Squatter sovereign., 1856-03-04
Mtistellalleolls.
Execution of Andre.

etness, ard desrous Of refreshing ouI pa
triotlsm amidst scenes halioWed by the sa-
| cred memories of the Revolution. We
visited Washlngton's headquarters at the
little village OF Tappan; the Seventy
six House." where Andre was confined,
grave where he was buried, and whence
he was exhumed. We conversed with
venerable lady who gave him four beauti-
full peaches on the morning in which he
went forth to die. g He thanked me with
a sweet SMILE" she said. I" But somehow
or mother he didn't seem to have no appe-
tite. He only bit one Of 'em."
Standing by his grave. we could see
across the broad Hudson, the very place
where he was arrested by Van Wart, Will
liams, and Paulding, and the cleaning of
the white monumen. erected to their MEM
ory; the place where Washington stood
when Andre went forth to die, and the
stone house where he was taken to die on
a gallows.
The following account of Andres exc
cution is one of the most minute and inte-
resting that we have ever read. 1t was
furnished to Mr. William G. Haselbarth,
of Rockland County, the history Of which
he is engaged in writing. 1t was taken
down from the lips of soldier in Colonel
Jeduthan Baldwin's regiment, part Of
which was stationed a short distance from
where poor Andre suffered.
'.One of our men whose, name
was Armstrong, being one Of the oldest
and best workmen al his trade in the regi-
ment, was selected to make his coffin.
which he did and painted it black, as was
the custom at that period.
sat this time Andre was confined in
what was called the Old Dutch Church
a small stone building with only one door,
and closely guarded by six sentinels.
"When the hour appointed for-his exc
cution arrived, which was at two o'clock in
the afternoon, guard of three hundred
men were paraded at the place of his con-
finement A kind of procession was form
ed by placing the guard in single file on
each side of the road. In front were
large number of American officers on foot
! with Andre in their midst.
y"The procession wound slowly up
moderately rising ground about quarter
of mile to the west. On the top was
field without any enclosure and on this
was very high galIows made by setting
up two POLES or crotchets, and laying pole
on the top.
"The wagon that contained the coffin
was drawn directly under the gallows. In
a short time Andre stepped into the hind
end of the wagon. then on his coffin, took
off his hat and laid it down; then placed
/, his hands upon his hips, and walked very
uprightly back and forth as far as the
length Of the wagon would permit, at the
same time casting his eyes up to the pole
over his head and the whole scenery by
which he was surrounded.
He was dressed in complete British
uniform. His coat was of the brightest
scarlet, faced and trimmed with the most
beautiful green. His under clothes, vest
breeches were bright buff, he had long
and beautiful head of hair, winch, agreea-
bly, to the fashion, was wound with black
ribbon and hung down his back. -
IS Not many minutes after he took his
stand on the coffin, the executioner stepped
into the wagon with halter in his hand,
on one end of which was what the soldiers
in those days called hangman's knot"
which he attempted to put over the head
and around the neck of Andre; but by
!. suaden movement Of his hand, this was
prevented.
| "Andre now took off the handkerchief
| from his neck, unpmned his shirt collar.
and deliberately took the cord of the halt
er, put it over his head, and placed the
1knot directly under his right ear. and drew
it very snugiy to his neck. He then took
from his coat pocket handkerchief, and
| tied it before his eyes. This done, the of-
ficer who commanded spoke in rather a
loud voice and said: s
g His arms must be tied.
| Andre g at once pulled down the hand
kerehief which he had just tied over his
eyes, and drew from his pocket a second
(which he gave to the execuiioner, and then
replaced his handkerchief.
.His arms at this time were tiod Just
tabove the elbow, and behind the back
Tie rope was than made fast % The