John André

“ It is now one of the most elegant places on the Hudson, notable for its splendid villas. The attractive region about the Tappan Zee is full of Revolutionary memories, and particularly of the great historic tragedy made by the treason of Arnold and the capture of André. Major John André, at the age of twenty-nine, in 1780, was Adjutant General of the British Army, then commanded by Sir Henry Clinton in New York. On September 20th André came to Dobbs's Ferry to meet Arnold, with whom he had been in secret correspondence in reference to the surrender of West Point, where Arnold commanded. ”

“ They could take no delight in a tragedy so intimately interwoven with pity and compassion. The fate of the two principal actors, the courageous Arnold and the ambitious André, erstwhile known as Anderson, could not fail to touch their hearts. Their lot was not enviable; but it was lamentable.
"And John Anderson, too," said Marjorie, "I cannot believe it."
"When the truth is known, I am of the opinion that he will be more pitied and less condemned. Arnold was the chief actor. André a mere pawn." ”

“ No one threw himself more heartily into these performances than Major John André, who was so soon to give up his life for his country. He-56- even wrote some of the speeches used by the actors, and one of the poems he wrote for Rivington's Gazetteer was printed while he was away on his last mission, conferring with Benedict Arnold on the banks of the Hudson.
After the treason was discovered, Arnold sought a safe retreat within the British lines at New York, and lived for a time in a solid, picturesque little house by the Bowling Green. ”

“ The South was in possession of the enemy; New Jersey was in nearly the same condition, and on Manhattan Island lay a strong army of veteran British soldiers. This was the moment sagaciously chosen by Arnold to strike a fatal blow at the liberties of his country.
At the close of August Arnold wrote to André, in the usual disguise of commercial phrases, demanding a personal interview at an American outpost in Westchester County, the latter to come in the disguise of "John Anderson," a bearer of intelligence from New York. But André was not disposed to enter the American lines in disguise. ”

“ After the exchange of two or three letters, and with the impression that "Gustavus" was an officer of high rank in the American army, Clinton committed the task of carrying on the correspondence to Major André, who wrote over the signature of "John Anderson," in a slightly disguised hand. Not doubting that "Gustavus" was General Arnold, André probably wrote the letter to Mrs. Arnold in August for the purpose of making clear to her husband the name and character of "John Anderson" by means of his handwriting:
Fac-simile of Arnold's Disguised Handwriting. ”

“ In violation of Clinton's positive orders, André took away the papers which Arnold had given him. These he concealed in his stockings beneath his feet. So equipped, and bearing Arnold's passports, André mounted a black horse which the American general had provided for his use, and at twilight, accompanied by Smith and his negro servant, he crossed the river at the King's Ferry, went safely through the American works at Verplanck's Point, and reluctantly spent the night at a farm-house below the Croton River, within the American lines. The travelers slept together. ”

“ Andre became troubled in spirit, and from that time until the hour of his execution his most poignant sorrow arose from the reflection that he was branded with the odious name of a spy. *
As soon as Washington had completed all necessary arrangements for the security of West Point, he hastened to the army at Tappan. The next day after his ar-September 29 summoned a board of general officers, and directed them to examine into the case of Major André and report the result. ”

“ The literary fame of Anna Seward has not been enduring, and she, who was a conspicuous figure in the world of letters in England during the last quarter of the eighteenth century, is now almost forgotten. Her known social relations to Major André, and her "Monody," have perpetuated her memory in the minds of Americans. It is said that, when she was fully informed of all the circumstances connected with the death of André, she was satisfied that she had been unjust toward Washington in her animadversions upon his character in her poem, and expressed a regret that she had so misjudged him. ”

“ J. André.
LETTER III.
Clapton, November 1, 1769.
My ears still ring with the sounds of "O Jack! O Jack! How do the dear Lichfieldians? What do they say? What [Pg 161] are they about? What did you do while you were with them?" Have patience, said I, good people! and began my story, which they devoured with as much joyful avidity as Adam did Gabriel's tidings of heaven. My mother and sisters are all very well, and delighted with their little Frenchman, who is a very agreeable lad. Surely you applaud the fortitude with which I left you! Did I not come off with flying colors? ”

“ The circumstances attending the death of her friend inspired Miss Seward to write her most notable and most admired poem, "Monody on Major André." She was then thirty-three years old. It was printed for the author at Lichfield early in 1781. Being consonant in its utterances with the feelings of the British public at that time, it had a large sale, and produced a powerful sensation. She received congratulatory letters from literary people and others in various parts of the kingdom. No man was more delighted with it than was Dr. Johnson, "the colossus of English literature." ”

“ There is no reason in the world why André should have been spared It was natural enough that André’s friends should make the most of the fact that when captured he was travelling under a pass granted by the commander of West Point ”

“ André, in charge of a military guard, had already proceeded some distance toward West Point when Jameson’s second in command, Major Benjamin Tallmadge, came in from some errand on which he had been engaged. On hearing what had happened, Tallmadge suspected that all was not right with Arnold, and insisted that André and the letter should be recalled. After a hurried discussion, Jameson sent out a party which brought André back; but he still thought it his duty to inform Arnold, and so the letter which saved the traitor’s life was allowed to proceed on its way. ”

“ As money was the grand lure that made Arnold a traitor, he felt it necessary to have an understanding respecting the reward which he was to obtain. Under date of August 1780 30th, he wrote to Andre in the feigned hand and style alluded to, and said, referring to himself in the third person, "He is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means unreasonable, and makes no doubt, when he has a conference with you, that you will close with it. ”

“ Papa's coming home to-day, John.
[Exeunt Servant and Children.
Mrs. Bland.
What fears assail me! Oh! I did not want
A letter now! [She reads in great agitation, exclaiming, while her eyes are fixed on the paper.]
My husband! doom'd to die! Retaliation!
[She looks forward with wildness, consternation and horror.
To die, if André dies! He dies to-day!—
My husband to be murdered! And to-day!
To-day, if André dies! Retaliation!
O curst contrivance!—Madness relieve me!
Burst, burst, my brain!—Yet—André is not dead:
My husband lives. [Looks at the letter.] "One man has power." ”

“ Contemns the sweet office, that soul of delight.
Less tender, he seizes thy lips as his prey,
And all thy dear limbs the rough summons obey.
E'en now more licentious -- rash mortal, forbear!
Restrain him, O Venus! Let him, too, despair!
Freeze, freeze the swift streams which now hurry to join,
And curse him with passions unsated like mine.
How weak is my rage his fierce joy to controul.
A kiss from thy body shoots life to his soul
Thy frost, too, dissolv'd in one current is run
And all thy keen feelings are blended in one. ”

“ While at Vienna, he purchased the Mozart manuscripts of the widow ; and those priceless treasures are yet in the hands of the Andre house, which has a branch, conducted by a son, in Philadelphia. In 1800, Andre visited England. ”

“ Arnold from every insult and injury that a mistaken vengeance of my countrymen may expose her to. It ought to fall only on me. She is as good and innocent as an angel, and is incapable of doing wrong." In this letter Arnold avowed his love for his country, and declared that that sentiment actuated him in his present
* This letter of Andre's is a model of frankness, and exhibits the highest regard for truth and honor. ”

“ I am a British officer, out in the country on particular business, and hope you will not detain me a minute."
"We are Americans," said Paulding, seizing the bridle of the horse, "and you are our prisoner."
The traveler was shocked, but, assuming composure, he said, "I must do anything to get along," and with apparent [Pg 87] unconcern he pulled from his pocket Arnold's passport, which read:
"Headquarters, Robinson's House, September 22, 1780.
Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or below if he chooses, he being on public business by my direction. ”

“ The execution was postponed one day. General Greene met General Robertson and others at Dobb's Ferry, not as an officer, but as a private gentleman, but nothing occurred to warrant a change in the opinion of the board of inquiry and the decision of Washington. [Pg 102] [54]
The Americans would gladly have saved the life of André could Arnold have been given up to them. Efforts to that end were made. Unofficial overtures were made to Clinton to exchange Arnold for André, but honor forbade the act. All efforts in this direction failed. ”

“ The Corps took post on the ground from which the rebels had been driven, with the jagers in front. The light infantry of the guards advanced to the right and Simco's advanced to the left. The light infantry of the guards were very briskly attacked about an hour after taking post, by very superior numbers, but they maintained their ground and repulsed the enemy, with the loss on their side of only one man.
It was some time before we heard anything of the other column, excepting only a few shot from time to time, which we knew could not be the attack expected. ”

“ An order given the preceding to march at three o'clock this morning was countermanded on account of heavy rains. The order was only to part of the Army. Lord Cornwallis, General Grey, and Sir William Erskine reconnoitered the road toward the Head of Elk. They found the habitations in general deserted, but some cattle remaining in the fields. The road they reported to be through very rugged and broken ground. This part of the country is not very thickly settled. The chief produce is orchard fruit and Indian corn; the latter of the most luxuriant growth, often from ten to fifteen feet in height. ”

“ A few persons came in from Philadelphia. Several deserters came in from Washington's Army.
25th The Army marched in two columns to Germantown, and encamped on the heights near that place. On the march some militia were seen in front of the right-hand column. A good many people came in from Philadelphia; most of them represented that place as in the greatest confusion and expressed fears of its being burnt. A few rebels dragoons with a captain were taken by a party of Burgoyne's. ”

“ Near 200 must have been killed, and a great number wounded. 71 prisoners were brought off; 40 of them badly wounded were left at different houses on the road. A major, a captain, and two lieutenants were amongst the prisoners. We lost Captain Wolfe killed and one or two private men; four or five were wounded, one an officer, Lieutenant Hunter of 52nd Light Company. It was about 1 o'clock in the morning when the attack was made, and the rebels were then assembling to move towards us, with the design of attacking our baggage. ”

“ We supposed the rebels to have lost between 200 and 300 killed, with the proportion of wounded. On our side about 300 were killed or wounded. Amongst the killed were brigadier-general Agnew and Lieutenant-Colonel Bird of the 15th regiment. We took 380 prisoners, whereof 50 were officers. It has been said since that the 2nd light infantry and 40th regiment had been left unsupported through some mistake, for that the 55th and 5th regiments had been ordered to move towards them and again unfortunately countermanded and drawn off to the right. ”

“ The fact is, such a halo of romance and supposed chivalry has garlanded itself over André, owing to his youth and charming personality, that the best judgments are warped and influenced, in his favor, when they take up a consideration of his unhappy fate. ”

“ NB Ships with commanding officers of the corps and principals of departments are distinguished by a swallow tail in their vanes.
Agents and the Divisions with which they are respectively charged. Parrey, Foot Guards, British Light Infantry, etc. Grenadiers Dickenson, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Brigade British Harris, 5th Brigade, Corp de Reserve. Provincials and Nay Victualers Sutherland, Light Dragoons, Barker, British Artillery, Engineers Vessels, Hessian Chasseurs, Jagers and Grenadiers Toulmin, the three Hessian Regiments, Pontoons, Hospital Ships and Army Victualers. ”

“ André was an estimable young man, brave, educated, accomplished, a poet, an artist, and brought up in the best society of England.
André went up the Hudson in the sloop-of-war Vulture. After the moon went down, and it was dark enough for such a deed, a boat came silently from the west shore near Haverstraw, and took back from the vessel a tall young man wrapped in a black cloak. Arnold met him on the bank and led him into a thicket of fir trees. There, like two ugly spirits of evil, they crouched in the darkness, and talked over the details of the dastardly deed. ”