HALE, NATHAN (1756-76). A Revolutionary patriot, who met his death under circumstances that have made him famous in American history. He was born at Coventry, Conn., graduated with high honors at Yale in 1773, taught school at East Haddam from October, 1773, to March, 1774, and afterwards at New London until soon after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, when (July 1, 1775) he became first lieutenant in a Connecticut regiment, commanded by Charles Webb. For a short time he was engaged on re cruiting duty at New London, then served at the siege of Boston, and on September 1st became a captain-lieutenant. On January 1, 1776, he was formally commissioned a captain in the regular Continental service. In March, 1776, he started with Heath's brigade for New York, where soon afterwards (according to a doubtful tradition) he, with several picked men, captured by night a British provision sloop protected by the man-of war Asia. While in the vicinity of New York he served as a member of a small harassing body known as Knowlton's Rangers. Early in September he volunteered to visit Long Island and New York, to secure some much-needed in formation concerning the enemy. Entering the
British lines disguised as a Dutch schoolteacher, he obtained the desired information, and was about to return, when, on the night of September 21st, he was recognized and captured. On the following morning he was hung as a spy, having previously, it is said, been denied the use of a Bible, or a visit from a minister, and having had' the letters which he had written to his mother and his fiancee destroyed before his eyes. His last words were: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." There are statues of Hale in Hartford, Conn., and in City Hall Park, New York, the former by Gerhardt and the latter by Macmonnies. The best biog raphy is that by Johnston (New York, 1901). Consult, also: Lossing, The Two Spies, Nathan Hale and John Andre (New York, 1886) ; Brown, 'Nathan Hale, the Martyr Spy (New York, 1899) ; and Holloway. Nathan Hale, the Martyr Hero (New York, 1899).