History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 16

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 16

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After his arrival at Lower Salem Andre wrote the fol- lowing letter to General Washington:

" Sir: What I have as yet said concerning myself, was in the justifiable attempt to be extricated; I am too little accustomed to duplicity to have succeeded.

"I beg your Excellency to be persuaded that no altera- tion in the temper of my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces me to the step of addressing you; but that it is to secure myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes, of self interest, a conduct incompatible with the principles that actuated me, as well as with my condition in life.

" It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit security.

"The person in your possession is Major André, Ad- jutant General of the British Army.

" The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an advantage taken in war. A correspond- ence for this purpose I held as confidential (in the present instance) with His Excellency Sir Henry Clin- ton.

" To favour it, I agreed to meet upon ground not with- in the posts of either army, a person who was to give me intelligence; I came up in the Vulture, sloop of war, for this effect, and was fetched in the boat from the ship to the beach. Being there, I was told the approach of day would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed till the next night. I was in my regimentals, and had fairly risked my person.

"Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my knowledge beforehand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Your Excellency may conceive my sen- timents on this occasion, and will imagine how much inore I must have been affected by a refusal to reconduct me back the next night, as I had been brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to conceal my escape. I quit- ted my uniform, and was passed another way in the night, without the American posts, to neutral ground, and being informed I was out of reach of all armed parties, and left to proceed to New York, I was taken at Tarrytown by some volunteers.

" Thus, as I have had to relate, I was betrayed (being Adjutant General of the British Army) into the vile con- dition of an enemy within your posts.

" Having avowed myself a British officer, I know

GENERAL HISTORY.

nothing to reveal but what relates to myself, which is true on the honour of an officer and a gentleman.

" The request I have to make to your Excellency, and he added that neither his aids nor Joshua H. Smith knew I am conscious I address myself well, is, that in any anything of his transactions. The same boat brought a [letter from Beverly Robinson to Washington demanding the release of Andre, on the ground that he had gone within the American lines under the protection of a flag rigour policy may dictate, a decency of conduct towards me may mark that, though unfortunate, I am branded with nothing dishonorable, as no motive could be mine, but the service of iny king, and as I was involuntarily an of truce, and that when taken he had a permit to return impostor. to New York.

"Another request is, that I may be permitted to write an open letter to Sir Henry Clinton, and another to a friend for clothes and linen.

"I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at Charleston, who, either being on parole, or under protection, were engaged in a conspiracy against us. Though their situation is not similar, they are ob- jects who may be sent in exchange for me, or are per- sons, whom the treatment I receive may in some degree affect.

"It is no less, sir, a confidence in the generosity of your mind, than on account of your superior station, that I have chosen to importune you with this letter. I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir,

"Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

" JOHN ANDRE. "Adjt. Gen."

" His Excellency Geo. Washington, &c."

On his return from Hartford General Washington with his suite went to the headquarters of Arnold, where they arrived on the morning of the 25th. While General Washington and most of his suite were examining somne redoubts on that side of the river, and two of his aids were at breakfast with General Arnold, the letter of Colonel Jameson was brought to the latter officer. Hastily reading it he left the table, called his wife to her chamber, announced the necessity for his departure, left her in a swoon, mounted a horse, rode to the bank of the river, entered a boat that was manned by six oarsmen, ordered them to push to the middle of the river, then to row in haste down the stream. As he passed Kings Ferry he displayed a white handkerchief, and was thus enabled to pass unobstructed to the Vulture , which lay

a short distance below the place it occupied when Andre major generals and eight brigadiers, to inquire into the left it.

After completing his inspection of the redoubts, Wash- ington and his suite repaired to Arnold's house, where they were told that Arnold had crossed the river. They ate a hasty breakfast, then crossed to West Point, but of course did not find Arnold. After two hours they re- crossed the river, and were met at the landing by Colonel Hamilton, who had remained behind. He had received and opened the letter and papers from Colonel Jameson, and the letter from Andre at Lower Salem, in which he declared his true character.

ing protection for his wife, and declaring that in his con- duct he had been actuated by principle. In a postscript

Ignorant of the extent and degree of maturity of the plot, General Washington at once took measures for guarding against whatever might be developed. He wrote to the principal officer at West Point, and to those commanding detachinents in the vicinity, enjoining the utmost vigilance, and ordered General Greene, who was in command of the army at Tappan, to put the left wing in motion for Kings Ferry, which was done after mid- night on the 26th.

At the same time. an order was despatched to Colonel Jameson to send Andre, under a strong guard, to Robin- son's house. On the receipt of the order, at midnight, Andre was at once sent, arriving on the morning of the 26th, in the custody of Major Tallmadge, who was with [him almost constantly froin the time of his arrival at Lower Salem till his execution. On the evening of the same day he was taken over to West Point, and on the morning of the 28th he was removed in a barge down the river to Stony Point, whence he was taken, under an escort of cavalry, to Tappan.

Washington, in his letter to General Greene informing him that André was to be sent to Tappan, while he gave instructions to have him vigilantly guarded, said: " I wish the room for Major Andre to be a decent one, and that he may be treated with civility." Accordingly, he was lodged in the house of Mr. Mabie, and treated with such attention as was suitable to those of his character and rank. He was supplied with refreshment from the table of General Washington, and here, as elsewhere, Major Tallmadge was constantly with him.

On the 28th General Washington arrived at his head- quarters in the De Wint mansion, and on the 29th he summoned a board of general officers, consisting of six

facts in Major André's case, and give their opinion as to the light in which he ought to be regarded, and the punishment he should receive. All the evidence in the case, and all the papers and correspondence were laid before this board, which held its sessions in the old Dutch Church at Tappan, which at this time, appears to have been the only place suitable for public trials, the Court House having been burned some years previous.

Ten days previous to Andre's trial, Peter Rooney, James Moore, John Miller, and James Welch, soldiers in Colonel Stuart's regiment of light infantry, were tried there by court-martial for robbery, and sentenced to

This was Washington's first knowledge of Arnold's treason. He at once ordered Hamilton to Verplank's death. The findings of the court were approved by Ma- Point to intercept Arnold if he had not passed, but he jor-General Greene in the same general orders of the only arrived in season to receive, by a flag of truce from 26th of September, which announced to the army the capture of André, three days before. the Vulture, a letter from Arnold to Washington solicit-

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

Sparks says: * "The board assembled and the prisoner was brought before them. The names of the officers con- stituting the board were read to him. Before the exami- nation began, General Greene told him that various ques- tions would be asked, but the board desired him to feel at perfect liberty to answer them or not as he might choose, and to take his own time for recollection and for weighing what he said. André then proceeded to give a brief narrative of what occurred between the time of his coming on shore and that of his capture, which agreed in every point with his letter to Washington. He also con- fessed that certain papers, which were shown to him, were the same that had been concealed in his boots, and that a pass for John Anderson in the handwriting of Arnold, was the one he had exhibited to his captors.

" Being interrogated as to his conception of the man- ner in which lie came on shore, and whether he con- sidered himself under a flag, he answered, that 'it was impossible for him to suppose that he came on shore under the sanction of a flag, and added, that, if he came on shore under that sanction, he might certainly have re- turned under it.'"

"Throughout his examination Major Andre maintained a manly, dignified, and respectful deportment, replied to every question promptly, discovered no embarrassment, sought no disguise, stated with frankness and truth every- thing that related to himself, and used no words to ex. plain, palliate, or defend any part of his conduct. So delicate was he in regard to other persons that he scrupulously avoided mentioning names, or alluding to any particulars except such as concerned himself. Gen- eral Greene spoke of Smith's house, in reference to the place of meeting between André and Arnold. ‘I said a house, sir,' replied Andre, 'but did not say whose house.' 'True,' answered Greene, 'nor have we any right to demand this of you, after the conditions we liave allowed.'

"The examination being closed, Major Andre was asked whether he had any remarks to make on the state- ments that had been presented. He replied in the nega- tive, and said he should leave them to operate with the board. He was then remanded to the place of his con- finement.

"After a full consideration of the subject, taking into view the papers that had been laid before them, and the voluntary confessions of Major Andre, the board report- ed the following facts:

" First, that he came on shore from the Vulture sloop- of-war, in the night, on an interview with General Ar- nold, in a private and secret manner.

"Secondly, that he changed his dress within our lines, and, under a feigned name, and in a disguised habit, passed our works at Stony and Verplank's Points, that he was taken at Tarrytown in a disguised habit, being then on his way to New York, and that, when taken, he had in his possession several papers which contained in- telligence for the enemy.

" Believing these facts to be established, the board * Life and Treason of Benedict Arnold, p. 201.

further reported it as their opinion that Major André ought to be considered as a spy, and according to the law and usage of nations to suffer death.

"This decision was communicated to the prisoner, who, at his request, was permitted to write a letter to Sir Henry Clinton, which follows:

' Tappan, 29th September, 1780. 'Sir: Your Excellency is doubtless already apprized of the manner in which I was taken, and possibly of the serious light in which my conduct is considered, and the rigorous determination that is impending.

'Under these circumstances I have obtained General Washington's permission to send you this letter, the ob- ject of which is to remove from your breast any sus- picion that I could imagine I was bound by your Excel- lency's orders to expose myself to what has happened. The events of coming within an enemy's posts and of changing my dress, which led me to my present situa- tion, were contrary to my own intentions, as they were to your order. And the circuitous route which I took to return was imposed (perhaps unavoidably) without al- ternative upon me.

'I am perfectly tranquil in mind, and prepared for any fate to which an honest zeal for my King's service may have devoted me.

'In addressing myself to your Excellency on this oc- casion, the force of all my obligations to you, and of the attachment and gratitude I bear to you, recurs to me. With all the warmth of my heart I give you thanks for your Excellency's profuse kindness to me, and I send you the most earnest wishes for your welfare which a faithful, affectionate, and respectful attendant can frame. ' I have a mother and two sisters, to whom the value of my commission would be an object, as the loss of Grenada has much affected their income. It is needless to be more explicit on this subject. I am persuaded of your Excellency's goodness.

'I receive the greatest attention from his Excellency General Washington, and from every person under whose charge I happen to be placed. I have the honor to be, with the most respectful attachment, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

'JOHN ANDRE, Adjutant General.'

" This letter was accompanied by one from General Washington to Sir Henry Clinton, and by a copy of the proceedings of the board of officers. Washington's let. ter was short, stating, in reply to the British command- er's request respecting his Adjutant General, that, although he was taken under circumstances which war- ranted the most summary mode of treatment, yet great moderation had been exercised towards him, and his case had been referred to a board of general officers, whose report was then transmitted for Sir. Henry's in- spection, from which it would be seen that Major André was engaged in executing measures very different from the objects of a flag of truce, and such as a flag could not by any possible construction ever have been intended to authorize or countenance."

Although, under the circumstances, the decision of the

GENERAL HISTORY.

board of officers could not be looked on as questionable, the rank, the manliness, the truthfulness and the un- blemished character of Andre excited in every one a lively interest and sympathy. And the fact that he had been drawn into the snare under extenuating circum- stances, compelled the sternest advocates for justice to look on his impending fate with regret, and with a wish that it might be averted. Washington, with whom the final determination must rest, was as keenly alive to these feelings as any one could be But his sense of justice and duty in the circumstances which surrounded the case outweighed the promptings of his humane heart. It was necessary to show to the world that the cause of American liberty could not be sacrificed by traitors, with impunity. He offered, indirectly, the only terms on which it was considered possible to spare his life, an ex- change for Arnold, but it was hardly to be expected that such a proposition would be accepted by the enemy.

A deputation of three persons was sent, under a flag of truce, by Sir Henry Clinton to try and avert Andre's fate, but their mission was fruitless. It is somewhat re- markable that they bore a letter from Arnold, impu- dently threatening retaliation on such persons as might fall into his power, in case Andre was executed.

When the decision or sentence of the board was an- nounced to André, he evinced no feeling, but remarked that "there was still a choice in the mode, which would make a material difference in his feelings." He wished for the death of a soldier, and asked that he might be shot. He afterward renewed this request in the follow- letter to General Washington:

"Tappan, 1 October, 1780.

"Sir: Buoyed above the terror of death, by the con- sciousness of a life devoted to honorable pursuits, and stained with no action that can give me remorse, I trust that the request that I make to your Excellency, at this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments, will not be rejected.

"Sympathy towards a soldier will surely induce your Excellency, and a military tribunal, to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honor.

" Let me hope, Sir, that if aught in my character im- presses you with esteem towards me, if aught in my mis- fortunes marks me as the victim of policy and not of re- sentment, I shall experience the operation of these feel- ings in your breast, by being informed that I am not to die on a gibbet.

"I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obe- dient and most humble servant,

" JOHN ANDRE."

Manly, persuasive, and touching as this appeal was, it was not deemed consistent with the rules of war to grant the request, and no answer was returned.

of October; but the prolonged conference with Sir Henry Clinton's deputies rendered it necessary to change the time to 12 M. of the 2d.

Dr. Thatcher, who was an eye witness, gave the fol- lowing vivid account of the execution:

"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 counte- nance, with calmness and composure of mind. Observing his servant enter the room in tears, he exclaimed: 'Leave me till you can show yourself more manly.' His break- fast being sent to him from the table of General Wash- ington, which had been done every day of his confine- ment, 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. The scene was affecting and awful.

" I was so near during the solemn march to the fatal spot as to observe every 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 sub- altern officers, arm in arın. The eyes of the immense multitude were fixed on him, who, rising superior to the fear 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 back- ward, and made a pause: ' Why this emotion, Sir ? ' said an officer by his side. Instantly recovering his compos- ure, he said: ' I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode.'

"While waiting and standing near the gallows, I ob- served some degree of trepidation, placing his foot on a stone, rolling it over, and choking in his throat, as if at- tenipting to swallow. So soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readiness he stepped quickly into the wagon, 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 pockets 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 firminess, which melted the

The execution was first ordered at 5 P. M. of, the ist |hearts and moistened the cheeks, not only of his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The rope being ap- pended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his head and adjusted it to his neck, without the assistance of the executioner. Colonel Scammel now informed him that he had an opportunity to speak, if he desired it. He

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

raised the handkerchief from his eyes and said: 'I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave man.' The wagon being now removed from under him, he was suspended and instantly expired."

" Throughout the whole of this scene, from the time | of aiding and abetting in the attempted treason of Arnold. he left the house in which he was guarded till the last fa- tal moment, his demeanor was such as to excite the re- spect, sympathy, and sorrow of every beholder. His step was steady, his carriage easy and graceful, his counte- nance placid, but thoughtful and firm, indicating a solemn sense of his impending fate, and a resolution to meet it in a manner consistent with his character and the previous tenor of his conduct. He was dressed in the uniform of a British officer. When life had departed the body was taken down and interred within a few yards of the place of execution. The coat and other regimentals were given to his servant, who faithfully attended him to the last, and saw the grave close over his mortal remains."

Thus died the unfortunate Andre: a man whose rare accomplishments and nobleness of heart endeared him to every one by whom he was known, and who won equally the love of his friends and the respect of his enemies. He was the victim of his zeal for the cause which he served, and of the intrigues of a traitor, who, though he escaped the gallows, was doomed to the consciousness of being detested and abhorred by those whom he sought to betray, and shunned and despised by the rest of man- kind. More than a century has passed since the death of André, but time has not effaced the feeling of pity which his fate excited. There are few Americans who can look back upon that fate without regret. While they condemn his error, and approve the sentence of his other authority.

judges, they remember him with melancholy feelings, and grieve that his promising life came to such an untimely and ignominious end.

To the captors of Andre an annual pension of two hundred dollars for life was granted by Congress, and a silver medal, bearing on one side the inscription " Fidel- ity " and on the other "Vincit Amor Patriae " was or- dered to be struck and presented to each.

André. On his arrival at Tappan he was imprisoned in the church, and refreshment was sent to him from the table of General Washington. Mr. Smith was put on trial before a court martial at Tappan, under the charge Soon after the execution of Andre. the American army moved from Tappan, and Smith was taken, under guard, into New Jersey. After some days the trial was resumed. It was protracted through four weeks, and resulted in the acquittal of Smith, the court not being clearly satisfied that he knew of the traitorous designs of Arnold. Though the court was fully justified in this decision, there were circumstances that were not easy to reconcile with this conclusion and the well known intelligence of Smith.

After the decision of the court martial he was, on the Ioth of November, taken to Tappan, and thence to West Point, where he was detained till the 18th. He was then taken to Goshen and delivered into the custody of the sheriff of Orange county, to be tried by a civil process, should such a course be deemed advisable. He was confined some months in jail without indictment or trial, but managed to effect his escape, and traversed the country, aided by tories, and sometimes disguised as a woman, till he reached Paulus Hook and New York. At the close of the Revolutionary war he went to England. In 1808 he published, in London, a book entitled " An Authentic Narrative of the Causes which led to the Death of Major Andre." The tendency of this book is to strengthen doubts which may be entertained of his entire innocence. It is thought to have no value as a work of history, except where its statements are corroborated by

CHAPTER XIII.

REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY (concluded).

LAST MILITARY OPERATIONS IN ROCKLAND COUNTY.

In the summer of 1781, Manhattan Island was threat- ened by the allied American and French armies, and the

Joshua Hett Smith, after parting with Andre, pro- ceeded toward Fishkill, calling and dining at Arnold's British commander was not only prevented from sending quarters in Robinson's house. At Fishkill he supped aid to Lord Cornwallis, but was compelled to order a with General Washington, who had arrived there that portion of the forces of the latter sent to New York. At afternoon from Hartford. At about midnight on the this time both Kings Ferry and Dobbs Ferry were held 25th of September, as he lay in bed, he was arrested by by the American forces, and General Washington and Count Rochambeau had their headquarters at times at the eastern termini of these ferries. Portions of the American forces were occasionally on the western side of the river, but all the active operations of the campaign were on the eastern side. While these were in progress, about the middle of July, two of the enemy's vessels lay a few days in the vicinity of Teller's Point, and the country about Haverstraw was ravaged. a French officer named Govion, and marched to Robin- son's house, eighteen miles distant, where he was sub- jected to an examination by Washington and some of his officers. Thence he was taken under a guard to the river opposite West Point, ferried over the river, and con- fined in the provost guard room. On the morning of the third day he was taken in a barge to Stony Point, and thence, with the same detachment that escorted André he was taken to Tappan, where they arrived at about On the 18th of the same montli, General Washington and Count de Rochambeau crossed the river by Dobbs Ferry, and, under an escort of a hundred and fifty men, passed the day in reconnoitering Manhattan Island from dusk of the 28th. Mr. Smith was permitted to call at his house, and, with the others, he halted and dined at the house of John Coe, on the old military road, but he was not allowed to hold any communication with Major the top of the Palisades.

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History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 16

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993