American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-10
From Tn4cHER's JOURNAL.
adventures Of Sergeant Champe,

FROM THAcHERs Journal.
Adventures Of Sergeant Champe.
There is particular transaction in the history of
our Revolutionary war, which was known only TO
General Washington and slnge confidential Off
Ger, the gallant Major Lee, commander of a corps
of cavalry. As the story is particularly interesting,
and as it has never been disclosed to the public, BY
any historian, except by Major Lee in his valuable
memoirs, cannot resist the temptation of enrching
this work with the narration, in the words of the re-
spectacle author.
stately, John Champe, sergeant major OF the
legion OF cavalry, who had been for several months
considered BY the corps deserter, returned. This
high minded soldier had been selected to undertake
very difficult and perous project, The narration Of
which is due to his merit, as we'll to the singulari-
ty of his progress
"The treason of General Arnold, tho capture oil
Andre, with intelligence received by Washington,
through his confidential agents i'll New York, com
municaling that many OF his officers and especially
major general named to him, were connected with
Arnold could not fail to seize the attention of com
mander even less diligent and jealous 1t engaged
his mind entirely, exciting sensations the most
Sions, as we'll unpleasant. The moment he
reached the army, then under the orders OF Major
General Greene, encamped in the vicinity of Tap
pan, he sent for Major Lee, posted with the light
troops some distance in front. This officer repaired
10 head quarters with celebrity, and found the gene
raj in his marquee alone, busly engaged in writing.
So as Lee entered, he was requested to take a
seat, and bundle of papers, lying on the table, was
given to him for perusa, In these much informa-
lion detailed, tending to prove that Arnold was
not alone in the base conspiracy jest detected, but
that the poison had spread and that maj or gene
rs whose name was not concealed, was certainly as
guilty as Arnold himself. This officer had enjoyed
Without interruption, the confidence of the Com
inf obn,,tf han "A tEora
exist single reason in support of the accusation
II altogether rested on the intelligence derived from
the papers before him. Major Lee, personally ac-
quainted with the accused, could not refrain from
suggesting the probability thatthe whole was con-
,rivanoe Of Sir Henry Clinton, in order to destroy
that confidence between the commander and his Off
GERS, ON which the success of military operations
depends. 1 his suggestion, Washington replied, was
plausible, and deserved due consideration |, had
early occurred to his own mind, and had not been
slightly regarded but his reflections settled in a
conclusion not to be shaken, as the same suggestion
applied to officer more iorciby than few days
ago it would have done to General Arnold, known
now TO be traitor.
..Announcing this result of his meditations with
the tone and countenance of mind deeply agitated
and resolved on its course, Lee continued silent,
when the general proceeded: have sent for you,
in the expectation that you have in your corps in
,viduals capable and willing to undertake an inds-
pensable, delicate, and hazardous project. Who
ever comes forward on this occasion, will lay me
under great obligations personally; and in behalf oil
the United States, will reward him amply. Nc
time is to be lost he must proceed, it possible, this
night. My object is to probe to the bottom the
affecting 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 sci
cure Of Arnold, the guilt Of others can be traced
and The timely delivery of Arnold to me, will pos
sb!y put it into my power to restore the amiabis
and unfortunate Andre to bis friends My lhstruc
lions are ready, in which you will find my express
orders, that Arnold is not to be hurt but that he bs
permitted to escape, If TO be prevented only by kill
ing him, as his public punishment is the only objec
in view. This you cannot too forcbly press or
whoever may engage in The enterprise ; and TIM
fail not to do With my instructions are two letters
to be delivered as ordered, and here are some gui
meas Tor expenses.
Major Lee replying said, that he bad little o.
no doubt but that his legion contained p'any nd'vi
duals daring enough tor any operation, howeve
perilous; but that the one in view, required com
bnalion OF qualities not easily 10 be found unless il
commissioned officer, to whom he could not ven
ture to propose enterprise the frs, step to which
was desertion. That though the sergeant maj O
the cavalry, was in all respects qualified Tor the de
lleate and adventurous project, and 10 him Nigh