Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary WarStudents and enthusiasts of American history are familiar with the Revolutionary War spies Nathan Hale and Benedict Arnold, but few studies have closely examined the wider intelligence efforts that enabled the colonies to gain their independence. Spies, Patriots, and Traitors provides readers with a fascinating, well-documented, and highly readable account of American intelligence activities during the era of the Revolutionary War, from 1765 to 1783, while describing the intelligence sources and methods used and how our Founding Fathers learned and practiced their intelligence role. The author, a retired CIA officer, provides insights into these events from an intelligence professional’s perspective, highlighting the tradecraft of intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and covert actions and relating how many of the principles of the era’s intelligence practice are still relevant today. Daigler reveals the intelligence activities of famous personalities such as Samuel Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, John Jay, and Benedict Arnold, as well as many less well-known figures. He examines the important role of intelligence in key theaters of military operations, such as Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and in General Nathanael Greene’s campaign in South Carolina; the role of African Americans in the era’s intelligence activities; undertakings of networks such as the Culper Ring; and intelligence efforts and paramilitary actions conducted abroad. Spies, Patriots, and Traitors adds a new dimension to our understanding of the American Revolution. The book’s scrutiny of the tradecraft and management of Revolutionary War intelligence activities will be of interest to students, scholars, intelligence professionals, and anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating era of American history. |
Contents
George Washington Learns the Intelligence Trade | 1 |
The United Front Campaign That Led to the American Revolution | 16 |
The Intelligence War Begins | 43 |
Covert Action in Europe Leading to the French Alliance | 62 |
Nathan Hale and the British Occupation of New York City | 93 |
John Jays Efforts at Counterintelligence | 111 |
Washington Establishes His Intelligence Capabilities | 126 |
Benedict Arnold Hero Turned Traitor | 145 |
Yorktown and the Endgame | 214 |
The African American Role in American Intelligence Activities | 232 |
Conclusion | 241 |
Timeline of RevolutionEra Events | 249 |
Notes | 257 |
Glossary of Tradecraft Terms | 283 |
Bibliography | 289 |
| 299 | |
American Intelligence Activities Reach Maturity | 171 |
Nathanael Greene and Intelligence in the Southern Campaign | 195 |
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Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War Kenneth A. Daigler No preview available - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
actions African Americans American cause American Revolution André attack Bakeless Bancroft battle became Benedict Arnold Benjamin Boston Boston Massacre Brit British activities British forces British government British lines British officers British plans British troops campaign captured Charleston Clinton colonies commander commission Continental Army Continental Congress Cornwallis correspondence counterintelligence courier cover Crosby Culper Ring Deane defensive documents Doren early efforts enemy Franklin Gage George Washington governor Greene Greene's Hale’s Ibid identified individuals intelligence activities intelligence collection intelligence officer intelligence on British involved Island John John André Lengel letter ligence loyalist Massachusetts McLane military supplies militia mission move Nathan Hale Nathanael Greene operations patriots Philadelphia political radicals regarding reporting Revolutionary role Royal Samuel Adams secret senior sent September ships soldiers Sons of Liberty tactical Tallmadge tion Tory Townsend Turncoats Virginia Washington's Spies Woodhull York City Yorktown