American Intelligence Activities in the Revolutionary War

Presenter: Mr. Kenneth A. Daigler
Panelists: Dr. James H. Broussard, Ms. Jessica J. Sheets, Mr. Scott S. Hill

Although the Revolutionary War is widely taught and written about, the important role of intelligence activities in the conflict is underreported by authors and educators. In his 2014 book, Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War, professional intelligence officer Kenneth A. Daigler posits that American intelligence during this period is a new lens from which to study the Revolutionary War era and colonial independence. He explores the tradecraft of intelligence collection through multiple groups. For example, the United Front Organization was essential to inter-colonial communication, coordination, and spreading political action through propaganda. Other organizations, such as Hortalez and Company, aided intelligence efforts through weapons contributions and technical expertise. The renowned General George Washington led American military intelligence activities with his skills of observation, tactical and strategic deception, elicitation, and defensive counterintelligence. Key battles, from the Battle of Trenton to the Battle of Yorktown, succeeded because of intelligence operations.

In the second roundtable of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center’s (USAHEC) quarterly “Discussions on Military History,” Mr. Daigler discusses how intelligence played a major role in Revolutionary War events using his unique point of view as a former Career Operations Officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He cites several examples of intelligence collection and provide an overview of the major American intelligence activities during the Revolutionary War era. After the talk, our esteemed panel of experts examined the implications of intelligence and how this lens changes the understanding of the Revolution.

Length: 97 Minutes
Roundtable Date: Saturday, June 27, 2015