Do you know that spies were used by both the British and the Americans during the Revolutionary War? Some were famous and some were not, but all played a role in the outcome of the War.

Spies during the War for Independence came from unlikely sources. James Armistead was a slave in Virginia. His work helped the patriots defeat British General Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown.

Armistead's master gave him permission to join the Marquis de Lafayette's service during the War. He performed his role as an escaped slave and Cornwallis recruited him to spy for the British. This allowed Armistead to pass false information to the British and to carry back important information from the British to Lafayette, allowing Americans to have an edge at the Battle of Yorktown.

The Virginia Legislature granted his freedom to Armistead, and Lafayette gave him a letter of commendation. Armistead took the last name of Lafayette as a tribute to General Lafayette.

During January, Black History month, the Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, urges you to learn more about espionage and the contribution of black Americans to the War for Independence.

February is American History month, and the Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter will provide a display at the Garden City Library during that time, highlighting the subject of Spies During the American Revolution. We hope that many Garden City residents will take the time to view the display on this interesting and important topic in our history.