Spy In The Revolutionary War

Going behind enemy lines and gathering intelligence is an extremely dangerous task, but during the Revolutionary War, the use of spies was critical to winning the war. Through several battles, both the Americans and British employ spies to risk their lives and collect enemy intelligence. Spies intercepted secret messages at the Battle of Saratoga and West Point and gathered crucial information at the Battle of Yorktown to prepare for the battle. Winning the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown and holding West Point severely impacted the outcome of the war. At Saratoga, they were able to gain French alliance. Holding West Point meant that the Americans were able to stop the British from splitting the colonies in two. And lastly, at Yorktown, the

In the summer of 1777, Henry Clinton, a British general, sends Daniel Taylor, a young officer, to deliver a message to General Burgoyne. Clinton encompasses his written message in a small silver ball the size of a musket bullet; therefore if Taylor is caught, he will be able to swallow the ball and conceal any evidence of espionage. However, Taylor is caught by several disguised Americans dressed in British uniforms. He is taken to a doctor, who then gives him a strong drug to force Taylor to vomit out the silver ball (Allen 72-74). The message read “Nous y voila and nothing now between us but Gates” (Clinton to Burgoyne). Nous y voila is a French phrase translating to: “here we are”. Clinton attempts to tell Burgoyne that they stand in a perfect position for Clinton to attack from the south and Burgoyne to attack from the north, in hopes of trapping American General Horatio Gates. However, because the Americans intercepted the message, Clinton never received an agreement from Burgoyne. Burgoyne was then attacked by the Continental Army without the aid of Clinton’s army (Allen 75). Because Burgoyne was left alone to fight the Continental army, without the aid of Clinton’s army, the Americans prevailed in the Battle of Saratoga. As Taylor was caught with Clinton’s letter, the Americans were able to prepare for battle. Clinton’s use of espionage

Spies largely impacted the result of who controlled West Point. In May 1779, Benedict Arnold, a seemingly loyal American General, defected to the British due to several pass overs for promotions and recognition (Auburn). Arnold was given command at Fortress West Point, however Arnold writes to British General Henry Clinton: “If I point out a plan of cooperation by which Sir Henry shall possess himself of West Point, the Garrison, etc. etc. etc. twenty thousand pounds Sterling I think will be a cheap purchase for an object of so much importance. At the same time I request thousand pounds to be paid my Agent - I expect a full and explicit answer” (Clinton to Andre). Arnold attempts to sell West Point to the British for 20,000 pounds, nonetheless Major John André, in fact another British spy is caught trying to deliver this letter. Because the Americans had caught Arnold attempting to sell an extremely valuable fort, Arnold’s plot fails and West Point remains in the control of the Americans. In 1781, George Washington called West Point “the most important Post in America,” and he worked to make sure that the Americans kept control of West Point throughout the war (Auburn). As seen in Appendix A, West Point is located directly on the North River [Hudson River] (Sketch of West Point). As the river ran through all of New York, the Hudson was crucial to the transportation of food and supplies as well as communication between the