members of his military family during the months of July, August and
September, 1780, when he was in command of the fortifications at West
Point. Upon assuming command he invited Colonel Richard Varick[51] to
join his military family as aid and secretary, naming, among other
inducements for his acceptance, the fact that Mrs. Arnold was about to
join him at his headquarters. Varick had acted as private secretary
to General Schuyler, and then mustering officer in the Northern
Department, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In this way they had
become acquainted and he readily accepted the invitation, reporting for
duty on August 13th.
As his private headquarters Arnold had selected the Robinson House,
on the opposite side of the river a little below West Point. Upon the
arrival of Mrs. Arnold on September 15th, his military family or the
party which messed at his own table, consisted of himself, Mrs. Arnold,
Colonel Varick, and Major David S. Franks, who had been an aid to the
general for some time, having left Canada to join the American Army. As
might be expected with an excellent cook and charming hostess dinner
guests were frequent. Officers vied with each other in their attentions
and witty entertainment. But one visitor particularly ruffled the
temper of the “Family” at the Robinson House. This was Joshua Hett
Smith, for whom Colonel Varick could not conceal his dislike.
Opposition began upon receipt of a letter from him dated August 13.
Varick told Arnold in the presence of Franks that he considered him a
liar and a rascal, and Franks thereafter entertained that opinion of
him.
On the 14th of September Arnold went down the river in his barge, to
meet Mrs. Arnold, who was being escorted by Franks from Philadelphia.
They returned on the 15th. Meanwhile Varick discovered that Arnold had
sent for Capt. Robinson, a skipper, and asked him to sell some rum for
him. Finding that he was a Tory his employ was prevented.
Smith brought his wife with him to call upon Mrs. Arnold the day
after her arrival, and remained two days. At table he asserted that
America might have made an honorable peace with Great Britain when the
commissioners came out in 1778. Varick’s answer occasioned Mrs. Arnold
to tell Franks that Colonel Varick was in her opinion a very warm and
staunch whig.
It was whilst Smith was dining at Arnold’s Quarters on the 23d of
September that Varick’s indignation reached a crisis. “My unfavorable
opinion of his moral and political character, and his unusual and
unparalleled impertinence and forwardness, and General Arnold’s
countenancing him (notwithstanding my advice and frequent solicitations
to the contrary) fixed a resolution in me to affront him before Arnold
the first opportunity. A trifling one offered at table. I embraced it
with warmth,” says Varick.
As much as has been preserved of it follows:
_Mrs. Arnold_ (to servant). A little more butter please.
_Servant._ There is no more, Madam.
_Arnold._ Bless me, I had forgotten the oil I bought in Philadelphia;
it will do very well with this salt fish.
_Servant_ produces the oil.
_Arnold._ That oil cost eighty dollars.
_Smith._ Eighty pence, a dollar is no more than a penny.
_Varick_ (in a voice meant as an affront). That is not true, Mr. Smith.
_Franks_, _Arnold_, _Smith_, _Varick_, all join in a hot dispute, until
Mrs. Arnold, observing her husband in a passion, begged them to drop
the matter. Varick soon quitted the table and went to his room which
was then in the office. Smith went off soon after dinner and Arnold
went to the office and took Franks to task in very illiberal language
for affronting him.
_Arnold._ If I asked the Devil to dine with me the gentlemen of my
family should be civil to him.
_Franks._ Let me tell you that if Smith had not been at your table I
would have sent the bottle at his head. Hereafter I will treat him as a
rascal.
_Varick._ It was I who affronted Smith, not Franks.
_Franks_ (to Arnold). I have of late observed that you view every part
of my conduct with an eye of prejudice. I beg you to discharge me from
your family. [Leaves room in passion and goes to Newburgh, where he
remains over night.]
The dispute continues between Arnold and Varick.
_Varick_ (to Arnold). Smith is a ---- ---- rascal, a scoundrel and a
Spy. My reason for affronting him is that I think him so. My advice
to you has proceeded from a regard to your reputation which you
wished should stand well in this State and which I have very often
told you will suffer by an improper intimacy with Smith. Smith’s
insolence to Franks and his ungentlemanlike conduct to Mrs. Arnold, in
speaking impertinently to Franks before her in a language she did not
understand, justifies Franks’ treating him as he did and worse, and
also merited your resentment instead of countenance.
_Arnold._ I am always willing to be advised by the gentlemen of my
family, but by ---- I will not be dictated to by them. I think I
possess as much prudence as the gentlemen of my family.
That evening Varick received a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Benson,
of Governor Clinton’s family, in answer to one of his of the 24th of
August inquiring of Smith’s real political character and the truth
of some information he had given Arnold. The answer contained an
opinion by no means favorable. Varick showed it to Arnold and then
told him that he considered his past conduct and language to him as
unwarrantable and that he thought he did not place the confidence in
his repeated friendly assurance and advice which he had a right to
expect and which was necessary to be put in a person acting in his
capacity, and that he could not act longer with propriety. Arnold gave
him assurances of his full confidence in him, of a conviction of the
rectitude of his conduct, of Smith’s being a rascal, and of his error
in treating him with such cavalier language, and that he would never go
to Smith’s house again, or be seen with him but in company.
We now come to the day of Arnold’s flight [Sept. 25, 1780]. Varick is
not well, he remained in bed most of the morning. Before breakfast
Arnold entered his room and inquired:
_Arnold._ Have you answered the letters received from Lt. Colonel
Jameson? Has Major Tallmadge’s letter been answered? Have you written
to Gov. Clinton inclosing copies of the letters of Colonel Beverly
Robinson?
_Varick._ No sir, I am sick and am not able to.
_Arnold._ [Taking Colonel Tallmadge’s letter out of the office with
him.] I will write to Tallmadge myself.
Some minutes later the messenger from Lieutenant Colonel Jameson hands
Arnold two letters. After reading them he ascends the stairs to Mrs.
Arnold’s room.
Two minutes later His Excellency General Washington’s servant comes to
the door and informs Major Franks that His Excellency is nigh at hand.
Franks goes immediately up stairs and informs Arnold of it. Arnold
comes down in great confusion, orders a horse to be saddled, mounts
him, and tells Franks to inform His Excellency that he is going to West
Point and will return in about an hour.
Half an hour later General Washington arrives and after taking a hasty
breakfast starts for West Point. Franks in the interval had stopped
at Varick’s room and told him that Arnold had gone to West Point.
Lieutenant Hubbell also entered Varick’s room and incidentally told him
he saw Arnold’s barge going down the river. It should have been going
up to reach West Point, but at the moment this made no impression.
Colonel Varick’s room was on the ground floor. There was a window
near the bed that could be opened from the outside. Presently this
was raised by Franks and with suppressed emotion he informed Varick
that he believed Arnold was a villain: that he had heard a report
that one Anderson was taken as a spy on the lines and that a Militia
officer had brought a letter to Arnold and that he was enjoined secrecy
by Arnold. Varick concurred and with indescribable agitation they
discussed the subject, but finally concluded that it was uncharitable
and unwarrantable even to suppose it.
Franks had only time to lower the window when Mrs. Arnold called for
Varick. As soon as he conveniently could he waited on her. She was in
great distress and had apparently lost her reason. Dr. Eustice was
summoned. After an examination he addressed Varick: “Where has General
Arnold gone? I beg you for God’s sake to send for him, or the woman
will die.” Franks was with them by this time and taking Dr. Eustice
into an adjoining room, after enjoining the most sacred secrecy, they
informed him of their suspicions that Arnold had gone to the enemy.
They made him understand that it was a bare suspicion, and that they
were afraid to lisp it to any creature living, lest proving untrue it
should ruin their reputations. Their suspicions were soon confirmed
and communicated to Dr. Eustice, when upon Varick’s remarking to
Mrs. Arnold that she would soon have the General with her again, she
exclaimed, “Oh no, no! he is gone, gone forever!”[52]
General Washington has arrived at the Robinson House, the Headquarters
of Arnold. And now in his own words will be told what next happened.
One day in 1796 he related this at the close of an enjoyable meal
at his own table. His secretary, Tobias Lear, carefully recorded it
and begged permission to preserve it for permanent record. General
Washington says:
“On my return from Hartford I met Chevalier Luzerne towards evening
within about 15 miles of West Point, which I intended to reach that
night, but he insisted upon turning back with me to the next public
house; where, in politeness to him, I could not but stay all night,
determining, however, to get to West Point to breakfast very early.
I sent off my baggage and desired Colonel Hamilton to go forward and
inform General Arnold that I would breakfast with him. Soon after he
arrived at Arnold’s quarters, a letter was delivered to Arnold which
threw him into the greatest confusion. He told Colonel Hamilton that
something required his immediate attendance at the garrison which was
on the opposite side of the river to his quarters; and immediately
ordered a horse, to take him to the river; and the barge which he
kept to cross, to be ready; and desired Major Franks, his Aid, to
inform me when I should arrive that he was gone over the river and
would return immediately. When I got to his quarters and did not find
him there, I desired Major Franks to order me some breakfast; and
as I intended to visit the fortifications I would see General Arnold
there. After I had breakfasted I went over the river, and inquiring
for Arnold, the commanding officer told me that he had not been there.
I likewise inquired at the several redoubts, but no one could give me
any information where he was. The impropriety of his conduct when he
knew I was to be there, struck me very forcibly, and my mind misgave
me; but I had not the least idea of the real cause. When I returned
to Arnold’s quarters about two hours after, and told Colonel Hamilton
that I had not seen him, he gave me a packet which had just arrived
for me from Colonel Jameson, which immediately brought the matter to
light. I ordered Colonel Hamilton to mount his horse and proceed with
the greatest dispatch to a post on the river about eight miles below,
in order to stop the barge if she had not passed; but it was too late.
It seems that the letter which Arnold received which threw him in such
confusion was from Colonel Jameson, informing him that André was taken
and that the papers found upon him were in his possession. Colonel
Jameson when André was taken with the papers, could not believe that
Arnold was a traitor, but rather that it was an imposition of the
British in order to destroy our confidence in Arnold. He, however,
immediately on their being taken, dispatched an express after me,
ordering him to ride night and day till he came up with me. The
express went the lower road, which was the road by which I had gone
to Connecticut, expecting that I would return by the same route, and
that he would meet me; but before he had proceeded far, he was informed
that I was returning by the upper road. He then cut across the country
and followed my track till I arrived at West Point. He arrived about
two hours after and brought the above packet. When Arnold got down
to the barge he ordered his men, who were very clever fellows and
some of the better sort of soldiery, to proceed immediately on board
the Vulture sloop of war, as a flag, which was lying down the river;
saying that they must be very expeditious, as he must return in a short
time to meet me, and promised them two gallons of rum if they would
exert themselves. They did, accordingly; but when they got on board the
Vulture, instead of their two gallons of rum, he ordered the cockswain
to be called down into the cabin and informed him that he and the men
must consider themselves as prisoners.
“The cockswain was very much astonished, and told him that they came on
board under the sanction of a flag. He answered that that was nothing
to the purpose; they were prisoners. But the Captain of the Vulture had
more generosity than this pitiful scoundrel, and told the cockswain
that he would take his parole for going on shore and getting his
clothes, and whatever else was wanted for himself and his companions.
He accordingly came, got his clothes and returned on board. When they
got to New York General Clinton, ashamed of such low and mean action,
set them at liberty.”
[Illustration: “WE ARE TOO LATE.” HAMILTON’S NOTE TO GENERAL
WASHINGTON. Reproduced directly from the original.
_See page 178._
* * * * *
On p. 100 in the Diary of Hugh Gaine is this entry: “Sept. 26. This day
Gen. Arnold came in from West Point, to the great surprise of every
person who was not in the secret.”]
* * * * *
It is not proposed to even mention here the prompt measures that were
taken to protect West Point. General Washington’s letter to General
Heath follows as a continuation of the narrative of Arnold’s escape and
extracts from a letter of General Green to show in what contempt he was
held.
* * * * *
The letter to William Heath is dated
ROBINSON HOUSE, Sept. 26, 1780.
_Dear Sir_: In the present situation of things, I think it
necessary that you should join the army; and request that
you will do it. You will come to headquarters yourself. The
route through Litchfield will be the most eligible for you, on
account of security, and you may direct your baggage to halt
at Fishkill, for your further orders. I write to the Count de
Rochambeau by this conveyance; and I trust that your coming
away now will not be attended with any material inconvenience
to him.
I cannot conclude without informing you of an event which has
happened here, which will strike you with astonishment and
indignation:--Major General Arnold has gone to the enemy. He
had had an interview with Major André, Adjutant General of
the British Army, and had put into his possession a state of
the army of the garrison at this post, of the number of men
considered as necessary for the defense of it, a return of the
ordinance, and the disposition of the artillery corps, in case
of an alarm. By a most providential interposition, Major André
was taken in returning to New York, with all the papers in
General Arnold’s hand writing; who, hearing of the matter, kept
it to himself, left his quarters immediately, under pretext of
going over to West Point, on Monday forenoon, about an hour
before my arrival; then pushed down the river in the barge,
which was not discovered until I had returned from West Point
in the afternoon, and when I received the first information of
Mr. André’s capture. Measures were instantly taken to apprehend
him, but, before the officer sent for the purpose could reach
Verplanck’s Point he had passed it with a flag, and got on
board the Vulture ship of war, which lay a few miles below. He
knew of my approach, and that I was visiting, with the Marquis,
the north and middle redoubts; and from the circumstances was
so straightened in point of time, that I believe he carried
with him but very few, if any, material papers; tho he has very
precise knowledge of the affairs of the post. The gentlemen of
General Arnold’s family I have the greatest reason to believe,
were not privy in the least degree to the measures he was
carrying on, or to his excape.
GO. WASHINGTON.
Nathaniel Green’s letter is addressed to Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth
at Hartford, and reads: “I think I have not written you since the
late desertion of Arnold. Was you ever more astonished in your life?
A man high in reputation, and with the fairest prospects of domestic
happiness. The love of parade and the thirst for gold has proved
his ruin. How black, how despised, loved by none, and hated by all.
Once his Country’s Idol now her horror. Curse on his folly nay his
villainy and most of all his meanness. The latter has been displayed
in such dirty colours in his transactions at this post, as has not
been equaled in the history of man. All kind of private and public
robery has he pursued, and accompanied it, with such circumstances of
littleness as shows him to be the basest of mortals. I freely confess
I had no conception notwithstanding the converse I have had with
mankind, that it was possible for human nature to arrive at such a
degree of corruption. The discovery has been very providential. Had
these Posts fallen into the Enemies’ hand God knows what might have
been the consequence. But I think little short of the entire subjection
of America. What a triumph to British pride; and what a downfall to
American glory. Poor Congress what would have become of you?”
_Benedict Arnold_
We know that his mother’s maiden name was Hannah Waterman, and that she
married first Absalom King, of Long Island, and then, after his death,
on November 8th, 1733, she married Benedict Arnold and that Benedict,
the traitor, was born on January 3d, 1740, new style Jan. 14, 1741;
and that he had a sister Hannah, born Dec. 9th, 1742. We also know
that while yet a lad he was apprenticed to a druggist in Norwich and
that another lad likewise apprenticed was Hopkins. Arnold when only
sixteen enlisted in a regiment and went off to Hartford but at his
mother’s earnest solicitation he was sent back; only to run away again
and enlist in a regiment stationed in the vicinity of Ticonderoga. He
soon deserted and returned to his home and business and after serving
his apprenticeship started in the drug business for himself in New
Haven. This for awhile prospered and later failed. We know that before
the war, in 1767, he was married at New Haven to a lady by the name
of Margaret Mansfield. They had three sons, Benedict, Richard and
Henry. This lady probably died in 1775. We know that during the war, in
April, 1779, he was married to the youngest daughter of Edward Shippen
of Philadelphia, Pa. Margaret, or as she was more frequently called,
Peggy Shippen, a girl under nineteen in 1779. We know they went to
England before the close of the war and Benedict Arnold was in England
in 1786 and part of 1787. We do not know if he was married again after
the war, but we know that a lady calling herself Mrs. Arnold arrived
in Massachusetts on January 3, 1796. She came in the ship _Outram_
from London 56 days out. With her was her daughter Elizabeth Arnold,
then nine years old. A man showed them marked attention during the
voyage and after they had been some time settled in Boston Mrs. Arnold
announced that she had married this individual, who was Charles Tubbs,
before leaving England. Mrs. Tubbs and her daughter Betty or Elizabeth
Arnold became stage favorites and in 1802 the daughter Elizabeth
Arnold, then fifteen years old, married C. D. Hopkins, and they
continued to take prominent parts on the stage until his death, which
occurred on October 26th, 1805. Meanwhile David Poe, the son of David
Poe of Baltimore, Maryland, had fallen desperately in love with Betty
Arnold Hopkins. Her husband’s sudden death enabled them to marry and
in July 1806 Mr. and Mrs. Poe appeared together at the Vauxhall Garden
Theatre in New York. In January, 1809, they were together, filling an
engagement on the Boston stage, assisted by John Howard Payne, the
immortal author of Home, Sweet Home, when on the 19th of the month
Edgar Poe was born. What became of his Arnold grandmother may always
remain a mystery. She may have died in Philadelphia in 1798 after which
date she was never heard of, but wherever she reposes, with her is
probably buried for all time that question one might like to solve. Was
her child, as some affirm, the daughter of Benedict Arnold? If this
Betty Arnold was his daughter then our immortal poet Edgar Allan Poe
was a grandson of the arch traitor, Benedict Arnold.
FOOTNOTES to “EYEWITNESSES EXPLAIN ANDRÉ’S CAPTURE”:
[48] Bancroft, vol. 10, p. 388 says: When they had delivered André
to Col. Jameson they “went their way not asking a reward for their
services or leaving their names.” John Jameson practically confirms
this in the letter he wrote to General Washington at the time. In full
it reads:
NORTH CASTLE, Sept. 27th, 1780.
This will be delivered you by John Paulding, one of the young
men that took Major André and who nobly refused any sum of
money that he should demand. The other two young men that were
in company with him are not yet found; as soon as they arrive
they shall be sent on. I have just seen L. Kennecut. He thinks
it will be impossible for him to go below again; he begs your
instruction and assistance; almost all his furniture, clothes
and money are below. Some of the slanderers from above have
stole his horses which makes him very poor; he has gone down
between the lines to try to get out some of his things and
to give notice to some people that have assisted him in his
business.
I should take it as a particular favour if you would use your
influence with Governor Clinton to have some board appointed to
enquire into and determine the horrid practice of plundering
that is carried on in this part of the country. I have no doubt
but that the plunderers above and below are connected. If some
proper board could be appointed or the commanding officer on
the lines vested with proper authority from Governor Clinton
many petty villains near the lines may be detected I make no
doubt who hold a correspondence with DeLancey’s Cow Boys. I
am very sorry that I wrote to G-- Arnold. I did not think of
a British Ship being up the River and expected that if he was
the man he has since turned out to be that he would come down
to the troops in this quarter in which case I should have
secured him. (I mentioned my intention to Major Tallmadge and
some other of the field officers all of which were clearly of
opinion that it would be right) until I could hear from your
Excellency. The Queens Rangers I am informed marched from
Oyster Bay last Saturday for Kingsbridge, the 17th on Sunday
and some others ordered to hold themselves in readiness. Two
British Officers went on board the Vulture just above Tarrytown
they were out in the country cloathed in mean ragged country
cloaths and at the river side changed them for fine laced
regimentals. Some gentleman came out from Kingsbridge about a
fortnight ago with a handkerchief full of gold; changed his
clothes for an old sack coat and pushed up the North River. I
am with regard and esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedient and
very humble servant
JOHN JAMESON.
[49] Paulding died in 1818, and in 1827 the Corporation of the City
of New York placed a monument over his grave in the old cemetery just
north of Peekskill, reciting, “The Corporation of the City of New York
erected this tomb as a Memorial Sacred to Public Gratitude.” Van Wart
died in 1828, and in the Greenburgh church-yard the citizens of this
county erected a memorial in “Testimony of his virtuous and patriotic
conduct.” Williams died in Livingstonville, in Schoharie County, in
1831, and was buried with military honors. In 1876 the State erected
a monument, and his remains were re-interred in the old stone fort at
Schoharie Court House. On the spot where André was captured the young
men of Westchester County, in 1853, built a cenotaph in honor of his
captors.
[50] Jameson addressed another letter to headquarters on the very day
of André’s execution. It is dated from Northcastle, New Purchase, Oct.
2nd, 1780, and reads: