The American Spectator

Gen. Washington has little formal military training and has never won a decisive battle. He prefers to play a game of cat and mouse with the British rather than engage them in a major pitched battle like the one Gen. Gates won here yesterday. Allies of Gen. Gates say the hero of Saratoga is the obvious choice to replace the unsuccessful Washington as Commander in Chief of the Army, and many in Congress agree.

* July 23, 1780: American spies uncover British attack plans

NEW YORK — A spy network run here by Major Benjamin Tallmadge of the 2nd Connecticut Light Dragoons has uncovered British plans to attack the French Navy at Newport, R.I., The New York Times has learned. A spy known only by his or her codename “Lady” reported the plans to Maj. Tallmadge, who passed them on to Gen. George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

Gen. Washington plans to prevent the British attack by drawing up false plans for an assault on New York City and seeing that the “plans” fall into the hands of British Gen. Sir Henry Clinton stationed in New York, according to sources inside Gen. Washington’s camp.

Tallmadge’s spies are known as the Culper ring and are reputed to be the most successful and important spies in America’s service. They have infiltrated the British command in New York City and repeatedly deliver useful information to American forces on the outside.

* Sept. 7, 1781: French fleet blocks British Navy from Chesapeake Bay

YORKTOWN — French Admiral Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse, fresh from a victory over the Royal Navy, has blockaded the Chesapeake Bay, cutting off any hope that the British Army here could be supplied, reinforced or rescued by sea.

British Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis is encamped here in hopes that the Royal Navy will be able to use the port. With the French Navy blockading the bay, Gen. George Washington and French Lt. Gen. Comte de Rochambeau are marching their armies from Philadelphia to Yorktown at this moment. Meanwhile, Lord Cornwallis is busy reinforcing his defenses at Yorktown, cementing his own trap.