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Spy of the American Revolution

How an enslaved man named James Lafayette outsmarted the British—and helped Americans win their freedom  

November 2024
by Steve Sheinkin

Before You Read: Check out our Background Builder slideshow

 

© 2017 The Colonial Williamsburg (Stephen Seals)

This is Stephen Seals. He plays James Lafayette at Colonial Williamsburg. (That’s a living history museum in Virginia.) Watch our interview with him below

    Like all great spy stories, this one is full of mystery. 

    Here’s what we know. On a spring day in 1781, a Black man named James did something very dangerous. He crossed into enemy territory. This was six years into the American Revolution. A powerful British army was marching through Virginia. It was trying to crush the American army once and for all. 

    James raced across miles of fields and forests. He climbed over rocks and fallen trees. Finally, he found what he was searching for—a British army camp. James carried no weapon. Still, he walked boldly into the camp. 

    When British soldiers stopped him, he had his story ready. James told them he had been born into slavery nearby. He’d just escaped and wanted to join the British side. He’d grown up in this part of Virginia. He could show British soldiers secret paths through the woods.

    British generals needed this sort of inside information about their enemy. So they welcomed James into their camp.

    It was a decision they would soon regret.

    Like all great spy stories, this one is full of mystery.

    Here’s what we know. One day in 1781, a Black man named James did something risky. He entered an enemy camp. This was during the American Revolution. A strong British army was marching through Virginia. It meant to crush the American army.

    James raced across fields and forests. He climbed over rocks and fallen trees. Finally, he reached a British army camp. He had no weapon. Still, he walked right in.

    When British soldiers stopped him, he had his story ready. James said he had been born into slavery nearby. He’d just escaped and wanted to join the British side. He knew the area. He could show British soldiers secret paths through the woods.

    British generals needed this information. So they welcomed James into their camp.

    It was a decision they would soon regret.

    Like all great spy stories, this one is full of mystery.

    Here’s what we know. On a spring day in 1781, a Black man named James did something very dangerous—he crossed into enemy territory. This was six years into the American Revolution. A powerful British army was marching through Virginia, determined to crush the American army once and for all.

    James raced across miles of fields and forests, scrambling over rocks and fallen trees, until he finally found what he was searching for—a British army camp. Although James carried no weapon, he walked boldly into the camp.

    When British soldiers stopped him, he had his story ready. James told them he had been born into slavery nearby, had just escaped, and wanted to join the British side. He’d grown up in this part of Virginia and could show British soldiers secret paths through the woods.

    British generals needed this sort of inside information about their enemy, so they welcomed James into their camp.

    It was a decision they would soon regret.

PAUSE AND THINK: What did James offer to do for the British?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did James offer to do for the British?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did James offer to do for the British?

Joining the Fight

    The story James told the British was partly true. He was born in Virginia in 1748. Back then, Virginia was one of 13 American Colonies ruled by Great Britain. Like many thousands of Black people at the time, James was born into slavery. 

    James was in his late 20s when the American Revolution began in 1775. The Continental Army was led by General George Washington. It was fighting for freedom from Great Britain. A win would mean the Colonies could become a new nation—the United States of America. 

    But by 1781, the Americans were close to losing the war. General Washington had a small army camped outside New York City. Meanwhile, General Charles Cornwallis was leading a 7,000-man British force into Virginia.

    Washington’s forces were not strong enough to beat the British with direct attacks. 

    His only hope was to outsmart them.

    What James told the British was partly true. He was born in Virginia in 1748. Back then, Virginia was one of 13 American Colonies ruled by Great Britain. Like many Black people at the time, James was born into slavery.

    The American Revolution began in 1775. The Continental Army was led by General George Washington. It was fighting for freedom from Great Britain. If it won, the Colonies could become a new nation: the United States of America.

    But by 1781, the Americans were losing. Washington had a small army camped outside New York City. General Charles Cornwallis was leading a 7,000-man British force into Virginia.

    Washington’s army couldn’t beat the British with direct attacks. He would have to outsmart them.

    The story James told the British was partially true. He was born in Virginia in 1748. Back then, Virginia was one of 13 American Colonies ruled by Great Britain. Like many thousands of Black people at the time, James was born into slavery.

    James was in his late 20s when the American Revolution began in 1775. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, was fighting for freedom from Great Britain. A win would mean the Colonies could become a new nation—the United States of America.

    But by 1781, the Americans were in danger of losing the war. General Washington had a small army camped outside New York City, while General Charles Cornwallis was leading a 7,000-man British force into Virginia.

    Washington’s forces were not strong enough to defeat the British through direct attacks.

    His only hope was to outsmart them.

PAUSE AND THINK: What would happen if the Americans won the war?

PAUSE AND THINK: What would happen if the Americans won the war?

PAUSE AND THINK: What would happen if the Americans won the war?

 

The 13 Colonies

Jim McMahon/Mapman® 

Before the United States became its own country, the land along the east coast was ruled by Great Britain. It was divided into 13 Colonies. People came from other countries looking for more freedom. But the Colonies did not offer freedom to all. At the start of the war, about 90 percent of Black people living there were enslaved.

Before the United States became its own country, the land along the east coast was ruled by Great Britain. It was divided into 13 Colonies. People came from other countries looking for more freedom. But the Colonies did not offer freedom to all. At the start of the war, about 90 percent of Black people living there were enslaved.

Before the United States became its own country, the land along the east coast was ruled by Great Britain. It was divided into 13 Colonies. People came from other countries looking for more freedom. But the Colonies did not offer freedom to all. At the start of the war, about 90 percent of Black people living there were enslaved.

The Making of a Spy

    It was at this moment that James sprang into action. 

    In the spring of 1781, James met with one of Washington’s top generals. He was a 23-year-old named Marquis de Lafayette. He needed to know where the British planned to strike next. James offered to find out. 

    Why would James volunteer to spy? Why take such a big risk for a country that forced him to live in slavery?

    No one knows for sure. But it is known that James had a wife named Sylvia. They had at least one child. Some experts believe that James’s goal was to gain his freedom and to stay with his family in Virginia. He may have seen spying as a chance to do both.

    That’s when James sprang into action.

    In the spring of 1781, James met with one of Washington’s top generals. His name was Marquis de Lafayette. He needed to know where the British planned to strike next. James offered to find out.

    Why did James offer to spy? Why risk his life for a country that forced him to live in slavery?

    No one knows for sure. But James had a wife. They had at least one child. Some experts say James wanted to gain his freedom and to stay with his family in Virginia. He may have seen spying as a way to do both.

    It was at this moment that James sprang into action.

    In the spring of 1781, James met with one of Washington’s top generals, a 23-year-old man named Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette needed to know where the British intended to strike next, and James offered to find out.

    Why would James volunteer to spy? Why take such a huge risk for a country that forced him to live in slavery?

    No one knows for certain, but it is known that James had a wife named Sylvia and that they had at least one child. Some experts believe that James wanted to gain his freedom and to stay with his family in Virginia. He may have seen spying as a chance to do both.

PAUSE AND THINK: What did James volunteer to do?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did James volunteer to do?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did James volunteer to do?

 

Build Knowledge

The American Revolution

All about the war that led to the founding of the United States

What is a revolution? A revolution is a sudden change of government. It usually happens when people decide to take power away from leaders who are treating them unfairly.


Who fought in the American Revolution? People who lived in the 13 Colonies formed the Continental Army. It fought against British forces. 


When did it take place? The American Revolution was fought from 1775 to 1783. 


Why did it happen? For many years, the British let the Colonies mostly run themselves. But that changed in the 1760s. Britain’s King George III put a series of harsh laws and taxes into effect. Many colonists were angry. In 1775, that anger exploded into war

What is a revolution? A revolution is a sudden change of government. It usually happens when people decide to take power away from leaders who are treating them unfairly.


Who fought in the American Revolution? People who lived in the 13 Colonies formed the Continental Army. It fought against British forces. 


When did it take place? The American Revolution was fought from 1775 to 1783. 


Why did it happen? For many years, the British let the Colonies mostly run themselves. But that changed in the 1760s. Britain’s King George III put a series of harsh laws and taxes into effect. Many colonists were angry. In 1775, that anger exploded into war

What is a revolution? A revolution is a sudden change of government. It usually happens when people decide to take power away from leaders who are treating them unfairly.


Who fought in the American Revolution? People who lived in the 13 Colonies formed the Continental Army. It fought against British forces. 


When did it take place? The American Revolution was fought from 1775 to 1783. 


Why did it happen? For many years, the British let the Colonies mostly run themselves. But that changed in the 1760s. Britain’s King George III put a series of harsh laws and taxes into effect. Many colonists were angry. In 1775, that anger exploded into war

The Double Agent

    And so, James talked his way into the British camp. Soon after, he began gathering information. He was even given a job inside General Cornwallis’s own headquarters! This allowed James to listen in on meetings and sneak looks at secret documents.

    James risked his life to get this information to the Americans. He slipped out of the British camp. He hurried back across fields, forests, and streams. He found Lafayette and told him what he had learned. Lafayette then sent the news to General Washington in New York.

    Meanwhile, James slid back into the British camp. And in the summer of 1781, the British came to James with an idea. They liked him. They trusted him. And they wanted him to spy on the Americans! 

    James could now be a double agent. In other words, both sides would believe he was spying for them. He could share British secrets with the Americans. And he could lie to the British about the Americans’ plans.

    James talked his way into the British camp. He worked inside Cornwallis’s headquarters. This allowed him to listen in on meetings and look at secret documents.

    James risked his life to get this information to the Americans. He slipped out of the British camp. He ran back across fields, forests, and streams. He found Lafayette and told him what he had learned. Lafayette sent the news to General Washington in New York.

    Meanwhile, James slid back into the British camp. And in the summer of 1781, the British came to James with an idea. They liked him. They trusted him. And they wanted him to spy on the Americans!

    James became a double agent. Both sides believed he was spying for them. He could share British secrets with the Americans. And he could lie to the British about the Americans’ plans.

    And so, James talked his way into the British camp and began gathering information. He was given a job inside General Cornwallis’s own headquarters, which allowed him to listen in on meetings and sneak looks at secret documents.

    James risked his life to bring this information to the Americans. He slipped out of the British camp and hurried back across fields, forests, and streams. He found Lafayette and told him what he had learned, and Lafayette then sent the news to General Washington in New York.

    Meanwhile, James slid back into the British camp. And in the summer of 1781, the British approached James with an idea. They liked him. They trusted him. And they wanted him to spy on the Americans!

    James could now be a double agent—in other words, both sides would believe he was spying for them. He could pass British secrets along to the Americans, and he could lie to the British about the Americans’ plans.

PAUSE AND THINK: What did the British ask James to do?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did the British ask James to do?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did the British ask James to do?

Secret Spy Craft

4 sneaky ways spies helped Washington outsmart the British  

Art by Randy Pollak

1. Spy Rings 
Spies often passed information through groups called spy rings. That way, the spy gathering the information and the one delivering it weren’t the same person. This made it harder for the British to figure out who was spying.

1. Spy Rings 
Spies often passed information through groups called spy rings. That way, the spy gathering the information and the one delivering it weren’t the same person. This made it harder for the British to figure out who was spying.

1. Spy Rings 
Spies often passed information through groups called spy rings. That way, the spy gathering the information and the one delivering it weren’t the same person. This made it harder for the British to figure out who was spying.

Art by Randy Pollak

2. Dead Drops 
To avoid being seen together, spies left messages in secret locations called dead drops. For example, one spy might wedge a note in the crack of a rock, then cover it with a stone. Another agent would collect the message later.

2. Dead Drops 
To avoid being seen together, spies left messages in secret locations called dead drops. For example, one spy might wedge a note in the crack of a rock, then cover it with a stone. Another agent would collect the message later.

2. Dead Drops 
To avoid being seen together, spies left messages in secret locations called dead drops. For example, one spy might wedge a note in the crack of a rock, then cover it with a stone. Another agent would collect the message later.

Art by Randy Pollak

Legend has it that one spy delivered her information by stuffing notes into balls of yarn!

3. Eavesdropping 
Some of the best spies were women, servants, and enslaved people who lived in towns controlled by the British army. They listened in on British officers, who had a habit of blabbing openly about their plans.

3. Eavesdropping 
Some of the best spies were women, servants, and enslaved people who lived in towns controlled by the British army. They listened in on British officers, who had a habit of blabbing openly about their plans.

3. Eavesdropping 
Some of the best spies were women, servants, and enslaved people who lived in towns controlled by the British army. They listened in on British officers, who had a habit of blabbing openly about their plans.

Art by Randy Pollak

4. Secret Signals 
Spies used secret signals to communicate. For example, Anna Strong was a spy in Setauket, New York. She sent messages by hanging laundry. A black petticoat on the line meant there was a message ready for another spy. And the number of handkerchiefs signaled where the message was hidden!

4. Secret Signals 
Spies used secret signals to communicate. For example, Anna Strong was a spy in Setauket, New York. She sent messages by hanging laundry. A black petticoat on the line meant there was a message ready for another spy. And the number of handkerchiefs signaled where the message was hidden!

4. Secret Signals 
Spies used secret signals to communicate. For example, Anna Strong was a spy in Setauket, New York. She sent messages by hanging laundry. A black petticoat on the line meant there was a message ready for another spy. And the number of handkerchiefs signaled where the message was hidden!

Huge News

    That summer, James picked up a huge piece of news: General Cornwallis was about to move his entire British force to Yorktown, Virginia. That was a town on the York River.

    The news was sent to Washington. At the same time, France was sending ships to help the Americans. So Washington came up with a plan: His army would surround Yorktown by land. The French navy would block any escape by river and sea. 

    The British forces would be trapped at Yorktown.

    Could the Americans finally win their fight for freedom?

    That summer, James heard big news: Cornwallis was about to move his whole British force to Yorktown, Virginia. That was a town on the York River.

    The news was sent to Washington. France was sending ships to help the Americans. Washington made a plan: His army would surround Yorktown by land. The French navy would block any escape by river or sea. The British forces would be trapped at Yorktown.

    Would the Americans win their freedom?

    That summer, James picked up an extremely valuable piece of information: He learned that General Cornwallis was planning to move his entire British force to Yorktown, a Virginia town on the York River.

    The news was sent to Washington. At the same time, France was sending ships to assist the Americans. So Washington came up with a plan: His army would surround Yorktown by land, and the French navy would block any escape by river and sea.

    The British forces would be trapped at Yorktown.

    Could the Americans finally win their fight for freedom?

PAUSE AND THINK: What was George Washington’s plan?

PAUSE AND THINK: What was George Washington’s plan?

PAUSE AND THINK: What was George Washington’s plan?

Jim McMahon/Mapman® 

The Battle of Yorktown
This was the last major land battle of the war. The Continental Army and French troops surrounded British forces. General Cornwallis later surrendered.

A Trick and a Race

    Maybe. 

    The trap would only work if the British didn’t see the danger coming. So Washington ordered his men to build new bread ovens. 

    The goal was not to bake a lot of bread. It was to mislead the British. Washington wanted them to think his army planned to stay in New York for a while. But after the ovens were built, Washington raced his army to Virginia. 

    The plan worked. In early September, the French and American forces surrounded the British. Day after day, Washington hit them with cannon fire.

    Finally, on October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered. The Americans had won the battle. This was a major turning point in the war. It led to Americans winning their freedom.

    Maybe. The trap would work only if the British were taken by surprise. So Washington had his men build new bread ovens.

    The goal was not to bake a lot of bread. It was to mislead the British. Washington wanted them to think his army planned to stay in New York for a while. But after the ovens were built, his army raced to Virginia.

    The plan worked. In early September, the French and American forces surrounded the British. Day after day, Washington hit them with cannon fire.

    On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered. The Americans had won the battle. This was a turning point in the war. It led to Americans winning their freedom.

    Maybe. The trap would work only if the British were taken by surprise. So Washington had his men build new bread ovens.

    The goal was not to bake a lot of bread. It was to mislead the British. Washington wanted them to think his army planned to stay in New York for a while. But after the ovens were built, his army raced to Virginia.

    The plan worked. In early September, the French and American forces surrounded the British. Day after day, Washington hit them with cannon fire.

    On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered. The Americans had won the battle. This was a turning point in the war. It led to Americans winning their freedom.

PAUSE AND THINK: How did Washington’s men trick the British?

PAUSE AND THINK: How did Washington’s men trick the British?

PAUSE AND THINK: How did Washington’s men trick the British?

Another Fight for Freedom

    But James himself was not free. When the war ended, he was still enslaved.  

    In 1783, a law was passed in Virginia. It granted freedom to enslaved men who had fought in the Continental Army. But James had served as a spy—not a soldier. The law did not help him. 

    James wrote to the Virginia government. Lafayette added a letter of support. Finally, in 1787, James was granted his freedom. He bought a farm and lived there with his family. In honor of his friend and former commander, he took the last name Lafayette.

    James Lafayette died in 1830 at 81 or 82. (His exact birthday is not known.) Nearly 200 years later, his story is very much alive.  

    James Lafayette may not be the most famous hero of the American Revolution. But he’s one we should all know and celebrate.     

    But James himself was not free. When the war ended, he was still enslaved.

    In 1783, a law was passed in Virginia. It freed enslaved men who had fought in the Continental Army. But James had been a spy, not a soldier. The law didn’t help him.

    James wrote to Virginia’s government. Lafayette added a letter of support. In 1787, James was granted his freedom. He bought a farm. In honor of his former commander, he took the last name Lafayette.

    James died in 1830. Nearly 200 years later, his story is very much alive.

    James Lafayette may not be the most famous hero of the American Revolution. But he’s one we should all know and celebrate. 

    But James himself was not free. When the war ended, he was still enslaved.

    In 1783, a law was passed in Virginia granting freedom to enslaved men who had fought in the Continental Army—but because James had served as a spy and not a soldier, the law didn’t help him.

    James wrote to the Virginia government, and Lafayette added a letter of support. Finally, in 1787, James was granted his freedom. He bought a farm and lived there with his family. In honor of his friend and former commander, he took the last name Lafayette.

    James Lafayette died in 1830 at 81 or 82. (His exact birthday is unknown.) Nearly 200 years later, his story is very much alive.

    James Lafayette may not be the most famous hero of the American Revolution, but he’s one we should all know and celebrate. •

PAUSE AND THINK: Why didn’t the 1783 law set James free?

PAUSE AND THINK: Why didn’t the 1783 law set James free?

PAUSE AND THINK: Why didn’t the 1783 law set James free?

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