Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-06-01
ArIaoids Escape.

Il Z
M Ebenezer Chase was a private in the New
EHaiapshire militia, which relieved the Pennsyl-
vania line at West Point, in 1850, when those
troops, being veterans, were wanted elsewhere
Mr.. Chase, with several others being off duty was
on the shore Of the Hudson when. Arnold desert,
ed When Gen. Washington assigned him the
command of w est Point, he left his own barge
in his possession. A Temporary hut was erected
on the east shore for the accommodation of the
oarsmen who managed the barge. On the morn
ing of his desertion Gen. Arnold rode down to
the shore from his head quarters, at Robinson's
farm very fast as was his custom-threw the reins
tor his attendant and ordered the bargeto be mann
ed.a Hest then directed his course to this Point;
but onreaching the middle of the river, the boat
was observed to take a course down the stream,
| and moved very rapidly through the water. -.
The explanation was afterwards made by the
boatman. He hoisted a flag of truce, and told
them to pull for the Vulture, sloop ofwar. which
lay below, saying that he had some business with
captain, and promised that if they would row him
down to her1as soon as possible, to give them a
guinea and gallon of rum each. On nearing
the Vulture, and being in range of her guns, Ar
mold opened his plan, saying, 81 have served the
ungratefuls scoundrels long enough!' and declar-
edif they would go with him they should have
double pay, and should be made sergeants in the
British service. One of them replied .that he
did not understand fighting on both -sides.''-
"Then, said the General, ssyou are my prison.
ers.'' - s4.j5 81 -s7.ss555.s-s
When they came alongside of the sloop of war
Arnold aseended the deck, and was received by
marines with presented arms. He then ordered
his men to come on board as prisoners of war
One of of them who had been their spokesman
just before, said twas shabby trick as they had
toiled 10 their utmost strength to get along, now
to refuse the promised reward, and make them
prisoners to boot. The English captain heard
their murmurs. and stepping forward, observed:
14ssGen Arnold, / command this ship, and while
walk thequarter deck no transaction of this dis
honorable nature shall take place. / know the
meaning of my Wofds5 sir, and will meet their
comment" Then addressing the men, he com
tinued: My good fellows,I respect your sprin-.
ciples and fidelity to your country; although you
are enemies to your king you shall have liberty
to go orsstay as you please. ssHere,' taking them
from his pHrse, 'sslre your guineasi steward put
up four gallons of rum for these men. .ss s
The boatman thanked the gallantan generous
sailor and returned in safety to head quarters to
report their proceedings to General ashingtoD
who had just arrived in camp. Arnold, chagrin-
ed and enraged, retired, without uttering a word,
to the cabin of the sloop Of war; s 3 ss4sss .s
This statement was made by Mr.. Chase about
fortnight before his death, in 1881. He also
stated that he had seen Major Andre going to. ex-
ecution, riding in the centre of troop of light
horses. -
Arnold, before he escaped, had received infor-
nation that ssJoan Anderson the name with
which he had filed Andres pass was taken .:.
The information was sent by himto the unfor-
tunate person himself This determined his pur-
pose for sudden fight. He was afterwards dis
tinguished for the inveteraey with which he car
red ON his predatory warfare against his country
men, After the war he went to England, where
although he received the countenance fthe Bril-
tsh Government, his good intentions in his unsuc-
cessful plot against the liberty Of his country,
were despisedi by. the British officers The un-
feeling wretch called on the widowed mother and
sister of the unfortunate evictim--Andre. The
servant announced to thenthe name of General
Arnold; and they. Immediately returned message
that they did not desire to see him. He also5vis-
tied Westminster Abbey, in company of lady,
who was probably his wife, as related by Mr..
EVansSchaick, a loyalist, from NewYor and the
circumstances is thus related: :555F-z .s. s.7ssE
Gen Arnold and lady, doubtless Mrs Arnold,
= y n passed to the cenataph of Major Andre,
where they stood and conversed together. What
a speetacle! The traitor Arnold in Westmns-
ter Abby, at the tomb of Andre, deliberately pc
rising the monumental inscription, which will
Transmit to future ages the tale of his own infa-
N.Y. The scene, with the esassociations which
naturally crowded upon the mind, was calculated
to excitevarious emotions in an American bosom
and MIR. Van Schaiek turned from it with dis
gust. 4s,.f.s ss5l 7X8-7i.sf a5z55
+ Arnold met with ascold reception from the hon.
orable men! from all parties in England, and his
position was most uncomfortable. E In faet,A dis
honor attached TO him and his famiy-and one
of his sons, an officer in the British army, wa.
tfOrced to sell his COMMISSION ana leaVe, as tut
officers would not associate with him, and wert
free to express themselves with loathng and dis
j gust towards him and his father.
The kiags sand the officers of the goyernmen
were compelled to treat with some show efatten
ton; yet it is probable that they, even while the,
loved the treason, despisedsthe traitor. " sfss.
But this show of good treatment towards Ar
mold, on the part Of the king came in for sever
: Eanimadversion and rebuks In the House o
Lords, February s, 1889, on the debate rela
{ tive to the execution of Colonel Hayne, q
j Charleston Lord Abngton,i in his eloquent speec