According to George Washington during wartime, “there is nothing more necessary than good intelligence to frustrate a designing enemy.” This quote is widely referenced among historians discussing U.S. intelligence activities, including Kenneth A. Daigler in his book, “Spies, Patriots and Traitors.” During a special presentation on September 27 at 7 p.m. sponsored by the Friends of that State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands, Daigler will speak about this topic during the era of the American Revolution from the perspective of an intelligence professional.
Kenneth Daigler served as an operations officer in the CIA for nearly 20 years which included being a Chief of Station domestically and abroad in a high risk environment, as well as senior management positions at the division level at CIA Headquarters. In addition, Daigler holds a BA in History from Centre College of Kentucky, an MA in History from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
The talk will take place at the Newburgh Brewing Company, located at 88 South Colden Street within the City of Newburgh. The bar will be open and like eighteenth century taverns that served as social centers, meeting houses and rendezvous points for patriot groups like the Sons of Liberty, visitors may enjoy a drink to accompany a talk that holds local significance.
Due to the importance of the Hudson River and its proximity to the British stronghold in New York City, the region saw its fair share of intelligence activity. Local committees of safety sprang up with a purpose of protecting the interests of the Continental Congress with actions like implementing loyalty pledges and identifying suspected loyalists to the King.
View of the Hudson from Plum Point in New Windsor, once location of Thomas Machin’s Battery of Twelve Guns to support river defense obstructions. Photo by Brian Wolfe.
Some spies have been identified, like Daniel Bissell who posed as a defector from the Continental Army at New Windsor and was honored as one of three known recipients of George Washington’s Badge of Military Merit for his intelligence services while operating in New York City. Then there was Thomas Machin who is locally significant as an engineer of Hudson River defenses. He first deserted from the British artillery in 1775 and provided Washington with valuable information concerning British fortifications in Boston. There was also the ill-fated British spy, Daniel Taylor, who was caught in New Windsor during the 1777 British invasion of New York and hung in Kingston. Not to mention the notorious betrayal by Benedict Arnold at West Point.
Nineteenth century engraving of a hollowed screw capsule that stored important information for the British Army at Saratoga, 1777. It was retrieved by a local doctor after the British spy, Daniel Taylor, swallowed it soon after capture.
Admission to this special presentation is free. For more information call (845) 562-1195.
The Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands exists to benefit three New York State Historic Sites – Washington’s Headquarters, New Windsor Cantonment, and Knox’s Headquarters. The supported historic sites gain from this organization’s mission to increase public awareness of the three sites’ historical and educational significance; to raise funds to be used to supplement the educational, programming and collection needs of the sites; and to offer quality education and history related items for sale to site visitors.