Benjamin Tallmadge Leadership Case Study
To become an effective, competent, knowledgeable leader one must possess the ability to
analyze and extract relevant data from past experiences. Studying past leaders to ident
...
Benjamin Tallmadge Leadership Case Study
To become an effective, competent, knowledgeable leader one must possess the ability to
analyze and extract relevant data from past experiences. Studying past leaders to identify their
accomplishments and shortfalls provide an established framework for leaders to build upon
throughout their career. Military doctrine evolves each day, yet our nation’s most brilliant and
influential historical leaders’ actions align with modern-day doctrine. Commanders today
consistently attribute their success from leaders of the past providing a chain that links
Commanders throughout history. Observing the case study of Army Colonel Benjamin
Tallmadge, the architect of America's first spy ring, evidence of current mission command
philosophy and challenging modern-day ethical decisions present themselves.
Benjamin Tallmadge and the Culper Spy Ring Summary
To begin, the case study of Major Benjamin Tallmadge (later Colonel) and the Culper
Spy Ring spanned throughout the Revolutionary war. In 1776, a British Commander ordered
Nathan Hale's hanging for spying without trial providing an example of the fate that lie ahead for
those identified as spies (Cray, 1999). General George Washington possessed a significant need
to charge someone with the duties of gathering critical intelligence on Continental Army
adversaries. Washington ultimately elected Major Benjamin Tallmadge as Intelligence chief for
the Continental Army. Major Tallmadge served as Intelligence chief from 1778 to 1783 without
losing a single agent (DeFord, 2019). Throughout that time, he organized the most affective
intelligence-gathering network known as the Culper Spy Ring. Tallmadge enlisted the help of
Abraham Woodhull (code name: Culper, Sr.), Robert Townsend (code name: Culper, Jr),
Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, and Anna Strong. The primary function of the network consisted of
Culper, Jr gathering intelligence then passing it to Culper, Sr, who added his findings to the
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reports. Anna Strong proceeded to signal Caleb Brewster, who transported the intelligence to
Major Tallmadge who sent the reports via riders to deliver the information to General
Washington (DeFord, 2019).
Washington Elects Tallmadge
Benjamin Tallmadge commissioned as a lieutenant on the 20th of June 1776 at the
request of Capt. John Chester of Wethersfield (DeFord, 2019). The Commander of the
Continental Army General Washington offered Major Tallmadge the position of Major in April
of 1777, less than a year after joining the cause (DeFord, 2019). Initially, Major John Clark
gathered intelligence while Tallmadge clerked for him until Clark retired. Upon Major Clark's
retirement, General Washington called on Major Tallmadge to become the intelligence chief for
the Continental Army in 1778 and a key officer to Washington's inner circle (Leavenworth &
Courant, 2004; DeFord, 2019).
Spy Rings Contributions: The spy ring uncovered information such as the British
planning an attack which targeted the Continentals French allies upon their arrival from across
the Atlantic (DeFord, 2019). The raid headed by Major General William Tryon, intended to
induce General Washington to separate his Troops so Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton
could attack. Additionally, the spy ring uncovered information regarding a British plan to
counterfeit Continental currency, which afforded Congress the time necessary to retire the bills.
However, the most substantial intelligence the spy ring uncovered revealed American Major
General Benedict Arnold’s plot to turn over American Fort West Point, New York to the British
(Moore, 2014; Trees, 2000). The information the Culper spy ring uncovered proved detrimental
to the advancement of the British cause and saved countless Continental and allied Soldier lives.
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Deviating from Mission Command Principle: Although, Major Benjamin Tallmadge
consistently provided information and produced effective results for his superiors, situations
occurred that required him to challenge orders from a superior. Upon the capture of British
Major John Andre going by the alias John Anderson, Lt. Col. John Jameson instructed his
subordinates to take him to West Point. This presented a significant problem as the West Point
Commander Major General Benedict Arnold colluded with Major Andre to turn over West Point
to the British. Rather than accepting the order to turn the prisoner over to West Point, Major
Tallmadge urged Lt. Col. John Jameson to bring the prisoner to their Headquarters (Moore,
2014). Ultimately, Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge’s persistence in changing Lt. Col. John
Jameson’s decision led to the capture of the British officer who they later hanged for spying, and
the revelation of Major General Benedict Arnold’s treachery.
In summary, General Washington needed a competent intelligence-gathering network.
Major Tallmadge developed Americas first effective spy ring, which produced vital intelligence
to the Continental Commander which altered the outcome of the Revolutionary War. The spy
ring operated effectively over a five-year period consistently providing tangible and actionable
intelligence. Major Tallmadge selected people that proved trustworthy, which protected the
identities and lives of his agents.
Mission Command Displayed: A commander establishes competent leaders by
consistently assessing their subordinates. Commanders observe high levels of competence in
their subordinates when their subordinates display the ability to execute the mission (ADP 6-0,
2019). General Washington displays this by entrusting Major Tallmadge with the responsibility
of gathering intelligence for the Continental Army. Furthermore, relying on Major Tallmadge’s
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method of intelligence gathering for five years indicates General Washington observed a high
level of competence in Major Tallmadge.
Moreover, shared confidence among Commanders, subordinates, and partners indicates
their reliability coupled with their ability to accomplish assigned tasks and garners mutual trust
(ADP 6-0, 2019). This strengthens overtime as the individuals involved establish shared
experiences. Developing this trust aids in an accelerated decision-making process. Major
Tallmadge established this mutual trust with his superior indicated by his rapid ascension in the
ranks to positions of increased responsibility ultimately landing the position of intelligence chief.
Similarly, those complicit in gathering the intelligence Major Tallmadge received faced certain
death upon exposure, which demonstrates trust is necessary with all parties involved.
Comparatively, when everyone associated with the plan understands the intent and the
desired end state all parties involved possess a shared understanding (ADP 6-0, 2019).
Commanders help facilitate this through planning, preparation, execution, and assessment. Major
Tallmadge demonstrates careful planning and preparation in the development and ongoing
operations within the network. Communications within the network consisted of letters and
codes which only members of the spy ring understood, which indicates the careful planning and
coordination within the network. Furthermore, this illustrates the extreme caution the network
exercised to maintain the integrity of the information gathered from outside influencers. Minimal
contact between each member of the network existed, yet the network consistently produced
valuable actionable intelligence. Through the extensive coordination and synchronization of the
spy ring, a shared understanding displays itself.
Similarly, Commanders indicate their intent by giving clear and concise guidance on the
purpose of the operations they will execute. This gives subordinates an understanding of thei
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