Lieutenant Lewis CostiginLieutenant Lewis Costigin was employed as a patriotic spy. Wearing his contenintal uniform, Costigin would cross enemy lines to collect information about the enemy (1). Although spying in a continental uniform on British territory is initially thought to be ignorant, Costigin wore his uniform because when he was captured he was treated and tried as a soldier and not as a spy, avoiding the death penalty given to spies (2). When he was captured he was placed on parole in New York City where was aloud to freely roam the city (3). After he was exchanged for a British officer, he remained in the city and continued to spy in plain site (4). The town was so use to seeing him that they did not question his presence (5).
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Portrait of Lieutenant Lewis Costigin (6)
1. Evan Andrews. "5 Patriot Spies of the American Revolution."
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Lewis Johnston Costigan. 1790-1795. Watercolor on ivory.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Lewis Johnston Costigan. 1790-1795. Watercolor on ivory.