Elizabeth Raum - Spies of the American Revolution: An Interactive Espionage Adventure

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The Revolutionary War has erupted between Great Britain and Patriots in the American colonies. But the war is not only being fought with muskets and cannons on the battlefields. Spies on both sides are risking their lives to gather information that could affect who wins the war.

In this book youll explore how the choices people made meant the difference between life and death. The events youll experience happened to real people.

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through history.

In 1775 Great Britain rules the American colonies. Not everyone is happy about this. Many colonists feel that British laws are unfair, and British taxes are too high. The colonists who are against British rule call themselves Patriots. Those loyal to Great Britain are called Loyalists. Colonists dress alike, speak the same language, and live side by side. Its not always easy to tell who is a Patriot and who is a Loyalist.

American colonists in the 1700s

In Boston, Massachusetts, Paul Revere organizes a group of craftsmen to spy on the British army. They call themselves the mechanics. They patrol the city after dark, keep track of British supplies and weapons, and warn of possible attacks on Patriot weapon storehouses. Paul Revere and his men are Americas first spies.

Loyalists are spying too. British spies learn weapons are stored in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The British army plans to march there. Patriot spies learn of the British plans and send Paul Revere to warn the other Patriots. On April 19, 1775, shots are fired in Lexington and Concord. The Revolutionary War has begun.

map of the 13 colonies that rebelled against Great Britain

Two months later, the Second Continental Congress makes in chief of the Continental army. The Continental army will fight against the British.

In September 1776 one of Washingtons lieutenants, Nathan Hale, volunteers to spy on the British. He goes to Long Island, where the British army is in control. He doesnt blend in. Hes a teacher by trade, not a spy. The British realize hes a spy. Hes captured and hanged. General William Howe, commander of the British forces, ordered Hales death. Its a warningspies die. Hale is brave to the end and is said to have declared, I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

By 1777 General Henry Clinton has taken over as the British commander in chief of North America. He depends on a network of spies. Washington needs spies too. Spies are everywhere. They are brave, clever, and determined to help their side. Which spy are you?

Its late, and youre about to lock the tavern door. Your longtime friend and neighbor Abraham Woodhull stops in. Abraham, welcome! you say.

Abraham is a farmer, and these days farming is good work. The British army has occupied Long Island for nearly two years. Farmers have plenty of people buying their produce.

Abraham seems relieved that the tavern is empty. We need to talk, he whispers.

His news is stunning. Abraham Woodhull is a spy! Hes George Washingtons spy, and he wants you to join him.

George Washington created several spy networks, including the Culper Spy Ring.

Ive always favored independence, you say. Ill do what I can.

Abraham tells you that Washington needs informationgood intelligence. He wants to know what the British army will do next.

You meet the next night in Abrahams barn. Caleb Brewster is there too. You grew up with Brewster in Setauket, Long Island. He is the captain of a small whaleboat.

Abraham explains the plan. Hell go into Manhattan, New York, and spend time with his sister. She runs a boardinghouse there.

Theres nothing suspicious about a man visiting his sister, Abraham says. Ill learn what I can about British plans in New York. Abraham turns to you. Youll come to the city and pick up my information. You can claim to be buying supplies for the tavern, he suggests. Give the information to Caleb. Hell sail across Long Island Sound to Connecticut. Benjamin Tallmadge will get it to General Washington, Abraham says.

Tallmadge, another friend from Setauket, is a major in the Continental army. Washington has put Benjamin in charge of his spies. Benjamin has promised never to reveal our names, not even to George Washington, Abraham says. Well use codes. My code name is Culper, Samuel Culper. Our very lives depend on keeping secrets.

Abraham leaves the next day for Manhattan. You wait two weeks before going to the city. Its a 55-mile trip. The first few times you go, everything works perfectly. You go to the city and pick up Abrahams reports on the location and number of British troops in the city.

When you get home, you add notes of your own before giving the papers to Brewster. He adds details about British navy ships. Then he rows across Long Island Sound to Connecticut, which is still in Patriot hands. Tallmadge passes the intelligence to Washington.

Abraham Woodhull (left) and Caleb Brewster (right) transported messages to Washington.

One day in January, you start another journey to New York. Youre almost there, when you notice a British army patrol ahead. Should you keep going?

Theres nothing to fear. British army patrols are common. You answer their questions and move on.

When you arrive in the city, you find Abraham in a state of panic. George Washington is pleased with our information. He wants to meet me, Abraham says nervously. I said no. Its too dangerous.

Were all being careful, you assure him. No one will find out who we are.

Maybe not, he says. But I must return to Setauket. I fear the British army is following me.

You bring the reports to Brewster. The spy business is taking its toll on your tavern business. If you neglect the tavern, will the British army become suspicious? Should you get someone else to carry the messages?

Theres no point in inviting trouble. You try to avoid the British army whenever you can. But on Long Island, thats nearly impossible. You turn into the woods to give the soldiers time to pass.

As soon as you return to the road three horsemen gallop out of the woods, firing their rifles. Robbers!

You urge your horse forward at a full gallop. A shot whizzes past your head. Another rips through your jacket, but your horse races on. Twenty minutes later, the sound of horses behind you has faded. Youre safe. You take a deep breath. Somethings wrong. You feel dizzy, and your arm throbs. You make it home and collapse at the tavern door.