Major Andre went back to his desk, and sat down for serious reflection.
He reasoned with himself:
“Here was a picture of Arnold and Barclugh. How did this simple Indian
maiden get such knowledge of my secret affairs? She can have no means
of gaining this knowledge. She is simply inspired.”
During the next week, Andre could not dispel the visions of Segwuna’s
prophecy. He did not dare to tell his friends, not even General
Clinton, for they would think him ridiculous. He was naturally timid,
and these words made him doubly so. They made him hesitate more than
once as to what he ought to do. Whereas he was formerly all enthusiasm
about his plot with Arnold, he now began to be doubtful and suspicious
of his own ability. The thought of the ire of the Great Spirit of the
Indian maiden being brought to bear against the project that he had in
hand worked upon the fancy of Andre’s poetical nature and unnerved him.
However, the Commander-in-Chief, General Clinton, had ordered Andre to
carry out these plans of ensnaring Arnold and taking West Point by
bribery, for it had been through the correspondence started by Andre
himself, that Arnold was led into correspondence with the enemy. The
whole plan had to carry or fall by the exertions of Andre’s own skill.
A letter was received by Major Andre at this time which read as follows:
Phila., August 20, 1780.
“Sir: I have heard from Mr. P---- about the arrangements to sell you
the goods that you spoke of in your last favor.
“He has every detail arranged, but he must meet you to make the
contract in person. My authority in the matter has now come to an end.
“He is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means
unreasonable, and makes no doubt, when he has a conference with you,
that you will close with it. He expects when you meet that you will
be fully authorized from your house; that the risks and profits of
the co-partnership might be fully and clearly understood.
“I am in behalf of Messrs. M---- and Co.
“Sir, Your Obedt. & Hble. Servant,
“_Gustavus_.
“Mr. John Anderson, Merchant.”
John Anderson answered the above letter. Then, a few days thereafter,
information was received from Gustavus, agreeing to meet him at any
convenient point, if he, John Anderson, would make his way to the
American outposts above White Plains; that he would be secure under the
protection of Colonel Sheldon, who was prepared to meet him.
Arnold had informed Colonel Sheldon that a person was to come from New
York, to the latter’s quarters, whom he desired to meet for the purpose
of establishing a channel of secret intelligence with New York.
Accordingly, Colonel Sheldon received the following letter, which was
so uncertain and enigmatical that Colonel Sheldon despatched it at once
to General Arnold:
“New York, September 7, 1780.
“Sir:
“I am told my name is made known to you and that I may hope your
indulgence in permitting me to meet a friend near your outposts. I
will endeavor to go out with a flag, which will be sent to Dobb’s
Ferry on Monday next, the 11th instant, at twelve o’clock, where I
shall be happy to meet Mr. G----. Should I not be allowed to go, the
officer who is to command the escort, between whom and myself no
distinction need be made, can speak on the affair. Let me entreat
you, sir, to favor a matter so interesting to the parties concerned,
and which is of so private a nature that the public on neither side
can be injured by it.
“(Signed) John Anderson.”
To Colonel Sheldon,
Salem.
Sheldon was confused by the mention of an officer taking the place
of John Anderson, and therefore sent the letter to Arnold, who tried
to explain the mysticisms in the letter to Colonel Sheldon as best
he could; and replied that he would meet the flag and the gentleman
himself at Dobb’s Ferry.
Arnold also instructed his subordinate that if he did not meet John
Anderson, by any mishap, word must be sent to headquarters of the
arrival of the gentleman within the lines, and that John Anderson must
be sent to his headquarters with an escort of two or three horsemen.
Arnold went down the river in his barge as far as King’s Ferry on the
afternoon of the 10th instant, and remained over night at the house of
Joshua H. Smith, who resided near the Ferry.
Early on the morning of the 11th instant, Arnold proceeded by barge to
Dobb’s Ferry for the purpose of meeting Andre. An accident prevented
the interview. As Arnold was approaching the destination, his barge was
fired upon by British gunboats and pursued closely enough to endanger
his life and possibly result in his capture.
He landed, therefore, on the west or opposite side of the river to
Dobb’s Ferry, and went down to the ferry landing, where he remained
till night, hoping to see Andre. At all events, he failed to have a
meeting on this journey.
The astonishing forecast of Segwuna had made Andre over-cautious and
timid. He did not choose to hazard his mission by land to Colonel
Sheldon. He chose the safer communication by water. He went to Dobb’s
Ferry with Colonel Beverly Robinson, and looked for Arnold to come in
his barge, but the firing upon the barge makes clear why Arnold did not
get to the rendezvous.
The timidity of Andre now explains the ultimate failure of the plot.
Arnold was obliged to explain his public journey down the Hudson, by
writing to General Washington to the effect that guard boats and signal
lights were necessary precautions to warn the country of the approach
of the enemy up the river.
The object of Segwuna’s visit to New York had been accomplished. She
had intimidated Major Andre, and foiled the treachery of Arnold. If the
interview as first planned at Dobb’s Ferry had taken place the recital
of subsequent events would have been unnecessary.
Now complications arose. Every fresh move that Arnold made required
explanations as to the movements of John Anderson. A second attempt
to have Andre meet with him by means of the overland route was not
considered favorably by Andre. He would not attempt to meet Arnold,
except under the pretense of an exchange of flags.
The only way for General Arnold to successfully accomplish his
treachery was to meet Major Andre personally, plan the surrender of
West Point and have his emoluments and rewards guaranteed. He depended
upon such a meeting and was bold enough himself, but his first
attempt at Dobb’s Ferry was empty of results and he was now thrown
into cautious movements. He had to explain to the Commander-in-Chief
about his public trip down the river; and the fact that he had been
fired upon and pursued by the enemy’s gunboats gave notoriety to his
whereabouts. The failure of the Dobb’s Ferry interview must rest upon
Andre, for Arnold was truly bold and fearless in his approach within
the enemy’s lines; Andre must have been intimidated by the warning of
Segwuna.
Arnold returned to his headquarters from Dobb’s Ferry disappointed and
nonplussed. He wrote from Robinson House at once to Major Andre:
“I have no confidant here. I have made one too many already who has
prevented some profitable speculations.”
Arnold’s anxiety for a meeting was now only exceeded by that of the
British, after the first failure; so Arnold stated that he would send
a trusty person to the east side of Dobb’s Ferry, Wednesday evening,
September 20th, who would conduct Major Andre to a place of safety
where a meeting between the principals could be held without fear.
Arnold added:
“It will be necessary for you to be in disguise. I cannot be more
explicit at present. Meet me if possible. You may rest assured that, if
there is no danger in passing your lines, you will be perfectly safe
where I propose a meeting.”
The letter was signed Gustavus and addressed to John Anderson, Merchant.
However, before these instructions reached Major Andre by Arnold’s
secret messengers, the British General Clinton became very anxious and
dispatched the Sloop-of-War Vulture on the scene, with an emissary on
board in the person of Colonel Beverly Robinson, who was now in the
secret of the negotiations. He had also accompanied Andre to Dobb’s
Ferry when Arnold’s barge had been fired upon. The Vulture proceeded
to Teller’s Point within view of the American lines for the purpose of
awaiting developments.
The unexpected, however, always happens to hinder schemes. General
Washington came on a tour of inspection, at this juncture, and crossed
the Hudson at King’s Ferry in full view of the Vulture soon after her
arrival.
General Arnold came down, of course, from his headquarters, Robinson
House, to meet the Commander-in-Chief in order to throw off any
suspicions surrounding his movements.
Washington and his suite crossed in Arnold’s barge and as the Commander
viewed the Vulture through his glass and turned and spoke to his suite
in whispers it was noticed and commented upon, subsequently, that
Arnold blanched and showed much concern.
While still in the boat, Marquis de la Fayette turned to General Arnold
and with a desire to get information of the whereabouts of the French
fleet under Guichen, now approaching American waters, and with no
suspicions whatever upon Arnold, pleasantly requested:
“General Arnold, since you have a correspondence with the enemy, you
must ascertain as soon as possible what has become of Guichen.”
Arnold immediately colored up and demanded:
“Marquis de la Fayette, what do you mean by asking me such a question?”
The question of Arnold was surprising and uncalled for and he quickly
recovered himself.
Fortunately for him, the boat was nearing shore and the anxiety to land
interrupted the incident. Arnold imagined that his scheme was detected
and that he was to be captured in the boat.
Arnold went to Peekskill with Washington and his party. The next day
Washington went to Hartford to meet the French Commander and Arnold
returned to West Point in his barge.
The British now desired to get into direct communication with Arnold
through Colonel Robinson on the Vulture. Finesse had to be used to
deceive the watchful post-commanders on the Hudson under the command of
Arnold. So, under the protection of a flag of truce from the Vulture,
Colonel Robinson sent a letter to General Arnold asking the military
to protect his property since he had learned that his home was to be
confiscated by the State of New York for his defection to the British
cause.
General Arnold submitted the letter to his Commander at Fishkill and in
consequence General Washington did not approve of the proposal to have
an interview with the enemy concerning a purely legal affair.
The Commander-in-Chief informed Arnold:
“Such a conference would afford grounds for suspicion in the minds of
some people and I advise you to avoid it; the subject in which Colonel
Robinson is interested does not come within the powers of a military
officer and the Civil Government of the State is the only authority to
which he can properly apply.”
Arnold now used the name of Washington to answer Robinson’s letter. He,
therefore, despatched a boat openly to the Vulture, under an officer
and a flag.
Here came Arnold’s opportunity to give the British all the information
that he desired. The answer was in two letters,--one sealed within the
other. The outer one gave Washington’s reply. The inner one stated
secretly that he would send on the night of the 20th a person to Dobb’s
Ferry, or on board the Vulture. This person would be furnished with a
boat and a flag of truce. He wished that the Vulture remain where she
was until the messenger reached her. The postscript of the letter said:
“I expect General Washington to lodge here on Saturday night next, and
I will lay before him every matter you may wish to communicate.”
The inside one also contained a copy of the letter heretofore sent to
Andre to meet his messenger on the east side of Dobb’s Ferry on the
evening of September 20th. This was the 19th, and the three letters
were despatched at once to General Clinton in New York.
September 20th, Major Andre, having received Arnold’s letters, pressed
on to the Vulture and arrived at seven o’clock in the evening instead
of remaining at Dobb’s Ferry as at first proposed.
Andre was all expectancy when he arrived on board the sloop-of-war. He
waited for Arnold or his messenger, all night. The next day he wrote
General Clinton that he had made a second appointment with no results.
The interview must be very soon or suspicions would be aroused to upset
the whole plan.
A ruse was now invented by Major Andre to acquaint Arnold of his
whereabouts. Some parties had shown a flag of truce on shore to the
Vulture and a boat was sent to communicate with them. When a boat
with a flag from the Vulture approached the shore it was fired upon
from ambush. This violation of the usage of warfare was a subject for
remonstrance. Therefore, a letter was sent to General Arnold by Captain
Sutherland of the Vulture, claiming usage against the code of civilized
nations at war. The letter was in the handwriting of Andre and signed,
“John Anderson, Secretary.” Here was the information sought. Arnold
immediately set about the plan to bring Major Andre ashore for an
interview.
Joshua Hett Smith lived about two miles below Stony Point, near the
mouth of Haverstraw Creek. He had boats and boatmen. He was a confidant
of Arnold and was engaged, upon various occasions, to enter the enemy’s
lines for the Commander of West Point.
Arnold’s plan was finally fixed. He went to Smith’s house and sent two
boatmen with Smith to bring a gentleman, named John Anderson, from the
Vulture to a point four miles below Smith’s house, to a lonely spot on
the banks of the Hudson, in the darkness of midnight.
Arnold had provided Smith with three papers signed by himself.
When the boat started from the mouth of Haverstraw Creek it was
past eleven o’clock and the night was serene. The boat sped along
undiscovered until the lookout on the Vulture hailed and ordered the
men alongside. Smith mounted the side and was immediately ordered below.
There he met Captain Sutherland and Colonel Robinson. The latter he
knew personally, for Robinson had been his neighbor on the Hudson.
Smith handed over the papers from Arnold. The cunning displayed by
Arnold was portrayed in these documents. Shielding himself from
detection he secretly intimated his desire to meet Major Andre.
The first letter addressed to Colonel Robinson was as follows:
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 21, 1780.
“This will be delivered to you by Mr. Smith who will conduct you to a
place of safety. Neither Mr. Smith nor any other person shall be made
acquainted with your proposals. If they (which I doubt not) are of
such nature that I can officially take notice of them I shall do it
with pleasure. I take it for granted that Colonel Robinson will not
propose anything that is not for the interest of the United States as
well as himself.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
The next letter was to deceive the guard boats, many of which were
stationed along the Hudson to intercept commerce with the enemy.
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 21, 1780.
“Permit Mr. Joshua Smith to go to Dobb’s Ferry with three men and a
boy in a boat with a flag, to carry some letters of a private nature
for a gentleman in New York, and to return immediately, he having
permission to go at such hours and times as the tide and his business
suit.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
The third one conveyed the knowledge secretly that Arnold wanted Major
Andre to meet him on shore.
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 21, 1780.
“This grants permission to Joshua Smith, Mr. John Anderson and two
servants to pass and repass the guards at King’s Ferry, at all times.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
When the papers had been examined in the cabin of the Vulture, Colonel
Robinson excused himself and returned in a little while with a
gentleman whom he introduced to Smith as Mr. John Anderson. Smith and
Anderson entered the boat and were rowed to the point of rendezvous
arranged by Arnold with Smith. Arnold, concealed in the shadow of the
cliff, lay near the river bank anxious for the boat to return with
Major Andre. The exact spot had been agreed upon.
When the boat, which was heavy and cumbersome, at length arrived, Smith
scrambled up the bank and found Arnold in the bushes. Smith returned
and conducted Mr. Anderson to the spot. Arnold requested Smith to leave
them to conduct their conversation privately.
Arnold looked around to be sure that Smith was out of hearing when he
extended his hand to Major Andre, remarking in a subdued and resigned
tone:
“At last, Major Andre, my hour of deliverance has come! I hope no
difficulties stand in the way of our plans.”
Andre was more than eager for the exploit,--he was rashly anxious. His
voice showed evident emotion when he said:
“General Arnold, we stand ready to carry out our part. Can you
surrender West Point?”
“I am able to surrender to your forces the stronghold of our hopes,
and end the war for the mother country. It will be a blessing to my
countrymen and an everlasting benefit to the kingdom of Great Britain.
But, sir, how am I to be sure that the promise made me by Roderick
Barclugh will be carried out?” was the reply given the question of
Andre.
“General Arnold, I am the authorized representative of His Britannic
Majesty and for your services to the King you are to be paid twenty
thousand pounds sterling, part of which has already been advanced by
Mr. Barclugh, and you are to receive a commission as Brigadier-General
in His Majesty’s service. These emoluments are dependent upon your
accomplishment of your own proposals.”
“That’s all correct, Major Andre,” returned Arnold, “but how am I to
realize these terms if by chance you were to be killed or I was to be
detected in this business? My only safety is in having the whole matter
drawn up in the form of a writing.”
“But we cannot do such things here in the dark, General Arnold. You had
better defer too much formality for the sake of safety. You are dealing
with gentlemen,” argued Andre.
“But governments have no gratitude,” retorted Arnold, smarting under
his experience with Congress.
“Yet, how can we write in these bushes?” continued Andre. “I cannot see
my hand. I propose to get back to the ship from here.”
“There is no use for haste in our conclusions in this matter,” argued
Arnold. “I have to submit to you the plans of the works at West Point,
the disposal of the garrison, the time of the attack and how you shall
approach. I have brought an extra horse and you can ride with me to
the house of Mr. Smith. I shall guarantee you protection and safety in
returning to your lines.”
Andre understood what it meant to prepare for the details of this
enterprise and at last he reluctantly consented to go within the
American outposts as he said:
“I shall rely upon you as a gentleman to convey me in safety to my
lines. My commander has instructed me not to enter your posts; but
since you insist upon an agreement in writing, I shall have to comply
with your plans.”
“Major Andre, you need not say these words to me. I have been driven to
this course by the relentless attacks of those for whom I have done the
most. My heart went out at first to my country, but now it has turned
to stone. No gratitude was shown me. I needed money and from whom did
I get it? I got it from my country’s enemies. I needed sympathy for
my wounds. From whom did I get it? Not from my countrymen. I needed
encouragement to go out and win more glory for our cause. Where did I
get it? Not from my country. Bah! These very mountains taunt me for
being a fool! My die is cast and I am with you heart and soul. We must
succeed.”
“You speak nobly, General Arnold,” insisted Andre. “I am drawn to you
irretrievably and I am willing to run my risks along with yours. I
shall follow you even though my life were in the balance.”
At this juncture the conversation was interrupted by the appearance of
Smith from the boat, who said:
“Gentlemen, I believe that your time is drawing near to daylight and I
must leave this situation with the boat. We must not be discovered in
this position by the guards.”
These words decided the case. When Arnold and Andre realized their
position and when Smith informed them that the boatmen had refused to
return to the Vulture for fear of detection, both of the conspirators
mounted horses and started for Smith’s house, which was four miles
distant by the road through Haverstraw village.
Smith and the boatmen went by water to Haverstraw Creek, where the boat
was moored. At his house Smith met Arnold and Mr. Anderson who had
already arrived just at daylight.
The three took breakfast together, since the family of Joshua Smith had
been previously taken, by arrangements made beforehand, to visit with
their kinsfolk, the family of Colonel Hay at Fishkill.
During the morning, in a room overlooking Haverstraw Bay, Andre and
Arnold secretly concluded the plans. Andre made the agreement in
writing with Arnold, and Arnold gave to Andre a detailed description of
the redoubts at West Point and continued with a plan of attack for a
bloodless English victory.
But again the hand of Providence brings about unexpected events. While
these dealings were concluding, they heard the booming of cannon and
saw the Vulture drop down stream out of range of the battery posted by
Colonel Livingston to drive off the enemy’s ship.
Much concern now came over the principals in this drama. Arnold
reassured Andre by stating that Mr. Smith would convey him by boat or
land through the American lines. Passports from the Commanding-General
would insure safe convoy through the district under Arnold and then
when Andre reached the British outposts he could manage himself.
Providing Major Andre with three passes to meet all possible
contingencies, as he thought, and leaving him in the hands of Mr. Smith
as Mr. John Anderson, Arnold returned in his barge soon after nine
o’clock that morning, to his headquarters to await the results of his
treachery.
Following are the passes provided for the return of John Anderson, in
Arnold’s own handwriting:
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 22, 1780.
“Joshua Smith has permission to pass with a boat and three hands and a
flag to Dobb’s Ferry on public business and to return immediately.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 22, 1780.
“Joshua Smith has permission to pass the guards to White Plains and to
return, he being on public business.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 22, 1780.
“Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or
below, if he chooses, he being on public business by my direction.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
Andre passed the day in hiding, awaiting impatiently for darkness to
come that he might be returned to the Vulture. But the more Andre
insisted, the more opposed Smith grew to the route by boat. However,
Smith won his point for reasons not entirely logical, and after Andre
had exchanged his officer’s red coat for one of Smith’s, and had
wrapped himself up in a great military coat with a cape, the two
set out on horseback, a little before sunset, accompanied by a negro
servant belonging to Smith.
The route lay across the Hudson at King’s Ferry from Stony Point to
Verplanck’s Point. The party, after stopping over the first night,
proceeded successfully until they reached Pine Bridge on the Croton
River where Smith left Andre to pursue his own course through the
neutral country.
Smith now returned to Robinson House and reported to General Arnold
where he had left Mr. Anderson. Arnold seemed to be more than pleased
with the progress events were making at this report. He felt sure of
Andre reaching King’s Bridge.
When Andre left Smith he also felt assured of his success, for he rode
boldly along until he was near Tarrytown.
Here he was accosted by three men dressed in the uniform of British
soldiers.
Their story is best told in their own words. Paulding, one of the
three, said, when relating the capture:
“Myself, Isaac VanWart, and David Williams were lying by the side of
the road about half a mile above Tarrytown, and about fifteen miles
above King’s Bridge, on Saturday morning, the 23rd of September. We
had lain there about an hour and a half, as near as I can recollect,
and saw several persons we were acquainted with, whom we let pass.
Presently one of the young men who were with me said:
“‘There comes a gentleman-like looking man, who appears to be
well-dressed and has boots on, and whom you had better step out and
stop, if you don’t know him.’
“On that I got up and presented my fire-lock at the breast of the
person and told him to stand, and then I asked him which way he was
going.
“‘Gentlemen,’ said he, ‘I hope you belong to our party.’
“I asked him:
“‘What party?’
“He said: ‘The lower party.’
“Upon that I told him:
“‘I do.’
“Then he said: ‘I am a British officer out of the country on particular
business, and I hope you will not detain me a minute.’
“To show that he was a British officer, he pulled out his watch, upon
which I told him to dismount.
“He then said:
“‘My God, I must do anything to get along.’
“He seemed to make a kind of laugh of it and pulled out General
Arnold’s pass, which was to John Anderson to pass all guards to White
Plains and below. Upon that he dismounted and said:
“‘Gentlemen, you had best let me go or you will bring yourselves into
trouble, for your stopping me will detain the General’s business. I am
going to Dobb’s Ferry to meet a person there and get intelligence for
General Arnold.’
“Upon that I told him I hoped he would not be offended, that we did
not mean to take anything from him; and I told him there were many bad
people going along the road, and I did not know but perhaps he might be
one.”
Paulding stated:
“If Andre had not declared himself a British officer, when he produced
General Arnold’s pass I would have let him go. However, when he pulled
out his watch my suspicions were further aroused.”
The three volunteers searched Andre, and David Williams, one of the
party, relates this part of the story most minutely:
“We took him into the bushes,” said Williams, “and ordered him to pull
off his clothes, which he did; but on searching him narrowly we could
not find any sort of writings. We told him to pull off his boots which
he seemed to be indifferent about, but we got one boot off and searched
in that boot and could find nothing. But we found there were some
papers in the bottom of his stocking next to his foot, on which we
made him pull his stocking off and found three papers wrapped up. Mr.
Paulding looked at the papers and said he was a spy. We then made him
pull off his other boot, and there were found three more papers at the
bottom of his foot within his stocking.
“Upon this we made him dress himself and I asked him:
“‘What will you give us to let you go?’
“He said:
“‘I will give you any sum of money.’
“I asked him:
“‘Will you give us your horse, your saddle, bridle, watch and one
hundred guineas?’
“He said:
“‘Yes, and I will direct them to any place, even this very spot, so
that you can get them.’
“I asked him:
“‘Will you not give us more?’
“He said:
“‘I will give you any quantity of dry goods or any sum of money, and
bring it to any place that you pitch upon, so that you may get it.’
“Mr. Paulding answered:
“‘No, if you would give us ten thousand guineas, you should not stir
one step.’
“I then asked the person who called himself John Anderson:
“‘If it lay in your power, would you not get away?’
“He answered:
“‘Yes, I would.’
“I told him:
“‘I do not intend that you shall.’
“While taking him along to the nearest post, we asked him a few
questions, and we stopped under a shade. He begged us not to question
him and said:
“‘When I come to any Commander I will reveal all.’”
Andre and all of the papers found on him were taken to North Castle and
turned over to Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson.
Jameson unwittingly sent Andre immediately under a guard toward
Arnold’s headquarters, and despatched a note with the officer in charge
of the escort, to Arnold, stating that a certain John Anderson was
taken on his way to New York. He also stated that certain papers found
in his stockings and which were of “a very dangerous tendency,” had
been forwarded to General Washington.
The mistake made by Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson was discovered by Major
Tallmadge, next in command, when the Major returned to North Castle in
the evening and heard the story of the capture. Jameson was convinced
of his mistake in sending the prisoner but he would not listen to the
idea of not informing Arnold, his Commanding General, of what had
happened. He did not suspect his superior in the least.
However, a messenger was despatched to overtake the escort and to order
the prisoner back to North Castle, but to still forward the message to
Arnold’s headquarters. The fate of Arnold now seemed problematical. But
a chain of circumstances favored the traitor.
Andre was ordered back and sent to Salem under Major Tallmadge.
A messenger was sent with the guilty papers to intercept General
Washington, now on his way to West Point from Hartford, and the first
messenger was riding toward Robinson House to inform Arnold of the
capture of John Anderson and the papers.
General Washington missed the messenger because he returned on the road
north of the one on which the messenger was sent.
On the morning when Washington was due at Robinson House to breakfast
with Arnold, two of the aides-de-camp of the Commander-in-Chief were
sent ahead to inform General Arnold that the General was delayed
because he wished to inspect the redoubts across from West Point, and
not to wait breakfast. General Arnold then sat down to breakfast with
Mrs. Arnold and the two aides.
During the progress of the meal a messenger arrived and presented the
Jameson despatches to General Arnold.
Arnold read them and excused himself from the table without a sign of
excitement. He went to Mrs. Arnold’s chamber and ordered a servant to
call Mrs. Arnold. When she came to him, he hurriedly explained that his
life depended upon escape. She swooned in his presence and he left her
prostrate on the floor.
He went to the dining-room and stated to the aides:
“I have to go to West Point and prepare for the arrival of the General.”
He then hurriedly mounted a horse of one of the aides and dashed to the
landing where his barge was moored. Then ordering his men to row with
all their might, as he drew his pistols and sat in the stern, he sped
past the guard boats with a flag and reached the British Sloop-of-War
Vulture, fifteen miles below Robinson House.
After introducing himself, he surrendered the innocent boatmen to the
British Commander and wrote a letter to General Washington asking
mercy for his wife.
After General Washington had inspected the redoubts opposite West
Point, he went with his suite to Robinson House. Upon their arrival
they were informed that General Arnold had been hurriedly called to
West Point. Washington ate his breakfast and started with all of his
staff except Colonel Hamilton. They took a barge across the Hudson to
the forts.
As Washington stood in the barge viewing the highlands about him, he
said:
“Well, gentlemen, I am glad on the whole, that General Arnold has gone
before us, for we shall now have a salute and the roaring of the cannon
will have a fine effect among these mountains.”
When no cannon was heard and they saw nobody astir among the garrison,
Washington exclaimed:
“What! Do they not intend to salute us?”
The General and his party landed and found no one to greet them except
the Commandant, Colonel Lamb, who was very much surprised to see his
distinguished visitors.
Washington addressed him:
“How is this, sir? Is not General Arnold here?”
“No, sir,” replied the Commandant, “he has not been here these two
days, nor have I heard from him within that time.”
“This is extraordinary,” continued Washington. “We were told that he
crossed the river and that we should find him here. However, our visit
must not be in vain. Since we have come, although unexpectedly, we must
look around a little and see in what shape things are with you.”
When the forts and redoubts had been visited and the garrison
inspected, Washington and his party returned to the barge and recrossed
to the Robinson House.
The letters and papers that had been forwarded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Jameson to General Washington had followed the Commander-in-Chief on
the road to Hartford until it was learned that the General had returned
to West Point by the upper road. Then the express retraced his steps to
Robinson House.
Colonel Hamilton was alone at Arnold’s headquarters when the
incriminating papers arrived and immediately opened the despatches in
the absence of his chief at West Point. Here were the papers found in
Andre’s stockings and a letter from Andre to Washington disclosing his
true character as Adjutant-General of the British army and relating his
entry within the American lines, his departure therefrom in disguise
and his capture.
Upon the landing of General Washington and his staff at the Robinson
House from West Point, Colonel Hamilton was seen to walk briskly toward
them, and when he spoke to Washington in an undertone, they retired
quickly together into the house.
Here lay the exposure of the whole plot when the papers were perused by
Washington, but too late to entrap the traitor. Arnold had gone over to
the enemy and had made his escape to the Vulture. Andre was a prisoner
at Salem and had written a confession of the part that he had played.
Mrs. Arnold had been left ignominiously by the traitor, her husband,
and in her distraction she wept and raved alternately and accused
General Washington and Colonel Hamilton, when they sought to console
her, with a plot to murder her child. Her lamentations were pitiable
and heart-rending in the agony of her despair. She clasped her child
to her breast as she stood in the doorway of her chamber, hair
dishevelled, as she hurled the bitterness of a woman’s tongue against
those who, history tells us, held nothing but the deepest sympathy for
her misfortune.
At last Mrs. Arnold returned to her father’s home in Philadelphia and
remained there until the Council of Philadelphia passed a resolution,
October 29th, as follows:
“Resolved:--that the said Margaret Arnold depart this state within
fourteen days from the date hereof, and that she do not return again
during the continuance of the present war.”
Major Andre was conducted under guard, to the vicinity of the
Continental Army at Tappan. He was there tried by a Court of Enquiry
composed of six Major-Generals and eight Brigadiers, found guilty as a
spy and condemned to be executed.
Arnold and General Clinton attempted to save Andre’s life on the ground
that he had Arnold’s pass. But as the pass was issued to John Anderson
it was void when applied to Major Andre.
Credit must be given Andre, however, that he did not seek
justification, personally, during his trial for his acts under a
flag or pass from Arnold. He was reconciled to his fate and died as
a brave and honorable officer, dressed in the full uniform of the
Adjutant-General of the British Army, at Tappan, October 2, 1780.
When Segwuna heard of the capture of Major Andre and the exposure
and flight of Benedict Arnold, she thanked the Great Spirit for the
fulfillment of her prayers. She did not exult in the downfall of the
participants in this attempted crime against her native land, but
she thanked the Great Spirit for the exposure of their perfidy and
dishonesty. She now could explain to her friends the part that was
played by Barclugh in this nefarious undertaking and if, then, her duty
had not been performed she could not help it.
At the first announcement in New York about the capture of Andre and
the flight of Arnold, Segwuna lost no time in retracing her steps to
Philadelphia.