But One Life

The author penned an impressive account of the epic Revolutionary War figure, Nathan Hale. Everything in life begins with family, and he had a large one. Of all his siblings, it was Enoch that was the closest to him. He was the only one for whom he could confide his deepest and darkest secrets. In short, they were inseparable. However, when it came time after from graduation from Yale University, they went their separate ways, a blow to younger brother, Nathan. I gathered from the theme of the book, if his brother had been with him all along Nathan's ending might not have ended so tragically.

Samantha Wilcoxson does a great job in writing about Nathan Hale, I enjoyed the concept and loved the fiction element to it. The characters were everything that I wanted and felt like they belonged in this world. It uses the biographical element in this perfectly and glad I got to read this.

Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755–September 22, 1776) was an American Patriot, soldier and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.In 1769,Nathan Hale was sent with his brother Enoch,to Yale College.He was a classmate of fellow Patriot spy Benjamin Tallmadge.The Hale brothers belonged to the Linonian Society of Yale,which debated topics in astronomy,mathematics,literature, and the ethics of slavery.Nathan graduated with first-class honors in 1773 and became a teacher, first in East Haddam and later in New London.After the Revolutionary War began in 1775,Hale joined a Connecticut militia unit and was elected first lieutenant within 5 months.His company participated in the Siege of Boston,but Hale remained behind.He was unsure as to whether he wanted to fight,and his his teaching contract in New London did not expire until in July 1775.On July 4, 1775, Hale received a letter from Benjamin Tallmadge, who had gone to Boston to see the siege for himself.Tallmadge's letter convinced Hale so much that he accepted a commission as first lieutenant in the 7th Connecticut Regiment under Colonel Charles Webb of Stamford.Hale was also a part of Knowlton's Rangers, the first US organised intelligence service organization, led by Lt. Thomas Knowlton.In the spring of 1776,the Continental Army moved to Manhattan to defend New York City against the anticipated British attack.General George Washington was desperate to determine the location of the imminent British invasion of Manhattan; so he called for a spy behind enemy lines,and Hale was the only volunteer.He was ferried across the Long Island Sound to Huntington, NY, on Sep 12.Hale planned to disguise himself as a Dutch schoolteacher looking for work,though he didn't use a fake name.Hale was betrayed by someone who pretended to be a Patriot.British General William Howe questioned Hale and found evidence on him.He requested a Bible and clergyman,which were denied.General Howe did permit him to write letters to Enoch and his commanding officer,but the next day,they were torn up in front of him by the provost marshal,Captain Cunningham.Hale was hanged but he eventually became a hero of Connecticut.