Like the story of Col. Robert Stobo, the story of John Honeyman first crossed my attention in the pages of "American Heritage" Magazine.
George Washington (Richard Gaines, who frequently played Washington on this series probably played him here too). was not a great tactician - frequently carefully planned attacks were totally blown by last minute mistakes that he could or should have foreseen. But his grasp of strategy grew in the American Revolution. So did his impressive grasp on espionage. Washington, by himself, built up an impressive military intelligence system in the Revolution. One of his classically great agents is the now forgotten John Honeyman (Tom Tully).
Honeyman, a New Jersey tinker and peddler, was a widely hated Tory. Totally outspoken in his hatred for the Revolutionary cause, and his support of King George and his military forces, Honeyman was frequently attacked by his neighbors and tolerated by the British and their Hessian allies. In December 1776, after months of retreat and humiliations at the hands of Sir William Howe's troops Washington was camped in the southern mountains of Jersey. Honeyman was caught near the lines, and was believed to be spying for the British. Washington ordered the peddler to his tent for interrogation. Honeyman and Washington were actually alone for a couple of hours (Honeyman well tied up in this meeting). Then Washington left the interrogation and ordered Honeyman imprisoned for further interrogation the next day. But that night Honeyman escaped.
The peddler showed up at a nearby Hessian stronghold, Trenton, New Jersey. He told Col. Johann Rall what he had seen - how dispirited Washington's men were with little food, poor clothing, abandoned by Congress and the people. The German Colonel was told that men were fleeing the Continental Army in droves, and that it would be over in a month or two. Rall thanked Honeyman, who had a meal and then left on his way home.
It was Christmas Eve, and Rall and his Hessians had a very nice Christmas dinner with plenty of brandy and wine. Soon most of them were sleeping it all off.
Of course you all know what happened - you've seen the portrait by Emmanuel Leutze of Washington crossing the Delaware - to get to Trenton. He and his men captured the town, with a minimum of bloodshed (poor Rall was mortally wounded trying to rally his men). The victory (probably Washington's high point as a tactician) restored faith in the General and his cause. It was followed two weeks later by another victory at Princeton, this time against Lord Cornwallis.
At the end of the war, John Honeyman's neighbors were in for a surprise. General Washington visited their town, hunted up Honeyman, and (before everyone) awarded him a medal for his espionage work in the war!
George Washington (Richard Gaines, who frequently played Washington on this series probably played him here too). was not a great tactician - frequently carefully planned attacks were totally blown by last minute mistakes that he could or should have foreseen. But his grasp of strategy grew in the American Revolution. So did his impressive grasp on espionage. Washington, by himself, built up an impressive military intelligence system in the Revolution. One of his classically great agents is the now forgotten John Honeyman (Tom Tully).
Honeyman, a New Jersey tinker and peddler, was a widely hated Tory. Totally outspoken in his hatred for the Revolutionary cause, and his support of King George and his military forces, Honeyman was frequently attacked by his neighbors and tolerated by the British and their Hessian allies. In December 1776, after months of retreat and humiliations at the hands of Sir William Howe's troops Washington was camped in the southern mountains of Jersey. Honeyman was caught near the lines, and was believed to be spying for the British. Washington ordered the peddler to his tent for interrogation. Honeyman and Washington were actually alone for a couple of hours (Honeyman well tied up in this meeting). Then Washington left the interrogation and ordered Honeyman imprisoned for further interrogation the next day. But that night Honeyman escaped.
The peddler showed up at a nearby Hessian stronghold, Trenton, New Jersey. He told Col. Johann Rall what he had seen - how dispirited Washington's men were with little food, poor clothing, abandoned by Congress and the people. The German Colonel was told that men were fleeing the Continental Army in droves, and that it would be over in a month or two. Rall thanked Honeyman, who had a meal and then left on his way home.
It was Christmas Eve, and Rall and his Hessians had a very nice Christmas dinner with plenty of brandy and wine. Soon most of them were sleeping it all off.
Of course you all know what happened - you've seen the portrait by Emmanuel Leutze of Washington crossing the Delaware - to get to Trenton. He and his men captured the town, with a minimum of bloodshed (poor Rall was mortally wounded trying to rally his men). The victory (probably Washington's high point as a tactician) restored faith in the General and his cause. It was followed two weeks later by another victory at Princeton, this time against Lord Cornwallis.
At the end of the war, John Honeyman's neighbors were in for a surprise. General Washington visited their town, hunted up Honeyman, and (before everyone) awarded him a medal for his espionage work in the war!