The Hidden Army: Washington's Spies
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
History
Minor
Sports Communications
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. James Humphreys
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
In leading the Continental Army during the American Revolution, General George Washington would find the use of spies to be exceptionally important in helping his small, underfunded army defeat the British. However, being underfunded would cause his spy system to get off the ground slowly as Washington had more pressing matters to worry about like making sure that his army was well supplied to fight this war. Before he could worry about understanding the strength of the British army, he needed to bolster the strength of his own. After a terrible defeat at the Battle of Long Island, Washington knew he needed to focus more of his attention on understanding his enemy now that he understood his own forces and their limitations. He began developing a new spy system that would initially be too disorganized and too complicated. After a disastrous campaign around New York, Washington knew that improvements had to be made in order to fully benefit from gaining information about his enemy and their intentions.
This paper addresses the pros and cons of the use of spies in Washington’s Army during the American Revolution. At first, Washington was very reluctant to use spies, but he quickly saw that the need for them outweighed his uncertainty. At all times, he thought about how to improve the spy system so that it produced accurate and effective results. Aspects like security and the secrecy of the messages being delivered were always improved by techniques such as the use of invisible ink. Women were also a part of his system using their traditional roles to help keep messages secured. However, there were still downsides to his spy network. No matter how many security precautions were taken, spies were always at risk of being caught and if caught they would be executed. Washington also had to worry about how he would be able to pay his spies with the limited funds he had. At one point, he even had to use his own money. The biggest concern about this whole system was the worry of double agents that had no loyalty to either side. This paper further evaluates all of these pros and cons to come to a conclusion of whether or not this spy system was truly worth all the risks that it came with.
Fall Scholars Week 2025
American Military History
The Hidden Army: Washington's Spies
In leading the Continental Army during the American Revolution, General George Washington would find the use of spies to be exceptionally important in helping his small, underfunded army defeat the British. However, being underfunded would cause his spy system to get off the ground slowly as Washington had more pressing matters to worry about like making sure that his army was well supplied to fight this war. Before he could worry about understanding the strength of the British army, he needed to bolster the strength of his own. After a terrible defeat at the Battle of Long Island, Washington knew he needed to focus more of his attention on understanding his enemy now that he understood his own forces and their limitations. He began developing a new spy system that would initially be too disorganized and too complicated. After a disastrous campaign around New York, Washington knew that improvements had to be made in order to fully benefit from gaining information about his enemy and their intentions.
This paper addresses the pros and cons of the use of spies in Washington’s Army during the American Revolution. At first, Washington was very reluctant to use spies, but he quickly saw that the need for them outweighed his uncertainty. At all times, he thought about how to improve the spy system so that it produced accurate and effective results. Aspects like security and the secrecy of the messages being delivered were always improved by techniques such as the use of invisible ink. Women were also a part of his system using their traditional roles to help keep messages secured. However, there were still downsides to his spy network. No matter how many security precautions were taken, spies were always at risk of being caught and if caught they would be executed. Washington also had to worry about how he would be able to pay his spies with the limited funds he had. At one point, he even had to use his own money. The biggest concern about this whole system was the worry of double agents that had no loyalty to either side. This paper further evaluates all of these pros and cons to come to a conclusion of whether or not this spy system was truly worth all the risks that it came with.