Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-07-04
miscellaneous.
From the Z. S. Magazine.
MAJOR JOHN ANDRE.

THIS accomplished and unfortunate
young British officer was born in England
IN l75l. He entered the army at the age
of seventeen, and became one of Sir Hen
ry Clnton's aids, in l775, with the title
of major. eAVhen the traitor Arnold pro-
posed to deliver up West Point and the
American army to the British, Andre was
appointed to confer with Arnold and set
tie the prelimiuaries of that damnable
treachery Under the name of Ander-
son he passed into the American lines,
and consumma ed the reasonable propo-
sitions of Arnold. Being disappointed
of returning to n ew York by water, he
obtained, through Arr DDS influence, a
on his return. He had passed, in perfect
security, all the posts and guards on the
road and was proceeding to New York In
triumph. when on the 22d of September,
one of three American militiamen, who
acted as a scouting party, sprang sudden
ly from his covert and seized his bride,
ordering him to halt. This was so un,
looked for. that Andre lost his self pos
session, aud inquired hastily OF the sol
der, . Where do you belong % Below" f"
was the equivocal reply. . So do L. re
turned Andre = am British officer,
| trust YOU will allow me to proceed with
out detention, as | am on important bus
| mess" \ peculiar smile on the face of
the militaInan revealed to him his mis-
take, and the other two men coming up at
that moment, he discovered, too late, the
fatal trap be had sprung upon himself :
He then sought to bribe the American
/ soldiers. offering his purse and watch, aud
! promising them the most ample reward
! from his government, if they would allow
him to proceed But they were not OF
/ the Arnold stamp, and they sternly reJec-
ted all his b-ibes. On searching him.
I they found concealed in one of his
! boots, In Arnold's own hand writing, pa,
/ pers containing exact returns or the state
/ Of the forces. stores, ordnance, and deten-
! ces of West Point, with those OF all its
! dependencies, with various other kinds OF
! information necessary to the success OF
! the British, and all addressed to Sir Hen
/ rv Clinton, commander-in-eh of the
! British forces in New York.
The three brave men whose patriotism
was strong enough to resist such brilliant
bribes, and the eloquent appeals of the
ACCOMPLISHED Andre. were John Pauldine
David Williams, and Isaac Eap Vert
! They deserve, and will ever receive, the
/ gratitude of their country.
The board of officers composing the
courtmartial which was to try Andre
aud at whose head was General Greene
found him guilty of being a spy, and sen
fenced him to be hanged. After he found
L IL ha III off n II
/ disguises. and acknowledged everything
indeed, he was convicted on his own con
fession Every effort was made to pro
cure remission of the dreadful verdict
/ for he was a dear friend of Sir Henry
| Clinton's, and a favorite with all the off
GERS; but it was thought too fagarant a
/ case to 90 unpuuished and the command
/ er of the American army, though with
the deepest commisseration, ordered the
sentence of the court to be carried int
immediate execution.
Accordingly. on the Sd of October
1880. he was led forth to execution. =
When he saw the fatal gibbet, he mani
tested some emotion, and exclaimed
:. Must / die In this manner /" and IN
moment added, g But it will be only
, momentary pang;" and, instantly resu
! ming his wonted serenity, be met his fat
with dignity and composure which ex
cited the admiration, and deeply move
the pity, of all who witnessed the sad ter
mination of life full of promise Thu
i perished, in the flower of his youth, on
. of the most accomplished officers IN tn
: British army and of which the gifte'
n Hamilton thus speaks -
e There was something singularly II
teresting in the character and fortunes c
Major Andre To an excellent under
standing, we'll improved by education an
travel, be united peculiar elegance {
mind and manners, and the advantage
!, most pleasing person, He had erett