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I'll betcha Andre wished Hale had been a better spy.
Major Andre was Benedict Arnold's British contact, I'm unaware that he had anything to do with Hale's capture or death.
Hale was caught when he was seated in a tavern and was recognized by Major Robert Rogers (who may have been Hale's cousin, there is some confusion about this) of the Queen's Rangers, a loyalist unit serving under Howe. Rogers joined Hale, pretended that he was also on the American side, and got Hale to admit who he was and what he was about. Hale was arrested and the papers he was carrying which gave him away, were found on his person. As I said, Hale was a lousy spy, extremely easy to catch.
Apparently Hale made a much longer final speech than just those "Only regret..etc" words suggest. There were numerous witnesses to the execution and Hale seemed to have at least included something which was near to the "..regret.." remark, or words which meant more or less the same thing. One witness said that the comment was "If I had ten thousand lives to lay down, I would lay them all down".. in defence of his country.
The exact famous words were reported by British Captain John Montresor who was there at the hanging and passed Hale's comment on to Captain William Hull who included them in his post war memoirs.
Montressor had spent Hale's last night alive with him, talking late into the night, and he came to admire Hale's idealism and courage. After Hale's execution, Montressor sent a messenger to the American lines under a flag of truce to report Hale's death, including Montressor's version of Hale's last words. That is why "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country" became the accepted version among Americans.
Major Andre was Benedict Arnold's British contact, I'm unaware that he had anything to do with Hale's capture or death.
Washington was bitter about Hale's death and took it out on Andre when he was captured; refusing all pleas to spare him (even an unusual personal appeal from Clinton) or to at least shoot rather than hang him.
Washington was bitter about Hale's death and took it out on Andre when he was captured; refusing all pleas to spare him (even an unusual personal appeal from Clinton) or to at least shoot rather than hang him.
Oh, okay, I wasn't aware of the reference.
Was that actually the case? Unlike Hale, Andre received a full trial with senior American officers presiding. We also know that Washington was willing to hand Andre back to the Brits if they would deliver Arnold back to the Americans to stand trial for treason. I had always figured that Andre's death sentence was to put some teeth into that offer. Andre had been very close to General Clinton and the threat to Andres' life increased the pressure on him to cut Arnold loose. No deal could be reached, so Clinton then asked Washington if Andre could at least be shot as a soldier rather than hanged as a spy. Washington responded that Andre had been convicted of spying and the rules of war called for hanging.
I do not recall coming across any references to Washington being motivated by a desire to avenge Nathan Hale.
I do not recall coming across any references to Washington being motivated by a desire to avenge Nathan Hale.
I have but there's no doubt his anger at Arnold added to Washington's resolve to see Andre dance on thin air. And it's not like Andre had anything else coming.
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More on Nathan Hale
You got my curiosity up. Nathan was from Ct. which is where my family roots lie -- Litchfield CT -- and in our family line is an Asa Barnes who hosted Rochambeau who assited us and battled at Yorktown. I was amazed to see he died at age 21 yrs. This may account for his inexperience as a spy. Not much time to attain seniority in that position. His father emigrated to Mass in 1746. Hale died in September 1776. He attended college at Yale and at a young age attained the rank of Captain. I would judge that those who bestow rank saw something in this young man as we would today for him to take up an interest in serving when his life was before him with an educated status. It appears his intentions may have been to be a Christian Minister. Yep!!! I picture young Hale pondering and saying: ""This just isn't right and I must do something"" and that he did. He was a teacher. He enrolled in the militia not yet of age. At a meeting to discuss the Battle of Lexington he stated: "Let us March immediately" and "Never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence". You know if Ian Fleming would do a book on this young man it would be called "The spy who loved his country". I have problems making light of such an individual and to say he was a "dumb spy" is as disrespectful as to say : "They who serve deserve to die." He was noble and I guess if you are of English descent and think the Colonies should have gone along with the program then I guess he was just a "Dumb spy" in my book he's a hero.
Last edited by Norm Barnes; 05-26-2011 at 11:12 PM..
Reason: Content
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More on Nathan Hale
