Intelligence in the War of Independence

George Washington letter seeking intelligence assistance in a campaign in New York in July 1977

“The necessity of procuring good Intelligence is apparent & need not be further urged — All that remains for me to add is, that you keep the whole matter as secret as possible. For upon Secrecy, Success depends in Most Enterprizes of the kind, and for want of it, they are generally defeated, however well planned & promising a favourable issue.”
— George Washington,
July 26, 1777