The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-30
NATHAN HALE, SPYANDHE
I ONLY REGRET THLT THITE mr. ONE
LIFE 10 LOSE IOR NJ COINTRr.


A Noble Death shalt lie Have - Monu.
rcnt In the city In which he DIcdi
While Dean Stanley was In this country he
visited. with Mr.. Cyrus ". Field tine spot whcre
Major Andre was hanged and buried and tic
Dean seemed TO be- asiouishcd because no
monument marked the place. Thcrcupon Mr..
Field offered to put up a suitable monument,
and Dean Stanley promised 10 write the inscrip-
ton. Tho publication Of Mr. Fields formal
oier in THE SUN Of the Dist inst. has raised a
storm aiprotests. w. VIM. L. Cable Of Lexing-
ton avenue offers. IN u card, TO ~ one OF u
hundred to pull down Mr.. Fields "votive
stonc;" and j. y. Bill OF Lyme. Conn. has re-
minded Mr.. Fold that Nathan Hale. Cap
tain in the Revolutionary army. was cap
tured near Huntington. l.. l.. while re-
turning from pcrilous and extremely
important visit to point within tho British
lines on Long Island and New York. and that
no monument COMMUNICATES his sacrifice OF
life excepting ono paid for by tho women of
his native town and a small grant from tho
state OF Connecticut This monument stands in
the old cemetery in Halc's native town in South
Coventry. Conn. To u great many others this
purpose of Mr. Field has brought to mind. rs
shown by correspondence received by THs SUN,
that Hale has lain in namelcss and unknown
grave since he was hanged in New York and
that Congress could never bo persuaded to
commemorate his services. and that on tho
contrary. in 1921 the British Government mp
pointed commission to Journey ~ America to
remove the remains OF Major Andre from tho
grave that was dug beneath tho gallows under
which he hanged. and subsequently, reinforced
them with royal honors in Westminster Abboy
No further than this could royal ftyorgo.
The late Henry J. Raymond one, said that
Hale furnished the most conspicuous example
Of patriotism that the history OF the Revolution
has left us. Tho equal OF Andre in talent
worth. and amiable manners. AMI his superior
in that final tcst OF character-the motive by
which his acts were prompted and his life
guided-he laid aside every consideration per-
sonal to himself. AMI entered upon SER
vice OF infinite hazard to life because Wash
ington deemed 1t important to the sacred cause.
Like Andre. he was found in hostile camp
like him. though without Il trial. he was adj
Judged a SOY. condemned to death. and
hanged" Mr.. Raymond added-twas the occa-
sion OF dedicating the monument in larry
town. erected on the spot whore Andre was
captured-that whilo Andres name and fate
had been kindly remembered we had left the
body OF Hale to sleep in an unknown tomb in
his native soil. unhonorcd by any outward
token.
In the summer Of 1T76 the battle Of Long
Island was fought. disastrously to the Amcri-
cans. and a hasty retreat WIS beat To Man
haitian Island. 1t looked very black Just then
for the American causs. Men we're sick and
dying in appalling numbers Dcsertions were
rapidly thinning tho army. The lack of food
and the failure to receive pay were developing
insubordinaton. Not more than fourteen
thousand men were 1T for duty. and these were
scattered from the Battery TO Kingsbridge.
Across East River. stretching from what Is
now Bay Ridge Us far east a. Greenpoint with
posts at Bedford. Bushwick. and Flushing. with
great ships OF war at anchor in New York Bay
was nrrayed British army Of twenty-five
thousand men. in grand fighting condition
whose special purpose had been announced "a
be 10 end forever the opposition II the rebels
It's commanding officer, Gen. Hove, was abb
and distinguished. aud WIS flushed with tho
important victory he had gained on the crests
now the outskirts OF Brooklyn.
Washington's anxiety was intense. II was n
matter OF Infinite importance Tor him TO know
what leFd-4~Ss-ssruid DO. Did he propose 10
bring his army and navy down upou New York
and attempt tho CITY. then covering comparn-
lively small tract north Of the Battery. or did lac
purpose 70 cross from Long Island a! He'll Gate
and bear down upon the city. or hy way oi
Blackwells Island 10 Harlem or would he try
by an attempt above or below kinEsbridge 10
simultaneous attack by way Of tie North and
East Rivers and surround ashingtou' > forces
Washington felt that upon "A correct an
ucipation OF Howcs plans hung the
fate OF the Amgrican army. WASHING
ton had 70 decide whether New York
should be held or evacuated; and If New York
was evacuated. whether he should also abandon
Manhattan Island rather than stake tho Kcyo-
luton on single battle. with "a superior force
bearing down upon his army oy way o. kings
bridge. With the utmost effort Wash lngtun
could get no mixing OF howes plans Ho de:
termined. however, 70 cVacuate the city. and
did so. Gen. Howe taking possession SEPT. II.
l716. and Washington Boating that remarkable
retreat. BY way Of the Boston road, now the
Bowery. out to Harlem Heights where the
American army encamped.
To Washington there seemed only one way
remaining Of discovering Howes pnns. and
mat was for an Intelligent soldier To pass the
British Lines, penetrate ;hr enomys camps on
Long Island. make careful estimates at his
force and accurnte plans NJ his detcucra and
position. In short he required the aid Of an
Intelligent spy, and he 30 expressed himself 10
his board OF officers. They Hcqulesrcd and Col.
knowlton was asked To nnd tho man willing
ana competent to undertakc tue hazard. Know
ton invited competent officers Of his own regi-
inent 10 serve Washington and their country.
but he urged In vain. lie IL described n turn
ing from group ot reluctant. hali-resrniiul
officers fast yielding 90 the torture of disap-
pdintment' when there came "A voice from
among among them With no raniully thrilling, yet
Nathan Hale, pale from the ELECTS Of II recent
Illness. stepped forth and volunteered for the
dangerous. desplsed. yet IN this case. vital duty
Of a spy.
His comrades are said 10 have rccolcd at tho
prospect OF the gifted and greatly estr"mrd
young Captains doing, duty they thought
NJ only Tor "A sneak. His friends anu fellow
ullttFs demonstrated. capt. nun AltNfWurd a
General. Halc's cassmate al Yale urged him a.
seek the sacrifice of himself Tor his country +
good in the path OF soldier, not Of a SPY. and
Halo answered Hull in these words:
think | owe my country the accomplish
nent OF AN object SO important and 80 much de-
s.red by the Commander OF her armies and
know Of no other mode Of obtaining the in
formation than by assuming u Disguise and
passing into the enemy s camp. am fully SEN
hlbe OF the consequences of discovery aud cu p
lure IN such a situation. But for "a year have
been attached 10 the army. and have not rem
dered any material service, while receiving n
compensation for which make no return. Yet
am not influenced by the eXpc .tation uf.prO-
motion or pecuniary reward. | wish 20 bee use
iul, and every kind Of service necessary for the
puolic good becomes honorable by being nrren-
sary. II the oNgpncics Of ny country dcmuud
apeculiar service. III claims 10 the performance
OF that service are imperious.'
Then Halo presented himself to Washington,
and received his Instructions. The Commander
ln-Chlei wanted an estimate Ol the uumbtrul thr
enemy, how they were distributed. the place II
thelr encampment. their "on 'cniratlun oi bat
ieries at particular points, Lut above all such
hints OF tneir plan ot attack as 1t WIS poss NO
70 gather. Procuring a school teacher garn.
taequit the campat Harlem Heights. and made
MS way 10 NOrwalk, Conn, Here he duiird ms
Uniform, put on a brown suit and broad
nrimmed hat. Then he was taken by slO0p across
lhe sound, and about two hours before day
break, he landed upon the point Of Grrut Neck