Male Spies of the American Revolution
Benjamin Franklin
Ben Franklin is a very well know man in the history of our country, but did you know that he was a spy? When Ben was just a boy, all he wanted to do was write in the paper, but his brother wouldn't let him. He found a way around this though. During the day he would pose as an old lady named Silence Dogood and write letters to the paper. At night, he would slip the letters under the door of the printing store. The people that read his columns loved his humor.
This sneaky behavior was just the start though. At the end of his printing career he started doing jobs for the city of Pennsylvania, and eventually was elected to represent the city in the Second Continental Congress. The city had him sent over to England to watch over and spy Parliament and detect if they were doing anything they were not supposed to be doing.
This sneaky behavior was just the start though. At the end of his printing career he started doing jobs for the city of Pennsylvania, and eventually was elected to represent the city in the Second Continental Congress. The city had him sent over to England to watch over and spy Parliament and detect if they were doing anything they were not supposed to be doing.
Nathan Hale
"If I had ten thousand lives, I would lay them all down in defense of this injured, bleeding country." This is a quote of one of the greatest heroes in our country's history, Nathan Hale.
After Hale graduated from Yale at the age of 18, he was ranked 1st lieutenant in the Continental Army. Later, in July of 1776, he had been given a mission by George Washington instructing him to go behind enemy lines and spy in New York, since the British controlled the surrounding waters of New York City. In September he volunteered as a spy for the Americans. He was to find where General Howe was going to attack next. One unfortunate day he was carrying all of his notes from his week of spying, and mistakenly called over a British boat thinking it was an American. He was caught red handed with all of his notes, arrested, and was to be hanged the very next day. Hale was in the Knolton's Rangers, which was the first official group of spies. "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
After Hale graduated from Yale at the age of 18, he was ranked 1st lieutenant in the Continental Army. Later, in July of 1776, he had been given a mission by George Washington instructing him to go behind enemy lines and spy in New York, since the British controlled the surrounding waters of New York City. In September he volunteered as a spy for the Americans. He was to find where General Howe was going to attack next. One unfortunate day he was carrying all of his notes from his week of spying, and mistakenly called over a British boat thinking it was an American. He was caught red handed with all of his notes, arrested, and was to be hanged the very next day. Hale was in the Knolton's Rangers, which was the first official group of spies. "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
Benedict Arnold
When Arnold was 38, he married an 18 year old named Peggy Shippen. That winter, he decided to become a traitor and trade with the British behind his country's back. Arnold was extremely close to Washington, which helped him be a good source to he British. Eventually, one of Benedict's letter carriers was caught with a letter written to the British General. He was beheaded. Benedict Arnold had to make a quick escape, so he boarded a ship and headed to London when he heard the news of his courier. In England though, things were the other way around. They were thrilled with what he did for their country, and gave him some land in Canada in reward. After this Arnold never did find an actual job, and lived off of his rewarded money until he died in Londonon June 14, 1801 at the age of 60.