Proceedings of a board of general officers held by order of His Excellency Gen. Washington, commander in chief of the Army of the United States of America respecting Major John André, adjutant general of the British Army
History
Proceedings of a board of general officers held by order of His Excellency Gen. Washington, commander in chief of the Army of the United States of America respecting Major John André, adjutant general of the British Army
André, John, 1751-1780 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801; Courts-martial and courts of inquiry -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Trials (Espionage) -- New York (State) -- Tappan; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Collaborationists
I have the honor to inform Congress, that I arrived here yesterday
about twelve o'clock, on my return from Hartford. Some hours previous to
my arrival Major General Arnold went from his quarters, which were this
place, and, as it was supposed, over the river to the garrison at West
Point, whither I proceeded myself, in order to visit the post. I found
General Arnold had not been there during the day, and on my return to
his quarters he was still absent. In the mean time, a packet had arrived
from Lieut. Colonel Jameson, announcing the capture of a John Anderson,
who was endeavouring to go to New York with several interesting and
important papers, all in the hand writing of General Arnold. This was
also accompanied with a letter from the prisoner, avowing himself to be
Major John Andre, Adjutant General to the British army, relating the
manner of his capture, and endeavouring to shew that he did not come
under the description of a spy. From these several circumstances, and
information that the General seemed to be thrown into some degree of
agitation, on receiving a letter a little time before he went from his
quarters, I was led to conclude immediately that he had heard of Major
Andre's captivity, and that he would, if possible, escape to the enemy,
and accordingly took such measures as appeared the most probable to
apprehend him. But he had embarked in a barge and proceeded down the
river, under a flag, to the Vulture ship of war, which lay at some
miles below Stoney and Verplank's Points. He wrote me a letter after he
got on board. Major Andre is not arrived yet, but I hope he is secure,
and that he will be here to-day. I have been and am taking precautions,
which I trust will prove effectual to prevent the important consequences
which this conduct, on the part of General Arnold, was intended to
produce. I do not know the party that took Major Andre, but it is said
that it consisted only of a few militia, who acted in such a manner
upon the occasion, as does them the highest honor, and proves them to
be men of great virtue. As soon as I know their names, I shall take
pleasure in transmitting them to Congress.
_Paramus, October_ 7, 1780.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose Congress a copy of the proceedings of a
Board of General Officers in the case of Major Andre Adjutant General
to the British army. This officer was executed in pursuance of the
opinion of the Board, on Monday, the 2d instant, at 12 o'clock, at our
late camp at Tappan. Besides the proceedings I transmit copies of sundry
letters respecting the matter, which are all that passed on the
subject, not included in the proceedings.
I have now the pleasure to communicate the names of the three persons
who captured Major Andre, and who refused to release him,
notwithstanding the most earnest importunities and assurances of a
liberal reward on his part. Their names are, _John Paulding, David
Williams, and Isaac Van Wert._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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