The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-07
The Tarrytown Celebration.
MONUMENT IN CONFEDERATION OF THE CAPTURE OF
MAJOR ANDRE, IN wEsrCHEsrER COUNTY.

This day, (Oct - the which has been erect
ca al arrytown Wescheser county for the purpose OF
designating the spot where Major Andre captured
the 2Sd September $780, will be dedicated with appropr
ate ceremonies Governor Seymour Is expected to Off
cae on the OCCASION and other dgnares will be present.
grand civic and military procession is announced to take
place; and number Of individuals will take an active
part in the celebration, some of whom have awaited
themselves OF this opportunity, as they always do
when they have chance, to cause themselves to be
pulled into notice. which it would be in vain for them to
hope for on their intrinsic merits
The story capture and fate Major Andre has been
often told and is familiar household words to all read
of American history Eleven years ago the original pa
pers found in Andres boots placed in
and copies of them published in the HERALD in 1872 &C.
companied with various other interesting matter con-
nected with the affair, which afterwards printed in
pamphlet FORM and returned the original the owners
of the manuscripts.
1t must admitted that the story of Andre always pos
great interest however often recapitulated 1t
has been called by distinguished American writer 'the
purple flower of the Revolution and the curious crcum.
sance<whch led to his capture and untimey DEATH
well the romantic life and character of this young
British officer fail to attract attention whenever
his story is repeated. On the present occasion brief
notice at least will be expected by any of the readers
of the HERALD.
John Andre, aid de-camp to Sir Henry Clinton and Ad
jutant General of the British army in the war of
the American Revolution, was born in London in
1749 His father q native of Geneva, in
Switzerland, and considerable merchant in the
Levant trade-he died in 1859. Young Andre was
destined to mercantile life and attended his fathers
counting house in London after having spent years
at school in Geneva. lie first entered the British
army in January It'll. At that time he had at
fach IN n and adj
young lady, whom he met at the house of Miss Anna Sc
ward literary lady of IitchAed, England Miss Sneyd
did not recprocate the affection of Andre but after
wards married Richard Lowell Edgeworth, Gather of
the celebrated Maria Edgeworth) when that gen
teman q widower. In 1772 Andre visited the
courts Of Germany, anu returned to England in
1878. He landed at Philadelphia in September 1774,
lieutenant of the Royal English Fuslie and soon pro-
ceeded Canada by way of Boston, to join his regiment
In IT'S he taken prisoner by the Americans under
General Montgomery, at st. Johns, but af
forwards exchanged, and promoted to the rank
of captain In the summer Of 1777 he appoint
ed aid to General Gray, and present at
various battles in Pennsylvania and New Jersey 1777
and 17s On the return of General Gray to England he
appointed aid to General Sir Henry Clinton. During
the occupation Of Philadelphia by the British army he
was Of the most popular and fashionable of the young
English officers and took active part in getting up the
celebrated "Arischanza," Knights Errant entertain
men in honor Of previous to the departure
of that officer to England In 1880 Andre promoted
to the rank Of major and made Adutan General of the
British army.
After General Arnold had ntmated to the British general
Sir Henry Clinton in $780, his intention of delivering West
Point into the hands of the British troops Major Andre
selected the person to whom the maturing of Ar
nods treason and the arrangements for its execution
gbou1 In cd A uda far
some time carried between them under a
mercantile disguise, and the fegned signatures of
+" Gustavus' the part Of Arnold, and Anderson
the part Of Andre until at length to facilitate their
munications the Vuture sloop of sailed up the
North river and took station for the purpose but not
West Point as to excite suspicion An interview
agreed upon and in the night of September 81 $780,
Andre was taken in boat which despatched by Ar
mold for the purpose and carried to the west bank of the
river without the posts of both armies under pass for
John Anderson. This arrangement of landing was con-
rsry to the wishes Of Major Andre who had expected to
meet Arnold, authorized agent complete the me-
gotation for the contamination Of the treason on
board Of the soop of He met General Arnold at the
able to the British government
While the conference at Smiths house between Ar
mold and Andre yet unfinished, daylight approach
ed, and to avoid the danger Of discovery it
proposed to Andre that he should remain concealed till
the succeeding night He is understood to have refused
to be carried within the American posts but the promise
made him by Gen. Arnold to respect this objection
not observed He carried within them contrary
his wishes and against his knowledge. He continued
with Arnold the succeeding DAY, and when the night
following he proposed TO return to the yulture the boat
refused to carry him, because the ship had during
the day shifted her station, in consequence of gun
hanr
and brought to bear her. This embarrassing crcum
reduced Major Andre to the necessity of sndeavor
ing to reach New York city by land. Yielding with
uctance the urgent representations of Arnold he laid
aside his regmentsls which he had hitherto under
overcoat and put plain suit Of clothes which he
borrowed of Smith He received from Gen. Arnold
q pass, authorizing him, under the feigned
of John Anderson proceed the public service
to White Plans, lower down if he thought proper and
set out his in the evening of the 22d of Sepem
Der, accompanied by Joshua H. Smith, and negro
want Of the latter crossing the ferry from Stony Point to
verpanks Point few miles from which place they took
lodgings for the night At the first dawn of light on the
23d of September the travellers reused themselves from
their troubled umbers Smith Weakened the servant and
ordered the prepared for early departure
Having solicited their host in vain to receive compensa
ton for the civtes had rendered. they mounted and
took the road leading to Pines bridge which the
Croton river on the way to North Castle. The counte
nance Andre frightened when he was fairly beyond the
reach Of the parong party and as ne thought ne iel
behind him the principal difficulties in his route
His cheerfulness revived, and he conversed in the
most animated and agreeable strain great variety
of topics Mr. Smith astonshed at the sudden and
extraordinary change which appeared in him. from
gloomy tacurnity TO exuberant flow of spirits, plea
santry gay discourse. He talked upon poetry, the
arts ami literature lamened the war, and hoped for
speedy peace they passed Major srangs house, two
miles below Yorktown church they were observed by the
han IN no
they passed along without being accosted BY any
person. till they within two miles and half OF Pines
bridge At this place Smith had determined to end his
Journey in the direction Of White Plains The Cow boys
orseinen the interest Of the British and toric whom
he seemed anxious to avoid had recently been above the
bridge and the territory below considered their APP
prorrate domain. The travellers partook of a frugal
breakfast together at the house Of Dutch woman This
being despatched, Smith divided. his small stock
Of paper money with Andre, took final
leave and with his servant fastened back to Peeksl
and the same evening TO Fishk where he had left his
family four days before at the house OF his broherin
law On the way he took the road TO lobnsons house.
where he called on General Arnold and dned with him