The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-12-08
Escape Of Arnold.

MIR EhpncZcr Chase was q private III
the New HAMPSHIRE Militia, which re
lieved the PENNSYLVANIA line at Yves
Point in 1880, when those troops, BEN,
vet erans, were wanted elsewhere. Mr.
c.. with several others, being off duty
was on the shore of the Hudson whel
Arnold deserted. When General Wash
ineton assigned him the command o
West Point. he left his own barge in hi.
possession. A temporary hut was erect
ed on the east shore for the accommoda
ton of the four oarsmeu who managed
the barge. On the morning of his de
scrtion, Gen. Arnold rode down to tn,
shore from his head quarters at Robin
sons farm. very fast as was his custom
threw the reins to his attendant, and
ordered the barge to be manned Hc
then directed his course towards the
Point but on reaching the middle of the
river the boat was observed to take
course down the stream. and moved yer,
swiftly through the water.
The explanation was afterwards made
by the boatmen. lie hoisted flag OF
truce and told them to pull for the Vul
ture sloop of war, which lay below, say
ing that he had some business with the
captain, and promised if they would row
him down as soon as possible, TO give
them guinea and gallon of rum each
on nearing the Vulturc, and within
range of her guns, Arnold opened his
plan. saying, i have served the ungrotc
fai scoandrcls long cnough,' and dcclar
ed ifthey would 90 with him they should
have double pay, and should be made
sergeants in the British service One
of the men replied that 'he dM mol
muderStan2 fighting on both SitleS
Then said the General, you are my
prisoners.
When they came alongside of the
sloop-of-war, Arnold assembled the deck
and was received by the marines with
presented arms lie then ordered his
men to come on board as prisoners of
war. One of them, who had been their
spokesman Just before. said. it was a
shabby trick, as they had toilcd to their
utmost strength 10 get the boat along.
now to refuse the promised reward, and
make them prisoners to boot The Eng.
lish captain heard their murmurs, and
stepping forward obscrved-'Gcn. Ar.
mold. | command this ship; and while |
walk the quarter deck no such transac-
ton shall take place. | know the mean
ing of the words sir. and will meet their
comment. Then addressing the men,
he continued NY good fellows, | re.
spcct your principles and fidelity to your
country, although you are enemies to
your king-you shall have the lib erty to
20 or stay as you please. Here taking
them from his purse, are your guineas:
stewards, put up four gallons of ruin for
these men The boatmcn thanked the
gallant and generous sailor, and returned
ia safety to head quarters TO report THEN
proceedings to Gen. Washington. who
had lust arrived in camp Arnold
shagrinsd and enraced. retired without
uttering word to the cabin of the sloop.
of-war.'
This statement was made by Mr.
Chase about a fortnight before his death
in 1881. He also stated that he saw
Mai. Andre going to execution. riding in
the centre of a troop of light horse
Arnold before his escape. had rcceiy.
ed information that Ioin 1nderSon.
the name with which he had filled An
dre's pass. was taken The information
was sent him by the unfortunate person
himself. This determined his purpose
for sudden flight. He was afterward.
distinguished for the invcteracy witt
which he carried on his predatory war
fare against his fellow countrymen. Af
ter the war. he went to England. where
although he received the countenarce Of
the British Government. his good inten.
tions in his unsuccessful plot against tn,
/ liberty of his country were despised b,
the British officers. The unfcelint
wretch called upon the widowed mother
and sister of his unfortunate victim IAN
dre) The servant announced to then
the name of Gen. Arnold and they i'm
mediately returned message that the,
did not desire to see him. He also Wis
tied Westminster Abbey in compan,
with a lady who was probably his wife
as related by Mr.. Van Shack. a. LOYAL
list from New York, and the circum
stance is thus related
Gen Arnold and the lady,-doubtles
Mrs Arnold-passed to the cenotaph O
Mai. Andre. where they stood ard con
versed together. What a spectacle p
The traitor Arnold in Westminster AT
bey at the tomb of Andre deliberately ne,
using tho monumental ;,,sor;ot;o, v,L ;ol