Source: Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger. George Washington's Secret Six -
The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution (2013)
The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution (2013)
On 22 September 1776, Nathan Hale was executed on Manhattan Island by the British as a spy. Hale was sentenced to death without a trial: the message sent by the British was that spies will die. Hale's execution was another low point for General George Washington (GW) during the Summer of 1776. The nightmare started with the British took New York City and Long Island, which were the cornerstones of GW's military strategy against the British.
During the Spring of 1776, GW and his army moved from Boston to New York City, and in the army and among the patriot civilians was a sense of optimism and excitement, but GW saw things for what they really were . . . the situation was bleak. NYC was viewed by both the Americans and the British as the key for holding the Colonies.
NYC was the second-largest city and the commercial center of the Colonies, with the Hudson River and a huge port. NYC was of immense strategic value, and GW knew that he couldn't hold it against the shock-and-awe of the British onslaught. Losing NYC would be not only a strategic blow, but also a blow to the morale of his army, civilians, and the Continental Congress. While GW knew that his army would not be able to defend NYC against the British, for political reasons he needed to make a serious attempt to defend the city.
During the Spring of 1776, GW and his army moved from Boston to New York City, and in the army and among the patriot civilians was a sense of optimism and excitement, but GW saw things for what they really were . . . the situation was bleak. NYC was viewed by both the Americans and the British as the key for holding the Colonies.
NYC was the second-largest city and the commercial center of the Colonies, with the Hudson River and a huge port. NYC was of immense strategic value, and GW knew that he couldn't hold it against the shock-and-awe of the British onslaught. Losing NYC would be not only a strategic blow, but also a blow to the morale of his army, civilians, and the Continental Congress. While GW knew that his army would not be able to defend NYC against the British, for political reasons he needed to make a serious attempt to defend the city.
On 29 June 1776 the first British ships arrived in lower New York Harbor, with General William Howe on one of those ships . . . everyone understood that a battle would soon occur. GW and his army had arrived in NYC in mid-April 1776, and after the Declaration of Independence was announced, GW and the US had reached the point-of-no-return in the Revolutionary War.
The British amassed forces in undefended Staten Island just across from Manhattan and Brooklyn, where GW had located his forces. By August 1776 King George III finally understood that it was a war in America, which meant that no mercy would be shown American soldiers. The British combined forces under Generals Howe and Henry Clinton numbered over 50,000, while GW's army was around 10,000, and GW's army lacked equipment and training.
GW divided his men into five groups, with one on Long Island, another in upper Manhattan, with the remaining three in lower Manhattan. GW felt that all the approaches to his positions were secure, but he was aware that one route, Jamaica Pass, was only defended by five men; GW deemed that route unlikely, gambling that the British would not be aware of the mostly untraveled route.
The British amassed forces in undefended Staten Island just across from Manhattan and Brooklyn, where GW had located his forces. By August 1776 King George III finally understood that it was a war in America, which meant that no mercy would be shown American soldiers. The British combined forces under Generals Howe and Henry Clinton numbered over 50,000, while GW's army was around 10,000, and GW's army lacked equipment and training.
GW divided his men into five groups, with one on Long Island, another in upper Manhattan, with the remaining three in lower Manhattan. GW felt that all the approaches to his positions were secure, but he was aware that one route, Jamaica Pass, was only defended by five men; GW deemed that route unlikely, gambling that the British would not be aware of the mostly untraveled route.
Whether it was due to a tip from a Loyalist or a disgruntled civilian/soldier, the British learned about Jamaica Pass on Long Island, and that it was only held by five men. Howe forced a tavern owner to show him the way, and 10,000 British soldiers moved through the pass, and outflanked GW's forces. GW quickly realized that he had mistakenly gone all-in on Manhattan since far too many British soldiers were also in Brooklyn. GW moved men/materiel to Brooklyn, but it was too late, and by the end of the day Brooklyn and the surrounding areas were under British control.
GW now found himself and a sizable portion of his army trapped at Brooklyn Heights. GW knew that he still had Manhattan Island, but he also knew that the British would soon overrun that position as well. GW and his men defended their untenable position, losing 300 KIA, 700 WIA, and 1000 were captured, while the British and the Hessians lost 64 KIA and 293 WIA.
GW now found himself and a sizable portion of his army trapped at Brooklyn Heights. GW knew that he still had Manhattan Island, but he also knew that the British would soon overrun that position as well. GW and his men defended their untenable position, losing 300 KIA, 700 WIA, and 1000 were captured, while the British and the Hessians lost 64 KIA and 293 WIA.
GW and his men were trapped at Brooklyn Heights, surrounded by the British with their backs to the East River. On the surface, there seemed to be only two choices: move forward to engage the British an face certain defeat, or cross the river to Manhattan and be shot down in the water . . . the Revolutionary War may be lost. Somehow GW needed to ferry 9000 men across New York Harbor, which was patrolled by the Royal Navy. On 29 August 1776 it appeared to GW that only a miracle would save his army.
GW gambled that he could ferry his men across the river overnight, and he was aided by British sentries that failed to spot the Americans as they started their amphibious escape. During the night, a dense fog rolled in, and GW had his miracle. GW was the last to leave Brooklyn Heights hours after dawn before the fog burned off and crossed over to Manhattan. But at most, GW had only gained a few days before Howe made his move on Manhattan, so GW took his men to Connecticut.
While GW had saved his army, morale among his men was low. But GW had learned an invaluable lesson in that there was no way he could go toe-to-toe with the British in a conventional war . . . so GW decided that he would engage the British in unconventional warfare, which included forming a spy ring so he would have the necessary information ahead of time that he lacked in New York City . . .
GW gambled that he could ferry his men across the river overnight, and he was aided by British sentries that failed to spot the Americans as they started their amphibious escape. During the night, a dense fog rolled in, and GW had his miracle. GW was the last to leave Brooklyn Heights hours after dawn before the fog burned off and crossed over to Manhattan. But at most, GW had only gained a few days before Howe made his move on Manhattan, so GW took his men to Connecticut.
While GW had saved his army, morale among his men was low. But GW had learned an invaluable lesson in that there was no way he could go toe-to-toe with the British in a conventional war . . . so GW decided that he would engage the British in unconventional warfare, which included forming a spy ring so he would have the necessary information ahead of time that he lacked in New York City . . .
Addendum: Washington Sends Nathan Hale to Long Island in September 1776 . . .