Evening star., 1932-10-09


time heal all wounds, but, unfortunately. it
also has a tendency to cause sometimes to
fOsget some of our greatest national heroes.
How many people to1ay recall the story of
Capt Nathan Hale, the Connecticut school
master, who undertook the hazardous journey
into the enemy's lines, during the American
Revolution, In order to supply Gen. Washing
ton with much needed information and was
captured and executed as a spy?
Hale was just slightly over 81 years old at the
time, having been born in Coventry, Conn,
June 6, 1755. His father was Richard Hale,
said to be a typical farmer, townsman and
deacon who believed in educating his children.
And so, in 1773, we find him entering his sons
Enoch and Nathan, in Yale College. At the
time of the beginning of hostilities Nathan
was teaching school in New London where at
town meeting in which he made a speech he
IS recorded as having said: Let us march
Immediately, and never lay down our arms
until we obtain our independence"
1t was not long before he joined the regiment
commanded by Col Charles Webb Stamford
man. and it his connection with this
regiment as lieutenant that brought him in
contact with Gen. Washington, especially when
the troops were reorganized and Col Webb's
regiment became the 10th ContinentaIs,
with Hale as a captain. 1t is related that at
this time, because Of the desire of some of the
Short-eerm men to go home, Hale actually
promised to divide his salary among them if
they would stay with the army but month
longer. And well that he did, for it was not
long before all the soldiers obtainable were
transferred to New York City for its protection.
Gen. Howe, we are told at this time, had
10000 men, while Washington's troops amounted
to but 1000 fit for duty
A New York, Hale's regiment was assigned
to McDougall's Brigade and their camn
RQvard'S
Here their position was critical, as cleaned
from Hale's letter to his brother dated August
20, 1776, in which he says:
"Our situation has been such this fortnight
or more as scarce to admit of writing We
have daily expected an action-by which means
If any one was going, and we had letters writ
ten orders so strict for ou- tarrying in
camp that We could rarely get leave to go and
deliver them For about six or eight days the
enemy have been expected hourly, whenever
the wind and tide least favored We keep a
particular lookout for them this morning
The place and manner of attack time must
determine. The event we leave to Heaven"
Seven days later the Battle of Long Island
was fought in which the patriots we're defeated
with loss of 1000 men out of about 1000
engaged in the fight. OF those captured many
were consigned to the Sugar House, then on
Liberty street, and others to the prison ships
in Wallabout Bay, where died, during the course
of the war; over IL 600 Americans. They were
buried, we are told, in the beach, whence,
for years AFTER they were washed out from the
sand by every tide" In 1808 what could be
recovered of their remains were gathered and
buried near the Navy Yard, Brooklyn with
ceremonies, and in 1873 they were finally placed
in vault in Washington Park.
Following this defeat, Gen. WASHINGTON
succeeded in making skillful retreat for which
he was noted, and gained the New York side.
But his position still serious one par
ticularly because of the lack of information
regarding the position and movements of the
British. 1t was imperative that he should be
warned of their advance, which was expected
at any time.
Washington was anxious and worried over the
situation, as shown by a letter he wrote to
Heath, at Kings Bridge, in which he said: "As
everything in manner depends upon obtaining
intelligence of the enemys motions, do most
earnestly entreat you and Gen. Clinton to exert
yourselves to accomplish this most desirable
end. Leave no stone unturned, ncr do not stick
at expense, to bring this to pass, as never was
more uneasy than on account of my want of
knowledge on this score. Keep constant look
cuts with good glasses on some commanding
heights that look well on to the other shore"
VOLUNTEERS to 60 within the enemy's
lines, to obtain the desired information,
were called for, and Hale made known his
intention of offering his services. knowing the
desperate chances he taking, his associates
in the army tried to dissuade him, and even in
ferred that the role Of spy was not the most
elevating one for an officer to assume. But
Hale, whose mind was made up, and whose de-
vction to his country was beyond position or
title, said that he felt every kind of service
necessary to the public good became honorable
by being necessary"
He then serving as one of Lieut. Col.
Thomas Knowltons new corps of Rangers Or
ganized to scout between the lines find the
enemy's position, and report directly to the
commander in chief" It is said that soon
after reporting to Washington his readiness to