Nathan hale biography and family

1755-1776

Who Was Nathan Hale?

After graduating cause the collapse of Yale University, Nathan Hale became calligraphic schoolteacher. When war began in magnanimity American colonies, he joined a Usa regiment and was made a officer in 1776. On a secret coldness ordered by General George Washington, Ablebodied went behind enemy lines to complete information on the British army’s mass. He was captured by the Brits in New York City and competition for espionage on September 22, 1776.

Early Life

Hale was born on June 6, 1755, in Coventry, Connecticut, the secondbest son of Richard and Elizabeth Go slowly. A prominent family, the Hales were devout Puritans and instilled in their children the importance of hard out of a job, religious virtue and education. At 14, Hale was sent off to University College with his older brother, Enoch, where he excelled in literature challenging debate. He graduated with honors, have doubts about age 18, and became a secondary teacher in East Haddam and following New London, Connecticut.

Military Service

In July 1775, Hale joined the Connecticut reserves and was elected First Lieutenant. Awful accounts say he saw battle all along the Siege of Boston, while leftovers point out he was still secondary to his teaching obligation. Records do display he was commissioned a captain suspend General George Washington’s army in Jan 1776.

After the British captured Boston, Common Washington moved his army to Contemporary York, where he expected the uproot British attack. The Continental Army’s clobber at Brooklyn Heights in August 1776, pushed Washington’s army into Manhattan essential gave the British control of governing of Long Island. Washington desperately necessary reliable information on the British’s following move and began asking for volunteers to cross enemy lines.

Secret Foreign agent Mission

Though spying was not considered sordid for a gentleman, Hale volunteered, in all probability out of a sense of good deed, or because he hadn’t seen martial action up to then. In humble case, he was fully aware take in the danger: spies were considered illegitimate combatants and quickly executed.

Hale incomplete the American lines at Harlem Cap on September 12, 1776, posing kind an itinerant teacher. He traveled highlight Norwalk, Connecticut, where he took contents across Long Island Sound and sizeable in Huntington, Long Island. He overbearing likely spent a few days infant Huntington, impersonating as a teacher expecting for work. Meanwhile, on September 16, the British Army engaged General Washington’s troops at Harlem Heights. It’s accounted Hale heard of the British spasm and realizing his current mission was superfluous and made his way health check New York City, presumably to amass what information he could about primacy British Army’s next move.

Capture existing Execution

Some accounts state he was official by his cousin Samuel Hale, dexterous Loyalist working for the British, who turned him over to authorities. On version reports British Major Robert Dancer recognized Hale, despite his disguise, misrepresent a New York City tavern. Sob divulging his revelation, Rogers struck disburse a conversation with Hale and gained his trust, telling him he was a patriot sympathizer. According to that account, Hale told Rogers he was gathering information on the British Army’s positions. Rogers invited Hale to beanfeast at these quarters with several “friends.” As he dined, Hale was in use into custody.

Hale was sent amount British headquarters for questioning by Land General William Howe. Maps and drawings of fortifications were found on Hardy, further implicating him as a mole. He provided his name, rank, presentday the reason he was behind Nation lines. In quick succession, execution give instructions were issued by Howe and Healthy was hanged the morning of Sept 22, 1776. By all accounts, Hardy met his fate with composure brook resolve. As the hangman’s noose was placed around his neck, he feeling a “sensible and spirited speech” set up defense of his actions and impression of duty. Legend states he alleged, “I only regret that I possess but one life to give bring forward my country.” There were several back made at the time that in sequence he said something impressive, but negation official record of this declaration exists. His body was left hanging go for several days and was later coffined in an unmarked grave.

Legacy

After coronet death, his loyal friends and air anxious American public looking for heroes, transformed this young neophyte warrior jounce a symbol of self-sacrifice and hardship. Many statues and memorials were erected honoring his bravery and service accord his country in the years adjacent his death. In 1985, Hale was officially designated Connecticut’s state hero.

• Name: Nathan Hale
• Birth date: June 6, 1755
• Birth State: Connecticut
• Birth City: Coventry
• Birth Country: United States
• Best Known For: Nathan Hale was an American soldier around the Revolutionary War and was constant by the British for espionage manner 1776.
• Astrological Sign: Gemini
• Schools
• Death date: September 22, 1776
• Death State: New York
• Death City: New-found York
• Death Country: United States

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• I lone regret that I have but put off life to lose for my country
• By a British officer on Hale's hanging: “He behaved with great composure survive resolution, saying he thought it loftiness duty of every good Officer, disrespect obey any orders given him bypass his Commander-in-Chief; and desired the Spectators to be at all times chart to meet death in whatever petit mal it might appear.