USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester County, New York, from its earliest settlement to the year 1900 > Part 50
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Astonished to find into what hands he had fallen and how he had betrayed himself, yet promptly recovering his composure, he laughed, declared himself a continental officer going down to Dobbs Ferry to get information from the enemy, and said, " My God, a man must do anything to get along," and then produced his pass from Arnold and handed it to Paulding, who read it. He then dismounted and said, " Gentlemen, yon had better let me go, or you will bring yourselves into trouble."
Paulding then told him that he hoped he would not be offended, as they did not mean to take anything from him, that there were a great many bad people going the road, and they did not know but he might be one, and then asked him if he had any letters about him; to which Andre answered " No."
They then took down the fence and led him and his horse into the woods. They told him to take off his clothes, which he did, and,
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searching them, they found nothing except eighty dollars in continen- tal money, which had been given him by Smith. Paulding then told him to take off his boots. This he was very backward about doing, but when he had done so, Paulding felt of his feet and found the papers which Arnold had delivered to him in his stockings. Upon examining these, Paulding, who was the only one of the captors who could read, said, " This man is a spy" He asked Andre where he had obtained the papers, and he replied of a stranger at Pine's Bridge. He was then ordered to dress himself. " While he was doing so," Williams says, " Fasked him how much he would give to let him go; he said any sum. 1 then asked if he would give up his horse, saddle, bridle, watch, and one hundred guineas; he said yes. I asked him if he would not give more, and he said he would give any quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any place we might pitch on so that we might get it." Upon which Paulding answered: " No, by God, if you would give us ten thousand guineas you shall not stir one step! "
Andre was then ordered to remount his horse, and was taken by his captors to Sand's Mills, North Castle, the nearest American post, and delivered with his papers to Lieutenant-Colonel John Jameson, of the 23 Regiment Light Dragoons, who, in the absence of Colonel Sheldon, commanded the post.
The captors, according to military custom, retained his watch, horse, and bridle, which they sold, and divided the money received for them among the party of seven.
Jameson, who was bewildered by the discovery, injudiciously sent a message by Lieutenant Solomon Allen to General Arnold at the Robinson house, notifying him of the capture of Andre. Arnold, who was at breakfast with his wife and aide-de-camp, Major David S. Franks, when the messenger from Jameson arrived (it being about 9 a.m.), opened the letter, read it carefully, folded it, put it in his pocket, finished the remark which was on his lips when the mes- senger arrived, and exensed himself to those at the table, saying that it was necessary for him to go immediately to West Point, and for the aides to inform General Washington on his arrival, which was hourly expected, that he would very soon return. His wife, observ- ing his slight agitation, followed him to their chambers, where all was quickly revealed to her and she fell into an intermittent state of swoon and delirium, which lasted several hours.
While up-stairs with his wife he was informed by Major Franks that two aides had arrived, announcing that General Washington would very soon arrive. He kissed his infant child, sweetly sleeping in its cradle, and descended the stairs in great confusion. He ordered
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a horse to be saddled, mounted him, told Major Franks to inform General Washington that he had gone to West Point and would return in an hour, hurried down the steep road to the river, entered his barge at Beverly Dock, and seating himself in the bow directed his oarsmen to row to midstream. Then priming his pistols, he ordered them to hurry down the river, stating to them that he had to go with a flag of trice to the " Vulture," and must hasten back to meet Washington. He tied a white handkerchief to a cane and waved it as he passed Colonel Livingston at Verplanck's Point, and that officer, recognizing the barge, allowed it to pass. In a short time he was safely on board the " Vulture." where he wrote a letter to Washington asking protection for Mrs. Arnold and proclaiming her innocence and that of his aides. He afterward received the price of his desertion, 6,315 pounds sterling, was made a brigadier-general in the British army, and turned his sword against his countrymen. Al the close of the war he went to England, where his treason fol- lowed him like an avenging Nemesis and brought upon him many limiliations. In the United States his name became a byword and reproach to mark the depth of human degradation and villainy. After years of bitter disappointment, cares, and embarrassments his nerv- ons system failed him, sleep became a stranger to his eyes, and at London, on June 14, 1801, he died, " unwept, unhonored, and unsung."
Not long after Arnold left the Robinson house Washington ar- rived, and on being informed that Arnold had gone to West Point took breakfast at abont twelve o'clock and passed over with Generals Lafayette, Knox, and aides to that post, where he was surprised not to find Arnold.
While Washington was across the river, Lieutenant-Colonel Jame- son's second messenger, Captain Jerome Hoogland, with the captured papers and a letter written on the 24th by Andre at Salem to Wash- ington, announcing who he was, arrived, and Alexander Hamilton, left at the Robinson house by Washington, opened them as his conti- dential aide. As soon as Washington's boat approached the shore on his return from West Point. Hamilton went toward the dock to meet his chief, whispered a few words to him, and both entered the house and were closeied together. The plot was then revealed. Ilam- ilton and Major James MeHenry, the aide of Lafayette, were hastily dispatched on horseback by way of Peekskill to Colonel Livingston at Verplanck's Point to head off Arnold in his escape, if possible, but ou reaching that officer's post it was found that Arnold's boat had already passed down the river.
After dinner Washington took Generals Lafayette and Knox into his confidence, and with choking voice and tears rolling down
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his cheeks revealed to them the dark conspiracy. " Arnold is a traitor and has flown to the British. Whom can we trust now? " were the words of the great commander.
l seven o'clock he wrote to Colonel JJameson to use every pro- caution to prevent Andre from making his escape, and to send him to the Robinson house by some upper road rather than by the more dangerous route of Crompond.
Andre, with a strong cavalry escort under command of Major Ben- jamin Tallmadge of the 2d Light Dragoons, left South Salem a little after midnight on the morning of the 26th by way of Long Pond Mountain, North Salem meeting-house, Croton Falls, Lake Maho- pac, and Red Mills, where a halt was made at the house of Major James Cox. When Andre entered the house he stepped to a cradle where the infant daughter of the major was lying, and, being greeted with a smile from the little one, said, in a tone of deep melancholy tenderness, " Happy childhood! We know its peace but onee." After a short stop the cavalcade proceeded by the same road to Shrub Oak Plains, and from thence past the present residences of Charles P. Welde and Jonathan Currey, down Grey's Hill, and into the Peekskill Hollow Road, and from thence southerly to the then public house at the junction of the Albany Post Road and the Peekskill Hollow Road (now owned by Gardner Z. Hollman), where a halt was made for a few minutes. They then proceeded over Gal- lows Hill. where the spy Edmund Palmer was hanged three years before by Putnam, through Continental Village, northerly over the King's Highway to the road leading westerly to Garrison's, then called Nelson's or Mandeville's. On reaching the river road they went southerly to the Robinson house, where, after having traveled about forty miles, they delivered their prisoner about eleven o'clock on the morning of the 26th. In the evening he was taken to Fort Putnam, West Point, where he was contined until the morning of the 28th, when he was taken, still in charge of Major Tallmadge. in a barge down the river to Stony Point, and from thence on horseback to Tappan, Rockland County, N. Y., where the headquarters of the American army were located. There, on September 29, he was tried before a board of fourteen general officers: Major-Generals Stirling, Lafayette, Robert Howe, Steuben, and Saint Clair, and Brigadier- Generals Parsons, James Clinton, Knox, Glover, Patterson, Hand, Huntington, and Stark, Major-General Greene presiding, and upon his own free and voluntary confession was unanimously found guilty of being a spy, and that in their opinion he ought to suffer death. On October 1 the commander-in-chief approved the findings of the court and named a time for the execution.
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On the 2d of October, twelve o'clock noon, a vast concourse of peo- ple assembled, a large detachment of troops paraded, and amid a scene of deep melancholy and intense gloom the procession, led by the general and field officers (Washington, however, not being pres. (nt), marched to the spot where the execution was to take place. The accomplished major, dressed in the full uniform of a British officer, walked arm in arm with steady steps between two American officers, Captains Hun and John Hughes. On the way to the gallows he wore a pleasant smile and betrayed no want of fortitude. He was thoroughly reconciled to his fate, though not the manner of it (having earnestly requested to be shot instead of hung), and went to his death with great firmness. On his arrival at the gallows he was led to the wagon under it, raised himself into it, and said to those near by, " Gentlemen, I pray you to bear witness that I meet my fate as a brave man." He then took the noose from the hands of the hangman, removed his hat and snow-white neckeloth, pushed down the collar of his shirt, and, opening the noose, put it over his head and around his neck, drawing the knot close on the right side directly under his ear. lle then took a handkerchief from his pocket and tied it over his eyes; taking another he handed it to the hangman, who pinioned his hands behind him. The wagon was then removed from under him, leaving him suspended, and he expired instantly.
Dr. James Thacher, of the American army, a spectator, writing of the event in his Journal, says: " The spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands."
Andre's remains were interred within a few yards of the place of his execution, but in 1821 they were transferred to England and buried in that sacred resting place of her mighty dead in West- minster Abbey, near a monument erected to his memory.
Major Andre was the pride of the British army, and the valued and confidential friend and aide of Sir Henry Clinton. He was but twenty-nine years of age, fall, well proportioned, genteel, graceful, and dignified ; his countenance was mild, expressive, and prepossess- ing, indicating a man of superior attainments. In his profession he was ambitious, skillful, brave, and enterprising. His death was regretted even by his enemies, but there was nothing in the execu- tion that was not consistent with the rules of war, and his sacrifice was necessary for the public safety.
Washington, writing to the president of the continental congress from the Robinson house, September 26, 1780, says: " I don't know the party who took Andre, but it is said it consisted only of a few militiamen, who acted in such a manner upon the occasion as does them the highest honor and proves them to be men of great virtue.
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They were offered, as I am informed, a large sum of money for his release, and as many goods as they would demand, but without effect. Their conduct gives them a just claim to the thanks of their country; and I also hope they will be otherwise rewarded. As soon as I shall know their names I shall take pleasure in transmitting them to congress."
October 7, 1780, Washington wrote to the president of congress : " I have now the pleasure to communicate to you the names of the three persons who captured Andre and who refused to release him, notwithstanding the most earnest importunities and assurances of a liberal reward on his part. Their conduct merits our warmest esteem, and I beg leave to add that I think the public will do well to make them a handsome gratuity. They have prevented, in all probability, our suffering one of the severest strokes that could have been meditated against us. Their names are John Panlding, David Williams, Isaac Van Wart."
Congress took action on the recommendation of General Washing- ton and adopted the following preamble and resolution:
In Congress, November 3, 1780. Whereas, Congress have received information that John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart, three young volunteer militiamen of the State of New York, did on the 23d of September last intercept Major John Andre, adjutant- general of the British army, on his return from the American lines in the character of a spy ; and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifiee their country for the sake of gold, secured and conveyed him to the commanding officer of their district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the United States rescued from the impending danger ;
Resolved, That Congress, having a high sense of the virtuous and patriotie conduct of the said John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart,
In testimony whereof, ordered, That each of them receive annually out of the publie treasury two hundred dollars in specie or an equivalent in current money of these States, during life, and that the Board of War procure for each of them a silver medallion, one side of which shall be shielded with the inscription " Fidelity," and on the other the following motto : " Vincit amor patrice," and forward them to the commander-in-chief, who is requested to present the same with a copy of this resolution and the thanks of Congress for their fidelity and the eminent service they have rendered their country.
Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart were invited to meet General Washington at Verplanck's Point at his headquarters, on which oc- casion the medals were presented to them with ceremony, and they had the honor of dining with him. The State of New York also gave a farm to each of the captors.
Franklin Couch
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To the foregoing succinct narrative of the capture of Andre a variety of particulars of incidental importance and interest require to be added.
It was by the merest chance that the complot of Sir Henry Clinton and Benedict Arnold was not brought to a successful issue on the 11th of September, the time first appointed for the interview of Arnold and Andre. Arnold came down the river on the afternoon of the 10th, spent that night at the Smith house near Haverstraw, and the next day went farther down and waited till night at a place opposite Dobbs Ferry. Andre did not come. Although the principals to the transaction were the British commander in New York and the American commander on the Hudson. it was not such an easy mat- ter to bring about a meeting for purposes of treachery on the well- watched shores of the river. Indeed the whole history of this affair shows that the simple object in view, that of exchanging understand- ings and substantial equivalents, was beset with great difficulties and embarrassments. It was an ill-starred enterprise from begin- ning to end, the only lucky feature connected with it being the final escape of Arnold from Washington's vengeance.
From the 12th of September, after Arnold's return from his first attempt to meet Andre, a period of nine days elapsed before the see- ond and successful endeavor. It is noteworthy that Andre came up through our county by land as far as Dobbs Ferry, preserving throughout the journey his true character of a British officer. At that time the country between Dobbs Ferry and Kingsbridge was entirely controlled by the British. Andre was captured at Tarrytown. just above-so near had he proceeded to a point of absolute safety.
The great enterprise shown by the Americans on the Westchester shore in bringing a cannon down from Verplanck's Point and firing on the " Vulture " from Teller's (Croton) Point probably had quite as much to do with the ultimate capture of Andre and salvation of America as any other circumstance, not excepting the formal arrest by Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart. Originally Arnold had no other intention than to return Andre by boat to the " Vulture." If. during his night conference with Andre, he had foreseen the neces- sity of sending him back overland, through numerons American posts and a wide strip of neutral territory patrolled by vigilant American bands, he certainly would have managed to bring the traitorons transactions to an end before daylight. The aggressive conduct of the Americans with their gun on Teller's Point demonstrated to him that the " Vulture " was very closely watched from the river banks. Moreover, the main body of the American army was encamped just
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below at Tappan, and it was presumable that with the " Vulture " (whose movements during the previous days had been rather sensa- tional) lying at anchor in midstream in that immediate locality the guards along the river would be exceptionally numerous and inquisi- tive. Hence the decision upon the fatal return journey by land.
Although Arnold departed from Joshua Hett Smith's house at ten o'clock on the morning of September 22, leaving passes for Smith and Andre, it was not until dusk that the pair ventured forth. Andre, the previous night, when coming ashore from the " Vulture," had not removed his uniform, merely taking the precaution of throwing around him a blue great-coat. But on leaving Smith's house for his hazardous journey he carefully disguised himself, took off his uniform, and put on an under-coat belonging to Smith and a dark great-coat with " a wide cape and buttoned close to the neck." The sufficiency of his disguise was soon to be put to a startling test. Scarce had he left the post at Verplanck's Point when he came face to face with Colonel Webb of our army, whom he knew perfectly. His heart gave a great leap. But Webb did not recognize him in the darkness, and passed on.
The incidents of Andre's itinerary from Verplanck's Point to the place of his capture are sufficiently told in Mr. Conch's narrative. The spot where he was halted by Paulding was just beyond a little stream which still bears the name of Andre's Brook.
There has recently been published (1899) by Mr. William Abbatt, of Westchester, under the auspices of the Empire State Society Sons of the American Revolution, a work of eminent literary and artistic excellence, entitled " The Crisis of the Revolution: being the Story of Arnold and Andre, Now for the First Time Collected from All Sources, and Illustrated with Views of All Places Identified with It." This is the final authority upon all the details of the capture of Andre. The number of the original party is often erroneously stated as seven. Mr. Abbatt shows that it consisted of eight, whose names are accu- rately given by Mr. Couch. Mr. Abbatt says that " the party was actually under the direction of one of their number, who was a vet- eran," and that " he alone of the party was not a private "-Sergeant John Dean. The part of Dean in the affair is overlooked, or only very inadequately referred to, in most accounts of the capture of Andre. As this is a matter of no small interest, and especially de- serving of attention in a History of Westchester County, a somewhat particular notice of it is appropriate here.1
: For our account of John Dean and his connection with the affair, we are indebted to his descendant, Prof. Bashford Dean, of Columbia University.
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John Dean was a descendant of Samuel Dean, an early landholder of Jamaica, Long Island (1656). Isaac, one of the three sons of Sam- nel, settled in our present Town of Greenburgh about 1750, and John (born in 1755) was his grandson. At the age of twenty John Dean served as private in Colonel Holmes's regiment in the Montgomery campaign against Canada; he was next on Long Island under Col- onel Putnam, and was at the battle of White Plains; promoted to sergeant, he served (1777-79) in the company of Westchester County Rangers commanded by his uncle, Captain Gilbert Dean.' He was quartermaster of Colonel Graham's regiment (during 1778), and was in Youngs's house at the time of its attack by Major Bearmore on
THE UNDERHILL HOUSE, WHERE ANDRE TOOK BREAKFAST.
Christmas Eve, 1778. In the following year he acted as guide on the lines in the troop of picked horsemen under Aaron Burr, served with the latter's successor, Major Hull, and was with him at the time of his defeat by Colonel Tarleton in June, 1779. In 1780 he continued in the militia service, was in the " Youngs's House Affair," and was next attached to Colonel Jameson's regiment, acting as guide. In
1 Captain Gilbert Dean's Rangers were of- ganized in 1777. being officially a company of I'ddonel Drake's regiment, then stationed wear White Plains, Captain Dean was a son-in-law uf Colonel Drake, and had proved himself a gallant and energetic officer at the battle of Wlitr Pialns and on other occasions. His company of Rangers was placed "under the imedlate command of the committee of
safety." In a short time Dean was at the head of a picked troop of horse which luchided the best of the local militia, and for his subor- diantes were several of the famous " guides " of the Neutral Ground. As a test of the char- arter of the troops, It may be noted that the company was retained intact through three en. listments (1777-78).
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this capacity, under Captain Wright, of the 2d Connecticut, he took part in the fruitless descent of the continental army upon the British outposts at Kingsbridge, and he was in several brisk skirmishes, in one of which he lost his horse. During the preceding year he had been taken a prisoner, but was shortly paroled by Colonel de Lancey and secured an exchange.
Abbatt points out that of the party of militia who guarded the roads on the memorable day Dean was the officer in command; that he had disposed the party, himself with the greater number of the party taking their position on a neighboring road where it was ex- pected a number of Cowboys would more probably pass. He further shows that Dean took charge of the prisoner when Panlding, Will- iams, and Van Wart brought him to the top of the hill, that Dean exercised commendable discretion in delivering him with the least possible loss of time at Jameson's headquarters, and that when the question of responsibility and reward for the capture was brought up it was he who reported to JJameson the names of the three captors.
The connection of John Dean with the capture is brought into greater prominence in the light of recent researches. As a tried officer of Gilbert Dean's Rangers-a company which, in the Neutral Ground, was as active in the patriot interests as were the Rangers of Colonel de Lancer in those of the enemy-he was brought in close relation with the predatory movements of the Tories and British. It thus appears possible that in the preparation for the memorable scouting party Dean had had, as tradition states, definite informa- tion that a Cowboy raid was expected, and that it would pass on the road which he afterward selected to guard. It is certain that Dean bad exceptional opportunities to learn of these movements at head- quarters, since his uncle was the captain of the company, and since the colonel of the regiment, Hammond. was also a kinsman. It is definitely recorded (1846), moreover, by Thomas Dean, the only son of John Dean, a man of such standing in Tarrytown that his care- ful statement in this matter deserves credence, that the party acted under general, if not immediate, orders from Jameson. It is well known that the party went to a definite locality and posted their guard-although it was found necessary in so doing to spend a night on the road. It is further known that on the return of the party 10 North Castle a stop was made at the Dean house, which, by the way, is still standing, and tradition states that a fresh horse was here obtained, Andre's having already that day made the journey from near Garrison's.
That John Dean did not figure more prominently in the accounts of the capture is due to several reasons. In the first place, he himself
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