Nathan Hale

Antonio Doukas

Mr. Wax

10/20/06
 US History 31

Once in a great while, our country produces a great

patriot; one who lives on as an example for others to

follow. From humble beginnings he arose to become one of

the most loyal men in the American Army, from the sickly

son of a farmer, to a strong and brave martyr. In his

twenty-one years of life, he accomplished more than many of

us would only dream to do in our lifetime. He studied with

a well-read reverend, went to Yale, started a secret

society, entered the Connecticut Militia and later the

American Army, became a spy out of necessity, and was

immortalized by his dying words. Few of us even have

ambitions that high! Nathan Hale was a natural born leader,

one who’s aspirations and conviction got to him where he

did. Thanks to Hale’s perseverance and his public speaking

abilities, he was able to recruit very many soldiers. If it

wasn’t for him, we may not have won the war.

Nathan Hale was born in Coventry, CT on June 6, 1755

of Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong. He was one of twelve

children, and one of nine boys. His father was a Deacon,

and thus a man who was accustomed to order. “He went to bed

with the swallows and arose with the lark, and if his boys

were not up as early as he, he wanted to know the reason

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why.” (Partridge, 45) Richard Hale was a prosperous farmer

whose political ideals promoted independence for America.

When Nathan was born he was not expected to live long.

He was a sickly child, but instead of killing him, his

disease strengthened him. As he grew, he cultivated a love

for sports such as “running, leaping, wrestling, firing at

a mark, throwing, lifting, playing ball,” (Newton, 124)

fishing, and swimming. Although he had his fair share of

fun, he was also very devoted to his studies. He was a

privileged child to be able to go to school, because unlike

today, school was a privilege back then. His primary

studies included reading, writing, mathematics, and

religion.

He put his mind to his studies so much, that his

father encouraged him to study with Reverend Joseph

Huntington, and perhaps join the clergy someday. Nathan

readily accepted, and soon began his secondary education.

He quickly gained a love for the ‘classics’ such as Greek,

Latin, Mathematics, Philosophy, Greek and Roman literature

& history, and oratory.

In his quest for higher education, Hale applied to

Yale in New Haven, and was accepted in 1769. Even though he

was only fourteen, he didn’t slack off in his studies;

instead, he continued his lessons in the classics. He was a

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very popular with both the students and teachers. He was

even able to arrange a library for his secret society made

for those who loved to read. It was called the Linonia

Society. Patriotism was instilled in Hale early on, because

most discussions at school centered on politics and the

break off of America from Britain. Hale graduated with

flying colors in 1773.

Hale wasted no time in his life; immediately after

Yale, he organized a formal debate discussing whether girls

were neglected as far as their studies. Due to his advanced

linguistics and persuasion, he won the debate easily,

making a small contribution to the fight for women’s

rights. Nathan was not satisfied, as he still wanted

school; so he became a teacher.

In Oct. 1773, Hale was able to secure a job in East

Haddam up until March of 1774, when he moved to a school in

New London until July 1775. He was adored by his students

and fellow teachers. He would explain the lessons to them

in a way that they would understand. Hale loved his job,

and showed it to his students every day, but all good

things must come to an end.

While Hale was still teaching, the war had begun, so

in July of 1775 he decided to join the Connecticut Militia.

He was in the seventh Connecticut regiment as first

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Lieutenant under Colonel Webb. Hale was given the job of

recruiting soldiers. His captivating speeches won many

over. “Let us march immediately, and never lay down our

arms until we have obtained our independence!” so was the

conclusion of one of Hale’s motivating speeches. Through

his linguistic skills, he was able to convince a large

amount of people to be recruited.

Hale’s skills and perseverance got him promoted to

Captain before too long. Immediately afterward he and his

regiment were sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts to provide

relief for the troops in Boston. In 1755, Hale’s term in

the militia ended, but his dedication for his country did

not. Without skipping a beat, he enlisted in the nineteenth

regiment of the Continental Army as a Captain in January of

1776.

Hale was a faithful servant of his country. During a

battle in New York in mid-May, Nathan was able to intercept

a sloop chock full of much needed supplies. During the

summer of 1776, Washington’s army was outnumbered by

twelve-thousand soldiers. In order to alleviate his

soldiers, he formed a special group called the Connecticut

Rangers. Hale was one out of one-hundred and twenty men to

go.

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 These rangers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas

Knowlton and nicknamed Knowlton’s Rangers, had the

responsibility of cracking British intelligence,

discovering battle tactics and other information that would

benefit Washington’s soldiers. Washington was dissatisfied,

and wanted more results, so he asked Knowlton for

volunteers to be undercover spies. Being the leader of one

of the ranger companies, Hale eagerly accepted, saying, “I

wish to be useful and every kind of service, necessary to

the public good, becomes honorable by being necessary.”

Hale understood what it would require of him, and the

risks involved, but still whole-heartedly accepted. He was

to go into British territory disguised, and determine the

strength of the troops and determine where they would

attack. Hale, although lacking in the basic techniques and

equipment used by spies then, was headstrong and brave, and

went into British territory with plain clothes and a his

diploma, as if looking for a job as a schoolteacher.

Although Nathan Hale was not the best choice for a

spy, he was able to visit every British camp on Long

Island, and sketch pictures of what the encampments looked

like, and annotated the plans they were discussing. He was

to be done with spying by September fifteenth, but things

did not go as planned. On the twentieth, the whole city was

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up in flames. Hale tried to escape, but he was captured and

arrested as a suspect for arson.

Hale spent the night in prison, and when they searched

him, they found the sketches and notes he took hidden in

his shoes. He was then charged with being a spy, and was to

be hanged the next morning. No trial was given because

spies were considered the scum of the earth; posing

themselves as friends, but then stabbing them in the back.

The irony in his being caught was that his own loyalist

cousin was the one who betrayed him to General William Howe.

Nathan gave in with no fight, and he was still treated

with utmost disrespect, and even denied basic freedoms

given to all prisoners of war. His requests for both a

Bible and a priest were turned down by his supervisor,

William Cunningham. Hale was to wait until morning for his

fate to be sealed. After the noose was fitted around his

neck, he was asked if he had any last words. The words that

escaped his lips afterwards have been immortalized and

preserved up until today: “You are shedding the blood of

the innocent; if I had ten-thousand lives I would lay them

down in defense of my injured.” He concludes with these

eternal words, “I only regret that I have but one life to

lose for my country!” (Rostek, 186) Then, SNAP! His life

was over. He was kept hanging so as to serve as a warning

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for the Americans, so even after his death, he was helping

his country. When Washington found out about his death a

week later, he asked Montressor, who was meeting with

General Howe to discuss the exchange of prisoners, to find

out what happened to Nathan. He was answered thoroughly, as

Howe “was [not] willing to execute Hale” (Partridge, 82),

and sympathized for their loss.

We all should sympathize for his loss. A patriot such

as that is rarely seen nowadays. When most people turn

twenty-one, they go to the nearest bar and drink, but Hale

was doing something of actual importance. He went a long

way in his life; a sickly baby, a strong boy, a teenage

scholar, an adolescent teacher, and an adult soldier. We

would do well to follow in his footsteps.

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 Works Cited

1. Schmittroth, Linda. Rostek, Mary Kay. American

Revolution: Biographies. 1. 2000. (178-186).

2. Partridge, William Ordway. Nathan Hale: The Ideal

Patriot. New York City: Funk and Wagnalls Company, 1902.

3. Libertson, Jody. Nathan Hale: Hero of the American

Revolution. 1. New York City: The Rosen Publishing Group,
2004.

4. Newton, Caroline. Once Upon A Time In Connecticut. New

York City: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916.(124-139).

5. Johnston, Henry. Nathan Hale 1776: Biography and

Memorials. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1914.