Syracuse University SURFACE Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Projects Projects Spring 5-2016 A Spy of His Own Confession: A Revolution in American Espionage Cole Ellenbogen Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Ellenbogen, Cole, "A Spy of His Own Confession: A Revolution in American Espionage" (2016). Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Projects. 975. https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/975 This Honors Capstone Project is brought to you for free and open access by the Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Projects at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syracuse University Honors Program Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Abstract: The most well known spies are usually the ones who were caught. But what about those who took their secret lives to the grave? In the summer of 1778, arguably one of the biggest players in the United States’ fight for independence was released from a rebel-controlled prison in Connecticut. Abraham Woodhull, arrested earlier in the year for smuggling, was offered his freedom in exchange for his loyalty to the continental army. His friend, Major Benjamin Tallmadge, was looking to replace the dated espionage methods employed by his superior officer and contentious rival. In just a few short years, the organization they created would change the tide of the war – and all of espionage – forever. Executive Summary: In the summer of 1778, the American Revolution was at an unusual stalemate. All of Britain’s supply ships were coming into New York City from Ireland, making the Island of Manhattan a critical stronghold.