In June of 1776, George Washington stationed John Hay at the head of the Committee on Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies.
close the regular channels of communications from the city.
Nathan Hale is one of the most famous early spies who served with the Knowlton’s Rangers. When In 1776 Washington sent some men behind British enemy lines, Hale volunteered for the mission posing as a schoolteacher.
However he did not know the area and quickly arrested by British Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rogers and his Rangers. He also made the questionable decision to hide incriminating notes in his shoes. He was then executed as a spy.
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
Like many spies of the Revolution Lydia Darragh was a civilian. She was a hero who spied on the soldiers occupying her house as they planned a surprise attack on Washington's soldiers.
She warned patriots at the Rising Sun Tavern about their plans. She was later questioned when it became clear the surprise attack was not a surprise however, they never suspected her (somehow).
Hercules Mulligan was a tailor with loose ties to the Culper Spy Ring who spied for the patriots though he tailored for patriots and Brits alike.