216 WASHINGTON LEARNS OF ARNOLD'S TREASON. before us, for we shall now have a salute, and the roaring of the cannon will have a fine effect among these mountains."'* The boat approached the other side of the river, but the cannon did not roar, nor was there any appearance of preparations being made to receive them, whereupon Washington exclaimed: "What, do they not intend to salute us?" Upon landing an officer arrived from the fortress and apologized for not being in condition to receive so distinguished a visitor. At this, Washington said: "How is this, sir, is not General Arnold here?"" 66 No, sir," replied the officer," he has not been here for two days past, nor have I heard from him in that time."+ "This is extraordinary," said Washington; we were told that he had crossed the river and that we should find him here. However, our visit must not be in vain. Since we have Meanwhile Mrs. Arnold was frantic with grief and excitement, and received the sympathies and attention of Washington and his officers, who considered the woman innocent of complicity in the plot, and merely as the unfortunate wife of a traitor. Shortly afterward Arnold wrote a letter to Washington requesting that his wife and child be protected, asserting that Mrs. Arnold was entirely innocent of any knowledge of his treasonable actions. In this letter he also boasted that love of country had prompted his conduct. At the Brooks, Life of Knox, p. 136. See also Lodge, George Washington, vol. i., pp. 276-277. Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. i., pp. 727-728. Mr. Sparks is of the opinion that nothing ever transpired to show that Mrs. Arnold was aware of her husband's plans and purposes. On the other hand, Mr. Davis, in his Memoirs of Aaron Burr (vol. i., p. 219), very positively declares Mrs. Arnold was not only a participator in his crimes, but worse than that, was a chief tempter to him, to sell himself and his country for gold. Parton in his Life of Burr, vol. i., p. 126, also takes this view, but it seems to be conclusively refuted by Sabine in his Loyalists of the American Revolu tion, vol. i., pp. 172-178. See also Arnold, Life of Arnold, pp. 299-302, 316 et seq.; and Lafayette's letter to Luzerne, quoted in Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 164-168. ANDRE CONVICTED AS A SPY. 217 General Washington wanted information respecting the strength, position, and probable movements of the enemy. Captain Hale tendered his services, went over to Brooklyn, and was taken, just as he was passing the outposts of the enemy on his return.' Said I, with emphasis, 'Do you remember the sequel of this story?' 'Yes,' said André, he was hanged as a spy. But you surely do not consider his case and mine alike?' I re same time Washington received another letter from Beverly Robinson claiming that André had come into the American lines under the protection of a flag, had been given a pass by the commanding officer of the American forces, and therefore ought plied, 'Yes, precisely similar, and similar will to be set at liberty immediately.* Washington at once took measures to prevent the successful consummation of Clinton's designs, and while he did not know to what extent the blandishments of the British had turned the affections of the soldiers from the country, yet he did not withdraw his confidence from any, but treated them all as innocent of any connection with the crime. Wayne and the troops under him were ordered to proceed to West Point as a further precaution against attack by the British.† On September 26 André, in the custody of Major Tallmadge, arrived at Robinson's house, and two days later was sent under an escort of cavalry to Stony Point and thence to Tappan. Soliciting Tallmadge's opinion as to the probable outcome of his capture, André was not very greatly reassured. According to Sparks, the conversation was as follows (Sparks quoting a letter): "When I could no longer evade his importunity, I remarked to him as follows:-"I had a muchbeloved class-mate in Yale College, by the name of Nathan Hale, who entered the army, in 1775. Immediately after the battle of Long Island, be your fate.' He endeavored to answer my remarks, but it was manifest, he was more troubled in spirit than I had ever seen him before." * The next day Washington appointed pointed a court-martial of which General Greene was president, and of which Knox, Stirling, St. Clair, Robert Howe, Samuel H. Parsons, John Glover, James Clinton, John Patterson, Edward Hand, John Huntington, John Stark, John Lawrence, Lafayand Steuben were members. ette, When André was brought before the court-martial for examination, he candidly avowed the extent of his participation in the affair, concealing nothing that concerned himself, but steadily refusing to inculpate others. He acknowledged everything that was necessary to convict him as a spy, and the court-martial decided that he was guilty of being within the American lines in the capacity of a spy, and therefore ought to suffer a spy's death. Washington then com * Sparks, Life of Arnold, pp. 255-259. See also Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., pp. 149-150. †Thacher, Military Journal, pp. 216-220; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. i., pp. 765-768; F. V. Greene, Life of Greene, p. 155 et seq.; Brooks, Life of Knox, pp. 136-137. Regarding the status of André, see the article by Charles J. Biddle, in Memoirs of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, vol. vi. (1858); Arnold, Life 218 CLINTON'S EFFORTS TO SAVE ANDRÉ. municated the result to Clinton, at the same time allowing André to write a letter to the British general regarding his personal affairs.* Washington also indirectly made efforts to effect an exchange for André in the hope that Clinton would be willing to give up Arnold in André's stead, but this Clinton refused to do. Instead, he entered into correspondence with Washington urging that by every consideration of justice, policy, and humanity, André ought not to be hanged. His letters were ineffectual, however, and he therefore sent three gentlemen to confer with Washington or any other officer whom the latter might appoint. At a meeting between the American officers and these British emissaries at Dobb's Ferry, every conceivable point in connection with André's conduct was discussed. The British advanced every reason as to why André should not be considered a spy and put to death as such. The conference ended without result, how of Arnold, p. 322 et seq. See also H. W. Smith, Andréana (1865); Dawson, Collection (1866). * Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., p. 155. The romantic adventures of Sergeant John Champe are related by Major Lee, in his Memoirs, vol. ii., pp. 159-187. See also Thacher, Military Journal, pp. 369-386; Lossing, vol. i., p. 774 et seq. Mr. Sparks in his Life of Washington, pp. 317-318, notes that there is an important error, in its being supposed that Champe was employed to bring away Arnold, in order to save André, whereas Champe did not go into New York till eighteen days after André's execution. The story of the sergeant's exploits is too interesting, however, to be omitted. See Appendix at end of present chapter. ever, and the verdict of the courtmartial was allowed to stand.* The execution was to take place at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of October 1, but owing to the length of the conference conference between the American and British officers, it became necessary to postpone it until 12 o'clock October 2. André had pleaded to be shot as a soldier instead of being hanged as a spy;t but his entreaties were refused as being inconsistent with the usages of war and the established facts in connection with his case. He was therefore hanged and the following picture of the scene is given by Dr. Thacher.|| "October 2d.-Major André is no more among the living. I have just witnessed his exit. It was a tragical scene of the deepest interest. During his confinement and trial, he exhibited these proud and elevated sensibilities, which designate greatness and dignity of mind. Not a murmur, or a sigh, ever escaped him, and the civilities and attentions bestowed on him, were politely acknowledged. Having left a mother and two sisters in Eng * Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. i., pp. 768-770; Sparks, Life of Arnold, p. 275; Arnold, Life of Arnold, p. 305 et seq.; Sparks' ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. vii., pp. 538, 541; Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., pp. 158-160. †The letter is given by Lossing, p. 770, note; by Arnold, Life of Arnold, p. 309; and in Sparks' ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. vii., p. 543. Hamilton also urged that André's request be granted. See Lodge's ed. of Hamilton's Works, vol. viii., p. 18. 165. Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., pp. 162 Thacher, Military Journal, pp. 222-223. DEATH OF ANDRÉ. land, he was heard to mention them in terms of the greatest affection, and in his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recommends them to his particular attention.* "The principal guard officer, who was constantly in the room with the prisoner, relates, that when the hour of his execution was announced to him in the morning, he received it without emotion, and while all present were affected with silent gloom, he retained a firm countenance, with a calmness and composure of mind. Observing his servant enter his room in tears, he exclaimed, 'Leave me, till you can show yourself more manly.' His breakfast being sent him from the table of General Washington, which had been done every day of his confinement, he partook of it as usual, and having shaved and dressed himself he placed his hat on the table, and cheerfully said to the guard officers, 'I am ready at any moment, gentlemen, to wait on you.' The fatal hour having arrived, a large detachment of troops was paraded, and an immense concourse of people assembled; almost all our general and field officers, excepting his Excellency and his staff, were present on horseback; melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks; and the scene was affectingly aweful. I was so near during the solemn march to the fatal spot, as to observe every * See Arnold, Life of Arnold, pp. 313-314; Sparks' ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. vii., p. 537. 219 movement, and participate in every emotion which the melancholy scene was calculated to produce. Major André walked from the stone house, in which he had been confined, between two of our subaltern officers, arm in arm; the eyes of the immense multitude were fixed on him, who, rising superior to the fears of death, appeared as if conscious of the dignified deportment which he displayed. He betrayed no want of fortitude, but retained a complacent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed to several gentlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned. It was his earnest desire to be shot, as being the mode of death most conformable to the feelings of a military man, and he had indulged the hope that his request would be granted. At the moment, therefore, when suddenly he came in view of the gallows, he involuntarily started backward, and made a pause. Why this emotion, sir?' said an officer by his side. Instantly recovering his composure, he said, I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode.' While waiting and standing near the gallows, I observed some degree of trepidation; placing his foot upon a stone, and rolling it over, and choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow, So soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readiness, he stepped quickly into the waggon, and at this moment he appeared to shrink, but instantly elevating his head, with firmness, he said, 'It will be but a momentary pang;' and taking from his pocket two white handkerchiefs, the provost-marshal, with one, loosely pinioned his arms, and with the other, the victim, after taking off his hat and stock, bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness, which melted the hearts and moistened the cheeks, not only of his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his head, and adjusted it to his neck, without the assistance of the awkward executioner. Colonel Scammel now informed him, that he had an opportunity to speak, if he desired it; he raised his handkerchief from his eyes, and said, ' I pray you, to bear me witness, that I meet my fate like a brave man.' The waggon being now removed from under him, he was suspended, and instantly expired. It proved, indeed, but a momentary pang.' He was dressed in his royal regimentals and boots, and his remains, in the same dress, were placed in an ordinary coffin, and interred at the foot of the gallows; and the spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands."* APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XXVIII. SERGEANT CHAMPE'S ADVENTURE, BY MAJOR LEE. WASHINGTON, informed that others of the American officers, were, like Arnold, traitors to their country, resolved to ascertain, if possible, whether the information was correct. He sent for Major Lee, and asked him to name a man who was able and willing to proceed to New York, under the guise of a deserter, and ascertain the truth so important to be known, for the interest of the country, and the vindication of the character of the army, viz., whether there were other Arnolds among the officers, or whether he alone was the guilty traitor. Lee, happily, was possessed of the very man in his corps, and after an interview with the gallant sergeant, and overcoming his scruples against so unusual a duty, Champe agreed to make the required attempt. We now quote from Major Lee. This part of the business being finished, the major's and sergeant's deliberations were turned to the manner of the latter's desertion; for it was well known to both, that to pass the numerous patrols of horse and foot crossing from the stationary guards, was itself difficult, which was now rendered more so, by parties thrown occasionally beyond the place called Liberty-pole, as well as by the swarms of irregulars, induced sometimes to venture down to the very point of Paulus Hook, with the hope of picking up booty. *See Hildreth, vol. iii., pp. 319-324; Bancroft, vol. v., pp. 427-438; Boynton, History of West Point. "In no instance," says Washington, in a private letter, "since the commencement of the war, has the interposition of Providence appeared more remarkably conspicuous, than in the rescue of the post and garrison at West Point. How far Arnold meant to involve me in the catastrophe of this place, does not appear by any indubitable evidence, and I am rather inclined to think, he did not wish to hazard the more important object, by attempting to combine two events, the lesser of which might have marred the greater. A combination of extraordinary cir cumstances, and unaccountable deprivation of presence of mind in a man of the first abilities, and the virtue of three militiamen, threw the adjutant-general of the British forces, with full proof of Arnold's intention, into our hands, and, but for the egregious folly, or the bewildered conception, of Lieutenant-colonel Jameson, who seemed lost in astonishment, and not to have |