Washington's Secrets

The American Revolution could have ended soon if it only relied on military might. Understand it, Washington recruited a sophisticated and deeply secretive intelligence network to infiltrate New York - It was the Culper Spy Ring.

The Culper Ring was an American Revolutionary War spy ring, organized by Major Benjamin Tallmadge and George Washington, set up in 1778 during the British occupation of New York City.

While Tallmadge was their direct contact, Washington often directed its operations. Their task was to provide Washington information on British Army operations in New York City, the British headquarters. Its members operated mostly in New York City, Long Island, and Connecticut, beginning in late October 1778, until the British evacuation of New York in 1783.

The portraits of these spies clearly depicted on every page: a reserved Quaker merchant, a tavern keeper, a brash young longshoreman, a curmudgeonly Long Island bachelor, a coffeehouse owner, and a mysterious woman. Long unrecognized, the secret six are finally receiving their due among the pantheon of American heroes.