John Clark (spy)
Encyclopedia
Maj. John Clark was an American spy for George Washington
, primarily responsible for running the intelligence network in and around Philadelphia
during the British occupation of that city during the American Revolutionary War
.
Clark was responsible for operating one the most notable spy rings organized and run by the Continental Army
during the war, one which prevented the destruction of Washington's army at least three different times.
He originally came to the attention of George Washington during the evacuation of Long Island and Manhattan. He had been used to travel across Long island Sound and scout troop movements on Long Island.
His most important assignment occurred during the period September to December 1777 when despite a serious injury to his shoulder he was asked by Washington to obtain information about Howe's activities in Philadelphia. He set up a group of informants and couriers and sent 30 detailed reports to Washington that allowed the Continental Army to react to British movements. He even set up a hoax and offered to inform on the Americans to General Howe. Howe who decided to accept his offer from this Quaker Loyalist under a false name offered him rewards. His courier who delivered the messages walked around Philadelphis acquiring a lot of information. When Washington learned of this hoax he prepared a false report of the Continental Army's strengths and planned movements. This was delivered to Howe. In December with his wound still not healed and having not seen his wife in over a year he asked Washington to be released. Washington, thankful of his service, agreed and introduced him to Henry Laurens, who gave him a desk job as auditor of Army expenses. He never did release names of informants or couriers and sank into respectable obscurity.
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, primarily responsible for running the intelligence network in and around Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
during the British occupation of that city during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Clark was responsible for operating one the most notable spy rings organized and run by the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
during the war, one which prevented the destruction of Washington's army at least three different times.
He originally came to the attention of George Washington during the evacuation of Long Island and Manhattan. He had been used to travel across Long island Sound and scout troop movements on Long Island.
His most important assignment occurred during the period September to December 1777 when despite a serious injury to his shoulder he was asked by Washington to obtain information about Howe's activities in Philadelphia. He set up a group of informants and couriers and sent 30 detailed reports to Washington that allowed the Continental Army to react to British movements. He even set up a hoax and offered to inform on the Americans to General Howe. Howe who decided to accept his offer from this Quaker Loyalist under a false name offered him rewards. His courier who delivered the messages walked around Philadelphis acquiring a lot of information. When Washington learned of this hoax he prepared a false report of the Continental Army's strengths and planned movements. This was delivered to Howe. In December with his wound still not healed and having not seen his wife in over a year he asked Washington to be released. Washington, thankful of his service, agreed and introduced him to Henry Laurens, who gave him a desk job as auditor of Army expenses. He never did release names of informants or couriers and sank into respectable obscurity.
Further reading
- Clark, John J., Jr. "Letters from Major John Clark, Jr., to General Washington during the Occupation of Philadelphia by the British Army." Bulletin of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1 (1845–1847).