History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 52

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

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In a few minutes the guard marched off, ascended the hill, and halted. At this time Major Andre was abont twenty feet from the gallows. Ile then howed his head a little, viewed his feet, and so up until his head rose to its natural position, biting his under lip and shaking his head ; at which time I discovered a small finsh moving over his left cheek. I supposed at the time he looked at the gallows and viewed himself from the feet upwards, that lie was reflecting upon the untimely end he had come to.

" In a few minutes the hangman led the wagon under the gallows; and the commanding officer then said, ' Major Andre, you will please to get on the wagon.' Major Andre advanced to the hinder part of the wagon, putting his hands upon it, made a motion as though intending to jump on ; but faltering, he put his right knee on, and then raised him- self np into the wagon, turned himself to the guard, placing his hands on his hips.

" The commanding officer who was on horseback, then said, 'Major ' Andre, if you have anything to say, you can speak, for you have bnt a 'short time to live.' Major Andre, standing with his hands on his hips, said, 'I have nothing more to say, Gentlemen, than this, you all hear *ine witness, that I meet my fate as a brave man.' The hangman then ascended into the wagon and stood at Major Andre's right hand ; when in tho act of opening the noose of the halter, Major Andre, with his right hand, made a moderate snatch, took tho halter out of tho hang- man's land, took off his hat, and putit down ; then took off his white neekcloth and put it in his right-hand coat pocket ; after which, with the forefinger of the right hand, he pushed down the collar of his shirt, and opening the knot of the halter, he put it over his head, and drew the knot close, on the right side of his neck. He then tied a whito hand- kerchief over his eyes, with much apparent composure of mind. The hangman having secured the end of the halter to the top of the gallows, he descended from the, wagon. The commanding officer directed the hangman to tie his arms slack bohind him. Major An'dre then taking a white handkerchief out of his right-hand coat pocket, gave it to the hangman, who tled his arms as directed-this was done that he should not raise his arms while hanging.

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

" The commanding officer then gave a signal, by the falling of his sword, for the hangman to drive off. The hangman then led the horses from under the gallows, and Major Andre swung off. He lind not linng more than half a minute, neither had he as yet made any struggle, when the commanding officer ordered a soldier to bear down on his shoulders, that he might not be long in agony ; and he immediately dicd. Neither did Major Andre struggle in the least, nor did he hang a quarter of the time usual in such cases. The commanding officer ordered two soldiers to bear him up, one on each side, with one arm under his shoulders and one nnder his thighs. The commanding officer then cut the halter, when the two soldiers bore him away from the gallows. Ile was not allowed to fall to the ground.

"Every attention and respect was paid to Major Andre that it was possible to pay to a man in his situation ; neither did I discover any- thing in either officer or soldier but a deep sorrow for Major Andre, and a strong desire and wish that the traitor Arnold should have been ex- ecnted in his stead. And although the talents of Major Andre as an officer, and his knowledge of the works at West Point would have been much against the American cause, had he been spared, still every officer and soldier in the army would have lifted both hands for the exchange of Andre for General Arnold. This exchange was offered by General Washington, but refused by General Clinton, the British Commander-in- chief. So the life of a traitor was saved ; and Major Andre fell a sacri- fice.

" When Major Andre was cut down and horne by tho two soldiers to the coffin, a short distance off, I did not follow the corpsc, but was repeatedly informed by different officers while I remained on the ground, that Major Andre's servant, who came from New York, was present, taking off his boots, coat and hat, for the purpose of conveying them to New York. This was the general report on the ground where he was exe- cuted ; and was generally believed, then and afterwards.

"I presume it will not be amiss for me to state, that during the American Revolution, West Point was allowed to be a strong place, well fortified, and of great importance to the United States, and the key of communication between the Eastern and Southern States. Indced, it was a common saying in New York, at the time, among the British officers and soldiers, that West Point was the young Gibraltar ; heing afraid to attempt taking it by force of arms, they made the attempt by bribery and corruption.

" JOHN VAN DYKE, "Capt. Artillery, Amer. Rev., "Col. Lalub's Reg't, State of N. Y. Line. " New York, Ang. 27th, 1821."

Dr. James Thacher, a surgeon in the army of the Revolution, was also a spectator of the execution, and in his Military Journal, p. 225, he gives the following account :

" October 1st .- I went this afternoon to witness the execution of Major Andre :- a large concourse of people had assembled, the gallows was erected, and the grave and coffin prepared to receive the remains of this celebrated but unfortunate officer ; but a flag of truee arrived with a communication from Sir Henry Clinton, making another and further proposal for the release of Major Andre, in consequence of which the execution is postponed till to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

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"October 2d .- Major Andre is no more among the living. I have just witnessed his exit. It was a tragical scene of the deepest interest. During his confinement and trial, he exhibited those proud and elevated sensibilities which designate greatness and dignity of mind. Not a murmur nor a sigh ever escaped him, and the civilities and attention8 bestowed on him were polltely acknowledged. Having left a mother and two sisters in England, he was heard to mention them in terms of the tenderest affection, and in his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recom" mended them to his particular attention.

" 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 withont emotion ; and while all present were affected with silent gloom, he retained a firm countenance, with calmness and composure of mind. Observing his servant enter the room in tears, he exclahued, 'Leave mo till you ean show yourself more manly.'

"Ilis breakfast being sent to him from the table of General Washing- ton, which had been done every day of his confinement, ho partook of it as usual ; and having shaved and dressed himself, he placed hls hat on

the table and chcerfully said to the guard officers, 'I am ready at any moment, Gentlemen, to wait on yon.' The fatal honr having arrived, a large detachment of troops was paraded, and an innnense concourse of people assembled ; almost all our General and Field officers, excepting Ilis Excellency and his staff, were present on horseback ; melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks, and the scene was affectingly 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 niclancholy scene was calculated to produce.

"Major Andre walked from the stone house, in which he had been confined, between two of our subaltern officers, arm in arm ; 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 gen- tlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned.

"It was his earnest desire to bo 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 camc in view of the gallows, he involuntarily started backward, and made a pause. 'Why this cmotion, Sir ?' said an officer by his side. Instantly recovering his composure, he said, 'I am recon- ciled to my death, but I detest the modc.'

While waiting and standing near the gallows, I observed some degree of trepidation ; placing his foot on a stone, and rolling it over, and choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow. So soon, however, as ho perceived that things were in readiness, he stepped quickly into the wagon ; and at this moment he appeared to shrink, but instantly elevated his head with firmness, he said, 'It will be hut a momentary pang,' and taking from his pocket two white handkerchiefs, the Provost Marshal with one, loosely pinioned his arms ; and with the other, the victim, after taking off his hat and stoek, bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness, which melted the hearts and moistened the cheeks, not only of his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his head and adjusted it to his neck, withont the assistance of the awkward executioner. Colonel Scammal now informed him that he had an opportunity to speak, if he desired it ; he raised the handkerchief from his eyes, and said, 'I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a hrare man.' The wagon being now removed from under him, he was sur- pended and instantly expired ; it proved, indeed, 'but a momentary pang.' Ile was dressed in his royal regimentals and boots; and his remains, in the same dress, were placed in an ordinary coffin, and it - terred at the foot of the gallows ; and the spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands.

" Thus died, in the bloom of life, the accomplished Major Andre, the pride of the royal army and the valned friend of Sir Henry Clinton. He was abont twenty-nine years of age, in his person well proportioned tall, genteel and graceful; his mien, respectable and dignified; his countenance, mild, expressive and prepossessing, indicative of an intelll- gent and amiable mind. Ilis talents are said to have heen of a superior caste ; and being cultivated in early life, he had made very considerable proficiency In literary attainments. Colonel Ilamilton, Aid de camp to General Washington, having had an interview with him, entertains an exalted opinion of his character. In the line of his profession, Major Andre was considered as a skilful, brave and enterprising officer ; and he is reported to have been benevolent and Imuane to our people who have been prisoners in New York. Military glory was the main-spring of his actions, and the sole object of his pursuits; and he was advancing rapklly in the gratification of his ambitions views, till by a misguided zeal he became a devoted victim. Hle enjoyed the confidence and friend- ship of Sir Henry Clinton, being consnited in his connsels and admitted to the secrets of his cabinet. The heart of sensibility mourns when a life of so much worth Is sacrificed on a gibbet."

General Washington having recommended the three captors to the favorable attention of Congress, in his letter dated, " Paramus, 7 October, 1780," that body took action on the 3d of November following, and, in a little more than a month after Andre's exe- ention, they received from Congress the expression of its thanks and appreciation, in the ensuing preamble and resolution :

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GREENBURGH.

" IN CONGRESS, November 3, 1780. " WHEREAS, Congress have received information that John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac van Wart, three young volunteer militia men of the State of New York, did, on the 23d day of September last. inter- cept Major John Andre, adjutant general of the British army, on his return from the American line in the character of a spy ; and not- withstanding the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly dis- daining to sacrifice their country for the sake of gold, secured and conveyed him to the commanding officer of the 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 impending danger :

" Rerolred, That Congress have a high sense of the virtuous and patriotic conduct of the said John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac van Wart. In testimony whereof, Ordered, that each of them receive annually ont of the public 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 medalon-one side of which shall be a shield with this inscription, 'Fidelity,' and on the other, the following motto, 'Vincit amor patria,' 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."

The State also gave each a farm. The medals spoken of, as will be scen further on, were presented to the three patriots by Wash- ington himself, while encamped at Verplanck's Point, and the three had the honor of dining with him on the same day.

There is now lying before the writer, as he traces these lincs, the identical silver medal, attached to the identical ribbon and rosette, as, together, they were given by General Washing- ton to Isaac Van Wart, over one hundred and five years ago. On the medal, all in italics (except the name "Andre," which is in Roman capitals), are inscribed, in addition to the legend designated in the resolution of Con- gress, the following words :

" Presented by Congress TO Isaac Van Wart as one of the Captors of ANDRE."

The ribbon and rosette, of course, are faded, but they still retain a remnant of different colorings that look as if the original tints might have been red, white and blue.

The writer is indebted for his temporary use of the medal to his valued friend, Mr. Isaac F. Van Wart, of Greenburgh, a grandson of the captor, to whom, as bearing his grandfather's name of " Isaac," it descended by inheritance as a family heir-loom. He is also in- debted to Mr. Van Wart, while compiling this his- tory, for important assistance in other ways.

The accompaning engraving is a fac-simile of the medal :

There has been some difference of opinion as to whether Washington did not err on the side of rigor, and even of cruelty, in giving his consent to the cxe- cution of Major Andre; but the best judgment of the world, and even of Englishmen themselves, has come to recognize and justify the propriety and wisdom of

his action. The following is a collection of opinions from English sources, officers and writers of distinc- tion, which will be read with interest in connection with the melancholy story :

I. REMARKS OF MR. WINTERBOTHAM, THE HISTORIAN.

[From An Historical, Geographical and Philosophical View of the United States, i. 556, 557.]

Major Andre was hanged at Tappan, in the Province of New York, on the 2d of October.

He met his fate with great firmness ; but appeared somewhat hurt that he was not allowed a more military death, for which he had soliei- ted. He was a gentleman of very amiable qualities, had a taste for liter- ature and the fine arts, and possessed many accomplishments. Ilis death, therefore, was regretted even by his enemies ; and the severity of the determination concerning him was much exclaimed against in Great Britain. It WAS, HOWEVER, GENERALLY ACKNOWLEDGED RY IMPARTIAL PERSONS, THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE EXECUTION OF THIS UNFORTU- NATE GENTLEMAN BUT WHAT WAS PERFECTLY CONSONANT TO THE RULES OF WAR.

AMOR

PATI

THE CAPTOR'S MEDAL.

II. REMARKS OF CHARLES LAMB.

[From his essay on " The Tombs in the Abbey," -- Last Essays of Elia- Works, Edit. Moxon. London : 1852, 447, 448.]

For forty years that I have known the Fabric, the only well-attested charge of violation adduced, has been a ridiculous dismemberment upou the effigy of that amiable Spye, Major Andre. And is it for this, the wan- ton mischief of some school-boy, fired perhaps with raw notions of Trans- atlantic Freedom, on the remote possibility of such a mischief occurring again, so easily to be prevented by stationing a constable within the walls, it the vergers are incompetent to the duty ; is it upon such wretched pretences that the people of England are made to pay a new Peter's Pence, so long abrogated ; or must content themselves with con. templating the ragged exterior of their Cathedral ? The mischief was done about the time that you were a scholar there. Do you know any- thing about the unfortunate relic ?

III. REMARKS OF COLONEL MAC KINNON, OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS. [From Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards. Edit. London, 1833, ii. 9.]

During the autumn, the American General Arnold, who commanderl a large force at West Point, on the North River, betrayed the confidence reposed in him by his party. The secret correspondence between Arnold and the British commander was carried on through the medium of Ma- jor Andre, an English officer, who was seized in disguise, when papers were found upon his person which elearly proved every particular of the transaction. He was tried by a Board of General officers, as a spy, and condemned to be hanged. The American General has been censured for directing this ignominious sentence to be carried into execution ; but doubtless Major Andre was well aware, when he undertook the negotia- tion, of the fate that awaited him should he fall into the hands of the enemy. The laws of war award to spies the punishment of death. would therefore be difficult to assign a reason why Major Andre should have been exempted from the fute to which all others are doomed und er

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similar circumstances, although the amiable qualities of the mau ren- dered the individual cuse a subject of peculiar commiseration. The meni- bers of the court are said to have wept when they passed tho sentcuce.

IV. REMARKS OF EARL MOIRA (LORD RAWDON).

[From his Letter to Major-general Henry Lee, dated "At Ren, 24th Jnue, 1813 "-LEE'S Memoirs of the War in the Southern Depart- ment of the United States, Ed. Washington, 1827, page 465.]

Such, Sir, are tho real features of the case,1 which you hold forth in unfavourable contrast with the tenderness of sentiment displayed in the proceedings against Major Andre !

It is not my wish to enter into a discussion of the latter case: and it would be most unfair to donbt the disposition of General Washington, or the irresistable pressure which rendered them abortive. Yet thus far I must remark. Ilad there been so much solicitnde to save the unfor- tunate officer as you represent, this ostensible plea might have been ad- vanced for him : That his entering in disguise withiu your fortress was by the direction and the invitatiou of your officer commanding there.

V. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM SIR SAMUEL ROMILLY TO REV. JOUN ROGET.

[From Memoirs of Sir Samuel Romilly, i. 140.]

The Congress, to justify their Generals in the severity exercised over Major Andre, who, as he was returning from concerting measures with Aruold, was taken and hanged, have published a very long account of that affair, with all the letters that passed between the Generals upon the occasion. Major Andre's case was laid before a Board consisting of fourteen field officers, and it was their unanimous opinion that he ought to suffer death ; Int they gave no other reasons for their sentence, than that it was conformable to the rules of war. The arguments used by Clinton and Arnold, in their letters to Washington, to prove that Andre could not be considered as a spy, arc, First, that he had with him when ho was taken, a protection of Arnold's, who was at that time acting under a commission of the Congress, and therefore competent to give protections. Certainly he was, to all strangers to his negotiation with Clinton, but not to Andre, who knew him to be at that time a traitor to the Congress; nay, more, whose protection was granted for no other purpose but to promote and givo effect to his treachery. In the Second place, they say that, at the time he was taken, he was npon neutral ground ; but, then, they do not deny that he had been within the Amer- ican lines in disguise. The letters written by Andre himself, show a firm, cool intrepidity, worthy a more glorions end. Writing to General Clinton, he requests that his mother and sister may have the sale of his commission ; as for himself, he snys, he is " perfectly tranquil in mind, "und prepared for any fate to which an honest zeal for the King's service "may have devoted " him. There is another short note which he wrote to Washington, the day before his execution ; it couchides with theso words : " Let me hope, Sir, if anght in my character impresses yon with "esteem towards me, if anght in my misfortunes marks me as the victim "of policy and not of resentment, I shall experience the operation of " these feelings in your breast by being informed that I am net to die "on a gibbet." "But," say the Congress, "the practice and neage of " war were against his request, and made the indulgence he solicited, "inadmissible." The fate of this unfortunate young man, and the manly style of his letters, have raised more compassion here thau the loss of thousands in battlo, and have excited a warmer indignation against the Americans than any former act of the Congress. When the passions of men are so deeply affected, you will not expect them to keep within the bounds of reason. Panegyries on the gallant Andro are nu- bounded ; they call him the English MIntins, and talk of erecting monu- ments to his memory ; but his situation was by no means such as to ad- mit of these exaggerated praises.

VI. EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM MISS ANNA SEWARD TO MR. SIMMONS.

[From tho Letters of Miss Anna Seward, vl. 3-6.]

Litchfield, Jun. 20, 1802.

DEAR SIR : I am ashamed of not having sooner acknowledged your obliging attention in sending me a paper from the American press, which states a circumstance so remarkable. I do not, however, exactly perceive what poetic uso could be made of it, or the coincidence of the fall of that tree with tho tidings of the traltor's death, whose treachery to his country brought the nmlable and gallant Major Andre Into that dire snaro, which drew upon his head the doom of a disgraceful und un-

soldierlike death. In the first paroxysin of anguish for the fate of my beloved friend, I wrote that Monody, under the belief that he was basely nmurdered rather than reInctantly sacrificed to the belligerant custoins and laws. I have siuce understood the subject better. General Wash- ington allowed his aide-de-camp to return to England after peace was established, and American independence ackuowledged ; and he com- missioned him to see me, and request my attention to the papers he seut for my perusal ; copies of his letters to Andre, and Andre's answers, in his own hand, were amongst them. Concern, esteem, and pity were avowed in those of the General, and warm entreaties that he would urge General Clinton to resign Arnold in exchange for himself, as the only means to avert that sacrifico, which tho laws of war demanded. SIr. Andre's letters breathed a spirit of gratitude to General Washingtou for the interest he took in his preservation, but firmly declined the applica- tion to General Clinton. The other papers were minutes of the Conrt- martial, from which it appeared, that General Washington had labored to avert the sentence against Andre, and to soften the circunstances of disguised dress, and of those fatal drawings of the enemies' ontworks and situation, which placed him in the character of a spy rather than that of a negotiator. The Genoral's next fruitless endcavor was to have obtained the grant of poor Andre's petition, to die a less disgraceful death. Ilis voice, though commander of the American ariny, counted but us one on the Court-martial. General Washington did me the honor to charge his nide-de-camp to assure mc, that no circumstance of his life had given so much pain as the necessary sacrifice of Andre's life, and that next to that deplored cvent, the censure passed upon himself in a poem which he admired, and for which he loved the anthor ; also tu express his hope, that, whenever I reprinted the Monody, a noto might be added, which should tend to acquit him of that imputed inexorable and crucl severity which had doomed to ignomiuous death a gallant and amiable prisoner of war.2

With that just request I immediately complied, by a paper sewed to the copy of ury poem, from which I meant the future edition should be printed, if I should live to collect my works and publish them in a mis- cellany. So many years has the design been deferred, through a dread of the fatigue and solicitude that must atteud its execution, as to induce me to helieve I shall never have resolution for the task.

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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 52

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