectionshouldsomeonebecaught.Second,ArnoldandAndrécouldcommunicateonlywitheachother,buttheCulpershaddevelopedamorecomplexnetworkthatallowedWoodhull,Brewster,orRoetoaddintelligenceenroutetoGeneralWashington,confirmingorcorrectingtheinitialreports,andmakingthe

informationmoredetailedwhenitfinallyreacheditsintendeddestination.

Third,theCulperswereabletooperateinawidersocialcirclebecausethememberswerecitizensfromallwalksoflife.Townsendgatheredinformationfromsoldiersaroundthecityandsailorsatthedock;Agent355charmedstrategicdetailsoutofhigh-rankingofficersatsoirees;Rivingtonrepeated

gossipandplansoverheardinhisshop;WoodhullenhancedthesereportswithhisownobservationsoftroopactivitiesonLongIslandandrecountedwhatshopownersweresayingoriftherewasanuptickinlumbersalesandshiprepairs;Roelearnedwhatevernewswassharedwhentonguesloosenedinhistavern;andfromthewaterBrewsterspiedonBritishnavalmovements.The

ArnoldsandAndréwerelimitedtotheuppertierofLoyalistsocialcirclesfortheirintelligence.

EVERYMANHASHISPRICE

Arnold’sdouble-dealingshadtobesidelinedintheautumnof1779whensuspicionsfellonanumberofLoyalistsstillresidingandworkingin

Philadelphia.BecauseArnoldhadmarriedintooneofthemostprominentToryfamilies,he,too,foundhimselfforcedtoprovehisallegiancetotheContinentalArmyandtheAmericancause.

FurthercomplicatingmattersandfrustratingArnoldwasthefactthathefacedacourt-martialforsomeofhisbusinessdealingsinthecity.Nevermindthatthetrial

hadinitiallybeenhisideawhentheconcernswerefirstraised;hehadhopedthatjustsuchaneventwouldbeanexcellentopportunitytopubliclyshamehiscriticsandexoneratehimself.Now,itjustseemedtoaddtohisstressbybringinghisactionsunderclosescrutiny—anuncomfortableprospectforanyoneleadingadoublelife.

Thehearingwentforward,however,and

Arnoldconductedhimselfbrilliantly.OnJanuary26,1780,hewasfoundguiltyoftwominorcharges;therestweredropped.ItwasatremendousmoralvictoryforArnold,andhewastednotimeorexpenseinspreadingthewordthathehadprevailedoverhisdetractors.Tomakehishappinesscomplete,sixweekslaterPeggygavebirthtotheirfirstchild,aboynamedEdward

ShippenArnold,afterthebaby’smaternalgrandfather.

Thecelebrationwassoondampened,however,whentheContinentalCongressconductedakindofself-auditandruledinAprilthatArnoldowedthegovernmentmorethanonethousandpoundsforundocumentedexpensesfromtheunsuccessfulinvasionofQuebechehelpedtoleadin1775.TherecordsshowedasubstantialsumtiedtoArnold

forwhichtherewasnoaccountingorreceipts;accordingtopractice,theamountduewashisownresponsibility.

TheinvestigationhumiliatedArnold—andalsoputhiminafinancialbind.Shortlyaftertheaudit,hestruckupacorrespondenceonceagainwiththeBritish.GeneralClintonwasespeciallyinterestedinexpandinghisgrasponNew

YorkbeyondtheboundariesofLongIslandandManhattan,andwaseyeingtheHudsonValleyasameansofcontrollingthelandnorthoftheHudsonRiveraswellastheharbor.HewouldhandsomelyrewardArnoldforhisassistance,butArnoldandPeggywerestilllockedinPatriotPhiladelphia,whichwasn’tnearlysorichagroundsfortheintelligenceClintonandAndrédesired.

Despitehiswillingnesstosellwhatheknew,thedamagethatArnoldwasabletoinflictupontheAmericancausewassomewhatlimitedbyhiscurrentcapacityandlocation.ClintonwantedtoseehisspysituatedsomewheremuchmoresignificantfortheCrown’sgoalsofreestablishingauthorityoverasmuchland,population,andkeytransportationandresourcechannelsaspossible,

andheurgedArnoldtoseeknewopportunitiesandanewcommand.

Forthepastyear,ArnoldhadfoundlifeinPhiladelphiaquitetohisliking,butnowhewasfedup.ThebillfromCongressfortheinvasionofQuebecwasashumiliatingasitwasbeyondhisabilitytopay.HehadheardthatthecommandatFortWestPointwasavailable,anditseemedtheperfectsolutiontohis

variouswoes.Whilehemaynothaverelishedthethoughtofmovingtoaremoteoutpost,thethoughtofbeinginabsoluteauthorityinhisownfortawayfromPhiladelphiamusthaveappealedtohispride.Hecouldquitthecity,assumecontrolofthestrategicfort,andatpreciselytherighttimeturnitovertotheBritish.Hewouldthencollecthisrewardandenjoyalifeofleisureas

themanwhohadmadetheking’svictoryovertherebellionpossible.AwayinNewYork,GeneralClinton,too,recognizedthepotentialofWestPoint;itwassituatedfifty-fivemilesnorthofManhattan,onasharpturnoftheHudsonRiver.Fromthere,itwaspossibletocontroltheaccessofshipstotherestoftheriver,therebylimitingoropeningthemovementoftroops,supplies,

andgoodsfortrade.Itwas,inmanyways,thekeytotherestofthestate.ThroughMajorAndré,heurgedArnoldtopresshiscaseforthecommandofthefort.

Washingtonresistedthepetitionatfirst.ArnoldhadresignedhispositioninPhiladelphiaaftertheQuebecpaymentinsult,anddespitehisacquittalonallbuttwominorchargesresultingfromthecourt-martial,hisconduct

inthosemattershadstillbeendisappointing.WashingtonhadpersonallywrittenastronglywordedlettertoArnoldchastisinghimforsuchbehaviornotlongaftertheverdictwashandeddown,despitewhichArnoldhadcommencedwithhisverypubliccelebrationsoftheoutcome.Still,WestPointneededanexperiencedmanatitshelm,andmuchofArnold’scombatandstrategy

experiencehadbeeninupstateNewYork.WashingtonmulledoverthematterevenasArnoldandseveralofhisallieslobbiedheavilyfortheappointment.

WithapermanentdeparturefromPhiladelphiaonhismind,ArnoldsetoffforNewHaveninordertosettlehisaffairsinthatcity,aswellastobeginquietlytransferringhiscashassetstoLondonbanks.He

deliberatelyroutedhistravelssothathecouldstopandinspectWestPointonthewayundertheguiseofwantingtogetasenseofthestateoftheforttobetterpreparefortakingcommand.HesecretlysentoffwhateverinformationhewasabletogathertoAndréwiththeimpliedpromisethatmuchmorewouldfollowshouldtheirplansucceedandhebegivencontrolinthecoming

months.Initially,thepricehenamedforhistreacherywastenthousandpounds,inadditiontohisout-of-pocketcostsandlosses(whichmakesWoodhull’soccasionalrequeststoGeneralWashingtonforfiftypoundstoreimbursemembersoftheCulperRingseemhumble,paltry,evenlaughable).ButArnoldknewtheBritishhadthemoneyandhewascertaintheywouldpayasmuchfor

theinformationasforthesheersatisfactionofhumiliatingtheAmericans.

Justafewweekslater,however,whetherfromdiscoveringthathisdebtsinConnecticutwerefarworsethanhehadanticipated,fromfindingPeggy’sinfluencegreatlydiminishedwithhisgeographicalseparationfromher,orsimplyfromlosingheart,Arnoldsuddenlygrewpanicked,evenparanoid.Ina

lettertoAndrédatedJuly11,1780,hecomplainedthathewasnotbeingtrustedandhintedthathewouldputastoptothewholedealunlessthingschangedtohissatisfaction.Thenextday,hewroteagain,thistimedoublinghispricetotwentythousandpounds,overtlyofferingtosurrenderthefort,andinsistingthataportionoftherewardbetenderedasadownpaymentforhis

services.Inallfairness,Arnold’s

anxietywasnotunfounded.Hewas,infact,beingspieduponbyorderofGeneralClintonbecausetheBritishdidnotconsiderhimaltogethertrustworthy;afterall,ifhechangedhisloyaltiesonce,whatwastostophimfromplayingtheturncoatagain?Buthiscoursewassetandhewasdeterminedtocarryitout,certainthathe

wouldemergeasvictorintheend.

BCHAPTER12

NegotiationsandTreachery

enedictArnold’streasonwaswellunderwaywhenthe

FrenchfleetarrivedinNewportduringthesummerof1780.ObservingthatWashingtonwasactively

workingonseveralcovertplanstooutmaneuvertheBritish,Arnoldtriedjustasactivelytoundotheminsecret.FortunatelyforWashington,thedeepsecrecysurroundingtheCulperskepttheringoutofArnold’sreach,butthesuccessofthespies’tipandWashington’srusehadalertedBenedictArnold.Heknewhewouldneedtoinfiltrateorstoptheringwerehisbetrayaltobe

successful.Littledidheknowthatmembersoftheveryringhewasattemptingtoensnarewereremovedfromhimbyjustafewdegreesofseparation.

AttheendofJuly,withtheFrenchtroopssafelydisembarkedinRhodeIsland,WashingtonpreparedtorideouttomeetthemandproposedthatArnoldleadaraidagainstsomeofClinton’stroopsstationedaroundNew

Yorkatthesametime.Arnoldpleadedtobeexcusedfromsuchexertion,usingthesamereasoninghehadbackinMarchtoremovehimselffromotheraction:Aninjuryhadlefthimwithastiffankle,andhisdoctorshadrecommendedthathenottakecommandofanarmyuntilithealed.ConcedingtoArnold’srequestsandcomplaints,Washingtonkepthimoffthebattlefieldand

divertedhiminsteadtothelessphysicallydemandingpostascommanderofWestPoint,exactlyasArnoldhadhoped.OnAugust3,1780,BenedictArnoldfoundhimselfthemostpowerfulmanontheHudson.

Hewastednotimeincapitalizingonhisnewposition.Almostimmediatelyhebeganrepairingthefortandstockingitwithasmanyprovisionsaspossible.Ifhe

wasgoingtoturnWestPointovertotheBritish,hemightaswellwinpointswithhisnewcommandersbyoutfittingitontheAmericandimefirst;heevenconsultedaFrenchengineerfightingalongsidetheAmericans,MajorChevalierdeVillefranche.“MajorVillefranchehassurveyedtheworksatWestPoint,andinformsmethatthereisavastdealtodotocompletethem,”

ArnoldwroteWashingtononAugust8.“Thatlargequantitiesofmaterials,suchastimber,plank,boards,stone,&c.,willbewanted.Partofthematerialsareatdifferentplacesnearthispost;butIdonotfindthatthereareanyteamsorforageinthedepartment,and,atpresentthereisnoprospectofanybeingfurnished.”

Evenmoreurgently,Arnoldbegantoinquireabout

thenamesandaddressesofPatriotspiesheclaimedmightbeofimportancetohimindefendingthefortagainstanyplannedattacksbytheBritish.OfparticularinteresttoArnoldwastheringoperatinginNewYork,uponwhomWashingtonhadreliedsoheavilyintherecentincidentwiththeFrenchfleetaswellasinpreviousmattersofsignificantintelligence,suchastroopmovementson

LongIslandandthefoiledcounterfeitingplan.Thecommanderinchiefdeclinedtherequestoutofbothhonorandnecessity;hedidnotknowtheidentityofmostofhisspiesbydesignandhehadsworntoupholdthesecrecyofthosehedidknow.LafayetterespondedtoArnold’srequestinasimilarmanner.

Disappointedthathewasnotabletoensnarethe

Culpers,whichwouldhavedelightedGeneralClintonnoend,Arnoldneverthelesspursuedwhateverpreyhecould.OnAugust5,ArnoldwrotealettertoMajorGeneralRobertHoweoftheContinentalArmy,beggingforthissameinformationaboutafewoperativesinHowe’semployinsuchaneloquentandreasonablemannerthathismotivesseemedquiteaboveboard.

“AsthesafetyofthisPostandgarrisoninagreatmeasuredependsonhavinggoodintelligenceofthemovementsanddesignsoftheenemy,”hepenned,“andasyouhavebeenfortunateintheagentsyouhaveemployedforthatpurpose,Imustrequest,withtheirpermission,tobeinformedwhotheyare,asIwishtoemploythem,forthesamepurpose.Iwillengageupon

themtomakenodiscoveryofthemtoanypersonbreathing.”

Howerepliedninedayslaterinamannerthatshowshewasclearlydistressedbyhisspies’responseatthetime,thoughitmusthaveseemedatremendousblessingonlyafewweekslaterwhenArnold’struenaturewasrevealed:

ThetwomostintelligentandconfidentialIgottoundertakewithdifficulty,andtheydiditwiththegreatestreluctanceandnotwithoutmypledginginthemostsolemnmannermyhonornottoinformanypersonuponearthoftheirnames,oroftheiractinginthecapacityofemisarys,theyarepersonsof

characterandproperty,whocannotwithoututterruingetoutoftheenemy’spower,andyetdevotedtoAmerica,haveagreedtoserveinawaytheydonotlike,butwhichistheonlywaytheycanatpresentserveherin.Ihavewrittentothemandurgedthemtoletmegivetheiraddresstoyou,but...theyinthe

mostpositivetermsrefused;anditisnotwithoutgreatpersuasionanddifficultythattheyareprevailedupontocontinuetheiractingevenforme;thismakesmefeartheywillnotconsenttoitthoIsincerelywishtheymay.Icannotindeedblamethiscaution,astheirlifeandtheruinof

theirfamiliesmustbethecertainconsequenceshouldanyaccidenthappentothem.

HowedidmanagetopersuadeoneoperativeinhisemploytocorrespondwithArnold,thoughthiswasunderanassumedname.“HewillmarkthelettersPrivate,andyoumustinjoinyourfamilynottoopenanyletters

somarked,”Howewarnedintheclosingofhismessage.

Arnold’sresponsewasgracious,ifdisappointed.HehadclearlyanticipatedobtainingspecificdetailsaboutthevariouscovertoperativesatworkinandaroundNewYorkthathecouldpassontoAndréviaPeggy,buthadlearnedalmostnothing.HepledgedhishonortoHowethathewouldnotexposetheonemanwho

hadagreedtosendinformationtoArnold,norrevealhisnameshouldheaccidentallydiscoverit.Inaculturewhereaman’shonorwasconsideredquitesacred,thesesentimentsseemespeciallycrassgivenArnold’sintention,but,tohiscredit,hewasnotentirelydisingenuous.“Iwilltakeproperprecautionsthatnogentlemenofmyfamilyopenanylettersaddressedtomeas

Private,”headded.Peggy,afterall,wasnotagentleman.

AWOLFINSILKANDLACE

PeggyArnoldwasnottheonlywomanwithasecretconnectedtoBenedictArnold.ThewhirlofcelebrationthathaddieddownwiththeabsenceoftheBritishtopbrassfromNewYorknowbegananew,and

Agent355foundherselfonceagaininthecompanyofNewYork’swealthiestLoyalistsandmostpowerfulBritishofficers.Thegossipwasgenerallyunchanged.Manyofthewell-to-dofamiliesoftheNortheastwerecasuallyconnectedthroughintermarriageorbusinessassociationsofonekindoranother.MorethanonefamilyloyaltoKingGeorgehadacousinortwoserving

underGeneralGeorgeWashington,norwasitunheardofthatafamilywithonepoliticalallegianceshouldsuddenlyfinditselfrelatedtooneoftheoppositepersuasionwhenmembersfromeachdecidedtowed.

Therefore,itdidn’tseemunusualatallthattheArnolds’namesshouldcomeupinconversationthatsummer.Benedict’sfamilywasestablishedjustacross

theborderinConnecticut,andtheformerMissShippen—whoseownfamilywasextremelywellconnected—hadbeenacquaintedwithmanyoftheofficersnowinNewYork.BenedictArnold’snamemighthaveevenbeensomethingofajoke,atfirst,amongtheBritish.Herewasanoverlyeagermerchant–turned–majorgeneralwhoseemeddesperateforpraiseandforcash—andwas

willingtogotogreatlengthsforeitherone.Hispricechangedevenashisemotionalinvestmentdid,andhisletterswereatoncefullofself-importanceandakindofpanickedneedforvalidation.Theofficerswhodespisedhimmayhaveridiculedhimovertheirdrinkswithin355’shearing.

BySeptember,however,thesnickeringwouldhaveceased.Arnoldhadassumed

thecommandheandGeneralClintonhadbothsodesperatelywantedforhim,andnotimehadbeenwastedinacceptinghistermsofsurrender.Onlyafewthingswereneedednowtobringthewholeplantofruition.First,anopportunitytofamiliarizetheBritishwiththeplansofthefortsothattheycouldexploititsvulnerabilitiesandstormitasswiftlyaspossibleand,second,timetogetthe

necessarymenandweaponsinplacetoensurethatanyresistancethePatriotsofferedwasfutile.

Noplansofsuchasensitivenaturewereexplicitlydiscussedinsocialsettingslikedinnerparties,butcertainphrases,pointedglances,anddeliciousinsinuationsthatsomethingwascomingwouldhaveaboundedamongthemostseniorofficers.Red-faced

brasschortled,slappingeachotheronthebackandtoastingtheirportglassestotheHudsonRiverortoWestPointitself.WhenMajorAndréletdropinconversationthathewasgoingnorthforafewdays,anyonewhowassimplyminglingforcompany,conversation,andculinarydelightswouldhaveassumedhewasattendingtoroutinebusiness.Tosomeonewitha

moreseriousmissionthansimplyseeingandbeingseen,however,somethingseemedamissintheseveiledhints.Whatexactlywasafootwasunclear,buttheladywhosejobitwasto“outwitthemall”wouldhavereportedwhatshehadobserved.

TWOWOLVESINMERCHANTS’SHIRTSLEEVES

WhilehisnamewasbeingbandiedaroundNewYork’smostexclusivecirclesduringhisfirstweeksofcommand,Arnoldwasquitebusysendingletters.BesideswritingtoWashingtonabouthisdesiretoincreasetheprovisionsandmakeimprovementsatthefortandcomposinglettersabouthisneedtolearntheidentityofspies,Arnoldalsofoundthetimetosendalettertoan

Americanoutpost,informingitsmembersthatacertainmerchantfromthecitybythenameofJohnAndersonmightbepassingtheirwayandbeggingtheirassistanceinhelpinghimtosecuresafepassagetoWestPoint.Additionally,ArnoldwasalsocarryingonhiscorrespondencewithAndrésoastoarrangethemeetingoutsidethecitythatwouldfinalizetheirnegotiationsand

plansforthehandingoverofthefort.

Whenthelong-anticipatedmeetingfinallytookplace,Andréwastoposeasaprosperousbusinessman,Arnoldashispatron.Inkeepingwiththeircover,themenwrotetheirlettersnotinthenumberedcodeorinvisibleinkoftheirpreviousexchanges,butverymuchintheroleofaclientandavendormakingplanstocarry

outalargetransaction—which,inmanyways,theywere,thoughtheroleswerereversed.

Townsend,meanwhile,foundthatwhenhelefthisshoptoobservethegoings-onaroundManhattanthatSeptemberhecouldnothelpbutnoticetheuptickinpreparationsalongthedocks.TheBritishwereclearlyfittingshipsforsomekindofengagement,though

TownsendcouldnotbesureifthiswasmerelyaresponsetothearrivaloftheFrenchfleetandthefearthatanavalbattlemightbebrewing,orifitwaswithsomeotherspecificaim.Eventhesoldiersandsailorswithwhomheconversedseemeduncertainastotheirorders.Itseemedunlikelythatsignificanttroopmovementswouldbefollowingsocloselyontheheelsoftheintentional

misinformationregardingWashington’ssupposedplanstoattackthecityandtheunanticipatedrecalloftroops.Thenagain,theblowtoClinton’spridethatincidenthaddeliveredmayhavepromptedhimtoplananaggressiveresponsesimplytoprovehewouldnotbemadethefool.

Theincreaseofactivityinmid-Septemberwasdefinitelynew,though,afterarelatively

quietAugust.WoodhullhadwrittentoTallmadgeonSeptember1:“Inregardofthestateofaffairsingeneralhe[CulperJunior]assuredtheexpresstheyremainedasheretoforeoraswhenwroteyoulast,nothingnew,everythingappearedtobeatastand,andtheenemymuchembarissedexpectinganattack.”DespitethecalminthecityinAugust,troopshadcontinuedtoshiftaround

LongIsland,andWoodhullhadevenmentionedthataBritishspyhadcrossedtheSoundtoConnecticut—amanwhowas“positivelyanagentfortheenemy.Hehathbeenalongtimeserviceableinthatway,andthisishissecondembassy.Iknowittobetrueandhavelatelyhadaperfectknowledgeofhisconductforthisthreeyearspast,andhavebeensolicitedbyhisfriendasanassistant.”

Itwasworthnoting,buthardlyearthshakingnews.Spieswereeverywhere,andbothsidesknewit.ThatthisoperativetriedtoconvertWoodhulltohissidewhileclearlyunawareastoWoodhull’strueloyaltiesisbothcomicalandatestimonytotheconvincingroleWoodhullwasplayingasamanofprofoundapathy.Hissecretletters,however,revealjusthowdeephispassions

trulyran.Fourdayslater,WoodhullwroteagaintoTallmadgetoinformhimofamovementoftroopsawayfromSetauket,whichleftthetownmuchmorevulnerabletoanAmericaninvasiontoreclaimit:“ForGod’ssakeattackthem,you’llcertainlybesuccessful,ifyouaresecretaboutit....Setauketisexceedinglydistressed.Prayoffersomerelief.”

Noprospectcouldhave

delightedTallmadgemorethanthepossibilityofliberatinghishometown,andhewrotetoWashingtontoproposejustsucharaid:“TheenclosedDispatchesfromCulperhavethismomentcometohand....C.writeswithgreatsollicitudefortroopstobesentfromthissidetoattackthoselyingatSetauket.IneednotrepeattoyourExcellencyhowexceedinglyhappyIshould

betoassistinsuchanExpedition,shoulditbethot.advisable.”ToTallmadge’sdisappointment,Washingtondidnotapprovetheplan,andhewouldhavetowaitseveralmoremonthsbeforehecouldwagebattleonLongIsland.

Asthewarmweatherfaded,Townsendcontinuedtosubmitreportswrittenininvisibleink,whichnowfellalmostexclusivelyonTallmadgetorevealand

decipher.ThejobhadpreviouslybelongedtoWashington’saide-de-campAlexanderHamilton,whileTallmadgewasinchargeofmakingsenseofthegeneralintelligenceandsummaryreportsWoodhull,Roe,andBrewstercompiled.ButrecentlyTallmadgehadbeentaskedwiththewhite-inkletters—perhapsafterWashingtonrecognizedtheurgencyoftheinformation

conveyedabouttheFrenchtroops—andTallmadgefoundhimselfevenmoreimpressednowwiththequalityandaccuracyofTownsend’sreportsthanhehadbeenbefore.

Noneofthemknew,however,justquitewhattheywereinthemidstofinSeptember1780.Thereportsfromthecity,thestrangebehaviors,theactivitywiththeships—Tallmadge

couldn’tputhisfingeronit,buthisinstinctstoldhimsomethingwasnotright.Hefeltasifhehadnearlyalltheelementsinfrontofhim,almostallthecluesgathered,buthewasnotsurewhathewaslookingatorwhatthepicturewasthatheneededtoassemble.Thathehadlettersonhisdeskfromhismerchant-spyinNewYorkregardinganofficerfromNewYorkventuringtoward

WestPointseemedwhollyunconnected.Despiteallthehintshereceivedfrom355,Woodhull,andTownsend,Tallmadgedidn’tconnectthedotsuntilitwasalmosttoolate.

OCHAPTER13

TheDealIsDone

ntheafternoonofSunday,September10,1780,Benedict

Arnoldsteppedontoabargeundertheauspicesofmeetingwithhislong-awaitedmerchantfriendfromNewYork,JohnAnderson.Ifthe

generalseemednervousoranxious,thebargementooknonotice.They,too,wereprobablyonalertforBritishgunboatspatrollingthewatersofthelowerHudsonRiverandwerenotespeciallydelightedwiththethoughtoftravelingsouthwardtowardenemyterritory.Theyfollowedtheriverseveralmiles,thenletArnoldoffontheshoretostaythenightatthehomeofafriendwho

livedneartheriver.Thenextmorning,thecrewsailedtheapproximatelytwentymilesremaining,toDobbsFerry,wherethemeetingwastotakeplace.

Asthebargeapproached,abarrageofBritishgunfireopeneduponthelittlevessel,whichquicklyretreatedupriverasafedistance.Arnold,whohadnotanticipatedthisattack,orderedthecrewtolandthe

bargeonthewestbankoftheriver,wherehecouldsafelyawaitAnderson’sarrivalatasmalloutpostofAmericantroops.Themerchantneverappeared,andArnold,forcedtodeclarethemeetingafailure,returnedtoWestPoint.André,itturnsout,hadbeeninthevicinity,butthevigilantgunboatshadmadecrossingtheriverquiteperilousinriskingbothhislifeandrecognitionbysome

ofhisownsoldiers.HereturnedtoNewYorktoarrangeasecondattemptatmeetingwithhiscoconspirator.

ColonelSimcoe,thecold-bloodedleaderoftheQueen’sRangerswhohadoccupiedtheTownsendHomesteadinOysterBay,hadsometimepastbeenransomedfromhisprisoninNewJerseyandwasonceagaincommandinghismenonraids.Andréhad

promisedhimtheprivilegeofbeingpresentforthesurrenderofthefort,butSimcoenowreceivedwordthattherangerswerebeingorderedtoridesouthtowardChesapeakeBayandwrotetoAndrégreatlyworriedthatthissuddenchangewouldcausehimtomissoutonthefun.“Relyuponityouralarmsarevain,”AndréwrotethedayafterhismissedrendezvouswithArnold.He

added,tantalizingly,“Ishouldhavebeenhappytohaveseenyouandhavehintedthatapparentarrangementsarenotalwaysrealones,butIbegyoutoseeknoexplanation.”

OnSeptember15,Arnoldpennedaletterto“JohnAnderson”recountingthefailedmeetingandattemptingtosetupanotheropportunity“onWednesdaythe20thinstant”atthesamelocation.(“Instant”wasaformof

eighteenth-centuryshorthandmeaning“ofthecurrentmonth.”)Hemayhaveregardedtheirmissingeachotherasabadomen,andwascertainlyfeelingagitatedandexposed.“TheforegoingletterwaswrittentocautionyounottomentionyourbusinesstoColonelSheldon,oranyotherperson,”hewarned,clearlyconcernedthatArnoldmightplayhispartasaPatriotmerchanttoo

convincinglybychattingwiththeleaderoftheLightDragoonsashepassedthroughtheirpatrolarea.“Ihavenoconfidant.Ihavemadeonetoomanyalready.”Theletter,whichhesigned“Gustavus”ashehadseveralofthisseriesofmessages,wasdirectedtowardNewYork,andArnoldreturnedhisattentiontomakinghispreparations.

Hehadbeenquiteeager

tolearntheitineraryofGeneralWashington,afactthatAlexanderHamiltonlaternotedmayhavebeenanattempttosecurethecommanderinchief’scapturealongwiththefort.Infact,Arnold’slettersindicatethathewasanticipatingWashington’sarrivalatWestPointinamatterofdayswiththeintentofthegeneral’sstayingSaturdaynightatthefort.Themainfocusofthe

plan,however,wastosecurethehandover;Arnold,afterall,wasactingmorefromasenseofmonetarygainthanfromanydeep-seatedpoliticalzealregardingwhowouldultimatelywintheconflict.

JOHNANDERSONSETSFORTH

TheeveningofMonday,

September18,witnessedanelaboratedinnerpartyatthehomeofawell-to-doNewYorkLoyalist.ThoughitwashostedinhonorofGeneralClintonandhisclosestofficers,specialattentionwaspaidtoMajorAndré,anditseemstoactuallyhavebeensomethingofanunofficialsend-offfortheyoungman,ashewasabouttoembarkuponamissionthat,theyhoped,wouldresultinoneof

thegreatestvictoriesfortheBritishsincethewarbegan.

ThenextdayAndrésetoutnorthwardwiththegoalofreachingHMSVulture,afourteen-gunsloopdockednearTeller’sPoint,byevening.BecauseitwasaBritishship,hearrivednotas“JohnAnderson,Patriotmerchant”butashimself,bearinglettersfromGeneralClintonthatneededtobehand-deliveredfartherup-

country.ThecrewwasignorantastothetruenatureofAndré’svisit,likelybecauseoftheirproximitytoWestPoint.Shouldanysailorletacasualwordslipwhileonshore,thewholedealwouldberuined.AndréboardedtheVultureforthenightandawaitedamessagefromArnoldfortheirmeetingthenextday.Nonecame.

OnThursday,September21,Arnoldreceivedaletter

complainingthatboatsfromWestPointhadfireduponasmallvesseltravelingtoshoreundertheflagoftruce,whichwasaviolationofthetermsofwar.“Fortunatelynoneofmypeoplewerehurt,butthetreacherousintentionsofthosewhofiredarenotvindicatedfromthatcircumstance,”CaptainSutherlandhadwritten.Thenotewassignedbyboththecaptainandacertain“John

Anderson.”André’slikelyexplanationtoSutherlandforthepseudonymwasthattheycouldexpectanattackshouldtheAmericansknowthatAndréhimselfwascurrentlyonboard;therealreason,ofcourse,wastoalertArnoldtohispresenceontheship.

Andréalsowrotealetterbacktohiscommand,stating:

Asthetidewas

favorableonmyarrivalatthesloopyesterday,IdeterminedtobemyselfthebearerofyourExcellency’slettersasfarastheVulture.Ihavesufferedforit,havingcaughtaverybadcold,andhadsoviolentareturnofadisorderinmystomachwhichhadattackedmeafewdaysago,thatCaptainSutherlandand

ColonelRobinson[BeverlyRobinson,atwhosehomeArnoldwasstaying]insistonmyremainingonboardtillIambetter.Ihopetomorrowtogetdownagain.

HealsoincludedaprivatemessageintendedjustforGeneralClinton’seyes:“Nobodyhasappeared.This

isthesecondexpeditionIhavemadewithoutanostensiblereason,andCol.Robinsonbothtimesoftheparty.Athirdwouldinfalliblyfiresuspicions.Ihavethereforethoughtitbesttoremainhereonpleaofsickness,asmyenclosedletterwillfeign,andtryfurtherexpedients.”

Thatsamenight,ArnoldorderedsomeboatmentorowtotheVultureunderaflagof

truce,andtobringbackwiththemacertaingentlemanonboard.ArnoldcouldnotapproachtheVulturehimselfwithoutarousingsuspicion,givenhisrankandcurrentassignment.Inhisstead,hesentJoshuaHettSmith,alocalresidentwhomhechargedwithmanagingtheretrieval.Oneoftherowers,aseasonedoldhand,complainedwhenorderedtomuffletheoarstodisguise

theirsound,lestapatrolboatfindthem.“Ifthebusinessisofafairanduprightnature,asyouassureusitis,Iseenonecessityforanydisguiseortoseizetheveilofnighttoexecutewhatmightbeaswelltransactedinbroaddaylight,”hegrumbledtothegeneral.

Arnoldrespondedbyorderingthecrewtocarryouttheirplansashehadchargedthem,coollyremindingthem,“Ihavethecommandofthe

militiaofthecountyforsixtymilesaroundWestPointbytheorderofCongress.”

ThepartysetoutwithnofurtherobjectionsandapproachedtheVulturewiththetruceflaghoisted.Smithclimbedaboardand,afterexplaininghistaskandshowinghispassestotheofficersincharge,AndersonwasintroducedandagreedtoaccompanySmithbacktoshoreforthemeeting.“Very

littleconversationpassedbetweenMr.Andersonandmyself,”Smithlaterrecalled,“exceptingtrivialremarksaboutthetide,theweather,andmattersofnoconcern.Mr.Anderson,fromhisyouthfulappearanceandthesoftnessofhismanners,didnotseemtometobequalifiedforabusinessofsuchmoment.”ButSmithconveyedhimbacktoshoreanyway,trustingthatGeneral

Arnoldknewbest.Afterintroducingthetwo

men—bothofwhomweredressedinbluecoats—Smithwasorderedtoreturntotheboattowaitwiththecrew.Thisannoyedhimsomewhat,ashefelthehadearnedtherighttobepresentforthediscussion,givenhiseffortsinbringingthemeetingabout,buthedidashewastold.Sometimelater,Arnoldandhisfriendreturnedandthe

orderwasgiventobringAndersonbacktotheVulture,butSmithobjected.Themenweretiredandcouldnotpossiblymakethetripbacktotheshipandtoshoreonceagainbeforesunrise,whentheyweresuretobespotted.Heproposedthatifthecoverofdarknesswas,indeed,soveryimportanttoArnoldthattheyhadbestwaituntilthefollowingeveningtoventureoutagain.Arnoldconceded

thepointandSmithopenedhishometothemfortheremainderofthenight.

Bymorning,itwasclearthattherowboatwouldhavehadanevenmorestrenuousvoyagethanpreviouslyanticipated.TheVulturewassailingsouthward,havingbeenfireduponbyAmericanguns.AndréwasveryanxiousaboutthesituationbecausethelongerheremainedofftheshipandinAmerican

territory,thegreaterhisriskofcapture.Arnoldpersuadedhimtotakeadvantageoftheday,however,andthetworodeout,presumablytoinspectsomeoftheroutestoWestPointandplanforthebestpossibleapproachbyfootsoldierssupplementingtheattackfromtheriver.

Butaseveningdrewnear,itwasevidentthatAndréwouldhavenohopeofsailingbacktoNewYorkonthe

damagedVultureandwouldneedtoreturntothecitybylandinstead.“IwishIwasonboard,”hesaidwithaheavysigh,lookinginthedirectionoftheship,buthesetouttowardWhitePlainsonhorsebackwithSmithandaservantaccompanyinghimforthefirstpartofthejourneytohelphimnavigatetheunfamiliarterritory.SmithstoppedatseveralwaypointstoconversewiththePatriot

soldiersstationedalongtheroute,butAndrékepttohimselfsothatwitnesseslaterrecalledlittleotherthanthatamanwitharound,floppyhatandcapefastenedtightlyaroundhisneckwasamemberoftheridingparty.SmithwaswellknowntomanyoftheAmericanmilitiamenintheareaandrespectedamongthembecause,asonemanlaternoted,“Ihadheardit

frequentlymentionedthat[American]General[Robert]HoweusedtoemployMr.Smithingettingintelligence.”OtherAmericanofficersheldSmithincontempt;atleastonesuspectedhimofbeingadoubleagentandafewweekspriorhadchallengedArnoldonhisassociationwiththeman.

WhateverthenatureofSmith’scharacterandhislaterclaimedignorance,he

guidedAndréeasilythroughtheAmericanterritory.SomeofthemenadvisedSmithagainstridinganyfartherthatnight,giventhepatrolsinthearea.Eveniffriendly,theymightgivehimsometroublebeforecheckingforhispasssignedbyArnoldgrantinghimsafepassage;however,themilitiamenweremostconcernedabouttheCowBoys,agroupofBritishmarauderswhomade

criminalmischiefforresidentsinthearea,stealingfoodsuppliesorrobbingtravelers.Andréwouldhavebeenquitesafeintheircompany,hadtheyknownhistrueidentity—buthecouldnotrevealhimselfasaBritishofficerwithouttippingoffSmithtothewholebusiness.Reluctantly,Andréagreedthattheyshouldfindshelterandresumetheirtravelsbydaylight.Securinglodgingat

anearbyhouse,themenretiredtorest,but,asSmithnoted,“Iwasoftendisturbedwiththerestlessmotions,anduneasinessofmindexhibitedbymybed-fellow,whoonobservingthefirstapproachofday,summonedmyservanttopreparethehorsesforourdeparture.”

AsthethreemennearedthebridgeovertheCrotonRiver,whichfeedsintotheHudsonRiverandprovided

theswiftestmeansthroughtheremainderoftheAmericanterritorybackintotheBritish-helddistrictsapproachingNewYorkCity,aprofoundchangecameoverAndré.Sheddinghisanxietyandgloom,hebegantobemuchmorelikethecharming,cheerfulwitsobelovedbyhiscomrades.“Heappearedinthemorningasifhehadnotsleptanhourduringthenight;heatfirstwasmuchdejected,

butapleasingchangetookplaceinhiscountenancewhensummonedtomounthishorse,”Smithremembered.

Iobservedthatthenearerweapproachedthebridge,themorehiscountenancebrightenedintoacheerfulserenity,andhebecameveryaffable;inshort,Inowfoundhimhighly

entertaining....Hedescantedontherichnessofthesceneryaroundus,andparticularlyadmired,fromeveryeminence,thegrandeuroftheHighlandmountains,bathingtheirsummitsinthecloudsfromtheirseemingwaterybaseatthenorthextremityofHaverstrawBay.Thepleasantryofconverse,

andmildnessoftheweather,soinsensiablybeguiledthetimethatweatlengthfoundourselvesatthebridgebeforeIthoughtwehadgothalfway;andInowhadreasontothinkmyfellow-travelleraverydifferentpersonfromthecharacterIhadatfirstformedofhim.

Andréseemedquitetouchedbythewell-intentionedcompanyofSmithandhisservant,andashepreparedtocrossovertheriverandleavehisnewfriendstoheadhome,hepromisedtoreturnthesaddleandbridlethathehadborrowedfromSmithorsendpaymentforthem,andhemadeanofferof“avaluablegoldwatchinremembranceofhim,asakeepsake,which

Irefused.”Andwiththatfinalgestureofgenerosityandamiability,Andrédirectedhishorseoverthebridgeinthedirectionofwhathehopedwouldbeasafepassagebacktothecity.

BETRAYALINBOOTS

OnthatsamemorningofSeptember23,threeAmericanmilitiamen,John

Paulding,IsaacVanWart,andDavidWilliams,wereguardingtheroadinakindofno-man’s-landenroutetothecity.Sofar,thewatchhadbeendull,withonlyfamiliarlocalfacespassingby.Butwhentheyspottedastrangermakinghiswaydowntheroad,oneofthemembersofthepartywhispered,“Therecomesagentleman-likelookingman,whoappearstobewelldressed,andhas

bootson,whoyouhadbetterstepoutandstopifyoudon’tknowhim.”

Pauldingsteppedforwardandraisedhisfirelockatthestranger.“Stand!”hedemanded.“Whereareyougoing?”

“IamaBritishofficeroutofthecountry,onparticularbusiness,andIhopeyouwon’tdetainmeaminute!”Andrésaid,flashingthegoldwatchhehadpreviously

offeredtoSmitheithertomakeaplayonwordsorelsetoprovehisclaim,asonlyahigh-rankinggentlemancouldaffordsuchatimepiece.

“Dismount,”Pauldingordered,notamused.

“MyGod,Imustdoanythingtoget‘along,’”hesaid,laughingandpullingoutthepassfromGeneralBenedictArnoldthatgrantedhimsafepassage.Then,climbingdownfromthe

horse,herepliedmoreseriously,“Gentlemenyouhadbestletmego,oryouwillbringyourselvesintrouble,for,byyourstoppingofmeyouwilldetaintheGeneral’sbusiness.I’mtogotoDobb’sFerrytomeetapersonthere.”

Itwasadifficultsituationforthethreemen.Didtheydareholdupamanwithapassfromageneralinordertosearchhim?Didtheydare

notto?Finally,Pauldingspoke

again.“Ihopeyouwillnotbeoffended.Therearemanybadpeoplegoingalongtheroad,andIdonotknowbutperhapsyoumightbeone.Haveyouanylettersaboutyou?”

Andrérepliedcoolly,“No.”

Sensingsomethingwasamiss,themensearchedhisclothesbutfoundnothing

hidden.ThenPauldingorderedAndrétoremovehisboots.Heremovedoneratherreluctantlyandinaslightlyawkwardmanner.Ratherthanfeelaroundinthebootitself,PauldingreachedoutandgraspedAndré’sfoot,wherehefeltpaperinhisstocking.“Pullofftheotherboot,”Pauldingordered.Withthreefirearmspointedathishead,Andréhadnochoicebuttocomply.Pauldingregarded

thepapersbriefly,thenannouncedtoVanWartandWilliams,“Thisisaspy.”

Williamswinkedathisfriends.“Whatwouldyougiveustoletyougo?”

“Anysumofmoney.”“Wouldyougiveusyour

horse,saddle,bridle,watch—andahundredguineas?”

“Yes,”Andréresponded.“Iwilldirectittoanyplaceevenifitistothisveryspot,sothatyoucangetit.”

“Wouldyougiveusmore?”Williamsgoaded,clearlyenjoyingthegentleman’sdistress.

“I’llgiveyouanyquantityofdrygoodsoranysumofmoney,andbringittoanyplaceyoumightpitchuponsothatyoumightgetit.”

“No,byGod!”Pauldingroared.“Ifyouwouldgiveustenthousandguineas,youshouldnotstirastep.”

ThethreemilitiamenmarchedtheirprisonertoanearbyAmericancampatNorthCastletoturnhimovertoLieutenantColonelJohnJameson.Alongtheway,theyoungertwomenquestionedhim,stillnotclearastohisidentitybuthopingtohavealittlefunathisexpense.André’ssophisticatedsensibilitiesfinallyhadenoughofthebackwoodsbanter.“Ibegyouwouldask

menonetillwecometosomeofficersandthenIwillrevealthewhole,”hepleaded.HewasturnedovertoJameson’scustody,andthethreemilitiamenwentontheirwaytoresumeguardingtheroad.

JAMESON’SMISTAKE

ColonelJamesonwasmortifiedbythesituationinwhichhenowfoundhimself.

ThreeovereagermenhadjustdeliveredtohiscampamanbearingapassfromGeneralArnold;perhapstheyweresoexcitedattheprospectofhavingcapturedaBritishofficerthattheywereblindtothefactthatthepassshouldhaveautomaticallygrantedhimsafepassage,noquestionsasked—certainlyarrestordetentionwasnotnecessary.

Thecommandeered

papershadbeenforwardedonforWashington’sinspection—rushedonJameson’sspecialorders—butnowJamesonwasfacedwiththematterofwhattodowiththemancurrentlyinhiscustody.Hecertainlyspokelikearational,genteelman,notapanickedspycaughtinasnare,andhissimplerequestwastobeescortedbacktoWestPoint,whereGeneralArnoldwouldexplain

everythingandsetthematterstraight.ItseemedlogicaltoJameson,sohehurriedtomakethearrangementstocarryitout,lesthefindhimselfonthereceivingendofoneofArnold’sinfamousangryoutbursts.

BenjaminTallmadge,meanwhile,hadjustreturnedtoNorthCastlethateveningfromadaylongscoutingmission.Heheardtalkofthenewlyapprehendedprisoner

namedJohnAndersonbroughtinthatmorning;somethingseemedstrangeaboutthestorybutsomuchhadoflatethatitwashardtopinpointwhatwassounsettling.AsTallmadgesatreviewingthelettersthathadaccumulatedinhisabsence,aswellasthosehehadputasidebeforeheleft,hehappenedtospotanotefromGeneralArnoldsentsomedaysprevious,informinghim

ofacertainmannamedJohnAndersonwhomightpassTallmadge’sway:“IhavetorequestthatyouwillgivehimanescortoftwoHorsetobringhimonthiswaytothisplace,andsendanexpresstomethatImaymeethim.”Suddenly,itallmadesense—theprisoner,thestrangereportshewasreceivingfromtheCulpersinNewYork,andArnold’soddbehavior.

Tallmadgerushedto

Jamesonanddemandedtoseetheprisoner,butthecolonelinformedhimitwasimpossible:JohnAndersonwasgonefromNorthCastleonJameson’sorders,escortedbyalieutenantwithaletterexplainingthesituation,throughtheopencountrybacktoGeneralArnoldatWestPoint.

MCHAPTER14

AnotherSpyattheGallows

ajorBenjaminTallmadgerespectedthe

chainofcommandandherespectedhisseniorofficers,butinthisinstanceheknewthathiscommandingofficer

hadmadeaperilousmistake.ColonelJamesonhadsensedthatsomethingwasamiss,becausehehadrushedthepapersfoundontheprisonertoWashingtonforexamination,butfearofdispleasingArnoldhadcloudedhisbetterjudgment,promptinghimtoreturntheprisonertoArnoldasherequested.Chagrined,Jamesonwaswillingtolistentohissubordinate’s

suggestions.Tallmadgewasa

spymasterandmuchmoresavvyaboutthebackhandedoperationsofintelligencegatheringthanJameson.Hearingafullaccountofthestory,herecognizedtheseeminglydisparatepiecesandconcludedthatamajorbetrayalwasathand.Hisfirstthoughtwastosuggestadaringmissiondesignedtoentrapalltheinvolved

parties.HeproposedtheschemetoJameson,whofoundtheplanmuchtoobold.Tallmadgelaterwrotetoafriendandhistorian:“[I]didnotfailtostatetheglaringinconsistencyoftheirconducttoLt.Col.Jamesoninaprivateandmostfriendlymanner.Heappearedgreatlyagitated,moreespeciallywhenIsuggestedtohimaplanwhichIwishedtopursue,offeringtotakethe

entireresponsibilityonmyself,andwhich,ashedeemedittooperiloustopermit,Iwillnotfurtherdisclose.”

Withhisfirstsuggestionrejected,Tallmadgeimmediatelypursuedthenextbestwayofinterceptingtheprisonerandreturninghimtotheircustody.Jamesonremainedhesitant,afraidofupsettingGeneralArnold,butTallmadgefinallymanagedto

persuadehimtorescindhisorderandbringAndrébacktoNorthCastlewhiletheyawaitedwordfromWashington.Oddlyenough,JamesonstillinsistedoninformingArnoldoftheturnofevents.“Strangeasitmayseem,”Tallmadgewrote,“Lt.Col.J.wouldpersistinhispurposeofsendinghislettertoGen.Arnold—Theletterdidgoon,andwasthefirstinformationthatArchTraitor

receivedthathisplotwasblownup.TheOfficerreturned[toJameson’scamp]withhisprisonerearlythenextmorning.”

Jameson’sdecisiontoalertArnoldtothematter,whileshockinginretrospect,wasquiteunderstandable,givenArnold’sreputation.Foronething,ArnoldwaswidelytrustedbymanyofficersoftheContinentalArmy;eventhosewhoheld

himincontemptwouldgenerallynothaveanticipatedthathisimprudencecouldgosofarastocommittreason.TallmadgenotedlaterthatJameson,inwritingtoArnoldaboutthematter,“expressedgreatconfidenceinhimasIbelievewasthecasethro’thearmy.UntilthepaperswerefoundonAnderson,Ihadnosuspicionofhislackofpatriotismorpoliticalintegrity.”Foranother,

Arnoldwaswidelyfeared,andJamesonwaswillingtotakeextremestepstoprotecthimselffromtheman’swrathfornotfollowinghisdirectives.HadTallmadgenotbeenasacutelyattunedtosubtlecluesandnotbeenactivelytryingtopiecetogethertheCulperRing’sreports,he,too,mighthavefallenunderArnold’sspellandfailedtorealizewhoJohnAndersonwas.

Evennow,TallmadgekeptthespiesinmindandrealizedthatmorethanjustthefateofFortWestPointwasatstake.Thesurrenderoftheforthadtobestoppedatallcosts,butinasomewhatdelicateway.Andréwouldnothavebroadcasthistravelplansbeyondaselectcircle,andthecollapseofhisplancouldendangerthespieswhohadhelpedunraveltheplot.IfwordreachedtheBritishthat

therewasamoleinAndré’sinnercircle,Agent355andanyofherassociates—likeTownsend—couldbequicklyunmasked.Theentireringwouldcollapse,andthegallowswouldbecomealittlemorecrowded.Tallmadgewouldhavetoactswiftlybutcarefully.

THEPRIZEOFWESTPOINT

GeneralWashingtonwasridingtowardWestPointontheeveningofSunday,September24.HehadbeenvisitingHartford,Connecticut,andhisschedulehadchangedslightlyfromhisoriginalplantoarriveonSaturday.Still,heimaginedArnoldwouldbehappytoseehim,justashewaseagertoseewhatimprovementsArnoldhadputintoeffectatthefort,nowthathehadbeen

incommandnearlytwomonths.

Washingtonintendedtoarrivelatethateveningbutfoundhimselfdetainedoutofpolitenesswithafriend,anddecidedtolodgeatanearbyinnforthenightandfinishhisjourneyinthemorning.Veryearlythenextday,WashingtonsentAlexanderHamiltonaheadwiththebaggageforthelastfifteenmilestoannouncetheir

arrivaltoArnoldandsuggestthatWashingtonbreakfastwithhimbeforetouringthefort.

ToWashington’ssurprise,whenhearrivedatWestPointnotlongafterHamilton,Arnoldwasnotwaitingforhim.Instead,asWashingtonwouldlaterrecall:

Soonafterhe

[Hamilton]arrivedatArnold’sheadquarters,aletterwasdeliveredtoArnoldwhichthrewhimintothegreatestconfusion.HetoldColonelHamiltonthatsomethingrequiredhisimmediateattendanceatthegarrisonwhichwasontheoppositesideoftherivertohisquarters;andimmediatelyordereda

horse,totakehimtotheriver;andthebargewhichhekepttocross,tobeready;anddesiredMajorFranks,hisAid,toinformmewhenIshouldarrivethathewasgoneovertheriverandwouldreturnimmediately.

Itwasastrangereceptionforhiscommanderinchief,

butArnoldwas,admittedly,somethingofastrangeman.Washingtondecidednottostandonceremony,butsimplywentabouthisdayashewouldhavehadArnoldbeenpresentasplanned.Hehadbreakfast,thenrodedowntotherivertoviewthefortificationsofthegarrisonandanticipated,notunreasonably,thathewouldencounterArnoldintheprocess.WhenArnoldstill

failedtomaterialize,however,Washingtonbegantoaskthemenstandingguardwheretheircommanderwas;nonecouldtellhim.Washingtonwaspuzzled.“TheimproprietyofhisconductwhenheknewIwastobethere,struckmeveryforcibly,andmymindmisgaveme;butIhadnottheleastideaoftherealcause,”heremembered.

Afterabouttwohoursof

inspectingthefortandinquiringafteritsofficerincharge,WashingtonreturnedtoArnold’sheadquarters,whereHamiltonwaswaitingwithaparcelthathadjustarrived.ThecourierseemedingreatconcernthatGeneralWashingtonreviewthecontentsofthepackageimmediately,ashehadbeentravelinghardmanyhourstofindhim,underthestrictordersthatheshould“ride

nightandday”untilhereachedthegeneral.HavingheadedstraightforConnecticutusingthesamerouteWashingtonhadtakentogetthere,theunfortunatecourierdidnotrealizethatWashingtonhadtakenadifferentroadback.Thus,theriderhadbeenfranticallychasingthegeneralfromNewYorktoConnecticutandbackagaininordertodeliverthepapershecarried,freshly

pluckedfromthebootofamangoingbythenameofJohnAnderson.

Somethingwasterribly,terriblywrong:FirstArnold’sabsenceandnowthis?Washingtonfelthisconcerngrowashereachedforthepacket,whichexplainedthewholematter.Alarmed,WashingtonorderedHamiltontomounthishorseandgalloptoapostontheriverabouteightmilesbelow,

hopinghecouldstopArnold’sbarge.Hamiltonpushedhishorsetoitslimit,buthewastoolate.BenedictArnoldhadescaped.

ARNOLD’SESCAPE

WhenAlexanderHamiltonhadriddenuptothegatesofWestPointthatmorning,ArnoldknewthatGeneralWashingtonwouldbe

followingjustanhourortwobehind.Hehadbeenanticipatingthisvisitforseveraldays,thoughitisimpossibletoguesswhatArnold’sfeelingsmighthavebeennowthatthecommanderinchiefwasabouttoenterthroughtheverygatesArnoldplannedtoswingopentotheenemyupontheirapproach.Forallheknew,AndréhadmadeitsafelybacktoNewYorkandtheBritishhada

smallfleetofshipssailinguptheHudsonandseveralregimentsofsoldiersmarchingthroughtheNewYorkforestsevennowtostormthefort.Ifeverythinghadgoneaccordingtoplan—andArnoldhadnoreasontothinkithadnot—theentirecourseofthewarmightbechangedbytheendoftheday.

Arnoldhadlittletimetomulloverhisplan,becausea

lieutenantarrivedveryshortlyafterHamilton,carryingaletterfromLieutenantColonelJamesonexplainingthatagentlemanbythenameofAndersonwhowascarryingpassesissuedbyArnoldhadbeencapturedandhadnowbeenreturnedtoconfinementwhilesomeoddpapersandplansfoundonhimweresenttoWashingtonviaanexpressrider.ItwasallawickedplanbytheBritish,

Jamesonconcluded,tobesmirchBenedictArnold’sgoodnameandtocausedivisionintheranksbyunderminingtheContinentalArmy’sconfidenceinhim.HejustfeltArnoldshouldbemadeawareoftheslanderouseffortsbeingmadeagainsthimbytheenemy.

Thejigwasup.Arnold’sworstfearshadallbeenrealized:TheAmericanswereaware(orsoonwouldbe)of

thedepthofhistreachery,buttheBritishhadyettodoanythingtocapturethefortand,withouttheplans,likelyneverwouldbeabletodoso.Thus,hewasatraitortoonegroup,buthardlytheherohehadanticipatedbecomingtotheother.Nowhewouldbenothingmorethanafailedturncoat—ifhewasevenabletoescapewithhislife,thatis.

MakinghastyapologiestoHamiltonandtohisown

aide,whowerebothwaitingforWashington’sarrivalandthetourtobegin,Arnolddashedofftowardthewaterfullofemptypromisestoreturnpromptly,justassoonashesortedoutsomeurgentmatteracrosstheriver.HecalledforhisbargementorowhimasswiftlyaspossibledownstreamtowardwhereHMSVulturehadrecentlyretreated,explainingtotheconfusedmenattheoarsthat

theywouldreceivetwogallonsofrumapieceiftheydidtheirjobquickly,ashewouldneedtoturnaroundveryshortlytomeetGeneralWashingtonforhismuchanticipatedvisit.Theyexertedthemselvesadmirably.ThebargereachedtheVultureunderaflagoftruce,whichkeptthemfrombeingfireduponandallowedArnoldtoboardinsafety.Hisloyalcrewwasalsotaken

aboard,whereArnoldpromptlyinformedthemthattheywerenowprisonersoftheBritisharmy.

PeggyandbabyEdward,meanwhile,wereleftbehindatWestPoint—entrustedtowhatArnoldknewwouldbethemercifulandbenevolentjudgmentofGeneralWashington.

ANDRÉ’SFATE

AfterbeinginterceptedonhiswaytoWestPoint,JohnAndré(whosetrueidentitywasnotyetknownbyhiscaptors)wastakentoSalem,Connecticut,whereColonelElishaSheldon,commandingofficerofTallmadge’sownSecondLightDragoons,washeadquartered.AndréseemedtohavegivenJamesonlittletrouble,butuponbeingtransferredtoSheldon’ssupervisionatSalemon

September24,Tallmadgenotedthat“itwasmanifestthathisagitationandanxietyincreased.”

Laterthatafternoon,Andrémadeasimplerequestofhisguards:“MayIbefurnishedwithpen,ink,andpaper?”

Therequestwasapproved,andAndréseatedhimselfatatabletocomposeanhonest,forthright,andgentlemanlynotetoGeneral

WashingtonthatconfirmedTallmadge’ssuspicionsandgreatestfears.“Inthisletter,”Tallmadgerecalled,“hedisclosedhisCharactertobeMajorJohnAndré,AdjutantGenl.totheBritishArmy.WhenIhadperusedtheletter,whichhehandedtometoread,myagitationwasextreme,andmyemotionswhollyindescribable.”

ThoughhehadnoreasontoimaginethatArnoldwould

everturntraitor,Tallmadgehadnevercountedhimselfamonghisfans,either.“WithArnold’scharacterIbecameacquaintedwhileIwasamemberofYaleCollegeandheresidinginNewHaven,andIwellrememberthatIwasimpressedwiththebeliefthathewasnotamanofintegrity,”hewouldlaterpen.“TherevolutionarywarwascomingonsoonafterIleftcollege,andArnoldengaged

initwithsomuchzeal...weallseemed,asifbycommonconsent,toforgethisknavishtricks.”

Arnold’sbackhanded,cowardlycharactercontrastedsharplywiththatofhiscoconspirator,André,whocomportedhimselfwithdignitybyallaccounts,andtreatedhiscaptorswithrespectandevenfriendliness.Tallmadgecouldnothavehelpedseeingsomethingof

himselfreflectedbackinthepersonofAndré.Theywerebothyoungmen—twenty-sixandthirty,respectively—entrustedwithsimilarrolesofsecrecyandresponsibilitybytheircountries.Bothmenhadrisentotheirranksthroughhardwork,keenintelligence,andpersonalaffabilityratherthansimplythroughpurchasingacommission,aswasoftenthecase.Theywerepopular,likableyoung

officerswithpromisingcareersaheadofthem,andbothhadgallantmannersandasenseofhonorthatwouldotherwiseseemincongruouswiththelowopinionofspiesintheirday.

Butthiswaswartime,andtheremustbewinnersandlosers.AndréhadbeencaughtandcapturedatthesamegamethatTallmadgewasplaying;theybothknewtherules,therewards,therisks—

andtheybothknewthepenalties.

OnOctober25,WashingtonwrotetoJamesonregardingthetreatmentofthehigh-profileprisoner,noting,“IwouldnotwishMr.Andrétobetreatedwithinsult;buthe...istobemostcloselyandnarrowlywatched.”Then,followinghissign-off,Washingtonaddedonelineasifhewereunsurethattheseriousnessofhismessage

hadtrulybeenunderstoodandhewishedtounderscorethisimperative:“Andrémustnotescape.”TwodayslaterhewrotetoMajorGeneralNathanaelGreeneasimilarcaution,stating,“IwouldwishtheroomforMr.Andrétobeadecentone,andthathemaybetreatedwithcivility;butthathemaybesoguardedastoprecludeapossibilityofhisescaping,whichhewillcertainly

attempttoeffect,ifitshallseempracticableinthemostdistantdegree.”

Inthetensedaysthatfollowed,aprisonerexchangewasproposed,aswasoftenthecasewhenhigh-rankingofficerswerecaptured.WashingtonwasagreeableonlyiftheprisonersurrenderedwasArnold;Clintonwouldnotagreetotheseterms,soWashingtonproceededashewouldwith

anycommonspy(though,admittedly,perhapswithalittlemoreceremonygiventheparticularnatureofthiscase).Thereiseveryindicationthatheregrettedwhatcamenext,buthealsoknewthatitwasnecessarytodemonstratetotheBritishthathismilitarywastobetakenseriouslyandwasoperatingwithinitsrightsasanindependententitynotsubjecttothewishesofthe

kingorhissubordinates.Washingtongranted

Andréatrial,inwhichseveralofthetopofficersamongtheContinentalArmyanditsallieswerespeedilyassembledtoheararguments.Andrémaintainedthatbecausehehadbeentrappedbehindenemylinesandwascapturedthere,hewastechnicallynotaspyscoutingtheterritoryintheuniformofhisservicebutwas,instead,a

prisonerofwar.Allsuchprisoners,hereasoned,canbeexpectedtoatleastconsidermakinganescapedressedincivilianclothes.Thepleafailedtopersuadethetribunal,butnoone(includingAndré,presumably)hadexpecteditwould.HewassentencedtodeathbyhangingonSeptember29.

Thatsameday,AndrépennedalettertoGeneral

Clinton,absolvinghiscommanderofanyguilthemightfeelforthemissiononwhichhehadsentAndré.Thecircumstanceshadsimplybeenunfortunateandhadnotgoneaccordingtotheircarefullylaid-outplan:

UndertheseCircumstancesIhaveobtainedGeneralWashington’s

permissiontosendyouthisLetter,theobjectofwhichistoremovefromyourBreastanySuspicionthatIcouldimaginethatIwasboundbyyourExcellencysOrderstoexposemyselftowhathashappened.TheEventsofcomingwithinanEnemyspostsandofChangingmydresswhichledmetomy

presentSituationwerecontrarytomyownIntentionsastheyweretoyourOrders;andthecircuitousroutewhichItooktoreturnwasimposed(perhapsunavoidably)withoutalternativeuponme.

IamperfectlyandtranquilinmindandpreparedforanyFatetowhichanhonestZealformyKingsService

mayhavedevotedme.Inaddressing

myselftoyourExcellencyonthisOccasion,theforceofallmyObligationstoyouandoftheAttachmentandGratitudeIbearyou,recurrstome.WithalltheWarmthofmyheartIgiveyouthanksforyourExcellencysprofusekindnesstome,

andIsendyouthemostearnestWishesforyourWelfarewhichafaithfullaffectionateandrespectfullAttendantcanframe.

IhaveaMotherandThreeSisters....ItisneedlesstobemoreexplicitonthisSubject;IampersuadedofyourExcellencysGoodness.IreceivethegreatestAttentionfromhis

ExcellencyGeneralWashingtonandfromeverypersonunderwhosechargeIhappenedtobeplaced.IhavethehonortobewiththemostrespectfullAttachment,

YourExcellencysMostobedient

andmosthumbleServant,

JohnAndréAdjGen

ThesentencewastobecarriedoutonOctober2,justoveraweekafterAndré’scapture.Byallaccounts,hecomportedhimselfwithdignityandpropriety,stoicallyrecognizinghissadfateassimplyoneoftheunfortunateperilsofwar.Ononlyonecountdidheofferupanyresistance:mannerof

execution.Andrérequestedtodiebyfiringsquad,astheEnglishconsideredthistheproperformbywhichtocarryoutexecutionordersforahigh-rankingofficer.Hisrequest—perhapsinremembranceofNathanHale’sownunceremoniousdeath—wasdenied.AndréwashangedontheappointeddayinTappan,NewYork,andhisbodyburiedunderthegallows,whereitremained

formorethanfortyyears,untilitwasdisinterredandreturnedtoEnglandtobeburiedwithmilitaryhonorsatWestminsterAbbey.

BACKINMANHATTAN

NewsofArnold’sbetrayal,aswellasAndré’scaptureandexecution,sentshockwavesthroughallofthecolonies,butnowherewastheimpact

morekeenlyfeltthaninNewYorkCity.EvenRobertTownsendfoundhimselfdeeplymovedbythedeathofoneoftheverymenonwhomhehadspied.“IneverfeltmoresensiblyforthedeathofapersonwhomIknewonlybysight,andhadheardconverse,thanIdidforMajorAndré,”TownsendwrotetoTallmadgeabouttwoweeksaftertheevent.“Hewasamostamiablecharacter.

GeneralClintonwasinconsolableforsomedays;andthearmyingeneralandinhabitantsweremuchexasperated,andthinkthatGeorgeWashingtonmusthavebeendestituteoffeeling,orhewouldhavesavedhim.IbelieveGeneralWashingtonfeltsincerelyforhim,andwouldhavesavedhimifitcouldhavebeendonewithpropriety.”EvenWashingtonhimselflaterreflectedthat

Andréwas“moreunfortunatethancriminal.”

NoonehadanysuchpraiseforArnold.InhissamelettertoTallmadge,Townsendexpressedhisopinionoftheturncoat,probablybasedonreportsoftheman’scharacterprovidedbyAgent355:“Iwasnotmuchsurprisedathis[Arnold’s]conduct,foritwasnomorethanIexpectedofhim.”

NowsafelytuckedawayonashipinNewYork,BenedictArnoldwasenjoyingtheluxuriesofhighliving,includingtheknowledgethathiswifeandinfantsonweresafefromretribution.HehadwrittentoWashingtonaskingifhewouldguaranteetheirsecurepassagetohim,andWashingtonhadagreed,notbelievingitpropertovisitthesinsofthefatheruponthe

headofthechild.WithArnold’strueloyaltiesnowexposedandhisbody,mind,andenergiesopenlyalignedwiththeBritish,hecouldposenofurtherthreattoAmericanfortsorforcesunderhiscommand.

ButArnoldwasnotfinishedsowingchaosfortheCulperRing.AsTallmadgehadfeared,hiscapturespelleddangerforthesecretsix.

ACHAPTER15

TheRinginPeril

lthoughArnoldwasexposed,theplottosurrender

WestPointwasshattered,andAndréwasdead,thedangertotheCulperRingwasstillverymuchalive.“IamhappytothinkthatArnolddoesnot

knowmyname.However,nopersonhasbeentakenuponhisinformation,”TownsendnotedinalettertoTallmadge.Clearly,Townsendwasanticipatingwhatallofthecovertoperativesmusthavebeendreading—thatArnoldwoulddisclosetheidentitiesofanyspiesknowntohiminordertokeephimselfinthegoodgracesoftheBritish.

Thisfearwasnotparanoia;somethingsimilar

wascertainlyhappeningontheAmericanside,wheremanyofArnold’scomradesandconfidants,includingtheshadyJoshuaHettSmith,werebeingarrestedandinterrogatedtolearnwhomayhavebeenincahootswiththegeneralandwhohadmerelybeenmanipulatedunwittingly.ThelinksoftheCulperchainandeveryindependentspyinNewYork—perhapsinthewholeofthe

colonies—wereallonedge,wellawarethattheywouldbethetargetofArnold’swrathifhehadanyindicationoftheiridentities,andthathewaslikelytoseekrevengeonanyonehe—ortheBritish—suspectedmighthavehadknowledgeofanypartofthefailedplot.

Tallmadgewaskeenlyawareoftheirconcern,andwrotetoWashingtononOctober11:

TheconductofArnold,sincehisarrivalatN.Y.hasbeensuch,thatthoughheknowsnotasinglelinkinthechainofmycorrespondence,stillthosewhohaveassistedusinthisway,areatpresenttooapprehensiveofDangertogivetheirimmediateusualintelligence.Ihopeasthetumultsubsidesmatterswillgo

onintheiroldchannels.

Culper,Junr.hasrequestedaninterviewwithmeonLongIslandonthe13thinst[ant],butinthepresentsituationofaffairsIbelieveitwouldberatherimprudent.

Washingtonunderstoodtheperilousstateofallthe

membersoftheCulperRing,andjudgedTallmadge’savoidanceofacovertvisittoLongIslandatthisparticularpointintimeasquitewise.“Ithinkyouwererightindeclininganinterviewatthistime,astheenemywouldactwithmorethancommonrigorjustnowshouldanofficerbetakenundercircumstancestheleastsuspicious,”hewroteback,thoughheadded,“Ishouldbeexceedinglygladto

hearfromC.Junior.”OnOctober15,

WashingtonwrotetothepresidentoftheContinentalCongress(atthattime,SamuelHuntingtonofConnecticut),informinghimofseveralmattersandnotingwithregardtoCulperJunior:“Unluckily,thepersoninwhomIhavethegreatestconfidenceisafraidtotakeanymeasuresforcommunicatingwithmejust

atthistime,asheisapprehensivethatArnoldmaypossiblyhavesomeknowledgeoftheconnection,andmayhavehimwatched.Butasheisassured,thatArnoldhasnotthemostdistanthintofhim,Iexpectsoontohearfromhimasusual.”

Townsend’sreturntospyingwasnotasswiftasWashingtonseemstohavehoped,however.Woodhull

sentaletterdatedOctober26,inwhichheexplained:“IhavethisdayreturnedfromNewYork,andamsorrytoinformeyouthatthepresentcommotionsandwatchfullnessoftheEnemyatNewYorkhathresolvedC.Jur.forthepresenttimetoquitwritingandretireintothecountryforatime.—Mostcertainlytheenemyareverysevere,andthespiritsofourfriendsverylow.”Inan

interestingshowofsteelinghisnerves,despitehisearlieranxieties—perhapsbecauseherecognizedhowmuchsaferhewasincomparisontothespieswhohadworkedcloselywiththeBritishofficersinNewYork—WoodhullvolunteeredhisserviceswhileTownsendwasonhiatus.Afewweekslater,hewroteagain,“Dependmyendeavoursshallcontinue,asIhopenevertolosesightof

ourcause,trulysensibleourallisatstake.”

ATURNOFAFFAIRS

GeneralClintonexhibitedmorehumanitythanhadArnold,andpromptlyreleasedtheunfortunatebargemenwhohadrowedArnoldtotheVulture.Butthatwasthelastpieceofgoodnewstoreachthe

Americans’earsforsometime.JustastheconfusionoftheArnoldbetrayalbegantodissipate,ablowwasstruckthatthrewallcovertagentsintoastateoffearonceagain.

WoodhullwrotetoTallmadge,onNovember12,ofsomedisturbingnews:“Severalofourdearfriendswereimprisoned,inparticularonethathathbeeneverserviceabletothiscorrespondence.Thisstepso

dejectedthespiritsofC.Junr.thatheresolvedtoleaveNewYorkforatime.”ThelettergoesontoaddthatAustinRoehadreturnedfromNewYorkandthatBrewsterhadbeenpursuedandnarrowlyescapedcapturewhilecrossingtheSound.ThereisnoindicationthatRivingtonwaseversuspectedorhisnewspaperoperationssuspended,andthering’ssatellitememberswhohad

functionedascouriersallseemedtobesafe.ThepersonimprisonedwassomeonewhowasknowntoTownsendandwhoenjoyedveryclosetiestohim,makingitlikelythatthe“everserviceable”friendapprehendedwasnoneotherthanAgent355.WhethershewastracedbyArnoldorcaughtbecauseofgeneralsuspicion,thelady’scaptureshatteredthemoraleoftheotherfivespies.

WhatcouldAgent355expecttofaceinawartimeprison?Becausenoseparatewomen’sprisonforcombatantsexisted,Agent355wouldhavebeenheldintheprimaryconfinementfacilityatthetime—HMSJersey,anchoredinWallaboutBay,nearBrooklyn.Prisonships,oftencalled“deathships”fortheirdeplorableconditions,wereroutinelyusedbytheBritish

duringthewar,andtheJerseyhadareputationforbeingtheworstoftheworst,earningthenickname“Hell.”Diseaseandverminranrampantamongthestarvingprisoners.Thebodiesofinmateswhodiedmightnotberecoveredforaweekormore,lefttorotinthecramped,airlesshullsinwhichtheunfortunatepassengerswereforcedtospendtwenty-fourhoursaday.Bytheendofthewar,

approximatelyeightthousandpeoplewereestimatedtohavediedaboardprisonshipsinNewYorkalone.

Itisnowonder,then,thatRobertTownsendsankintosuchadeepdepression.AsWoodhullnoted,hetemporarilyclosedhisstoreinManhattanandreturnedtoLongIslandforseveralweekstocheckonthesafetyofthosewithwhomhehadworked,toremovehimself

(asmuchaspossible)fromharm’sway,andtotrytonursehisspiritsbacktohealthevenashemournedthecaptureandimprisonmentofsuchabraveandfaithfulfriend.

And,asitturnsout,themembersoftheCulperRingwerenottheonlyspiesuponwhomArnoldhadsethissights.AlettertoBenjaminTallmadgeonOctober25revealedthatArnoldhad

hopesofpersuadingtheAmericanspymasterhimselftofollowinhistraitorousfootsteps:

AsIknowyoutobeamanofsense,IamconvincedyouarebythistimefullyofopinionthattherealinterestandhappinessofAmericaconsistsofareunionwithGreat

Britain.ToeffectwhichhappypurposeIhavetakenacommissionintheBritishArmy,andinviteyoutojoinmewithasmanymenasyoucanbringoverwithyou.Ifyouthinkpropertoembracemyoffer,youshallhavethesamerankyounowhold,intheCavalryIamabouttoraise.Ishallmakeuseofnoargumentsto

convinceyou,ortoinduceyoutotakeastepwhichIthinkright.YourowngoodsensewillsuggesteverythingIcansayonthesubject.

Inexplicably,however,theletterdidnotreachTallmadgeforthreemonths.“Iamequallyastrangertothechannelthroughwhichitwasconveyed,thereason

whyitwassolongonitsway,orthemotiveswhichinducedtheTraitortoaddresshimselfthusparticularlytome,”TallmadgewrotetoWashingtononJanuary28,1781.“IhavedeterminedtotreattheAuthorwiththecontempthisconductmerits,bynotansweringhisletter,unlessYourExcellencyshouldadviseadifferentMeasure.”

KIDNAPPINGARNOLD

EvenasTownsendwascrushedbythenewsofthecaptureoffellowagentsinthecity,ontheothersideofthematterArnoldfoundhimselfsomewhatdejectedratherquicklyaswell.Despitehishighesthopesanddelusionsofgrandeur,noneofhiseffortshadledtoanythingparticularlyfruitful.EventhesuspectedPatriot

spiesroundedupintheaftermathofhisfleeingtotheBritishfailedtoyieldanymorenamesofcoconspirators,whichleftallofhiseffortsonlyhalfrealizedandhardlyworththeexcitementtheyraised.Asaresult,hewasonlypaidatotalof£6,315andanannualpensionof£360ratherthanthefull£20,000onwhichhehadbeencounting.Hewassomewhatmollified,

however,byreceivingacommissionintheBritisharmyasabrigadiergeneral,whichcarriedwithitafairlyrespectablesalary.

WashingtonhadnotgivenuphopeofcapturingArnold.UsingtheCulperRingtokidnapthetraitorwasoutofthequestion—toomanyofthespieswerevulnerabletobeingknowntoArnold,andtheywerealreadyinenoughdanger.

Instead,Washingtoncommissionedseveralnewspiestomakeanattempt,explicitlyinstructingthemtobringArnoldbackalivetostandtrial.

WorkingcovertlywithMajorHenryLee—thesameHenryLeewhohadspokenoutagainsttheIntolerableActsof1774—Washingtondevisedadaringplanthatwouldrequiretheyoungofficertooperateincomplete

secrecyandtodisavowanyinvolvementonthegeneral’spart.AsergeantnamedJohnChampevolunteeredtocarryoutadangerousmission,theparticulardetailsofwhichhelearnedonlyaftersteppingforward.“[Champe]wasabouttwentythreeortwentyfouryearsofage,”LeelaterrecalledinhisMemoirsoftheWarintheSouthernDepartmentoftheUnitedStates,and“ratherabovethe

commonsize,fullofboneandmuscle,withasaturninecountenance,gravethoughtfulandtaciturne,oftriedcourageandinflexibleperseverance.”Inshort,hewaslarge,strong,serious,andstubborn—theperfectmanforsuchadifficultjob.

HismissionwastodesertfromLee’sSecondPartisanCorpsandjointheBritishinNewYorkCityasadefector.Ifheimpliedthathehadbeen

inspiredbyArnold’sactions,hestoodachanceofmeetingArnoldandgaininghisconfidence.OnceingratiatedwithArnold,hewastostudyhisroutinesandhabitsanddiscoverthemostefficientmeansofkidnappinghimwiththehelpofahandfulofoperativesinandaroundManhattan.ThemenwouldthensmugglethetraitoroutofthecityandbackintoAmerican-heldterritoryin

NewJersey,whereWashingtoncouldtakecustodyofArnold.

Champeandhisassociatesneededtobeextremelycareful,however,forWashingtondidnotwanttogivetheBritishanyreasontobelievethattheAmericanshadsimplysentinthugstofinishoffArnoldasrevenge.ThegeneralwrotetoLeeonOctober20:“Nocircumstancewhatevershall

obtainmyconsenttohisbeingputtodeath.TheideawhichwouldaccompanysuchaneventwouldbethatRuffianshadbeenhiredtoassassinatehim.Myaimistomakeapublicexampleofhim,andthisshouldbestronglyimpresseduponthosewhoareemployedtobringhimoff.”

Theplanworkedbeautifully.Champemanagedtosuccessfullydesert,though

theextremesecrecyoftheplanmeantthatLee’sunsuspectingmengavechaseandnearlycapturedChampetobringhimbackforpunishment.Nevertheless,hemadeittotheshorenotfarfromtwoBritishshipsanddoveintothewater,swimmingmadlytowardthem.Afterhewastakenaboardandquestioned,theBritishbroughthimintothecity,whereGeneralClinton,

uponinterviewinghim,deemedhisdesiretojointheBritishgenuine,introducedhimtoArnold,andplacedhimintheforceArnoldnowcommanded.

OverthenextfewweeksheformedaplantocaptureArnoldduringhiseveningwalk.However,ChampeneverturnedupontheeveningofDecember21,whenhewasscheduledtobringanunconsciousArnold

toasmallboatwaitingintheriver.Afewdayslater,itwaslearnedthatArnold’sunit(inwhichChampewasnowservingaspartofhiscover)hadbeenunexpectedlyshippedofftoVirginiathedaybefore.WhathadbegunasapromisingattempttopurchaseadditionalsafetyfortheCulpersbyremovingadangerousenemyendedindisappointment.

SMALLVICTORIES

DespitethecleverplottingofWashingtonandLeeandthevalianteffortsofJohnChampe,BenedictArnoldwasstillatlarge,whichmeanttheCulperRingwasstillatrisk—andoneofthemwasstillimprisoned.Thepressurewasfeltbyeverymember,butthespyatthecenteroftheringsufferedthemost.

EvidenceofTownsend’scontinuedanxietyanddespondencythroughoutthefallandwinterof1780–81showsupintheaccountbookfromhisstore.Whereashehadpreviouslybeenquitepromptinrecordinghisbusinesstransactions,theentriessuddenlyappearfarmoresporadic.BetweenNovember1779andJuly1780,heupdatedhisaccountseverythreetofivedaysat

first,thensloweddowntoeveryseventoninedays.Duringthoseeightmonths,hewasalmostpredictableinhisreckonings,withtheexceptionofFebruary–March1780,whenhetwicelapsedthirteendaysbetweenentries.Duringthesummerof1780,hisentriesbegantohavemuchlargerspansbetweenthem.HemadenoentriesforSeptember,justoneinOctober(ontheseventh),and

thennothingagainuntilDecember2.Thenexttimeheseemstohavecrackedopenhisledgerafterthatwasnearlyfourmonthslater,onMarch29,1781.

Townsend’sspyingactivitieslargelyceasedduringtheseasonofhiswithdrawalfrombusiness,butWashingtontookadvantageofthattimetoshifthisfocustemporarilyfromManhattantothesurrounding

areas.ThanksinparttothereportsstillcominginfromWoodhullonLongIsland,WashingtonbegantoreconsiderTallmadge’searlierproposalstostormcertainvulnerablelocationsontheisland.

OnNovember21,1780,Tallmadge(nowacolonelintheContinentalArmy)ledacontingencyofeightymenselectedfromhisSecondDragoons—alongwithCaleb

Brewster,whoislistedasacaptainintheoperation—fromFairfield,Connecticut,acrossLongIslandSoundinwhaleboatstothetownofMountSinai,roughlysixmilesfromTallmadge’snativeSetauket.Battlingrainandhighwinds,theymarchedroughlytwentymilesthroughthenightofthetwenty-second,straightacrosstheislandtoMastic,onthesouthernshore,andattacked

FortSt.GeorgeonthemorningofNovember23.ConstructedandfortifiedthepreviousyearbystaunchLoyalistsandnamedforthepatronsaintofEngland,theforthadalargestockpileofsuppliesandprovisions,includinganamplesupplyofhayuponwhichBritishsoldiersintheareadependedtofeedtheirlivestock.Afterabrieffightagainstthewell-armedresidents,Tallmadge’s

menwereabletoseizecontrol,destroythestockpile,burnthehay,andtakethefort’sinhabitantsprisoner—allwithsufferingonlyoneinjuryontheirside.Theprisonersweremarchedbackacrosstheislandtotheboatsthatwerewaitingunderguard,andthewholecompanycrossedtheSoundagainforConnecticut.

Washingtonwaspleasedbytheeffortsandapplauded

Tallmadgeinapersonalletter.Woodhull,too,senthiscongratulations,writingonNovember28,“Theburningtheforageisagreeabletomeandmusthurttheenemymuch.”

Itwasnotamajorbattlefromastrategicstandpoint,butitdeliveredanimportantmoraleboosttothePatriotsandprovidedapsychologicalvictoryovertheBritishbyprovingthatNewYorkand

LongIslandhadnotbeenforgotten,norweretheyinvincible.

WCHAPTER16

TheBeginningoftheEnd

iththedeathofAndré,theBritishfound

themselveswithoutaspymasteratatimewhensuchanofficerwasparticularlyimportant.Things

wereheatingupinthesouthagain,particularlyinVirginia,whereArnold(withpoorChampeintow)hadsailedwithfifteenhundredtroopsinDecember1780.ClintonfoundhisattentionsdrawntotheChesapeakeevenastheraidatFortSt.GeorgehadprovedthatNewYorkcouldnotbeleftunattended.AmanwasnamedtofillAndré’svacancyandmanage

intelligenceforthecommanderoftheBritishtroopsonAmericansoil.

MajorOliverDeLanceywasinhisearlythirties—aNewYorkCitynativewhosefamilywasamongtheearliestJewishsettlersintheAmericancolonies.HehadbeeneducatedinEnglandbutreturnedhomesoonafterthewarbeganinordertoorganizeaLoyalistregimentinNewYork.Hemaynot

havehadthesamelevelofstarappealthatAndréenjoyed,buthewasbrilliant,able,andnowoperatinginhisnativeterritory,whichgavehimadistinctadvantageinunderstandingthepeople,customs,andterrain.HeimmediatelysetabouttoreorganizetheBritishintelligencesystem,unifyingcodesandbringinganumberofdisparateandindependentelementstogethersothat

informationcouldmoreeasilybeshared,analyzed,andactedupon.

TheCulperRing,inthemeantime,stayedbusy(ifnotactiveinspying)asthecalendarturnedfrom1780to1781.Lateinthewinter,CalebBrewstercapturedaBritishboatandeightprisoners,includingtwoofficers.TownsendresumedhisbusinessandreopenedhisshopinthecityinMarch.

Woodhulltriedtopersuadehimtostartgatheringintelligenceagain,butTownsendbelievedthattheBritishhaddispatchedaspyoftheirowninNewYorkwhowasactivelytryingtorootoutthesourcesandpathsoftheCulpers’informationandinsistedonlyinglow.ThematterwasdroppeduntiltheendofApril,whenTallmadgecouldfinallyreportthepending

resurrectionofthering’sactivities,withafewadjustmentsmadetotheirformerroutine.“Theplanwhichhe[Woodhull]hasconsentedtoadopt,oncertainconditions,isforhimtoremainforthemostpartonLongIslandandC.Junr.whomhethinksmightbeengagedagain,toresideconstantlyatNewYork,”hewrotetoWashingtononthetwenty-fifth.“Thatsome

confidentialpersonmustofcoursebeemployedtocarrydispatchesasitwouldcausesuspicionswhichmightleadtodetectionifeitheroftheCulpersshouldbefrequentlypassingfromNewYorktoSetauket,&c.theybeingmenofsomeconsiderablenote.”

Washingtonpreferredamoretimelydeliveryofintelligence,butheagreedtothisarrangement.TheCulpers’reportswere

essentialtothecontinuedsuccessoftheAmericans,eveniftheydidtakeafewdayslongertoarrive.Thegeneralhadlearnedfromhisearliermistake;vitalinformationreceivedafewdayslatewasinfinitelypreferabletonoinformationatall.HequicklyrepliedtoTallmadge:

Thegreatobjectof

informationyouareverywellacquaintedwith—suchas,Arrivals,Embarkations,PreparationsforMovements,alterationsofPositions,situationofPosts,Fortifications,Garrisons,strengthorweaknessofeach,distributionsandstrengthofCorps,andingeneraleverythingwhichcanbe

interestingandimportantforustoknow.Besidesthese,uponasmallerscale,whicharenecessarytobereported:andthatwhateverintelligenceiscommunicatedoughttobenotingeneralterms,butindetail,andwiththegreatestprecision.

AtpresentIamanxioustoknow(forthereportshavebeen

verynumerousvagueanduncertain)whetheranotherembarkationispreparing,andifsotowhatamount,andwheredestined.WhatthepresentforceoftheEnemyis;particularlyonLongIsland,inNewYorkandatKing’sBridge.WhatCorpsareatthelatterplace,howstrong,andwherepostedexactly—and

indeedwhatthesituation,prospect,anddesignsoftheenemyare,sofarastheycanbepenetratedinto.

Washington’sinstructionsarevastintheirscopeanddisplaytheextremeconfidencehehadinhismostvaluableringtoobtainpreciselythebreadthanddepthofintelligencehe

required.Hetookpainsinthesamelettertonotethathewas“engaginginbehalfoftheUnitedStatesaliberalrewardfortheservicesoftheC——s,(ofwhosefidelityandabilityIentertainahighopinion)itiscertainlybutreasonable,frompatriotismandeveryotherprinciple,thattheirexertionsshouldbeproportionatelygreat,tosubserveessentiallytheinterestofthePublic.”

DespiteWashington’spraise,Townsendadamantlyrefusedtoputpentopaper.HehadseenhowAndréhadbeendoneinbythediscoveryofpapersandplans—hardanddamningevidencehecouldnotdenyortalkhiswayoutof.Hewouldbehappytoconveyorallywhateverinformationhehadobserved,TownsendexplainedtoWoodhullwhentheymetinthecityinearly

May,buttheriskoftryingtosmugglewrittendocumentsoutofManhattanwasfartoogreat.Woodhullcouldnotdenythetruthofthoseconcerns,especiallynowthatOliverDeLanceywasassertinghisauthoritywithnewideasforuncoveringplotsintheirmidst.

InhisMay19lettertoTallmadge,Woodhullnotedthat,onthewaybacktoLongIslandfromvisiting

Townsend,“theenemymusthavegotsomehintofmeforwhenpassingatBrooklynFerrywasstrictlyexaminedandtoldsomeviliansupportedacorrespondencefromthisplace.”TheletteralsoincludedintelligenceAustinRoehadobtainedverballyfromTownsendonhislastvisittothecity,buttheyallknewtheirvisitscouldnotbesofrequentastoraisesuspicions.Woodhull

andTownsendworkedexhaustivelytorecruitanewmemberforthering,onewhowasnotalreadyunderthewatchfuleyesofBritishoperativesandcouldoperatefreelyinManhattanandsmuggleoutdetailedwrittenreports.“WhenatNewYorkmyself,togetherwithCulperJunior[we]almostrackedourinventiontopointoutaproperpersonandmadeseveralattemptsbutfailed—

nopersonwillwrite,”Woodhulllamented.

SECRETSIXDELIVERYORKTOWNTOWASHINGTON

GeneralWashingtonremainedhopefulthatthenextmajormilitaryengagementwouldbefocusedonretakingNewYork,buthewasdepending

heavilyontheFrenchnavy—specifically,thelargefleetunderthecommandofAdmiralFrançois-Joseph-PauldeGrasse,whichwascurrentlyintheCaribbean—becausethesuccessofthemissionwouldrelyinlargepartuponthemen,supplies,andshipsthattheFrenchcouldprovidetoshoreuptheinadequatelymannedandprovisionedAmericanforces.ThismeantthatWashington’s

planswereatthemercyoftheFrenchleaderswhoorderedtheadmiraltosail.SowhenwordreachedthegeneralthatthefleetwouldbesailinginAugust1781toYorktown,Virginia,andnottoNewYork,hewasdisappointedbutknewhecouldnotaffordtosquandersuchanopportunity—especiallybecausehehadasecretweapon.

Byleavingasmall

contingencyoftwenty-fivehundredmennorthofNewYorkandorderinganotherunittofakepreparationsforstormingStatenIsland,WashingtongambledthatthefeintswouldfrustrateGeneralClintonandleavehimunsureofwhetherornothecouldaffordtosendreinforcementstohelpoutLieutenantGeneralCharlesCornwallis,oneofBritain’smostesteemedandfearedgenerals,

atYorktown.Meanwhile,Washingtonledhistroopsonamiserable,sweatysummermarchsouthwardtothemalarialswampsofeasternVirginia.

Atroughlythesametime,AllenMcLane—thesameMcLanewhohadharboredsuspicionsagainstBenedictArnoldinPhiladelphiain1778—hadbeenorderedtoLongIslandtogatheranyinformationhecould

regardingthepreparationsoftheBritishshipssettobringreliefand,presumably,tomeetwiththeagentsalreadyworkingtherewhocouldprovidehimwithafullerpicturebeforeheslippedbackouttorejoinWashington’stroopsastheymadecampatYorktown.McLanehadspecialinstructionstolearnasmanyoftheBritishnavy’scodesignalsaspossible,sothattheFrenchfleetcould

decipherwhattheenemyshipswerecommunicatingtooneanotherduringnavalengagements.Itwasanearlyimpossibletask,becauseshipsinharborareunlikelytousedistresscodesorsignalsforattack,soMcLanewaslefttotryanydesperateoraccidentalmannerhecoulddevisetopiecetogetherthesecretsystem—anineffective(nottomentiondangerous)approach.

Fortunately,whileonLongIsland,McLanewasputintocontactwithJamesRivington.TheprinterandcoffeehouseownerwasstilloperatinghispressesandstillfraternizingwiththeBritishinManhattandespitethedangerstospies,andhispersistencehadpaidoff.WhethersomeonehadleftacopyinRivington’scoffeehouseortheBritishhadcommissionedhimtoprint

additionalcopiesisnotclear,butsomehowhemanagedtoprocureacopyoftheentireBritishnavalcodebook.RivingtonpasseditontoMcLane,whorushedittoWashington.

BothMcLaneandthecodebookmadeitsafelyoffLongIslandanddowntoVirginiabytheendofthesummer,andWashingtonwasabletotransportthebooktoAdmiraldeGrasse’scustody

bymid-September.InFrenchhands,itwasamoreeffectiveresourcethantheAmericanscouldhavedaredhopefor,anditslosswasmoredevastatingthantheBritishcouldhaveimagined.

ThesiegeofYorktownwasaroaringsuccess,thanksinnosmallparttodeGrasse’sabilitytoanticipatenearlyeverymovementoftheBritishfleet.Paralyzedbyindecisionforfearofleaving

NewYorkvulnerabletoattack,anddespitecontinuedassurancestoCornwallisthathewouldsendreinforcements,GeneralClintonfailedtodeliveranyofthepromisedtroopstoVirginia.Trappedbybothlandandsea,Cornwalliswasunabletomusterthepowertobreakthroughineitherdirection.Hecouldnotattack;hecouldnotretreat.Awhiteflagwastheonly

option.HesurrenderedonOctober19.

ThedefeatatYorktownwasanembarrassmenttotheentireBritishmilitaryandcausedatremendousspatbetweenClintonandCornwallisthatbecameapublicscandalbackinBritain.CornwallissetsailonthesameshipthatcarriedBenedictArnoldandhisfamilytoLondoninJanuary1782;onceonEnglishsoilhe

wasabletoperformsomemeasureofdamagecontrolbyspeakingcriticallyofClinton’sleadership.ClintonsubmittedhisresignationasthecommanderinchiefforNorthAmericaanddepartedforEnglandinmid-May.In1783,hepublishedabooknarratinghisaccountofthe1781campaigninNorthAmerica,inwhichhewrotethatCornwallis’sfailingsultimatelyledtothedefeatat

Yorktown.Tomilitaryleaderson

bothsides,however,theeventsatYorktownmadeitclearthattheconflictwasreachingitsnaturalend.TheAmericanshadstoodtheirgroundanddoggedlyfoughtforeveryinchoflandtheydeemedrightfullytheirown;theBritishgovernmentwasfinallyrecognizingthatsuperiormilitarymusclewasnotenoughtomakethe

determinedPatriotarmybackdownwhentheyhadpowerfulalliesontheirside.OnMarch28,1782,wordreachedNewYorkfromLondonthattheHouseofCommonshadvotedtoendalloffensivestrikesintheAmericancolonies,thoughthatbynomeanssignifiedtheendofmilitaryoccupationorexercises.Atthesametime,amoremoderateprimeministerwascomingto

powerbackedbyaParliamentthatgenerallyopposedthewar.Anendtothehostilitiesseemedinevitable,butmatterswerefarfromsettled.

Savannah,Charleston,andNewYorkstillremainedstrongholdsoftheBritisharmy,andWashingtonwasforcedtodecide,inthecriticalweeksfollowingYorktown,ifheshouldcontinuetomarchsouthward

andeliminatethosethreatsbeforerefocusinghisenergiesandresourcesnorthwardonNewYork.Intheend,hedecidedtodividehisforces,sendingsometostrengthenthebeleagueredtroopsintheCarolinasandGeorgiabutreturningwiththemajorityofhistroopstotheHudsonValley,justabovethecity.HewassurethattheBritishwerenotgoingtoallowNewYorktofallwithoutafight.

CHANGINGTIDESINNEWYORK

Unrestwaseruptingthroughoutthecity.ThepocketsofPatriotdissidentswhohaddugintheirheelsandstayedduringthelongdurationofthewarnowgrewbolderwhileLoyalistswhohadbeencertainofcomingoutofthewaronthewinningsidefeltbetrayedbytheCrown.Broadsidesandother

printedmatterbegantoappearpostedonwallsandclutchedincitizens’hands.NewYorkersventeddiscontentmentwithvariouspoliticians,withtheking,withthewaringeneral.Rumorsofpeacenegotiationsbetweenthetwodelegationsbegantotrickleinviapacketships,andallwonderedwhatthetermsofpeacemightbe.SirGuyCarletonassumedtheroleofcommanderinchief

fromClintoninMay1782,whichonlyaddedtothefeelingsofuncertainty,transition,andunrestevenastheBritishgovernmentseemedtoturnawayfromallinterestinacontinuedinvestmentintheAmericanconflict.

TheBritishofficersgarrisonedinNewYorkfearedanuprisingfromwithinbyemboldenedPatriotsalmostasmuchas

theyfearedanexternalattackfromtheContinentalArmy.Bothoutofdesperationandasashowofpower,theBritishmilitarybeganenactingimpressmentmeasuresaroundthecity,pullingciviliansoutoftheirordinarylivestoserveintemporaryguarddutiesforkingandcountry,asCarleton’stightcommandofthecitymadeClinton’sauthorityseempaltry.

WoodhullremarkedonthistrendwhenhewrotetoTallmadgeonJuly5:

TheirdesignappearsonlytoactonthedefensiveandbeaslittleexpensetotheCrownaspossible.Godgranttheirtimemaybeshortforwehavemuchreasontofearwithintheirlinesthat

Carlton’sfingerwillbeheavierthanClinton’sThigh.Carlton’scalledaTyrantatNewYorkbytheinhabitantsingeneralandmakesthemdoSoldiersdutyinthecitywithoutdistinction.ThefirstGentlemenintheCitystandatOfficer’sdoorsSoldierlike.

RobertTownsendmayhavebeenoneoftheseunwillingtemporaryrecruits.FamilytraditionheldthatyearslateraBritishuniformwasfoundstoredwithhisbelongings;whenquestionedaboutit,hereluctantlyspokeofhavingbeenimpressedintostandingwatchattheofficers’headquartersinNewYork.

InJuly1782,theBritishleftSavannah.Therewasno

doubtthatthewarwouldsoonbeofficiallyover,withtheAmericansemergingvictorious;allbutthemostardentanddesperateToriesrecognizedthatonlytheformaltermsofapeacetreatyneededtobeestablishedbeforetheremainingenemytroopswouldbeforcedtoleavethesoilofthesovereign,independentUnitedStatesofAmerica.

Loyalistsnowhada

difficultchoicetomake:Didtheystayandrebuildtheirlives,ordidtheyemigratebacktoEuropeornorthwardtoCanada?Therewassomehope,atfirst,thatanylandsandpropertyformerlyinToryhandswouldbereturnediftheyhadbeenseizedduringthewar;however,mostpeoplerecognizedthatsuchameasurewouldbedifficulttocarryoutand,insomecases,mightactuallyposeathreatto

thenewnation,especiallyiflargetractsofacreageendedupbackinthehandsofthosewhoremainedloyaltothekingandwishedtorevivehostilities.Besides,thereasoningwas“Tothevictorsgothespoils”—evenifthatseemedunfortunateandunjust.ThemajorityofLoyalists,likethemajorityofPatriots(andtherevolutionaryagnostics),werehumblemenandwomen

ofmodestmeans:smalllandowners,tenantfarmers,laborersinthecities,fishermenandlongshoremenalongthecoasts,huntersandtradersinthefrontiersoftheAppalachians.Anypropertytheypossessedlikelyhadnotbeen,norwouldbe,threatenedbyseizure.Indecidingwheretoliveouttheremainderoftheirdays,theyhadtotakeintoconsiderationtheinclinationsoftheir

neighborsandtheirownconsciences;itwouldnotbeapleasantthingtobeforeverregardedas“theneighborwhofoughtagainstourgovernment.”SomeofthewealthiestcitizenshadalreadybookedpassagebacktoEngland;nowthecommonfolkbegantodothesame.

EachpacketshipthatarrivedinNewYorkHarborcarriedmorenewsfromEnglandandlesshopethat

KingGeorgewouldprevail,orthatthosesubjectswhohadprofessedfidelitytohimwouldreceiveanykindofrewardfortheirloyaltyandfaithinthemostpowerfulmilitaryonearth.

TOWNSEND’SLASTLETTER

AsRobertTownsendrodeintoWestchesterCounty,

NewYork,hecouldnothavehelpedbutadmirethebeautyofthefoliageandthecrispnessintheSeptemberair.NearlysixyearstothedayafterNathanHale’shanging,herewasanotherspycarryinghisreportsonNewYorkdirectlytoBenjaminTallmadge,andfromTallmadge’shandtheywouldreachWashington.

Itwasanunlikelymeetinginseveralways.Not

longago,theridewestfromNewYorkCitytoWestchesterwouldhavebeenbarredbysentriesandcheckpoints.Itwasstillheavilyguarded,thatwastrue—theBritishdidnotwanttoletgoofNewYorkuntilabsolutelyrequiredtodoso,andtheyknewWashingtonwasprowlingoutside,readytopounceathisfirstopportunity—butonecouldnowpassmoresafelyinto

American-heldterritorywithouthavingtotraversethesametrickyno-man’s-landthathadensnaredAndré.

ItwasalsoanunlikelymeetingbecauseTownsendhadfirmlydeclinedtocommitanythingtowritingbackinMay.ButnowhecouldseetheshakypositionofthecityandknewthatWashingtonneededthebestintelligencehecouldofferinordertocalculatethenext—

andmaybefinal—moveofthewar.Townsendshoulderedtheresponsibilityofdeliveringthelatestreporthimself,figuringthatatthislatepointinthewarwithallthathadalreadytranspired,ifhewasarrestedandtriedasaspyhewouldhaveonlyhimselftoblame.

Finally,themeetingwasunlikelybecauseTownsendwascarryingnewsthatthewarwasnearlyover.Despite

theBritishholdonNewYork,theAmericanswereinpositiontosecuretheirindependence,thanksinnosmallparttotheCulperRing.

ThemessageTownsenddeliveredtoTallmadge,withthedateSeptember19,1782,writtenacrossthetop,isthefinalsurvivingletterfromCulperJunior’shand.Thenewspaintedacityinupheaval:

Thelastpacket[ship],sofarfrombringingbetternewstotheloyalists,hasindeedbroughttheclearestandunequivocalProofsthattheindependenceofAmericaisunconditionallytobeacknowledged,norwilltherebeanyconditionsinsistedonforthosewhojoinedtheKing’sStandard.

ItissaidthatanExpeditionisnowformingatN.Y.andbymanyconjecturedtobeagainsttheFrenchFleet&c.atBoston;anumberofBritishTroopswereembarkingwhenIleftthecityonthe14thand15thinst[ant].ButIconversedfullywithoneofCarleton’sAidesonthissubject,who

toldmethatImightdependtheywereboundtotheW.IndiesorHalifax.FormyownpartIhavenoexpectationthattheythinkofanyoffensivemovements.Theabovegentleman,withwhomIammostintimatelyconnected,informedmethatitisnowunderconsiderationtosendalltheB.Troopstothe

WestIndies....Itisafactthat

afleetisgoingtoCharlestowntobringoffthatGarrison.

...SirGuyhimselfsaysthathethinksitnotimprobablethatthenextPacketmaybringordersforanevacuationofN.York.

AfleetisgettingreadytosailfortheBayofFundyaboutthe

firstofOctobertotransportalargenumberofRefugeestothatQuarter.TheAideabovereferredtoinformsusthathethinksitprobableheshallgotherehimself.Indeed,IneversawsuchgeneraldistressanddissatisfactioninmylifeasispaintedinthecountenanceofeveryToryatN.Y.

TheBeefContractorshadordersafewdayspasttoceasepurchasinganymorefortheNavyandfromtheappearanceofthingsthewholefleetaregettingreadyforamovement.

IammyselfuncertainwhentheTroopswillleaveN.Y.butImustconfessIratherbelieveifthe

King’sMagazinescanberemoved,thattheywillleaveusthisfall.

UnfortunatelyforWashington,Townsend’spredictionofaBritishevacuationbeforetheendof1782provedalittletoooptimistic.InParis,whereJohnAdams,BenjaminFranklin,JohnJay,andHenryLaurenswererepresentingthe

Americangovernment,negotiationsweredraggingonwithnosignofresolution.EvenafterCharlestonwasabandonedtotheAmericansonDecember14andSouthCarolinacouldboastitsfreedomfromtheCrown,SirGuyCarletonstayedplantedfirmlyandstubbornlyinNewYorkwithnoplanstomoveuntilorderedtodosobyKingGeorgehimself.Thetollonlifeandpropertythatwould

resultfromanattackonNewYorknolongerseemedworththerisktoWashington,buthecouldnotcelebratevictory(norcouldanyofthecitizens)untilabindingtreatyhadbeenratifiedandNewYork—andAmerica—hadriditselfofforeignoccupation.

TCHAPTER17

RetakingNewYorkatLast

heyear1783dawnedfullofpromise.OnFebruary3,the

governmentofGreatBritainformallyacknowledgedtheindependenceofwhatwereonceitsAmericancoloniesas

theUnitedStatesofAmerica.Thefollowingdayitagreedtohaltallmilitaryinvolvement.InApril,apreliminarypeacetreatywasratified,andinJulytractsoflandinCanadawereopenedtoLoyalistsseekinganewlifeandaregionwasdesignatedforformerslaveswhohadfoughtforBritain.CrowdedshipsboundforNovaScotiaandNewBrunswicksailednorthward

fromNewYorkHarbor.Butstill,theBritisharmyremainedfirmlyandfixedlyinManhattan.

Northofthecity,nearhisencampmentinNewburgh,WashingtonwasstrugglingtosubduearisinginsurrectionagainstthebackwagesowedandpromisesoflandthathadbeenofferedtoPatriotsoldiersbutwhichCongresshadfailedsofartodeliver.Combatmayhavereachedan

end,buttheenemystillwouldnotleaveandthedauntingtaskofrebuildingthecountrywhilepayingdownthedebtsofwarloomedaschallengesstilltobefaced.

Woodhull,meanwhile,continuedtosendtheoccasionalreportfromLongIsland,thoughtherewasnothingofgreaturgencyorimportanceanymore.TheCulpershaddonetheirduty,

anddoneitwell.AnotedatedJuly5,1783,wasaccompaniedbyafinalbalancerecordthatWoodhullsubmittedtoTallmadge,atthemajor’srequest:“IonlykeptthemostsimpleaccountthatIpossiblycould,forfearitshouldbetrayme,butItrustitisajustone—andIdoassureyouIhavebeenasfrugalaspossiblycould.IdesireyouwouldexplaintotheGenl.thecircumstances

thatattendedthislengthycorrespondencethathemaybesatisfiedthatwehavenotbeenextravagant.”WoodhullthenconcludedtheletterinawaythatclearlyreflectedthepresentoptimisticmoodonLongIsland:“Wishingyouhealthandhappiness,Iamyourveryhumbleservant,Saml.Culper.”

Afterfiveyears,fourmajorplotsthwarted,

countlessmisgivingsandclosecalls,anduntoldsleeplessnights,theCulpercorrespondencecametoanend.Theringhadoperatedeffectivelyfromtheveryheartoftheenemy’sheadquartersandhadneverbeensuccessfullyinfiltrated,uncovered,orunmasked,despitenumerouseffortsinthatvein.ThelossofAgent355wasatragedy,butitwasalsoremarkablethatthe

casualtieswerenotmuchhighergivenhowclosetheCulpersweretotheenemyinManhattanandthedaringmovementsandmaneuversoftheagentsonLongIsland.WhilethespieshadnotbeenabletodeliverManhattantoWashingtonbeforethewar’send,theyhadbeenhiseyesandearsthere,enablinghimtobeattheBritishevenwithoutholdingthecity.TheCulperRingwasasuccess.

AllthatremainednowbetweenWashingtonandhisspieswasthesettlingofsomesmallmonetarydebts;thelargerdebts—theintangiblekindthathelpedtoprotectafledglingnation—couldneverbefullyrepaid,nordidtheremainingmembersoftheCulperRingseekoutsuchpayment.Areturntoanopen,honest,andsimplelifeinanindependentnationfoundedontheirnativesoilwouldbe

rewardenough.Andsotheyhoped,andprayed,andwaitedfortheBritishtodepartfromNewYorkatlonglast,evenastheaftermathofwarswirledaroundthem.

PEACERAGES

TheBritishdelegationfinallysignedtheTreatyofParisinSeptember,andWashington’s

troopswereatthereadytorideintoManhattanasthelastredcoatleftthecity.ColonelTallmadge,however,wasconcernedforthesafetyofhisspieswhohadlivedandworkedasLoyalistsduringtheoccupationandmightnowfindthemselvesthreatenedbytheirnewlyempoweredPatriotneighborswhohadnoinklingoftheirtruesentimentsandbravery.HowcouldTownsenderase

thefactthathehadrunastorethatservedBritishsoldiers,workedforaLoyalistnewspaper,frequentedthecoffeehousepopularamongtheofficers,andkeptcompanywiththosewhohadpenetratedtheinnercirclesofthetopbrassinthecity?

Toanyoneontheoutside,RobertTownsendhadnotonlyenjoyedarathercushylifeduringthewarbutalsoprofitedfromit.Thiswould

hardlysitwellwiththosewhohadsufferedthelossoflife,limb,andpropertyforthesakeofAmericanindependence,andColonelTallmadgewasfearfulthatsomevengefulPatriotmightcomelookingforhispoundofflesh.Hewasdesperatetoseekouthisspiesandcontractbodyguardstoensuretheirpersonalwelfare,sendthemunderground,createforthemyetanotherfalse

identityelsewhereinthecity,orevenspiritthemoutofNewYorkforatimeuntilpassionscooled.

Tallmadgewroteinhismemoirsoftheseconcerns:

Aslittledoubtcouldbeentertainedbutthatpeacewouldsoonfollow,Ifounditnecessarytotakesomestepstoinsurethe

safetyofseveralpersonswithintheenemy’slines,whohadservedusfaithfullyandwithintelligenceduringthewar.AssomeofthesewereconsideredtobeoftheTorycharacter...IsuggestedtoGen.WashingtontheproprietyofmybeingpermittedtogotoNewYork,underthecover

ofaflag.Thisheveryreadilygranted,andIproceededtoNewYork,whereIwassurroundedbyBritishtroops,tories,cowboys,andtraitors.

ThewholeexperienceofcrossingintoManhattanmusthavebeenrathersurrealforTallmadge,asheenjoyedtheunusualprivilegeofdining

withGeneralCarletonhimself,andnotedthat“bytheofficersofthearmyandnavyIwastreatedwithgreatrespectandattention.”Headded,“Itwasnotalittleamusingtoseehowmen,toriesandrefugees,whoalittlebeforeutterednothingbuttheterms,rebelsandtraitorstotheirKing,againstalltheofficersoftheAmericanarmy,wouldnowcomearoundmewhilein

NewYork,andbegmyprotectionagainstthedreadedrageoftheircountrymen.”

Despitethevariousdistractions,thebidsforhisattention,andhishigh-profilestatus,TallmadgewasabletomeetquietlyandsafelywithTownsendandtheothershewasseekingouttoensuretheirsecuritywhentheBritishfinallyevacuatedthecity.“WhileatNewYorkIsawandsecuredallwhohad

beenfriendlytousthroughthewar,andespeciallyouremissaries,”hewrote.ThenherodenorthagaintoNewburghtowaitforWashington’snextorders:

HavingaccomplishedallmybusinessinNewYork,Ireturnedagaintothearmy,andmademyreporttotheCommander-in-Chief.

Thetroopsnowbegantobeimpatienttoreturntotheirrespectivehomes,andthosethatweredestinedforthatpurpose,totakepossessionofthecity.Gen.Washingtonnowdismissedthegreaterpartofthearmyinsojudiciousaway,thatnounpleasantcircumstances

occurred.

Thetroopsbrokecampandreturnedhome,theirservicecompletedandtheirdreamsforlibertyrealized.OnlythosesoldiersappointedtorideintoNewYorkwithWashingtonstayedon,eagerandgratefultobepartofthathistoricmoment.

FINALLYBACKINNEW

YORK

AtnoononTuesday,November25,1783—coincidentally,thesamedateasRobertTownsend’sthirtiethbirthday—WashingtonrodeintoManhattan,withBenjaminTallmadgeamongtheofficersathisside.Acontingentrodeahead,scanningthestreetsasthelastoftheBritishofficersboardedtheirships;

Washingtonfollowedwithhisofficersandtroopsspanningeightacross.Inthepreviousdaysandhoursleadinguptothatmoment,somejoyfulPatriotshadhoistedAmericanflagsovertheirhomesonlytohavethemtorndown;inafewcases,theycametoblowswiththeredcoatenforcers.ButnowthecitizensofNewYork,nolongersubjecttoBritishlaworBritishsoldiers,waved

flagsfreelyasWashingtonrodeforward.Churchbellstollednotinwarningbutincelebration,andtheshoutsaftereachfiringofthecannonsweretriumphantratherthanterrified.Somepeopleevencrowdedatthewater’sedge,wavingattheshipssetfordepartureandlaughinglybiddingthedefeatedsoldiersonboardalovelytriphome.“Soperfectwastheorderofmarch,that

entiretranquilityprevailed,andnothingoccurredtomarthegeneraljoy,”Tallmadgewrote.

Everycountenanceseemedtoexpressthetriumphofrepublicanprinciplesoverthemilitarydespotismwhichhadsolongpervadedthisnowhappycity.Mostofthe

refugeeshadembarkedforNovaScotia,andthefewwhoremained,weretooinsignificanttobenoticedinthecrowd.Itwasindeedajoyfuldaytotheofficersandsoldiersofourarmy,andtoallthefriendsofAmericanindependence,whilethetroopsoftheenemy,stillinourwaters,andthehostoftoriesand

refugees,weresorelymortified.Thejoyofmeetingfriends,whohadlongbeenseparatedbythecruelrigorsofwar,cannotbedescribed.

ThenextninedayswerefilledwithcelebrationsandvisitationsasWashingtontouredthecity.Ashisstep-grandson,George

WashingtonParkeCustis,wouldlaterrecord,thegeneralevenmadeaspecialstopattheshopofJamesRivington,muchtothesurpriseofmanyoftheofficersinhiscompany,whoconsideredRivingtonaLoyalistscoundrelwhosecontinuedpresenceinthenewlyfreedNewYorkseemedanaffronttoallPatriots.ButWashingtonseemedpurposeful,even

determined,asheexcusedhimselftospeakprivatelywithRivingtonabout(soheclaimed)certainbooksthattheprinterintendedtoorderfromLondon.Thetwomendisappearedbriefly,thencamebacktothefrontroom,whereWashingtonpreparedtotakehisleave.

“YourExcellencymayrelyuponmyespecialattentionbeinggiventotheagriculturalworks,”

Rivingtonsaidasheescortedthepartytothedoor,voicingthesentimentsmostdeartothetiredgeneral’sheartatthatmoment,“which,ontheirarrival,willbeimmediatelyforwardedtoMountVernon,whereItrusttheywillcontributetoyourgratificationamidtheshadesofdomesticretirement.”

AtnoononDecember4,WashingtonmetwithhisofficersinFrauncesTavern,

justafewblocksfromRivington’sestablishmentandtheFlyMarket,whereRobertTownsendhadoperatedhisshopandcarriedouthisspyingduties.“ThetimenowdrewnearwhentheCommander-in-ChiefintendedtoleavethispartofthecountryforhisbelovedretreatatMountVernon,”Tallmadgerecordedinhismemoirs,addingthat“itwasmadeknowntotheofficers

theninNewYork,thatGen.Washingtonintendedtocommencehisjourneyonthatday.”

Enteringtheroompromptlyattwelveo’clock,Washingtonseatedhimselfandenjoyedalightlunchbeforeraisinghisglassofwine;speakinginavoiceheavywithemotion,hetoldthem:“WithaheartfullofloveandgratitudeInowtakeleaveofyou.Imostdevoutly

wishthatyourlatterdaysmaybeasprosperousandhappyasyourformeroneshavebeengloriousandhonorable.”

Followingthetoast,Washingtonpausedbeforeadding,“[I]shallfeelobligedifeachofyouwillcomeandtakemebythehand.”Onebyone,theofficerssilentlycameforwardtoembracethegeneral.

“Thesimplethoughtthatwewerethenabouttopart

fromthemanwhohadconductedusthroughalongandbloodywar...andthatweshouldseehisfacenomoreinthisworld,seemedtomeutterlyinsupportable,”Tallmadgewrote.AsolemnprocessionmarchedWashingtontothedocks,wherehewouldbeginhisjourneyhometoVirginia.Hewasatiredmanwhoearnestlybelievedhislifeofpublicservicewasover,and

thatthenextgenerationwouldbethosecalledupontoleadthecountrythroughthecomingyears.Tallmadgenarratedthescenewithanoteoffinality:

Weallfollowedinmournfulsilencetothewharf,whereaprodigiouscrowdhadassembledtowitnessthedepartureofthe

manwho,underGod,hadbeenthegreatagentinestablishingthegloryandindependenceoftheseUnitedStates.Assoonashewasseated,thebargeputoffintotheriver,andwhenoutinthestream,ourgreatandbelovedGeneralwaivedhishat,andbidusasilentadieu.

“WETHEPEOPLE”

NotlongafterGeneralWashington’sdepartureforcivilianlife,hisbrothersinarmsfollowedsuit.“Inafewdays,”Tallmadgerecorded,“alltheofficerswhohadassembledatNewYorktoparticipateintheforegoingheart-rendingscene,departedtotheirseveralplacesofabode,tocommenceanewtheiravocationsforlife.”

Theycould,atlonglast,enjoythefutureforwhichtheyhadallsogallantlyfought.

Tallmadge,too,returnedhometoamemorablecelebrationhedescribedinratherpoetictermsinhismemoirs:

Havingforsevenyearsbeenbanishedfromthehomeofmyfather,at

Brookhaven,inSuffolkcounty,onLongIsland,Ideterminedtovisittheplaceofmynativity....BeingprincipallyWhigs,andnowemancipatedfromtheirlateseverebondage,thepeoplehaddeterminedthattheywouldcelebratetheoccasionbysomepublicdemonstrationoftheirjoy.They

thereforeconcludedtohavepublicnoticegiven,thatonadaynearathand,theywouldhaveanoxroastedwholeonthepublicgreen,topartakeofwhichallwereinvitedtoattend.Irememberwell,thatafteramostjoyfulmeetingwithmyformerfriends(manyofwhomIhadnotseensincethe

warcommenced),Iwasappointedmasterofceremoniesfortheoccasion.Whentheoxwaswellroasted,thenobleanimalonhisspitwasremovedtoaproperplace,andafterablessingfromtheGodofBattleshadbeeninvokedbymyhonoredfather,Ibegantocarve,dissect,anddistributetothemultitudearound

me.Theagedandtheyoung,themaleandthefemale,rejoicedtoreceiveaportion,which,fromthenoveltyofthescene,andbeingincommemorationofsogreatanevent,obtainedaparticularzest.Allwasharmonyandjoy,forallseemedtobeofonemind.

ATorycouldnothavelivedinthat

atmosphereoneminute....ThejoyoftheWhigpopulationthroughtheislandwasliterallyunbounded.

TallmadgethensetouttorideeastwardacrossLongIslandtovisitfriendsandsurveytheland.Asherodefromtowntotown,hewasquitedelightedtofindthatthePatrioticfervorhadnotbeen

lostbythosecitizenswhohadenduredmuchsufferingundertheruleoftheBritishandthepoliticaldominanceoftheLoyalists:“Privatehospitalityandpublichonorweremostliberallybestowedonanymanwhohadservedintherevolutionaryarmy.”

AspicturesqueasTallmadge’stransitionbacktocivilianlifewas,hisformercommanderGeorgeWashingtonwouldnothave

longtoenjoyhisown“shadesofdomesticretirement,”asJamesRivingtonhadwishedforhim.Despitemakingeveryefforttoremainoutofthepubliceye,onApril30,1789,WashingtononceagainfoundhimselfinNewYorkCity,thecapitalofthenewnation.Thistime,however,hishandwasrestingnotuponhisswordbutuponaBibleashewasswornintotheofficeofpresidentoftheUnited

States.Hehadnotwantedthepositionandhadonlyacceptedreluctantlywhenhewasfinallypersuadedthathisleadershipwouldhelpunifytheformercoloniesoftheinfantnationthatwerestillstrugglingonwobblinglegstowardcompleteself-governancefreeofforeignpresenceoroccupation.Washingtonalsodeclinedallothertitlesandhonorariaotherthanthesimpleand

directaddressof“Mr.President.”

ADISAPPOINTINGVISIT

Thefollowingyear,WashingtonmadeatourofLongIslandtomeetthepeopleandexaminethedamagedonetolandandpropertyduringtheBritishoccupation.Buthealsohaditinmindtoprivatelyvisitwith

andthanktheindividualswhohadriskedsomuchtogatherintelligenceandsmuggleittohim.

HeapproachedSetauketonApril22,1790,andmadeastopat“theHouseofaCapt.Roe,whichistolerablydect.withobligingpeopleinit.”WhetherthoseobligingpeoplewithwhomhepassedseveralpleasanthoursincludedtherestoftheSetauketCulpers—Benjamin

Tallmadge,AbrahamWoodhull,andCalebBrewster—orifhewasevenawarethathewaslodgingundertheroofofoneofthoseveryspieshehadjourneyedtothank,Washingtondidnotsay.Hisknowledgeoftheringmembers’trueidentitieswas,afterall,quitelimitedbydesign.Hehadnotwantedtoknowmorethanheneededtoinordertoprotectthem,andseveralofthemembers

(Townsendinparticular)hadbeeninsistentthatWashingtonneverlearntheirnames.ThefollowingdayhetookhisleaveofRoe’stavernandcontinuedwestward,wherehistourtookhimtoOysterBay.HisbriefnotesmakenomentionofameetingwithRobertTownsendoranymemberofhisfamily,despitetheseniorSamuel’snumerousrun-inswiththelawandhissuffering

asColonelSimcoe’sreluctantlandlord.HadWashingtonbeenawareofthedebtofgratitudethatheowedtoacertainnativesonofthistown,hisstaysurelywouldnothavebeensobrief.Instead,hemadehisvisit,paidhisrespectstothebravecitizensofthetown,androdeon,havingnevermetthemanhesoearnestlysoughttothank.

Bythetimethepresident

crossedtheferrybacktoManhattanatsundownonApril24,hehadcompletedhiscircuitaroundthepartoftheislandwhereinlivedtheringofspieswhohadservedhimsofaithfullyandcarriedouttheirweightytaskwithsuchdedicationandcourage.HehadsincerelyhopedtohavesometimewiththemysteriousCulperJunior,whohadriskedhislife,health,andwell-beingforso

long,passinginandoutofthelion’smoutheveryday,seekingtostillthemonarch’sroarwithinAmericanborders.Butnomatterthegreetingssentthegeneral’swayandtheinvitationsextended,Townsendneversteppedoutoftheshadowstomeetwithhiscommanderinchief.Itwasagreathonor,tobesure,butnotonethatTownsendsought.Hedidnotwantpraiseorcelebration;

thegreatestrewardWashingtoncouldgivehimwassimplyareturntoaquietandunassuminglifeasamansubjecttonokingbutGod.

ThosefewwhoknewtheCulpers’secretkeptitclose,andallWashingtoncoulddowascarryinhisheartthegratitudehehadforthesacrificesofhisbravespies,whichwerenolessmeaningfulforhavingbeenmadeincitystreetsand

countrybackroadsasonabattlefield.Forthesemenandwomen,too,hadgiventheirallto“establishJustice,insuredomesticTranquility,provideforthecommondefence,promotethegeneralWelfare,andsecuretheBlessingsofLibertytoourselvesandourPosterity.”

WCHAPTER18

LifeAftertheRing

iththeendofthewarandthestartofthe

Americanrepublic,theCulperscouldreturntotheirlivesasordinarycitizens.Whileafewwerenotshyabouttheirroleinthewar

effortandenjoyedabitofnotorietyfortheirdaringadventures,mostdidwhatallgoodspiesdo:Theycarriedoninobscurityasordinaryandunassumingpeoplewhoseneighborsneverknewtheyhadleddoublelives.Theirstorieswerepackedawaylikepressedflowersinthepagesofabook—quietlywaiting,undetectedforyears—torewardsomecuriousreaderdecadeslaterwiththe

intricacyandbeautyoftheirdesign.Therewerewhispers,rumors,andlegends,ofcourse—butnoonepursuedthem,happytoleavewellenoughalonewhenthedesiredoutcomeoflibertyhadbeenreached,thoughatahighandterriblecost.

CalebBrewster,afterhisyearsofexcitementrowingbackandforthacrossLongIslandSoundinhiswhaleboatandengaginginhard-fought

skirmishes,foundthatthesecondpartofhislifewasmuchquieterthanthefirst,thoughhewasneverfarfromthesea.HemarriedAnneLewisofFairfield,Connecticut,in1784,andmovedtoafarmatBlackRock,southwestofBridgeport,wherethecouplehadseveralchildren.BrewsterpassedawayathisfarmonFebruary13,1827,andforallofhisprodigious

featsofbraveryandskillduringthewar,hisheadstonenoteshiseventualrankofcaptainandthensumsuphisservicesimply:“HewasabraveandactiveofficeroftheRevolution.”

JamesRivingtonhadalesstranquilretirement.AccordingtoGeorgeWashingtonParkeCustis,duringtheprivatemeetingbetweenWashingtonandRivingtoninthebookshop,

theofficersinthefrontroomcoulddistinctlyhearabagofgoldcoinsbeinghandedtothebooksellerforhisspyingservicesduringthewar.Custis,however,wasnotactuallypresentfortheeventsandhadahabitofoccasionallyembellishingstoriesinaccordancewithhisownimagination.Whethergoldreallychangedhandsduringthismeetingornotremainsunclear.Butwhatis

certainisthatRivingtonandhisshopreceivedspecialprotectioninthedaysandweeksfollowingtheBritishevacuation;therewouldbenoburningandlootingashadoccurredatthehandsoftheSonsofLibertyin1775.LatercorrespondenceofWashington’sconfidantsdefendedRivingtonagainstlibel.HeremainedinNewYork,thoughhisnewspaperbusinesssufferedbecauseof

hisreputationasastaunchenemyofthenewrepublic.Hewaseventuallyforcedtoclosehisshop,butwitheightchildrentosupportbackinEngland,severalbadinvestments,andapersonaltasteforthehighlife,hisfinancialsituationdeteriorateduntilhewasforcedtoservetimeindebtors’prison.HediedinNewYork,wherehehadspentthirty-sixofhis

seventy-eightyearsoflife,onJuly4,1802.

AustinRoe,likeCalebBrewster,achievedtherankofcaptainandcarriedthattitleproudlyfortherestofhislife.Heandhiswife,theformerCatherineJones,hadeightchildren;in1798,thefamilymovedfromSetauket,onthenorthshoreofLongIsland,toPatchogue,almostexactlyoppositeonthesouthernshore,andopeneda

hotel.UnlikemanyoftheotherCulpers,Roeenjoyedsharingstoriesofhisspyingadventureswithlocalsandpatronsathisinn,thoughhewascarefultoprotecttheprivacyofhisfellowringmembers.HepassedawayonNovember29,1830,attheageofeighty-one.

BenjaminTallmadgemarriedMaryFloyd,daughterofMajorGeneralWilliamFloyd,asignerofthe

DeclarationofIndependence.ThecouplemovedtoConnecticut,wheretheyhadsevenchildren;in1792,TallmadgewasappointedpostmasterforthetownofLitchfield.HewouldlaterservesixteenyearsintheHouseofRepresentatives(1801–17).Interestingly,inJanuary1817,oneofthefinalmattersTallmadgeundertookasacongressmanbeforeleavingofficewasto

campaignagainstgrantingapensiontothethreemen(JohnPaulding,IsaacVanWart,andDavidWilliams)whofirstcapturedJohnAndré.Accordingtoapopularweeklycircularofthetime,Tallmadgearguedthatthemenwerehardlyheroes,despitetheirpublicimage,butwere,infact,“ofthatclassofpeoplewhopassedbetweenbotharmies,asofteninonecampasintheother.”

Hisobjectionwasrootedinthefactthat“whenMajorAndré’sbootsweretakenoffbythem,itwastosearchforplunder,andnottodetecttreason....IfAndrécouldhavegiventothesementheamounttheydemandedforhisrelease,heneverwouldhavebeenhungforaspy,norincaptivity.”TallmadgediedonMarch7,1835.Hewaseighty-oneyearsold.

RobertTownsendnever

spokeofhisservice,neverappliedforapension,nevercorrectedthosewhoassumedhehaddonenothingbuttendhisshopduringthewar,andnever,itseems,recoveredemotionallyfromtheblowofAgent355’scaptureandimprisonment.Afterthewarhegrewevenmorereservedandreclusive.Dr.PeterTownsend,thesonofhisbrotherSolomon,tookaparticularinterestinhis

somber,silentuncleRobertandoftenaskedhimabouthisserviceduringthewar,buttheoldermanwastight-lippedandsharedverylittle.Townsendkepttohimself,stayingnearhisbrothersandtheirfamiliesbutnevermarryinghimself,thoughhemayhavefatheredachildwithhisFrench-Canadianhousekeeperintheyearsfollowingthewar.Thechild—alarge,blond,blue-eyed

boywhoresembledalltheTownsendmenexcepttheslender,darkRobert—wasnamedRobertTownsendJr.byhismother,Mary.TherewassomesuspicionthatanotherTownsendbrother,theflirtatiousWilliam,the“flowerofthefamily,”whohappenedatthattimetoshareahousewithRobert,wasactuallythefather.ButRobert,havingnootherchildren,tookresponsibility

fortheboy’seducationandwelfare;hiswillincludesbequestsforhissupposedson,severalnephews,andaniece.Townsenddevelopedstrongabolitionistbeliefsandstaunchlyopposedanytypeofslaveownership;laterinlifeheworkedonbehalfofsomeformerslavesofhisfather’stohelpthemgaintheirfreedom.ThemanonceknownasCulperJuniordiedexactlythreeyearsafter

BenjaminTallmadge,onMarch7,1838,attheageofeighty-four.

AbrahamWoodhullmarriedMarySmithin1781.HespenttherestofhislifeinSetauket,whereheraisedthreechildrenandservedinrolesofauthorityintheSuffolkCountygovernment.Heneverspokemuchabouthisroleinthespyring.MarydiedbeforeAbraham;LydiaTerrybecamehissecondwife

inhisfinalyears.HepassedawayonJanuary23,1826,andwasburiedintheSetauketPresbyterianChurchgraveyard.In1936,theMayflowerChapteroftheDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolutionerectedthefollowingmarkernearhissimpleheadstone:

FriendandconfidantofGeorgeWashington,

HeadoftheLongIslandSecretServiceDuringtheAmericanRevolutionheoperatedunderthealiasSamuelCulper,Sr.TohimandhisassociateshavebeencreditedalargeshareofthesuccessoftheArmyoftheRevolution.BorninSetauketOct.7,1750intheoriginalWoodhullhomestead,sonof

RichardW.&MargaretSmith.FifthgenerationfromRichardWoodhull,theoriginalgranteeofalargeportionofBrookhavenTown.HewasaPresbyterian,occupyinga“PewofAuthority”intheoldchurchanddoingmuchtowardthebuildingofthenewchurch.Hewasamanofintegrity

punctualandpreciseinhisbusinessrelations.Hefreedhisslaveslongbeforetheywerelegallyfree.HefillednumerousimportantpositionsbeingMagistrateinSetauketmanyyears,JudgeoftheCourtofCommonPleas1793–1799,FirstJudgeofSuffolkCo.from1799–1810.

Agent355,whosenameandwhosefatehavebothbeenlosttotime,mighthaveescapedimprisonmentandgoneontolivealongandhappylife.Orshemighthavepassedawaysomewhereinthedark,disease-infestedhullofHMSJersey.WhentheBritishleftNewYorkinNovember1783,theyabandonedtheJerseyintheharbor,withseveralthousandstarvingprisonersstillon

board.Itisextremelydifficultto

learnmuchatallaboutthelivesanddeathsofthoseunluckyenoughtohavebeencaptured.AfterthesurrenderoftheBritish,theformercolonistssoughttopiecetogethertheirshatteredlivesandhomes;manyrecordswerelost,destroyed,orsimplyfiledawaywithoutanythoughttotheirdeepersignificance.Thousandsof

individualsweremissingfrombattlefields,prisoncamps,andprisonships;thousandsmorewereuntraceableduetoemigration,desertion,orsimplywestwardmovementintothenewlyopenedterritoriesbeyondtheAppalachians.Inthemid-nineteenthcentury,asthegenerationwholivedduringtheRevolutionwaspassingaway,historiansmadesome

effortstoreconstructlistsofinmates’namesbyinterviewingsurvivorsoftheJersey.Thoughquiterare(and,sincetheywererecalledseveraldecadesafterthefact,notwhollyreliableaccounts),women’snamesdoappearonsomeoftheselists;nonehaveyetbeenprovedtobethatofAgent355.

•••

Forgenerations,theonlyRevolutionaryWarspyimmortalizedinhistorybookswasthebravebutultimatelyunsuccessfulNathanHale.TalesoftheCulperRingwererelegatedtolocallegendormystery(whowasCulperJunior?).LearningthetrueidentityofWashington’smostconsistentandvaluablespyintheonecitythegeneralvaluedmostwasapursuitundertakenbyseveral

prominentresearchers,whoanalyzedtheoraltraditionsandfolloweduponhunches.Townsendwasalwaysamongthoseconsideredlikelycontenders,butthespycouldnotbeunmaskeduntilthe“wagonfull”ofhisletterswasfoundin1929andgivenovertothecareofMortonPennypacker,whocomparedthewritingwiththatofsurvivingCulperletters.Atlastamuchmorecomplete

storyoftheringcouldbetold.

ThismomentousdiscoverywasmadeduringadarkanduncertaintimeinAmericanhistory.TheGreatDepressionthreatenedtheveryfabricofthenation,thenalleyeswerefocusedontheupheavalinEuropeandthecreepingthreatinthePacific.TheUnitedStateswaspoisedatthebrinkofitsnextgreatchapterandwasnot

concernedwithrewritinghistory.DespitePennypacker’seffortstoshinealightontheseprovincialheroesofLongIsland,Manhattan,andcoastalConnecticut,theCulpersonceagainsankintoobscurity.Buteveniftheirstorywasnotknownacrossthenation,thefruitsoftheirlabors,theirletters,andtheirliveswere—andcontinuetobe—feltfromseatoshining

seainthefreedomsandindependenceallAmericancitizensenjoy.

WEpilogue

eknewthestoryoftheCulperRingwas

important.Weknewitwasastorywhosecharactersandeventsshouldbestandardfareinhistoryclassesacrossthecountry.Butwhatwedidn’tknowwashowrelevantitstillprovestoday

withintheintelligencecommunityoftheUnitedStates.

InFebruary2012,weweregrantedaccesstoCIAHeadquartersinLangley,Virginia,wherewemetwiththeagency’schiefhistorian.

OutsidethebuildingisastatuehonoringNathanHale’scourageandpatriotism;insidethebuildingareexhibitsonvariousspyingoperationsofthepast.But

nowheredidwefindhomagetotheCulperRing—untilwesatdownforourmeeting.

Wewerestunnedtolearnthatthehistoryoftheringistaughtaspartoftheintroductorytrainingfornewagents.WhethersuggestedbyWashingtonorTallmadge,orsimplyfiguredout,throughbraveryandintelligence,ontheirown,themethodsusedbythesecitizen-spies—thedeaddrops,thewell-crafted

backstories,thecompartmentalizingofintelligence,thesecretencryptedcode—aremanyofthesamemethodsstillusedtodaybysecretagentstheworldover.

Andlikethecourageousmenandwomenofourmoderncovertservices,theCulpersworkedinprofoundsecrecy.Theyneversoughtcredit,neverreceivedaccolades,andneverrevealed

theriskstheytookorthesacrificestheymadetoserveourcountry.UndertheunblinkingleadershipofBenjaminTallmadge,Washington’ssecretsixservedanewbornnationagainstamilitarythatwasconsideredtobeunbeatable.TheobservationofMajorGeorgeBeckwithbearsrepeating:“WashingtondidnotreallyoutfighttheBritish,hesimplyoutspiedus!”

Inthisbook,wehaveincludedphotographsofsomeoftheplaces,portraits,andhumblegravesthatbearsilenttestimonytoournation’sfirstandmostaccomplishedringofclandestineoperatives.

Therearenostatuesofthesebravesouls,whosefeatsshouldearnthemaplaceofhonoralongsidetheheroesoftheRevolution.ItisoursinceresthopethatRobertTownsend,Abraham

Woodhull,CalebBrewster,AustinRoe,JamesRivington,andAgent355willbegiventheirrightfulplaceinAmericanhistory.Theirextraordinaryheroismandpatriotism,unknowntotheircontemporaries,shouldnotbeforgotten.GeorgeWashingtonwouldn’thavewanteditanyotherway—afterall,hepreservedtheirlettersamonghisbelongings,anditisbecauseofhimthat

weknowtheirstory.

Thesecretsix’sintelligencerouteallowedthemtotransmittop-secretinformationfrom

ManhattanthroughenemyterritorytoGeorgeWashingtoninabouttwoweeks.

BenjaminTallmadge,whofoughtsidebysidewithGeorgeWashington,wastaskedwithformingtheCulperRing.HisleadershipandknowledgeofLongIslandmadehimindispensable.

CollectionoftheLitchfieldHistoricalSociety,Litchfield,Connecticut,agratiscopyoftheworkdepositedinthesociety’slibrary

RobertTownsenddidnothavethebravadoofhisolderbrotherorhisfather,buthisquieterheroicqualitiesmadehimtheperfectspyleader—CulperJunior.Truetohisunassumingcharacter,heseemsnevertohavecommissionedapaintingof

himself.Thisoneroughsketchdepictinghiminhisfortiesisknown.CourtesyoftheFriendsofRaynhamHall,Inc.

JamesRivingtonwastherespectedpublisheroftheRivingtonGazette,aloyalistnewspaper.WhattheBritishdidn’tknowwasthathewasalsoaspyforGeorgeWashington.Withthehelp

ofRobertTownsend,heinterviewedBritishofficersabouttheirmilitaryexploitsandtooktheirinsideintelligencedirectlytoWashington.Rivington’sbiggestcontributionwasacquiringtheredcoats’battleplanforYorktown.ThecolonistswouldbeatLordCornwallisinthatbattleandwinthewarintheprocess.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety

AustinRoe’stavernstillstandstoday,thoughitwasmovedfromitsoriginallocation.Fromhere,Roemadethefifty-five-milejourneytoManhattan,passingthroughoccupied

ManhattanandLongIslandtoreachRobertTownsend.CourtesyKurtKnappPhotography

ThefirstmantosignontothespyingmissionwasAbrahamWoodhull,knownasCulperSenior.Hisdetailedlogbookenabledhistorianstoputtogethermanyofhismovementsduringthering’syearsof

operation.(Woodhullneverwantedtobepaidforspyingbutdidwanttobereimbursedforhisexpenses,oneofthereasonshislogentriesweresodetailedandaccurate.)Afterthewar,hebecamearespectedjudgebutneverspokeabouthisdaysintheCulperRing.NoportraitofAbrahamWoodhullexiststoday,buthisgravereflectshiseminentpositionasajudgeandhisanonymityasaspy.

CourtesyKurtKnappPhotography

Asthewarheatedup,thecoverforthesecretsixgrewdeeper.Firsttheyusedinvisibleink,thencode

numbers,andfinallytheyusedboth,writingininvisibleinkbetweenthelinesinbooksusingthecodenumbersystem.Thispagefromoneofthefewcodebooksinventedbyandissuedtothesecretsixdemonstrateshowthespiesreplacedplacesandpeoplewithnumbers.CourtesyofLibraryofCongress,ManuscriptDivision

RobertTownsend’sbusiness,Templeton&Stewart,wasjustafewblocksfromRivington’s

Gazetteoffice,withtheLongIslandferrydocklocatedconvenientlybetweenthetwo.CourtesyofLibraryofCongress,ManuscriptDivision

MajorJohnAndré,acharismaticladies’man,ranaBritishspyringandultimatelylosthislifebecauseofit.Afterhiscapture,hetriedtonegotiateaprisonerswapforhimself,butGeneral

Washingtonhadonlyonedealinmind:aswapofAndréforBenedictArnold.Afterthatwasrejected,AndréwashangedonOctober2,1780.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety

BenedictArnoldisknownforbeingatraitorbutbeforethatwasbestcharacterizedasarespectedbattlefieldgeneral.Hisexpectationthatthecolonistswouldlose

thewarandhisbitternessoverhisbeliefthatCongressowedhimmoneytogetherpromptedhimtosecretlyjointheBritish.HadhesucceededinhandingoverWestPointtotheredcoats,WashingtonwouldhavelosttheHudsonRiverandmostcertainlythewar.TheCulperstippedoffWashingtontoArnold’straitorouswaysandthwartedtheplot.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety

InadditiontoWestPoint,ArnoldhopedtodeliverGeorgeWashingtonintoBritishhandsaswell.HesentimportantintelligencebacktoManhattanwithMajorJohnAndré,whowas

codenamedJohnAnderson.ThenoteshownhereultimatelycostAndréhislifewhenPatriotsinterceptedhimandfounditinhisboot.Andréhimselflaterdrewtheself-portraitbelowthenoteonthedaybeforehisexecution.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety

In1783,GeorgeWashingtonandhisarmyreturnedtoNewYorkCityinvictory.HewouldreturnaspresidentsevenyearslaterandwouldgovernthecountryfromManhattan.MajorTallmadgeaskedthe

generaltodelayhisentrysothathecouldsecuremembersofthering,becausemanythoughttheywereloyaltothekingandtheycouldbeharmedunlessprotected.CollectionoftheNew-YorkHistoricalSociety

RobertTownsend’sgrave,locatedontheedgeoftheTownsendfamilyburialsiteupagainstafence,isstartlinglynondescript.Townsendwouldn’thavewanteditanyotherway:an

unassumingman,helivedanddiedwithoutrevealinghiskeyroleasoneofGeorgeWashington’smostsuccessfulandessentialspies.CourtesyKurtKnappPhotography

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Therearesomanygreatpeopleresponsibleforthecompletionofthisbook.Iurgeyoutoreadwhatfollowsandtakenoteofthemall.First,ImustthankmylongtimefriendBruceStegner,whomIinformedofthisringin1988;heheldontotheconceptandhas

relentlesslyresearchedthesecretsixeversince,unwaveringinthebeliefthatthisstoryjusthadtobetoldtoalargeraudience.Andthankstoourrespectivefamilies—Renee,Rebecca,Olivia,andJuliaStegner;mywife,Dawn,Bryan,Kirstyn,andKaitlynKilmeade;andJeanette,Will,andMadeleineYaeger—forindulgingourexcitementaboutthestoryandmirroringourenthusiasm

aseveryaspectoftheringwasbroughttolightandlife.

ThankstothebrilliantTiffanyYeckeBrooks,withoutwhomwecouldnothaveresearchedandwrittenthisproject.TiffanyhasworkedwithDonforyearsbutabsolutelyfellintohersweetspotonthisbook,becauseitcombinedherpassionforhistoricalresearchwithcreativewriting.Shekeptbothofusontask.

RogerAiles,whoallowsmetoworkatthemostpatrioticcompanyinAmerica,isdueatremendousamountofthanks.HeunderlinedtheneedforallofustoknowourhistoryandrecognizetheincrediblebraveryandselflessnessofthefirstgenerationsofAmericans,whicharedemonstratedinthestoryofthesixbraveindividualswhomadeupAmerica’sfirstspy

ring.Ofcourse,thisbook

couldnothavebeenwrittenwithouttheguidanceofall-starFoxVPBillShine,aLongIslanderwhoisendlesslysupportiveandunderstandsthesignificanceofthestorybecauseithappenedinhisbackyard.WealsooweasalutetoDianeBrandi,whowasthefirsttohearthebookpitch;withoutherguidanceandsupportthe

projectwouldnevergottendone.

ImustalsosalutemyFox&Friendscohosts,SteveDoocy,GretchenCarlson,andAlisynCamerota,whohaveheardmetalkaboutthisstoryforyearsandcouldnothavebeenmoresupportive.ThanksforsteppinguptohelpmeduringherfreetimegotoAlysonMansfield,executiveproducerofKilmeade&Friends.Ialso

can’tsayenoughfortheproducingteamonFox&Friends,ledbyLaurenPettersonandJenniferRauchet,fortheirfaithintheprojectbeforetheyreadevenawordonpaper.

ToBobBarnett,whobelievedintheprojectsomuchthathewiselynavigatedustotheSentinelimprintofthePenguinGrouptoseeitthrough—thankyou.Weareinaweofhis

perpetuallysunny,upbeatapproachtolifeandhumbledbyhisloyaltytousevenashehandlesthemostfamousandpowerfulpeopleintheworld.

DonandIweretrulythrilledandmovedtoknowthatAdrianZackheim,presidentandpublisherofSentinel,wouldbeeditingthebook,anditfloweredunderhisskilledeye.AndwhatcanwesayaboutBriaSandfordthatwouldbesufficient

thanksforherrole,exceptthatsheisatrueprofessionalineveryway,thrivesonmakingdeadlineshappen,isendlesslypatient,andisextremelybright?TosaythatshewaskindofimportanttothisprojectwouldbelikesayingthatLeBronJamesiskindofimportanttotheMiamiHeat.

Overthetwenty-plusyearsthatIhavespentlearningaboutthisstory,

manypassionatepeopleandorganizationshavesharedwithmetheirhard-earnedknowledgeandresearchoftheringandthesehistoricalfigures.IfearImightleavesomeoneout,buthereitgoesnonetheless.

SteveRussellBoerneroftheEastHamptonLibraryLongIslandCollectionofferedpatienceandinsightthatwerecriticalinsomanywaystothesuccessofthe

book.GinaPiastuckandFrankSorrentinofromthecollectionbroughtMortonPennypackerbacktolife,andthankstoFrank’srapidtranslationoftheWoodhull-Townsendlogs,wewereabletobreakmuchnewgroundonthisstory.ThankstoAndreaMeyerandJohnBurkeforthierworkonAgent355.AndthegoodpeopleatBlackRockhistoryinConnecticutwereagreatresourceforour

CalebBrewsterresearch.TheinvaluableJohn

TsunisnotonlygaveusaconferenceroomathisHolidayInntoholdamajorsecretsixsummitwithhistoriansfromaroundLongIslandbutalsointroducedmetoGloriaRocchioandtheWardMelvilleHeritageOrganization.Gloriashedlightonmanyaspectsofthisstoryandhasbeenastalwartinsupportingthelegacyof

theringandpreservingLongIslandhistory.Shehasbeennotonlyagreathelpbutalsoagreatfriend.MichaelColucciandDeborahBoudreau,alsopartoftheWardMelvillegroup,wereatremendoussourceofassistanceandencouragement.

WecouldnothaveseenthisprojectthroughwithoutthecooperationandhelpofthepeopleoftheRaynham

HallMuseuminOysterBay.ClaireBellerjeau,Townsendfamilyhistorian,isoneofthemostknowledgeablepeopleyouwillmeetontheeraandthering;herknowledgeandenthusiasmwereessentialinmakingRobertTownsendandtherestofhisfamilycomealiveonthesepages.CollectionsmanagerNicoleMenchiseandexecutivedirectorHarrietGerardClarkcouldnothavebeenmore

helpfulorinsightful.TheyallowedustowalkthehouseasRobertTownsenddidcenturiesago,fuelingourmotivationtospreadthisstorytomillionsmore.

IcouldnotimaginecarryingoutthisprojectwithoutBarbaraRussell,townofBrookhavenhistorian.ShenotonlyeducatedmeabouttheSetauketspiesof1780butalsobroughtmetothe

locationsastheystandtoday.ElizabethKahnKaplanhelpedmenotonlywiththestorybutalso,ascuratoroftheThreeVillageHistoricalSociety’sexhibit,gotmyfamilyexcitedwithhertremendousknowledgeandpassion.Ifyoutrulywanttounderstandhowspecialthisrevolutionaryspystoryis,justspendafewminuteswithBevTyler.Hehasanawe-inspiringdepthofknowledge

onthetopicandplayedakeyroleinacquiringmanyofthesketchesandmapsyouseeinthebook.

Specialthanksaredue,too,toMattArthur,LivingHistoryProgramcoordinatoratTryonPalaceHistoricSitesandGardensinNewBern,NorthCarolina,andtoRebeccaReimerArthur,lecturerinhistoryatLibertyUniversity,forsharingtheirtremendousknowledgeofthe

eraandgenealogicalinvestigationsduringtheearlystagesofwritingthisbook.

Iftherewasonetripthatgalvanizedourbeliefthatthiswasabookthatshouldbewritten,itwasthejourneywetooktoCIAHeadquartersinLangley,Virginia.WhenweheardtheCIA’shistoriansandagentstalksomovinglyaboutthesuccessofthisringanditsmethods,weknew

thatourinterestandawewerejustified.AttheirrequestIwillnotlisttheirnames,butIwouldliketoacknowledgetheCIAOfficeofPublicAffairsandtheCIA’shistoricalstaff.

Finally,I’dliketothanktheCIAOfficersMemorialFoundation(www.ciamemorialfoundation.org),theArmedForcesFoundation(www.armedforcesfoundation.org),andtheWoundedWarrior

Project(www.woundedwarriorproject.org)fortheirsupportfortoday’sgenerationoffightersandspies,whichneedssupportmorethaneverbefore.

SELECTEDSOURCES

Allen,ThomasB.,andCherylHarness.GeorgeWashington,Spymaster:HowAmericaOutspiedtheBritishandWontheRevolutionaryWar.Washington,D.C.:NationalGeographic,2004.

Ahighlyaccessiblebook,thisisagreatstartingpoint

foradultsandolderchildrenalikewhoareinterestedinthespyingactivitiesunderWashington’scommandduringtheRevolution.Itistheresultofsolidresearchandoffersagoodoverviewofespionageactivitiesthroughoutthewar.

Bakeless,JohnEdwin.Turncoats,Traitors,and

Heroes.NewYork:DaCapo,1998.

ThisworkprovidesalookattheunfortunateincidentofNathanHale,thesagaofBenedictArnold’streachery,andmanyothercovertoperationsintheAmericantheaterduringthewar,includingtheincredibleadventureofJohnChampeandhisattempttokidnapArnoldbackforthePatriots.

Baker,WilliamS.“ItineraryofGeneralWashingtonfromJune15,1775,toDecember23,1783.”ThePennsylvaniaMagazineofHistoryandBiography15,no.1(1891):41–87.http://jstor.org.

Crary,CatherineSnell.“TheToryandtheSpy:TheDoubleLifeofJamesRivington,”TheWilliamandMaryQuarterly,3rd

ser.,16,no.1(January1959):61–72.AccessedonlineMarch22,2013.

ThisarticlepullstogetheranumberofprimarysourcesthatshedlightonRivington’sspyingactivities,includinghiscontributiontothevictoryatYorktown,thatwerepreviouslydiscountedasapocryphal,andthereforeunreliable,bymanyhistorians.

Fernow,Brian,ed.DocumentsRelatingtotheColonialHistoryoftheStateofNewYork.Vol.15.StateArchives,vol.1.Albany,NY:Weed,ParsonsandCompany,1887.

“GeorgeWashingtonandtheCulperSpyRing.”StonyBrookUniversityLibraries.http://guides.library.stonybrook.edu/culper-spy-ring.

Kerber,LindaK.WomenoftheRepublic:IntellectandIdeologyinRevolutionaryAmerica.ChapelHill:UniversityofNorthCarolinaPress,1997.

Macy,Harry,Jr.“RobertTownsend,Jr.,ofNewYorkCity.”TheNewYorkGenealogicalandBiographicalRecord126(1995):25–34,108–12,192–98.

Perhapsmorethananyothersinglesource,thisarticleshedlightonthephysicalappearanceandrelationshipsoftheTownsendfamilyandalsoofferedanin-depthlookatRobertTownsendandhisinteractionwiththechildnamedRobertTownsendJr.afterthewar.

Nagy,JohnA.InvisibleInk:SpycraftoftheAmerican

Revolution.Yardley,PA:Westholme,2010.

NagyhascompiledasearchingandfascinatingexaminationofvarioustechniquesusedbyspiesthroughouttheAmericancoloniesandabroadtocommunicatecovertly.HisexplorationofthehistoryofinvisibleinkpriortotheCulperstain’sdevelopmentbySirJamesJay,aswellastheuseof

thatparticularformula,wastremendouslyhelpfulforthisbook.

———.SpiesintheContinentalCapital:EspionageAcrossPennsylvaniaDuringtheAmericanRevolution.Yardley,PA:Westholme,2011.

NewYorkGazette&Weekly.Templeton&Stewart.April

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–

1800.Ithaca,NY:CornellUniversityPress,1996.

Afascinatingcompilationofprimarysources,thisbookoffersvaluableinsightintothechallengesandperilsofwomenlivinginwar-tornareasduringtheRevolution,includingthelightheartedletterfromLordRawdonabouttheoutbreakofsexualassaultsagainstladiesinBritish-occupiedStatenIsland.

Paul,JoelRichard.UnlikelyAllies:HowaMerchant,aPlaywright,andaSpySavedtheAmericanRevolution.NewYork:Riverhead,2009.

AdetailedaccountofthecovertactivitiesoftheFrenchgovernmentviathefabricatedRoderigueHortalez&Company,Paul’sresearchoffersadynamicandintriguingreconstructionofthe

eventsleadingupto,andresultingfrom,thesmugglingefforts.

Pennypacker,Morton.GeneralWashington’sSpies.WalnutCreek,CA:AegeanPark,1999.

Pennypacker’s1939publicationoftheCulperlettersincludesanarrativeofmanyoftheeventsinvolvingthering,astheywereknownatthetime,as

wellasbothtranscriptsandphotographsofmanyoftheoriginallettersexchangedbetweenseveralofthering’smembers,Tallmadge,andWashington.ItwasabsolutelyinvaluablenotonlytothecompositionofthisbookbutalsotounderstandingtheCulperstoryingeneral.

———.TwoSpies:Nathan

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

personallifeofJamesRivingtonaswellashisspyingactivitiesduringthewarandwasanimportantresourceinhelpingtoreconstructRivington’smysteriouscharacter.

Pierce,SusanM.TheHistoryofRaynhamHall.Thesis,ColumbiaUniversity,1986.

Thisthesisstudyprovidedmanyhelpfuldetailsabout

thearchitecturalhistoryoftheTownsendfamilyhomesteadanditspositionincolonialOysterBay.

Rose,Alexander.Washington’sSpies:TheStoryofAmerica’sFirstSpyRing.NewYork:Bantam,2006.

Roseundertookatremendousdepthofresearchtocompletehisbook,anditservedasan

excellentstartingpointinquiteafewplacesforourowninvestigationintothematter.EspeciallyhelpfulwashisengagementwithdisparateprimarysourcesthattogetherformedafullerpictureoftheCulperRing’sactivitiesandaccomplishments.

Ross,Peter.“AFewRevolutionaryHeroes—GeneralWoodhull—

ColonelTallmadge—GeneralParsons—ColonelMeigs.”AHistoryofLongIsland,fromItsEarliestSettlementtothePresentTime.NewYorkandChicago:Lewis,1902.

Schecter,Barnet.TheBattleforNewYork:TheCityattheHeartoftheAmericanRevolution.NewYork:Walker,2002.

Thisbookproved

especiallyimportantinhelpingustounderstandthevitalimportanceofNewYorkCitytotheoveralloutcomeofthewarandallowedustobettergraspthesignificanceofitspolitical,strategic,andsymbolicimpact.ItalsohelpedusexplainthehighregardthatWashingtonhadforhisspynetworkwithinthecity.

Tallmadge,Benjamin.MemoirofColonelBenjaminTallmadgePreparedbyHimselfattheRequestofHisChildren.NewYork:ThomasHolman,1858.Reprint,NewYork:NewYorkTimes,1968.

MostoftheaccountsofTallmadge’sactivitiesandemotionscomedirectlyfromhisownpeninthememoirsheoriginally

wroteinthefinalyearsofhislifeandfirstpublishedforwidespreaddistributionin1858.Rarelyisanauthorsoluckyastohavetheimpressionsandreflectionsofahistoricalfigureinhisoriginalwords.ThisisanespeciallyvaluableresourceforanystudentoftheAmericanRevolutionorWashington’sspycraft.

Townsend,Robert.“AccountBookofRobertTownsend,Merchant,ofOysterBayTownship,N.Y.,andNewYork,N.Y.,BegunNovember23,1779,andContinuedtoMarch29,1781.”Transcription.EastHamptonLibrary,LongIslandCollection,EastHampton,NY.

Thefirsthandinformationrevealedinthisdocumentwasextremelyhelpfulin

understandingmoreabouthowTownsendoperatedfirstinOysterBayandlaterinManhattan.BoththedetailedentriesandtheperiodsofinactivityrevealagreatdealaboutTownsend’spatternsofbehavior,possibleemotionalstruggles,andbusinesshabitsinmanaginghisshopandhisdailylife.

Woodhull,MaryGould,andFrancisBowesStevens.WoodhullGenealogy:TheWoodhullFamilyinEnglandandAmerica.Philadelphia:H.T.Coates,1904.

INDEX

Thepagenumbersinthisindexrefertotheprintedversionofthisbook.Thelinkprovidedwilltakeyoutothebeginningofthatprintpage.Youmayneedtoscrollforwardfromthatlocationtofindthecorrespondingreferenceonyoure-reader.

abolitionism,212

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,

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

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

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,

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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,

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,

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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,

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,

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

“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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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–

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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