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Because he thought that if others were fighting in the war to get their freedom why couldn't he? So he fought because he thought that he could gain his freedom.( remember he was a slave)

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Q: Why did James Armistead want to become a spy?
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Where Was James Armistead Born?

James Armistead was born into slavery on December 10, 1748 in New Kent, Virginia.


What did James armistead do as a child?

James Armistead was a famous African American slave who lived in Virginia, Armistead sought and received permission from his master, William Armistead, to enlist underGen. Marquis de Lafayette, a French officer who joined George Washington's army during the American Revolution. Lafayette was seeking men to spy on British general Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown, Va. Impressed with Armistead's intelligence, Lafayette had Armistead pose as a laborer looking for work. He was hired at Cornwallis's camp and was able to relay information about Cornwallis's plans to Lafayette. Armistead also earned the trust of Cornwallis, who asked him to spy on the Americans. As a double agent, Armistead was able to move freely between both camps. He provided Lafayette with critical information that enabled the general to intercept Cornwallis's much-needed naval support and ultimately defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown in Oct. 1781, the decisive battle that ended the Revolution. After the war, Armistead returned to the Armistead plantation as a slave. He met with Lafayette in 1784, when the general visited the United States. He wrote a glowing recommendation for his former spy, which Armistead used when he petitioned the Virginia House of Delegates for freedom. He was finally freed on New Year's Day 1787. He assumed Lafayette as his surname and spent the rest of his life as a farmer in Virginia. Courtesy of ( INFOPLEASE.COM )


Was elizabeth van lew a south or north spy?

She was a Union spy which is a north spy.


Was Mary Lincoln a southern spy?

yes she was a southern spy


Who was Pauline Cushman?

She died on December 2,1893.

Related questions

Who was the master spy of Yorktown?

James Armistead. Who became James Lafayette


Where Was James Armistead Born?

James Armistead was born into slavery on December 10, 1748 in New Kent, Virginia.


What heroic act did James Armistead perform?

James Armistead served valiantly as an American spy, working out of the headquarters of General Lafayette


During the Revolutionary War James Armistead an African American was what?

During the Revolutionary War, James Armistead, an African American, was a spy.


What was James Armistead's contribution to the Revulution?

he was the first double spy


What was James armistead contributions?

James Armistead was the first African American double spy. He was a double spy in the American Revolution for the patriot's. He became a farmer after he was a spy. He had a wife, several children, and owned three slaves! He changed his name to James Lafayette.


Why did Benedict Arnold never suspectthat James armistead a spy?

Banana


Who was the black slave who served in the colonial army as a spy?

James armistead


Who worked as a spy for George Washington?

a person named James Armistead


Where did James Armistead live before he was a spy?

in a farm house in vigina for his master william armistead as a slave. william was a patriotic man


What role did James Armistead play in the American Revolution?

He was basically a spy for the colonists. He pretended that he sided with the British and that he didn't understand their plans, but really he reported everything to the Marquis de Lafayette, an American officer.


Why did Benedict Arnold never suspect that James Armistead was a spy?

hi was so happy and glad