1776: Nathan Hale

1776: Nathan Hale

1776 was a very important date in America's history. Nathan Hale was America's very first Spy. He wasn't chosen to be a spy he volunteered on September 6, 1776 and on September 12, the Americans ferried him behind enemy lines. How this all came about was when all 5 of his brothers were in Lexington and concord. Nathan went to Yale University and graduated at the age of 17. He also graduated with honors and once he was done with college he went into the Contineta Army. When he joined he was ranked with 1st Lieutenant and it it didn't take him long to be promoted to captain commander which gave him the command of a group of Rangers which who were defending New York City. He fought the Siege of Boston and arrived in early summer of 1776 that's how he became a high leader. In the month of August 22, 1776 the British troops that were under command of General William Howe who landed on Long Island to begin their conquest to take over New York. The Americans lost the battle that was accrued against the British August 27 and by September 15 the British were in full control of New York City. But by then Nathan was  already a spy.

Nathan volunteered for George Washington and since Washington was a Commander of the Continental Army and wanted one of the rangers to spy on the British, Nathan was agreed to go. Nathans best friend William Hull tried his best to talk since into Nathan but he said "I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary to the public good becomes honorable by being necessary." He was under cover as a school teacher and gone for a week he arranged to escape from enemy territory. He took his boat and hid it by the Hudson River. Under cover of darkness his fear of being discovered but the British Navy sadly succeeded. September 20, 1776 he was at rendezvous point and a ship he saw was coming his way and he signaled it not knowing it was a British ship. The Navy ship was full of soldiers and sailors. Nathan tried to escape but it was to late. All of his spy work that he had done was found by the British and was sent to General William Howe. Next day after he was captured he was ordered to be hung. He asked for a bible, but his request was refused. He was marched out by a guard and hanged upon an apple tree. His last words were "I have but one life to lose for my country." He sadly died a brutal death on September 22, 1776 Nathan was only 21 years old. Nathan Hale loved his country and he wanted to see it free from the British restrictions. Also wanted to fight to make sure that Americans rights were protected. The day after he was captured and hanged New York City was burned. 200 Americans were rounded up by the British and were jailed. The English assumed it was the Americans that burned the city but still to this day it is unknown. His bravery in the face of death inspired fellow Americans to continue to fight this battle after all hope is lost. Nathan is still known today as America's first Spy and he is not just remembered as a spy, but the way how he inspired a nation. He was on a American postage stamp in 1925-1929. He gave it his all to make his country proud but he died with honor and dignity. A few statues of Mr. Hale are all over America. One in Washington DC., New York and at Yale University to inspire Americans of his bravery and his last words.  A Martyr Soldier of the American Revolution he will forever be.