The exact circumstances of Nathan Hale’s capture are somewhat disputed. Some say his cousin, a loyalist, betrayed him. Others say a British officer recognized him, or perhaps struck up a conversation while pretending to be sympathetic to the Patriot cause and encouraged Hale to reveal his true mission. Perhaps it was a combination of the two, with the cousin tipping off a British officer who then further investigated the matter. Regardless, Hale was reportedly lured to another location near Flushing, New York, where he was invited to have dinner with a man he thought a friendly sympathizer—someone who could help him achieve his mission. Midway through the dinner British troops burst forth from hiding and arrested Hale.
Hale was promptly taken to General Howe’s new headquarters at a Manhattan mansion, where he was interrogated by the British Commander himself. He’d been caught red handed, with maps and notes about British troop strength and positions. He freely admitted that he was an American Soldier gathering information about British forces.
General Howe immediately signed Hale’s death warrant. The young man spent his last night in the mansion’s greenhouse, waiting to be executed at dawn. He asked for a bible. His request was denied. He asked for a clergyman. His request was denied.
On the morning of September 22, 1776, he was marched down Post road to a park across from a tavern, where gallows waited for him. He was marched atop the platform and asked, as was customary, whether he had any last words.
He said words that have become immortal in the memory of his countrymen:
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
. . .
For more, listen to the Podcast episode and check out my book, History Stories for Everyone, where I dive deeper into this and some of history’s other most fascinating and relatable human stories:
