When I was eleven years old, my mother and father gave me a book for my birthday that was full of short biographies of famous people in American history. My mother pointed me to the page about Nathan Hale and she showed me how she wrote my name in the design of his family crest at the top of his page. It made me feel good. It made me feel like I was a part of Nathan Hale’s story!
Nathan Hale volunteered for the Continental Army of the American Colonies and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the 7th Connecticut Regiment. He was assigned to serve General George Washington in what is now New York City. In September 1776, General George Washington was desperate to determine the location of the upcoming British invasion. He needed information on troop strengths and positions of the British Army, which was encamped on Long Island. General Washington asked for a volunteer to infiltrate the area and bring back the precious information. Nathan Hale was the only one to raise his hand.
My mother told me that the reason she wrote my name in Nathan Hale’s family crest was because we were related to him through his oldest sister, Fanny Rose Hale. This fact stayed with me over the years and I have since been inspired by learning about his courage.
According to the best accounts of history, after eight days of reconnaissance, Nathan Hale was recognized by a British loyalist in a pub and arrested by the British authorities. After the discovery of his notes of British troop locations in his boot, he was sentenced to death by hanging, scheduled for that very morning.
After Nathan Hale’s execution, a British observer who witnessed his hanging visited George Washington’s camp under a flag of truce. The British observer gave a compelling and glowing report of Nathan Hale’s last day. He reported that Nathan Hale exhibited the most amazing integrity and courage in the face of his certain death. He explained that Nathan Hale was confined to a makeshift prison (a greenhouse) the night before his hanging and, being the perfect gentleman by his demeanor, asked for only two things, writing paper and a Bible, he was refused both.
I would like to quote from www.eyewitnesstohistory.com…
“Sir William Howe, without the form of a trial, gave orders for his execution the following morning. He was placed in the custody of the Provost Marshal, who was a refugee and hardened to human suffering and every softening sentiment of the heart. Captain Hale, alone, without sympathy or support, save that from above, on the near approach of death asked for a clergyman to attend him. It was refused. He then requested a Bible; that too was refused by his inhuman jailer.”
‘On the morning of his execution,’ continued the officer, ‘my station was near the fatal spot, and I requested the Provost Marshal to permit the prisoner to sit in my marquee, while he was making the necessary preparations. Captain Hale entered: he was calm, and bore himself with gentle dignity, in the consciousness of rectitude and high intentions. He asked for writing materials, which I furnished him: he wrote two letters, one to his mother and one to a brother officer.’ He was shortly after summoned to the gallows. But a few persons were around him, yet his, characteristic dying words were remembered. He said, ‘I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.'”
After writing a letter to his family, then a night in prayer and meditation, he was calmly led a tree where he was hung near what is in New York City today at 66th St. and 3rd Ave. Just before he was hung, Nathan Hale made the following statement; “My only regret is that I have but one life to live for my country.”
This seminal moment in American history required great faith from Nathan Hale; faith in his purpose as an American patriot, faith in the power of God to work things out for the best and faith in himself to do what he was about to do.
Would I be able to display this type of courage in the face of imminent death? Would I have had the courage to volunteer to go spy on the enemy? Would I have had the ability to think clearly enough to say something so eloquent to those who were about to take my life?
My mother believed that I had that same faith and courage. My mother taught me that Nathan Hale’s faith and courage to do the right thing, under fire and under the scrutiny and criticism of others could give me faith in myself. After all, she reminded me that I have his DNA. Nathan Hale is part of my heritage and part of what makes me human.
In the forty years since my mother wrote my name in the crest of Nathan Hale. This seemingly insignificant act has proven to be a very effective way to teach me enduring lessons about my own potential for courage, integrity, power and determination. I find that it is a story that never grows old because I see it in new light with each passing year. My mother and father gave me the confidence that if I needed to, I can draw on that same source of faith and courage, it is in me waiting to be tested.
What might you be capable of if you stepped-out on faith? The same faith as your fathers, and mother?
Thank you for your faith and courage Nathan Hale.
