the 13th inst. It arrived here in due season, and as I was
absent on Command by special Directions of His Excellency Genl.
Washington, the letter was opened and the instructions therein
contained I trust have been duly attended to.... I expect to
join Col. Jameson immediately, and should Mr. Anderson come
to my Qrs. I will do the needful, and shall be very happy to
wait on him to Hd.Qrs.... I have also just received an accurate
return of the Enemy, so far as respects their Corps and the
Posts they occupy. If you have not the present distribution
of the Enemies forces, I can give it to you from the best
authority, and taken on the spot. The Express is now waiting.
I have no time to add, save that I am, with Every Sentiment of
Esteem, Sir, your most Obedt. Servt.
BENJ. TALLMADGE.
Major Tallmadge was on tour, endeavoring to discover the intentions
of the enemy when Paulding and his companions brought a man to
Headquarters they declared to be a spy. John Jameson, of the Second
Regiment, Light Dragoons, was commanding officer at that time, and
promptly dispatched the prisoner under guard to Benedict Arnold at
West Point. He was well on his way when Major Tallmadge returned that
evening, but, learning that the prisoner’s name was Anderson and
that he had information from West Point, he insisted upon Jameson
ordering his return. Reluctantly he consented, but would not recall
the messenger that was carrying the information to Arnold.[34]
That “John Anderson” acknowledged his real name to be Major André,
Adjutant-General to the British Army, and that on the 2d of October,
1780, he was hanged as a spy, are facts well known to all. Major
Tallmadge’s comment in his “Memoirs” is:
“I might enlarge greatly in anecdotes relating to this
momentous event in our revolutionary war. Some things relating
to the detention of André, after he had been sent to General
Arnold, are purposely omitted.... I have deliberately concluded
never to disclose the circumstances which relate to that
interesting event.”
General Greene, in announcing the discovery of Arnold’s treason[35] on
September 24, 1780, stated:
“The Providential Train of Circumstances which led to it
affords the most convincing Proofs that the Liberties of
America are the Object of Divine Protection.”
FOOTNOTES to “SPIES AND SPIES”:
[28] About ninety years ago a remarkable letter was written by a
prominent member of the Townsend family, then residing in Albany.
It was addressed to another member of the family and was not to be
made public. The writer had journeyed to Oyster Bay to interview Mrs.
Elizabeth Titus, who had seen Washington three times and knew every
member of the Townsend family. There had been two attempts made to
destroy this letter, before it reached the Long Island Collection, by
parties who did not know its value. Once it had actually been thrown
into the fire, but other letters surrounded it so compactly that it
would not burn. A rag-picker put the package in his bag and later
disposed of those letters that were not scorched. It overthrows some
family traditions, but helps to confirm the Culper documents. Extracts
from it follow:
“Our conversation opened by reference to your resemblance to our
ancestor Samuel, and by an easy transition fell upon the loves of
our excellent aunts of Oyster Bay. Sarah Thorne has stated that Aunt
Sarah was the magnet which attracted Winzingeroda. Mrs. Titus thinks
this cannot be. Aunt Sarah she says, was beloved by every one, a
polite way, you know, of insinuating that no one took her in the full
meaning of the word. She thinks too that not Winzingeroda but a brother
lieutenant, Ocksie, was the great admirer of Aunt Phebe; he wrote a
piece of verse, it appears, on the loss of a bow of ribbon from her
shoe.
“These gentlemen belonged to the corps of Yagers, which esteemed
itself above the Hessians. Lewis deWurmb was the Colonel and
commanded the Island. Mrs. Titus remembers seeing him frequently at
her father-in-law’s at Westbury--She recollects a couple of officers
besides lieutenants like the pair above--one of the name of Schoeffer,
the other’s name was pronounced like our Shaker. Wurmb and all his
officers were men popular with the islanders for their unassuming and
courteous demeanour towards them. On the contrary, Simcoe and his
Rangers, a corps composed of recreant Americans, were universally
detested, especially the chief. The British troops were of course in
great part withdrawn from the Island in summer to enter into active
field operations. In winter Flushing used to overflow with troops--It
was customary to detail daily a number to Bayside and the neighborhood,
generally rejoining their respective corps at night in the village from
fear of the whalers. Mrs. Titus remembers the 17th Light Horse, thirty
or forty of whom would often come down to her father’s, turn their
horses into his meadows, and invade and occupy the kitchen without
saying a word. Once Joseph Lawrence presumed to remonstrate against
their digging potatoes, and was peremptorily arrested and sent to learn
better manners towards British Troops in Judge Hicks bars. Commonly the
officers were polite, and it was by no means unusual for them to be
invited to partake of the family dinner.
“The ‘Friends to the country’ were few--Joseph Lawrence and others of
his name and family on the neck--the Townsends of Oyster Bay--Samuel
and Dr. James particularly--and the Onderdonks at Hempstead or the
Harbour. Whenever they used to hear of the escapes of their country men
on the main they contrived to gather in each other’s houses, and find
in their joy and mutual congratulations at such auspicious news some
consolation for the hardships and the suspense they had to endure on
account of their insulated position.
“Mrs. Titus remembers seeing Washington at three distinct periods.
When he came through New York on his way to take command of the army.
He landed at the Battery, and stepping into a sulky drove through ‘the
fields,’ escorted by a few horse. Mrs. T. went with her father to the
top of Beekman street to see him. He was dressed in a plain suit of
drab. Her next sight of him was obtained in the same city a few days
after the British troops evacuated the place. Her third and last she
enjoyed at the time of the inauguration.”
[29] Before the first local history was printed J. Fenimore Cooper
helped to immortalize in fiction, Sarah and her Valentine, in the
closing chapter of _The Spy_.(142)
[30] This was not Major André’s first whispered conversation during
which West Point was mentioned. Before he left “the Brown House” in
East Hampton in August, where General Clinton had summoned him for a
conference with Colonel Simcoe, during an animated conversation the
fort was frequently mentioned. Servants in the house were listening and
heard André say that “if he must go he would, but he did not expect
ever to return.” A record of this conversation has been preserved in
an unusual manner. Dr. Samuel Buell who was minister in East Hampton
during the Revolutionary War obtained a pamphlet “Proceedings of a
Board of General Officers ... respecting Major John André,” printed
in 1780. At Buell’s death it was given to his grandson, John Lyon
Gardiner, who perused it with great interest, for his recollections
of André were vivid, having frequently seen him in Colonel Abraham
Gardiner’s home. On bits of paper he began recording anecdotes and
on the reverse of title of this pamphlet of “Proceedings” which was
a blank page, in his own unmistakable handwriting he has left this
remarkable statement. See page 115. A few whispered words to Major
Davis and Mary Gardiner, wife of Colonel Abraham Gardiner, might have
shared with Sarah Townsend in rescuing West Point and saving the
American army.
[31] One of General Washington’s horses was kept in New York City at
this time, for the purpose of speeding these messages. The General paid
for its feed out of a secret fund, but kept receipts, which are still
preserved. This is probably the first mention of the fact.
[32] Mr. James Anderson. _James_ for _John_ is not a typographical
error. Although perhaps until now it has never been noticed,
nevertheless it is so in the original in the Library of Congress.
[33] Washington Papers, Library of Congress, No. 20155, September 13,
1780.
[34] There would have been no harm in the messages reaching Arnold had
he not been implicated. Recall of the messenger would clearly indicate
that Arnold was suspected. Major Tallmadge had sufficient intelligence
to convict him, but he did not choose to betray the confidence of the
Culpers by producing it.
[35] Orderly Book, September 24, 1780. Original in the
Adjutant-General’s Office, War Department, Washington, D.C.
JOHN ANDRÉ AND ARNOLD’S TREASON PLOT
Had the treason of Benedict Arnold been less carefully planned there
might be more excuse for his conduct. Certainly at the moment many
conspired to convince him that the time was approaching when it would
become necessary to make peace with the mother country. The best spies
of the enemy were falling into the hands of our Colonel Sheldon’s men
or visiting General Parsons, and all were forwarded to Arnold, where
they were able to accomplish the work they were employed to do, which
was to prejudice him against his country. Letters such as Parsons’
of September 5th, in which he says “the wretches who have crept into
Congress are almost below contempt: our country will never prosper in
their hands and they will starve us in the midst of plenty: to deny
the very obvious justice and to insult us when we require it, is left
only for Politicians of the New World.” Such, and there were others
reached him besides Parsons’, must have induced him to believe that
self government would not succeed. But while these may have encouraged
his treason they are not sufficient to excuse it. Every detail of his
plot was planned with cunning. His attempt to locate all the spies is
an example. The historian Marshall says he received from Lafayette the
information that Arnold endeavored to procure from General Washington
the names of his secret emissaries in New York, otherwise known as the
Culpers. Dunlap[36] says: “An incident which the gallant and honest
Lafayette tells us, marks the character of Arnold more distinctly than
ever the dénouement of his diabolical plot. Before leaving the army for
West Point, he went to the marquis, and mentioning his knowledge that
the noble Frenchman had spies in New York, employed at his own expense,
he asked their names and addresses; suggesting that their intelligence
might reach him more certainly and expeditiously by the way of West
Point, and suggesting that if he was in possession of their names,
he might facilitate the intercourse. The gallant and ever honorable
Lafayette escaped the snare laid by the arch traitor, merely through
his honest and upright sense of duty--replying that those individuals
had confided in him, and he could not divulge their secret to any
person whatever.”
* * * * *
With our General Howe he had better success. In his letter from
Robinson’s House, August 5th, he says:
“As the safety of this Post and garrison in a great measure
depends on having good intelligence of the movements and
designs of the enemy, and as you have been fortunate in the
agents you have employed for that purpose, I must request,
with their permission, to be informed who they are, as I wish
to employ them, for the same purpose. I will engage upon them
to make no discovery of them to any person breathing. Your
complyance will oblige Dear Sir, Your affectionate and obed.
Hbl. Servt.
“B. ARNOLD.”
The reply of Robert Howe on August 14th, was:
“The two most intelligent and confidential I got to undertake
with difficulty, and they did it with the greatest reluctance
and not without my pledging in the most solemn manner my honor
not to inform any person upon earth of their names, or of
their acting in the capacity of emisarys, they are persons of
character and property, who cannot without utter ruin get out
of the enemy’s power, and yet devoted to America, have agreed
to serve in a way they do not like, but which is the only way
they can at present serve her in. I have written to them and
urged them to let me give their address to you, but having
suggested to them long since how it would benefit service if
I should be removed to South Carolina if they would suffer
me to inform some general officers of them, they in the most
positive terms refused; and it is not without great persuasion
and difficulty that they are prevailed upon to continue their
acting even for me; this makes me fear they will not consent to
it tho I sincerely wish they may. I cannot indeed blame this
caution, as their life and the ruin of their families must be
the certain consequence should any accident happen to them. I
have a tolerable agent who acts by way of Long Island and has
been very faithful, intelligent and useful to me; he too has
property. I have written to him also pressing him to disclose
himself to you and have his answer: he says that he will give
you information of every circumstance which relates to your
post or to any part under your command, that he will task
himself to give every information of the enemy’s intentions,
and will faithfully report to you every movement which relates
to you; he will correspond with you under the name of John
Williams, and has made me pledge my honor that you will not
endeavour by any means to learn his real name and if by
accident you find it out that you never disclose it; this sir
I have pledged myself for your assurance of. He will mark the
letters Private, and you must injoin your family not to open
any letters so marked.
“ROBERT HOWE.”
In Arnold’s reply on the 16th he says:
“You lay me under infinite obligations to you, by interesting
yourself so greatly in matters of such important concern to
myself and my command.... You have my honor that I will not
be solicitous about the real name of Mr. Williams and you may
pledge my faith to him that if accident should disclose his
real name to me, I will not discover it. I will take proper
precautions that no gentlemen of my family open any letters
addressed to me as Private.”
The most notorious spy during the War of the Revolution was
unquestionably Major John André, of the British Army. So much depended
upon the success or failure of his undertaking that every move he made
is interesting. The part the spies of Washington played in holding
him when he had almost succeeded in following the traitor Arnold to
freedom, is excuse for the detail that follows:
When André’s fate was known he had a host of sympathizers but there
were never many in this country whom he could call his friends. There
was one notable exception. In John Graves Simcoe at Oyster Bay, Long
Island, he had a faithful friend as well as an admirer. Simcoe, born
in England in 1752, was sent to Eton at the age of fourteen. Thence he
removed to Merton College, Oxford, where his classical education was
completed. At the age of 19 he obtained a commission as ensign in the
35th Regiment, and after three years service he came to America. He
landed in Boston on June 17th, 1775, the day of the Battle of Bunker
Hill; soon purchased command of a company in the 40th Regiment and
for distinguished service was made second in command of the Queen’s
Rangers. This regiment originated in Connecticut with Colonel Rogers
at its head (the same Rogers who made the Rock or Slide in Lake George
famous) and was then known as Rogers’ Rangers. Under Colonel Simcoe
it was composed of American Loyalists including a number of gentlemen
of Virginia. To these he added a company of Highlanders and a company
of Irish until it numbered 550. It was one of the most efficient and
active corps in the service. Whenever possible their headquarters
were at Oyster Bay. After the war he became a member of Parliament
and on the division of the Canadas in 1791, he was appointed the
first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, where he served with great
distinction.[37] During the war, when his headquarters were in the
Townsend House at Oyster Bay the New York papers and London magazines
contained much favorable publicity for him and his Rangers. There is
reason to believe that many of these articles were either handed to or
written by Culper Junior.
Colonel Simcoe was the first, aside from General Clinton, to know of
Major André’s plotting. The twenty-third of August, 1780, found him
back in his old quarters at Oyster Bay, after more than a month’s
absence, on the east end of Long Island. He had seen much of Major
André during that month and they had become warm friends, trusting
each other with their confidences. Simcoe through him was able to
“communicate his wishes and hopes to the commander in chief,” and
André never failed to advise Simcoe of the progress of his coveted
honors. “I am Deputy Adjutant General still and without confirmation
of rank. I do not, however, despair of its being granted me” he writes
on July 5th. The next day, from Flushing, L. I., he found another
occasion to address Colonel Simcoe. Simcoe upon his return to Oyster
Bay outlined a plan he wished André to submit to General Clinton and
under date of August 29th, André reported as follows:
“_Dear Simcoe_--I laid before the General your proposed
arrangement for giving officers to the troops & which he
entirely approves of.... You are to draw a pay of Lt. Colonel
of Cavalry.... I will speak today about your Cavalry joining
you which I forgot to mention yesterday.... JOHN ANDRÉ, Adjt.
Gen.”
In this way, Simcoe says, “Sir Henry Clinton had been pleased to
intrust him with knowledge of the important negotiation which
terminated so unfortunately in the death of Major André, and at the
same time he informed him on what service he should eventually employ
him if it took effect, and directed him to obtain as minute a knowledge
as he could of the country, where future operations were likely to be
carried on.”
It appears that Benedict Arnold’s negotiations began about the time
of his marriage to Margaret Shippen,[38] which occurred in April,
1779. He confided in Beverly Robinson that he was ready to return to
the king’s service if a sufficiently interesting arrangement could be
made. This information was conveyed to Sir Henry Clinton who saw in
it great possibilities. Arnold was encouraged to open negotiations
and André was to carry them to a successful conclusion. Matters were
progressing slowly when, less than a week after André had written from
Flushing, there came to him a letter entirely in the secret cipher
used by Sir Henry Clinton. To André at that time the use of their code
by an American General may have been a mystery, but it is now easily
explained. Moody, a clever British spy, managed to fall into the hands
of Arnold and helped him prepare the letter. He was in duress at West
Point when Arnold took command and it is recorded that his condition
excited the general’s attention. This letter is addressed to John
Anderson (Major André) and advises the British commander that John
Moore (Benedict Arnold) has accepted the command at West Point and will
betray it. In full the letter follows:
[Illustration:
(Original in the William L. Clements Library,
by whose permission it is used.)
“John Moore” [Benedict Arnold] writes to “John Anderson” [Major André]
advising the British Commander that he [Arnold] has accepted the
command at West Point and will betray it.
_See page 126._
]
“I wrote to Capt. B---- on the 7th of June, that a F----fleet
and army were expected to act in conjunction with the A----
army. At the same time I gave Mr. S---- a manifesto intended to
be pubished in C----a, and have from time to time communicated
to him such intelligence as I thought interesting, which he
assures me he has transmitted to you. I have received no
answer to my letter, or any verbal message--I expect soon
to command at W. Pt. and most seriously wish an interview
with some intelligent officers in whom a mutual confidence
could be placed. The necessity is evident to arrange and to
cooperate.--An officer might be taken prisoner near that Post
and permitted to return on parole, or some officer on Parole
sent out to effect an exchange.
“General W---- expects on the arrival of the F----Troops
to collect 30,000 Troops to act in conjunction; if not
disappointed, N. York is fixed on as the first object; if his
numbers are not sufficient for that object, Can-a- is the
second; of which I can inform you in time, as well as of every
other design. I have accepted the command at W. P. as a Post
in which I can render the most essential services, and which
will be in my disposal. The mass of the people are heartily
tired of the war, and wish to be on their former footing.
They are promised great events from this year’s exertion.
If--disappointed--you have only to persevere and the contest
will soon be at an end. The present struggles are like the
pangs of a dying man, violent but of a short duration.
“As life and fortune are risked by serving His Majesty, it
is necessary that the latter shall be secured as well as the
emoluments I give up, and a compensation for services agreed
on, and a sum advanced for that purpose--which I have mentioned
in a letter which accompanies this, which Sir Henry will not, I
believe, think unreasonable. I am, Sir,
“Your hble Servt.
J MOORE.”
“July 12th, 1780
“Mr. Jn. Anderson
“P.S. I have great confidence in the Bearer, but beg Sir Henry
will threaten him with his resentment in case he abuses the
confidence placed in him, which will bring certain ruin on me.
The Bearer will bring me 200 guineas, and pay the remainder to
Capt. A---- who is requested to receive the deposit for Mr.
Moore.”
Moody was still at West Point when another now famous British spy
arrived. He came with a letter of introduction from General Samuel
H. Parsons, which enabled him to dine at Arnold’s table and sleep
in his Headquarters. General Parsons foolishly wrote from Reading,
August 28th, 1780, saying: “Mr. Heron is a neighbor of mine for whose
integrity and firm attachment to the cause of the Country I will
hold myself answerable.... I am certain he will conduct with strict
honor every matter he undertakes.” To the Secret Service of General
Washington William Heron was known as Hiram the British Spy.
From Arnold’s correspondence it would seem that at this particular time
he was looking for some one besides his wife in whom he could confide
his treasonable designs. His letters to Parsons became frequent.
Elisha Sheldon’s letter in which he complains of the assignment
General Washington had given him[39] may have given Arnold a reason to
believe he could depend upon him, for Sheldon closed by saying: “The
friendly acquaintance which I have been honoured with General Arnold,
and his well known military character, will make me peculiarly happy
in receiving any orders from him, which shall be implicitly obeyed.”
Arnold the next day replied saying: “I am happy to have an officer on
the lines in which I can place the greatest confidence.”
From Sheldon two spies from New York were sent to Arnold on August
14th, and another on the 19th.
Early in September he received a barrel of rum with Arnold’s
compliments, which may have been responsible for his being off duty
when so badly needed on September 23d. The order for the rum still
exists among the Washington Papers, No. 19796, and shows that Arnold
had no intentions of paying for it. In full it reads:
_Head Quarters_, August 28, 1780.
“_Sir._ In your return of Rum you will omit the puncheon of
Spirits which I have ordered to be reserved for my own use. You
will please to let me know how long the quantity on hand will
serve the Troops and what State stores are in the Magazine. I
have this day given an order for one Barrel Rum for Colonel
Sheldon, that also to be left out.
“B. ARNOLD.”
Another now famous letter passed from Arnold to André dated August
30th, 1780. It reads: