Miss Jenny facts for kids

Miss Jenny was a secret agent, also known as a spy, who worked for the British during the American Revolutionary War around 1781. Her real name is not known, but she played an important role in the war.

Miss Jenny spoke French. She secretly joined the French soldiers who were helping the Americans. Her job was to watch what the French and American troops were doing. Then, she would report this information to the British army's main base in New York City. In 1781, she was thought to be in her late teens or early twenties.

A Spy's Mission

Miss Jenny's reports were very important for the British army in the summer of 1781. She told them that the French and American armies were planning to attack New York City. She was on her way to New York to confirm this information herself.

Caught and Questioned

While traveling, a French guard caught Miss Jenny. She was taken to the French army camp and asked many questions. She told them she was looking for her father, who was French-Canadian.

The French soldiers then sent her to General George Washington's camp. General Washington was the leader of the American army. She was questioned again there, but she stuck to her story. She was then sent back to the French. After one last attempt to get her to tell the truth, they decided to let her go. Before she left, they cut off her hair. This was a way to show disapproval, but it did not stop her.

Reporting to the British

After being released, Miss Jenny continued her journey to the British camp in New York. She told them everything she had seen and heard. Because of her reports, and those from other spies, the British general decided to keep his soldiers in New York.

However, the French and Americans later changed their minds. Instead of attacking New York, they attacked Yorktown in Virginia. This battle was a major event in the war.

Legacy

Miss Jenny's story is remembered, and there are even songs written about her actions as a spy during the American Revolution.