Espionage played a vital role during the American Revolution in Rhode
Island. The British and Americans each employed spies to discover the
secrets, plans and positions of their enemy. Continental navy lieutenant
John Trevett dressed as an ordinary sailor, grew out his beard and went
from tavern to tavern in Newport gathering intelligence. Metcalf Bowler
became a traitor on the order of Benedict Arnold, as he spied for the
British while serving as a Patriot leader in Providence. Disguised as a
peddler, Ann Bates spied for the British during the Rhode Island
Campaign. When caught, one spy paid with his life, while others suffered
in jail. Author Christian M. McBurney, for the first time, unravels the
world of spies and covert operations in Rhode Island during the
Revolutionary War.