Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-04-05
[From the Ladies Keepsake and Home Libra
V.l
THE DESERTION OF SERGEANT
CHAMPE.

is immortalized by its connexion wit
. one Of the most interesting and in
; portant events Of our Revelation. Joh
: Champe was sergeant-major of reg
; ment of horse, known as 'The Partisa
Legion" and commanded By Majo
] Henry Lee He was native of Lou
don county, in Virginia, and abou
twenty-three or twenty-four years @
age; had enlisted in 1776; was rathe
above the common size; full of bon
and muscle; with a saturnine counte
nance-grave, thoughtful. and taciturn
of tried courage, and infiexible perse
verance. For these qualities of mint
and body he was selected by Genera
Washington, on the recommendation o
Major Lee, to undertake an enterprise o
equal danger, difficulty, and Importance
The treason of Arnold had been dis
closed by the arrest of Major Andre
1t had produced deep effect upon the
mind Of Washington and throughout
the army, heightened by accompanying
suspicious that Arnold was not the only
officer of high station who had listened
to the temptations of the British com.
mander. Washington was deeply
troubled in particular by accusations
which had been laid before him in wri-
ting. against major-general, in whom
he had reposed great confidence; and he
deemed it indispensable to obtain conir-
nation or complete disproof of the
charges thus preferred. He was anx-
ious, moreover, to save the life OF
Andre, which could only be done by the
execution of justice upon Arnold-in
itself most desirable; and it was to ac-
complish these three objects that he de-
vised the mission of Sergeant Champe.
That mission was TO reach the city OF
New York-then in possession of the
British-as a deserter; communicate
with trusty friends of the American
cause who had for some time been in
correspondence with Washington, and
secure the person of Arnold. The diff
fculty and danger of the enterprise
were very great; for, besides the risk of
detection in the endeavor to seize Arnold,
there was themore fearful hazard of ar
rest while making his seeming flight
from the American camp. He must 90
as deserter-incurring both the dan
ger and the disgrace of falsehood to his
colnrs. and If nve-s~Le-, iaIHvdiatS,
deathwould probably be bis portion.
Champe cared little for the danger,
but it was with some difficulty that he
was prevailed on to encounter the tenn
porary disgrace. His scruples, how
ever, were overcome, and, charged by
Washington with confidential letters to
his correspondents in the city, and with
the strictest orders not to kill Arnold in
any event or under any circumstances, he
set off an hour before midnight, taking
with him his cloak, valise, and orderly
book. He had to pass numerous pat
rolls of horse and foot that were con-
tinually passing to and from the station
airy outposts; and the peril was in
creased by swarms of irregulars that
were prowling about in search of booty,
pushing their expeditions as far as
Paulus Hook.
The flight of Champe was discovered |
in half an hour, and reported to Major
Lee. The latter was compelled to order
immediate pursuit, but he contrived to
make some delay, under various pre-
texts. Nevertheless, Champe had bare
y an hour the advantage of his pur-
suers; and the latter were favored by
a shower that fell soon after he left the
camp-softening the road, and making
the tracks of his horse perceptible.
The pursuing party gained sight of
Champe soon after day-break, at the
distance of about half mile, as they
an eminence few miles north
of Bergen. Champe saw them too at
he same moment, and, putting spurs to
1is horse, chase in view and at top
most speed, was commenced and con-
.inued until Champe reached the vii
age of Bergen, where he gave up the
dea of going to Paulus Hook, and re-
solved to seek refuge on board one of
he two British gallies which were kept
ying at anchor few miles west of Ber-
zen. In this he happily succeeded,
,hough so hotly followed, that when he
plunged into the water, his pursuers
we're but little more than two hundredt
yards behind.
Making himself known as a deserter,
o the captain of the galley, he was
sent Immediately to New York, where
ne was favorably received by Sir Henry
Clinton, and, after close questioning
both by Sir Henry Clinton and General
Arnold, respecting. the situation and
prospects of Andre0the feelings preYa-
ent in the American army-the proba-
oility of disatfection among the troops
md offcers-and many other points of
as to all which he answered
with great tact and sagacity-he was
dismissed with a gratuity, and invited to
enlist in Arnold's legion.
1t IS not our purpose to follow the
,raye sergeant through his operations
n the city; they may be found narrated
With sufficient minuteness in, Lees "Me-
noirs of the War;" published in 1919.
L is sufficient to say, that he accepted
Aruold's invitation to eniist-suceeeded
n placing himself in communication
With the persons to whom he had the
etters from Washington-ascert