USA > New York > Westchester County > Westchester county in history; manual and civil list, past and present. County history: towns, hamlets, villages and cities, Volume II > Part 18
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The story here related tells in detail how Major André-said by one of his English enthusiastic friends to have been a valu- able aid to the British General Clinton, by " putting in motion the whole machine of war,"-was outgeneraled and captured, on his return from Arnold, by three farmer boys of Westchester County, who refused his offered bribes. Papers making clear the treason of Arnold were found upon André's person, who, by his own frank confession, was convicted as a spy and sen- tenced to be hanged. And thus he died, at Tappan, on the west bank of the Hudson, on October 2, 1780, at the age of twenty-nine years.
Probably no occurrence in American history made as many aching hearts on both sides of the Atlantic; and Washington himself, who signed André's death sentence as a stern matter of duty and of justice, was among the most sincere of these mourners.
Sir Henry Clinton, commander of the British forces in New York, by the most urgent representations to General Washing- ton, tried to save his favorite, but in vain. There was but one way, the surrender of Arnold, then in New York city, to avert the fate decreed to André. This course the British, in good faith to the traitor, could not take.
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André pleaded for a soldier's death, but the Americans held in remembrance the fate of the young hero, Nathan Hale, who had been hanged as a spy. André died with heroic firmness and the whole English army went in mourning. André's remains were taken to England and given a resting place beside Kings buried in Westminster Abbey. There are few monu- ments in the most distinguished Abbey which have attracted more attention than that which commemorates the sad fate of this young man, scarcely out of his youth.
" What had this young man done to merit immortality ? The mission, whose tragic issue lifted him out of the oblivion of other minor British officers, in its inception was free from peril or daring, and its objects and purposes were utterly infamous."
John André, born in London, England, was the son of a Swiss merchant. Before he had arrived at the age of twenty years he had become engaged to Miss Honoria Sneyd, a young lady of singular beauty and accomplishments. Her parents forbade the match. Determining to win fame which would soften the hearts of these relentless parents, André, at the age of twenty, entered the British Army, with the avowed intention of making a military reputation for himself, and then, when endowed with honors earned, he would return and claim his bride. "Tis said he ever wore her miniature in a locket about his neck. He was sent to Canada, was taken prisoner at St. John's, was exchanged and joined the British forces here, and, because of his brilliant characteristics, became a favorite of Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, who appointed him his aide-de-camp, and soon after his Adjutant-General.
Young, handsome, clever, full of gayety, an artist and a poet, André was the life of the British Army. While the troops of Gen. Washington were naked and starving at Valley Forge, André was the leader of revels in Philadelphia. When the British soldiers evacuated that city and went to New York, André went with them and, as before, he was the master of revels.
Benedict Arnold was born at Norwich, Conn., January 14, 1741. He came of good stock. His father, Capt. Benedict Arnold, was a seaman, running a trading vessel; his grand- father, also Benedict Arnold, was the second Governor of Rhode Island. The father died when he, one of many children, was but seventeen years of age, at a time when he was, as
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described, "An uncommonly active, saucy, roguish and impetu- ous lad, showy and ostentatious, rash, headstrong, regardless alike of friends and foes." His father left the family " poor but respectable," and the mother endeavored to do her best for a large family. Benedict 3d was not a student; on the con- trary he detested schools on principle; he was of a restless, roving disposition. At the age of fifteen he ran away from home to serve in the French War. Through the exertions of his mother, he was made to return and go to work as an appren- tice to a druggist, a relative. After serving his apprentice- ship, he opened a drug store on his own account in New Haven, Conn. He proved to be a bad business man, and through neg- lect and personal extravagance he met failure.
When the Revolutionary War broke out, Arnold deserted the drug business and his creditors, and at the head of the " Gov- ernor's Guard " hurried to the front where battle raged-he loved tumult and adventure.
In June, 1778, when Philadelphia was evacuated by the British, General Washington placed Arnold in command of that city; the latter was incapacitated for active service by the wound he had received at Saratoga. This step brought Arnold into direct contact with Congress and the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, and doubtless with the proximate causes of his treason. It required certain tact to deal with men composing these distinct official bodies, very different from that which had distinguished Arnold in the field. Arnold was blunt and self-willed, and deficient in tact. He was accord- ingly soon at loggerheads with the State government, and lost, besides, much of the personal popularity with which he started. His acts caused him to be mobbed on the streets. It was charged against Arnold that the extravagance of his style of living was an offence against republican simplicity and a scandal in view of the distressed condition of the country; that in order to obtain the means of meeting his heavy expenses he resorted to peculations and extortion; and that he showed too much favor to the Tories. These charges were doubtless not without some foundation ; no one in Philadelphia kept a finer stable of horses or gave more costly dinners than General Arnold. He would have the best, regardless as to who paid the bills. The charge of favoring the Tories may find its explanation in a circum- stance which possibly throws some light upon his lavish use of money. Miss Margaret Shippen, a daughter of a gentleman
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of Tory sympathies, who afterward became Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, was one of the most beautiful and fascinating women in America, and at that time the reigning belle of Philadelphia. When the city was in control of the British, under Gen. Howe, she had as her ardent admirer the ill-starred Major André, and no sooner had Arnold, the new commandant, arrived at his post than he was also taken captive. The lady was nineteen years of age, while Arnold was a widower twice her age, with three sons; but his handsome face, his gallant bearing, and his splendid career outweighed these disadvan- tages, and in the autumn of 1778 he was betrothed to Miss Shippen, and thus entered into close relations with a prominent Tory family. For a time he lived in a Tory atmosphere; that, under the circumstances, he should gradually have drifted into the Tory position was, in a man of his temperament, almost inevitable. His nature was warm, impulsive and easily impres- sible, while he was deficient in breadth of intelligence and in rigorous moral conviction; and his opinions on public matters took their hue largely from his personal feelings. It was not surprising that such a man, in giving splendid entertainments, should invite to them the Tory friends of the lady whose favor he was courting. His course excited the wrath of the friends of the Continental cause; Gen. Reed, of Pennsylvania, wrote indignantly to Gen. Greene that Arnold had actually given a party at which " not only common Tory ladies, but the wives and daughters of persons proscribed by the State, and now with the enemy at New York," were present in considerable numbers. Arnold's conduct invited severe criticism, and he received it strong. In answer, the impulsive Arnold suddenly decided to resign his post and leave the army altogether. He would quit the turmoil of public affairs, obtain a grant of land in western New York, settle it with his old soldiers, with whom he had always been a favorite, and lead henceforth a life of Arcadian simplicity. In this mood he wrote to Gen. Schuyler, in words which to-day seem strange and sad, that his ambition was not so much to " shine in history " as to be "a good citizen ;" and about the first of January, 1779, he set out for Albany to consult with the New York Legislature. His scheme was approved by John Jay and others, and in all likelihood would have succeeded; but as he stopped for a day at Morris- town, N. J., to visit Gen. Washington, a letter overtook him, with the information that as soon as his back had been turned
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upon Philadelphia he had been publicly attacked by the president of the Pennsylvania Council. Formal charges were brought against him, alleging improper conduct while in com- mand at Philadelphia. These charges were promulgated in a most extraordinary fashion by the said Council's president. Not only were they laid before Congress, but were sent to Gov- ernors of all States with a circular letter requesting the Gov- ernors to communicate them to their respective Legislatures. Arnold was naturally enraged at such an elaborate attempt to prepossess the public mind against him, but his first concern was the possible effect it might have upon Miss Shippen. He instantly returned to Philadelphia, and demanded an investi- gation. He had obtained Gen. Washington's permission to resign his command, but deferred acting upon it till the inquiry should have been ended. A committee of Congress made a report which Arnold considered vindicated him; then he resigned his command. But the president of the Pennsylvania Council insisted on a further investigation, claiming he had more and greater damaging evidence to convict. Congress ordered a court-martial to try Arnold, much to his disgust, claiming that he was being persecuted by enemies who could not use him in his official position. The vials of Arnold's wrath were now full to overflowing; but he had no cause to complain of Miss Shippen, for their marriage took place in less than a week after the action of Congress. Gen. Washington, who sympa- thized with Arnold's impatience, appointed the court-martial for the first of May, but by the pleadings of the Council of Pennsylvania the hearing was put off from time to time, much to Arnold's annoyance. All the time Arnold kept clamoring for a speedy trial, and his opponents were putting it off on plea that time was needed to gather evidence. Gen. Washing- ton did his best to sooth Arnold. It is believed to have been about that time, at the height of his rage against Congress for what he considered Congress' ill-treatment of him, in April, 1779, that he wrote a letter to Gen. Clinton, commander of the British forces in New York, in disguised handwriting and under the signature of " Gustavus," describing himself as an Ameri- can officer of high rank, who, through disgust at the French alliance and other recent proceedings of Congress, might per- haps be persuaded to go over to the British, provided he could be indemnified for any losses he might incur by so doing. The beginning of this correspondence in February, 1779-if that
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was really the time-coincided curiously with the date of Arnold's marriage, but it is in the highest degree probable that down to the final act of treachery Mrs. Arnold knew nothing whatever of what her husband contemplated, though one or more historic writers pretend to believe that she, inspired by Tory sympathies, urged her husband to desert a " lost cause " and join fortunes with her loyal Tory friends.
In his rage it would be easy, probably, to persuade him to forsake such a thankless nation. His Tory friends had cited examples of celebrated persons who had accomplished great ends by swinging their power from one party to another. They told him that by giving his aid to England, the colonies would be restored to peace and prosperity, and that all parties would thank him for this service, and moreover, he could control nego- tiations with the English government.
The deliberations of the court-martial ended with finding Arnold guilty of certain minor charges, and sentenced him to be reprimanded by the Commander-in-Chief. It is needless to say the reproof was administered by Gen. Washington with as much delicacy as possible, and at the same time he offered Arnold the post of honor in the next campaign. But it was too late. His passionate nature had been goaded beyond endur- ance by the public disgrace that had been put upon him. He therefore refused the great honor which Gen. Washington offered him, pleading ill-health as an excuse, and petitioned that he be given the position of command at West Point instead. He would bring about the crisis of the Revolution by betraying his country and delivering West Point to the British.
Arnold's correspondence with Gen. Clinton, the British com- mander, had been kept up at intervals, Gen. Clinton's replies being written by Major John André, his adjutant-general, over the signature of " John Anderson." Nothing seems to have been thought of at first beyond the personal desertion of Arnold to the enemy; the betrayal of a fortress was a later development of infamy. For the present, too, we may suppose that Arnold was merely playing with fire, while he waited the result of the court-martial. For him the summer, while he waited, was not a happy one, especially for a bridegroom; his debts went on increasing, and evidently he saw no way out, without selling even his honor. Gen. Washington, in giving him command at West Point, gave him the strongest proof of unabated confi- dence and esteem which it was in his power to give. Gen.
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Schuyler wrote him a most affectionate letter, and others of his brothers in arms gave evidences of sincere sympathy.
Congress had most grievously and shamefully insulted and abused Generals Washington, Greene, Schuyler, Morgan and others loyal to the American cause, but these did not consider their unjust treatment sufficient cause for turning traitor to their country.
While the name of Arnold is forever a synonym for treason, the fate of André yet excites commiseration. Arnold missed the one chance to restore himself in a degree, at least, to the consideration of mankind. He should have proven true to Gen. Washington's confidence and thus put to route his enemies when the opportunity was afforded him, instead he chose to turn traitor and if necessary sacrifice the life of the large-hearted Washington, his benefactor. Then again, after his unsuccess- ful attempt to betray his country and deliver West Point into the hands of the enemy, and his escape to New York, he might have delivered himself to Gen. Washington and demanded André's exchange. But he did not. He chose to follow the baser course.
As we have stated, the charitably disposed profess to believe that Mrs. Arnold was ignorant of her husband's intention of turning traitor; we are told how she fell in a swoon on her hus- band telling her that all had been found out and he had to escape to save his life. Gen. Washington, in keeping with his reputation for kindness at all times, directed that the news of Arnold's escape on the British vessel be conveyed to the wife in the gentlest manner, and that she be permitted to follow her own harmless inclinations after the flight of her husband. It is stated that after recovering from an illness into which she was thrown by the shock, she rejoined her husband in New York city, and later went with him to England, where she was respected, notwithstanding the unfavorable opinion held of her husband.
Immediately after arriving in New York and being assured of the reward of his treachery, Arnold issued a statement justi- fying himself and advising other Americans to do as he had done, and making glowing offers to deserters. He was sent out of New York at the head of British forces to make war upon his countrymen. He burned Richmond, Va., and in a raid upon New London, Conn., where he had spent many of his boyhood days, he did great damage by fire. His hatred of former friends
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evidently knew no bounds. The Americans tried hard to cap- ture him, and he knew that in case of his capture his life would pay the forfeit.
Following the surrender of Cornwallis, he was sent to London to counsel with the ministry regarding the carrying on of the war. He was disappointed at his reception in England, for, though the king and court received him with favor, the Liberals denounced him as a renegade and betrayer of his trust. The officers of the British army considered his conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman, and he, therefore, as being unworthy of their confidence and trust; for this reason it was found impossible to give him employment in the army, to which he had looked forward so eagerly. He served England in the West Indies war difficulties, and in 1798 he asked for military service, which was denied, even after he had petitioned it. This refusal was the cause of his breakdown, and shortly after- ward he died, at the age of sixty years. In later years sons of his were given places in the British army, and did good ser- vice in an endeavor to redeem the family name from disgrace.
The monument erected at Schuylerville to mark the spot on which the Battle of Saratoga was fought contains four niches in which to place the life-size statues of the four heroes of that battle; three of the spaces are filled and one niche, facing the south, is left vacant; it should have been occupied by the statue of Arnold.
On the wall of the old chapel at West Point there is a marble tablet bearing this inscription :
Major General
Born
1740
Died .
Joshua Hett Smith, who figured prominently as the messenger between Arnold and André, as the one who took André in a rowboat from the British war-vessel, " Vulture," and at whose house Arnold and André met and plotted, and who piloted André a part of the way back to New York city, was subse- quently arrested under orders issued by Gen. Washington, at the home of his brother-in-law, in Fishkill. He was tried as an accomplice of André; in fact was twice tried on different charges, with similar bearings, his first trial miscarrying. At
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the second trial, for conspiracy, he was condemned; he was sent to Goshen, Orange County, for safe keeping, but suc- ceeded in escaping from the insecure place in which he was confined; he reached a place of safety within the British lines in New York city.
Smith was a resident of Haverstraw, in Rockland County, and very well connected, rich if not wealthy; was a lawyer by profession, as were two of his brothers, one of the latter, Wil- liam Smith, was the Tory Chief Justice in New York city. The daughter of Thomas Smith, another brother, married John C. Spencer, who was Secretary of the Navy in 1842.
Joshua H. Smith is credited with having had some ability as a lawyer, as ever being cool and self-possessed. He con- ducted his own defence in each of his two trials. His political views were a mystery. He was friendly with those fighting for the American cause, yet his friendliness did not always invite confidence of loyal Americans. Col. Lamb, commanding artillery at West Point would not visit him, although they were relatives, as the Colonel said he deemed Smith a Tory, secretly in league with Tories. After events proved the Colonel to be not far from right.
Smith was shrewd, and he planned wisely in arranging to cover up his tracks as he went along; he knew he could serve the Tory interests best by an outward appearance of being helpful to the loyal American cause. At Smith's trial promi- nent loyal American citizens came forward and testified that Smith proved his loyalty by, on two occasions, loaning one thousand dollars to aid the struggling Americans.
Smith's house, where Arnold and André met, was situated on what is now known as " Treason Hill," Haverstraw.
In 1808, Smith published a book, entitled "An authentic narrative of the causes which led to the death of Major John André," in which the writer undertook to justify his own acts. This book was first published in England, where Smith went after leaving New York city. Later he returned to this coun- try, and being still possessed of that self-assurance character- istic of him, he attempted to conduct a school in Haverstraw, but public opinion succeeded in driving him out of that place. He died in 1818.
It was in commemoration of the manly actions of Paulding, Williams and Van Wart that the monument in Tarrytown was erected, not to honor André. The oft-accepted idea that such
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monument is there to keep alive the memory of the accomplice of the archtraitor Arnold is far from the truth-the sole pur- pose of erecting such monument was to show appreciation of the acts of honest Westchester County yeomen, to honor the men who captured André, considered a British spy.
Paulding and Van Wart, young men, were cousins. Wil- liams, the oldest, was not quite twenty-three years of age. To Williams, in particular, history is indebted for many minute details about the capture of André and the events leading up to it.
Williams, in his writings, made a strong statement to disprove the charge that he and his companions were " Cowboys " or " Skinners." Paulding and Van Wart likewise made similar statements, claiming the charge to be unjust and without foun- dation; that on the eventful September day they were militia- men, regularly detailed for a special duty, to punish Cowboys or other marauders, employed in robbing people in the neigh- borhood.
André and Williams had met before, though neither of them were aware of it when they met at Tarrytown September 23; when André was captured at St. John's in 1775, Williams was a soldier of Gen. Montgomery's command.
Paulding, who entered active service after André's capture, was wounded, a third time captured, and was in a British hos- pital until the end of the war.
Paulding died in 1818, and was buried in the old Van Cort- landtville Cemetery, in Peekskill; Isaac Van Wart died ten years later, and his remains rest in the old Greenburgh church-yard, at Elmsford, both final resting places being in this county. David Williams removed to Livingstonville, in Schoharie County, in this State, where he died in 1831, and was buried in the old stone fort at Schoharie Court House. All lived to ripe old age, and they and their descendants were greatly respected.
George Paulding, the eldest son of John Paulding, was for many years an Alderman and leading citizen of New York city.
John Paulding, a namesake of his grandfather and son of George Paulding, born in New York city, represented a Long Island district as Assemblyman in the State Legislature of 1863.
Hiram Paulding, another son of John Paulding, was a Rear- Admiral in the United States Navy at the time of his death. He was born in this county, in the town of Cortlandt, on
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December 11, 1797, and when fourteen years of age, in 1811, he was appointed by President Madison as a midshipman in the Navy.
In part recognition of the heroic deeds of John Paulding, a torpedo boat, built for the United States Navy, in 1909, was named " Paulding." In April of that year, the boat was launched at Bath, Me., and was christened by Miss Emma Paulding, daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Hiram Paulding.
THE CRISIS PERIOD.
September, 1780, found our struggling countrymen laboring under discouraging conditions. Charleston had fallen, and Gen. Gates had been disastrously defeated. With the route of his army, the whole South had come under the enemy's control. New Jersey was overrun, and twenty thousand men, veterans of European battlefields, were gathered in New York. The French fleet had sailed away, a large reinforcement arrived to the British navy, and Washington's cherished plan of a demon- stration against the city of New York had to be abandoned. The only American force worthy the name of an army-num- bering less than twelve thousand, suffering from long arrears of pay, without money to send their starving families, and short of every kind of supplies-was encamped near Peekskill, at and about West Point. This critical moment was selected by Arnold with devilish sagacity to strike his deadly blow. Elated by the success which had crowned his earlier efforts, he indulged too freely his love for intoxicating liquor, running into excesses which left him without a command, bankrupt in fortune, at odds with Continental officers, and smarting under the repri- mand of Congress. He was ripe for revenge, not only upon those whom he considered had offended him, but also upon the cause for which he had fought, and upon his country, and his people. He still retained the confidence of General Washing- ton, and, anxious to secure the largest prize for his treason, applied for, and obtained, the command of West Point.
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