american intelligence in the war for independence american intelligence in the war for independence...

American

Intelligence

in the War for

Independence

American

Intelligence

in the War for

Independence

By Brett R. AHAP DEF

Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua NY

“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:Essential Question:To what extent did espionage and

intelligence aid the colonists in the

American Revolution?

Spies before

the War

Spies before

the War

The Mechanics

The Mechanics

The MechanicsThe Mechanics1st known intelligence network in

the colonies (for the Patriot side)Also known as the Liberty BoysSprung from the Sons of Liberty that

had grown in opposition to the Stamp ActSurveyed British troop movements

and known ToriesStole British supplies and sabotaged

their fortifications

Famous Mechanics

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

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Becoming suspicious about British troop activity, Revere designed a system to warn the patriots about an impending attackA single lantern would be lit in the belfry

of the Old North Church if the troops decided to attack Concord by landTwo would be lit if the attack would come

across the Charles River

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere


Revere was told around 10 P.M. that British troops were preparing for the crossing of the CharlesWilliam Dawes was sent

along land to warn John Hancock and John Adams of the incoming troopsRevere went up the

Charles in an effort to distance himself from DawesHe reached Hancock and

Adams and was able to warn them, but was later arrested

Paul Revere’s Route



Having been arrested, Revere fed the British false information and provided them with information greatly exaggerating the strength of the patriot troopsFearing for their safety, the British let

Revere goRevere joined Hancock and Adams in the

countryside, but frantically returned to Lexington in order to recover documents that Hancock had left thereHe 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?

How effective were the

Mechanics?Paul Revere’s Ride was most well

known and effective taskGroup 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 ChurchThe Treachery of Benjamin Church

A coded letter from Dr. Church to Maurice Cane, a British contact

http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw4/033/0700/0754.jpg


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.

Letter to Major Cane DecodedLetter to Major Cane Decoded


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.

Letter to Major Cane Decoded, cont.Letter to Major Cane Decoded, cont.

Contribution of the Mechanics

to War for Independence

Contribution of the Mechanics

to War for IndependencePaul 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

The

Spymaster

The

Spymaster

George Washington

George Washington

Not only the father of our country, Washington proved to be the father of our country’s spy systemWashington deployed

numerous spies throughout the colonies during the war, valuing the information that they could provide himHe oversaw the vast

network that was created, thus establishing himself as the “spymaster”

George Washington

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

The Value of Intelligence to

WashingtonGeneral 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 espionageTwo 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

The Spies of the War

John Honeyman

John Honeyman

John Honeyman and the Battle of

Trenton

John Honeyman and the Battle of

TrentonWas a spy recruited for specific

purpose: to provide information on the British winter quarters at TrentonIn fall of 1776, moves to New

Brunswick, NJ and begins life as a cattle farmerSells meat to British troops, so he

is publicly viewed as a British supporter

Honeyman and Trenton, cont.Honeyman and Trenton, cont.

December 22nd, 1776: Washington “arrests” HoneymanWhile 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 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 counter-intelligence,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

Contribution of Honeyman to the

War for IndependenceEffective use of intelligence and

counterintelligence He both supplied Washington with information

and deceived the Hessians with false factsThe 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

The Culper RingThe Culper Ring

Great success and influence on modern espionageVery secretive Even Washington did not know all their

true identitiesCreated 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


Benjamin Tallmadge


Behjamin Tallmadge


Behjamin TallmadgeIt 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.


Behjamin Tallmadge


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 RingThe Culper Ring

Known members: Robert Townsend, Aaron Woodhull, Austin Roe, Anna Strong, Caleb Brewster, Benjamin TallmadgeKnown collectively as “Samuel Culper”Most profitable member: Townsend Worked as a Newspaper reporter and

owned a dry goods storeBoth helped him befriend various

contacts

The Culper Ring Compromised

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


Benjamin Tallmadge- June 27th, 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.





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 aboutWest Point to the British

Major John Andre was his contact

After meeting with Arnold,Andre was detained by anAmerican officer and sentto speak to the commandingofficer: Benedict Arnold

John Andre


The Culper Ring and John AndreTallmadge, 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 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.

The Capturing of Major John Andre

Letter from Andre to Arnold


http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/letter-1779may10-1-large.html



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

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 ArnoldWas an intelligence stronghold in

British-held New York City Through Townsend’s newspaper business

and dry goods store, the group had access to British contacts

James Armistead

James Armistead

James ArmisteadJames ArmisteadArmistead was an

escaped Virginia slaveWith 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 AmisteadJames AmisteadAmistead convinced Cornwallis that

he had escaped and was ready to be a British agentHe provided him with information

about a fake troop of soldiers, after soiling the paper so that he could pretend he found it on the roadHe was thus able to gain entry to the

British command, and provide Lafayette with plansThe Virginia state legislature later

voted to grant him his freedom as thanks for his services

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

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 victoryWas a victory for slaves, asserting their

intelligence This did not cause any wide sweeping

changes, but it did open people’s eyes

The EndThe End

american intelligence in the war for independence american intelligence in the war for independence...

Documents

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war slide

mechanics slide

british contact slide

route slide

british troops

charles river slide

spy ring slide