In April of 1775, British troops and colonial militiamen began fighting. The fighting began as essentially a civil war amongst the colonial government, which represented the British crown, and the thirteen Northern colonies. Tensions between colonists and the British authority had been growing for years and eventually, a conflict broke out. However, in 1778, France entered the conflict on the colonists’ side and turned the civil war into an international war. This international war became known as the Revolutionary War, most commonly known as the American Revolution. The American Revolution War went on for years and several people, on both sides of the war, ended up losing their lives or loved ones. Everyone who lost loved ones during the war deserved sympathy from those who were around. 

However, one man in particular, became well known for his participation in the American Revolution. Nathan Hale; born in Coventry, Connecticut on June 6, 1755. Hale went to Yale University for his college education, and when he graduated with his degree in 1733, he went on to become a schoolteacher. In 1775, Hale joined the Connecticut regiment, where he served in the siege of Boston. In 1776, Hale was named a captain. 

On September 10, 1776, General George Washington asked for a volunteer to gather intel behind enemy lines before the Battle of Harlem Heights. Captain Hale, of the nineteenth Regiment of the Continental Army became one of the first known American spies of the Revolutionary War. Hale went undercover as a Dutch schoolmaster in order to slip behind British lines on Long Island. He successfully gathered information of the troops movements for several weeks, until the City of Manhattan was caught on fire. The British had successfully taken control of Manhattan on September 15; the city had been lit on fire on September 20, 1776 which caused the British troops to be on high alert for sympathizers for the Patriot cause. On September 21, Hale was captured while sailing across Long Island Sound trying to escape back into American-controlled territory. 

While being interrogated by British General William Howe, it was discovered that he was in possession of incriminating documents. General Howe ordered Hales’ execution for spying on the British troops for the Americans. The following morning, Hale was hanged after being asked for any last words. It is rumored that Hales’ last words were “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” There is no historical record to prove that Nathan Hale stated this before he was hanged, but according to first-hand stories, he did.

Many cities built statues for Nathan Hale despite having no way of knowing what the man actually looked like. One of the most famous statues of Nathan Hale is one built by Bela Lyon Pratt in 1913 outside Connecticut Hall at Yale, which is where Hale lived as a student. History has transformed Hale from an unsuccessful and obscure spy into a symbol of selflessness. Hales’ death is a symbol for so many Americans of selfless sacrifice for one’s country. Nathan Hale is known for his sacrifice.