After being discovered as an American spy behind enemy lines, Nathan Hale was hanged on September 22, 1776.
Born in Coventry, Connecticut, Nathan Hale attended Yale College where he belonged to the Linonian Society, which debated astronomy, mathematics, literature, and slavery. He graduated with first-class honors at the age of 18 in 1773.
Hale served as a teacher for a few years but when the Revolutionary War broke out, he joined the Connecticut militia. Within five months, he received a lieutenant’s commission from the Connecticut Assembly, and took part in the siege of Boston.
When the British left Boston and entered the New York area, Hale was among the patriots that went to continue fighting there. Hale’s bravery and leadership had already earned him the rank of captain in the Continental Army. His leadership in the capture of a British supply vessel guarded by a warship won him a place in the Rangers. This elite fighting group was used for the most dangerous and crucial missions.
Preparing for the Battle of Long Island, General George Washington asked the Rangers commander to select a man for a surveillance mission. Before he could pick anyone, Hale volunteered.
Disguised as a Dutch schoolmaster, Hale managed to pass through enemy lines. While on his mission, New York City fell to the British on September 15, 1776, and Washington and his forces retreated. Then, on September 21, the Great New York Fire destroyed much of the lower portion of Manhattan. In the wake of the fire, the British rounded up 200 Americans to find out who was to blame.
There are conflicting accounts as to how Hale was discovered. One story claims Major Robert Rogers of the Queen’s Rangers recognized Hale and posed as a patriot to get Hale to out himself as an American spy. According to other sources, it was his own loyalist cousin, Samuel Hale, who turned him over to the British.
British General William Howe personally questioned Hale. And when he found documents supporting the claim Hale was an American spy, he was condemned to hang. He spent the night before his hanging in a greenhouse and requested a bible and a clergyman. Both of his requests were denied.
Hale, 21 years old at the time, was remarkably calm before his execution. Multiple reports say that he made a final speech before his hanging, claiming, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Stories of Hale’s patriotic speech were relayed from British officers to American officers, who shared it with the public, making Hale a national hero.
There has been some question over the years regarding Hale’s final words. It’s been suggested his speech may have included a line from the play Cato, which states, “How beautiful is death, when earn’d by virtue! Who would not be that youth? What pity is it that we can die but once to serve our country.”
Whether the words were his own, or taken from the play, even the British officers that witnessed his final moments admitted Hale exhibited bravery and composure, making him a true American hero.
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This story of Nathan Hale is a good historical reminder of a true patriotic American hero.
Always interesting
Washington was not successful militarily in New York but he did go on to enlist a team of spies that kept him well aware of the British comings and goings in the New York area. He learned from his error with Nathan Hale. All the others were civilians. The British were in the dark when it came to knowledge of the Continentals but George Washington had his pulse on the British. The TV series “Turns” only portrays a theatrical version of the story.
Amen to that. We have not only drifted, but over the last seven years we have begun to run away at a rather fast pace. Maybe with a beneficial presidential election and having an intelligent, patriotic leader, we will see a positive change in our government and a new positive mind set for all Americans.
Even better serve 4 years in the Marines.
Great article. An American hero.