The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-07-31
The story Of .frnoid's Trcaso~.

In his address to tho graduating class Of
the military academy, ON tho 18th. Prot.
Coppec Of the army told anew. and with
interesting details not generally known, The
story Of hrnoId's attempted surrender OF
the fort at West Point to tho british, IN the
revolutionary war, as folIows:-
On the 22d Of September, 1850, Gen: AZ.
mold returned from his interview with MAJ.
Andre at and near the house Of Joshua II.
Smith, to his quarters Mt Beverly, and then
made all preliminary arrangements Tor The
surrender Of this post, but without, a. lar
% known, taking any one into his conh'
dence. On the 2itb, The British were to
come up the river and take West Point.
This was we'll timed, % Washington was
not expected to return from Hartford until
the 26th. Most unexpectedly, however, he
changed his plans, and returned through
Dutchcss county TO Fishkill on tho 24th.
He stayed that night with the French am.
bassador, who was there, and In happy ig.
norance Of the snaky treason whose final
coil was being wound he took saddle be.
fore the dawn Of the 25th, in order to reach
Gen. Arnold's headquarters IN tune to
breakfast with the general and Mrs. Arnold,
and then to inspect the works at west
Point. Some soldiers had gone before with
Washington's baggage, 10 announce his
purpose to Arnold; but as he approached
ArnoId's house, ho turned of towards the
river. Lafayette, Who wns riding with him,
exclaimed: "Gcneral, that Is tho wrong
way; you know Mrs. Arnold is whiting for
US" Washington replied, in a pleasant
way, "All the young men are in love with
Mrs. Arnold" and added, "Go and take
your breakfast, and tell Mrs. Arnold not to
wait for me that I will be there by and
by" So tho staff went to Anold's house
aud took breakfast, the countenancc Of the
host, cold .bloodcd as was the man. being
unable to conceal his secret troubles and
misgivings. The British had not come,
and there were no iidings. Washington
had arrived two days sooner than he was
expected. While at breakfast, Lieut.. A lien
of Anold's command. came In will, let.
ter. II WIS from below. He tore 1t open,
expecting to read news Of the enemys
movement up the river. Horror and aston.
ishment tho tidngs were from Major
Jameson, that Major Andre WINS in bis his
hands, prisoner and aspy. Leaping from
his seat, hc announced to his guests that an
urgent message called for his presence at
West Point and he left that rs a message
should General Washington arrive before
his return; he would return, he said, as
soon rs possible. Ho then went to his
wite's room, and sent for her. IN a few
words he announced tho necessity Of going
nj once to The British lines. Leaving her
in swoon on tho floor, ho rushed out,
mounted ono of the horses Of Washing.
tons cayalcade in waiting at the door, gal.
loped down . steep pathway to Beverly
dock, got into his six-oared barge, and or
dered the oarsmen to pull with will for
Teller's Point, promising them an extra IA.
ton of rum and reward IN money, and
telling them that he was hurrying that he
might transact bis business there and return
without delay to meet Gen. Washington.
As they passed Teller's Point, and neared
the Viltiue, man.of.war, he spread his
white handkerchief as a flag OF truce, and
reached the British ship, traitor in safety,
villain under protection which could not
lail.. 1t was a race Tor life, and ho won II.
Just after Arnold's flight, Washington ar.
rived at Beverly. On being told that Ar
mold had gone to West Point, he took a
basty breakfast, and hurried over to meet
him there. As the boat approached the
landing, Washington was surprised to find
that there was no. salute, and no guarl
turned out to receive him. Indeed, The com
manding officer, Colonel Lamb Of the anil.
Iery, was leisurcly strolling down the path
rs the barge landed. Confused, when he
saw tho general.in.chief, he stamnercd
out:-"llad any idea your excelency was
coming, would have given you a proper
reception" "Sir, exclaimed Washington,
sis not General Arnold herc" mo, sir.
He has not been hers these two days, and !
have not heard from him in that time"
Astonisl,cd, and recurring TO his old suspi.
cions, Washington inspected the works,
and returned about noon to Arnol,l's house.
There Hamilton met him with the proofs
of the treason, all tho papers taken out Of
Andres boot, which had by this time mr.
rived. The messenger had arrived just
four hours after Arnold's escape. Looking
around him, lic turned to Knox and l.afay.
cite, aud said in solemn, almost heart.
broken manner -" Whom Gun We trust
now ~