The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-24
From the New-York Enquirer.
MAJOR ANDRE.

ism have been eminently serviccable to his
and here we cannot but praise that
uniform love of country which has stimulat-
ed the artist to persevere at considerable ex-
pense, until he has secured the fac SMILES OF
nearly all who shave done the State some
service"
Presuming that narrative of the capture
of Andre, related with simplicity by the old
soldier, might not be uninteresting, browere,
during the operation, prevailed upon hlm to
give an account of himself; and also OF that
particular event so closely connected with |
the history Of our revolutionary war.-He
commenced as follows
II am the third son of Martinus Van
Wart; he had nine children. was born at
Greensburgh, West Chester County, but do
not know on what day, but was christened
on 26th Oct. 1748. When division OF the
American army was at North Castle, COM
manded by Col. Jamison, l went on scout
ing party, consisting Of two besides myself,
in order to waylay the COW boys or refugees,
who, we had notice, passed the North kiver
post daily, with cattle, horses, sheep, &c.
While at the encampment at North Castle,
John Pau,ding came, one afternoon, to me,
saying, Isaac, have you any objection to go
ing with me on scout belowl No. says |.
We then started between and o'clock in
the afternoon, with our English rifles on our
shoulders, and proceeded southwark. After
walking mile or so, we fell in with David
Williams, and persuaded him to accompany
us on our expedition. At night we came to
neighbour John Andrews barn at Mount
Pleasant, and slept on the hay until day
break We next crossed the fields tc the
North River Post Road, and about half past
z o'clock, we came to the widow Reads
house, got some milk and pack of playing
cards. At 9 we reached the field beside the
road, now the property of Mr.. Wiley, three
quarters of mile from Tarrytown. Getting
over the fence, we found it filled with thick
bushes, underwood, &c. &c. &c. We clear
ed spot, and Pauiding, taking out the
cards, said, "Boys VIC will draw cuts--two
can play. while the third stands sentry
The cuts were made, and l was to stand SEN
tinel.
During fifteen or twenty minutes, several
neighbours, whose political principles well
knew, passed the field. where we were,
without discovering us-Paulding and Viii
liams keeping perfect silence, and laying
down within the bushes, and close to the
fence. Shortly, say 20 or 80 minutes from
the time of our arrival, | saw horseman
ride slowly along on black horse, on the
rising ground directly opposite to where the
loWb IhtdtSWJ INV otuiuo' ouit W
Pauding and Williams, here's a horse
man coming--we must stop him." We got
up with our frelocks ready, and waited for
him to advance. AS soon as he (it was Ma
jor Andre) saw us standing by the fence, he
reined in his horse, and riding straight up to
us, said, "God bless you, my dear friends,
hope you belong to our paTty."--NNe asked
''to what party?" Without hesitation, he
smilingly replied: "Why, the lower party;
am British officer, and to convince VA
that am gentleman, and aver the truth,
see, here is my gold watch" We told him
he was wrong, tor we neither belonged =
his nor to the lower party, but were Acr-
leans, and that he was our prisoner.--He
started, changed colour, and fetching deep
sigh, said. "God bless my soul A body must
do any thing to get along nowadays" -
Thereupon he showed Gen. Arnold's pass
port, and said, "Ihave been in the country
OH particular business, and hope you won't
detain me minute"
After we had read the passport, we or
dered him to dismount and follow us. We
then took down the fence and led him and hi.
horse through into the thicket. William:
put up the fence as at first, that no suspicion
or inquiry should arise from seeing it down
When Williams came up, Major Andre re
quested us again to release him, and said hi
would give any sum of money we might ask
Or any quantity ofdry goods. You know oul
answer. After searching his clothes, w
ordered him to sit down; and pulling off hi
boot we perceived that his silk stocking sag
ged little; we took that off, and found in il
three letters that were not sealed. On tax
ing off his other boot and stocking, we fount
three more unsealed letters, which contain
ed correct descriptions OF the posts, redoubt
cannon, &c. of West Point and other places
After taking possession of these documents
he said, Now you have gotten all, lead on. ;
He put on his stockings and boots, and fol
lowed us to the road Replacing the fence
we allowed him to mount his horse and 20 i,
advance.
'' You never saw such an alteration in
mans face.-Only a few minutes before, an,
he was uncommonly gay in his looks, bu
after we had made him prisoner. you coul,
read in his face that he thought it was all @
yer with him. We felt for him, but tina
was all we could do. SO long as we meant t
be honest to our country. We made ou
way, as quickly and silently as we could, t
the encampment at North Castle. We ne
yer went into the man road, but kept in tn
by-ways, and never stopped, except to Civ
the prisoner little milk or SO, which we &C
from the country people. When we arrive