James Armistead American Revolution. James armistead, a spy for the american cause, may be the inspiration for the figure at the right. Charles cornwallis enlisted him as a spy he became a double agent — and gained the intelligence to help gen.

James armistead provided critical intel to the continental army as a double agent during the revolutionary war. Born into slavery around 1760, james armistead lived most of his life on a plantation in new kent, virginia. Charles cornwallis enlisted him as a spy he became a double agent — and gained the intelligence to help gen.