General Washington's spies on Long Island and in New York

by Morton Pennypacker

SPIES AND SPIES

As Culper Junior, the spy, the most trying period in the career of Robert Townsend was now approaching. British officers had been quartered at his parents’ home at Oyster Bay for the past four years. His sisters made life agreeable for all,[28] and saved their none too complacent parent from the wrath of many a would-be enemy. Hannah, his first cousin and neighbor, had already married Major Joseph Green, of the British Army. His sister Sarah had received from Colonel Simcoe a Valentine and other tokens of esteem.[29] Sir William Erskine had been entertained at Simcoe’s headquarters in their home, and Major André had upon several occasions visited Colonel Simcoe there and was treated almost as one of the family. Sarah had frequently furnished her brother with important information, but now she must have sensed that something unusual was about to happen. Inquiries were being made about the shores of the Hudson in the vicinity of West Point, and, thinking himself unobserved, a supposed Whig from that section had entered the house and concealed in a little-used cupboard a letter. Sarah examined it as soon as he had slipped out. It seemed to be only a business letter addressed to James Anderson, but she determined to watch its fate. Later Major André entered the room. He searched through the closets and when he came to the letter hastily concealed it upon his person without examining it, and, taking a dish of doughnuts that were still hot from the fire, he hid them as an excuse for entering the forbidden precincts of the kitchen. Later, Sarah, by listening to a whispered conversation in Colonel Simcoe’s room,[30] could distinguish the words West Point, repeated several times.

A note to her brother Robert was hastily written. Captain Daniel Youngs, of the British Army, a lifelong friend, was sent for. He was told they were out of a certain kind of tea she would need for her party the following evening. It was to be had at her brother’s store in New York and a messenger must be sent for it at once. Always accommodating, even though he had to wait nearly three years before he received on April 1, 1783, £200, and July 16, £200, in all over $1000 in hard money for his services, a horse and rider was furnished and before night closed, Robert Townsend was in possession of his sister’s information. It was on its way to Setauket the next morning,[31] crossed the Sound between midnight and daylight, and soon Benjamin Tallmadge had the puzzling message. He had been impatiently waiting for it, having returned from special service for the purpose of keeping an engagement with Brewster.

In the absence of Major Tallmadge others had opened a letter addressed to him from Benedict Arnold. It accompanied supplies they were sadly in need of, the receipt of which made them feel under particular obligation to him. Tallmadge’s anxiety for the messengers who were crossing the Sound gave him little opportunity to examine Arnold’s letter and he had almost forgotten about it when Brewster and his companions arrived. It seemed so probable that the stain letters contained vital information that Tallmadge fortunately decided to translate them as he had the preceding ones. In them he read that British officers at Oyster Bay were talking about West Point, and had received under suspicious circumstances a letter from there addressed to Mr. John Anderson.

Major Tallmadge was still working on a mysterious series of letters that was passing between Rhode Island and DeLancey in New York. General Washington had written saying “I applaud your zeal and attention” and added “I am sufficiently apprized of the circumstances to prevent his doing any injury.... Keep the matter to yourself as far as practicable.”

* * * * *

Until Major Tallmadge found an opportunity to read General Arnold’s letter there was little significance in the intelligence from Culper Junior that British officers were talking about West Point and receiving letters addressed to a Mr. Anderson, but when he read the paragraph in the letter from our General at West Point

“If Mr. James Anderson,[32] a person I expect from New York should come to your quarters, I have to request that you will give him an escort of two Horse to bring him on his way to this place, and send an express to me that I may meet him. If your business will permit I wish you to come with him. B. Arnold.”[33]

the suspicious circumstances at once impressed him. However, perhaps because of General Washington’s advice he betrayed no hint of this in his reply to Arnold. In fact he agreed to conduct Mr. Anderson to West Point. Had he later insisted upon Jameson permitting him to do so Arnold might have been captured as well as André. Extracts from Major Tallmadge’s letter to Arnold read:

Lower Salem, Septr. 21, 1780.

Sir. I had the Honor last evening to receive your favor of the 13th inst. It arrived here in due season, and as I was absent on Command by special Directions of His Excellency Genl. Washington, the letter was opened and the instructions therein contained I trust have been duly attended to.... I expect to join Col. Jameson immediately, and should Mr. Anderson come to my Qrs. I will do the needful, and shall be very happy to wait on him to Hd.Qrs.... I have also just received an accurate return of the Enemy, so far as respects their Corps and the Posts they occupy. If you have not the present distribution of the Enemies forces, I can give it to you from the best authority, and taken on the spot. The Express is now waiting. I have no time to add, save that I am, with Every Sentiment of Esteem, Sir, your most Obedt. Servt.

Benj. Tallmadge.

Major Tallmadge was on tour, endeavoring to discover the intentions of the enemy when Paulding and his companions brought a man to Headquarters they declared to be a spy. John Jameson, of the Second Regiment, Light Dragoons, was commanding officer at that time, and promptly dispatched the prisoner under guard to Benedict Arnold at West Point. He was well on his way when Major Tallmadge returned that evening, but, learning that the prisoner’s name was Anderson and that he had information from West Point, he insisted upon Jameson ordering his return. Reluctantly he consented, but would not recall the messenger that was carrying the information to Arnold.[34] That “John Anderson” acknowledged his real name to be Major André, Adjutant-General to the British Army, and that on the 2d of October, 1780, he was hanged as a spy, are facts well known to all. Major Tallmadge’s comment in his “Memoirs” is:

“I might enlarge greatly in anecdotes relating to this momentous event in our revolutionary war. Some things relating to the detention of André, after he had been sent to General Arnold, are purposely omitted.... I have deliberately concluded never to disclose the circumstances which relate to that interesting event.”

General Greene, in announcing the discovery of Arnold’s treason[35] on September 24, 1780, stated:

“The Providential Train of Circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing Proofs that the Liberties of America are the Object of Divine Protection.”