Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-03-31
Misefllane0n
The pesertiOn Of seggeant Champe.

u our Revolution. John Champe was
sergeant major of a regiment of horse,
known as "The Partisan Legion" and
commanded BIZ Major Henry Lee. He
was a native of Loudon County, in Vir-
ginia, and about twenty-three or twenty
four years of age had enlisted in 1776;
was rather above the common size full OF
bone and muscle with a satnrnine coun-
tenance-grave thoughtful, and t~aciturn
Of tried courage, and inAexibIe persever-
ance. For these qualities Of mind and
body he was selected. by General Wash
ington, on the recommendation Of Major
Lee, to undertake an enterprise Of equal
danger, difficulty, and Importance.
The treason of Arnold had been dis
closed by the arrest of Major Andre. 1t
had produced a 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 temp
tations of the British commander. WASH
ington was deeply troubled in particular
by accusations which had been laid before
him in writing, against . najcr-general, in
whom he had reposed great confidence
and he deemed it Indispensable to obtain
confirmation or complete disproof of the
charges thus preferred. He was anxious,
moreover, to save the life Of Andre, which
could only be done by the execution of
Justice upon Arnold-in itself most desir-
able and it was to accomplish these three
objects that lie devised the mission of Ser
geant Champe.
That mission was to reach the city Of
New York-then in possession of the Brit
ish-as a deserter communicate with trus-
ty friends of the American cause who had
for some time been IN correspondence with
Washington, and secure the person OF Ar
mold. The difficulty and danger Of the
enterprise were very great for, besides
the risk Of detection in the endeavor to
seize Arnold, there was the more fearful
hazard of the arrest while making his
seeming flight from the American camp.
He must 90 as a misunderstanding both
the danger and the disgrace of faisehood
to his colors and if overtaken, immediate
death would probably be his portion.
Champe cared little for the danger, but
it was with some difficulty that he was pre-
vailed on to encounter the temporary dis
grace. His scrnples, however, were over
come, and, charged by Washington with
confidential letters to his correspondent
in the city, and with the ~strictest orders
not to kill Arnold in any event or under
any circumstances, he set off an hour be
fore midnight, taking with him his cloak
valise and orderly-book. He had to pas
numerous patrols of horse and foot tina
were continually passing to and from tht
stationary outposts and the peril was in
creased by swarms of ~irregulars that were
proving about in search of booty, pushing
their expeditions as far as Paulus Hook
The flight of Champe was DISCOVERIES
in half an hour, and reported to Majo
Lee. The latter was compelled to orde
immediate pursuit, but he contrived t
make some delay, under various pretexts
Nevertheless, Champe had barely an hou
the advantage of his pursuers and til
latter were favored by a shower that fe
soon after he left the camp-softening tn
road, and making the tracks of his hors
perceptible.
The pursuing party gained sight
Champe soon after day-break, at the dis
lance of about a half mile, as they ascer
ded an eminence a few miles north
Bergen. Champe saw them too at th
same moment, and putting spurs to h
horse, a chase in view and at topmo
speed, was commenced and continued u
til Champe reached the village of Berge
where he gave up the idea of going
Paulus Hook, and resolved to seek refue
on board one of the two British GALL
which were kept lying at anchor a fe
miles west of Bergen. In this he happi
succeeded, though so holly followed, th
when he plunged into the water, his pu
suers were but little more than two hui
dred yards behind.
Making himself known as a deserter,
the captain Of the galley, he was sent i
.mediately to New York, where he was f
vorably received by Sir Henry Clinton, al
after close questioning both by Sir Hen
Clinton and General Arnold, respecti
the situation and prospects of Andre-t
feelings prevalent in the American army