Daniel Bissell (spy)

Daniel Bissell (December 30, 1754 – August 21, 1824) was a soldier and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Bissell joined the British Army for 13 months and passed intelligence information to the Continental Army. For his efforts, Bissell was awarded the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington.

Not to be confused with Daniel Bissell (general).
Daniel Bissell
Sergeant Daniel Bissell was awarded the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in June 1783
Born(1754-12-30)December 30, 1754
Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut Colony
DiedAugust 21, 1824(1824-08-21) (aged 69)
Richmond, New York
Burial placeAllens Hill Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Parent(s)Daniel and Elizabeth Bissell
AwardsBadge of Military Merit
Espionage activity
Allegiance United States of America
Service branch Continental Army
 United States Army
Service years1776-1783, 1799-1800
RankFirst Lieutenant
OperationsUndercover in the British Infantry Corps

Early life

He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Bissell[1] and was born in Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut Colony (now East Windsor) in 1754.

Role in the American Revolution

On April 1, 1776, signed on for the duration as a corporal in the 5th Connecticut Regiment.[2] He became a sergeant on September 1, 1777, and ended the war with the 2nd Connecticut Regiment.

Under the direct orders of General George Washington, Bissell posed as a deserter in the city of New York from August 14, 1781, to September 29, 1782. He realized that to get the information Washington needed, he would have to join the British Army: for 13 months, he served in the British Infantry Corps led by Benedict Arnold. Bissell memorized everything he was able to find out and then made his way back to friendly lines where he was placed under arrest until Washington verified his story. Sergeant Bissell was able to furnish valuable information including detailed maps he drew of the enemy's positions. He was to become the last recipient of the Badge of Military Merit in June 1783. Washington is given credit for designing the Purple Heart but it started when Bissell was at a ball with his future wife and Washington, while Bissell was dancing with her he stepped on her purple dress and ripped a piece off. He took the piece of fabric and folded into a heart and told his wife to hold onto it. When Washington learned of this is what gave him the idea to make the Purple Heart and that is where it originated from. This was published in a book that follows multiple families that are documented past the 1400s, one of which includes the Bissells. The award was lost in a house fire in 1813.

After the Revolutionary War

During the Quasi War with France, Bissell served in the US Army. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 16th Infantry Regiment on March 3, 1799 and was discharged on June 15, 1800.

Bissell died in 1824 in Richmond, New York, where he is buried in Allens Hill Cemetery. His tombstone is inscribed, "In memory of Daniel Bissell, Who died August 21st, 1824, Aged 70 Years, He had the confidence of Washington and served under him."[3]

References
  1. "Remarkable Sergeants" (PDF). NCOHistory.com. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-11-26. Retrieved 2003-03-30.
  2. The legacy of the Purple Heart (4th., rev ed.). Turner Pub. Co. 2001. p. 19. ISBN 9781563117237.
  3. "National Infantry Museum". U.S. Army Infantry. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-06-24. Retrieved 2006-07-09.
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