Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-03-23

night is beautiful, and the scene within Sir
Henry's mansion enchanting. but still there
is heaviness about my spirits that cannot
shake off see danger before me, yet
know not where to guard againt it, or how to
meet it. Though shadowy. it appears pal
pable and distinct All. that song"
At this moment. the silver tones Of the SEN
tinel's voice rang sweetly upon the ear with
the words Of the song VIC have mentioned,
and whilst thus engaged, the Major and his
fair companion appeared suddenly before him.
In an instant his voice was bushcd, and his
musket brought suddenly to present arms =
as he stood motionless in true military posi-
ton before his superior.
may. nay, Whitley. cease not your song"
said the Major. ION suca night as this /
wonder not that you feel like singing Twill
stand responsible to the seargent for such a
breach Of discipline ?
IL should like much to hear it in full, sell
der" said the lady.
Il only know it lady answered the sem
tinel, from hearing Major Andre sing it when
have been on duty at bis quarters Per-
haps he, ma am, will consent to favor you
with it,
Il insist, Major Andre--no refusal will !
allo"''
'Wcn Miss Beekman, ! will net deny you;
bat cannot equal Whitley in tie song, as
you will soon fnd out
lie then commenced, and sang with great
pathos and beauty The calm spendor Of
the night his pensive air, and the feeling
with which he entered into the words of the
song. combined to give it great effect-he
concluded, be was surprised to bear the OK
CARNATIONS, Brave, Andre Beautiful! 7 Eek
cellent !! from numerous voices. In fact he
was surrounded by goodly portion Of the
ball company, who bad awaited them
selves of a pause in the dance to visit the
garden.
"Wcll done, Andre !" said stout and
portly gentleman in military costume, with
large star on the breast of bis coat /; ''you
shall hereafter bear the title Of song master
as well as adjutant- general to his majesty's
troops in America. But come, man---your
politencss and gayety seem to be on furlough
to-pight The Baroness de Reidescl has
been looking all over for her partner Step
in, my dear fellow, step in Miss Beckman,
will you condescend to take my arm"
/ IL have been ncglectful, Sir Henry, and
win instantly repair my wrong said Andre.
/ He entered the bali room and waltzed with
Lady Reidcscl. the wife Of the Hcssian gen.
eral, Burgoyne's second in command at Sar-
atoga. 1t was the last waltz and ballroom
scene ever engaged in by Andre--the night
Of the 18th Of September, 1880.
The ball was over the guests had depart
ed. and it was waxing towards daylight, when
Andre left the private closet Of Sir Henry
Clinton, and stood in the doorway looking
towards the Bowling Green.
Now, my dear major" said Sir Henry.
bid you adieu. May success crown your
efforts. If your interview with Arnold ter
inmates as we have reason to expect, West
Point is ours. and generals commission
awaits John Andre. BE cautious, / cntreat
of you"
'Adieu, Sir Henry--1 90 to serve my king
and country. If | ----- but will not say it.
Sir farewell"
He shook the extended hand of Sir Hen
ry Clinton with emotion, and, as lie stepped
into the street, received for the last time, the
military salutation of British sentinel. He
touched bis hat and passed on. AT the wa
ter's edge he sprang into a boat, and was
soon on the deck of the Vuture sloop of war,
on his way to his final interview with Bene-
diet Arnold
In little more than ten days. the high
minded soldier daugled on gibbet. His
hopes of glory were forever closed in the
dust and ashes of the grave Forty years
afterwards his bones were brought to this
city on their way to rest beneath gorgeous
cenotaph in Westminster Abbey. Though
an enemy. we respect the memory of a brave
man; and that such man should have been
the victim Of a traitor like Benedict Arnold
There is something so touching in the last
letter of Andre to Washington, that we al
most regret the latter had not complied with
his request, and given him the death of sol.
der.
TAppAN, Oct l, 1880.
SIR Buoyed above the terror of death
by the consciousness of life devoted to hon
orable pursuits. and stained with no action
that can give remorse, | trust that the re-
quest make to your Excellency at this Sc
rIous period and which is to soften my last
moments, will not be rejected.
Sympathy towards soldier will surely in
duce your Excellency and military tribunal
to adapt the mode of my death to the feel
ings of man OF honor.
Let me hope. sir, that If aught in my char
acter impresses you with esteem towards me
If aught in my mistortunes mark me as the
victim of policy and not OF resentment
shall experience the operation of these feel
] =. L. L.. 80. that
am not TO die on gi5bet.
have the honor to be your Excellency's
most obedent and most humble servant
JOHN ANDRE.
At noon. precisely, on the End of October,
1880. he was hung at Tappan On the day
of Arnold's death. many years after the tree
that overshadowed the solitary grave Of An
Dire was struck aud shattered to pieces by
lightning.