Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was an American Patriot, soldier and spy for the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed by the Second Continental Congress after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the ex-British colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to co…
What are five fun facts about Nathan Hale?
Nathan Hale was born on June 6, 1755 in Coventry, Connecticut, and was the second of twelve children born to Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong. He belonged to one of the most prominent families in the region. Both his Parents were devout Puritans who believed in the value of hard work, the virtue of religion and the importance of education.
What did Nathan Hale really say?
Nathan Hale, the famous American spy from the Revolutionary War, is famous for saying, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” There’s just one problem. He never said it. So, what did he really say? The answer is below, courtesy of an interview with Becky Akers conducted by American Revolution and Founding Era:
What are some quick facts about Nathan Hale?
Namesake items
- The hamlet of Halesite, New York (formerly Huntington Harbor) on Long Island is named after Hale. ...
- Nathan Hale Army Depot, a U.S. ...
- Fort Nathan Hale, a Revolutionary War-era fort and historic site in New Haven, Connecticut, is named after him.
What did Nathan Hale say before he was hanged?
What did Nathan Hale say before he was hanged? “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”. Have you heard this famous declaration before? American patriot Nathan Hale said it on September 22, 1776, his last words before he was hanged for spying on British troops. How did this come to pass?
What were Nathan Hale's last words?
After being led to the gallows, legend holds that Hale was asked if he had any last words and that he replied with these now-famous words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” There is no historical record to prove that Hale actually made this statement, but, if he did, he may have been ...
What happened to Nathan Hale?
In New York City on September 22, 1776, Nathan Hale, a Connecticut schoolteacher and captain in the Continental Army, is executed by the British for spying. A graduate of Yale University, Hale joined a Connecticut regiment in 1775 and served in the successful siege of British-occupied Boston.
How old was Nathan Hale when he was hanged?
21 years oldHale, despite being disguised, was apprehended and questioned, and physical evidence of his spying was seized. On the morning of September 22, Hale was marched along the Post Road to a public house called the Dove Tavern and hanged. He was 21 years old.
Where was Nathan Hale from?
Coventry, CTNathan Hale / Place of birthCoventry is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut. The population was 12,235 at the 2020 census. The birthplace of Captain Nathan Hale, Coventry is home to the Nathan Hale Homestead, which is now a museum open to the public. Coventry was incorporated in May 1712. Wikipedia
Who was hung during the Revolutionary War?
Nathan HaleOn this day in 1776, British troops hanged Nathan Hale during the Revolutionary War. Hale, 21, a former schoolteacher and a Connecticut native, was a captain in the Continental Army.
Is the show turn based on a true story?
AMC's hit drama, TURN: Washington's Spies, is based on George Washington's Culper Ring which fed intelligence to the colonial forces and dis-information to the British. The show focuses on Abraham Woodhull a leading member of the ring in Setauket, New York.
Where is Nathan Hales grave?
Hale's body was never found. His family erected an empty grave cenotaph in Nathan Hale Cemetery in South Coventry Historic District, Connecticut.
Did Nathan Hale get married?
Teamed with his wife, Ruth Hale, he founded community theaters in California and Utah. His children and grandchildren continue in this family legacy of the stage to this day, and some grandsons have become successful film directors.
Who was the first spy?
Often dubbed “America's first spy,” Nathan Hale was a Yale graduate who served in Knowlton's Rangers, a short-lived Continental reconnaissance unit.
Did Vermont fight in the Revolutionary War?
Although Vermont initially supported the American Revolutionary War and sent troops to fight John Burgoyne's British invasion from Quebec in battles at Hubbardton and Bennington in 1777, Vermont eventually adopted a more neutral stance and became a haven for deserters from both the British and colonial armies.
Why was Nathan Hale a hero?
Nathan Hale was an American spy in the Revolutionary War. He was captured by British troops while spying on them and was executed. He should be remembered as a great hero because he went beyond the army's expectations and inspired our army to keep on fighting, and dedicated his life to protecting our country.
Why did Nathan Hale become an American legend?
Captain Nathan Hale and the tale of his tragic spy mission of September 1776 has become an American legend, symbolizing the patriotic sacrifices made by so many Americans during the War for Independence.
What happened to Nathan Hale in Resistance?
Strong, intelligent, extremely brave and yet withdrawn, Hale went on to become one of the original Sentinels. After apparently breaking the Chimera's hold on the United States, Nathan finally succumbed to the Chimeran virus and was executed by his subordinate, Joseph Capelli.
Who said I regret that I only have one life to give for my country?
Patriot Nathan HalePatriot Nathan Hale Was Hanged. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Have you heard this famous declaration before? American patriot Nathan Hale said it on September 22, 1776, his last words before he was hanged for spying on British troops. How did this come to pass?
Who voices Nathan Hale?
David Kaye is the voice of Nathan Hale in Resistance: Fall of Man.
Who Was Nathan Hale?
After graduating from Yale University, Nathan Hale became a schoolteacher. When war began in the American colonies, he joined a Connecticut regiment and was made a captain in 1776. On a secret mission ordered by General George Washington, Hale went behind enemy lines to gather information on the British army’s location. He was captured by the British in New York City and hanged for espionage on September 22, 1776.
Where was Hale born?
Hale was born on June 6, 1755, in Coventry, Connecticut, the second son of Richard and Elizabeth Hale. A prominent family, the Hales were devout Puritans and instilled in their children the importance of hard work, religious virtue and education. At 14, Hale was sent off to Yale College with his older brother, Enoch, where he excelled in literature and debate. He graduated with honors, at age 18, and became a school teacher in East Haddam and later New London, Connecticut.
What did Hale say about his fate?
By all accounts, Hale met his fate with composure and resolve. As the hangman’s noose was placed around his neck, he made a “sensible and spirited speech” in defense of his actions and sense of duty. Legend states he declared, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”.
Why was Hale captured?
On a secret mission ordered by General George Washington, Hale went behind enemy lines to gather information on the British army’s location. He was captured by the British in New York City and hanged for espionage on September 22, 1776.
What did Hale tell Rogers?
According to this account, Hale told Rogers he was gathering information on the British Army’s positions. Rogers invited Hale to dinner at these quarters with several “friends.”. As he dined, Hale was taken into custody. Hale was sent to British headquarters for questioning by British General William Howe.
What is the significance of Hale's death?
After his death, his loyal friends and an anxious American public looking for heroes, transformed this young neophyte warrior into a symbol of self-sacrifice and martyrdom. Many statues and memorials were erected honoring his bravery and service to his country in the years following his death. In 1985, Hale was officially designated Connecticut’s state hero.
Why was Hale sent to the British headquarters?
Hale was sent to British headquarters for questioning by British General William Howe. Maps and drawings of fortifications were found on Hale, further implicating him as a spy. He provided his name, rank, and the reason he was behind British lines.
Who was Nathan Hale?
Nathan Hale, (born June 6, 1755, Coventry, Connecticut [U.S.]—died September 22, 1776, Manhattan Island, New York), American Revolutionary officer who attempted to spy on the British and was hanged. He attended Yale University, where he graduated in 1773, and became a schoolteacher, first in East Haddam and then in New London.
Where did Nathan Hale land?
Nathan Hale, the patriot-spy, probably landed (1776) at Huntington Bay when he went behind the British lines to obtain information for General George Washington; a monument marks the spot where he is believed to have been captured. The writer Walt Whitman edited (1838–39) the Long… …
When was Hale captured?
Hale was captured on September 21, 1776, ...
Who was the hero of Connecticut?
The young Nathan Hale of Coventry had responded to General George Washington’s call for a volunteer to spy on the enemy; caught and hanged by the British in September 1776, he later became the official state hero of Connecticut.…
Who was Nathan Hale?
Nathan Hale was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. A captain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, he famously announced "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" just before being executed by the British for being a spy. He grew up in Connecticut ...
Where was Nathan Hale born?
Nathan Hale was born on June 6, 1755 in Coventry, Connecticut, and was the second of twelve children born to Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong. He belonged to one of the most prominent families in the region.
What was the purpose of Hale's report?
Hale volunteered on September 8, 1776, to go behind enemy lines and report on British troop movements, knowing fully well that an act of spying was immediately punishable by death.
What did Hale say before hanging?
By all accounts, Hale was a picture of dignity before hanging and supposed to have he uttered the famous words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”.
What was the Hale brothers' role in the debate?
The Hale brothers belonged to the Yale literary and debating society, Linonia, which debated topics in astronomy, mathematics, literature, and the ethics of slavery. He graduated with first-class honors in 1773 at age 18. Continue Reading Below.
What did Nathan leave the American Lines for?
Disguised as a loyalist-Dutch schoolmaster, Nathan departed from the American Lines from Harlem Heights Carrying his College Diploma as his credentials. He embarked on the mission fully aware of the risks involved in it.
How old was Hale when he died?
He died very young, at the age of 21, but his dedication to his beliefs are one of the symbols of American bravery and principles.
What rank did Nathan Hale get?
Young Nathan soon joined them. Having graduated with honors from Yale university at the tender age of 18, he was given the rank of 1st Lieutenant when he joined the Continental Army. In a matter of months, he was promoted ...
Who is Nathan Hale's nephew?
Perhaps Edward Everett Hale, Nathan Hale’s great nephew, summed up his legacy best: “Because that boy said those words, and because he died, thousands of other young men have given their lives to this country.”.
Why did Hale say he was hanging?
The reason, he said, was the the Provost Marshal did not want the Americans to know “that they had a man in the army who could die with so much firmness.”. On the morning of hanging, Hale was given an opportunity to make a dying speech. By every account, it was moving.
What was Hale's famous quote?
The famous words, I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country , were just the start of Hale’s bravery. Captain Montresor, an English officer, testified that after reading letters Nathan had written to his mother and an American officer, the British refused to send them. The reason, he said, was the the Provost Marshal did not want the Americans to know “that they had a man in the army who could die with so much firmness.”
Who was the spy who was hanged the next day?
Two hundered Americans were rounded up and jailed. Nathan Hale, proven to be a spy by the papers on his person, was sentenced to be hanged the very next day. It is for this that he is remembered.
Who encouraged the spectators to meet death in whatever shape it might appear?
British officer Frederick MacKensie wrote in his diary, “He behaved with great composure and resolution.” He added that Hale encouraged the spectators to “meet death in whatever shape it might appear.”
Was Hale a spy?
Hale is not remembered for his success as a spy. He spent just over a week pretending to be a school teacher—his occupation before the war—then made his way back to an appointed meeting place at Oyster Bay. Seeing a boat arrive, he assumed it was his American compatriots and waved it down.
Where was Nathan Hale born?
Nathan Hale was born in Coventry, Connecticut in 1755, the sixth child in a large family. His mother died when he was twelve, and it was her side of the family that took charge of his education. At the young age of fourteen, already a devout New England Congregationalist, Nathan attended Yale, where he met his friend, Benjamin Tallmadge (who would later become instrumental in the running of General Washington’s Culper Spy Ring).
What were Nathan Hale's last words?
On Hale’s famous last words: more than likely, before he hung, Nathan did not utter the words, “I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country.” These words were actually taken from Joseph Addison’s play Cato, of which Hale was a fan. What he truly said was written in the diary of a British captain: “He behaved with great composure and resolution, saying he thought it the duty of every good officer, to obey any orders given him by his commander in chief; and desired the spectators to be at all times prepared to meet death in whatever shape it may appear.”
When did Nathan die?
I have attempted to keep all other aspects of Nathan’s life historically accurate, up to and including his unfortunate death in New York on September 22, 1776, where he was denied his only request of a Bible for the comfort of his last hours on earth, and hanged as a spy.
Who did Nathan fall in love with?
After graduation, Nathan entered the world of teaching. It seems that at this time, Nathan fell in love with a woman named Alice Adams, but his desire to join the Continentals and fight for the Patriots came first. This is the major point in Hale’s biography where I take my license as a writer of fiction, and play around a bit. ☺ In “The Hidden Side,” there is no Alice Adams. Instead, Nathan falls in love with Mercy Howard, childhood friend of Benjamin Tallmadge.
Who is the spy in The Hidden Side?
One character my readers are introduced to in my upcoming release, “The Hidden Side,” is Revolutionary Spy Nathan Hale. When fictionalizing real historical people, I always feel an extra responsibility to stay as true to life as I can. That means research—and lots of it!
Who is Nathan Hale?
2. Nathan Hale was a teacher. Graduating at the young age of 18 from Yale, he got a position as a teacher right away, an interesting fact about Nathan Hale.
Why is Nathan Hale so famous?
The American hero Nathan Hale will be known to many because of his courageous demeanor during the American Revolutionary War, where he fought and also acted as a spy for the Continental Army . He is now the state hero of Connecticut and revered for his bravery which played an important role in the United States’ fight for independence from ...
What was Nathan Hale's role in the Linonian Society?
Hale and his brother both joined an exclusive society called the Linonian Society of Yale, where they had the opportunity to debate on topics covering mathematics, literature, astronomy, but also the ethics of slavery. 2. Nathan Hale was a teacher. Graduating at the young age of 18 from Yale, he got a position as a teacher right away, ...
What is Nathan Hale's education?
Nathan Hale Facts. 1. Hale was brought up with a first-class education. Born in Connecticut, Nathan Hale was given a very good education growing up. With his brother Enoch, he was sent to Yale College at the age of fourteen, and that’s where he got to meet other revolutionary spirits such as Benjamin Tallmadge, who would also become a Patriot spy. ...
What is Nathan Hale's famous phrase?
An interesting fact about Nathan Hale is that it is now commonly believed that Hale’s famous phrase is more of an abbreviation of a speech he managed to give before being hanged. Some historians believe he quoted the following passage from the play Cato by Joseph Addison, which was popular at the time and potentially well known to Hale given his Yale education:
Why did Nathan Hale turn in to the British?
This was simply because Samuel was a Loyalist, siding with the British crown. 8. Nathan Hale was only 21 when he was executed.
How old was Nathan Hale when he was executed?
Nathan Hale was only 21 when he was executed. After being captured, Hale was brought to New York City, where he was eventually executed. The exact location is still unknown, and there are different sites quoted where he could have been executed.
Who was Nathan Hale's cousin?
Secondly, Nathan Hale had a Loyalist cousin, Samuel Hale, who served as a soldier with General William Howe’s forces in the New York area. Thirdly, Hale stood out in a crowd because of his unusual height and his face scarred by gunpowder burns. Finally, Nathan Hale was a rank amateur.
Who discovered the hidden truth about Nathan Hale?
More than two centuries after Nathan Hale was hanged, a sharp-eyed librarian discovered the hidden truth about his capture.
What did Rogers do to Hale?
Rogers kept an eye on Hale, thinking him an enemy in disguise. Rogers put on his own disguise and visited Hale in his quarters. Then he told Hale he was troubled at being stuck on Long Island, where the inhabitants sided with the British. He suggested he wanted to spy on British troop movements.
When did Nathan Hale go ashore?
All that was certain was that Nathan Hale went ashore on Long Island sometime in mid-September 1776 and disappeared. And three nuggets of information:
Who was the librarian who tricked Nathan Hale into revealing his spy mission?
Librarian James Hutson found out that another legendary American tricked Hale into revealing his spy mission. Nathan Hale by Bela Pratt (Washington, D.C.) Hutson in 2000 was chief of the manuscript division of the Library of Congress when the library received an unexpected gem: a history of the American Revolution written by a Connecticut Loyalist, ...
Who captured Nathan Hale?
Bradford Tiffany donated it to the Library of Congress. And in that manuscript James Hutson learned that none other than Robert Rogers captured Nathan Hale.
Where did Moses Dunbar come from?
First of all, he came from Connecticut. Many Connecticut Loyalists had fled the rebel government or wanted to fight for the British. Connecticut Tory Moses Dunbar, for example, went to the gallows after signing up with the British army on Long Island.
Where was Nathan Hale born?
Hale was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on November 30, 1922. When he was two years old, Nathan's parents both succumbed and died to the lingering complications of the influenza epidemic of 1918 and 1924; he subsequently went to live with his aunt Rachel. After his aunt died, he was fostered by Frank (who was a friend of Hale's father) and Mary Farley on their ranch in Draper who they treated Hale as their own child. Their daugther Susan, thought of Nathan as the brother she never had. Hale also had a cousin on his mother's side of the family named Becka Feedle (who would later compete for Hale's shooting record after he joined the Army).
Where was Hale born?
Background. Hale was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on November 30, 1922. When he was two years old, Nathan's parents both succumbed and died to the lingering complications of the influenza epidemic of 1918 and 1924; he subsequently went to live with his aunt Rachel.
What happened to Hale in Arrow 2?
On July 11, 1951, Hale was deployed with the First Ranger Regiment to York as part of Operation Deliverance. He was part of Arrow Two who were decimated by anti-air barrage. Hale regrouped with another squad which were then attacked by Chimeran Crawlers and infected with the Chimeran virus. Due to the partial immunity he gained from Project Abraham, Hale survived the infection aside from biologically possessing gold-colored eyes as a result. He awoke to a U.S. medic and fought his way to an abandoned bus depot where Captain Winters was clearing a landing zone for allied airborne reinforcements. With the help of a commandeered Sabertooth tank, he helped clear out a rally point. Not long after, he was captured by the Chimera during a Spire attack after defending the depot with the remnants of his regiment, and taken to a Chimeran conversion center in Grimsby. Hale soon escaped captivity and rescued Captain Rachel Parker from being infected in a holding cell in the process. With Parker's help, he managed to escape the facility while grimly learning about the Chimeran conversion process, and proceeded to join and help the British Army. Parker became suspicious of Hale as she knew he was infected and tried to get him tested, but he joined the Manchester operation before she could say a word.
Why did Hale volunteer for Project Abraham?
In November 1950, before America's intervention in the Chimeran War, Hale volunteered in Project Abraham, a secret government project that were conducting research and experiments in finding a cure to the "European Influenza". The reason for volunteering in Project Abraham was stated in an induction interview that he thought that something suspicious is happening in Europe that his government is unwilling to tell to the public, and believed that someone like him should volunteer for the project. After signing up he was under investigation over a bullet from the YRSD shooting tournament that he kept for luck came from a military outpost. It had turned out that he was there long before the area was closed off by the military.
How long does Hale live in Resistance 2?
In the teaser trailer of Resistance 2, it says that Hale only has "nineteen hours left to live", which is mentioned in the campaign, but he actually survives roughly two days before the virus takes over. In the campaign, when it mentions how long he has to live, it also says that, if he doesn't die, he could end up like Daedalus.
Why did Hale get a military citation?
As a result, Hale was given two military citations for fraternizing with Aklin.
How tall is Hale in Fall of Man?
Hale is 6 foot 2' and has a shaved head with five o'clock shadow. He is nearly 29 at the time of Resistance Fall of Man and nearly 31 at the time of Resistance 2. At the beginning of Resistance: Fall of Man, he does not have five o'clock shadow but it grows over time.
Who was Reverend John Hale?
Reverend John Hale of Beverly. Reverend John Hale was a minister from Beverly best known for his role in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Born in Charlestown in 1636 to local blacksmith Robert Hale, as a child Hale witnessed Massachusetts’ first execution of a convicted witch, in 1648, with the hanging of Margaret Jones of Charlestown.
Who was John Hale's first wife?
John Hale House in Beverly, Mass. After his first wife, Rebecca Byles, passed away in 1683, Hale married Sarah Noyes a year later. He then went on to serve as a chaplain to the militia during the Massachusetts campaign to capture the fortress of Louisburg in Canada in 1690.
What was Hale called upon to testify against?
As the episodes expanded and intensified, Hale was called upon to testify against members of his congregation and he became more deeply involved in the proceedings. As the number of cases grew, Hale became less vocal and visibly less involved.
Where did John Hale go to college?
Hale was later educated at Harvard, where he earned a theology degree in 1657, and worked as a teacher and tutor after graduation. A few years later, Hale was invited to preach at the First Parish Church in Beverly and became the church’s first official pastor in 1667.
When did the book of Hale come out?
The book was published after Hale’s death, at the age of 64, in 1702.
Who was Hale's wife when the Salem Witch Trials ended?
A few years after the witch trials ended, Hale’s wife Sarah passed away and Hale began writing a book about the Salem Witch Trials, titled A Modest Inquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft, which challenged the legal proceedings and religious principles of witch hunts in general.
Who was the first witch in Massachusetts?
Born in Charlestown in 1636 to local blacksmith Robert Hale , as a child Hale witnessed Massachusetts’ first execution of a convicted witch, in 1648, with the hanging of Margaret Jones of Charlestown. Hale was later educated at Harvard, where he earned a theology degree in 1657, and worked as a teacher and tutor after graduation.
Who Was Nathan Hale?
Early Life
- Hale was born on June 6, 1755, in Coventry, Connecticut, the second son of Richard and Elizabeth Hale. A prominent family, the Hales were devout Puritans and instilled in their children the importance of hard work, religious virtue and education. At 14, Hale was sent off to Yale College with his older brother, Enoch, where he excelled in literature and debate. He graduated with hono…
Military Service
- In July 1775, Hale joined the Connecticut militia and was elected First Lieutenant. Some accounts say he saw battle during the Siege of Boston, while others point out he was still under his teaching obligation. Records do show he was commissioned a captain in General George Washington’s army in January 1776. After the British captured Boston, General Washington moved his army t…
Secret Spy Mission
- Though spying was not considered honorable for a gentleman, Hale volunteered, perhaps out of a sense of duty, or because he hadn’t seen military action up to then. In any case, he was fully aware of the danger: spies were considered illegal combatants and quickly executed. Hale left the American lines at Harlem Heights on September 12, 1776, posing as an itinerant teacher. He tra…
Capture and Execution
- Some accounts state he was recognized by his cousin Samuel Hale, a Loyalist working for the British, who turned him over to authorities. Another version reports British Major Robert Rogers recognized Hale, despite his disguise, in a New York City tavern. Not divulging his revelation, Rogers struck up a conversation with Hale and gained his trust, telling him he was a patriot sym…
Legacy
- After his death, his loyal friends and an anxious American public looking for heroes, transformed this young neophyte warrior into a symbol of self-sacrifice and martyrdom. Many statues and memorials were erected honoring his bravery and service to his country in the years following his death. In 1985, Hale was officially designated Connecticut’s state hero.