The group that tallmadge formed was called the culper ring, a collection of patriots from long island who became washingtons eyes and ears in new york. Benjamin tallmadge george washingtons mount vernon. Benjamin tallmadge for the continental army during the american revolution. The culper ring is believed to be the most successful chain of information on either side of the revolutionary war. The story of americas first spy ring alexander rose. The ring consisted benjamin tallmadges friends and acquaintances from long island new york. Benjamin tallmadge, american continental army officer who oversaw the culper spy ring during the american revolution and later served as a member of the u. Washingtons director of military intelligence, benjamin tallmadgewho had been nathan hales roommate at yalemanaged to recruit a small group of friends from his hometown. Anna strong and the revolutionary war culper spy ring.
Caleb brewster was friendly with spymaster benjamin tallmadges younger. His father was a clergyman, and the head of a local church. The culper spy ring was assembled in 1778 by major benjamin tallmadge alias, john bolton721 at the request of general george washington 711 and operated on long island 728 and new york city 727 during the revolutionary war. This nonfiction book hovers dangerously close to the side of fiction. The culper spy ring was a small group of men and women gathered in 1778 by a young cavalry officer named benjamin tallmadge from his hometown of setauket, long. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by major benjamin tallmadge under orders from general george washington in the summer of 1778, during the british occupation of new york city at the height of the american revolutionary war the culper name was suggested by washington, who devised it from culpeper county, virginia. Dating george washingtons receipt of a samuel culper. The culper code book was used by the culper spy ring to send coded messages to george washingtons headquarters during the revolutionary war. Research materials about george washington, the culper spy ring, and the.
It was because of information gathered by the ring, and tallmadges making sense of it, that the capture of john anderson with papers in arnolds handwriting set. This piece gives us an overall background to the spy ring and helps us see the players and the story. For viewers of televisions new revolutionary war espionage series turn, the adventures of anna strong, abraham woodhull, caleb brewster and benjamin tallmadge are intriguing and entertaining. The man he chose for that mission was major benjamin tallmadge of long island. Benjamin tallmadge appears in the video game assassins creed iii as head of the culper ring. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by major benjamin tallmadge under orders from general george washington in the summer of 1778, during the british occupation of new york city at the height of the american revolutionary war. Here is the setauket spy ring story by historian beverly tyler. The history of george washingtons secret spying ring the culper ringpaperback. Prior to being promoted to captain, he started the culper spy ring. He was only 22, he decided to join the army, he then quickly rose through the ranks and became captain of his troop.
The ring became known as the culper spy ring, and provided valuable intelligence on. Tallmadge assigned townsend the alias samuel culper junior. Benjamin tallmadge among brewsters acquaintances when he was a young man were members of the tallmadge family, also of setauket. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by major benjamin tallmadge under the orders of general george washington in the summer of 1778 during british occupation of new york city at the height of the american revolutionary war. This is a complete printable listing of all culper ring books and lists the newest culper ring book. During the revolutionary war, he founded the culper spy ring, an intelligence network based in new york city, and organized guerilla attacks against the british. The code book, developed by benjamin tallmadge, consisted of seven hundred and sixtythree numbers representing words, names, and places. The history and legacy of the revolutionary wars most famous spy ring. The culper spy ring was organized and directly controlled by american major benjamin tallmadge. Robert townsend, aaron woodhull, austin roe, anna strong, and caleb brewster made up this ring, and the code name for it. Appointed by george washington to organize intelligence in britishoccupied new york, tallmadge formed the famous culper spy ring, whom he. Under the orders of general george washington, major benjamin tallmadge organized the culper spy ring in 1778 to gather information on british troop.
This series describes attempts by a businessman to instigate international crises for his profit. In november 1778, george washington appointed major benjamin tallmadge as director of military intelligence, charged with creating a spy ring in new york city, the site of british headquarters. He used the alias samuel culper when sending messages and working as a spy. Benjamin tallmadge alias john bolton a letter from setauket, n. He carried messages across long island sound between major tallmadge and the rings main spies on long island, new york and in new york city. If you use the culper code to encrypt your own 21stcentury letters, you might be surprised at the amount of common words common to us, anyway that are not included. The culper spy ring code book was created and used by the culper spy ring to compose and send coded messages to george washingtons headquarters during the revolutionary war. Benjamin tallmadge tallmadge ran the american spy network under george washington. The ring was named for the operational names of two of its. The details of some battles in the revolutionary war were very impressive, which i had never read about before. He is best known for his service as an officer in the continental army during the american revolutionary war. The culper ring was thus formed out of sheer necessity. While not much of tallmadges early life is known, we do know that he was born on 1754, february 25, in setauket, new york, which is also the birthplace of the culper spy ring. Tallmadge was a classmate of nathan hale in college and, in the early years of the revolutionary war, helped organize the culper spy ring.
The culper spy ring was organized and directly controlled by american major benjamin tallmadge spy ring alias john bolton, who was later promoted to colonel. Obviously, the words included in the code book were words tallmadge thought the spy ring would use most often in its correspondence. Following the war, tallmadge was elected to the united states house of repre. Under the orders of general george washington, major benjamin tallmadge organized the culper spy ring in 1778 to gather information on british troop movements, fortifications, and military plans in the new york area. Account book of robert townsend, merchant, of oyster bay. Culper ring archives journal of the american revolution. Major benjamin tallmadge, major robert rogers, captain john simcoe. Culper spy ring american intelligence organization. The list of culper spy ring facts below has information, written for both kids and adults, about who the members of the spy ring were, what their covert operations were, and how they helped the colonist win the revolution. He organized the famous culper spy ring in new york city. Abraham woodhull was born in setauket, long island, new york, in 1750. Library of congress george washingtons nameless but pivotal female spy is known to us only as agent story at link. About the culper spy ring george washington and the. A culper ring trilogy fan may also be interested in david baldaccis shaw and katie james series.
James jay 1732 1815, american physician and politician, and elder brother. Also, if you are looking for a memoir that talks about the culper spy ring this isnt the book for you. Stony brook university, special collections and university archives. Caleb brewster and the culper spy ring connecticut. Alexander roses book brings to light their crucial help in winning american independence. In 1778, under the orders of general washington, major benjamin tallmadge organized the ring to gather information on british troop movements, fo. Culper spy ring code book the shops at mount vernon. Benjamin tallmadge was the leader of the culper spy ring during the american revolution. If youre looking for the culper spy ring, which is what led me to this book, tallmadge didnt write much about that. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by american major later colonel benjamin tallmadge under orders from general george washington in the summer of 1778 during british occupation of new york city at the height of the american revolutionary war. General washingtons setauketbased culper spy ring history close at hand by beverly c. Only 21 at the start of the americas revolutionary war, benjamin tallmadge was an enthusiastic patriot. The culper ring was a spy ring organized by american major later colonel benjamin tallmadge under orders from general george. The rings success at protecting the identity of its members sparked a more modern method of spying.
Washingtons spies and the video game assassins creed. The two main members of the ring were abraham woodhull and robert. To answer this question we must start at the beginning. Culper spy ring in 1778, the addition of an agent in manhattan in 1779, and the saving of the french. Benjamin tallmadge home and grave historical sites. Benjamin tallmadge was a graduate of yale who became general george washingtons chief intelligence officer and eventually rose to the rank of colonel. Primary sources george washington and the culper spy ring. American espionage has its roots in the revolutionary war, specifically in the network known as the culper spy ring. Letters written in 1779 and 1780 by george washington to benjamin tallmadge about the culper spy ring. The last man, claims to be a member of the clandestine and centuries old spy organization, the culper ring. Abraham woodhull, spy for general george washington, nearly got himself hanged on one of his first missions. Culper spy ring, american intelligence organization that was put together and managed by maj. Our work has been featured by the new york times, time magazine, history channel, discovery channel, smithsonian, mental floss, npr, and more.
Throughout the war, tallmadge and his spies collected intelligence on troop movements, sneak attacks, and the treachery of benedict arnold. Benjamin tallmadge, revolutionary soldier and american businessman. He also led a successful raid across long island that culminated in the battle of fort st. George washingtons secret service, leading the activities of long islands. It was the beginning of what became known as the culper ring. Informants for the culper ring used fake names and corresponded using a numerical code. Benjamin tallmadge, who is pictured in this 1790 portrait with his son, william smith tallmadge, was chief of gen. Benjamin tallmadge 17541835 was an american revolutionary, congressman, author, and spy. Caleb brewster september 12, 1747 february, 1827 was a member of the culper spy ring during the american revolutionary war, reporting to general george washington through major benjamin tallmadge. The secrets of the ring remained so secure that not even george washington himself knew the identities of all of his agents.
Benjamin tallmadge was also the leader of the culper spy ring. From books to television shows and even video games, tallmadge and his emissaries. The culper code book george washingtons mount vernon. See more ideas about american revolution, spy and american war. Nearly two and a half centuries later, the heroic exploits of the culper spy ring have served as the inspiration for the acclaimed tv series turn. Appointed by george washington to organize intelligence in britishoccupied new york, tallmadge formed the famous culper spy ring, whom he mentions in this volume without giving names. Benjamin tallmadge, born february 25, 1754, setauket, new york, u. Benjamin tallmadge family group benjamin tallmadge. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and wellwritten narratives from expert writers. Tallmadge was to take all precautions that this ring would be extremely secret. Benjamin tallmadge american continental army officer.
In the game, he is the son of a former member of the assassin brotherhood and comes seeking the brotherhoods aid in stopping thomas hickey from assassinating general washington. His superior, general george washington, occasionally directed the rings operations. Abraham woodhull abraham was a key member of the culper spy ring. It operated in britishcontrolled new york city from 1778 to 1783. Under the orders of general george washington, major benjamin tallmadge organized the culper spy ring in 1778 to gather information on british troop movements, fortifications, and military plans in the. Culper spy ring turn ons, american revolutionary war.