Nathan Hale
Hales Early Life
He was born on June 6, 1756. His parents, Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong, were Puritans who stressed religious devotion, and education. His father, a farmer and a deacon of the church in Coventry CT, was considered a leader of the community. Their family farm spanned 300 acers, which at that time was twice the size of an average homestead. Nathan's early years came with sickness but he eventually grew into a strong, healthy child with a quick mind. An American hero of the war of independence Nathan Hale was educated at Yale, at just 14 years old and beginning to become a school teacher. It was great that he went to college because very few did. He graduated Yale on September 8, 1773, in the top third of his class.
During the Revolutionary War
Nathan Hale is famous for the words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" just before being executed by the British for being an American spy. Hale was not always a spy, he began his career as a teacher, but when the War for Independence heated up in 1775, Hale accepted a
commission as a lieutenant in the Continental Army. When war broke out in Connecticut militia men rushed to Massachusetts to help at the Siege of Boston which was being held under American cannonade. His militia marched imediatly to Boston, but he stayed behind because his teacher contract didn't expire until July, 1755. He was trying to decide whether to join the new army and fight in Boston or to keep quiet and wait. Nathan then recieved a heartfelt letter from an old roomate at Yale, Benjamin Tallmadge. The letter had gave Hale confidence. The day after receiving Tallmadge's letter, Nathan Hale accepted a commission as 1st lieutenant in the 7th CT regiment under Colonel Charles Webb of Stamford. After a last visit to Yale and several weeks recruiting men, Hale was ready to join in the siege against Boston.
During these early army days Nathan kept a diary which records were of a young officer on the siege line. When George Washington reorganized the army in January, 1776, Nathan received a captain's commission in the new 19th CT regiment and several men asked to be placed under his command. When spring arrived, Washington's army moved to Manhattan to prevent the British from taking New York City. Nathan spent six months at Bayard's Mount getting ready for the fierce battle. He served at Boston and then New York, where he volunteered to go behind British lines to gather intelligence.
While on this mission Hale was captured by the British on 21 September 1776 and immediately told everyone that he was spying for General George Washington. British general William Howe ordered the execution of Hale, who was hanged the next day. Although Hale's spying mission ended in failure, his display of patriotism made him a hero among the colonists fighting for independence. Today he is the state hero of Connecticut and his statue sits out front of the statehouse.
He was born on June 6, 1756. His parents, Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong, were Puritans who stressed religious devotion, and education. His father, a farmer and a deacon of the church in Coventry CT, was considered a leader of the community. Their family farm spanned 300 acers, which at that time was twice the size of an average homestead. Nathan's early years came with sickness but he eventually grew into a strong, healthy child with a quick mind. An American hero of the war of independence Nathan Hale was educated at Yale, at just 14 years old and beginning to become a school teacher. It was great that he went to college because very few did. He graduated Yale on September 8, 1773, in the top third of his class.
During the Revolutionary War
Nathan Hale is famous for the words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" just before being executed by the British for being an American spy. Hale was not always a spy, he began his career as a teacher, but when the War for Independence heated up in 1775, Hale accepted a
commission as a lieutenant in the Continental Army. When war broke out in Connecticut militia men rushed to Massachusetts to help at the Siege of Boston which was being held under American cannonade. His militia marched imediatly to Boston, but he stayed behind because his teacher contract didn't expire until July, 1755. He was trying to decide whether to join the new army and fight in Boston or to keep quiet and wait. Nathan then recieved a heartfelt letter from an old roomate at Yale, Benjamin Tallmadge. The letter had gave Hale confidence. The day after receiving Tallmadge's letter, Nathan Hale accepted a commission as 1st lieutenant in the 7th CT regiment under Colonel Charles Webb of Stamford. After a last visit to Yale and several weeks recruiting men, Hale was ready to join in the siege against Boston.
During these early army days Nathan kept a diary which records were of a young officer on the siege line. When George Washington reorganized the army in January, 1776, Nathan received a captain's commission in the new 19th CT regiment and several men asked to be placed under his command. When spring arrived, Washington's army moved to Manhattan to prevent the British from taking New York City. Nathan spent six months at Bayard's Mount getting ready for the fierce battle. He served at Boston and then New York, where he volunteered to go behind British lines to gather intelligence.
While on this mission Hale was captured by the British on 21 September 1776 and immediately told everyone that he was spying for General George Washington. British general William Howe ordered the execution of Hale, who was hanged the next day. Although Hale's spying mission ended in failure, his display of patriotism made him a hero among the colonists fighting for independence. Today he is the state hero of Connecticut and his statue sits out front of the statehouse.