America’s Most Famous Spy — Nathan Hale

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In the early years of the Revolutionary War, spying was not exactly considered honorable. Nathan Hale, however, volunteered to spy on the British Army after reportedly confiding in his classmate that he longed to be useful to the American cause.  He joined the Connecticut militia, becoming a First Lieutenant within five months. Hale, intensely eager to go to combat against the Redcoats, joined the newly established Knowlton’s Rangers, an elite group under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas Knowlton tasked it with carrying out reconnaissance and raids.

After the Continental Army’s defeat in Brooklyn (August 1776), Washington desperately needed intelligence on British activities on Long Island.  Most of Knowlton’s Rangers voiced their willingness to die in battle but disdain for dying in disguise as a spy. Ultimately, only one answered the call. Nathan Hale.   On his first mission to Long Island, Hale disguised as a schoolmaster looking for work was captured with his copious notes of British movements and fortifications.  He was executed September 22, 1776.  Showing great dignity and composure, Hale’s final words are purported to be: “I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country.”

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