It’s been a hot minute besties but your man hauled ass all the way to the national museum of American history just to take this photo with Benjamin Talmadge’s saber
i don’t normally post my art here (mostly bc I’m rubbish at finishing projects) but i was going through my shit and found this quick sketch from before lockdown so
~throws sketch at y’all~
i love drawing eyes, so have this quick tribute to Benjamin Tallmadge’s eyeballs
Of Love and War a Turn Washington’s Spies fanfiction
As far as her father was concerned, Lydia’s current feelings for Benjamin were simply that of a heartbroken girl whose childhood sweetheart had betrayed her. But the truth of the matter was that Lydia Woodhull would always love Benjamin Tallmadge, rebel or not.
After the finale, I’ve seen a lot of talk about Abe’s continuous attempts to receive payment for all the money he’d lost while aiding the cause. I thought it’d be cool to share a little bit of historical context behind that!
I’m actually not completely unhappy about how this issue was portrayed in Turn like I am with a lot of the history the show takes licenses on. Was it historically accurate? Not especially. But that actually worked out better in some places and I enjoyed it.
So just . . . check it out if you have the time! It’s under the cut.
The History
Firstly, I’ll point out that in Alexander Rose’s book, mentions of payments is actually the second longest subject in Abe’s portion of the index. As I’m sure you’ll already know, payment was an extremely large issue in the army and spies and those who were a part of what we’d consider a secret service were no different.
I’ll try to quickly paint a picture for you of how spies were seen at this time. To be frank, it wasn’t pretty. They were seen as double-crossers and not just by the side they were double-crossing. Any book you read on the matter will tell you the unbelievably low opinion the public had on them, no matter if they were aiding one side or another. There was also the stigma that they worked for coin and bribes rather than a cause.
The Culpers were vexed with this societal assumption of what spies were. While one would think they’d not refer to themselves as spies, even in secret documents, for security reasons, they also did this for personal ones. They were “ashamed” of being spies, referring to the act as “this business” rather than its name.
More specifically, they refused to accept any payment for that exact reason, Woodhull being in this group. However, there was an agreement that all of his expenses from trips to gather intelligence and similar things would be reimbursed.
It is important to point out at this time that Abe wasn’t at a very profitable point. He had aging parents and an older sister to care for as well as the land he’d recently had to take over after both of his older brothers’ deaths a few years previously. Not on that, but things such as traveling to the city consistently was not only suspicious but expensive. Woodhull spent his own money and was promised reimbursement.
Washington frequently fell behind in payments to the Culpers. While it’s irresponsible to ignore that practically everyone was not receiving the payment they were owed, it’s also important to look at Washington’s reactions to his agents’ plights.
You would often find him in a very sour mood whenever Woodhull would try to ease the topic of reimbursement and funds into his letters. When Abe would receive word of this reaction, you’d find him thoroughly apologizing for affronting the general in some fashion.
There was once an instance where Washington responded to one of Abe’s inquiries and reminders about the debt owed to him saying that Woodhull, at that time, was of little service and was losing motivation. Abe, who greatly admired Washington, more than once disclosing his self-consciousness towards writing to “one of the worthiest men on earth,” was horrified to find that Washington thought this of him. Here is what he wrote back:
“Sorry we have been at so much cost and trouble for little or no purpose. He also mentions of my backwardness to serve. He certainly hath been misinformed. You are sensible I have been indefatigable, and have done it from a principle of duty rather than from any mercenary end.”
A reminder that at this time, Abe was owed a lot of money. He was an everyday person that needed to pay for everyday things and had quite the responsibility on his back. This seems to be a very mild response to such a thing in that situation. These sorts of interactions continued: Abe asking for money in a gentle manner, Washington seeming to get peeved over the issue, a circle of debt goes round.
The alternative response seems to be from Townsend. He was more displeased by not receiving what he was owed. At one point, even “going on strike” for a time until the debt owed to him was paid.
In the end, Woodhull did send a complete account of the debt owed to him, which was £125.6.4. In this communication, Abe asked Ben to make it clear to Washington that they have tried to be as frugal as possible. Washington’s response stated that he thought Abe was an “honest man” and he deserved payment. However, he also included:
“the services which were rendered by him (however well mean) was by no means adequate to these expenditures . . . I should have discontinued the services of S.C. long before a cessation of hostilities took place, because his communications were never frequent, and always tedious in getting to hand.”
Washington’s remarks, while a little angering, especially because of the great personal risk the ring took in service, were referring to a time when the ring was mostly inactive and somewhat unimportant. I will also note that Tallmadge decided not to pass on that remark to Woodhull.
Overall, Woodhull, while direct in issues at points, made it clear that he was trying to be as respectful and cautious as possible as to not upset the general. This was very true, especially when it came to the issue of money and reimbursement. Even when in trying times, he seemed to make it clear that he did not want to seem as if he were in this for the monetary gain. In times of danger, he’d often write that if he were to be in a situation of near discovery, he’d go to Connecticut and enlist.
From what I’ve read and tried to present, Abraham Woodhull’s intentions were pure when attempting to earn back what he’d lost. Then again, it’s all up to interpretation!
Turn’s Interpretation and How I Felt About It
I’m honestly glad that Washington was more considerate in Turn. They introduced the issue in the last episode (with some mention of it in the first season from Scott) and if Washington had reacted negatively, I doubt they would have had time to sufficiently address the issue. I must say, I was vocal about my worry when watching the finale whenever the issue was brought up, saying things like “Washington’s going to be SO MAD, Abe’s not going to get his money, it’s going to be a disaster.”
I’m thankful my worry was for nothing and I genuinely enjoyed the dinner scene, finding myself tearing up as Abe got the approval of Washington (who, by the way, is described as his hero a lot in the book) and the money to support his family.
What I took a little issue with though, was the fandom’s reaction to this. I often find myself in respectful disagreement with the fandom, especially where Abe is concerned. I mostly understand why many dislike him and God knows they have right to with some of the things he’s done. However, when this came along, I found people annoyed with him needing the funds to support his family after he’d risked his life for this cause?
I’m not entirely sure about you, but if I saw all of my successful, obviously well off friends come back into town while I was in such a situation, just trying to get by, I may not have waited so long. From what I know about Abe historically and fictionally speaking is that he wasn’t in this to be honored. I think in Turn, he knows he’s not a very honorable man, at least in 18th-century terms. He was in it to serve and he was put at a disadvantage because of it. I honestly don’t think his “interruption of dinner” was entirely inappropriate considering his situation and especially because the thing was meant to honor him in the first place when all he needed was money to get by.
I should honestly make a whole post about my opinion on that and the fandom’s reaction. So if you’re interested in that, let me know!
And if you’re interested in talking a bit more about the history surrounding the Culper Ring or Turn or anything, shoot me a message!
I promise I tried to shorten it where I could and make it more accessible. Hope you enjoyed!
