Patriots, Loyalists,
Traitors, and Spies

Early America was fertile ground for espionage. From farming villages to larger cities, virtually every community was a blend of Patriots who supported the rebellion and Loyalists who remained faithful to the British Crown. A common language, dialect, and heritage made the two sides virtually indistinguishable throughout every corner of the colonies.

The British, possessing the largest navy in the world and an experienced, professional army, were well-versed in the spying trade. Recruiting potential operatives posed little challenge, as a large proportion of the colonists were considered Loyalists, enabling the British to develop networks of spies before hostilities were even underway. In the years that followed, their agents infiltrated the highest levels of the Continental Army, the Continental Congress, and even an overseas diplomatic mission negotiating with America’s future allies.

Equally effective were the spy networks established by the American side. For George Washington, General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, reliable and speedy intelligence was imperative to offsetting sizeable British advantages in troop strength and experience his overmatched army faced. Had it not been for the intelligence provided by Patriot spies throughout the war, his forces may have suffered a far different fate.