The talented major tallmadge journal of the american revolution. Having been tutored by his father, a congregational. Tallmadge became john bolton, an innocuous name, and woodhull. Benjamin tallmadge, who is pictured in this 1790 portrait with his son, william smith tallmadge, was chief of gen. It was because of information gathered by the ring, and tallmadge s making sense of it, that the capture of john anderson with papers in arnolds handwriting set off alarm bells in tallmadge s mind. The culper spy ring was born and tallmadge and others recruited a motley crew of abraham woodhull, caleb brewster, robert townshend, and others that would play a role.
He acted as leader of the culper ring during the war, a celebrated network of spies in new york where major british forces were based. Members of the culper spy ring were willing to sacrifice their lives to provide washington with valuable information to help him defeat the. Prior to being promoted to captain, he started the culper spy ring. The culper code book was used by the culper spy ring to send coded messages to george washingtons headquarters during the revolutionary war. The numbers that major tallmadge assigned to members of the culper ring were from a secret writing system he invented. A letter by loyalist soldier nehemia marks was uncovered in 2015 which identifies brothers nathaniel and phillip roe as supporters of the spy ring, with nathaniel providing intelligence and phillip material aid. Trispy tours margo arceri will guide cyclists, walkers and kayakers through the actual trails where the british and patriots once roamed during the revolutionary war on long island. Discovery of the twocenturyold diary of agent 355, the mystery lady of george washingtons culper spy ring made revolutionaryera historians salivate. Benjamin tallmadge home and grave historical sites. The statement on the cover leader of the culper spy ring is a little missleading. He was only 22, he decided to join the army, he then quickly rose through the ranks and became captain of his troop. Appointed by george washington to organize intelligence in britishoccupied new york, tallmadge formed the famous culper spy ring, whom he mentions in this volume without giving names. Long island, for example, was 728, arms was 7, and city was 88. The story of americas first spy ring 2006 is a history.
That changed in 1778, when a young cavalry officer named benjamin tallmadge established a small group of trustworthy men and women from his hometown of setauket, long island. The focus of turn is the culper spy ring that operated throughout most of the war. Nathan hale, who worked as a spy for the american patriots, was hung by the british, prior to the start of the american revoltion. He was the only one of the group that the british had definitely identified as a spy. The culper ring was an american revolutionary war spy ring, organized by major benjamin tallmadge, set up in 1778 during the british occupation of new york. His superior, general george washington, occasionally directed the rings operations.
If youre looking for the culper spy ring, which is what led me to this book, tallmadge didnt write much about that. In november 1778, george washington appointed major benjamin tallmadge as director of military intelligence, charged with creating a spy ring in new york city, the site of british headquarters. How long islands culper spy ring helped washington beat. Assembled in 1778 by major benjamin tallmadge at the request of washington, the culper spy ring operated on long island concentrated in setauket, ny and in new york city and connecticut during the american revolutionary war. Charles scott, came up with the aliases for the spy ring. Chapter 1 benjamin tallmadge of setauket becomes a revolutionary war officer benjamin tallmadge, was the organizer and leader of the revolutionary war setauket spies. Culper spy day george washington and the culper spy ring. A collection of resources on the culper spy rings discovery of benedict arnolds treason during the american revolution. As part of culper spy day, special collections will have on v iew from 10 a. Abraham woodhull placed this meeting on 8 july see samuel culper to tallmadge, 9 july, printed as. Apr 02, 2014 washington, tallmadge and tallmadges unimaginative superior, gen.
How long islands culper spy ring helped washington beat the. Washington, tallmadge and tallmadges unimaginative superior, gen. Woodhull would travel to manhattan to receive information from robert townsend then return home to setauket, where he would meet caleb brewster. The culper spy ring american revolutionary war, american.
Three village historical society 93 north country road, setauket, ny 11733 phone. Early life while not much of tallmadge s early life is known, we do know that he was born on 1754, february 25, in setauket, new york, which is also the birthplace of the culper spy ring. This network, established in the summer of 1778, was managed by major benjamin tallmadge of the 2nd connecticut light dragoons, who operated from an outpost on the hudson river above the city. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by american major later colonel benjamin tallmadge under orders from general george washington in the summer of 1778 during british occupation of new york city at the height of the american revolutionary war. This entry was posted in uncategorized and tagged americas first spy ring, culper spy ring, mary woodhull, turn, washingtons spies. Most of the attention given him in recent publications and the amc series turn centers around his intelligence activities, a logical choice considering his organization of the culper ring and pivotal role in exploding the arnold plot. This cover letter discussing culper s alleged attempts to purchase items for floyd was an attempt by robert townsend to ensure the actual attached letter would get past british patrols if austin roe, the culper spy ring courier, was questioned. If you use the culper code to encrypt your own 21stcentury letters, you might be. The culper spy ring was established in 1778 by benjamin tallmadge under the orders of general george washington.
Beyond just the name, it would be helpful to know where the spies operated as well if such information is available. Those participating will follow in the actual footsteps of the culper spy ring, and along the way historical places of interest will be pointed out and discussed. This 1738 structure was the home of samuel townsend, a merchant who was forced to give much of his home to redcoats in the revolutionary war. The culper spy ring was organized and directly controlled by american major benjamin tallmadge spy ring alias john bolton, who was later promoted to colonel. The ring would be successful and the british would never crack it. When the revolutionary war broke out, he immediately enlisted in the local militia. The culper ring officially began when general washington was offered spy services by a lieutenant caleb brewster from connecticut. Mahoney states that washington and tallmadge considered corke a valuable recruit for the culper ring.
Abraham woodhull was the leader of the culper spy ring on long island. My continued quest to read books on lesser know revolutionary war figures brings me to this autobiography of benjamin tallmadge. George washington papers at the library of congress, 17411799. Benjamin tallmadge, born february 25, 1754, setauket, new york, u. Tallmadge was in charge of bringing intelligence from britishcontrolled new york to the continental army, and he did so by assembling a network of spies known as the culper spy ring, with the help of abraham woodhull and robert townsend. Washingtons spies, amcs fictionalized television drama about revolutionary war. From george washington to major benjamin tallmadge, 7. Benjamin tallmadges most significant accomplishment was overseeing the culper spy ring during the american revolution. Eliot written in 17771778 explores the hearts and minds of citizens during the revolutionary war era.
Early life while not much of tallmadges early life is known, we do know that he was born on 1754, february 25, in setauket, new york, which is also the birthplace of the culper spy ring. The name culper was suggested by george washington, taken from culpeper county, virginia. The culper spy ring was ingeniously crafted and highly responsible for turning the war around and leading to our ultimate victory. The culper spy ring was so secretive the leaders of the ring created code names for the major contributors in the ring. The founding fathers of american intelligence central. Books about the culper spy ring books at stony brook university allen, t. The culper spy ring and benedict arnold samuel culper jr. American revolutionary war hero who organized the culper spy ring, which was tasked with sending general george washington information on the british army. Benjamin tallmadge, american continental army officer who oversaw the culper spy ring during the american revolution and later served as a member of the u. Benjamin tallmadge, revolutionary soldier and american businessman. Caleb brewster was perhaps the most bold and daring of the culper spy ring spies. The enclosed culper letter has not been identified.
Under the orders of general george washington, major benjamin tallmadge organized the culper spy ring in 1778 to gather information on british troop movements, fortifications, and military plans in the new york area. Ever since morton pennypacker first uncovered the culper spies eight decades ago, historians have endeavored unsuccessfully to discover agent 355s identity. The story of americas first spy ring and a historian, writer, and producer for amcs television drama turn. Washington took him up on his offer, and brewster reported on british troops moving to. For viewers of televisions new revolutionary war espionage series turn, the adventures of anna strong, abraham woodhull, caleb brewster and benjamin tallmadge are intriguing and entertaining. The ring consisted of robert townsend, abraham woodhull, austin roe, caleb brewster, james rivington, and agent 355 unknown female. If you use the culper code to encrypt your own 21stcentury letters, you might be surprised at the amount of common words common to us, anyway that are not included. Home george washington and the culper spy ring research. Washington took him up on his offer, and brewster reported on british troops moving to rhode island, and the condition of british warships. If youre a connecticut resident who makes a habit of reading the newspaper, you may have had a spy curious encounter this morning without realizing it the hartford courant, as part of its 250th anniversary celebration, published a.
Caleb brewster the caleb brewster digital humanities project. Tyler how did the culper spy ring operation come about. It was so highly classified that washington himself, at his own request, did not even know the. Only 21 at the start of the americas revolutionary war, benjamin tallmadge was an enthusiastic patriot. Obviously, the words included in the code book were words tallmadge thought the spy ring would use most often in its correspondence. Memoir of colonel benjamin tallmadge english edition ebook. Caleb brewster creaated the ring many spies in the ring didnt even know who the other spies were since the ring was so confidential. The details of some battles in the revolutionary war were very impressive, which i had never read about before.
For townsends nr 1, written on 29 june and signed samuel culper, presumably to benjamin tallmadge, see gw to tallmadge, 25 july, n. Nov 25, 20 members of the culper spy ring were willing to sacrifice their lives to provide washington with valuable information to help him defeat the british. Before starting the tour, call 6314984740 on your cell phone and a passenger in the car can enter the site numbers for the story of the spies that helped george washington win the war. Benjamin tallmadge bio, facts, family famous birthdays. I want to know the names of spy rings beyond the culper spy ring, that operated during the american revolutionary war. The culper spy ring story behind it has been eagerly repeated ever since by writers who refer to the unidentified spy as agent 355.
Jan 19, 2016 today, we explore espionage during the american revolution and the origins and operations of the culper spy ring with alexander rose, author of washingtons spies. This organization provided timely and accurate intelligence to general george washington from 1778 to 1783 and set a high standard for future clandestine operations. Although disputed, the most famous action of tallmadge s ring was learning of the betrayal of benedict arnold. Jun 04, 2014 benjamin tallmadge is currently enjoying a burst of posthumous fame. Apr 27, 2020 books about the culper spy ring books at stony brook university allen, t. The spies were to gather information about the british.
He is best known for his service as an officer in the continental army during the american revolutionary war. Benjamin tallmadge home and grave historical sites related. Benjamin tallmadge february 25, 1754 march 7, 1835 was an american military officer, spymaster, and politician. What were the names of the spy rings besides culper during. While there are references to the spy ring, tallmadge does not go into detail, or, give names to the people in the ring. The culper spy ring tour the long island north shore heritage area allows you to follow in the footsteps of the spies by driving along route 25a. Books sbu george washington and the culper spy ring.
George washingtons secret service, leading the activities of long islands. It was because of information gathered by the ring, and tallmadges making sense of it, that the capture of john anderson with papers in arnolds handwriting set off alarm bells in tallmadges mind. The culper ring was involved in revealing the betrayal of benedict arnold. Known as the culper spy ring, tallmadge s homegrown network would become the most effective of any intelligencegathering operation on. How the culper spy ring saved the american revolution. Also, if you are looking for a memoir that talks about the culper spy ring this isnt the book for you. Delve into the history of the long island revolutionary war era, including the culper washington spy ring and the areas historic and strategic buildings. Sep 04, 2018 caleb brewster of setauket was an important member of the american spy ring that operated out of setauket during the revolutionary war under the direction of major benjamin tallmadge. Austin roe of setauket, brought the secret messages from the chief spy in new york, robert townsend alias culper, jr.
Of particular note was the culper spy ring, which comprised about 20 people. Turn to a historian is an independent blog for people searching for historicallyaccurate information and analysis about turn. More books george washington and the culper spy ring. Washingtons spymaster posted on may 25, 2014 updated on may 25, 2014. Apr 25, 2006 after watching the first three seasons of turn. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by american major later colonel benjamin tallmadge under orders from general george. Abraham woodhull placed this meeting on 8 july see samuel culper to tallmadge, 9 july, printed as an enclosure to tallmadge to gw, 2830 july. To answer this question we must start at the beginning. Benjamin tallmadge facts, spy ring, and biography the.
Under the orders of general george washington, major benjamin tallmadge organized the culper spy ring in 1778 to gather information on british troop movements, fortifications, and military plans in the. It was so highly classified that washington himself, at his own request, did not even know the identity of a single one of his spies, nor was the spy ring even publicly discovered until the first half of the 20th century. Benjamin tallmadge george washingtons mount vernon. The heritage foundation, bernadine fawcetts discovered intimate accounts of british terrorists activities and a connection to a l. Becoming a part of the culper spy ring was a very dangerous choice. Benjamin joined the army in 1776 as a lieutenant and was a major at the end of the war in 1783. The book was adapted into the amc period drama series, turn. He substituted digits for words that would be used in messages. Abraham woodhull home site and grave historical sites. The culper ring was the most professional of washingtons agent networks. The culper ring was an american revolutionary war spy ring, organized by major benjamin tallmadge, set up in 1778 during the british occupation of new york city. The ring became known as the culper spy ring, and provided valuable intelligence on british troop movements.
Robert townsend november 25, 1753 march 7, 1838 was a member of the culper ring during the revolutionary war. The spy ring that saved the american revolution by brian kilmeade online at alibris. Sep 26, 2015 the culper spy ring was ingeniously crafted and highly responsible for turning the war around and leading to our ultimate victory. Seth numrich as benjamin tallmadge, daniel henshall as caleb brewster and. Bernadine fawcetts newly published book, missing links to the culper spy ring. Tri spy tours margo arceri will guide cyclists, walkers and kayakers through the actual trails where the british and patriots once roamed during the revolutionary war on long island. Benjamin tallmadge american continental army officer. In the very same year that the spy ring was founded, former major tallmadge was promoted to a colonel and the culper spy ring was moved to new york city. I read an announcement that said that amc, the studio that was making the show, had committed to a 4th and final season, and that because i dont have cable, id have to wait at least a year to watch season 4. May 21, 2014 obviously, the words included in the code book were words tallmadge thought the spy ring would use most often in its correspondence. The culper code book george washingtons mount vernon. Jul 07, 2008 of particular note was the culper spy ring, which comprised about 20 people. If youre a connecticut resident who makes a habit of reading the newspaper, you may have had a spycurious encounter this morning without realizing it.
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