Culper Spy Ring

Image from: http://sherristravelingclassroom.com/2013/02/18/george-washington-americas-first-spy/

When Nathan Hale was captured as a spy by the British in New York in 1776 he was acting alone. However, in November 1778, when George Washington appointed Major Benjamin Tallmadge as director of military intelligence, Talmadge proposed a new model of military espionage -- a network of individuals. This network became known as the Culper Spy Ring. The Culper Spy Ring was an American spy network that provided George Washington with information on British troop movements and operated successfully in and around New York City (including Connecticut) for five years. During this time, no spy was ever unmasked. Even George Washington did not know the spies' identities!

Tallmadge's spy network consisted of friends he made at school on Long Island, including Austin Roe, Caleb Brewster, Abraham Woodhull, and Anna Strong. The code name for the group was Samuel Culper. Information moved very slowly through the network but the Culper Spy Ring had several accomplishments. In 1780, the network informed George Washington of British plans to ambush the French army when they arrived in Newport, Rhode Island. Also, the Culper Ring uncovered a conspiracy between British Intelligence Office, Major Andre, and the Patriot General Benedict Arnold to turn over West Point to the British.

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Gilgoff, Dan. "How Washington Outspied The British." Spy Stories (2004): 11-12. Book Collection Nonfiction: Middle School Edition. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n8h&AN=16351034&site=eds-live

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Mount Vernon.org, Culper Spy Ring http://www.mountvernon.org/research-collections/digital-encyclopedia/article/culper-spy-ring/

"Letters." The Caleb Brewster Digital Humanities Project. City of Bridgeport Mayor's Office and Bridgeport Arts + Culture Council, 2012. Web. 08 Apr. 2015. <http://www.blackrockhistory.org/letters-of-caleb-brewster/>.

The Culper Gang. http://clements.umich.edu/exhibits/online/spies/stories-networks-3.html

History.com: Culper Spy Ring. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/culper-spy-ring

Meyer, Andrea. "Major Benjamin Tallmadge." Major Benjamin Tallmadge. NYU: Archives and Public History Digital, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015. <http://www.aphdigital.org/projects/culperspyring/tallmadge>.