Part 18

Below is the report of Austin Roe this moment returned from New York and communicated to him by our late correspondents. A Cork Fleet just arrived at the Hook, numbers and particulars unknown--Arbuthnot’s Fleet cruising off the Hook. Accounts from the South favorable. Coll. Ludlow’s and the Jersey volunteers have left Lloyd’s Neck and are now at Jamaica. The Yeagers and Anspach Regiment amounting to about 800 men crossed Hell Gate yesterday on to York Island. The 17th Dragoons and mounted Yeagers are about Islip South. The enemy expect an attack and are contracting their lines, and collecting in force at the Bridge. There appears a greater number of Transports in full view about New York now than some time past but no Ships of force. Inclosed you have the papers, and believe me to be yours Sincerely,

SAML. CULPER.

N.B. The Enemy have no more than six sail of the line.

It would be possible to name several who were at this time trying to commit to paper the intelligence the Culpers found it too dangerous to attempt. Probably not more than three or four letters from any one of these individuals was written, and that mostly from information furnished verbally by the Culpers. Little appears to have survived of that which must have reached Headquarters during the Yorktown Campaign. Among the shortest and most welcome intelligence was a note inspired by verbal information furnished by Robert Townsend with the preliminary announcement of peace. This reads:

May 5th, 1782.

_Sir._ Your correspondent being absent which occasions my writing you the news here, which is as follows, just come to hand through the first channel. A cessation of arms is ordered, to take place within these lines both by Land and Sea--and terms of peace are given to Congress, but the conditions is here unknown, but generally supposed Independence is offered. The Enemy still continue to fortify, nevertheless, both on York and on Long Island. I have nothing further to inform you of but hope soon to have peace in our land--And am yours, &c.

SAMUEL CULPER.

Written on the same day of the month two months later a long letter of Abraham Woodhull’s clears what has been a mystery to some members of the Townsend family.(140) With all his ingenuity Dr. Peter Townsend, the nephew of Robert, never succeeded in getting from him a syllable as to the part he played in the struggle for American Independence. It was common for him to relate experiences of others but his own were never mentioned. One day during his lifetime the young folks discovered among his effects a uniform looking suspiciously British. They knew him to be in sentiment a Whig and an uncompromising Federalist, and in amazement they questioned him as to the uniform. He admitted that at one period during the war he was obliged to stand on duty in the front doorway of British officers headquarters. Frequently thereafter the family would tease him by referring to this but although it appeared to greatly embarrass him he never gave them further enlightenment on the subject. Woodhull in this letter says: “Carlton’s called a Tyrant at New York by the inhabitants in general and makes them do Soldiers duty in the city without distinction. The first Gentlemen in the City stand at Officer’s doors Soldier like.”

* * * * *

From Newburgh on August 10, 1782, General Washington addressed Major Tallmadge as follows:

“I wish you without delay to open again, or at least to renew effectually, the channel of intelligence through the C..s. I know your correspondents have heretofore, in general, been well informed and that the only great difficulty has been in the circuitous route of communication.”

The answer to this is dated Newtown, August 18, 1782.

“_Sir_: I have had the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 10th inst. in consequence of which I immediately repaired to Fairfield, and effected an interview with S. G. to whom I communicated the purport of Your Excellency’s letter. At the same time I forwarded, by him, similar instructions to S. C. Senior and Junr. The absence of Capt. Brewster on a short cruise to the eastward, may perhaps occasion some delay, but I cannot but believe my correspondents will exert themselves on this occasion, as I have wrote pressingly on the subject.

“From some intimations I have reason to believe that a certain Character, in great repute among the Refugees and very

## particularly intimate with Col. Upham A.D.C. to Genl. Clinton,

would be happy in an opportunity to render important services to the State and army. His character is by no means notorious, but very sagatious. I have ventured to write him on the subject of intelligence, and have great hopes from his services.

“I must again repeat to Your Excellency the necessity of having a sum of money, as well as a little stain, forwarded for the use of this Communication--to the want of both these articles I presume may be attributed in some measure, the declination of this correspondence.

“I have the Honor to be, With the highest esteem and regard, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

“BENJ. TALLMADGE.”

Repeated requests that his letters be destroyed was now probably complied with, for with one exception only stain letters can be found and they cannot now be deciphered.

This last of the Culper Junior letters to survive contained welcome news for weary soldiers: It was carried by Robert Townsend into Westchester County, where he met Major Tallmadge, who forwarded it to Washington. Dated September 19, 1782, it reads as follows:

“The last packet, so far from bringing better news to the loyalists, has indeed brought the clearest and unequivocal Proofs that the independence of America is unconditionally to be acknowledged, nor will there be any conditions insisted on for those who have joined the King’s Standard.

“It is said that an Expedition is now forming at N.Y. and by many conjectured to be against the French Fleet &c. at Boston; a number of British Troops were embarking when I left the city on the 14th and 15th inst. But I conversed fully with one of Carleton’s Aides on this subject, who told me that I might depend they were bound to the W. Indies or Halifax. For my own

## part I have no expectation that they think of any offensive

movements. The above gentleman, with whom I am most intimately connected, informed me that it is now under consideration to send all the B. Troops to the West Indies and to garrison the City with the jagers and new raised corps for the present.

“A fleet is now taking in water at Staten Island and another at White Stone--various conjectures about their destination. It is a fact that a fleet is going to Charlestown to bring off that Garrison.

“A packet is just about sailing for England and another will follow very shortly, and Sir Guy himself says that he thinks it not improbable that the next Packet may bring orders for an evacuation of N. York.

“A fleet is getting ready to sail for the Bay of Fundy about the first of October to transport a large number of Refugees to that Quarter. The Aide above referred to informs us that he thinks it probable he shall go there himself. Indeed, I never saw such general distress and dissatisfaction in my life as is painted in the countenance of every Tory at N.Y.

“The Beef Contractors had orders a few days past to cease purchasing any more for the Navy and from the appearance of things the whole fleet are getting ready for a movement.

“I am myself uncertain when the Troops will leave N.Y. but I must confess I rather believe if the King’s Magazines can be removed, that they will leave us this fall.

“The King’s wood yards are tolerably supply’d but they have no Magazines of forage.”

[Illustration: ENTRANCE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON INTO NEW YORK, NOV. 25TH, 1783]

Major Tallmadge confirmed Townsend’s statement in his letter of March 31, 1783, and asked to be permitted to be one of the first to enter New York.(141)

At the request of the General, he sent from Litchfield on August 16, 1783, an account of the incidental expenses that had been incurred in the Secret Service work, which account is missing. One that Culper Senior submitted on July 5th, and which formed a part of it, is still preserved.

* * * * *

Accompanying this was the following letter, dated:

BROOKHAVEN, July 5th, 1783.

_Dr. Sir._ Your favour of the 14th June was handed me this day--and agreeable to your request have enclosed my account for your inspection. I am unable to particularize dates for I only kept the most simple account that I possibly could,[58] for fear it should betray me, but I trust it is a just one--and I do assure you I have been as frugal as possibly could. I desire you would explain to the Genl. the circumstances that attended this lengthy correspondence that he may be satisfied that we have not been extravagant....

SAML. CULPER.

It is worthy of note that both the Culpers lived for over fifty years after the war began. Some day someone may wish to put in type the story of those interesting years.

[Illustration:

(Original in the William L. Clements Library, by whose permission it is used.)

Masked letter sent by Sir Henry Clinton inform Burgoyne that there would be no British army to meet him at Albany.

_See page 215._ ]

FOOTNOTES to “AFTERMATH”:

[53] 1778 it is written, but undoubtedly in error. Major Tallmadge must have had something else on his mind. He plainly meant to write 1780.

[54] Regard is repeated in the original, as above.

[55] This letter is in the Long Island Collection at East Hampton.

[56] Major Tallmadge, _Dear Sir_: As I know you to be a man of sense, I am convinced you are by this time fully of opinion that the real interest and happiness of America consists in a reunion with Great Britain. To effect which happy purpose I have taken a commission in the British Army, and invite you to join me with as many men as you can bring over with you. If you think proper to embrace my offer, you shall have the same rank you now hold, in the Cavalry I am about to raise. I shall make use of no arguments to convince you, or to induce you to take a step which I think right. Your own good sense will suggest everything I can say on the subject. I will only add that the English Fleet has just arrived with a very large reinforcement of Troops. I am, Sir, Your Hmbl. Servt.

B. ARNOLD.

N. YORK, Oct. 25th, 1780.

[57] This is the other Samuel Townsend. Not Culper Junior’s father, although both lived in the same community. Both had John Townsend 1st. for common ancestor, but Culper Junior’s ancestors were John, James, Jacob, and Samuel, as will be found on another page; while this man’s ancestors were George who married Mary Hawxhurst, then George who married Rosanah Coles, then Squire George who married Rosanah Youngs, the last named being his parents. He was 36 years of age at the time and was married since 1773 to Sarah Horton.

[58] This book is now in the collection at East Hampton, Long Island, where it may be examined by historians.

CODES AND CAMOUFLAGE

The necessity of transmitting information in a private manner taxed the ingenuity of many during the Revolutionary War. Clever ideas were experimented with, but none were more practical than those used by General Washington’s spies. True, when they first realized the necessity of secrecy a very crude method was adopted, originating with Abraham Woodhull and used first in his letter of April 10th, 1779. This was the use of the figures 10 for New York, 30 and 40 for Post Riders and 20 for Setauket. By July of that year Major Tallmadge had prepared pocket dictionaries for the General, the Culpers, and himself. These consisted of closely written columns of figures and words, arranged on a double sheet of foolscap paper. The words were those they would be most apt to need, extracted from a copy of Entick’s Dictionary and written in columns in alphabetical order. Then opposite each word was placed a number and this number was thereafter used to designate the word. Then there were proper names, beginning with General Washington 711, General Clinton 712, Tryon 713, Erskine 714, Vaughan 715, Robinson 716, Brown 717, General Garth 718, Lord North 719, Germain 720, John Bolton 721, Sami. Culper 722, Culper Junr. 723, Austin Roe 724, C. Brewster 725, Rivington 726. Then 37 places have numbers assigned them, and there is an alphabet for words not listed and letters for numerals. These tables were used to the close of the war.

Much more important to the Secret Service of General Washington was the use of an invisible stain which required developing with another chemical before the writing became visible. It reached the Culpers about the time the above dictionary was prepared but was first proposed to General Washington in a letter from John Jay, a facsimile of which is opposite page 52. In another chapter his brother, James Jay, tells how he invented this stain, and its practical use. It was an important factor in the success of the service and it is regrettable that no one ever sufficiently thanked the Jays for it. The Culpers were frequently asking for more of it, and General Washington, low in funds, had to depend upon James Jay to furnish it. Becoming a tax upon his resources he found it necessary to explain the situation to General Washington in the following letter:

FISHKILL, Septr. 19, 1780.

_Dear Sir_: I am extremely sorry it has not been in my power to supply you sooner with the medicine. The disagreeable situation which I have hithertoo been in, owing to a very considerable loss I am likely to sustain by the new System of Finance, deprived me of that pleasure; for I am always happy to have an opportunity of showing that I am, with great esteem and respect, Dear Sir, Your most Obt. & hemble Servt.

JAMES JAY.

At times, because of lack of funds to purchase it the Culpers were without the Counterpart to develop the letters from Headquarters, and sometimes they had no stain with which to write their intelligence. They guarded well its discovery, in fact so well that the matter was never mentioned historically until now although several incorrect guesses were made as to the method they used to convey their messages.

More clever than those written between the lines were their letters addressed to prominent Tories. These could be sent with fair assurance of safety. The messenger knew of course that they were not to be delivered to the party addressed and discovery of them in his possession would only have disarmed suspicion. Their only rival in cleverness was the British Headquarters, where André and DeLancey exerted themselves. Like the early attempts on the American side those used by the British were sometimes more ingenious than efficient, as exemplified in the silver bullets which were used to convey messages between Generals Burgoyne,[59] Clinton, and Howe. Experiences of several of these messengers are historically recorded. One courier being cautioned that upon no account was the message to be delivered to anyone besides General Burgoyne unless it was General Clinton himself, suspecting that he was in territory occupied by the British, was surprised when challenged, but declared himself to be a friend of General Clinton’s and asked to be taken to him. He had no knowledge that there was a Clinton on both sides and not until he found himself in the presence of General George Clinton did he discover his mistake. Then he swallowed the silver bullet, but it was too late. His action had been observed and he was immediately taken into custody, when being interrogated as to what business he had with General Clinton, and discovering some embarrassment in his answer, it was proposed to administer an emetic, to ascertain what he had swallowed with such precipitation. The idea was adopted, and the consequence was that he threw up the silver ball; which being unscrewed was found to contain important intelligence. The courier was of course hung as a spy.

General Washington believed more could be accomplished by strategy than by bullets. He was careful to conceal his plans during the war but when peace came he permitted to be published in the “Columbian Centinal” a letter which he wrote from Mount Vernon, dated July 31, 1788.[60] The following extracts from this letter give an interesting angle to the campaign around New York:

“It was determined by me, nearly twelve months before hand, at all hazards, to give out, and cause it to be believed by the highest military as well as civil officers, that New York was the destined place of attack, for the important purpose of inducing the eastern and middle States to make greater exertions in furnishing specific supplies, than they otherwise would have done, as well as for the interesting purpose of rendering the enemy less prepared elsewhere. It never was in contemplation to attack New York, unless the Garrison should first have been so far degarnished to carry on the southern operations as to render our success in the siege of that place, as infallible as any future military event can ever be made.... That much trouble was taken and finesse used to misguide and bewilder Sir Henry Clinton, in regard to the real object, by fictitious communications, as well as by making a deceptive provision of ovens, forage, and boats, in the neighborhood, is certain: Nor were less pains taken to deceive our own army; for I had always conceived, where the imposition does not completely take place at home, it would never sufficiently succeed abroad.... Your desire of obtaining truth, is very laudable; I wish I had more leisure to gratify it as I am equally solicitious the undisguised verity should be known. Many circumstances will unavoidably be misconceived, and misrepresented. Notwithstanding most of the papers, which may properly be deemed official, are preserved; yet the knowledge of innumerable things, of a more delicate and secret nature is confined to the perishable remembrance of some few of the present generation. With esteem, I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

“GO. WASHINGTON.”

Many deceptive letters were forwarded by General Washington, and of extreme interest were the experiences of those who carried them. The almost instantaneous success of those he prepared in July 1780 is mentioned in the chapter on Secret Service Secrets. Another that was equally successful Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes Smith, one time of Patchogue, Long Island, recalls in her book “Hugo.” This little work was written after a visit to the Iron Furnaces in northern New Jersey and New York, owned and operated by Peter Townsend whose daughter married the brother of Culper Junior. Mrs. Smith says:

“It was here, adown these glens, that the intercepted messenger of Washington passed with dispatches meant to delude Sir Henry Clinton into the belief that New York was the point of attack designed by the combined French and American forces. At the moment these intercepted documents were published in New York and the city put into careful state of defence, the whole forces of Washington were rapidly and silently on their route to Yorktown. This politic stroke of Washington’s is told with much spirit by many of the older inhabitants of the valley. The author heard it from the lips of Mr. Pierson, a gentleman of eighty-seven, with a mind still clear and vigorous, who had the incident from Montaigne, himself the intercepted messenger. When Washington gave him the package he carefully pointed out the route designed for him to take, and then resumed his writing, for the great man was busily employed at a small table. Montaigne saw at once the way would lead him directly under a battery of the enemy, who at that time held what is called the Clove or Ramapo Pass. He remained at the door, hesitating to obey, and fearful to explain the difficulty. Washington lifted up his head--‘What, not gone, sir!’ he cried. Montaigne then said: ‘Why, General, I shall be taken, if I go through the Clove!’ Washington bent his eyes sternly upon him, and brought his foot down heavily upon the floor--‘Your duty, sir, is not to talk, but to obey.’”

The _Political Magazine_ in London printed the sequel to the above on page 343 of their June, 1781, issue. It is copied from the New York _Gazette_ of April 4, and reads: “On Saturday another rebel mail was brought to this city taken last Thursday with Montaigne the post rider, who was in person brought to town by the captors. It contains a great number of letters.”[61] Several are published in full, including Washington’s, in which it is hinted that he is preparing to attack New York.

* * * * *

Masks were also used by British Headquarters to disguise the contents of important intelligence. These required two sheets of blank paper through each of which an oblong opening was cut. One of these sheets was deposited with the recipient and the other kept by the sender. A letter was then so written that the message to be conveyed could be read through the opening when the mask or cut out sheet of paper was laid over the letter. Without the mask the letter was so worded as to convey an altogether different meaning. On another page is illustrated the masked letter sent by General Clinton to inform Burgoyne that there would be no British army to meet him at Albany. Another illustration shows a code letter that Moody, the British spy, assisted Benedict Arnold in preparing. It is addressed to John Anderson (Major André), advising the British commander that he (Arnold) has accepted the command at West Point and will betray it. The full text of this letter will be found on page 127.

* * * * *

Besides the Stain, John Jay had a code that General Washington was familiar with, but it appears not to have been used by the Culpers. In a letter to a friend he explains its use briefly, as follows:

“I cannot omit this opportunity of giving you a cypher, Viz. Entick’s New Spelling Dictionary, printed at London in 1775, which you will easily find at Philadelphia. I bought mine at Bell’s book-store. Add twenty to the number of the page, and ten to that of the word you use. Distinguish the first column by a dot over the first figure, and the second column by a dot over the second figure. For instance, the word duration is the first word in the first column of the 139th page, and must be thus written, 159 11. Again, the word beauty is the tenth word in the second column of the 60th page, and must be thus written, 80 20. But as it may often happen that you may want to write names or words which you will not find in the dictionary, use the following alphabet in such cases:

“a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z n m l k i h f i e d c b a l y v x t u r p w s z o y

“The design of this alphabet is obvious; use n for a, m for b, &c.”

[Illustration: A CODE LETTER FROM ROBERT MORRIS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON

_See page 216._ ]