THE STORY OF JOHN CHAMPE
While the Powells and the Masons, the Lees, the Claphams, the Nolands
and the Rusts, the Chinns, the Peytons, the Mercers, the Ellzeys and
others of her natural leaders and large landowning families of the time,
had abetted and supported, in one capacity or another, the Revolutionary
cause, it was, in the end, the simple, homespun, backwoodsman class that
bred Loudoun's most romantic figure in the Revolution. Sergeant Major
John Champe of Lee's Partisan Legion, mighty of bone and sinew,
stout-hearted, resourceful and of such boundless devotion and loyalty to
his country and his commander-in-chief in its hour of travail that he
consented to incur the scorn and hatred of his fellow-soldiers when
along that hard path lay his duty, deserves to have his fidelity, his
courage and his exploits commemorated at length in every story of his
native county.
John Champe was born in what was soon to become Loudoun in the year
1752. Little or nothing is known of his boyhood. His family was too
humble and his early life too obscure to have challenged the pen of his
scattered neighbors. When the American Colonies revolted against the
mother country, he at once enlisted in Virginia's forces and in 1780 was
serving as a dragoon in Light Horse Harry Lee's cavalry Legion in which
he had by sheer merit attained the rank of sergeant major and, through
the esteem he had earned, was in line for promotion to a commission. The
morale of the American Army had been profoundly shaken by Arnold's
recent treason and escape; the courageous but unfortunate young British
officer Andre was a prisoner in Washington's hands as a result of his
part in the affair and Washington was deeply troubled lest the treason
which had corrupted Arnold had spread its vicious poison elsewhere among
his soldiers. Henry Lee of Virginia, famous enough in his own right but
also destined to be known as the father of General Robert E. Lee as
well, was afterward, in the War of 1812, commissioned a major general;
but then, as a cavalry major of twenty-three in command of an
independent partisan corps of Dragoons, had already achieved his
magnificent capture of the British-held fort at Paulus Hook and for that
and many another daring exploit enjoyed no small military distinction.
At the time our story opens, Lee and his corps were with Washington
along the Hudson River. Many years later he was to write his famous
_Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United
States_,[116] an important source-book of American history. It is to
this work that we are principally indebted for our knowledge of Champe's
exploit and from it I shall quote largely the story, condensing but the
less essential parts. Only thus can be taken the true measure of
Champe's heroism, now too generally forgotten in Loudoun.
[116] Quotations are from the 2nd edition published in 1827 in
Washington by Peter Force.
There had fallen into Washington's hands certain anonymous papers which
appeared to involve other of his soldiers in treason, and particularly
one of his generals.[117] He had sent for Lee and handed him the papers.
Lee studied them carefully and when asked his counsel, said he thought
they represented a contrivance of Sir Henry Clinton, the British
commander-in-chief, to destroy confidence between Washington and his men
and purposely had been permitted by the British to fall into
Washington's hands. Washington rejoined that the idea was plausible and
had already occurred to him; but the danger involved in the possible
defection of one of his highest officers was so great that the truth
must be ascertained at once.
[117] Supposed to have been General Gates.
"'I have sent for you'" Lee quotes Washington as saying, "'in the
expectation that you have in your corps individuals capable and willing
to undertake an indispensable, delicate and hazardous project. Whoever
comes forward upon this occasion, will lay me under great obligations
personally, and in behalf of the United States I will reward him amply.
No time is to be lost: he must proceed if possible this night. My object
is to probe to the bottom the afflicting intelligence contained in the
papers you have just read; to seize Arnold, and by getting him, to save
Andre. They are all connected. While my emissary is engaged in preparing
means for the seizure of Arnold, the guilt of others can be traced; and
the timely delivery of Arnold to me, will possibly put it into my power
to restore the amiable and unfortunate Andre to his friends. My
instructions are ready, in which you will find my express orders that
Arnold is not to be hurt; but that he be permitted to escape if to be
prevented only by killing him, as his public punishment is the sole
object in view. That you cannot too forcibly press upon whomsoever may
engage in the enterprise; and this fail not to do. With my instructions
are two letters to be delivered as ordered and here are some guineas for
expenses.'
"Major Lee, replying, said that he had little or no doubt but that his
legion contained many individuals daring enough for any operation,
however perilous; but that the one in view required a combination of
qualities not easily to be found, unless in a commissioned officer to
whom he could not venture to propose an enterprise the first step in
which was desertion. That though the sergeant-major of the cavalry was
in all respects qualified for the delicate and adventurous project, and
to him it might be proposed without indelicacy, as his station did not
interpose an obstacle before stated; yet it was very probable that the
same difficulty would occur in his breast, to remove which would not be
easy, if practicable."
Washington became at once interested in this hitherto unknown sergeant
major and asked his name, his country, his age, size, length of service
and character.
"Being told his name," continues Lee "that he was a native of Loudoun
County in Virginia; about twenty-three or twenty-four years of age--that
he had enlisted in 1776--rather above the medium size--full of bone and
muscle; with a saturnine countenance, grave, thoughtful and taciturn--of
tried courage and inflexible perseverance, and as likely to regret an
adventure coupled with ignominy as any officer in the corps; a
commission being the goal of his long and anxious exertions, and certain
on the first vacancy--the general exclaimed that he was the very man for
the business; and that going to the enemy by the instigation and at the
request of his officer, was not desertion though it appeared to be so.
And he enjoined that this explanation, as coming from him, should be
pressed on Champe."
Leaving Washington, Lee hastened to the camp of his cavalry corps where,
arriving about 8:00 o'clock at night, he sent for Champe and placed the
matter before him, stressing "the very great obligation he would confer
on the commander-in-chief" and all else Lee could think of to insure his
acceptance of the assignment; concluding with an explanation of the
details of the plan, so far as they had been developed, and an
expression of his personal wish that he would enter upon its execution
instantly.
"Champe listened with deep attention, and with a highly excited
countenance; the perturbations of his breast not being hid even by his
dark visage. He briefly and modestly replied, that no soldier exceeded
him in respect and affection for the commander-in-chief, to serve whom
he would willingly lay down his life; and that he was sensible of the
honour conferred by the choice of him for the execution of a project all
over arduous; nor could he be at a loss to know to whom was to be
ascribed the preference bestowed, which he took pleasure in
acknowledging, although increasing obligations, before great and many."
As for the plan itself, Champe thought it excellent and understood at
once how great might be the benefits resulting from its success. "He was
not deterred by the danger and difficulty which was evidently to be
encountered but he was deterred by the ignominy of desertion, to be
followed by the hypocrisy of enlisting with the enemy; neither of which
comported with his feelings, and either placed an insuperable bar in his
way to promotion. He concluded by observing, that if any mode could be
contrived free from disgrace, he would cordially embark in the
enterprise. As it was he prayed to be excused."
Thus Champe's reaction to the project justified Lee's prior opinion
expressed to his general and shewed his knowledge and understanding of
the man. But the plan, with the tremendous results involved, pressed for
immediate action and Lee exerted his utmost power of persuasion. He
pointed out that Washington himself had declared that, in this case, the
desertion was not a crime; adding that if Champe accepted, Lee would
consider the whole corps highly honored by the General's call but that
if it failed, at such a critical moment, to furnish a competent man it
would reduce Lee to "a mortifying condition."
It was a long and arduous task to overcome Champe's repugnance to become
involved, even seemingly, in a situation repellant to his every standard
of honor to which his soldier's life had been trained; but slowly Lee
overcame his scruples and obtained his consent. Then the detailed
instructions, already prepared, were read to him, covering not only his
behaviour and procedure when once safely away but also the very
difficult matter of the desertion itself which must be so managed as to
leave no doubt in his companions' minds as to his treachery but also to
insure, so far as possible, his safety from their inevitable wrath.
Obviously very little help could be given by Major Lee at this point
"lest it might induce a belief that he was privy to the desertion, which
opinion getting to the enemy would involve the life of Champe." So that
part of the matter was left to the young sergeant, Lee promising,
however, that if his escape were discovered before morning, he would
seek to delay the pursuit "as long as practical."
Giving Champe three guineas as initial expense money, Lee urged him to
start without delay and to let him hear from him, as promptly as
possible, after he had arrived in New York. Champe, again urging Lee to
delay pursuit, returned to his camp "and taking his cloak, valise and
orderly book, he drew his horse from the picket and mounting him, put
himself upon fortune."
His anticipation of rapid discovery and pursuit proved only too well
founded. None knew better than he the alertness and efficiency of his
fellow-dragoons and the effective discipline maintained in Lee's
command. Less than half an hour had passed since he escaped the camp,
before his absence, under what appeared highly suspicious circumstances,
was discovered and promptly reported. "Captain Carnes, Officer of the
day, waited upon the Major[118] and with considerable emotion told him
that one of the patrol had fallen in with a dragoon, who being
challenged, put spur to his horse and escaped, though instantly
pursued."
[118] Lee, the narrator.
Lee, mindful of the value to Champe of every minute of delay which his
ingenuity could devise, simulated a lack of understanding of his report,
and when that had been repeated and clarified, appeared to doubt Carnes'
deduction and sought to persuade him that he was mistaken. The latter,
however, was a competent officer and moreover his suspicions had been
thoroughly aroused. Arnold's treason had raised mistrust of loyalty
which, perhaps, normally would not have been entertained. Therefore on
leaving Lee, Carnes at once returned to his men and ordered them to
assemble, thus quickly learning that Champe, "his horse, baggage, arms
and orderly book" were missing. His worst fears thus confirmed and,
greatly affected by the supposed desertion in his own command, he
hurriedly arranged a party for pursuit and returned to Lee for written
orders. Again Lee played for delay. While appearing to approve of
Carnes' zeal, he told him that he had already planned certain other and
particular service for him that night and that another officer would
have to lead the pursuit. For that purpose, after apparent deep and
protracted consideration, he chose a younger officer, Cornet Middleton,
being moved to do so, writes Lee by "his knowledge of the tenderness of
Middleton's disposition, which he hoped would lead to the protection of
Champe, should he be taken;" but he was, at the end, obliged to issue
orders in the customary form upon such occasions and those delivered to
Middleton, duly signed by Lee, read ominously enough: "Pursue as far as
you can with safety Sergeant Champe, who is suspected of deserting to
the enemy, and has taken the road leading to Paulus Hook. Bring him
alive that he may suffer in the presence of the army; but kill him if he
resists or escapes after being taken."
And still Lee procrastinated. With one device or another he contrived to
hold Middleton, giving him instructions in such detail that they
bordered on the trivial. Yet rake his imagination as he would, he at
length was obliged to dismiss the youthful Cornet, with an expressed
wish, however insincere, for his success.
In the meanwhile, and soon after Champe's departure, rain had begun to
fall, almost wrecking the carefully contrived plan; for Champe's horse
was shod in a manner peculiar to the Legion and Middleton's party was
thus better able to follow Champe's course than otherwise would have
been possible on a dark night through the deserted country. Middleton
and his men had finally succeeded in leaving the American camp soon
after midnight, something over an hour after Champe had made his escape;
but to examine the ground for shoeprints and the prints themselves, on a
rainy night, meant the frequent dismounting of troopers, the striking of
a light and thus an ever-growing delay. With the break of day, however,
the shoeprints were clear enough and better time could be made--and then
on a rise before reaching Three Pigeons, some miles north of the Village
of Bergen, Middleton's men caught sight of the fugitive, not more than
half a mile ahead, Champe seeing his pursuers at the same time.
The pursuit was now so grimly close that Champe knew a mistake by him or
taking any but the most essential risks meant quick capture and no
gentle treatment, if, indeed, he should survive that unpleasant event.
Therefore he quickly abandoned his first plan to reach Paulus Hook (now
part of Jersey City) and instead, with all possible speed and by
changing his course, sought immediate refuge in the British galleys
which he knew lay a few miles to the west of Bergen "in accordance with
British custom." Again, on the new course, he was sighted, his
determined pursuers coming within two or three hundred yards of their
quarry; but Champe, coming abreast of the galleys "dismounted and
running through the marsh to the river, plunged into it, calling upon
the galleys for help." This was readily given; "they fired upon our
horse" writes Lee "and sent a boat to meet Champe, who was taken in and
carried on board, and conveyed to New York with a letter from the
captain of the galley, stating the circumstances he had seen." Escape
had been achieved by the narrowest of margins and in the gravest danger;
but it had created a realistic background for Champe's introduction to
the British, difficult indeed to have bettered. Not the slightest doubt
was entertained by either group that it had witnessed a daring desertion
most narrowly achieved.
Greatly chagrined as were the Americans, they were not obliged to return
entirely empty-handed. The fleeing Sergeant's horse with its equipment,
his cloak and scabbard fell into their hands and were carried back by
them; but Champe held onto his sword until he plunged into the river and
the British made it too hot at that point for prolonged search.
Dejectedly the dragoons returned to their camp to report their failure;
giving Lee, quite unknowingly, a very bad moment when he saw Champe's
riderless horse being led back, until he was apprised of what had really
happened; thereupon he lost no time in presenting himself to General
Washington and reporting the complete success of the first part of the
hazardous adventure.
Four days slowly passed, and then an unsigned letter, in a disguised
hand, was received by Lee from his sergeant, telling of his further
adventures. He had, it seems, been kindly received on the galley and
taken at once to the British Commandant in New York who was deeply
interested in his story of his escape. The keen-witted Champe did not
fail to take full advantage of his sympathetic audience and the good
impression he was making. He assured the British officers "that such was
the spirit of defection which prevailed among the American troops in
consequence of Arnold's example, that he had no doubt, if the temper was
properly cherished, Washington's ranks would not only be greatly
thinned, but that some of his best corps would leave him." This did not
seem, to a reflective mind, wholly consistent with the fire and spirit
of the pursuit which the sergeant had so narrowly eluded, but his
circumstantial narrative gave such welcome news to the British that they
appear happily to have succumbed to the very human inclination to
believe what they most wished were true. Their enthusiasm, however, did
not cause them to forego recording a very careful description of their
new ally: "his size, place of birth, form, countenance, hair, the corps
in which he had served, with other remarks in conformity with the
British usage." Delighted as were his new friends with the sergeant and
his story and inclined to accept both as offered, they apparently had
not wholly failed to profit from their long contact at home with their
canny northern neighbors.
And now Champe was taken before His Majesty's Commander-in-Chief, Sir
Henry Clinton himself. Nothing was wanting to shew the importance
attached by the British to this latest deserter and the causes believed
by them to have impelled him to his course. Clinton closely
cross-examined the fugitive as to the possibility of the encouragement
of further desertions from the American forces, the effect of Arnold's
treason on Washington and the treatment being given Andre. Although
there were moments when Champe's ingenuity and presence of mind appear
to have been sadly taxed, yet on the whole he succeeded in so well and
convincingly deporting himself that Sir Henry, at the close of his
examination, gave him a couple of guineas and assigned him to the
service of General Arnold, with a letter telling the latter who and what
he was. Arnold also received Champe cordially, expressed much
satisfaction on hearing from him the manner of his escape and the
fabulous effect of Arnold's example; and concluded his numerous
enquiries by assigning to him similar quarters to those occupied by his
own recruiting sergeants.
Nothing could have developed more favorably to the American's plot. Of a
surety, fickle fortune appeared at last to be broadly smiling on him.
Arnold's next move was to seek to persuade Champe to join his legion;
but that was a step so repugnant to the sergeant's spirit that even
devotion to Washington failed, in his mind, to justify it; so he told
Arnold, with some surliness, that for his part, he had had enough of war
and knew that if he ever were captured by the rebels he would be hung
out-of-hand which for him made further military service doubly
hazardous.[119] Arnold had reason to appreciate the sergeant's point and
permitted him to retire to his quarters where at once he devoted himself
to the consideration of how and when he could make contact with the
American friends within the British lines who were to get for him the
information sought by Washington as to the loyalty of certain of his
officers. This contact, with fortune's aid, he was able to establish the
next night and his new friend not only pledged himself to procure the
information he sought but engaged to send out Champe's reports to Major
Lee as well.
[119] Thus Lee's account, but Champe apparently afterwards found it
expedient to enlist with the British, as will appear later.
Thus was communication established between Champe and Lee and promptly
word came from the latter urging expedition; for Andre's situation had
become desperate and further delay by Washington increasingly difficult.
And then Andre himself destroyed his own last chance and ruined the
hopes and efforts of his well-wishers. Disdaining pretense or defense,
he freely acknowledged the truth of the charges against him and sealed
his own doom. By his acknowledgment Washington's hands were tied and
Andre was promptly condemned as a spy and duly executed.
Andre's tragic fate did not diminish Washington's desire to lay his
hands on Arnold. Champe was duly informed by Lee of the fatal event and
again urged to bring the plot in which he was engaged to a successful
outcome.
But Champe needed no urging. With such alacrity had he and his
confederates been working, that soon he was able to send a report to Lee
completely vindicating the American general officer toward whom
Washington's doubts had been directed, which report Lee duly transmitted
to his chief; with the result that "the distrust heretofore entertained
of the accused was forever dismissed."
And now Champe had but to secure the person of Arnold to crown his task
with success and to wholly justify the confidence reposed in him by Lee
and Washington. On the 19th October, 1780, Major Lee received from him a
full report of his progress toward that end and the plan he had made.
Again Lee laid his communication before his general, from whom he
received the following letter in Washington's own handwriting, shewing
how carefully the latter sought to guard the secret and protect his
emissary:
"Headquarters October 20, 1780
"Dear Sir: The plan proposed for taking A----d (the outlines of which
are communicated in your letter, which was this moment put into my hands
without date) has every mark of a good one. I therefore agree to the
promised rewards; and have such entire confidence in your management of
the business, as to give it my fullest approbation; and leave the whole
to the guidance of your judgment, with this express stipulation and
pointed injunction, that he (A----d) is to be brought to me alive.
"No circumstance whatever shall obtain my consent to his being put to
death. The idea which would accompany such an event, would be that
ruffians had been hired to assassinate him. My aim is to make a public
example of him; and this should be strongly impressed upon those who are
employed to bring him off. The Sergeant must be very circumspect--too
much zeal may create suspicion, and too much precipitency may defeat the
project. The most inviolable secrecy must be observed on all hands. I
send you five guineas; but I am not satisfied of the propriety of the
Sergeant's appearing with much specie. This circumstance may also lead
to suspicion, as it is but too well known to the enemy that we do not
abound in this article.
"The interviews between the party in and out of the city, should be
managed with much caution and seeming indifference; or else the
frequency of their meetings, etc., may betray the design, and involve
bad consequences; but I am persuaded that you will place every matter in
a proper point of view to the conductors of this interesting business,
and therefore I shall only add that
"I am, dear sir, etc., etc.
"G. WASHINGTON."
Written communications between Champe and Lee continued. In ten days
Champe had added the final touches to his plan for the abduction and so
informed Lee, asking that on the third subsequent night a party of
dragoons meet him at Hoboken to whom he hoped to deliver Arnold.
Our sergeant was by this time familiar with Arnold's habits and
movements. He knew that it was Arnold's custom to return to his home
about midnight and to visit the garden before retiring. It was at that
time that Champe and the allies he, through Lee's letters, had obtained,
planned to seize and gag the renegade and remove him by way of an
adjoining alley to a boat, manned by other trusted conspirators, at one
of the wharves on the nearby Hudson.
When the appointed day arrived, Washington directed Lee to himself take
command of the small detachment of dragoons who were to meet Champe and
his prisoner. "The day arrived," quoting Lee again "and Lee with a party
of dragoons left camp late in the evening, with three led horses; one
for Arnold, one for the sergeant and the third for his associate; never
doubting the success of the enterprise from the tenor of the last
received communication. The party reached Hoboken about midnight, where
they were concealed in the adjoining wood--Lee with three dragoons
stationing himself near the river shore. Hour after hour passed--no boat
approached. At length the day broke and the major retired to his party
and with his led horses returned to camp, where he proceeded to
headquarters to inform the general of the disappointment as mortifying
as inexplicable."
Deeply concerned as were both Washington and Lee over the failure of the
plan, they were also very apprehensive as to Champe's fate, but in a few
days one of the sergeant's associates succeeded in getting through to
them an anonymous letter explaining the failure of their plans. On the
day preceding that fixed for the abduction, Arnold most unexpectedly
removed his quarters to another part of the town to facilitate the
supervision by him of the embarkation of troops on a special mission to
be commanded by him and wholly unforeseen by the conspirators--an
expeditionary force made up largely of American deserters. "Thus it
happened" Lee explains "that John Champe, instead of crossing the Hudson
that night, was safely deposited on board one of the fleet of
transports, from whence he never departed until Arnold landed in
Virginia! Nor was he able to escape from the British Army until after
the junction of Lord Cornwallis at Petersburg, when he deserted; and
proceeding high up into Virginia, he passed into North Carolina near the
Saura towns, and keeping in the friendly districts of that State,
safely joined the army soon after it had passed the Congaree in pursuit
of Lord Rawdon.
"His appearance excited extreme surprise among his former comrades,
which was not a little increased when they saw the cordial reception he
met with from Lieutenant Colonel Lee. His whole story soon became known
to the corps, which reproduced the love and respect of officer and
soldier, heightened by universal admiration of his daring and arduous
attempt.
"Champe was introduced to General Green, who cheerfully complied with
the promises made by the commander-in-chief, so far as in his power; and
having provided the sergeant with a good horse and money for his
journey, sent him to General Washington, who munificently anticipated
every desire of the sergeant, and presented him with a discharge from
further service lest he might in the vicissitudes of war, fall into the
enemy's hands, when if recognized, he was sure to die on a gibbet."
Here ends Lee's account, apparently as first written; but subsequently
he seems to have acquired some further information of his sergeant's
later life which he appends in a note, as will appear later.
When Champe was with the British in New York, he, according to Lee and
as appears above, refused to enlist in the enemy's forces; but there is
another account which says that when he arrived in New York "he was
placed in the company of Captain Cameron." In the Champe family is the
tradition that he wrote to Lee of this:
"I was yesterday compelled to a most affecting step, but one
indispensable the success of my plan. It was necessary for me to accept
a commission in the traitor's legion that I might have uninterrupted
access to his house."
This Captain Cameron, after the termination of the war, married in
Virginia and fortunately kept a diary, a part of which was published in
_The British United Service Journal_. From it we learn, through
Howe,[120] that Cameron had occasion to traverse the forests of Loudoun
with a single servant and--familiar touch--was caught in one of those
violent thunderstorms so characteristic of upper Piedmont. Night came
on, no habitation or shelter of any kind was discernible to our
travellers in that wilderness and, believing themselves in grave peril,
they were becoming really alarmed when they saw through the woods a
faint light. Riding toward it, they discovered it came from one of the
typical log-houses of a frontier clearing and they lost no time in
seeking shelter. The owner of the little home received them with true
backwoods hospitality. And now quoting from Captain Cameron's journal:
[120] _Historic Collections of Virginia_, by Henry Howe, 1849.
"He would not permit either master or man to think of their horses, but
insisted that we should enter the house, where fire and changes of
apparel awaited us, he himself led the jaded animals to a shed, rubbed
them down and provided them with forage. It would have been affectation
of the worst kind to dispute his pleasure in this instance, so I readily
sought the shelter of his roof, to which a comely dame bade me welcome,
and busied herself in preventing my wishes. My drenched uniform was
exchanged for a suit of my host's apparel; my servant was accomodated in
the same manner, and we soon afterwards found ourselves seated before a
blazing fire of wood, by the light of which our hostess assiduously laid
out a well-stocked supper table. I need not say that all this was in the
highest degree comfortable. Yet I was not destined to sit down to supper
without discovering still greater cause for wonder. In due time our host
returned and the first glance which I cast towards him satisfied me that
he was no stranger. The second set everything like doubt at rest.
Sergeant Champe stood before me; the same in complexion, in feature,
though somewhat less thoughtful in the expression of his eye, as when he
first joined my company in New York.
"I cannot say my sensations on recognizing my ci-devant sergeant were
altogether agreeable. The mysterious manner in which he both came and
went, the success with which he had thrown a veil over his own
movements, and the recollection that I was the guest of a man who
probably entertained no sense of honour, either public or private,
excited in me a vague and indefinite alarm, which I found it impossible
on the instant to conceal. I started, and the movement was not lost upon
Champe. He examined my face closely; and a light appearing to burst all
at once upon his memory, he ran forward toward the spot where I sat.
"'Welcome, welcome, Captain Cameron' said he 'a thousand times welcome
to my roof; you behaved well to me when I was under your command, and
deserve more of hospitality than I possess the power to offer; but what
I do possess is very much at your service, and heartily glad am I that
accident should have thus brought us together again. You have doubtless
looked upon me as a twofold traitor, and I cannot blame you if you have.
Yet I should wish to stand well in your estimation too; and therefore I
will, if you please, give a faithful narrative of the causes which led
both to my arrival in New York, and to my abandonment of the British
Army on the shores of the Chesapeake. You are tired with your day's
travel; you stand in need of food and rest. Eat and drink, I pray you,
and sleep soundly; and tomorrow, if you are so disposed, I will try to
put my character straight in the estimation of the only British officer
of whose good opinion I am covetous.'
"There was so much frankness and apparent sincerity in this, that I
could not resist it, so I sat down to supper with a mind perfectly at
ease and having eaten heartily I soon afterwards retired to rest, on a
clean pallet which was spread for me on the floor. Sleep was not slow in
visiting my eyelids; nor did I awake until long after the sun had risen
on the morrow, and the hardy and active settlers, to whose kindness I
was indebted, had gone through a considerable portion of their day's
labour.
"I found my host next morning the same open, candid and hospitable man
that he had shewn himself on first recognizing me. He made no allusion,
indeed, during breakfast, to what had fallen from him over night; but
when he heard me talk of getting my horses ready, he begged to have a
few minutes' conversation with me. His wife, for such my hostess was,
immediately withdrew, under the pretext of attending to her household
affairs, upon which he took a seat beside me and began his story."
After the war and, it is said, on the personal recommendation of General
Washington, Sergeant Champe was appointed to the position of doorkeeper
or sergeant-at-arms of the Continental Congress, then meeting at
Philadelphia, but obliged, on account of rioting, to remove to Trenton.
His name appears on a roll of the 25th August, 1783, as holding that
position. Soon afterwards he returned to Loudoun, married and acquired a
small holding near what is now Dover, between the later towns of Aldie
and Middleburg, close by the present Little River Turnpike. The State of
Virginia has erected one of its excellent road markers adjacent to the
spot, bearing the following words:
"A Revolutionary Hero
"Here stood the home of John Champ, Continental soldier. Champ deserted
and enlisted in Benedict Arnold's British Command for the purpose of
capturing the traitor, 1780. Failing in this attempt Champ rejoined the
American Army."
Nearby there is a pool of water still known locally as "Champe's
Spring."
According to local tradition, he later lived in a log cabin on the old
Military Road near the old Ketoctin Baptist Church and on lands
afterward owned by Robert Braden. Thence he in turn moved to Kentucky
where, it is believed he died in or about the year 1797.
And now we may return to General Lee's narrative for the note he
appended thereto:
"When General Washington was called by President Adams to the command of
the Army prepared to defend the country from French hostility, he sent
to Lieutenant-Colonel Lee to inquire for Champe, being determined to
bring him into the field at the head of a company of infantry. Lee sent
to Loudoun County, where Champe settled after his discharge from the
Army, and learned that the gallant soldier had removed to Kentucky, and
had soon after died."
Of the sergeant's children, one son, Nathaniel, was born in Virginia on
the 22nd December, 1792, and in 1812 enlisted in Colonel Duncan
McArthur's regiment at Dayton, Ohio, that command comprising a part of
Hull's Army sent for the relief of Detroit. He was in the battle of
Monguagon, was among those captured at Detroit and subsequently, in the
regular army, saw further fighting and was with General Arthur's
advance-guard when Detroit was reoccupied. After the war he engaged in
business in Detroit, was a buyer and seller of real estate and built
Detroit's first "Temperance Hotel" of which he acted as landlord and in
which he was succeeded by his son William. Later he moved to Onondago,
Ohio, where he died on the 13th February, 1870.[121]
[121] Vol. 3, Balch Library Clippings, p. 30.