HISTORY
George Washington
Espionage is older than war. In the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), George Washington's network of spies retrieved information for him. Their intelligence helped the Continential Army. For the Union Army, Allan Pinkerton directed espionage and counterespionage. Some spies would rendezvous at a certain place to pass on the secret message along. These investigators had a very important job, but it was crucial that they didn't get caught. They all knew what had to be done and blended very well into society so no one would become suspicious. During the Revolutionary War, spies became the most effective operation group to receive, and send information. General Washington also had some pretty tough decisions to make because he had to pick out the spies, and he had to trust each of them. If he slipped up once on deciding who would be a good spy, that could have cost him the war.
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Spies
Benjamin Franklin
Some male spies were Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, and Benedict Arnold. There were also some female spies for instance Miss Jenny, Ann Bates, and Lydia Darragh.
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Benjamin Tallmadge
Benjamin Tallmadge
Hale's death in mid-September 1776 demonstrated that being a spy was a very dangerous job to have, especially in the British stronghold of New York. On the other hand, Benjamin Tallmadge was appointed head of the Continental Army's secret service.
Culper Ring
Anna Smith Strong hanging up her laundry
The Culper ring was "Samuel Culper Jr."(Robert Townsend) and "Samuel Culper Sr."(Abraham Woodhull). Since Woodhull was living with so much anxiety of being caught, he recruited another man for the job. This was Townsend, a merchant that soon became the ring's primary source of the city. Others who joined in the ring's activities were Austin Roe and Anna Smith Strong. Anna helped out by displaying her laundry as a sign to other spies.
Culper's Achievements
At some points in time, there was constant pressure from George Washington to send more information, but the ring stayed together. The Culper Spy Ring achieved more than any other American or British spy network during the war. The information that was passed and collected was from 1778 to 1783. The group's greatest achievement was in 1780 when the uncovered one of the British's plans. Without the ring, Washington's troops would have been destroyed.