Among other honorifics, George Washington—known as Agent 711 in the Culper Spy Ring—is often heralded as a great “spymaster,” and indeed, he was. Under Washington's astute watch, several networks of spies operated in both close-knit circles and far-reaching societies.
Though Washington had a limited budget for espionage, he devoted nearly one-quarter of it to the Ring. Collecting intelligence on British forces in New York City and Long Island, the Culper spies provided Washington with a wealth of secrets about British plans, unit strengths, and defenses.
A spymaster is the person that leads a spy ring, or a secret service (such as an intelligence agency).
355 (died after 1780) was the code name of a female spy during the American Revolution, part of the Culper Ring. She was one of the first spies for the United States, but her real identity is unknown.
In 1780, the Culper Ring discovered a high-ranking American officer, subsequently identified as Benedict Arnold, was plotting with British Major John André to turn over the vitally important American fort at West Point, New York on the Hudson River and surrender its garrison to the British forces.
Hamilton was one of the very few individuals who knew of the Culper Spy Ring and its operations throughout the war. Being one of Washington's most trusted advisers, Hamilton was tasked with reading many of the intelligence reports created by Townsend, Woodhull, Strong, Brewster and Tallmadge.
Among other honorifics, George Washington—known as Agent 711 in the Culper Spy Ring—is often heralded as a great “spymaster,” and indeed, he was.
The Culper Code Book was used by the Culper spy ring to send coded messages to George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Informants used fake names and a numerical code book consisting of seven hundred and sixty-three numbers representing words, names, and places to communicate their information.
“The 355” is named after the only female spy that George Washington hired during the American Revolution — whom he called “Agent 355” to keep her identity a secret.
Scholars speculate that 355 was a woman from New York society and possibly a member of a Loyalist family. This would allow her access to British officers and intelligence.
Local spies are hired from among the people of a locality. Inside spies are hired from among enemy officials. Reverse spies are hired from among enemy spies. Dead spies transmit false intelligence to enemy spies.
As of May 26, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Spy in the United States is $25.40 an hour.
The name Culpeper comes from the town and county of Culpeper, Virginia where George Washington surveyed in his youth. This in turn was named after Thomas Culpeper, 2nd Baron Culpeper of Thoresway (1635-1689). Culpeper was granted land in Virginia called the Northern Neck Proprietary.
Tallmadge died March 7, 1835, in Litchfield, Connecticut. He is buried in East Cemetery in Litchfield, Connecticut.
Good students of history can quote Nathan Hale's last words: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Better students of history know that these words were never uttered.
The 355 introduces a new template for a female 007 and delivers the feminist female-led spy film that the James Bond franchise has avoided.
Anna Smith Strong was a spy based in Setauket, Long Island in New York. She was involved in General George Washington's spy ring known as the Culper Spy Ring headed by Major Benjamin Tallmadge. Strong and several other residents of Long Island were recruited by Tallmadge who had grown up in Setauket.
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.
American Independence
SPY CODE - This was part of the secret code used by General Washington (agent 711) and the CULPER SPY RING - Major Ben Tallmadge (agent 721), Robert Townsend (Samuel Culper, Jr. agent 722), and Abraham Woodhull (alias Samuel Culper, Sr.
The Culper Spy Ring was named for the operational names of two of its members: Abraham Woodhull (code-named Samuel Culper) and Robert Townsend (code-named Culper, Jr.).
James Armistead: Double Agent
James Armistead was one of several African American spies during the Revolutionary War and perhaps the most consequential, serving at the 1781 Battle of Yorktown under the Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and officer commanding American troops.