The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-12
, MISCELLANEOUS.
Wajor an6re.

Mrs. Child recently made visit from the
city of New York TO the scene of the IN
happy Major Andres arrest and execution.
We are obliged TO abridge her glowing mar
ratve but what remains will deeply inter.
est our readers, both old and young; at the
same time they may be oppressed with the
recollectons Of the sad story.-Cong. Jour.
ave- stopped at Picrpoint, on the widest
part Of Tappan Bay. where the Hudson ex>
tends itself 10 the width of three miles. On
the opposite side, in full view from the ho-
Eel, is Tarrytown, where poor Andre was
captured. Tradition says that very large
whitewood tree. under which he was taken,
was struck by lightning on the very day
Tarrytown. As | sat gazing on the oppo-
site woods, dark in the shadows Of moon
light, | thought upon how very slight 4
circumstance often depends the fate Of in
dividuals, and the destiny of nations. In
the autumn of 1880, farmer CHANGED to be
making cider at mill on the east bank OF
the Hudson, near that part of Haverstraw
Bay called Mothers lap Two young
men, carrying muskets, as usual in those
troubled times, stopped for draught of
sweet cider, and seated themselves on log
TO wait for it. The farmer found them look
ing intently On some distant object, and
inquired what they saw. Hush hush =
they replied, the red coats are yonder,
Just within the lap pointing to an English
gun boat, with twenty>four men, lying on
their oars. Behind the shelter of rock
they fred into the boat, and killed two per-
sons. The British returned a random shot
bat, ignorant Of The number Of their oppo-
nents. and seeing that it was useless to
waste ammunition on 4 hidden foe. they
returned, whence they came, with all pos
s;blc speed. This boat had been sent to
convey Maj. Andre 10 the British sloop>of-
war Vrlture, then lying at anchor OF Tel
lcr's Point. Shortly alter, Andre arrived,
Gad. finding the boat gone, he, attempting
to proceed through the interior was captur-
cd. lad not those men stopped TO drink
sweet cider, it is probable that Andre would
not have been hung; the American rc;C-
luton would have terminated in quite Il diff
ferent fashion men now defined as heroes,
would have been handed down to poster;:y
as traitors and ou: citizens would be proud
OF claiming descent from tories.
"a very pleasant ride al sunset brought
us to Orangelown, 10 the lone field where
Major Andre was executed. 1t is planted
with potatoes bat The plough spares the spot
which was oace his ga:.ons ard his grave.
A rude heap Of stones, with the remains of
L dead fir ,rHo In the midst, are all that
mark it: bnt tree anu stones were covered
with names. Ii is on an cminence, CON-
manding Z view of the country for miles.
gazed On the surrounding woods, and re-
membcred that on this self-same spot the
beautiful and accomplished young man
walked back and forth, 4 few minutes pre-
ccding his execution, taking an earnest fare.
well lock o. earth and sky. lily heart was
sad within me.
a few years ago the duke of York re-
qucsed the British consul 10 send the re-
rna'rs of Maj. Andre TO England. At that
time two thriving frs were found near the
grave, and peach tree, which lady in line
neighborhood had planted there in the kind
ness Of her heart. The farmers, who came
TO witness the interesting ceremony, gener-
ally evlnced the most respectful. tenderness
for the memory of the unfortunate dead,
and many of the women and children wept
A few loafers, educated by militia trainings
and fourth of July declarations, began 10
murmur that the memory of Gen. Wash.
ington was insulted By any respect shown
to the remains of Andre but the offer of n
treat lured them TO the tavern, where they
soon became too drunk to guard the char.
acter of Washington. 1t was beautiful
day; and these disturbing spirits being re-
moved, the impressive ceremony proceeded
in solemn silence. The coffin was in pres
ervation, and contained all the bones, with
small quantity of dust The roots of the
peach tree had entirely interviewer the skull
with the fine net work Gifts roots. His
hair, SO much praised for IFS uncommon
beauty. was tied, on the day of his execu
ton, according TO the fashion Of the times
When his grave was opened, half a century
afterward, the ribbon was found In perfec
preservation, and sent to his sister in Eng
land. When it was known that the sarco
phagis containing his remains had arrived
IN New York, on its way to Lonson, many
ladies' sent garlands and emblematic devi
ces, to be wreathed around it in memory o.
the beloved and lamented Andre In
their compassionate hearts the teachings o.
nature were unperverted by maxims of war
or that selfish jealousy which dignifies it
self with the name Of patriotism.
"At the foot of the eminence. vheee the