USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
CHAPTER XI.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY (continued).
TREASON OF ARNOLD.
The circumstances which preceded and led to the trea- son of Benedict Arnold are matters of history that it is not necessary to recite here. Most of the events imme- diately connected with that attempt to betray the cause
While the opposing forces were in this position, ar- rangements were made for the consummation of Arnold's treason, so far as could be done by correspondence. It was considered necessary, by both Sir Henry and Arnold. that a meeting should be held by the latter with some trusted British officer, for arranging the details of the plan, and Arnold finally proposed that that officer should be Major John Andre, Adjutant General of the British army, by whom the secret correspondence had been man- aged. It does not therefore appear that Andre volun- teered to undertake this mission, but that he did so at the request of Arnold, and in conformity with the wishes of Sir Henry Clinton.
In the correspondence which had been carried on be- tween Arnold and Andre the former had assumed the fic- titious name of Gustavus, and had so artfully concealed his real designs under the pretence of negotiating a mer- cantile transaction, that no one but the parties concerned in the correspondence would suspect its real nature. Arnold had made no confidants, and to bring about the desired interview by the employment of intermediate jagents, who were entirely ignorant of his purposes and of
65
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY,
the tendency of their own acts, was a delicate and diffi- headquarters, visiting him often at his own house, and consulting him on subjects of some moment. He con- tinued, as General Howe had done, to solicit his agency in keeping up a chain of intelligence, and watching the movements of the enemy on the river, and furnished him with a written permission to pass the guards at all times. Arnold at length told Smith that he expected a man from New York who would be the bearer of very important intelligence, and with whom it was essential for him to have a personal conference, but for obvious reasons the affair must be kept a profound secret; intimating, at the same time, that he might want Smith's assistance in con- ducting the man within the lines. * * * cult matter. With the consummate tact and shrewdness that characterized Arnold, these difficulties were sur- mounted, and a meeting was arranged to take place at Dobbs Ferry, on the 11th of September. On the 10th, Arnold went in his barge from his quarters in Robinson's house to Kings Ferry, and passed the night at the house of Joshua Hett Smith, on the road between the ferry and Haverstraw. The next morning he proceeded to Dobbs Ferry, but he was fired on and chased by British gun boats in the river, and came near being taken pris- oner. He landed on the west side of the river, and went down to the ferry; but failed to meet Andre and Colonel Beverly Robinson who was to accompany him there. It is not known whether they were at the opposite landing of the ferry, or whether they were on board a vessel in the river. But no meeting occurred. In a communication to Washington, from Dobbs Ferry, Arnold pretended that the object of his trip down the river was to establish signals and take other precautions against possible con- tingencies. Two days later he found means to send a letter to André, appointing a meeting at the eastern end to be removed. Under pretence of paying a visit to his of Dobbs Ferry, on the evening of the 20th. Before this letter reached Andre the British sloop of war, Vul- ture, ascended the river as far as Teller's Point, and by an ingenious plan Arnold was made acquainted with the fact.
On the 18th Washington crossed the river by Kings Ferry, on his way to Hartford, and Arnold took him and his suite over in his barge. They passed the night at Peekskill, and next morning Arnold returned to West Point, whence he dispatched a flag boat to the Vulture, with letters directed to Colonel Robinson, in one of which he gave notice that he would, on the night of the 20th, "send a person to Dobbs Ferry, or on board the Vulture, who would be furnished with a boat and a flag of truce, and whose secrecy and honor might be depend- ed upon." On the morning of the 20th Andre left New York and went to Dobbs Ferry, whence he pushed for- ward to the Vulture, which he reached at seven that evening.
Sparks says :* "General Howe, the immediate prede- cessor of Arnold as commandant at West Point, had been in the habit of employing Joshua H. Smith to procure intelligence from New York. Mr. Smith's respectable standing in society, the zeal he had shown in the Amer- ican cause, his extensive acquaintance with people in different ranks of life, and the place of his residence on the confines of the American posts, all conspired to ren- der his services important. He could select agents and embrace opportunities not within the power of any other person. General Howe had recommended him as a gen- tleman in whom confidence might be placed, and whose aid might be valuable.
" These hints were enough for Arnold, and his quick perception of character enabled him to discover in Smith an instrument well suited to his purpose. He began by flattering him with particular civilities, asking him to
" Arnold having resolved that Andre should be brought on shore from the Vulture, it became necessary to pro- vide a place for concealing him in case the length of time required to finish the business in hand, or any acci- dent, should prevent his prompt and safe return. While on this visit he persuaded Smith to permit the rendez- vous to be held at his house. To prepare the way all the persons residing in the house, except the domestics, were connections at Fishkill, more than thirty miles distant, Smith went with his wife and family the next day to that town. Leaving his family at Fishkill, he immediately returned, and, as Robinson's house was near the road, he called on General Arnold according to his previous request.
"Here it was arranged that Smith should go on board the Vulture, or down to Dobbs Ferry, in the night of the next day, and bring on shore the person who was ex- pected to be there. Orders had been given to Major Krerse, the quartermaster at Stony Point, to supply Smith with a boat whenever he should want one, and Arnold took care to give him the customary pass for a flag of truce, and such letters as would be understood on board the Vulture. With these papers Smith went back to his house the same evening."
The trip to the Vulture did not take place the next night, probably for the want of a boat or of boatmen, and on the following day Arnold went to Smith's house.
Andre remained on board the Vulture through the night of the 20th without meeting any one, and on the next day found means of communicating to Arnold the knowledge of his presence there. This information reached Arnold while at Verplank's Point, on his way to Smith's house, and he directed the quartermaster to send a boat to a certain place in Haverstraw Creek. Two boatmen, named Samuel and Joseph Colquhoun, brothers, were induced to go with Smith, by threats from Arnold of arrest as tories if they persisted in their refusal. A countersign was given them, by which they might pass the guard boats that patrolled the shore, and between eleven and twelve on the night of the 21st they passed, with muffled oars, out of Haverstraw Creek into the Hud- son River. The night was calm and still, and they glided noiselessly over the river, without discovery or hindrance, till they were hailed from the deck of the Vulture, and asked who they were and whither they were bound. On
*Life and Treason of Benedict Arnold, p. 190.
66
GENERAL HISTORY.
answering that they were from Kings Ferry and bound for Dobbs Ferry, they were ordered alongside, and a tor- rent of nautical oaths was poured on them for their pre- sumption in thus approaching one of his Majesty's ships. Meantime Smith clambered on board, and the noise being heard below, a messenger was sent with orders from the captain to show the man into the cabin.
On entering the cabin Smith found there Colonel Beverly Robinson, whom he knew, and presented to him a letter from Arnold, together with his passes.
Spark says :* " After Smith had sat a few minutes in the cabin, Robinson left him in conversation with Cap- tain Sutherland, and in about a quarter of an hour re- turned with another person, whom he introduced as Mr. Anderson. Assigning ill health as a reason why he could not himself go on shore, he said this gentleman would go in his stead, who, being perfectly acquainted with the business upon which the consultation was to be held, would be able to give all the information and make all the arrangements desired.
"As Arnold was expected on board in person, it was doubtless a subject of deliberation whether any one should leave the ship and run the hazard of going on shore, with no other pledge of protection than the word of a man who was seeking to betray his country. It has been said that Robinson was decidedly opposed to such a step, but was overruled by André, whose eagerness to accom- plish the enterprise he had undertaken made him regard- less of danger. Although clothed in his uniform, he was so completely enveloped with a blue great coat that no part of his dress could be seen, and Smith always af- firmed that he had no surmise of his real name or char- acter, but looked upon him as a private individual, act- ing an intermediate part between Robinson and Arnold.
"The boat in which Smith came down the river was large, and, being rowed by two men only, the captain of the Vulture proposed that one of his boats should go out armed, and tow the other, but this was strongly objected to by Smith and Andre. It was easy to discover that the less noise the more safety. The reason assigned by Sir Henry Clinton, in his despatch, for their declining this aid was, that it would be inconsistent with a flag of truce. As there was no pretence of a flag of truce, except in the formality of Arnold's passport, this reason was suppositi- tious.
" André and Smith descended into the boat together. The watermen had not left"it. Few words were spoken as they moved slowly towards the shore. They landed at the foot of a mountain called the Long Clove, on the western margin of the river, about six miles below Stony Point.
"To this place Arnold had ridden on horseback from Smith's house, attended by one of Smith's servants on another horse. The exact spot for the rendezvous had been agreed upon, and as soon as the boat landed Smith went up on the bank, groping his way in darkness, and found Arnold, not only shrouded in the shades of night, but concealed among thick bushes and trees. He then "Life and Treason of Benedict Arnold, P. 201.
returned and conducted André to the same place. At Arnold's request he left them together and joined the men again at the boat.
"Overcome with fatigue, and unconscious of any heavier burden upon their spirits, the watermen found relief from their toils in sleep. Smith was wakeful and little at ease. Mortified and displeased, as he says, at not being permitted to be present at the interview, after all the pains he had taken and sacrifices he had made to bring it about, he was not in a humor to draw solace from tranquility and meditation; and the damps of an autumnal night, piercing a frame that had been for some time shivering under the discipline of a tertian ague, were not likely to communicate soothing influences. No wonder the hours seemed to move on leaden wings, and his stock of patience was soon exhausted. He went into the bushes and reminded the plotters of treason that the night was far spent, and the boat must depart from its present station before daylight should appear.
"Roused by this intimation, and not yet having entire_ ly effected the object of their ineeting, the conspirators consented that he and the boatmen should return up the river. Meantime Andre mounted the servant's horse and and accompanied Arnold to Smith's house, being a dis- tance of three or four miles along the road leading through the village of Haverstraw. It was dark, and the voice of the sentinel demanding the countersign was the first indication to Andre that he was within the ** Just as the day dawned they American lines. * * came to Smith's house. In a little time Smith arrived, having brought the boat to Crom Island, in Haverstraw Creek, where it was left. The boatmen retired to their homes.
"Should the question be asked why André did not re- turn on board from the Long Clove, in the same way he came on shore, the true answer undoubtedly is, that his business with Arnold was not finished and could not be brought to a close soon enough to allow André to go and come again during the night. Since Arnold himself went down to meet Andre at the Clove it may be inferred that he thought everything might be completed there. Other- wise he would have been more likely to wait for him at Smith's house and have him conducted thither by the safest and most expeditious channel, which would have been by water up Haverstraw Creek to the place where the boat was ultimately left, which was but a short dis- tance from the house. It is equally certain, however, that he had anticipated a want of time for doing at the landing place all that was requisite, as he had provided for such contingency, first, by having Smith's family re- moved, secondly, by taking a spare horse with him to the Clove. Smith had said, while on board the Vulture, that a horse would be ready on the bank of the river for the purpose of conducting the person to his house who should go with him in the boat."
Soon after the arrival of Arnold and Andre at Smith's house, a cannonade was opened on the Vulture by a party sent for that purpose from Verplank's Point, and the ves- sel was compelled to drop down the river out of range.
67
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
The business between Arnold and Andre was concluded, and the former took his departure before 10 A. M. The interviews were in secret, and the full details have never been revealed.
"The post at West Point was to be weakened by such a disposition of the troops as would leave but a small force for its defense. As soon as it should be known that the British were coming up the river, parties were to be sent out from the garrison to the gorges in the hills, and
Within a few hours after his capture, André, with the other distant points, under the pretence of meeting the papers that were taken from his boots, was delivered to enemy as they approached; and here they were to remain while the British troops landed and marched to the gar- rison through different routes in which they would meet no opposition."
It is believed that the day was also fixed, and that the British troops that had been embarked at New York, ostensibly for an expedition to the Chesapeake, were to be held in readiness to ascend the river at a moment's notice.
Although it was expected that Andre would return to the Vulture, Arnold had provided Smith with two passes both in his own hand-writing, and both dated " Head Quarters." The one authorizing him to go by water was as follows: " Joshua Smith has permission to pass with a boat and three hands and a flag to Dobbs Ferry, on public business, and return immediately." The other was: " Joshua Smith has permission to pass the guards to White Plains and return, he being on public business by my direction." Of the arrangement for his return he wrote after his capture: "Arnold quitted me, having himself made me put the papers I bore between my stockings and my feet. Whilst he did it he expressed a wish, in case of accident befalling me, that they should be destroyed, which I said of course would be the case, as when I went into the boat I should have them tied about with a string and a stone. Before we parted, some mention had been made of my crossing the river and going another route. But I objected much against it, and thought it was settled that in the way I came I was to return."
In compliance with the wishes of Arnold, Andre exchanged his military coat for one of Mr. Smith's, and, shortly before sunset on the 22nd he started, on horse- back in company with Smith. They proceeded to Kings Ferry, crossed to Verplank's Point, rode to the vicinity of Crom Pond, where they slept at the house of Andreas Miller, and on the 23d proceeded to within two miles and a-half of Pine's Bridge, where Smith took leave of Andre and returned.
It is not necessary to give a detailed account of the
capture of André, near Tarrytown, by Paulding, Van Wart, and Williams, or to enter upon a discussion of the moral character or patriotism of his captors. The value of the service which they rendered the American cause by the arrest of this man is not affected by the decision of the question whether they were or were not incorrupt- ible saints. The story of the capture is familiar to almost every one, and need not be repeated here.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, who was in command at North Castle, the nearest military post. The papers were in the hand-writing of Arnold. The following is a copy of them from the original on file at the New York State Library:
" Major André's Personal Pass. " Headquarters, Robinson House, "September 22d, 1780.
" Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the Guards to
André remained at Smith's house during the day on the White Plains or below if he chooses. He being on the 22d, and at its close he expected to be placed again public business by my direction. on board the Vulture. But Smith had made no arrange- "B. ARNOLD, M. Gen'l." "Head Quarters, Robinson House, "September 20th, 1780. ments to do so, and he obstinately refused to make any, on the absurd plea that his health would not permit him to expose himself in a boat. No doubt considerations of " Permission is given to Joshua Smith, Esq., a gentle- man, Mr. John Anderson, who is with him, and his two personal safety influenced him. The Vulture had resumed · her original station, and he probably feared she might be servants, to pass and repass the guards near Kings Ferry fired on again. at all times.
" (Signed) B. ARNOLD, M. Gen'l." " Head Quarters, Robinson House,
"September 21st, 1780.
"Permission is granted to Joshua Smith, Esq. to go to Dobbs Ferry with three Men and a Boy in a Boat with a Flag, to carry some letters of a private nature for gentlemen in New York, and to return immediately.
" B. ARNOLD, M. Gen'l.
" N. B. He has permission to go at such hours and times as the tide and his business suits.
" B. A."
" Arnola's Hand.
"Estimate of the number of men necessary to man the Works at West Point and in the vicinity.
Fort Arnold.
620.
Putnam
450.
: Wyllys 140.
= Webb 140.
Redoubt No. I 150.
66
2. 150.
3. 120.
4. 100.
5 . 130.
=
6. IIO.
7.
78.
North Redoubt
I 20.
South Redoubt 130.
Total.
2438.
" VILLEPAUCHE,
" Engineer.
GENERAL HISTORY.
68
" West Point, Sept. 5th, 1780.
" The following disposition of the corps is to take
"Capt. Daniells, with his company, at Fort Putnam, and to Detach an Officer with 12 men to Wyllys' Re- doubt, a non-commissioned officer with 3 men to Webb's Redoubt, and the like number to Redoubt No. 4. "Capt. - Thomas and Company to repair to Fort
Arnold.
"Capt. Simmons and Conipany to remain at the North and South Redoubts at the East side of the River until further orders.
"Lieut. Barber, with 20 men of Capt. Jackson's com- pany, will repair to Constitution Island. The remainder of the Company, with Lieut. Mason's, will repair to Arnold.
"Lieut. George, and Lieut. Blake, with 20 men of Capt. Treadwell's Company, will repair to Redoubt No. I and 2. The remainder of the Company will be sent to Fort Arnold.
" Late Jones' Company, with Lieut. Fisk, to repair to
the South Battery.
" The Chain Battery, Sherburn's Redoubt, and the occasion may require. Brass Field pieces will be manned from Fort Arnold as "The Commissary and Conductor of Military Stores will in time wait upon the Commanding officer of Artil-
lery for orders.
" Arnold's hand.
Endorsed. " Remarks on Works at West Point, a copy to be transmitted to his Excellency, General Washington. Sept., 1780.
" Fort Arnold is built of Dry Fascines and Wood, is in a ruinous condition, incomplete, and subject to take fire from Shells or Canasses.
"Fort Putnam, stone, wanting repairs, the wall on the East side broke down and rebuilding from the founda- tion, at the West and South sides, have been a Chevaux de Frise, on the West side broke in many places. The East side open, two Bomb Proofs and Provision Maga- zine in the Fort, and slight Wooden Barrack. A com- manding piece of ground, 500 yards West, between the
Fort and No. 4 or Rocky Hill. " Fort Webb. Built of Fascines and Wood, a slight Work, very dry and liable to be set on fire, as the ap- proaches are very easy, without defenses, save a slight
" Fort Wyllys. built of stone, five feet high, the work above plank with earth; the stone work is 15 feet, the earth 9 feet thick. No Bomb Proofs, the Batteries with-
out the Fort.
Return of Ordnance in the different Forts, Batteries, &e., at West Point and Its dependencies, September 5, 1780.
Mortars.
Howitz.
Total.
Metal
Garrison Carriages.
Garrison Carriages.
Traveling Carriages.
Garrison Carriages.
Stocked Carriages.
Garrison Carriages.
Garrison Carriages.
Stocked Carriages.
Traveling Carriages.
Garrison Carriages.
Traveling Carriages.
Traveling Carriages.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Garrison Carriages.
Stocked Carriages.
Traveling Carriages.
N. B .- The following ordnance not distribut- ed.
Calibers
24
15
12
0
6
00
00
516
4 2-5
8
5%
Total
Fort Arnold
Iron
1
8
-
-.
8
5
5
1
.. ..
14
Fort Putnam
Iron
5
Constitution Island Iron
South Battery
Iron
4
Chain Battery
Iron
Iron|
Iron
1
2
3
Megg's Redoubt
Iron
South Redoubt
Iron
North Redoubt
Iron
3
2
Iron
...
..
Rocky HIHI No. 1
Iron
Rocky HIIl No. 2
Iron
Verplanks Polnt
Brass
Stony Point
Iron
2
..
.....
8
2
1
..
100
S. BAUMAN, Major Commander of Artillery.
"Artillery Orders and Return of Ordnance bearing date Sept. 5th, 1780.
Brasg
:
2,
3
=
14
5
No. 8, Brass, 24 Pounder. :
7. '
12
: 1, "
8 in. How.
Lanthorn Battery Webb's Redoubt
Sherburn Redoubt
Iron
11
...
6
Wyliys' Redoubt
Iron
Rocky Hill No. 4
2
2
4
..
·
..
23
1.
..
4
:
00
:
1.
Brass
10
1
5
:
3
2
3
..
No. 6. Iron, 12 Pounder.
.
4.
..
above estimate."
"N. B. The Artillery Men are not included in the
" Artillery Orders.
place in case of an alarm.
abattis.
" The Artificers of the Garrison (agreeable to former orders) will repair to Fort Arnold, and there receive further orders from the commanding officer of Artillery. "J. BAUMAN, Major Comm't Artillery."
69
HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.
" Redoubt No. 1. On the South side, wood 9 thick, the West and East sides 4 feet thick. No cannon in the works, a slight and single abattis, no ditch or Picket. Cannon on two Batteries. No Bomb Proofs.
" Redoubt No. 2. The same as No. 1. No Bomb Proofs.
" Redoubt No. 3. A slight Wood Work, 3 feet thick, very dry. No Bomb Proofs, a single abattis, the Work easily set on fire, no cannon.
" Redoubt No. 4. A Wooden work about ten feet high, and four or five feet thick, the West side faced with a stone wall 8 feet high and 4 thick. No Bomb Proofs, two six pounders, a slight abattis, a commanding piece of ground, 500 yards Wt.
" The North Redoubt, on the East side, built of stone, 4 feet high, above the stone, wood filled in with earth. Very dry, no ditch, a Bomb Proof, three Batteries, with- out the Fort a poor abattis, a rising piece of ground 500 yards So., the approaches under cover to within 20 yards. The Work easily fired with faggots dipt in Pitch, &c.
" South Redoubt much the same as the North, a com- manding piece of ground 500 yards due East, 3 Batter- ies without the Fort.
Arnold's hand.
" Estimate of the Forces at West Point and its depend- cies, Sept. 30th, 1780.
A Brigade of Massachusetts Militia and two Regiments of rank and file, New Hamp- shire, inclusive of 166 Batteaux Men at Verplanks and Stony Points, 992
"On command and Extra service at Fish Kills, New Windsor, &c., &c, who may be called in occasionally, 852
"3 Regiments of Connecticut militia, under the command of Col. Wills, on the lines near N. Castle, 488
" A Detachment of N. York levies on the lines, 115
" Militia.
"Col. Lamb's Regiment, 167
"Col. Livingston at Verplank and Stony Points, 80
-247
"Col. Sheldon's Dragoons on the lines, about one-half mounted, 142
" Batteaux men and Artificers, 250
" Total, 3086"
CHAPTER XII.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY (continued).
TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF ANDRE.
Notwithstanding the suspicious character of the pa- pers found in Andre's possession, the peculiar circum-
stances under which they were found, and the fact that they were in the well known handwriting of Arnold, Colo- nel Jameson ordered the prisoner and a letter sent to that general. The papers he sent to General Washington. The conduct of Colonel Jameson was inexplicable. Washington afterward said that because of his " egre- gious folly, or bewildered conceptions, he seemed lost in astonishment, and not to know what he was doing." When the facts came to the knowledge of Major Tall- madge, next in command under Jameson, he prevailed on that officer to recall the prisoner and send him to Lower Salem, where Colonel Sheldon had his headquar- ters, but the letter announcing his capture was sent for- ward to Arnold.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.