The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-07-07

si' hiD ouuicrp W Vic SIauuhtlng ClHs5 Ol
the military academy, on the 18th, Prof
Coffee of the army told anew, and with
interesting details not generally known, the
story oil Arnold's attempted surrender Of
the fort at West FONT to the British. in
the revolutionary war, as follows;-
On the 22d Of ofSeptember, 1880, Gen
Arnold returned from his interview with
Maj Andre at and near the house Of Jos.
hua Hett Smith, to his quarters at Bey-
erly, and then made all preliminary ar.
ragements for the surrender Of this post,
but without, as far az known, takeing
any ona into his confidence. On the 24th
the British were to come up the river
and take West Point. This was we'll
timed, as Washington was not expected
to return from Hartford until the 26th.--
Most unexpectedly, however, he changed
his plans and returned through Dutchess
county to Fishkill, on the Oath. He
stayed that night with the French am.
Dassador, who was there, and in happy
ignorance of the snaky treason whose
final coil was being wound: he took sad
die before the dawn Of the 25th, In order
to reach Gen Arnold's headquarters in
time to breakfast with the General and
Mrs Arnold, and then to inspect the works
at West Point Some soldiers had gone
before with Wasbington's baggage, to
announce his purpose to Arnold but as
he approached Arnold's house, he turned
of towards the river. Lafayette, who
was riding with him, exclaimed: "Gen.
eral, that is the wrong way; you knew
Mrs Arnold is waiting for us'' WASH
ington replied, in pleasant way. "All
the young men are in love with Mrs Arm,
DID," and added, go and take your
breakfast, and tell Mrs Arnold not to
wait for me; that will be there by and
by" So the staffwent to Arnold's house
and took breakfast, the countenance OF
the host, cold>blooded as was the man,
being unable to conceal his secret trouble
and misgivings. The British had not
come, and there were no tidings. Wash
ington had arrived two days sooner than
he was expected While at breakfast,
Lieut. Allen, Of Arnolds command, came
IN with letter. 1t was from below
lie tore it open, expecting to read news
of the enemy's movement up the river.
Horror and astonishment the tidipgs
were from Major Jameson, that Major
Andre was in his hands prisoner and
spy. Leaping from his seat, lie an
nounced 10 his guests that an urgent mes
sage called for his presence at West Point,
and he left as a message, should General
Washington arrive before his return he
would return, he said, as soon as possible
He then went to his wife's room and sent
for her. In few words he announced
the necessity of going at once to the Brit
i,h lines. Leaving her in swoon on
the floor, he rushed out, mounted one OF
the horses Of Washington's cavalcade in
waiting at the door, galloped down
steep pathway to Beverley dock, got into
his six-oared barge, and ordered the oars.
men to pull with will for Teller's Point,
promising them an extra ration of rum
and a reward in money, and telling them
that he was hurrying that he might trans.
act his business there and return without
delay to meet Gen Washington. As
they passed Teller's Point and neared
the Vulture, man1of-war, he spread hi:
white handkerchief as flag of truce, and
reached the British ship, traitor in SAT-
ETY., villain under protection which
could not fail 1t was race for life. and
he won it. Just after Arnolds fight
Washington arrived at Beverly On be-
ing told that Arnold had gone to West
Point, he took heartylbreakfast, and
hurried over TO meet him there AZ the
boat approached the landing, Washing
ton was surprised to find that there wa.
no salute, and no guard turned out to re-
ceive him. Indeed, the commanding
officer, Colonel Lamb of the artillery,
was leisurely strolling down the path as
the b arge landed Confused when he
saw the general in chief he stammerad
out: "FIad any idea your excellency
was coming, | would have given you
proper reception. ''Sir." exclaimed
Washington, sis not General Arnold
here ?" 'No sir, He has not been here
these two days and have not heard from
him in that time" Astonished, and re
curing to his old suspicious, Washing
ton inspected the works, and returned
about noon to Arnold's house. There
Hamilton met him with the proofs Of the
treason, all the papers taken ont Of An
dre's boot, which had by this time arri,
we'd The messenger had arrived just
four hours after Arnold's escape Look
ing around him, he turned to knor and
Lafayette, and said in solemn, almost
heartbreken manner "Whom can We
l truof