History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II > Part 50

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feelings in your breast, by being informed that I am not to die on a gibbet.

I have the honour to be, your Excellency's

Most obedient and most humble servant,

JOIIN ANDRE, Adj. Gen. to the British Army.

The time which elapsed between tho capture of Major Andre, which was on the morning of the 23d of September, and his execution. which did not tako place till 12 o'clock on the 3d of October,-the mode of try- ing him, his letter to Sir Ilenry Clinton, K. B., on tho 29th of Septent- ber, in which he said, " I receive the greatest attention from his Excel- "lency, General Washington, and from every person under whose charge " I happen to be placed,"-not to mention many other acknowledgments, which he made of the good treatment he received ;- must evince that the proceedings against him were not guided by passion or resentment. The practice and usage of war were against his request, and made the indulgence he solicited, circumstanced as ho was, inadmissable.

Published by order of Congress,

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

The following is the statement submitted by Major Andre himself to the board of general officers which tried him. It is referred to in the proceedings of that body, already given :

"On thetwentieth of September I left New York, to get on board the Vulture, in order to meet General Arnoll there in the night. No hoat, however, came off ; and I waited on board nutil the night of the twenty- first.

"During the day, a flag of trnce was sent from the Vulture to com- plain of the violation of a military rule, in the instance of a boat having heen decoyed on shore hy a flag, and fired upon. The letter was ad- dressed to General Arnold, signed by Captain Sutherland, but written in my hand, and conntersigned 'J. ANDERSON, Secretary.' Its intent was to indicate my presence on board the l'ulture.

" In the night of the twenty-first, a boat with Mr. [Joshua HIett Smith] and two hands came on board, in order to fetch Mr. Anderson on.shore ; and, if too late, to bring me hack, to lodge me until the next night in a place of safety. I went into the boat, landed, and spoke with Arnold. I got on horseback with him to proceed to [Smith's] house, and in the way passed a gnard I did not expect to see, having Sir Henry Clinton's directions not to go within an enemy's post, or to quit my own dress.

" In the morning A. [Arnold] quitted me, having himself mado nie put the papers I bore between my stockings and feet. Whilst he did it he expressed a wisli, in case of any accident hefalling me, that they should be destroyed, which I said, of course would he the case, as when I went into the hoat I should have them tied abont with a string and a stone. Before we parted, some mention had been made of my crossing the river and going by another route ; hnt I objected much against it, and thought it was settled that in the way I came I was also to return.

"Mr. [Joshua HIett Smith] to my great mortification persisted in his determination of carrying me by the other route ; and, at the decline of the sun I set out on horseback, passed King's Ferry and came to Cruin- pond, where a party of militia stopped us and advised we should re- main. In the morning I came with [Smith] as far as within two miles and a half of Pine's Bridge, where he said he must part with me, as the Cowboys iutested the road thenceforward. I was now near thirty miles front Kingsbridge, and left to the chance of passing that space nhl- discovered. I got to the neighborhood of Tarrytown, which was far be- yond the points described as dangerous, when I was taken by three vol- unteers, who, not satisfied with my pass, rifled me, and, finding papers, made me a prisoner.

"I have omitted mentioning that, when I found myself within an enemy's posts, I changed my dress."

The following are military orders issued to the army in reference to the Arnold and Andre treason, -the first by General Greene, who commanded the main body of the army in the absence of General Washington, the remainder by the commander-in- chief himself. They were all copied, verb. et lit. et punc., from the original manuscript Order Book of the army, now in possession of the New York Historical Society :

212

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

[GENERAL ORDER ISSUED BY GENERAL GREENE, COMMANDING THIE ARMY, ON THE DISCOVERY OF THE PLOT.]

GENERAL ORDERS

Ilead Quarters Orange Town 26 Sept Parole-Smallwood-C Signs Gist-Marion Watch Word Intrepid

Brigadier Colo

Glover

. Bradley

For the day

Lieut. Colo

- Olney

tomorrow

Major -

- Wait

B Major

. S Smith

The Truely martial appearance, made by the Troops yesterday, the order and regularity, with which they made the different marches and the ease and facility, they performed tho several manœuvres, does them the greatest credit, and affords the most flattering prospect, of Sub- stantial Service, regulation, and military Glory : nothing can be more pleasing to the Officers, who feel for the honor of the Army, and the Independence of America than to see the rapid progress made by the Troops in military Discipline ; the good condnet of all, the officers yes terday, gave the Genl. the highest satisfaction, and the partienlar Ser. vices of the Inspector Gent, and those serving in that Line, deserve bis particular thanks.

Treason of the Blackest Dye

was yesterday discovered-Geul Arnold who commanded at West point, lost to every Sentiment of honor, of private and public Obligation, was abont to deliver up that important post into the hands of the Enemy ; such an Event must have given the American canse, a deadly wond, if not a fatal stabb ; happily this treason has been timely discover'd, to prevent the fatal misfortune-The providential train of Cireinstances which lead to it, affords the most convincing proof, that the Liberties of America, is the object of Divine protection-at the same time, tho' the Treason is to be regretted, the Genl cannot help congratulating the Army on the happy Discovery-Our Enemies, dispairing of carrying their point by Force, are practising every base art, to effect by bribery and corruption, what they cannot accomplish in a manly way-great honor is due to the American Army, that this is the first Instance of the kind, where many were to be expected from the nature of the dispute, and nothing is so bright an Ornament In the Character of the American Soldiers, as their having been proof against all the Arts and Seductions of an Insidious Enemy. Arnold has made his Escape to the Enemy- Int Mr. Andre, the Adjt Genl te the British Army, who came out as a Spy to negotiate the Bussiness is our prisoner

His Excellency the Commander in Chief hasarrived at Westpoint from Hartford : and is no doubt taking proper measures to unravel fully so hellish a plott

The Genl Court martial whereof Colo II. Jackson is president, will sett tomorrow 9 o'Clock. Major Ball is appointed a member rice Major Talbot-a Captain from the Ilampshire & 20 Connecticut Brigades, to attend rice those from the Pennsylvania Line

11.

GENERAL ORDERS ISSUED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON, COMMANDING THE ARMY, APPROVING THE FINDING OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS AND ORDERING THE EXECUTION OF THE SPY.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Headquarters Orange Town Octr Ist., 1780.

for tomorrow

Brigr Glover Colo Cilley

U.S.

W. W :

Lt Colo Dearborn Maj Harwood B M Pettingall

The Board of General Officers appointed to examine into the case of Major Andre have reported,

First -That he came on shore from the Vulture Sloop of War In the night of the 21st Septr last on an interview with General Arnold in a private and secret manner.

Secondly-That he chunged his Dress within our Lines, and, under a feigned mune und iu n disguised habit, passed our Works at Stony and Verplanks points the Evening of the 22d Septr last, and was taken the morning of the 23 Sep at Tarry town in a disguised habit, being then on his way to New York, nunl when taken he had in his possession several papers which contained intelligence for the Enemy.

The Board having maturely considered these facts do also report to his Excellency General Washington that Major Andre, Adjt General to the British Army, onght to be considered as a Spy from the enemy, and that agreeable to the law & nsage of Nations it is their Opinion he ought to snffer Deatlı.

The commander in chief directs the execution of the above sentence this afternoon at Five oClock precisely. * * * *

AFTER ORDERS.

The Execution of Major Andre is postponed until tomorrow. EVENING ORDERS.

Major Andre is to be executed tomorrow at 12 oClock precisely. A Batallion of 80 files from each Wing to attend the Execution.

The following are carefully-prepared copies of the important papers which were found on the person of Major Andre at the time he was captured at Tarry- town. They were all, except the first-that is, the pass to John Anderson-concealed between his stock- ings and his feet, and it was no wonder, as Isaac Van Wart said, that when they were on the point of pull- ing off Andre's boots big drops of sweat stood upon his face like peas. With a single exception, all these papers are deposited in the State Library at Albany.1

The arrangement of the copies here given conforms to that of the entry concerning them in the report of the proceedings of the board of general officers, to be found on the preceding pages.

I. [PASS FOR THE USE OF ANDRE,

In Arnold's hand-writing. ]

Head Quarters Robinsons 1

House, Septr. 22d 1780. 5

Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the Guards to the White Plains, or below, if IIe Chises, He being on Publie Business by my Direction.

B. ARNOLD, JI. Gen !. [Endorsed, Arnold to Jobn Anderson-Pass. 22 Sept., 1780.

II. [ANTILLERY ORDERS.

DISPOSITION OF THE GARRISON, AT WEST POINT, IN CASE OF AN ALARM In Arneld's hand-writing.]

It. Point., Sept. 5th, 1780. Artillery Orders.

The following Disposition of the corps is to take place in Case of an nlarm :

Capt. Dannills with his Comp;y at Fort Pnfnam, and to Detach an Officer with 12 men to Wylly's Redoubt, a non commissioned Officer, with 3 mien to Webbs Redoubt, and the like number to Redoubt No. 4.

Captain Thomas Company to repair to Fort Arnold.

Captain Simmons and Company to remain at the North and South Re- doubts, at the East side of the river, nutill further Orders,

Lient. Barber, with 20 men of Capt. Jacksons Company. will repair to Constitution Island; the remainder of the Company, with Lient Ma- sons, will repair to Arnold.

Capt. Lient. George & Lieut. Blake, with 20 men of Capt. Treadwill's Company, will repair to Redoubt No. 1 & 2, the remainder of the Coin- pany, will be sent to Fort Arnold.

Late Jones's Compy, with Lient. Fisk, to repair to the South Battery. The Chain Battery, Sherburn's Redoubt and the Brass Field pieces will be manned from Fort Arnold as Occasion may require.

The Commissary and Conductor of Military stores will in turn wait upon the Commanding Officer of Artillery for Orders.

1 Most of the papers here quoted are selected from a series of Andre Pa pera of about sixty numbers, more or less, entitled " The Capture of Major Andre, " and printed In the years 1sr5 and 1846 In The Gazette, (f | Yonkers, under the editorial supervision of Ilenry B. Dawson, Eq.

213

GREENBURGH.

The Artificers in the Garrison (agreeable to former Orders) will repair to Fort Arnold, and there receive further Orders from the Command'g Officer of Artillery, J. Bauman Major Commu't Artillery.

[Eudorsed, Artillery Orders, Sept. 5, 1780.]

III.

[ESTIMATE OF THE STRENGTH OF THE GARRISON, SEPT., 1780. Iu Arnold's hand-writing. ]

Estimate of the Forces at Wt. Point and its dependencies, Sept. 13th, 1780.

A hrigade of Massachusetts Militia & two regiments of Rank ) & file New Ilampshire Inclusive of 166 Batteaux Men at Ver- planks and Stoney Points,

992

On command & Extra Service at Fish Kills, New Windsor, &c., { &c, who may be called in occationally.

852

3 Regimeuts of Connecticut Militia under the Comd of Colonel } Wells on the lines near No Castle,

A detachment of New York Levies on the lines,

115

Militia 2447

Colonel Lambs Regiment 168

Colonel Livingston at Verplank & Stoney Pts, 80

Continentl : 247

Colonel Sheldons Dragoons on the lines, about one half mounted.

142

Batteaux Men and Artificers

250

Total, 3086

[Endorsed, Estimate of the Force at West Point and its dependencies, Sept., 1780.]

[ESTIMATE OF THE FORCE NECESSARY TO COMPLETELY MAN THE WORKS.

In Arnold's hand-writing. ]

Estimate of the Number of Men necessary to Man the Works at W'st Point & iu the Vicinity

Fort Arnold. . 620

- Putnam 450

- Wyllys.

140

- Webh . 140

Redoubt No. 1. 150

ditto

2. 150

ditto

3. 120

ditto

100

ditto

130

ditto 6.

110

litto 7. 78

North Redoubt .

120

South Redoubt 130

Total, 2438

Villepanche, Engineer.

N. B. The Artillery Men are not Included in the above Estimate.

[Endorsed, Estimate of Men to Man the Works at W'st Point, &c. Sep'r, 1780.]

[See following table for No. V.]

VI.

[REMARKS ON WORKS AT WEST POINT, SEPT. 1780.

In Arnold's hand-writing.]

Septr. 1780.

Fort Arnold is built of Dry Fascines and Wood is in a ruiuons con- dition, incompleat and subject to take Fire from Shells or Carcasses.

Fort Putnam stone wanting great repairs, the wall on the East side broke down, and rebuilding From the Foundation at the west and South side have been a Chevaux de-Frise on the West side broke in many Pla- ces. The East side open, two Bomb Proofs and Provision Magazine in the Fort, and slight Wooden Barrack .- A commanding 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 approaches are very easy, without defences save a slight abattis.

Fort Wyllys built of stone 5 feet high the Work ahove plank filled with Earth, the stone work 15 feet, the Earth 9 feet thick .- No Bomb Proofs, the Batteries withont the Fort.

Redoubt No. 1 On the south side wood 9 feet thick the Wt. North and East sides 4 feet thick, no canuon in the works, a slight and single Abattis, no ditch or picket. Cannon ou two Batteries. No Bomb Proofs. Redonbt No. 2. The same as No. 1. No Bomb Proofs.

Redonbt No. 3, a slight Wood Work 3 Feet thick very Dry no Bomb Proofs, a single Abattis, the work easily set on fire-no Canuon.

RETURN OF ORDNANCE IN THE DIFFERENT FORTS, BATTERIES, ETC., AT WEST POINT AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, SEPTEMBER 5th, 1780.

Mortars

Howitz.

Metal.

Garrison Carriages

Travelling ditto

Garrison Carriages

Stocked

Garrison Carriages

Stocked

Travelling ditto

Garrison Carriages

Travelling ditto

Inches

Total

Calibres

0 54-2 42-5

N. B .- The following Ordnance not distributed : No. 6 Iron 12 Poundr.

4 do

Fort Arnold

Iron .

1 do

Fort Putnam .

Iron

South Battery

Iron .

Chain Battery

Iron .

Lanthorn Battery

Iron .

do 12

Webb's Redoubt

Iron .

do 8 inch howitz.

Sherman's Redoubt

Iron .

Megg's Redoubt

Iron .

South Redoubt

Iron

Rocky IIill No. 4.

Iron .

Verplank's and Stony § Poiuts

Iron

Total

14 5

3 6

100

(Signed,)

S. BAUMAN, Major Comd't Artillery.

} 23

1 do

Brass

2 do

3 do

Constitution Island .

Iron

3 Brass 24 Pounders.

North Redoubt .

Wyllys's Redoubt

Iron .

Brass

ditto

Brass

488

214

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Redoubt No. 4, a Wooden work about 10 feet high and fore or five feet thick, the West side faced with a stone wall 8 feet high and four thick. No Bomb Proof, two six pounders, a slight Abattis, n Command- ing pieco of ground 500 yards Wt.

The North Redonbt on the East side built of stone 4 feet high, above the stone wood filled in with Earth, very dry, do ditcli, a Bomb Proof, threo Batteries withont 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 diptd in Pitch &c.

Sonth Redonbt much the same as the North a Commanding piece of ground 500 yards dne East-3 Batteries without the Fort.

[Endorsed, Remarks on Works at Wt. Point a copy to be transumitted to his Excell'y Geueral Washington.]

VII.

[COPY OF A STATE OF MATTERS LAIN BEFORE A COUNCIL OF WAR, BY GENI. WASHINGTON, SEPT. 6, 1780.

In Arnold's hand-writing.]

At a Council of War, held in Camp Bergen County, Sept. 6th, 1780. Present-tho Commander-in-Chief.

The Commander-in-Chief states to tho Council, that since he had the honor of laying before the General Officers, at Morristown, the 6th of June last, a general view of our circumstances, several important events have occurred, which havo materially changed the prospects of the camu- paigu.

That tho succors expected from France, instead of coming out in one body, and producing a Naval Superiority in these Seas, has been divided into two Divisions, the first of which only consisting of seven ships of the line, one fourty-four and three smaller Frigates, with five thousand land Forces, had arrived at Rhode Island.

That a reinforcement of six ships of the line from England having re- inforced tho Enemy, had made their Naval Force in these seas amount to Nine Sail of the Line, Two-Fifties, two forty fours and a number of smaller Frigates, a Force completely superior to that of our Allies, and which has in consequence held them Blocked up in the barbor of Rhode Island till the 29th ult .. at which period the British Fleet disappeared, and no advice of them has sinco been received.

That Accounts received by the Alliance Frigate, which left France in July, announces the Second Division to be Confined in Brest with several otber Ships by a British Fleet of thirty-two Sail of the line, and a Fleet of the Allies of Thirty-six or thirty-eight Ships of the line ready to put to sea from Cadiz to rolieve the l'ort of Brest.

The most of the States in their answers to the requisitions made of them, givo the strongest assurances of doing every thing in their power to furnish the men and supplies required for the expected Co-operation. Tho effect of which, however, has been far short of our expectations, for not much above one-third of the Levies demanded for the Continental Battalions, nor above the Same proportion of Militia have been assem- bled, and the Supplies have been so iuadequate that there wasa necessity for dismissing all tho Militia whose immediate service could be dispensed with to lessen our Consumption, notwithstanding which the Troops now in the Field are severely suffering for want of Provision.

That the army at this l'ost and in the vicinity in operating Force consists of 101,400 Continental Troops and about 400 Militia, besides which is a Regiment of Continental Troops of abont 500 at Rhode Island, left there for tho assistance of our Allies, against any attempt of the Euemy that way, and two Connecticut Stato Regiments amounting to 800 at Northi Castle.

That tho Times for Service for which the Levies are Engaged will (xpire the first of January, which, if not replaced, allowing for the usnal Casualties, will reduce the Continental Army to less than 6000 men.

That since the stato for tho Council above Referred to, the enemy have brought a detachment of about 3000 men from Charles Town to New York, which makes the present operating Forco in this Quarter be- tween Ten and Eleven Thousand men.

That tho Enemies Forco now in the Southern States has not been latoly nacertained by any distinct accounts, but the general supposes it cannot be less than 7,000 (of which nbont 2 000 are at Savannah) in this estimate the Diminution by the Casualties of the Climate, is supposed to be equal to the increase of Force derived from the Disaffected.

That added to the loss of CImrles Town and Its Garrison accounts of n recent misfortune are just arrived from Major Generl Gates, giving adviso of a general action which happened on the 16th of Angust, near Campden, in which the army under his Command met with a total defeat, and in all probability the whole of the Continental Troops, and a Con- sklerablo part of the Milltia, would be cut off.

That the State of Virginia has been sometime exerting itself to raise a Bully of 3000 Troops to serve till the end of December, 1781, but liuw far it has succeeded is not known.

That Maryland had resolved to raise 2000 Men, of which a sufficient number to compose one Battalion, was to have como to this army. The remainder to recruit the Dlaryland line-but, in consequence of the late advices, an order has been sent to march the whole Soutltward.

That the Enemies Force in Canada, Ilalifax, St. Augustine and at Penobscot remaius munch the same as stated in the preceding Couu- cil.

That there is still reason to believe the Court of France will prose- cute its Original Intention of giving effeetnal succor to this Country, as soon as Circumstances will permit ; and it is hoped tho second Division will certainly arrivo in the course of the fall.

That a Fleet greatly superior to that of tho Enemy in the West In- dies and a formidable land Force had sailed sometime since from Mar- tinique to make a Combined attack upon the Island of Jamaica, that there is a possibility of a reinforcement from this quarter also, to the Fleet of our Ally at Rhode Island.

The Commander in Chief having thns givon the Council a full view of our present Situation and future prospects, requests the Opinion of each Member in writing what plan it will be advisable to pursue, to what objects Our Attention ought to be directed in the course of this fall and winter, taking into consideration tbe alternative of having er not having a Naval Superiority, whether any Offensive operations can be immediately undertaken and against what l'oint, what ought to be our immediate Preparations and dispositions, particularly whether we can afford or ought to send any Reinforcements from this Ariny to the Southern States, and to what amount, the General Requests to be favored with these opinions by the 10th instant at fartherest.

[Endorsed, Copy of a Council of War, held Sept. 6th, 1780.]

The statements made at different times by the three captors of Major Andre not only throw light upon the transaction itself, but add greatly to the interest of the narrative by exhibiting to some extent the per- sonal history and characteristics of the three men who figured so conspicuously in it. As these statements are not all easily accessible to the general reader, they are here given in connection with the other papers.

The following is the statement of David Williams. who died in Schoharie County on August 2, 1831, and to whose memory a splendid monument is erected near the Old Fort, in Schoharie village. The corner- stone was laid on September 23, 1876. The statement here quoted is in the nature of a biography, and originally appeared in the Albany Daily Advertiser, in January, 1831, about seven months before his death. It is incorporated into Simms' " History of Schoharie County," pp. 646-649, and also in "The Centennial Celebrations of the State of New York, Prepared Pur- suant to a Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature of 1878, etc., by Allen C. Beach, Secretary of State," and published in Albany, 1879, p. 227.

STATEMENT OF DAVID WILLIAMS.

I was born in Tarrytown, then called Phillips' Manor, Westchester County, New York, October 21st, 1754. 1 entered tho army in 1775, nt the age of twenty-one; was under General Montgomery at the siege of Fort St. John's and afterwards on board the flat-bottomed boats ta carry provisions, etc. ; and served out my time which, was six months.

I then went and listed aguin in the spring of 1776; and continued in the service by different enlistmeuts, as a New York militlaman, until 1779.

In 1778, when In Captain Acker's company of New York militia at Tarrytown, I asked his permission to take a walk In company with WIHiam Van Wart, a boy sixteen or seventeen years old. We proceeded to the cross-roads on Tompkins's ridge : stood looking a few minutes saw five men comlng : they had arms. We jumped over a stone fence

215

GREENBURGH.

and concealed ourselves in a corner of it: observed that they were armed with two muskets and three pistols. They came so nigh that we recognized two of them, viz. : William Underhill and William Mosher, who were Tories, and known to be of De Lancey's corps,

When they had come within proper distance, I said to my companion, " Billy, ueck or no joint !" I then said aloud, as if speaking to a num- ber, with the view of intimidating them, "Men, make ready !" They stopped immediately : I told them to gronud their arms, which they did : I then said, " March away ; " they'did so: I then jumped over the fence, secured their arms, and made them march before us to our quarters.

I continned in the servico until a week or ten days before the year 1780.

In December, 1779, Captain Daniel Williams, who was commander of our company, mounted us on horses and we went to Morrisanis, Westchester County. We swept all Morrisania clean ; took probably five thousand dollars' worth of property ; returned to Tarrytown ; aud quartered at Young's house.

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286