The Culper Spy Ring was an American spy network operating during the War of American Independence that provided George Washington with information on British troop movements.
In November 1778, George Washington appointed Major Benjamin Tallmadge as director of military intelligence, charged with creating a spy ring in New York City, the site of British headquarters.
It was a group of covert American spies that fed George Washington critical information on British troop movements. The ring was led by Major Benjamin Tallmadge.
This network became known as the Culper Spy Ring and operated successfully in and around New York City for five years, during which time no spy was ever unmasked. Even Washington was ignorant of the spies’ identities.
Tallmadge’s informants consisted of friends he made at school on Long Island, including Austin Roe, Caleb Brewster, Abraham Woodhull, and Anna Strong.
Though Woodhull was Tallmadge’s chief agent, Robert Townsend was an important informant who posed as a Loyalist coffee-shop owner and merchant while working as a society journalist.
As a reporter Townsend was able to obtain information from the British at society gatherings.
It was a group of covert American spies that fed George Washington critical information on British troop movements. The ring was led by Major Benjamin Tallmadge. (Mount Vernon)
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