Nathan Hale was a serious young Connecticut schoolteacher of only 21 years, when he volunteered to be a spy for the Continental Army.  The job was one that could only bring him dishonor and death if captured, yet he knew that if he could succeed in his mission, he could be of great service to General George Washington and the cause of freedom. His mission to cross enemy lines near New York City and  learn of the plans of the British Army failed however,  when he was captured as a traitor and hanged without a trial.  He did not regret his decision and died with dignity and courage.  His last words were reported to be, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

     Sybil Ludington was a young 16 year old girl from a small village in southeastern New York state.  As the oldest of 12 children, Sybil knew the importance of responsibility.  She was the daughter of a colonial commander of a militia during the American Revolution.  
      In April of 1777, the British Army captured the town of Danbury, Connecticut, 25 miles from her home, burning and destroying much of the town.  When a messenger reached the Ludington home with word of the attack, Sybil convinced her father that she could summon his men, who lived scattered over a wide area of the surrounding countryside.  She rode out alone in the night over back roads and fields to alert the volunteer militia.
     Because of Sybil's courage, the militia was able to march to Danbury and attack the British.  They stopped the Redcoats from advancing, and forced the British Army back to their ships anchored off Long Island.

     In 1777, British general John Burgoyne had a plan to capture the state of New York and split the 13 newly declared states into two parts.  This would greatly damage the strength of the Continental Army.  If New York State could be captured, the Americans would no longer be free to move between the southern states and New England.
     Horatio Gates was a commanding general in the Continental Army.  After several major battles, General Gates forced Burgoyne to surrender his whole army during the Battle of Saratoga. The failure of Burgoyne's plan was a major blow to the British Army.

Let’s Review the Leaders
of the Revolution in New York State

Nathan Hale: A spy for the Continental Army, he was hanged as a
                      traitor

John and Sarah Jay: Wealthy colonists who wrote many important
                      letters and speeches for the cause of independence

Sybil Ludington:  A 16 year old girl who rode out alone in the night
                      to alert the militia of an attack by the British

General Horatio Gates: The commanding general in the Continental
                      Army who forced British Army's General Burgoyne to
                      surrender at Saratoga