Nathan hale biography revolutionary war timeline

On September 8,Hale volunteered to go behind enemy lines and report on British troop movements, which he knew was an act of spying punishable by death. Hale planned to disguise himself as a Dutch schoolteacher looking for work, [ 8 ] although he did not travel under an assumed name and reportedly carried with him his Yale diploma bearing his name.

Nathan hale biography revolutionary war timeline: Chosen as first lieutenant

While Hale was undercover, New York City—then an area at the southern tip of Manhattan, mostly south of what is now Chambers Street—fell to British forces on September 15, so Washington was forced to retreat to the north in Harlem Heights now Morningside Heights. The fire was later widely thought to have been started by American saboteurs in order to keep the city from falling into British hands, [ 11 ] and though setting fire to New York during Washington's retreat had indeed been proposed, Washington and Congress had rejected the idea and denied responsibility.

The Americans accused British soldiers of starting the fires without orders from their superiors so they could sack the city. An account of Hale's capture, later obtained by the Library of Congresswas written by Consider Tiffanya Connecticut shopkeeper and Loyalist. British General William Howe had established his headquarters in the Beekman House in a then-rural part of Manhattan, on a rise between what are now 50th and 51st Streets between First and Second Avenues, [ 14 ] near where Beekman Place commemorates the connection.

Hale reportedly was questioned by Howe, and physical evidence was found on him. Rogers provided information about the case.

Nathan hale biography revolutionary war timeline: Given command of a

According to some accounts, Hale spent the night in a greenhouse at the mansion, while others say he spent it in a bedroom there. He requested a Bible; his request was denied. Sometime later, he requested a clergyman. Again, the request was denied. General Howe did permit him to write letters: one to his brother Enoch and other to his commanding officer, but the next day, they were torn up in front of him by the provost marshal, Captain Cunningham.

According to the standards of the time, spies were hanged as illegal combatants. By all accounts, Hale comported himself well before the hanging. He behaved with great composure and resolution, saying he thought it the duty of every good Officer, to obey any orders given him by his Commander-in-Chief; and desired the Spectators to be at all times prepared to meet death in whatever shape it might appear.

On the morning of September 22,Hale was marched along Post Road to the Park of Artillery, which was next to a public house called the Dove Tavern at modern-day 66th Street and Third Avenueand hanged. No official records were kept of Hale's final speech. It has traditionally been reported that his last words, either entirely or in part, were: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

Nathan hale biography revolutionary war timeline: Led his men to join

The next day, he spoke with American Captain William Hull under a flag of truce. Hull recorded in his memoirs the following quote by Montresor:. Captain Hale entered: he was calm, and bore himself with gentle dignity, in the consciousness of rectitude and high intentions. He asked for writing materials, which I furnished him: he wrote two letters, one to his mother and one to a brother officer.

He was shortly after summoned to the gallows. But a few persons were around him, yet his characteristic dying words were remembered. He said, 'I only regret, that I have but one life to lose for my country. Because Hull was not an eyewitness to Hale's speech, some historians have questioned the reliability of this account. Over the years, there has been a great deal of speculation as to whether Hale uttered this line or some variation of it.

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. It is almost certain that Hale's last speech was longer than one sentence. Several early accounts mention different things he said. These are not necessarily contradictory, but rather, together they give an idea of what the speech might have been like.

The following quotes are all taken from George Dudley Seymour's book, Documentary Life of Nathan Halepublished in by the author. Aside from the site at 66th Street and Third Avenue, two other sites in Manhattan claim to be the hanging site:. Five of his brothers fought at the battles of Lexington and Concord. Young Nathan soon joined them. Having graduated with honors from Yale university at the tender age of 18, he was given the rank of 1st Lieutenant when he joined the Continental Army.

In a matter of months, he was promoted to Captain and given command of a group of Rangers defending New York City. In July ofthe British began building up troops on Staten Island. When Hale exposed himself, Rogers and his men apprehended Hale in Queens. At the time, spies were hanged as illegal combatants. The British held Hale in captivity for some days, and a British officer wrote how well Hale composed himself.

On the morning of September 22 ndHale marched to the Park of Artillery and was hanged at the age of twenty-one. Rev War Biography. Nathan Hale. Title Captain. Betsy Ross. Samuel Adams. John Adams. Andrew Jackson. George Rogers Clark. Roger Sherman. James Monroe. George III.