The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-06-24
Hale's Execution as a Spy.

but the East River being now between
him and the powerful enemy. it was of
the utmost importance that he should
be warned in ample time of their ad-
vance. As everything" he wrote to
Heath, at Kingsbridge, "in a manner
depends upon obtaining intelligence of
the enemy's motions, 1 do most earn
estly entreat You and General Clinton
TO exert yourselves to accomplish this
most desirable end. Leave no stone
unturned, nor do not stick at expense,
10 bring this to pass, as | never was
more uneasy than on account of my
want of knowledge on this score. Keep
constant look-outs," he adds. with
guol glasses on some commanding
HEIGHTS that look well on to the other
shore
II was in this emergency, when a
successful accomplishment OF Washing
toms wishes would have been of the
greatest use 10 the army. that Captain
Hale stepped forward to offer his serv-
ices. 1t happened that he had recently
volunteered to act as one Of the officers
Of Lieuteuant-COlonel Thomas Knowl-
tons new corps of Rangers, organized
10 Sr0u. between the lines. feel the enc
* mv's position and report directly to the
Cummanier-in-Ch KuOwltoR was a
gallant officer, a near tOwnsman OF
Hales and must have known his worth,
or he could not have accepted him for
the Rangers. Early in September,
when Washington's suspense was keen
est, the Colonel preached the matter of
obtaining the desired information to his
own officers, in the hope that some one
of them might be able to serve the
chief The suggestion appears to have
deeply impressed Hale, who, after the
interview with Knowton went to
talk the subject over with his fellow
officer and college friend Captain VIM.
Han, OF Webb regiment This we
know from Hull himself. The two
Cap. aims discussed the question Of I'M
dertaking the role Of a spy. Hull used
ever argument 20 dissuade Hale from
the dan rcrOus service, and appealed to
him rs "a soldier not to run the risk of
closing his promising career with an
ignOurnious death. Hale, however. al
though fully sensible of the cOnsc-
queuces Of capture, could think Of moth
inr but duty. He told Hull that for
wear he had been attached to the army
and had rendered no material service;
that he wished to be useful; was unin-
flucaced by the expectation Of promo
ton or pecuuiary reward; and so lar as
the peculiar duty in question was con-
cerned he felt that every kind of serv-
ice necessary TO the public good be-
came honorable by being necessary"
Calmly and firmly deciding the ques-
ton for himself, Hale soon after report
ed to Washington his readiness to en-
ter the British lines in disguise. What
instructions. what advice, what cautions
he received from the General there are
no records to tell us. These facts only
we know certainly: that he suddenly
disappeared from camp, passed up the
Connecticut coast, changed his uniform
for "a school-master's garb, crossed to
Huntington, Long Island, and then
made his way to the enemy at Brooklyn
and New York never to return. After
making satisfactory observations, taking
sketches of works and writing his notes
In Latin, he was on the point of return
ing 10 the Connecticut shore, when he
was seized and held as a spy. A boat
was TO nave met him at Huntington Bay,
and on the morning of the 18th or 10Th
of September, as he was waiting near
the shore, the supposed craft made its
appearance; but he approached it only
to find that it was yawl from Brit
ish cruiser lying below, and that retreat
on his part was impossible. Ordered
to surrender, with the guns of the ma
rines leveled at him he yielded to the
situation, was taken to the man-of-war,
conveyed to New York and there deliv-
cred to the military authorities.
At New York, Hale was brought be-
fore Sir William Howe, the English
Commander-in-C An American
spy at that time was likely to receive
but triaing consideration. Hale re-
ceived none. Four years later when
Andre was captured, every attention
and comfort was accorded him by
Washington officers during his con-
finement and trial. He himself eX-
pressed his grateful appreciation of
their tenderness. But Andre was the
Adiutant-G General of the British army
and miXedup with Arnold and Clinton
in q dazzling plot to obtain an Ameri-
can stronghold. He was out on "Offi-
cial'' business. In addition, in 1880
both sides were treating each
O Ter with more military respect than
In the first wears of the war In 1776
moor Hale was a wvetched Continental
rebel As well rs spy-and punishment
could be neither too swift nor too Sc
we're. Possibly in l776 an English Off
Ger. caught in the American camp I'M
der Hale 5 circumstances, would have
received like treatment, SO far Is imme-
date condemnation was concerned. In |
Hale's ease certainly the treatment was
summary as well as peculiarly heart .
less. The only relief in the picture is |
the noble bearing Of the prisoner In !
stead of attempting a defense, or eX-
planning the papers found upon his per- !
son. he frankly declared his rank in
Wasfington's army, and the object of
his visit TO the British camp. If tradi- /
ton and meagre records are correct, |
the scene of his examination and SEN |
tence was the little greenhouse in the |
garden of old Beekman mansion, on |
Fifty-second Street near First Avenue,
where Howe had fixed his headquarters. |
Upon this confession the British Com |
mander-and it is difficult to see how |
he could have done otherwise pro-
nounced him a spy, and ordered his
execution to take place on the follow
ing morning.
The following morning" was Sun /
dav, the 22d of September, 1916. Where /
Hale spent that night, whether at the |
Jail (the present Hall of Records or at
some guard house, does not appear,
Ono thinr is known. that he was put in !