Benjamin Tallmadge And The Culper Spy Ring

Benjamin Tallmadge and George Washington organized the agents of the Culper Spy Ring by tasking them with specific instructions to conceal their identities and secret activities. Washington assigned Tallmadge to take charge of the intelligence work and recruit individuals best suited for the dangerous role. “Because of his experience gathering intelligence in the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons and the high regard in which he was held by Gen. George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army, Tallmadge was asked in November 1778 to organize an intelligence service to operate in British-occupied New York City.” He also had to figure out a strategy of safely delivering intelligence from British occupied New York to the Continental army