USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. II > Part 22
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sorbed by his military duties. A rigid economy of time enabled him to gratify his zeal for study and mental culture.
" At length the theatre of action was changed, and the army was removed to the southward. The battle of Long Island was fouglit, and the American forces were drawn together in the city of New York. At this moment it was extremely important for Washington to know the situation of the British army on the heights of Brooklyn, its numbers, and the indications as to its future movements. Having confidence in the discretion and judg- ment of the gallant Colonel Knowlton, who commanded a Con- necticut regiment of infantry, he explained his wishes to that offi- cer, and requested him to ascertain if any suitable person could be found in his regiment, who would undertake so hazardous and responsible a service. It was essential, that he should be a man of capacity, address, and military knowledge.
" Colonel Knowlton assembled several of his officers, stated to them the views and desires of the General, and left the subject to their reflections, without proposing the enterprise to any individual. The officers then separated. Captain Hale considered deliberately what had been said, and finding himself by a sense of duty in- clined to the undertaking, he called at the quarters of his intimate friend, Captain Hull, (afterwards General Hull,) and asked his opinion. Hull endeavoured to dissuade him from the service, as not befitting his rank in the army, and as being of a kind for which his openness of character disqualified him ; adding that no glory could accrue from success, and a detection would inevitably be followed by an ignominious death.
" Captain Hale replied, that all these considerations had been duly weighed, that " every kind of service necessary to the public good was honourable by being necessary," that he did not accept "a commission for the sake of fame alone or personal advancement, that he had been for some time in the army without being able to render any signal aid to the cause of his country, and that he felt impelled by high motives of duty not to shrink from the oppor- tunity now presented.
" The arguments of his friend were unavailing, and Captain Hale passed over to Long Island in disguise. He had gained the desired information, and was just on the point of stepping into a boat to return to the city of New-York, when he was arrested and taken before the British commander. Like Ande, he had assumed a character, which he could not sustain ; he was " too little accustomed to duplicity to succeed." The proof against him was so conclusive, that he made no effort at self-defence, but frankly confessed his objects ; and, like Andre, without further remarks "left the facts to operate with his judges." . He was
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sentenced to be executed as a spy, and was accordingly hanged the next morning.
" The sentence was conformable to the laws of war, and the prisoner was prepared to meet it with a fortitude becoming his character. But the circumstances of his death aggravated his sufferings, and placed him in a situation widely different from that of Andre. The facts were narrated to General Hull by an officer of the British commissary department, who was present at the ex- ecution, and deeply moved by the conduct and fate of the unfor- tunate victim, and the treatment he received.
" The provost-martial was the noted brutal bully Captain Cun- ningham ; who refused the attendance of a clergyman, the conso- lation of a Bible, or the privilege of writing to his mother.
" Alone, unfriended, without consolation or sympathy, he closed his mortal career with the declaration, " that he only lamented he had but one life to lose for his country." When Andre stood upon the scaffold, he called on all around him to bear witness, that he died like a brave man. The dying words of Hale embodied a nobler and more sublime sentiment : breathing a spirit of satis- faction, that, although brought to an untimely end, it was his lot to die a martyr in his country's cause.
" There was a striking similarity between the character and acts of Hale and André, but in one essential point of difference the former appears to much the greater advantage. Hale was pro- mised no reward, nor did he expect any. But Andre had a glo- rious prize before him ; the chance of distinguishing himself in a military enterprise, honours, renown, and every allurement, that could flatter hope and stimulate ambition."
A monument was raised to Andre in Westminster Abbey. The memory of Hale long appeared to be lost. Dr. Dwight first did justice to his virtues ; other writers have examined and applauded his self-sacrifice, and at length the name of Captain Hale is en- graved by gratitude upon the hearts of his admiring countrymen.
Sir Henry Clinton, even after the return of his envoys, wrote another letter to General Washington, in the apparent hope of saving his young favourite ; but before it was sent the servant of André arrived in the city, and the fate of his master was fully known. To Lord George Germaine, the British commander de- tailed all the circumstances of the transaction : the commission of the sufferer was sold, as he had requested, for the benefit of his mother and sister. They were recommended to the king for his favour ; who granted a pension to the mother, and offered knight- hood to Andre's brother. This was certainly commendable ; but the honours flowing from the reputed source of honour, to Arnold, appear more questionable. The traitor was caressed openly as a person of worth, integrity and honour. He was made a brigadier-
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general in his majesty's service, and with his majesty's pay pro- moted to the command of armies. The price stipulated to be. paid for his treason, the British general of course was bound to pay ; but it appeared very extraordinary, that a wretch who had been bought by gold to betray to death those he was sworn to protect, should be entrusted with the fortunes and lives of his majesty's officers and soldiers, whose safety was confided to the English commander-in-chief. Sir Henry paid the traitor £6315 sterling : and he was ranked as a brigadier-general ; but I shall show that he did not confide to him the welfare of those he was appointed to command ; his powers for destruction were only allowed free scope when exerted in the unnatural business of burn- ing the dwellings and shedding the blood of his countrymen : spies were placed over him, to arrest his arm the moment he was even suspected of intention to injure the power to whom he had sold himself.
Scarcely had Arnold arrived among his new friends, when he published an address to his betrayed countrymen, and a proclamna- tion inviting his former military associates to follow his example.
To comment upon these publications at the present day seems unnecessary : at the time of publication they only excited the sneers of the traitor's pretended friends, and the disgust of his country. Yet the British ministry seemed to think the offers of the traitor would have- effect with the American army, and pres- cribed the rewards that might be paid by Sir Henry Clinton to those who should desert from the standard of Washington to that of Arnold. Some few were found base enough to make such an exchange for the sake of ten hard guineas ; but they were not na- tive Americans, or if such, were not worth retaining by the one, or being received by the other, though assimilated to him by debt and depravity.
It appears that the British ministry had confidence in the asser- tions and representations of Arnold, although Sir Henry Clinton had none in his integrity.
Though Arnold had continued true to the flag which had pur- chased him, and did all possible mischief in Virginia, his disposi- tion to falsehood manifested itself in his letters to Lord George Germaine ; which pointed out the case with which West Point might be taken by a coup-de-main, or " a few days regular attack." The British minister relying upon liis new auxiliary, wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, expressing some degree of surprise that he had not achieved so important a conquest, which was so easy of ac- complishment. By the minister's letter, the English commander knew the danger he incurred from the pen of the ex-rebel-general. He in his answer, told the minister that Arnold had never repre- sented the post in question as of so easy acquisition ; but if he will
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now convince htm that it is so, he probably shall make the attempt. " I have therefore" he continues, " required that general officer to send his plan of operation to me without delay, and to follow or accompany it himself."
It appears strange, that Sir Henry Clinton should entrust a trai- tor with the lives and liberty of armies as he did. But I have been assured by a gentleman of the most unblemished character, now far advanced in years, that when Arnold departed from New York in the command of the army with which he committed depre- dations in the Chesapeake, " a dormant commission" was given to Colonels Dundas and Simcoe, jointly, by Sir Henry Clinton, au- thorizing them, if they suspected Arnold of sinister intent, to su- persede him, and put him in arrest. This proves that Clinton did not trust him, and we may reasonably suppose that such a watch was set upon his conduct on other occasions.
The gentleman who communicated this fact to me, was in his youth a confidential clerk in Sir Henry Clinton's office, and copied and delivered the dormant commission as directed. This explains a passage in Clinton's letter to his government, in which he says, " this detachment is under the command of General Arnold, with whom I have thought it right to send Colonels Dundas and Sim- coe, as being officers of experience, and much in my confidence.'
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CHAMPE'S ADVENTURE.
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CHAPTER XIV.
Champe's Adventure-Indian Warfare-Fate of Huddy-Further History of Ethan Allen-New Hampshire Grants-Controversies with Vermont-British attempts to seduce Vermont-Independence of Vermont recognized.
SERGEANT CHAMPE'S adventure, as told by Major Henry Lee,* seems to belong to the treason of Arnold :
While the fate of Andre was still in suspense, General Washing- ton determined, if it was possible to get possession of Arnold, he would make him the victim, and use his influence to spare the life of the young officer who had placed himself in the situation of a spy. He sent for, and consulted Major Lee. The plan proposed was, for a trusty and intelligent man to present himself as a deserter to the enemy, and enlist in the corps that was then forming under Arnold's particular patronage; and then by the aid of certain persons in New York with whom Washington cor- responded, to seize the traitor, and bring him off to a party on the west side of the Hudson, who should be ready to receive him. Lee mentioned the sergeant-major of his legion as being a man fit for the enterprize, but feared that his sense of honour, and the ex- pectations he had of receiving a commission, would prevent his con- senting even to appear in the character of a deserter. The general commissioned Lee to give assurances that he would stand be- tween the sergeant and disgrace, and advanced every argument that could be suggested to engage him in the enterprize. Lee departed, furnished with full instructions, and letters to the agents in New York who were to join in the attempt. After a long conference with Champe, the major prevailed upon the sergeant to undertake the execution of the scheme; and as no time was to be lost, he im- mediately prepared himself and his horse for the perilous expedi- tion. Champe entered into the plan, as it proved, with all his soul. That very night, having made himself master of Washington's instructions, (one of which was in no case to take the life of Arnold, as that would be interpreted assassination, whereas a solemn sacri- fice of the criminal was the object to be attained,) he a little before
* Memoirs of the war in the Southern Department.
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midnight withdrew his horse from the picket, and with his cloak, sword, valise, and orderly book, mounted to pursue his way to Paulus Hook, by such routes as his experience suggested to be best for avoiding patrol or scouting parties. Scarcely half an hour had elapsed, when Lee's lieutenant brought him information that a patrol had fallen in with a dragoon, who on being challenged had clapped spurs to his horse and escaped. The subaltern was all impatience for orders to send off men in pursuit, and the major tried by every device to delay such an unwelcome procedure. He feigned the dulness of a man awakened from sound sleep, although his anxiety had prevented any approach to that state ; he affected to believe that it could not be a dragoon ; or if one, that his inten- tion was not desertion. The lieutenant pressed the matter-pa- raded the troop, and showed that one was missing, and that one Sergeant-major Champe. " I have ordered a party for pursuit," added the zealous officer, " and they only await your orders." Lee delayed as long as possible ; but orders must be given, and the dragoons were spurred on to overtake the supposed deserter by every motive which the honour of the corps could suggest. 'The leader of the pursuers was nominated by Lee ; he was sent for and received his orders. This was a young cornet. Off the party dashed, leaving the major in a state of extreme anxiety. About three o'clock in the afternoon, Lee was called from his tent by the shouts of his soldiers, and he saw the cornet approaching with his party, one of the dragoon's leading the sergeant-major's well-known horse, with his cloak, sword-scabbard, and other accoutrements. That Champe was dead, and that he had occasioned his death, was the heart-rending thought this appearance suggested to Lce. The cornet reported that they had traced the deserter during the night by the marks of his horse's shoes, left on the road, owing to a recent shower of rain. ( The shoes of the dragoon horses were unlike others.) That at daybreak he continued with more speed in the chase, and as lie approached Bergen, gained sight of Champe, who likewise saw his pursuers. At the village of Bergen, the ser- geant-major, after riding through several devious streets, took the road to the right, determining to make for some British galleys that he knew were stationed near the shore, and not approach Paulus Hook, as was at first intended. This change of course baffled the cornet for a time; but gaining information from a countryman who had seen a dragoon spurring out of the village, the party again pushed forward upon the track of the fugitive. When in sight of the galleys, Champe made a halt, tied his valise (which contained the orderly book, his clothes, money, etc.) to his shoulders, drew his sword, and again spurred for the shore. This momentary halt brought his pursuers within a few hundred yards of him. When near the marshy edge of the water, the sergeant dismounted, rushed
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CHAMPE'S ADVENTURE.
through the sedge, threw himself into the water, and called on the galleys for help. A boat was launched to receive the deserter, (as no one could doubt him to be,) and some guns were fired to keep off his pursners. 'The report of the party who had returned with the sergeant-major's horse, cloak, scabbard, and accoutrements, eased Major Lee of his apprehensions for the safety of Champe.
The account given by the commander of the galleys of what he had witnessed, would be an ample credential for the sergeant. He was examined by Sir Henry Clinton, received with favour, found an opportunity to communicate with the agents of Washington, re- siding in New York ; and to further the plan, enlisted in Arnold's legion.
One of those to whom Champe was introduced, prepared every thing for seizing and carrying off the traitor ; Champe communicat- ed his progress to Lee, who, by the general's orders, prepared to receive Arnold. In the mean time, Andre was condemned and executed. Therefore the only end in view by the capture of Ar- nold was his punishment. Champe gave notice to Major Lee, that being appointed one of the recruiting sergeants for Arnold's legion, he had every necessary opportunity for the execution of the plan. Adjoining to the garden of the house in which Arnold resided was an alley ; and by removing some of the palings, and replacing them in apparent security, the conspirators were to enter, guided by Champe, seize their intended victim when he returned, as was his invariable custom, at midnight, from his visits of business or plea- sure, and retire to the garden. They were to gag him, carry him off through the alley, and to a boat prepared and lying at a wharf on the north river. If questioned, they were to represent him as a drunken soldier whom they were conveying to the guard-house. Washington ordered Lee to be ready on the opposite shore to receive Arnold, and prevent any personal injury to him. The ma- jor repaired at night to the appointed place, with a party of dra- goons. Hour after hour passed, but no boat approached. The day broke, and with the led horses prepared for Champe and his prisoner, Lee returned to camp. In a few days he was informed by the agent in New York, that on the day previous to the appoint- ed night, Arnold had removed his quarters to be near the place of embarkation for the expedition to the Chesapeake ; and that the legion, to which Champe was attached, had been shipped among the first of the troops, for fear of the men deserting. Thus the sergeant-major was entrapped, and instead of crossing the Hudson with his general as a prisoner, was carried off to Virginia, and em- ployed in warfare against his countrymen. From this unwelcome service he found means to free himself, and when Lee's legion was acting against Cornwallis in the south, the sergeant-major most un- expectedly joined his old comrades ; and the mystery of his flight,
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INDIAN WARFARE.
with the whole story, being soon known, he was received by the corps with applause and welcome.
After the treason of Arnold, the military transactions of the war were principally transferred to the south. General Gates, at Cam- den, lost an army and his reputation. Daniel Morgan became a general, and famous for the defeat of Tarleton, at the Cowpens, and Washington terminated the war, in fact, by the surrender of Cornwallis and his army, at York, in Virginia. General Greene took the place of Gates, who was doomed to a court of enquiry, which was never held ; but General Washington restored him to his command and rank, as oldest major-general.
1780 At midsummer, in 17S0, Brandt, the Indian chief before mentioned, with a body of tories and Indians, laid waste the district of Canajoharie, at a time when the militia were on service at Fort Schuyler. Sir John Johnson wreaked his vengeance on Schoharie, which he burnt, and with his savages on the 18th of October, laid Caughnawaga in ruins, sweeping with the besom of destruction the valley of the Schoharie Creek. Johnson passed up the north side of the Mohawk, burning all in his course. General Van Rensselaer, who commanded in this district, ordered out Co- lonel Brown with his militia ; but they were not in sufficient force to withstand the enemy, and the colonel, and thirty of his men, fell in the attempt. Johnson took post near the Mohawk castle, or village, and fortified the spot, by a breastwork thrown across a neck of land, in part surrounded by the Mohawk River. Here he placed his regiment of regulars and tories. His Indians occupied an elevated wood, in his neighbourhood. General Van Rensselaer attacked the Indians, drove them from their cover, and they fled towards the Susquehanna. Johnson's troops resisted until night, and un- der its cover they escaped from the intended attack of the next day.
Johnson and his tories, Indians, Canadians, and Englishmen, in October, 1750, left the vale of the Schoharie Creek, strewed with the wrecks of a happy population, notwithstanding the brave resist- ance of the inhabitants, who in many encounters with these savages displayed a courage worthy of the cause they fought in-the cause of humanity.
1781 Early in 1781, while yet the country was covered with snow, the enemy succeeded in capturing several of the gar- rison of Fort Schuyler, and Major Nicholas Fish, one of our very worthy citizens, but lately deceased, by great efforts succeeded in relieving the garrison. In July, Colonel Marinus Willet command- ed at this fort. A party of three hundred Indians and tories, led by one John Doxtader, were scouring the Mohawk valley, and had even burned a village within a short distance of Schenectady, when Willet, ever prompt, and active, having by his scouts learned their number and situation, marched with one hundred and six men, du- ring a dark night, to the vicinity of the enemy's camp, which was
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in a thick swamp near Cherry Valley. Major McKean joined Willet with thirty men ; and they came in sight of the swamp about daybreak. Colonel Willet drew up his party in two parallel lines, and ordered them to conceal themselves behind trees. Major Mc- Kean occupied the right, and Willet, with one hundred men, the left of the line. Two men were sent to pass over an open piece of ground as a decoy, with orders when discovered by the enemy, to run in between the two lines. The plan succeeded. The Indians raised their war cry and pursued the fugitives; but as they approachedl the ambush they were received by a deadly fire from right and left. They retreated, and betook themselves to trees for shelter : but Willet now ordered a charge with the bayonet, and, waving his hat with a hurrah, led on his men, driving the savage foe through the encampment, which, with all their recently accumu- lated plunder, fell into the hands of the victors .. The enemy was pursued toward the Susquehanna.
Marinu; Willet was for a time mayor of the city of New York ; and when in advanced life he could be induced to speak of Indian warfare, the old man would say, " there is nothing like encouraging your men with a hurrah ; I was always good at a hurrah :" and he was a soldier that not only cheered his men, but led them. About a month after this, a party of British, Indians, and tories, penetrated from Canada, and encamped in the-neighbourhood of Johnson Hall. It was about a mile from the village of Johns- town, to the north. Colonel Willet marched from his garrison with three hundred men, on the 22d of August, determined to attack the invaders, although they amounted to at least six hundred, under the command of Major Ross, and the savage, Walter Butler. Ross advanced from his encampment with all his force, and met Willet with only two hundred men, he having detached Colonel Harper to make a circuit through the woods, and fall on the enemy's rear. At the first fire from this superionr force, Willet's men gave way, and fled to the hall, where he endeavoured to rally them, but in vain. They retreated to the village, and here he was joined by a body of two hundred militia. In the mean time, , Harper had gained the rear of the enemy, and commenced an at- tack. Willet now advanced, and routed the barbarians, who were pursued through the wilderness for miles. The murderer of Cherry Valley, Walter Butler, was killed by an Oneida Indian during the pursuit. A party of this tribe (which had been uniformly on the American side) had joined in pursuing the routed enemy ; and Butler, on horseback, reached the West Canada Creek, and swam his horse over. One of the Oneidas was on the bank opposite to Butler, when he turned and defied his pursuers. 'The Indian dis- charged his riffe, and the murderer fell. " Throwing down his ritle and blanket," says MI. Campbell, " the Indian plunged into the
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creek and swam across ; he raised his tomahawk, and with a yell, sprang, like a tiger, upon his fallen foe; Butler supplicated for mercy ; the Oneida with uplifted weapon shouted in broken Eng- lish, 'Sherry Valley ! Sherry Valley !' and then buried his toma- hawk in the brain of his victim. The place is called Butler's ford to this day."
1782 During the year 17S2, and for some time after, Wash- ington was obliged to appear with great severity, to do justice to the fate of Captain Huddy.
The province of Connecticut possessed great advantages, in having a governour of her own choice, and other officers, instead of being like New York and New Jersey, ruled over by men appointed by England. The evils Connecticut experienced dur- ing the war, were from open hostility and invasion ; her towns were burnt in common with those of other states, and her brave sons fell in battle as elsewhere; but they were united. Their governour and magistrates directed their actions as they had done before the contest commenced: which the magistrates placed over New Jersey and New York by England, raised the torch of discord among the inhabitants of those states, and with the cry of "loyalty" and "government" in their mouths, encouraged all those atrocities which make the sanguinary struggles of civil war so peculiarly disgusting. Tryon, of New York, and Franklin, of New Jersey, - by encouraging England with false representations, to commence and continne the war, stirring up the tories, and arming neighbour against neighbour, were the causes of scenes at which humanity revolts. Besides the corps raised by Delancey and Skinner, there were bands called " Associated Loyalists," who were under the di- rection of a " Board," of which William Franklin was the presi- dent. These banded tories were even more lawless and ferocious in their predatory warfare than the " new corps," and were held in greater detestation by their former neighbours. They had fled from their homes, seduced by the king's troops, and found them- selves deprived of property, disappointed in their hopes, consid- ered as traitors by their early associates, and as inferiours by their English friends. They had received and inflicted personal inju- ries ; and the bitterness of warfare was increased by every selfish and malignant passion.
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