However, there were many dedicated men and women who helped make their mission possible. The gang was led by Major Benjamin Tallmadge of the Continental Army, who Washington ordered to organize a new spy network in New York City. They were also assisted by Caleb Brewster, a sailor, Austin Roe, a tavern owner, and Anna Strong, a citizen of Setauket, Long Island. All these people came together with a common goal: to win America's independence. During the American Revolution, the rebels had made many attempts to organize a system for obtaining and sharing secret enemy information through the Continental Army. However, the Culper Ring stands out from the rest of the espionage attempts. This is because it was by far the most effective and long-lasting intelligence operation during the Revolutionary War, and through it the Continental Army obtained sensitive enough information about the British to have a fighting chance in the conflict.