Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-05

From tie Philadelphia San.
GEN. wAYNE's OPINION OF ARNOLD.
A kind friend has placed in our hands
an original letter written by Gen. Anthony
Wayne to gentleman Of this vicinity,
which will be read with in.erestas contain
ing the opinion Of one of,he bravest Of our
Revolutionary officers upon the treachery
and previous character ofBenedict Arnold.
We give the letter entire:
HAvERsrRaw, NEAR SToNy PorSr,
OCTOBER !, 1850.
My DEAR Sin :---Will you do me the
justice to believe that neither want of af-
lection nor inclination, buta thousand other
intervening circumstances, have prevented
INC from writing sooner. Indeed, my dear
sir. we have hitherto had but very disa-
grecablc campaign what with private
fcud and public misfortunes, ! am almost
distracted and worn down. Just as ! had
effected a temporary reconciliation among
had wounded their feelings, and beginning
to feel little happy, the perfdy Of Gen.
Arnold has opened new field for anxiety
of mind, and distrust Of some others, both
IN the cabinet and the field.
/ can't say that was much shocked on
the occasion. l had long known the man;
as early as 1776 he produced a conviction
to me that honor and true virtue were
strangers to his soul-and, however con-
Trajectory it may appear, he did not pos
sess either foritude or personal courage
He was naturally a coward, and never
went into danger, but when stimulated by
liquor, even to intoxication; consequently
not capable of conducting any command
committed to his charge. But, however
that may be, had he succeeded in the dark
affair, Charleston and the other recent mil
itary checks we have experienced in South
Carolina would be triAcs to the loss of
West Point and its dependencies for, by
possessing that pass, the enemy would eff
fcctually separate the Northern and Mid
die States, and prevent any possible COM
munication short ofAaJ moon, situate twelve
miles North of Albany. By this means
they might direct their whole force to any
point without being in danger of a junction
of the forces Of these States to modest them
in their operation.
The storm was to have taken place last
Tuesday night, or the next morning. The
garrison of West Point was so detached,
and the works so wretchedly manned and
provided, that the whole must have been
carried in twenty minutes. His Excelcn-
cy fortunately-very fortunately-arrived
at that place about half an hour before the
treachery was discovered but Arnold
made his escape in boat, and proceeded
down the river as a flag, and got on board
the Vulture sloop-of-war. The General
expecting that, as the enemy We're en-
barkcd, and everything in perfect readi-
ness for the enterprise, Sir Henry Clinton
would Notwithstanding the discovery at
tempt to carry the works by assault, well
knowing the debilitatcd state of the garri-
sonand the proper points Of attack, and that
our army was not within supporting dis
lance, he therefore dispatched an. express
al seven o'clock that evening, which reach.
cd us by twelve at night, directing Gen
Greene to order the Pennsylvania line to
proceed with all possible dispatch under
my command, and cndcavor if possible to
get possession of the defiles leading from
Stony to West Point. We Immediately
leaving our camp standing, and
by sunrise passed that pass, being up
wards of sixteen miles in four hours, per-
orrncdin the night, without a single man
eft behind.
Here we yet remain, waiting for Sir
1enry's motions bat, knowing our posi-
ion, he will not be hardy enough to perse-
'erc in an enterprise although very fa-
'orite one) that would be thcprice of much |
blood. shall not commit myself to the
notifications, but will decide the fate of the
day at the point of the bayonet in the gor-
ges the defles, through which the enc
my must pass before they reach the works.
My kindest wishes to Sister Sally and
her little people; present my respects to
mother Pcnrosc, and believe me yours,
Most affcctionately,
ANTHONY WAYNE.