By Brett R.
AHAP
DEF
Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua NY
American
Intelligence
in the War for
Independence
“There is nothing more necessary than
good intelligence to frustrate a designing
enemy, and nothing that requires greater
pains to obtain.”
George Washington
Essential Question:
To what extent did
espionage and
intelligence aid the
colonists in the
American Revolution?
Spies before the
War
The Mechanics
The Mechanics
1st known intelligence network in the
colonies (for the Patriot side)
Also known as the Liberty Boys
Sprung from the Sons of Liberty that had
grown in opposition to the Stamp Act
Surveyed British troop movements and
known Tories
Stole British supplies and sabotaged their
fortifications
Famous Mechanics
Paul Revere: in civilian life, a silversmith
and engraver
 As a Mechanic, acted in gathering information
and as a courier
Dr. Joseph Warren: a physician and later a
major general for the Continental Army
 Was set to observe British troop movements
Dr. Benjamin Church: physician, active
member of Sons of Liberty
 Turned out to be treasonous and jeopardized
nearly all of the activities of the spy ring
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Becoming suspicious about British troop activity,
Revere designed a system to warn the patriots
about an impending attack
A single lantern would be lit in the belfry of the
Old North Church if the troops decided to attack
Concord by land
Two would be lit if the attack would come across
the Charles River
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere’s Route
Revere was told around 10
P.M. that British troops
were preparing for the
crossing of the Charles
William Dawes was sent
along land to warn John
Hancock and John Adams of
the incoming troops
Revere went up the Charles
in an effort to distance
himself from Dawes
He reached Hancock and
Adams and was able to warn
them, but was later
arrested
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Having been arrested, Revere fed the British
false information and provided them with
information greatly exaggerating the strength of
the patriot troops
Fearing for their safety, the British let Revere go
Revere joined Hancock and Adams in the
countryside, but frantically returned to Lexington
in order to recover documents that Hancock had
left there
He safely recovered them, thus warning the
populace (he never made it to Concord, but his
accomplice, Joseph Prescott did), saving two
important leaders, and preserving confidential
documents
How effective were the Mechanics?
Paul Revere’s Ride was most well known and
effective task
Group was rendered ineffective for several
reasons:
 Poor security: group always met at Green
Dragon Tavern, revealed the names of group
members
 Dr. Benjamin Church, one of the most
highly regarded members, was a double
agent for the British, thus compromising all
of the activities of the group
The Treachery of Benjamin Church
A coded letter
from Dr. Church
to Maurice Cane, a
British contact
The Treachery of Benjamin Church
Letter to Major Cane Decoded
To Major Cane in Boston,
The people of Connecticut are raving in the
cause of liberty. A number from this colony,
from the town of Stanford [Stamford],
robbed the King's stores at New York with
some small assistance the New Yorkers lent
them. These were growing turbulent. I
counted 280 pieces of cannon from 24 to 3
pounders at Kingsbridge which the committee
had secured for the use of the colonies.
The Treachery of Benjamin Church
Letter to Major Cane Decoded, cont.
The Jersies are not a whit behind Connecticut in
zeal. The Philadelphians exceed them both. I
saw 2200 men in review there by General Lee,
consisting of Quakers & other inhabitants in
uniform, with 1000 rifle men and 40 horse
who together made a most warlike appearance.
I mingled freely & frequently with the
members of the Continental Congress. They
were united, determined in opposition, and
appeared assured of success.
Contribution of the Mechanics to
War for Independence
Paul Revere’s ride
 Warned prominent leaders of impending
danger
 Saved confidential documents
Laid groundwork for intelligence
network: more effective rings would
appear later
 Awakened the Americans to the
importance of espionage
TheSpymaster
George Washington
Not only the father of our
country, Washington proved
to be the father of our
country’s spy system
Washington deployed
numerous spies throughout
the colonies during the war,
valuing the information
that they could provide him
He oversaw the vast
network that was created,
thus establishing himself as the “spymaster”
George Washington
Learned the value of good intelligence
during the French and Indian War
 He and General Braddock were
ambushed along the Monongahela River
 The French had been tipped off that
they were coming and the British had
been caught unawares
 Would not be put in the same position
again
The Value of Intelligence to
Washington
General Beckworth, head of British
Intelligence, later stated:
Washington did not really outfight the
British, he simply outspied us!
10% of the Continental Army’s military
funding was put towards espionage
Two weeks after taking control of the
army, he paid a man $333 to go down to
Boston and begin recruiting a network of
spies, the start of Washington’s
intelligence community
The Spies of the
War
John Honeyman
John Honeyman and the Battle of
Trenton
Was a spy recruited for specific
purpose: to provide information on
the British winter quarters at
Trenton
In fall of 1776, moves to New
Brunswick, NJ and begins life as a
cattle farmer
Sells meat to British troops, so he is
publicly viewed as a British supporter
Honeyman and Trenton, cont.
December 22nd, 1776:
Washington “arrests”
Honeyman
While being detained, he
reveals to Washington that
the British had returned to
New York City leaving only
the Hessians
 He also provided maps of
the incomplete and weakly
defended fortifications
British map and
description of the winter
quarters at Trenton
Honeyman and Trenton, cont.
Honeyman “escaped” from Washington and
quickly reported back to the Hessians
 He informed them that Washington’s army
was in no way prepared to fight; lulled them
into a sense of security
With the aid of
Honeyman’s information
and his counterintelligence,Washington
crossed the Delaware
River and attacked
Trenton on Christmas
Day
Emmanuel Leutze's
Washington Crossing
the Delaware
Contribution of Honeyman to the War
for Independence
Effective use of intelligence and
counterintelligence
 He both supplied Washington with information and
deceived the Hessians with false facts
The Battle of Trenton
 Washington’s forces had the element of total
surprise, leading them to a victory with very few
casualties
 Morale was boosted: until then, the Continental
Congress was losing faith in Washington and his
enlistments were running out
 The battle, though not pivotal by military
standards, was essential to the American psyche
and to helping to unite the colonies behind the
revolution
The Culper Ring
The Culper Ring
Great success and influence on modern
espionage
Very secretive
 Even Washington did not know all their true
identities
Created when Washington sent a letter to
Benjamin Tallmadge in 1778, asking him to
create a spy network in British held New
York City
 In it, he urges “Culper Jr.” (Robert
Townsend) to remain in the employ of a
newspaper and dry goods store
Letter from George Washington to
Benjamin Tallmadge
Letter from George Washington to
Behjamin Tallmadge
It is not my opinion, that Culper junior
should be advised to give up his present
employment. I would imagine that with a
little industry, he will be able to carry
on his intelligence with greater security
to himself and greater advantages to
us, under cover of his usual business,
than if he were to dedicate himself
wholly to the giving of information.
Letter from George Washington to
Behjamin Tallmadge
It may afford him opportunities of
collecting intelligence, that he could
not derive so well in any other manner.
It prevents also those suspicions which
would become natural should he throw
himself out of the line in his present
employment. He may rest assured of
every proper attention being paid to
his services.”
The Culper Ring
Known members: Robert Townsend,
Aaron Woodhull, Austin Roe, Anna
Strong, Caleb Brewster, Benjamin
Tallmadge
Known collectively as “Samuel Culper”
Most profitable member: Townsend
 Worked as a Newspaper reporter and
owned a dry goods store
 Both helped him befriend various contacts
The Culper Ring Compromised
Very intricate scheme to pass along
information
 Sometimes too complex: June 27th, 1779 a
letter from Washington never reached
Tallmadge
 Tried to warn him about incoming British troops
Luckily, the letter was in code so no
members were revealed
 However, the name “George Higday” appeared
 He was to be a new member of the ring, but
after this incident, George Washington refused
to use him, fearing compromising the entire ring
Letter from George Washington to
th
Benjamin Tallmadge- June 27 , 1779
Letter from George Washington to
th
Benjamin Tallmadge- June 27 , 1779
Sir, Your letter of yesterday came safe to my
hand, and by the Dragoon who was the bearer of
it I send you Ten guineas for C---r. His
successor (whose name I have no desire to be
informed of provided his intelligence is good, &
seasonably transmitted) should endeavor to his
upon some certain mode of conveying his
information quickly, for it is of little avail to be
told of things after they have become matter of
public notoriety, and known to every body. This
new agent should communicate his signature and
the private marks by which genuine papers are to
be distinguished from counterfeits.
Letter from George Washington to
th
Benjamin Tallmadge- June 27 , 1779
There is a man on York Island living on or near the
North River, of the name of George Higday who I
am told hath given signal proofs of his attachment
to us, & at the same time stands well with the
enemy. -- If upon inquiry this is found to be the
case (and much caution should be used in
investigating the matter, as well as on his own
account as on that of Higday) he will be a fit
instrument to convey intelligence to me while I am
on the west side of the North River, as he is
enterprising and connected with people in Bergen
County who will assist in forming a chain to me, in
any manner they shall agree on.
The Culper Ring and John Andre
Most famous treachery against Americans:
Benedict Arnold
 Betrayed information about
West Point to the British
Major John Andre was his
contact
 After meeting with Arnold,
Andre was detained by an
American officer and sent
to speak to the commanding
officer: Benedict Arnold
John Andre
The Culper Ring and John Andre
Tallmadge, upon hearing
the news, urged the
deployment of an armed
force to catch Andre
before he met with
Arnold
 This was successful,
as Andre was caught
and hung by the
Continental Army
The Capturing of
Major John Andre
The details surrounding
these events are very
fuzzy, as Tallmadge
himself wrote that he
deliberately concluded
never to disclose the
circumstances which
relate to that
interesting event.
Letter from Andre to Arnold
Letter from Andre to Arnold
Sir,
Although I think we understood each other
clearly this morning and nothing was omitted which I
could have to say on the Subject; it is, or may be,
of too much importance not to take further pains
that all may be perfectly well comprehended-- On
our part we meet ArnGen (crossed out) Monk's
overtures with full reliance on his honourable
Intentions and disclose to him with the strongest
assurances of our Sincerity, that no thought is
entertained of abandoning the point we have in
view. That on the Contrary powerful means are
expected for accomplishing our end.
Contributions of the Culper Ring to the
War for Independence
Was the first modern ring in America
 Used codes, invisible ink and dead drops for
security
 So secretive that “Culper Jr.” (Townsend) was not
revealed until the 20th century
 Deployed spies with specific purposes
 Involved route for delivery of information
Lead to the capture of Major Andre and the
exposure of Benedict Arnold
Was an intelligence stronghold in Britishheld New York City
 Through Townsend’s newspaper business and dry
goods store, the group had access to British
contacts
James Armistead
James Armistead
Armistead was an
escaped Virginia slave
With the permission of
his master, he joined
the forces of Marquis
de Lafayette
 He was so enamored
of Lafayette, that he
later adopted the
Frenchman’s name as
his own last name
Pretending to escape
from the Americans, he
joined General
Cornwallis’ army
Lafayette and
Armistead
James Amistead
Amistead convinced Cornwallis that he had
escaped and was ready to be a British
agent
He provided him with information about a
fake troop of soldiers, after soiling the
paper so that he could pretend he found it
on the road
He was thus able to gain entry to the
British command, and provide Lafayette
with plans
The Virginia state legislature later voted
to grant him his freedom as thanks for his
services
Testimonial by Lafayette
Testimonial by Lafayette
This is to certify that the bearer by the name
of James has done essential services to me
while I had the honour to command in this
state. His intelligences from the enemy’s
camp were industriously collected and
faithfully delivered. He perfectly acquitted
himself with some important commissions I
gave him and appears to me entitled to every
reward his situation can admit of.
Done under my hand, Richmond, November
21st, 1784.
-- Lafayette
Contributions of James Armistead to the
War for Independence
Provided Lafayette with invaluable
information as to British troop movements
 Armistead was so effective that Cornwallis did
not discover the treachery until after the
Battle of Yorktown
Continued spying throughout the Battle of
Yorktown, sending information to Lafayette
important to the cause of victory
Was a victory for slaves, asserting their
intelligence
 This did not cause any wide sweeping changes,
but it did open people’s eyes
The End