I ONLY REGRET I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE TO LOSE FOR MY COUNTRY

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2077

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE UNITED STATES

New York City (JFK+50) On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged the American people to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."  Two hundred and forty years ago today, September 22, 1776, twenty-one year old Nathan Hale* was required to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country.  When asked by his British captors if he had any final words Hale, a spy for General George Washington on Long Island, New York, said...

"I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country."

The British military leaders on Long Island were alerted to Mr. Hale's true identity and took him into custody at Flushing Bay in Queens, New York.
After sketches of British fortifications on Long Island were found in Hale's possession, he was taken before British General William Howe who ordered the execution.

Eyewitness to History gives the account of Captain William Hull who talked with a British officer who witnessed the execution.  The officer told Hull that..."Captain Hale...was calm, and bore himself with gentle dignity..." 

Nathan Hale was officially designated as the "State Hero" of the state of Connecticut in 1985.

*Nathan Hale (1755-1776) was born in Coventry, Connecticut.  He graduated from Yale College in 1773 & became a teacher.  In 1755, he joined the Connecticut Militia & soon was commissioned 1st Lieutenant in the 7th Connecticut Regiment.

Mr. Hale served as a spy for General Washington on Long Island but was discovered & taken into custody by the British.

SOURCE

"The Execution of Nathan Hale, 1776," www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/

Nathan Hale Statue

Fort Nathan Hale

New Haven, Connecticut

Photo by 2112guy (2007)

THE WORST PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2051

WASHINGTON FORCED TO RETREAT FROM BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

Brooklyn Heights, New York (JFK+50) 240 years ago today, August 27, 1776, Continental forces under General George Washington were defeated by British forces at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights*.

The Americans suffered 2000 casualties while the British, under General William Howe and his brother Admiral Richard Howe, lost less than 400.

General Washington had built batteries on Manhattan and Long Island to stop the British fleet from sailing past New York City, but soon found his position on Brooklyn Heights untenable as the British were in striking distance with a 2 to 1 advantage and his back to the East River.

The General, however, managed to put his artillery, 9000 troops and their supplies across the river without harm.  Although having suffered defeat, Washington's escape is considered one of his greatest military accomplishments.

BritishBattles.com/ says the Battle of Brooklyn Heights and the loss of New York was "the worst period of the war for Washington and the American cause for independence."

*The Battle of Brooklyn Heights, a.k.a. Battle of Long Island, was the 1st of the American Revolutionary War fought after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  The British victory secured for the Crown control of New York City.  It is also regarded as the largest battle of the War for Independence.

SOURCE

"The Battle of Long Island, 1776," BritishBattles.com, www.britishbattles.com/

Delaware Regiment

at the Battle of Long Island

August 27, 1776

Photo of Painting by Domenick D'Andrea