Posted on 02/03/2006 4:01:39 PM PST by genefromjersey
Shocking Incident at West Point !
(A 21st Century Version of an 18th Century Incident)
Most of us have studied enough American history to remember the story of Major Andre – a British intelligence officer , who was captured by American troops in the woods near Tappan, NY .
When Andre, who was wearing civilian clothes, was searched, he was found to have correspondence from American General Benedict Arnold to British General Sir Henry Clinton ,hidden in one of his boots.
The contents of the letter were clearly treasonous, as they discussed the means by which the British could seize West Point : the fort General Arnold commanded.
General Washington-who had considered Arnold a friend – was shocked by the news, but managed to re-fortify and reinforce West Point in time : thus thwarting an important British initiative, and shortening the bitter Revolutionary War.
Andre – by all accounts a brave and personable man – was court martialled ,found guilty of espionage, and hanged – on October 2,1780.
(His request for a “soldier’s execution” – by firing squad – was denied.)
Benedict Arnold, learning of the incident, succeeded in fleeing to British lines, and led several attacks on American settlements before sailing off to a cloudy future in Britain.
( He was reviled by both sides as a traitor.)
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Let’s jump 226 years forward, and imagine how some of our 21st Century Media might report this matter !
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Tappan,NY : John A. Andre –late a Major in His Majesty’s Army – was accosted without cause ,in a wooded area of Tappan , whilst returning from “a delicate peace mission” –according to a spokesperson for General Sir Henry Clinton – by rude, ill-disciplined “irregulars” of General Washington’s rag-tag “army”.
After conducting a crude, warrantless search of Mr. Andre’s person,the irregulars discovered certain papers -written peace proposals, according to Sir Henry’s staff – which Andre had evidently hidden in his boots to protect them from the woodland damp.
The unfortunate Andre, who was wearing civilian garb to demonstrate peacable intent, was dragged before a “drumhead court” of officers , commanded by General Washington , found guilty of espionage, and summarily hanged – despite his earnest application for “ a soldier’s death” before a firing party.
We have learned from confidential sources the late Major had been in contact with the heroic General Benedict Arnold – a renowned “hawk” , whose views had become more moderate, thanks to the influence of his new wife: the celebrated Peggy Shippen – daughter of a prominent Philadelphia Loyalist family.
It was also learned General Arnold , upon learning of the Peace Envoy’s fate, had fled posthaste to the relative safety of HMS Vulture-fortuitously anchored in the Hudson River – not far from West Point.
Sources aboard HMS Vulture advise General Arnold will continue to work for an end to this distressing , increasingly unpopular war , and ,to this end, has accepted a commission as a General in His Majesty’s Loyal Forces
Follow-up Story- The New York-Thames Express:
Angry Members of the Continental Congress are calling for General Washington to appear and testify as to the circumstances surrounding the apparent lynching of the gallant Major Andre.
“If he was wearing civilian clothing, why was he stopped ?”
“Under what authority was he searched ?”
“ Was he informed of his rights under British Law ?”
“ Where are the documents he is alleged to have been carrying ? “
“ Why have the documents not been made available for public inspection ?”
A spokesperson for General Washington claimed the documents contained military secrets – vital to the defense of West Point : a claim angrily contested by antiwar activist and author Gay Lee Profundo.
“Andre was carrying documents that showed the fortifications at West Point were purely defensive, and that they would pose no obstacle to peaceful settlement of this terrible conflict” , the activist explained.
“ Everybody knows this dreadful war was launched by greedy, exploitive land speculators – and funded by that sinister Israelite Robert Morris.The speculators want to get their hands on Indian Treaty lands,but have been barred from doing so by His Majesty’s government.”
A Special Session of the Continental Congress is expected to be called as soon as safety permits.
Most Members are presently in undisclosed locations,due to the widespread presence of British troops.
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October,1780. That’s the way it wasn’t – Thank God !
Denied by Washington himself. His officers lobbied for a firing squad, befitting a fellow officer and soldier, but General Washington had no patience, nor amity, towards scoundrels.
ping
ping
General Washington was fortunate there was no ACLU at that time or we might be bowing to the Queen.
Actually, Andre was held in tavern in Tappan which is still in business and a fine restaurant which has preserved what is said to be his cell with some of his belongings. He was actually hanged around the corner(literally) in what is New Jersey. There is a monument where his gallows stood.
He also had the hanging of Nathan Hale in memory.
NYC was very pro-British thru the first couple years of the War, too. Not much has changed.
Washington was adamant that Andre should bear the penalty for treason....He didn't want to appear weak in any way and especially in this regard.
More like Lincoln. Suspend Habeas Corpus and throw the copperheads into jail (just kidding?).
Yeah, I always heard it that the Americans liked and admired Andre (a complete incompetent as a spy), and Washington had him hanged with regret because the British had done the same to Nathan Hale (another admirable man who was hopeless as a spy).
I think you're confusing Andre with Arnold. Andre was a British officer and thus could not be considered a traitor to the American cause.
Lord Fairfax, Mr. British himself, who literally supported George throughout the years when Washington was on the side of the British, upon hearing about the defeat of the British by Washington...and close to death said: My God, what have I done.
I really need to stop in again one day now that I'd appreciate the historic aspect of the tavern much more than I did then.
But Washington hired his own "scoundrels" to spy upon the Brits.
I haven't been there for quite a while. It's changed hands a couple of time so I don't know what it's like now. I'll have to try it again myself.
Andre was hanged for spying, not for treason. As a British officer, he could not commit treason against America.
That's akin to saying that the NSA are scoundrels for eavesdropping on al Qaeda.
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