The book George Washington's Secret Six was a very interesting read. Spies were a big asset in the war, not just to the Americans but the British as well. However, the Americans, out gunned as well as out numbered, relied heavily on their spies information. Washington realized that the war had to be won by out smarting the enemy."If the Americans wanted to emerge victorious from this conflict, they would not try to over power their enemy" (page 19).
Washington's spy ring choose very specific men. They needed men who could get the information needed without making a scene and causing unwanted attention or suspicion. Washington wanted "a man who would not raise suspicions but would rather die than surrender his God-given liberties" (page 31). This plan failed them however when Nathan Hale, a man who volunteered to become a spy, was arrested and charged. He was sentenced to be hung for his deeds. To this day no one knows exactly how Hale was discovered, but it was a big blow to Washington. His death did bring about one good thing however. "Hale's attempted offense had been an utter failure, but he had given his beloved general something just as valuable: the recognition that Washington needed more than just one brave man on Long Island; he needed an entire network" (page 27).
The spy ring helped the Americans to victory in capturing Trenton when they pretended to capture John Honeyman. He then "escaped" a few days later and reported to the Hessian Colonel that the Americans where too disheartened to attack anytime soon. He then packed his bags and left with his family. To celebrate the news that they had just gotten the Hessian troops begun to drink. The next morning the Americans attacked and were victorious. This victory showed Washington two key things: his spies would have to blend in just as Honeyman had done and Hale had failed to do, and they would have to be completely persuasive in their roles.
