The Spies of the War

The Spies of the War

John Honeyman 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 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 4

John Honeyman 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 British map and description of the winter quarters at Trenton 5

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

Ways to Hide Messages Several Ways to Hide Messages Mask Letter

Ways to Hide Messages Several Ways to Hide Messages Quill Letters

Ways to Hide Messages Several Ways to Hide Messages Hidden in Bullet

Ways to Hide Messages Several Ways to Hide Messages Pig Pen Cipher

Ways to Hide Messages Several Ways to Hide Messages Invisible Ink

Ways to Hide Messages Several Ways to Hide Messages Cipher

Ways to Hide Messages

Phoebe Fraunces At dinner one night she served Washington peas tainted with a poison called Paris green. As she presented the peas to Washington, however, she is said to have whispered a warning and the general tossed the peas out the window. As the story concludes, the chickens in the yard gobble up the peas and fall dead. 14

Margaret Gage Historical texts, most notably Paul Revere's Ride suggest that Mrs. Gage allegedly provided Joseph Warren with information regarding General Gage's raid at Lexington and Concord. Speculation of her being a spy for the patriots remained due to her familial ties to America. 15

Edward Bancroft Bancroft worked as a spy for Benjamin Franklin in Britain before the Revolution, and while serving as secretary to the American Commission in Paris. During the latter period, he was also a spy for Britain, reporting on dealings between France and the United States. 16

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

The Culper Ring Robert Townshend Samuel Culper Jr. British Newspaper Austin Roe Local Tavern Owner Aaron Woodhull Samuel Culper Supplies Shop Anna Strong Underwear Girlfriend Caleb Brewster Benjamin Tallmadge George Washington

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

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 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 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 Armistead 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

Nathan Hale American folk hero and revolutionary war centerpiece Nathan Hale is widely regarded as the first American spy. He s the man who said the oft-quoted line I only regret that I have but one life to give my country,

John Andre Major John André was captured on a mission for British Secret Intelligence, in which he was attempting to purchase the surrender of West Point from American General Benedict Arnold. He s been called the British Nathan Hale, and was compared to the American while in captivity. He was found to be so likable in this way that the American guards themselves befriended him.

The Turtle (also called the American Turtle) was the world's first submersible with a documented record of use in combat Created by David Bushnell in 1775. 10 L x 6 Tx 3 W At 11:00 PM on September 6, Sergeant Ezra Lee, took the Turtle out to attempt an attack on Admiral Richard Howe's flagship HMS Eagle. The Turtle first attempt to attach the explosive failed because the screw struck a metal impediment 28

The Turtle Used Foxfire to light inside of it. Bushnell sunk the Turtle to keep out of British hands Bushnell reported salvaging the Turtle, but its final fate is unknown. George Washington wrote of the attempt that it was "an effort of genius", but that "a combination of too many things was requisite" for such an attempt to succeed 29

The Turtle 30

The Turtle 31

Interested in reading more?