Benja. Tallmadge.
At this period the Culpers were using more care to conceal the intelligence in their letters, as will be observed upon examining Woodhull’s, dated August 27th.[(126)] Townsend’s were now all written with the stain. Tallmadge’s efforts to shorten the line of communication have been preserved in a series of three of his letters to Headquarters written during the month of August.
Incidentally, in his zeal he almost betrayed the identity of Culper Junior. The first letter, dated August 10, 1780, reads:
“Since I last saw your Excellency I have been endeavoring to open communications with New York by crossing over to Cow Neck to the westward of Oyster Bay. If this can be effected, Dispatches may be bro’t from New York to the White Plains in 12 hours on contingencies, as the whole land course on both sides would not exceed 34 miles, & the Sound not more than 10 miles over, I am the more induced to this step, as C—— Junr. has a near Relation living near Cow Neck, whom if I can also engage, I am sure of C—— Junr’s services.”
Tallmadge’s next letter in this series is dated from North Castle, August 20, 1780: and reads:
“Sir. Since my last I have made several attempts to open a communication with Culper, Junior, by the way of Oyster Bay or Cow Neck. The person whom I mentioned to Your Excellency as the properest man to engage and secure Culper’s services, was away from home, at New York, and last Monday night I sent over an Officer who formerly resided at Oyster Bay, but the person in question was then too ill to be seen. I shall still pay attention to this matter, tho the Refugee boats which frequently pass up and down the Sound makes crossing very dangerous.
“Enclosed is a letter from the person who has for a long time bro’t dispatches from the Culpers. Your Excellency will perceive he has been attacked by some of the Refugee Boats. He requests more men, as may be seen by the enclosed. Your Excellency will please to direct me in the matter. There are several Continental Crews at Stamford and Horseneck, whose duty I am unacquainted with. Perhaps one of those can be spared.
“I am sorry Lt. B.——r was drove from L.I. so suddenly as dispatches from Culper Junior were then waiting for him. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s most Obedt. Servt.
“Benj. Tallmadge.”
In the next letter, dated from Bedford, August 28, 1780,[(127)] he says: