[Pharmboy]

Interesting footnote: It was Col. Rogers of the famous Rogers Rangers who suspected he was a spy and caught him. It has been said that he spotted the buckles on his shoes which did not match his "common-man's" outfit which gave him away.

[Pharmboy]

Although I usually do not post material relating to anniversaries or reenactments, I made a "keeper o' the list" prerogative exception today, the 235th anniversary of Mr. Hale's hanging. I often passed this plaque (below) as I walked home from work when I lived in Manhattan, and would leave flowers at its base when I was around town on July 4th. This is on the NW corner of 66th and Third. Now, near Bloomingdale's and Starbucks, this place little resembles the fortified clearing in the woods that it was in 1776.

The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list

Another footnote to history has it that General Washington--reluctant as he was to hang Major John André (the Brit spymaster who ran Benedict Arnold)--did hang him in part as retaliation for Hale's hanging.

[iowamark]

But he’s far likelier to have talked about the “cause” of freedom than he was his “country.” The colonists didn’t think of themselves as a nation. They were citizens of the British Empire (or, as the revolution progressed, of their states)

Hale was hanged 2 1/2 months after the Declaration of Independence, so it is quite possible that he referred to his country.

[NonValueAdded]

Interesting footnote: It was Col. Rogers of the famous Rogers Rangers who suspected he was a spy and caught him.

I did a double take on that one. Col. Rogers did indeed work for the Brits after his offer of service was rebuffed by Gen. Washington who feared Rogers was a spy. I learn something new every day here at Free Republic.

[colorado tanker]

The guy “preparing” Hale for execution sure looks like a weasel, doesn’t he?