Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-05

a' shower Of rain fell soon after Champe's de-
.,-,nrs which enabled the pursuing Dragons 10
phs ,Sa trail of his horse, his shoes, 10 common
'ane ,hosa Of the horses of the army, being made
,acuI;,r farm, and each having a private
- which was 10 b. seen IN the pain.
"s 80 niles above Bergen, village three miles
II If New York, Oh the opposite side OF the
NJ W"Js:n ON ascending bill, Champe was des-
,.;"J NOT more than half mile distant Fortu-
-, he noticed his pursuers at the same mo-
,".0, and coniecturing their object, put spurs to
~ borse. with the hope Of escape
~ ,,kiuc different road, Champe was tor a
80 lost sight Of; but upon approaching the river
- cas- asain deserted Aware OF his danger, ne
,o,@ IssbsJ his valice containing his clothes and
ordsrly book, TO his shoulders, and prepared MN
..If TO plunge into the river II necessary
Swift was his flight, aud swifs the pursuit..
The pursuing party were within hunureu ya'us
when Champe threw himself from MS horse' anu
plupged into the river, calling aloud upon sumo
British salhes at no great distance ior he'P' n
boat was instantly despatched to inc sergeant
assistance, and fire commenced upon "e pu'-
suprs. Champe was taken on board, ahu sooh
after carried TO New York, with le'ter rom
the captain, stating the past scene, all OF winch
ne had witnessed.
The pursuers having recovered me sergeant
horse aud cloak, returned TO camp, where they
arrived about eis bit O'Clock the next uay' Oh
thc;r annearance with the well-known horse, the
.oLI;ers made the AIR resound with acclamations,
that the scoundre was killed. The agony OF
lee. for moment, was past description, lest the
faithful. honorable, intrepid Champe had fallen.
But the truth soon relieved his fears, and he re.
paired 10 Washington TO impart to hiR thus Tar
the success of his plan. After ChamPe's arrival
m New York. he enlisted under ArnoId's legion,
composed principally Of American deserters.-
Champe discovered il was Arnold's custom 10
return home about twelve O'Clock every night;
anI that previously to going to bed, he VISITED
the garden. During this visit, the consplralors
whom Champe had associated with him, were to
seize him. and, being prepared with gag, they
were 10 apply the same instantly.
Adjoining the house in which Arnold resided,
and IN which il was designed to seize and gag
him, Champe had taken off several OF the pail
Iuas and replaced them, 50 that with ease, and
without noise, he could readily open his way TO
the adjoining alley. After he was secured,
Champe and his friend intended to place them
selves each under ArnOld's shoulder, and thus
bear Inn through the most untrequented streets
to the boat in waiting, representing him, IN case
OF being questioned, as drunken soldier, whom
they we're conveying to the guard house.
The day arrived, and Lee, with party OF &C.
coutred horses, lone for Arnold, one for the ser
geant, aud one for his associale,) left the camp,
never doubting Of success. But Champe did not
arrive. In few days Lee received an anony-
nous letter from Champe, informing him that on
the day preceding the night fixed for the execu'
ton OF the plot, Arnold had removed his quar-
tiers to another part OF the town.
Champe was not able to escape from the Brl-
tsh army, until after the junction Of the army OF
Lord CORVALLIS at Petersburgh, when he de,er-
ted aud returned to the Americans. We shall
only add, respecting the after life of this interest
ing adventurer, that when Gen. Washington
was called by President Adams. in 1898, to the
command of the army prepared TO defend the
country from French hostility, he sent to Lieut..
Col. Lee, TO inquire for Champe, being determ'n
ed to bring HIN into the field at the head Of &
company ofintantry. Lee inquired, but fouut
the gallant soldier, after leaving the army. ha,
died in Kentucky.