Thomas Knowlton – Day-By-Day America

Nowadays, spying is considered dangerous, but it’s acknowledged worldwide as being not only necessary, but legitimate. Captured spies are sometimes killed, but they also might merely be jailed, or even exchanged.

Not so at the time of the American Revolution. In European (and, therefore, American) society, spies were used, but spying was considered dishonorable by many, and captured spies were generally hanged.

Nathan Hale was a young captain in the Continental Army. Above is his commission dated January 1, 1776, and signed by John Hancock. A friend wrote, “There was no young man who gave fairer promise of an enlightened and devoted service to his country”.

Colonel Thomas Knowlton, shown here wielding a musket at the Battle of Bunker Hill, was among the handful of Americans killed in a series of skirmishes at Harlem Heights. He was “a brave & good Officer”, and some who knew him thought that his death alone was a significant loss to the army.

Harlem Heights was where the American army pulled together and dug in after their disgraceful retreat from New York. The position was strong enough that George Washington hoped they would be able to hold it against the enemy,

If the Generality of our Troops would behave with tolerable bravery, but experience to my extreme affliction has convinced me that this is rather to be wished for than expected; However I trust, that there are many who will act like men, and shew themselves worthy of the blessings of Freedom.

On September 16, the day after the retreat, British and Hessian troops began approaching the American fortifications at Harlem Heights. One American soldier described the action the next day:

Tag: Thomas Knowlton

Nathan Hale: Duty, Honor, and the Gallows

Harlem Heights: A Small But Important Victory