Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-02-07
ANDRES LAST SONG.

public dinner in New York, contained in
an account of Old Kip's Bay House, will
interest many of our readers. It is from
the pen of tLc late Henry A. Bucking-
ham, and was published about twenty
years ago. since which the old h'use has
been demolished gu lt9ih"ii ''' I'd a' lr
The main structure (of Kip's house)
was built of brick brought from Holland
in 1914, by the ancestors of the ancient.
and highly respectable family of Kips;
consequently some portions Of the mansion
are now two hundred aud three years old.
Between 1860 and 100 it underwent
some alterations, but it is still mostly in
its original shape. 1t stands at Kip's bay.
on the East river. between two and three
miles of the City Hall. 1t will be
taken down in the c7arss Of q year or
two, and with it will vanish from existence &;
about the last of the old. Knickerbocker
residences. Although the family Of Kips
do not live in their old mansion, it is still
their property, and is occui led by one or
two families. ",t ..'t.t .Anj sca ..1r7
At the point of rocks. few hundred
yards from the hnuse, the Brit sh troops
under Sir William Howe landed on Sua-"
day, the 18th Of September, 1775, pro-
tccted by the cannon Of two or three ships
of war anchored in the Fast river, and
skirmish took place with the Americans
iu the rear of the house. u The same day
General Washing gton evacuated tho, city,
and encamped with his army on Harlem
Heights at Fort Washington. Over seven
years elapsed before he re-entered it. ',il
During the Revolution the house Was
occupied by different British officers of
distinction, AMI beneath its rafters Sit
Henry Clinton, Lord Percy, Knyphausen.
the traitor Arnold, and others have dined
AMI swallowed their wines, while the song,
the jest and the story passed freely around
1t may be as well to say that the Kips
were staunch Wings in these days, and
were forced to leave their home during
the War of Independence. In the latter
part of September, 1880, the OldSsKip
House was occupied as the quarters of
Colonel Williams, of the 69th Royal
Americans, The regiment still bears this
title, although it is doubtful now if there
were any Americans in it. twas raised
during the old French war, in the coluy
Of New York about the year 1775, and
was then commanded by that lamented
young nobleman Lord Howe, who fell at
its head in French and Indian am
buScade near Tieonderaga, IN 1856.
1t was the hour of dinner. The band
had ceased playing the "Roast Beef of
Old England and the wine was eircu-
lating freely around the mess table of the
officers and their invited guests-for they
had that day given dinner to Sir Henry
Clinton and his staff Tho usual toasts
were drunk. "rhe King" '.Sir Henry
Clinton" and others, when Colonel Viii
liams exclaimed ar bsnsse.ds
sour Adjutant General, Sir Henry
Clinton, appears to be dull this afternoon.
We all know his vocal talents, in cennec-
ton with his other accomplishments, so, I
call upon him for a song" ",ol.a s-@oI
The person whom he had named, q
young man obout thirty years Of age, Of
. slight figure and of prspossessing and in
telligent features, replied ga NJ
II do feel rather serious this afternoon.
Col. Williams, and can give no particu-
lar reasons for it. will sing, as you re-
: quire it, however, t2 -e.a.r-
He then with great pathos, sang the old
song Said to have been written by General
- Wolf: -3e olsa
.' Why, soldiers, why
Should we be melancholy, boys, is.
n Whose business It's 10 de?" etc.
When be had concluded, the Colonel
9 rose and gave the following toast, in honor
Q of the singer: .st3 l.f.-s.s--
"Fill up, gentlemen. for bumper.
The health Of Major John Andre, our
l. worthy Adjutant, the brave soldier and
the accomplished gentleman" n.f-t
3 A tear fell from the eye Of the Major
and mingled with his wine, at the affec-
J.. tionate greeting and prolonged cheeriwhich
y fell from the lips Of his comrades and his
voice was husky as ho returned thanks for
> the honor done him. fre Hood eyRH'
ga word in addition, gentlemen Of tho
"a 6Oth," said Sir Henry Clinton. ::s'Thc
,r Major leaves the city on duty tonight.
which will most likely terminate in ma
king plain John Andre, Sir. John Andre
for such success must crown his ef-
q forts" ~ '''-s