San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-03-15
CEIAMPE'S DISCRETION.
uo,r lie Did Washin0f0n's Errdnd at Me
Risk Of His Life.

lss"" '" ~" 'SS''
TCorrcspondencc Of the New York SUM-
The outburst OF popular indignation
when it was announced that n monu-
ment was to be put on American soil to
the SOY who plotted with Benedict Ar
mold the capture of George Washing,
ton, and the popular response to the
suggestion of monument in New York
TO the heroic Nathan Hale, prove that
the fires of patriotism still burn bright
" in American hearts. May they never
be quenched. f
But my purpose in this letter was to
recall Il romantic episode OF the Andre
Arnold affair, which some of the Suns
readers may have forgotten, and with 1t
one of the noblest figures Of the revo-
lutionary epoch-a man who risked hl'
life as nobly for his country as did Hale
himself-Sergeant John Champe, OF
the Virginia Light Horse Cavalry.
All the Americans know how anxious
Washington was to capture Benedict
Arnold. But all do not know the rea-
son of this anxiety. If Arnold had
fallen, who could be trusted? Who
could tell how far the treason had
sapped its way unsupported? Strange
rumors were in the air about other Off
GERS high in rank, one of whom enjoyed
in high degree the confidence and es-
TEEN of Washington. On his arrival al
the camp he sent for Major Henry Lee
the father of the late Robert L. Lee
and unbosomed himself fully to him,
and asked if among the bold Virginia
spirits under his command there was
one who would be willing to risk life,
liberty and honor on desperate stake
for the good of his country. Lee re-
piled that he had such man in his le'
gion, native of his own county OF
Loudon, John Champe, his sergeant
major, who, though but twenty-fom
years old, possessed Il courage equal to
any danger His only doubt was
whether Champe would accept any ser
vice on which the shadow of dishonoI
rested. Washington gave minute and
accurate instructions to Major Lee, who
repaired to his camp, and sent foi
Champe. He was handsome, finely
proportioned young man, of grave
countenance, with deep-set black eyes.
When the scheme was unfolded to him,
he shrank from the idea of desertion.
He declared that his life was at the SER
vice of Washington, but that his honor
was his own. Lee, rs a last induce
ment, pronounced the name of the sus
pected general, whose character Wash
ington was anxious to clear. Champe
started, declared that the army held no
man more loyal, and yielded.
He hastened to make his prcpara-
tions. He knew that his first danger
was from the pursuit of his own com
rades, rendered doubly watchful and
suspicious by the crime of Arnold.
Major Lee was sitting in his tent, when
it was reported to him that dragoon
had been seen to leave the camp, who,
when challenged by the sentry, put
spurs to his horse and escaped. Anxious
t. give his sergeant every possible OPP
portunity, Lee first affected to misun
derstand, and next to doubt the correct
ness of the report. 1t was undoubtcd-
", he said, some countryman. 1t was
impossible that any member of the Vir-
ginia legion could he guilty of such an
act. The officer making the report WAS
somewhat indignant. and replied that
the desertcr was believed to he no less
a person than the sergcant-major, ~
h horse and arms were missing. \
% Irsuing party WAS soon equipped AZ
ter inspecting them, Lee suddenly re
mcmbcrcd that he had another duty for
the lieutenant in command, and sent for
Cornci Middleton to take his place.
II did this partly to create delay; part
" from a knogicjgr OF MiddlctOn'S
kindly disposition. His instructions
were To- bnng the man alive To- camp.
that he might suffer. II guilty, in the
presence OF the army, but to kill him,