Nathan Hale was born June 6, 1755 in Coventry, among the hills in Connecticut. His father, Richard, a was a farmer and patriot; his mother, Elizabeth Strong, belonged to a family known for their involvement in public matters. In their family of twelve children there were nine sons, six of whom took part in the Revolution. As a boy, Nathan helped with the chores on his father's large farm, but he had time for fishing, swimming and wrestling. He was prepared for college by the village minister, Rev. Joseph Huntington, an excellent teacher, from whom Hale may have learned some of his charming manners and his interest in the heroes of ancient times. In 1769 he entered Yale University. He was an avid reader of books of all kinds, but was known for his physical ability just as he was for his speaking powers.
After his graduation in 1773 he taught at two schools in Connecticut until 1775. He won all hearts in both school communities and was a successful teacher. His amazing athletic skills gave him a great reputation among men and his handsome looks and charming manner made him popular with the ladies. During this time, he made a speech in behalf of liberty and independence at the town meeting that was held to discuss the news of the battle of Lexington. Both his strong words and his "noble demeanor" impressed everyone at the meeting.
He became a lieutenant by the General Assembly of Connecticut on July 1, 1775. After two months of recruiting he was with the Continental Army, at the siege of Boston. His activities are seen in his diary and letters, which reveal an alert, serious young officer. Although he was very interested in the war, he made time to write letters to his family and friends and for exercise and sports. On January 1, 1776, he was promoted to captain. When Boston was evacuated in March the colonial army was moved to New York. Hale arrived there on April 30th and before the middle of May, helped by "sailors and skippers" of his company, he stole a sloop loaded with supplies from under the guns of a British ship.
When "in the darkest hour of the Revolution" Washington decided it was crucial to get information about the strength and plans of the enemy, he asked for volunteers. At first no one responded but at the second call Hale offered himself for the dangerous job. When good friend tried to talk him out of it, he replied: "I wish to be useful, and every kind of service, necessary to the public good, becomes honorable by being necessary."
His plan was to pretend to be a teacher, and taking his college diploma as his proof, he left the camp on September 12th and headed to Long Island. When he accomplished his mission, he returned to New York and had almost reached safety, when, on the night of September 21st, he was captured as a spy and taken before General Howe. Many, including his family, believed that he was betrayed by his Tory cousin, Samuel. Sketches and other valuable military information were found on him so, "he at once declared his name, his rank in the American Army, and his object in coming within the British lines."
Howe, without a trial, ordered his execution the next day. While preparations for the hanging were being made on the morning of Sunday, September 22, 1776 Hale wrote two letters, one to his brother Enoch, and one to Colonel Knowlton. He then went forth to the gallows where he made a "spirited and sensible speech," in which he spoke the now famous words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
His friend, Lieutenant Elisha Bostwick, describes Hale as "a little above the common stature in height, his shoulders of moderate breadth, his limbs straight & very plump; regular features--very fair skin--blue eyes--flaxen or very light hair which was always kept short-- his eyebrows a shade darker than his hair & his voice rather sharp or piercing--his bodily agility was remarkable. I have seen him follow a football and kick it over the tops of the trees in the Bowery at New York (an exercise he was fond of)--his mental powers seemed to be above the common sort--his mind of a sedate and sober cast and he was undoubtedly pious; for it was remarked that when any of the soldiers of his company were sick he always visited them & usually prayed for and with them in their sickness."
Bibliography
"Nathan Hale."Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936.
Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC
After his graduation in 1773 he taught at two schools in Connecticut until 1775. He won all hearts in both school communities and was a successful teacher. His amazing athletic skills gave him a great reputation among men and his handsome looks and charming manner made him popular with the ladies. During this time, he made a speech in behalf of liberty and independence at the town meeting that was held to discuss the news of the battle of Lexington. Both his strong words and his "noble demeanor" impressed everyone at the meeting.
He became a lieutenant by the General Assembly of Connecticut on July 1, 1775. After two months of recruiting he was with the Continental Army, at the siege of Boston. His activities are seen in his diary and letters, which reveal an alert, serious young officer. Although he was very interested in the war, he made time to write letters to his family and friends and for exercise and sports. On January 1, 1776, he was promoted to captain. When Boston was evacuated in March the colonial army was moved to New York. Hale arrived there on April 30th and before the middle of May, helped by "sailors and skippers" of his company, he stole a sloop loaded with supplies from under the guns of a British ship.
When "in the darkest hour of the Revolution" Washington decided it was crucial to get information about the strength and plans of the enemy, he asked for volunteers. At first no one responded but at the second call Hale offered himself for the dangerous job. When good friend tried to talk him out of it, he replied: "I wish to be useful, and every kind of service, necessary to the public good, becomes honorable by being necessary."
His plan was to pretend to be a teacher, and taking his college diploma as his proof, he left the camp on September 12th and headed to Long Island. When he accomplished his mission, he returned to New York and had almost reached safety, when, on the night of September 21st, he was captured as a spy and taken before General Howe. Many, including his family, believed that he was betrayed by his Tory cousin, Samuel. Sketches and other valuable military information were found on him so, "he at once declared his name, his rank in the American Army, and his object in coming within the British lines."
Howe, without a trial, ordered his execution the next day. While preparations for the hanging were being made on the morning of Sunday, September 22, 1776 Hale wrote two letters, one to his brother Enoch, and one to Colonel Knowlton. He then went forth to the gallows where he made a "spirited and sensible speech," in which he spoke the now famous words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
His friend, Lieutenant Elisha Bostwick, describes Hale as "a little above the common stature in height, his shoulders of moderate breadth, his limbs straight & very plump; regular features--very fair skin--blue eyes--flaxen or very light hair which was always kept short-- his eyebrows a shade darker than his hair & his voice rather sharp or piercing--his bodily agility was remarkable. I have seen him follow a football and kick it over the tops of the trees in the Bowery at New York (an exercise he was fond of)--his mental powers seemed to be above the common sort--his mind of a sedate and sober cast and he was undoubtedly pious; for it was remarked that when any of the soldiers of his company were sick he always visited them & usually prayed for and with them in their sickness."
Bibliography
"Nathan Hale."Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936.
Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC