American Historical Trivia

Nathan Hale

***IMPORTANT AN***
If you're only reading this book for giggles (which I don't blame you at all, that's totally cool and I hope this book makes you smile) then skip the next three chapters titled: Nathan Hale, Holy Hell was this Man Hot Pt. 1, & Holy Hell was this Man Hot Pt. 2. They're more serious and kind of sound like they came out of a history book.

The updates after that starting with, Back to the Funny Stuff are all short, light, and ridiculous.

Thank you!! xx
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I should have done this update a few days ago, but for some reason I didn't. This is the story of Nathan Hale.

Growing up in a small town in Connecticut, Nathan was a bright boy with prominent Protestant roots. When he was only sixteen years old Nathan went to Yale University to pursue a teaching career.

He was one of the youngest students of the University at the time. Attending the university with his older brother Enoch, the boys were almost inseparable. At school Nathan got into his fair share of mischief and there met many of his Revolutionary friends. Most importantly Benjamin Tallmadge.

Ben was as equally brilliant as Nathan, later going on to founding the American Spy Ring- known as the Culper Ring (Where you Turn fans at?)- and the head of Intelligence for Washington. Ben worked alongside many prominent historical figures like Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, and George Washington. (Ben was only 26 years old.)

These boys were literally awesome. They were both total feminists, there are accounts of them getting into debates fighting for Women's Rights- and totally crushing it. Nathan, after graduating Yale, became a school teacher who taught young girls math, reading, and writing. For the rest of Ben's life he pushed for Women's Equality.

Nathan would write poetry to his friends expressing how much they meant to him and he loved them. Especially Ben. (If anyone is curious to read some of Nathan's poems just ask, they're wonderfully brilliant. I cried the first time I read the one addressed to Ben.)

Fast forward to the Revolution. Nathan is a young teacher when he gets word of the War, he then enlists. In September of 1776, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton, Nathan volunteered to be a spy for Washington. Out of all his fellow soldiers he was the only person to volunteer; this young, good-looking, brilliant boy.

While conducting the interview for the job, Colonel Knowlton was concerned at the very least. Nathan had never visited York, had no connections to the city (only some distant cousins), and has only been briefly showed a map of the city by Ben Tallmadge. He was just a boy looking to do his country right.

That being said, Nathan was a charismatic kid educated on the drama of theater. (He used to star in the Yale play productions.) Maybe the only piece of hope Knowlten had to go by. It's not like Knowlten had much of a choice anyway, Nathan was the only one that had volunteered.

When being asked why he had volunteered as a spy, Nate pulled out a crinkled parchment from his pocket. It was a letter from his dear friend Benjamin Tallmadge. Here is an excerpt from Ben's letter:

'Our holy Religion, the honour of our God, a glorious country, & a happy constitution is what we have to defend. Some indeed may say there are others who may supply your place. True there are men who would gladly accept such a proposal but are we certain that they would be likely to answer to just as good an end?'

These are some of the words that moved Nathan to give up the safety of numbers, the safety of his peers, the safety of his identity, the safety of his entire world. And this is the decision that will lead to his end.

The objective was simple, get behind enemy lines in York City (now New York City) posed as a Loyalist and learn of the British whereabouts. The actions he took during his mission are unclear, given he left his war diary at the Continental camp and was unable to take notes in fear of them falling into enemy hands.

I won't sugarcoat it, Nathan was not a good spy and he failed his mission. But, he is still seen as an American hero, and for good reason too.

Only a few weeks into his operation, Nathan was apprehended by the Queen's Rangers led by Robert Rogers (I HATE ROBERT ROGERS WITH ALL THE BURNING HEAT OF HELL). It is said that he was given away by his distant cousin who lived in York City who was- unfortunately- a Loyalist.

On September 21, 1776 Nathan was taken to a greenhouse to await his death. He was denied a trial, instead he plead guilty to being a spy- which meant he would be hanged as a spy, versus shot as a soldier. When asked for a clergyman to prepare for his last moments on Earth he was denied. When asking for a mere Bible to read one last time he was denied. Nathan was very religious, one can only imagine how terrified this boy was by being denied these last wishes.

September 22, 1776 Nathan Hale was ready to face death. While on the carriage ride to the hanging site the British soldier with him showed a gesture of kindness, letting Nathan write letters with the last things he wished to convey. Nathan wrote two letters; one to his beloved brother Enoch and the other to Colonel Knowlton.

As he starred down the nuce, Nathan famously proclaimed:

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

The young boy then met death.

Nathan's body hung for many days by the nuce, until finally someone cut him down and buried him in an unmarked grave. Nathan's body has never been found. As a souvenir and a smack to the face of America, a British Captain kept Nathan's Yale diploma and burned the two letters Nathan had written moments before his death- his last thoughts.

Now, he may not have been successful in his efforts to further the Revolutionary cause, but he is still a nationwide known American hero with his name plastered to all American History books. This is not because of his actions during the fight, but the ones as he met death.

Instead of crying out in rage, Nathan carried himself with dignity. He didn't plea for his life, he accepted the fate of his actions. He spoke out for his country and the faith he had in it, he willingly gave his life to the wonderful idea of the United States of America. He is a role model to every American. Some people  can only wish to be as loyal as Nathan Hale was to a country that had yet to be born.

Nathan Hale deserves to be remembered. Nathan Hale was a young man believing in a country not many supported. Nathan Hale saw the prospects of a free country that many were afraid to pursue. Nathan Hale met death with grace, knowing it was for America.

Nathan Hale must be remembered.

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Long update, I know; but, I felt this topic is very important in our history. The innocent boy that is Nathan Hale is one of my favorites, as is Ben Tallmadge. Especially in these times, with the elections and the riots and the turmoil of this country I think it's important to remember why this country came about and what we stood- and hopefully still- stand for. Nathan Hale is a great example of a true American, a believer.

There is no painting/portrait/drawing of Nathan Hale, the statue in the header is what the sculptor pieced together from other peoples' memories. There are many monuments around New England dedicated to Nathan, Connecticut recently claimed Nathan as their State's Hero.

For anyone who may be interested, Samuel Hale- the distant cousin- was shamed and hated so badly after giving away his own flesh & blood he was forced to flee to Britain. Serves him right, asshole doesn't even begin to explain the scum that is Samuel Hale.

The next chapter- on John André- is very similar to Nathan's, but from the perspective of a Red Coat victim. I swear it won't be as dark as Nathan's story.