The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-07-30

Point, june Is, Prof. .Coppec tol,
anew, and With interesting. details no
generally known, the story Of Arnold''
attempted surrender Of the fort a
West Point, to the British, in the
Revolutionary war, as follows: On the
22d Of February, 1880, Gen. Arnold
returned iron, his interview With Maj
Andre 1t and near the house Of Joshua
Hett Smith, to his quarters at Beverly,
and then made all the preliminary ar
rangements for the surrender Of this
post, but without, as far as known,
taking aoy one into his confidence. On
the 24th, the British we're to come up
| the river and take Nest Point. This
was well timed, as Washington was not
expected to return from Hartford until
the 26.h. Most unexpectedly, however
be changed his plans, and returned
through Duchess county to Fishkill, on
the 24:h. He stayed that night With
the French ambassador, who was there,
and in happy Ignorance Of the snaky
treason whose final coil vas being wound
ne took saddle before the dawn Of the
z4th, IN order to rea;h- Gen. Arnold's
headquarters in tine to breakfarst with
the General and Mrs. Arnold, and
then to inspect the works at West
Point. Some soldiers: had gone before
with Washington's baggage, to an
nounce his purpose to Arnold but as he
approached Arnold's house, he turned
off to"ard the river. Lafayette. who
was r!ting with. him, exclaimed:
"General, Kat is the wrong way; you
know Mrs. Arnold is waiting tor u.s."
Washington replied, in a pleasant way,
"All the young men are in love with
Mrs. A1neld," and added ,aGo and
take your breakfast, and tell Mrs. Ar
nold not to wait for me; that will be
there by and BY" So the staff went
to Arno1d's house and took breakfast,
the countenance Of the host, cold
blooded as was the man, being unable
to conceal his secret trouble and mis-
givings. The British had not come,
and there were no tidings. Washing
ton had arrived tzo days sooner than
he was expected. While at breakfast,
Lieut.. Allen, of :Arncld's command,
came in with a letter. It was from
below. He tore it open; expecting to
read news of the enemy's movement up
the river. Horror and astonishment !
the tidings were from Maj. Jameson,
that Maj. Andre was in his hands, a
prisoner and spy. Leapins from his
seat, he announced to his guests. that
an urgent message called for his pres
ence at West Point; and he left as
message, should Gen. Washington ar
rive before his return he would return
be said, as soon as possible. He thea
went to his wife's room, and sent for
her. In a few words he announced the
necessity of going at once to the British
lines. Leaving her in swocn on the
floor, he rushed out, mounted one of
the horses of Washing,on's cavalcade
in waiting at the door, galloped down a
steep pathway to Beverly dock, got in
his sIx~oared barge. and ordered the
oarsnen to pull with will fox TelIer's
Point, promising then an extra ration
Of rum and a reward in money, and
telling them that he was hurrying that
be NIL sht transact his business there
and return without delay to meet Gen.
Washington. As they passed Teller's
Point, and neared the Vulture, mau-of-
var, he spread his white handkerchief
as flag Of truce, aud reached the
British ship, traitor in safety, william
under protection which could not fail.
1t was race for life, and be won it.
Just after Arnold's flight, Washington
arrived at Beverly. On being told
that Arnold had gone to West Point he
took hasty breakfast, and hurried
over to meet him there. As the boat
arpl cached the landing, Washington
was surprised to find that there was no
salute, and no guard turned out to re-
ceive him. Indeed, the commanding
officer, t>lcnel Lamb Of the artillery,
was leisuEely strolGng down the path
as the barge landed. Confused when
he saw the General-in-chief. he STAN
mered out :: clad I any idea your
was coming, I would have
given you proper reception" :"7"sir,"
exclaimed Washington, tsis not Gen.
Arnold here ?'' s'No, sir. He has
not been here these two days, and I
have not heard from him in that time."
Astonished, and recurring to his old
Washington inspected the
works, and returned about noon to Ar
nold's house There Hamilton met
him With the proofs Of the treason, all
the papers taken out Of Andres boot,
which had by this time arrived: Tie
messenger had arrived just four hours
after Arnold's escape. Looking around
him, he turned 10 Knox and Lafayette,
aud said in q solemn, almost heart
broken manner ssWhom can We trust
now" i.*. -: -
The Chicago Times boasts that
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