USA > New York > Dutchess County > General history of Duchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive > Part 5
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Strange to say, the time of her appearance and the period of the return of Washington's vivacity were coincident ; per- haps it was only accidental. Midnight found this young lady and the Virginia Colonel alone, and in deep conversation.
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Daylight found them still together. The Colonel, smitten by the graces and accomplishments of a lady as beautiful as Nature's rarest works, was endeavoring to win her heart. He made his confession. but the lady hesitated. At last she informed Washington, in set terms, that she loved another ! In other words, she refused him ! The greatest of modern men was vanquished, and by a woman.
Years rolled on, and the two again met in the old Beverly mansion. A few days before the execution of Andre, Washing- ton received a letter from his old friend and retainer, Col. Beverly Robinson, requesting a private interview. The request was granted. Late at night, Mr. Robinson, accompanied by a figure closely muffled in a cloak, was admitted to the General's apartment. The two men, for a moment or two, gazed at each other in silence, and then abruptly embraced. Suddenly disengaging himself, Washington said :
" Now, Sir, your business."
" It is to plead for Andre."
Washington assured him that his determination was fixed, and that Andre must certainly suffer the penalty due his offense. Nothing would avail. "I have one more argument," said Mr. Robinson, " behold my friend !"
The heavy cloak which enveloped the mysterious stranger fell to the floor, exposing the mature figure of Mrs. Morris, the " Mary" whom he had so unsuccessfully wooed years before. Her name was uttered with a start by Washington; but instantly recovering, he said : "This trifling is beneath your station, and my dignity : I regret that you must go back to Sir Henry Clinton with the intelligence that your mission has proved fruitless. See that these persons are conducted beyond the lines in safety," continued he, throwing open the door and addressing one of his aids.
Abashed and mortified, Mr. Robinson and his sister-in-law took their leave. The woman had gained a conquest once, but her second assault was aimed at a breast invulnerable.
The Commander-in-Chief, at the time of Andre's capture,
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
'was on his way from Hartford, and changing the route which he had first proposed, came by way of West Point. At Fish- kill he met the French Minister M. de la Luzerne, who had been to visit Count Rochambeau at Newport, and he remained that night with the Minister Very early next morning he sent off his luggage, with orders to the men to go with it as quickly as possible to " Beverly," and give Mrs. Arnold notice that he would be there to breakfast. When the General and his suite arrived opposite West Point, he was observed to turn his horse into a narrow road that led to the river. Lafayette remarked, "General, you are going in a wrong direction ; you know Mrs. Arnold is waiting breakfast for us." Washington good-naturedly replied: "Ah, I know you young men are all in love with Mrs. Arnold, and wish to get where she is as soon as possible. You may go and take your breakfast with her, and tell her not to wait for me. I must ride down and examine the redoubts on this side of the river." The officers, however, with the exception of two of the aids, remained. When the aids arrived at Beverly, they found the family waiting ; and having communicated the message of Gen. Washington, Arnold's family and the two aids sat down to breakfast. Before they had finished, a messenger arrived in great haste, and handed Gen. Arnold a letter, which the latter read with evident emotion.
The self-control of the soldier enabled Arnold to suppress the agony he endured after reading this letter. He arose . hastily from the table; told the aids that his presence was immediately required at West Point, and desired them so to inform General Washington on his arrival. Having first ordered a horse to be ready, he hastened to Mrs. Arnold's chamber, and there with a bursting heart disclosed to her his dreadful position, and that they must part, perhaps forever. Struck with horror at the painful intelligence, this fond and devoted wife swooned, and fell senseless at his feet. In this state he left her, hurried down stairs, and mounting his horse, rode with all possible speed to the river. In doing so, Arnold .
e2
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did not keep the main road, but passed down the mountain, pursuing a by-path thro' the woods, and which is now called " Arnold's Path," until he came to Beverly Dock. Here he took a boat, and was rowed to the Vulture. He made use of a white handkerchief in passing the fortifications along the river, which created the impression that it was a flag boat. On reaching the Vulture, he made himself known to Captain Sutherland, and then calling on board the leader of the boat- men who had rowed him off, informed him that he and his crew were prisoners of war. This act was considered so con- temptible by the Captain, that he permitted the man to go on shore, on his parole of honor, to procure clothes for him- se'f and comrades. This he did and returned the same day. When they arrived in New York, Sir Henry Clinton, holding in just contempt such a wanton act of meanness, set them all at liberty.
When General Washington reached Beverly, and was informed that Arnold had departed for West Point, he crossed directly over, expecting to find him. Surprised to learn that he had not been there, after examining the works he returned. General Hamilton had remained at Beverly, and as Washington and his suite were walking up the mountain road, from Beverly Dock, they met General Hamilton coming hurriedly towards them. A brief and suppressed conversation took place between Washington and himself, and they passed on rapidly to the house, where the papers that Washington's change of route hal prevented his receiving, had been delivered that morning ; and being represented to Hamilton as of pressing importance, were by him opened, and the dreadful secret disclosed. Instant measures were adopted to intercept Arnold, but in vain. General Washington then communicated the facts to Lafayette and Knox, and said to the former, more in sorrow than in anger, "Whom can we trust now ?" He also went up to see Mrs. Arnold ; but even Washington could carry to her no con- solation. Her grief was almost frenzied ; and in its wildest moods she spoke of General Washington as the murderer of
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her child. It seems she had not the remotest idea of her hus- band's treason ; and she had even schooled her heart to feel more for the cause of America from her regard for those who professed to love it-her husband's glory being her dream of bliss.
The following is an extract of a letter dated Tappan, Oct. 2, 1780, detailing the villainy of Arnold and the capture of the unfortunate Andre. It furnishes an interesting account of that critical incident in the War of the Revolution :*
" You will have heard before this of the infernal villainy of Arnold. It is not possible for human nature to receive a greater amount of guilt than he possesses ; perhaps there is not a single obligation, moral or divine, that he has not broken through. His late apostacy is the summit of his character. He began his negotiations with the enemy to deliver up West Point to them, long before he was invested with the command of it, and while he was still in Philadelphia, after which he solicited the command of that post, for the ostensible reason that the wound in his leg incapacitated him for active com- mand in the field. It was granted him on the 6th of August, since which time he has been assiduously ripening his plans, but the various positions the army assumed, prevented their being put into execution.
" On the right of the 21st ultimo, he had an interview with Major Andre, the Adjutant-General of the British Army. This gentleman came on shore from the Vulture man.of-war, which lay not far from Tellers Point, to a place on the banks of the river, near to the Haverstraw Mountain, where he met Arnold, who conducted him to the house of Joshua H. Smith (the white house), within our lines, and only two miles from Stony Point. They arrived in the house just before day, and stayed there until the next evening, when Major Andre became extremely anxious to return by the way he came, but that was impossible, for the two men whom Arnold and Smith had
* The letter was first published in the Boston Gazette, under date of October 16 1780.
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seduced to bring Andre on shore, refused to take him back. It then became necessary that he should return to New York by land. He changed his dress and name, and thus disguised passed our posts of Stony and Verplancks Points on the even- ing of the 22nd, in company with Joshua H. Smith; he lodged that night at Crompond, with Smith, and in the morning pro- ceeded alone on the road to Tarrytown, where he was taken by some volunteers about fifteen miles from Kingsbridge. Andre offered them any sum of money, and goods, if they would permit him to escape, but they declared that 10,000 guineas, or any other sum, would be no temptation to them. It was by this virtue, as glorious to America as Arnold's apostacy is disgraceful, that the abominable crime of the latter was discovered.
"The lads in searching him, found concealed under his stockings, in his boots, papers of the highest importance, viz : Returns of the ordnance and its distribution at West Point and its dependencies ; artillery orders, in case of an alarm; returns of the number of men necessary to man the works at West Point, and its dependencies ; remarks on the works at West Point, with the strength and working of each ; returns of the troops at West Point, and their distribution; state of our army, &c., transmitted by General Washington to Arnold, for his opinion, which state had been submitted to all the general officers in the camp, for their opinions. Beside these, it appears that Arnold had carried with him to the interview, a general plan of West Point and its vicinity, and all the works, and also particular plans of each work on a large scale, all elegantly drawn by the engineer at that post. But these were not delivered to Major Andre, and from their requiring much time to copy, it was supposed they were not to be delivered until some future period.
"From circumstances, it appears that it was not Arnold's intention to have deserted, but that he meant to be taken at his post, which, from the disposition of its troops, it was easy to have seized. General Washington, on his return to camp,
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determined to visit West Point, and in pursuance of that plan, was viewing some redoubts which lay in his way to Arnold's quarters. He had sent out servants there, and Major Shaw and Dr. McHenry had arrived, and were at breakfast with the traitor when he received intelligence by letter of Andre's being taken. His confusion was visible, but no person could divine the cause. He hurried to his barge with the utmost precipita- tion, after having left word that he was going over to West Point, and would be back immediately. This was about ten in the morning.
"The General proceeded to view the works, wondering where Arnold could be ; but about four o'clock in the after- noon he was undeceived, by an express with the papers taken on Andre. The apostate was at this time on board the Vulture, which lay about five or six miles below Stony and Verplancks Points. Major Andre was brought to West Point. A board of general officers examined into his case, and upon his most candid confession, were of opinion that he was a spy, and according to the usage of nations, ought to suffer death. Andre enjoyed a high reputation in the British army, was of the most polite and accomplished manners, and was extremely beloved by Sir Henry Clinton. His deportment while a prisoner was candid and dignified. He requested no favor, except that he might be allowed to die the death of a soldier, and not on a gibbet. Rigorous policy forbade grant- ing a favor which at first seems immaterial. An army sympa- thised in the misfortunes of the Chesterfield of the day. But if he possessed a portion of the blood of all the kings on earth, justice and policy would have dictated his death. The enemy, from hints that some of the officers dropped appeared to be inclined to deliver Arnold into our hands for Major Andre. But they afterward declared it to be impossible. If it could have been effected, our desire to get Arnold would have rendered the exchange easy on our part.
"The British army are in the utmost affliction on account of Major Andre, and have sent repeated flags on the subject.
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Yesterday they sent General Robertson, Andrew Elliott, and William Smith, Esqrs. The two latter were not permitted to land. General Green met General Robertson ; he had noth- ing material to urge, 'but that Andre had come on shore under the sanction of a flag, and therefore could not be considered as a spy ;' but that is not true, for he came at night, had no flag, and the nature of his business was totally incompatible with the nature of a flag. He also said they should retaliate on some people at New York and Charlestown ; but he was told that such conversation could neither be heard nor understood. After which, he urged the release of Andre on motives of humanity, and because Sir Henry Clinton was much attached to him ; and other reasons equally absurd."
The following is the defence read by Andre before the Court which condemned him to death as a spy :
" I came to hold a communication with a general officer of the American army, by the order of my own commander. I entered the American lines by an unquestionable authority- when I passed from them it was by the same authority. I used no deception. I had heard that a provincial officer had repented of the course he had taken, and that he avowed he never meant to go as far as he had gone, in resisting the authority of his King. The British Commander was willing to extend to him the King's clemency-yea, his bounty-in hopes to allure others to do the same. I made no plans, I examined no works. I only received his communication, and was on my way to return to the army, and to make known all I had learned from a general officer in your camp. Is this the office of a spy ? I never would have acted in that light, and what I have done is not in the nature of a spy. I have noted neither your strength nor your weakness. If there be wrong in the transaction, is it mine ? The office of a spy, a soldier has a right to refuse; but, to carry and fetch communications with another army, I never heard was criminal. The circumstan- ces which followed after my interview with General Arnold,
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were not in my power to control. He alone had the manage- ment of them.
" It is said I rode in disguise. I rode for security incog. as far as I was able, but other than criminal deeds induced me to do this. I was not bound to wear my uniform longer than it was expedient or politic. I scorn the name of a spy ; brand my offence with another title, if it change not my pun- ishment, I beseech you. It is not death I fear. I am buoyed above that by a consciousness of having intended to discharge my duty in an honorable manner.
" It is said that plans were found with me. This is true, but they were not mine. Yet I must tell you honestly that they would have been communicated if I had not been taken. They were sent by General Arnold to the British commanders, and I should have delivered them. From the bottom of my heart I scorn to screen myself by criminating another ; but so far as I am concerned, the truth shall be told, whoever suffers. It was the allegiance of General Arnold I came out to secure. It was presumed many an officer would be glad at this time to retrace his steps ; at least, we have so been informed. Shall I, who came 'out to negotiate this allegiance only, be treated as one who came out to spy out the weakness of a camp ? If these actions are alike, I have to learn my moral code anew.
" Gentlemen, Officers, be it understood that I am no sup- pliant for mercy ; that I ask only from Omnipotence-not from human beings. Justice is all I claim-that justice which is neither swayed by prejudice, nor distorted by passion, but that which flows from honorable minds, directed by virtuous deter- mirations. I hear, gentlemen, that my case is likened to that of Capt. Hale. in 1775. I have heard of him, and his misfor- tunes. I wish that in all that dignifies men, that adorns and elevates human nature, I could be named with that accom- plished but unfortunate officer. His fate was wayward, and untimely cut off, yet younger than I now am. He went out, knowing that he was assuming the character of a spy. He took all its liabilities into his hand, at the request of his great
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commander. He was ready to meet what he assumed, and all its consequences. His death the law of nations sanctioned. It may be complimentary to compare me to him, but it would be unjust. He took his life in his hand when he assumed the character and the disguise. I assumed no disguise, nor took upon myself any other character than that of a British officer who had business to transact with an American officer.
" In fine, I ask not even for justice ; if you want a victim to the manes of those fallen untimely, I may as well be that victim as another. I have, in the most undisguised manner, given you every fact in the case. I only rely on the proper construction of these facts. I have examined nothing, learned nothing, communicated nothing, but my detention, to Arnold, that he might escape if he thought proper to do so. This was, as I conceived, my duty. I hope the gallant officer, who was then unsuspicious of his general, will not be condemned for the military error he committed.
" I farther state that Smith, who was the medium of com. munication, did not know any part of our conference, except that there was necessity for secrecy. He was counsel for General Arnold in various matters, but was absent from all interviews I had with him ; and it was Smith who lent me this dress-coat of crimson, on being told that I did not wish to be known by English or Americans. I do not believe that he had even a suspicion of my errand. On me your wrath should fall, if on any one. I know your affairs look gloomy ; but that is no reason why I should be sacrificed. My death should do you no good. Millions of friends to your struggle in England, you will lose, if you condemn me. I say not this by way of threat ; for I know brave men are not awed by them-nor will brave men be vindictive because they are desponding. I should not have said a word had it not been for the opinion of others, which I am bound to respect.
" The sentence you this day pronounce will go down to posterity with exceeding great distinctness on the page of his- tory ; and if humanity and honor mark your decision, your names, each and all of you, will be remembered by both
:
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nations when they have grown greater and more powerful than they now are. But if misfortune befalls me, I shall in time have all due honors paid to my memory. The martyr is kept in remembrance when the tribunal that condemned him is for- gotten. I trust this honorable court believes me, when I say that what I have spoken was from no idle fears of a coward. I have done."
The following copy of a hurried letter to a forage agent in the neighborhood, bears date the day that Washington and Arnold parted :
To Mr. Jefferson, Fredericksburgh, N. Y.
Headquarters, Rob. House, September, 19th, 1780,
SIR .- You will please to pick out of the horses you now have in your custody, or which you may hereafter receive, a pair of the best wagon horses, as also two of the very best saddle horses you can find for my use. You'll send them to me as soon as possible.
I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant, B. ARNOLD, M. General.
Jan. 7, 1777. Capt. James Reed petitions to be relieved from the operation of the rules adopted in regard to the trans- portation of flour to the army at the eastward. Capt. Reed was Assistant Commissary, and was directed to send flour for the army at the east, but was hindered by a certain embargo on flour crossing the colony line. Judah Swift disregarded these orders of the Provincial authorities, and sent, in the night, two sleighloads of flour to the east by way of Kent. On the Kent road, near the colony line, the drivers encountered the guard, whom they overpowered. The object of this embargo seems to have been to prevent the flour going into the hands of the enemy. Trusty persons received a permit to go with the flour to certain points, and in several cases these persons agreed to bring back a load of salt.
Feb. 7-15,1776. Account of guns delivered to Capt. Child, and apprised by Dr. Chamberlain, C. Marsh and C. Atherton.
£ s. D.
I Gun of Stephen Warren
I Gun of Levi Orton · 3 O O
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£
8.
I Gun of Jedidiah Bump. 2 15 O
I Gun of Benjamin Delyno. 2
I Gun of Peter Chine.
I Gun of Nathan Barlow 2
I
15
5
I Gun of Benjamin Hall 2
) Gun of Sylvanus Nye. 3
15
I Gun of Eliakim Reed. 3
10
I Pistol of Joseph Pennoyer. O 10
The following are extracts from Revolutionary papers :
relating to the county.
DUCHESS County, 3d December, 1776.
Gentn .- Nothing but the strongest necessity could induce us to trouble you with an application of so extraordinary a nature, but if we are esteemed worthy your confidence as friends to our struggling country our sincerity will atone for what in common cases might appear indecent. Our invaded State has not only been an object of the special designs of our common enemy, but obnoxious to the wicked, mercenary intrigues of a number of engrossing jockies who have drained this part of the State of the article of bread to such a degree that we have reason to fear there is not enough left for the sup- port of the inhabitants. We have for some months past heard of one Helmes who has been purchasing wheat and flour in these pirts, with whic' the vell a fecte lire universally dissuited. This man with us is of doubtful character, his conversations are of the disaffected sort entirely. He has now moving from Fishkill toward Newark we think not less than one hundred barrels of flour, for which he says he has your permit, the which we have not seen .- However, we have, at the universal call of the people, concluded to stop the flour and Helmes. himself, until this express may return. We ourselves think from the conduct of this man that his designs are bad.
We have the honor to be your humble servts. HENRY LUDINGTON. JOSEPH CRANE, Junr. TONATHAN PADDOCK. ELIJAH TOWNSEND. To the Honorable the Council of Safety for the State of N. Y ..
O
O
I Gun of Gershom Reed. 3
IO
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
DUCHESS COUNTY, May 6th, 1776.
Sir-It having been represented to the general committee of this county that the southern regiment of militia was too large and extensive, containing twelve companies, and cover- ing a space of country upwards of thirty mile in length, we have therefore, not only because in other respects it was expedient, but also in compliance with the resolution of Congress prohibiting a regiment to con ist of more than ten companies, divided it, and instead of one have formed the militia in that quarter into two regiments. Enclosed you have the descriptions of the regiments, together with a list of persons nominated for field officers. As this part of our militia will remain unregimented till the officers receive their com- missions, we must request that the commissions be made out as soon as possible, and sent to the Committee in Rombout's Precinct, with directions to forward them to officers immedi- ately. I remain (by order of the committee) your very humble servant. EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.
The description of the tvo above regiments was as follows:
One regiment to consist of all the militia in Pawling Precinct, (except the northern company,) all the militia in Sritheist Precinct, and all the militia on the northern and mid lle short lots in Fre leric'sburgh Precinct, in the county of Duchess. John Field, Colonel-Andrew Morehouse, Lieut. Col .- Jonathan Paddock, Ist Major-Isaac Tallman, 2nd Major-Isaac Crane, Adjutant-Reuben Crosby, Quarter Master.
The other regiment to consist of all the militia in Freder- icksburgh Precinct, (except the northern and middle short lots) and all the militia in Phelps (Philitre) Precinct, in the county of Duchess. Moses Dusenbury Col .--- Henry Ludding- ton, Lieut. Col .- Reuben Ferriss, Ist Major-Joshua Nelson, 2nd Major-Joshua Myrick, Adjutant-Solomon Hopkins, Quarter Master.
[Letter from Joseph Crane, Chairman Southeast Precinct Com. to Eg. Benson]
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
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