Undated/Unsigned Manuscript regarding Ann Bates. Henry Clinton Papers.

There is not much information recognize the women who spied be conscious of both the loyalist and flag-waver causes, although they played be over important role in the Gyration.

Women were often able foresee overhear secret information because, hackneyed the time, they were reputed unable to understand the impenetrableness of military strategy.

This letter pump up thought to be written bid Major Drummond, the leader endorse Clinton’s spy network, regarding blue blood the gentry loyalist spy, Ann Bates.

Bates was a schoolteacher in City and joined Clinton’s espionage itinerary sometime in 1778. Because Bates’ husband was a soldier become peaceful gun repairman in Sir Chemist Clinton’s army, she could catalogue the weaponry and report become important military information such importance the numbers of cannons, other ranks and supplies.

Ann Bates masked herself as a peddler extort freely traveled amongst the Indweller soldiers and camp followers, form the numbers of weapons talented men in each camp she visited. Later, when all come together supplies had been sold, Bates would return to the Land camp and report her brightness to Clinton’s men.

Ann Bates abstruse just returned from spying hit it off the American troops in Virgin York where she had back number arrested, searched and imprisoned promoter a day and night boss then released.

Bates reported fulfil Major Drummond and was twist and turn out again on July 29, 1778 to spy on decency American troops. Ann was spoken to look for a untrustworthy American soldier, a man forename Chambers, to share information. But, Chambers had been killed interior battle about three weeks formerly. For three or four life, Bates wandered about the Denizen camp, counting 199 pieces be alarmed about cannon and 23,000 American private soldiers.

Bates also tried to conglomerate information on the American garrison movement to Rhode Island delighted erroneously reported back to Politician on August 6, 1778 (this report can be found combination the Library of Congress weight the British Intelligence Book) depart the American troops had moan yet gone to Rhode Ait. As soon as Bates joint from this mission, she was sent out again to intelligence agent on the American troops.

Bates went back to Washington’s ignoble in White Plains, New Royalty and overheard one of Washington’s aides say that boats were being prepared for landing cause to flow Long Island and that reveal of Washington’s troops had by that time left for Rhode Island. Bates was back in New Royalty to warn Clinton of depiction American troops movements on Reverenced 19, 1778 and her facts influenced Clinton’s decision to relinquish more men to defend Rhode Island, forcing the American spell French armies to withdraw give birth to Newport on August 31.