Revolutionary Saturday: A Celebration!

Let this first Revolutionary Saturday of 2012 be about celebration!

First, I want to celebrate my upcoming picture book, Alliance! It’s about the incredible friendship between Washington and Lafayette.

I had the privilege of seeing the artist’s sketches last week. How magical to see what my words inspired! This will be my third picture book, but the excitement is still palpable.

Second, I want to celebrate curious minds. This book sprang from the question I kept asking myself while doing research for my first two Revolutionary War books: Why is this French guy always hanging around?

In the primary sources I consulted, Lafayette was often mentioned as being present, but no one really explained how he got there or what he was up to.

From that question came the essential question of the book: How did two such different people form such an attachment?

To me, exploring relationships is a paramount part of writing, whether the setting is the Revolutionary War, or this afternoon.

Third, I want to celebrate revolutionary people: then and now.

Lafayette left his cozy and safe aristocratic lifestyle in France to help us fight for freedom.

You know by now how I feel about Washington: without his brilliance – and his ability to see past his disadvantages – we wouldn’t be a country.

Lafayette and Washington deserve a celebration. And so do all the revolutionary people in the world today: The people who refuse to be told how to think and feel. The people who create, add beauty and defend truth. You know who you are. And if you aren’t one of those people yet, it’s not too late. Celebrate life by sharing yourself with the world in your unique way. Be revolutionary!!!

Revolutionary Saturday: A Toast to Our Allies and Accomplishments

Bonjour mes amis!

At the end of the year we reflect on our friendships and wish each other good tidings. I thought this would be a great time to remember our French allies in the American Revolution: we couldn't have won without them!

Ben Franklin in France, seeking support and recruits

It is also a time to celebrate our accomplishments. I've recently received the rough sketches for my book on the unlikely and touching friendship between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette.

It's called Alliance! Zut alors, I can't wait to share it with you!!!

Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge

So let's toast our successes, and our friends. Particularly the unlikely ones, who we'd never thought we'd have. Let's drink to serendipity and the power of faith and love.



If an impulsive, bubbling teen Frenchman could bond with a middle-aged American general who had little tolerance for anyone - but most especially foreigners - there's hope for anyone to get along.

Mais, oui!

Their friendship was solid!

A toast to you, and to me. May our friendship be long and prosper.

Happy New Year!!! Cheers!!!!

Abraham Woodhull: Stammering Farmer & Spy

Last week I introduced you to Caleb Brewster, the valiant captain/spy who could’ve easily been portrayed in an action movie.

This week I give you Abraham Woodhull: the stammering, terrified farmer who handled day to day operations of the ring.

Why did Benjamin Tallmadge recruit such a pathetic excuse for a spy? That’s probably why. Abraham was scared of just about everything. No one would ever believe he was capable of intrigue and espionage.

Benjamin and Abraham grew up together in Setauket, Long Island. Benjamin knew he could trust Abraham. Poor Abraham must’ve held his friendship and the American fight for freedom close to his heart, because being a spy nearly gave him a heart attack.

It is believed Abraham recruited Robert Townsend – the pivotal member of The Culper Spy Ring. Abraham was a customer of Robert’s dry good business. It had to have freaked Abraham out to speak with Robert and convince him to betray his Quaker faith, for in Manhattan, especially, it was never safe to talk. Redcoats were everywhere.

Abraham’s hypocondria reached new heights when he took on the role of Culper Senior. After executing a letter for Washington, it was not uncommon for Abraham to retreat to bed complaining of fever, and stay there for days.

Abraham shook so much that he spilled the only vial of invisible ink on hand once. He made frequent mistakes – more understandable because he was not trained in his endeavor but learned as he went along – but Washington did not understand at all. He was quick to criticize when things went wrong, and even disbanded the Culpers in one angry moment.

But Washington ultimately did have faith in Abraham and the Culpers. When he needed vital information fast, he rallied the Culpers back into action. Of all his spies, he relied on and trusted the Culpers most.

Revolutionary Sunday: Merchant, Reporter, Quaker, Spy: The Heroic and Sad Existence of Robert Townsend

           

        Robert Townsend was a mild-mannered merchant in Manhattan during the Revolutionary War. He was also a reporter for Rivington’s Royal Gazette,

a Tory newspaper (New York was British headquarters.)

            Townsend was a Quaker – opposed to war.

            One of the biggest sins for a Quaker is lying.

            Which is why Townsend was so tormented by his secret identity: Spy for George Washington.

            Robert Townsend was the key member of the Culper Spy Ring. Because he was a reporter, British officers came to him with information about their plans. They wanted to see their names in print!

            Townsend made the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom: He traded his place in heaven. According to his religious beliefs he would be damned for his actions – and still he proceeded.

            After the war, Townsend was ashamed. He never revealed his identity. When George Washington visited Oyster Bay – Townsend’s home town, where he returned to live after the war – Townsend did not even greet him.

            Townsend never married. He died in his family’s home, living with his also-unmarried sister Sally. Like her brother, Sally sacrificed much for our cause.

Raynham Hall - Townsend's home in Oyster Bay. Now a museum!

            Give a thought for Robert Townsend’s tortured soul this holiday season. Pray that he found his peace.

Rest in Peace, Robert Townsend

Read more about Robert Townsend’s role in the Culper Spy Ring in my book, Upon Secrecy:

Upon Secrecy on Amazon.com

It's Revolutionary Saturday!

Last week I told you about Benjamin Tallmadge, who organized the Culper Spy Ring – recruiting old friends from his hometown of Setauket, Long Island.

Each member of that ring has a special story. Imagine someone like you or me secretly becoming a spy. These were ordinary people, which was why Tallmadge chose them. They belonged there, and they wouldn’t be suspected.

Today I will focus on Austin Roe. A tavern keeper – and the courier for the ring.

You know how Paul Revere did that all-night ride to warn people that the British were coming?

Austin Roe rode fifty-five from Setauket to Manhattan and back again many times during the war. He didn’t yell out anything. He did something more dangerous: He carried secret messages from Robert Townsend - the spy situated in Manhattan - directed to George Washington.

A sample of the spy code the Culpers used.
(They also used invisible ink when it was available.)

If caught by the British, Austin would surely be hanged.

If caught by highway robbers – who roamed the thick woods Roe’s horse galloped though on their long journey – he would surely be shot.

Indeed, at least on one documented occasion, Roe greeted his wife cheerfully upon his return – showing her a bullet hole through his hat.



Austin Roe and his horse, as depicted by illustrators Jeff Crosby & Shelley Ann Jackson



Austin Roe loved this fast and dangerous life. He thrived on propulsion and the thrill of the chase. It was sitting still which drove him to distraction -­ as he was forced to do when hiding out in Robert Townsend’s room, waiting for Townsend to gather information.



Austin Roe's Tavern



That Austin Roe was never caught in his years of carrying messages to Washington is akin to miraculous. He is another unsung hero of the American Revolution ­- an ordinary man driven to extraordinary measures by his immeasurable quest for freedom.



Austin Roe as depicted on a Setauket school mural, sans hat.



When you complain about your long commute, think of Austin Roe racing through the nights. And remember his poor, tired horse - whose name, alas, I do not know.

Revolutionary Saturday!

Have you heard of Benjamin Tallmadge?

If no – you’re not alone.

Have you heard of Benedict Arnold?

Chances are, you have.

Funny thing, Benjamin Tallmadge is the person who suspected that Benedict Arnold had turned traitor. If not for Tallmadge, Arnold might have carried off his nefarious plan.

So why do we remember villains, and only a few select heroes? What does that say about us?

Benjamin Tallmadge organized Washington’s Culper Spy Ring – one of Washington’s main secrets to winning the war.

And Tallmadge did something even more incredible, in a human way: After retreating to safety from the Battle of Long Island, he returned across the East River and was nearly killed – all to save his horse.

This is the kind of man I celebrate.

A good man.

A man who deserves to be known.  

My time is short today. I’m helping my son apply to colleges, I have to cook dinner, and I’m working on a novel.

But I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the memory of Benjamin Tallmadge.

I hope you will do the same.

                                                                      Benjamin Tallmadge,
                                                       as depicted by my marvelous illustrator,
                                                                         Bill Farnsworth