Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755-September 22, 1776) was a American patriot of the Revolutionary War. Born in Coventry, Connecticut, he was educated at Yale College and became a teacher at New London. In July of 1775, he joined a Connecticut regiment of volunteers, as did his five brothers. He enlisted as a first lieutenant and within six months was promoted to captain, stationed near New York City.
When General Washington appealed for someone to gather desperately needed intelligence on the British forces, Nathan Hale volunteered. He disguised himself as a Dutch schoolmaster and discreetly visited the British camps in New York and Long Island, gathering information and making rough drawings of their fortifications.
Fatefully, on the night of September 21, Hale was captured. He was sentenced to be hanged the next morning. British Major Cunningham denied his last request for a Bible and destroyed his final letter to his friends.
The next morning he was brought to the gallows, near 66th Street and Third Avenue in New York City, and hanged. A British officer later gave the account that Nathan Hale's last words were:
<I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.> 1755NH001
The angered British Major in charge shouted in response:
<"Swing the rebel up!"> 1755NH002
A large boulder in New York City near Long Island Sound marks "Hale-site," where it is believed Hale was captured.
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1755NH001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Nathan Hale, September 22, 1776, his final words, as reported by a British officer. The World Book Encyclopedia-18 volumes (Chicago, IL: Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957), Vol. 8, pp. 3239-3240. Matthew Spalding, The Founders' Almanac (Washington DC: The Heritage Foundation, 2001), p. 19. Frederic D. Schwarz, Time Machine September (American Heritage, www.americanheritage.com, 2001), September, p. 72.
1755NH002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Nathan Hale. The World Book Encyclopedia-18 volumes (Chicago, IL: Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957), Vol. 8, p. 3240.