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A LONG report I had to write on Nathan Hale
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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 why.”
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(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 very
popular with both the students and teachers. He was even
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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 Lieutenant
under Colonel Webb. Hale was given the job of recruiting
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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.
These rangers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas
Knowlton and nicknamed Knowlton’s Rangers, had the
responsibility of cracking British intelligence, discovering
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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 up in flames.
Hale tried to escape, but he was captured and arrested as a
suspect for arson.
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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 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
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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.
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