Editing George Washington (section)

===Espionage and West Point===
{{Main|Culper Ring|Military career of Benedict Arnold, 1777–1779}}

Washington became America's first [[spymaster]] by designing an espionage system against the British.{{sfn|Nagy|2016|p=274}} In 1778, Major [[Benjamin Tallmadge]] formed the [[Culper Ring]] at Washington's direction to covertly collect information about the British in New York.{{sfn|Rose|2006|pp=75, 224, 258–261}} Intelligence from the Culper Ring saved French forces from a surprise British attack, which was itself based on intelligence from Washington's general turned British spy Benedict Arnold.{{sfn|Rose|2006|loc=[https://archive.org/details/washingtonsspies00alex/page/n207/mode/2up n207]}}

Washington had disregarded incidents of disloyalty by Arnold, who had distinguished himself in many campaigns, including [[Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec|the invasion of Quebec]].{{sfnm|Chernow|2010|1pp=378–387|Philbrick|2016|2p=35}} In 1779, Arnold began supplying the British spymaster [[John André]] with sensitive information intended to allow the British to capture [[West Point, New York|West Point]], a key American defensive position on the Hudson River.{{sfn|Philbrick|2016|pp=250–251, 269}} On September 21, Arnold gave André plans to take over the garrison.{{sfnm|Palmer|2006|pp=306, 315, 319, 320}} André was captured by militia who discovered the plans, after which Arnold escaped to New York.{{sfnm|Rhodehamel|2017|1loc=8: The Great Man|Palmer|2006|2p=410}} On being told about Arnold's treason, Washington recalled the commanders positioned under Arnold at key points around the fort to prevent any complicity. He assumed personal command at West Point and reorganized its defenses.{{sfnm|Palmer|2006|1pp=370–371|Middlekauff|2015|2p=232}}