Major John André was a British Army officer who served as the head of Britain's intelligence operations during the American War of Independence. In September 1780, he negotiated with Continental Army officer and turncoat Benedict Arnold, who secretly offered to turn over control of the American fort at West Point, New York to the British. Due to a series of mishaps and unforeseen events, André was forced to return to British lines from a meeting with Arnold through American-controlled territory while wearing civilian clothes.
John André
The Joshua Hett Smith House (since demolished) in 1909
An 1845 lithograph depicting André's capture
A self-portrait by André, drawn on the eve of his execution
Intelligence in the American Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army and British Army conducted espionage operations against one another to collect military intelligence to inform military operations. In addition, both sides conducted political action, covert action, counterintelligence, deception, and propaganda operations as part of their overall strategies.
Paul Revere's ride