The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-10-16
THE CAPTURE OF ANDRE.
An Historical Narrative that Discredits
American Patriotism.

An Historical Narrative that Discredit
American Patriotism.
We are indebted to captain Charlie:
Il. Townsend, says the New HEAVIER
Conn Palladium, for the following copy
Of an interesting manuscript. In the
year 1917 Gen. King was written to by 6
friend who desired to know the exact
facts in relation to Major Andres cap
ture, etc. The following letter was writ.
ten by Gen. King in reply, and although
previously solicited for publication, is
now, for the first time, given to the pub.
lie:
RIDGEr1ELD, June II, 1917.
DEAR SIR: Yours of the 9th is before
me. 1 have noted the contents, and am
sorry to express the indignation feel at
the idea of being obliged to translate a
foreign language to obtain true history
of any part of our revolution. The facts,
so far as I am acquainted with them,
will state to the best of my ability and
recollection. Paulding Williams, and
Van Wort never saw before or since
that event. know nothing about them.
The time and place where they stopped
Major Andre seems to justify the char
acter you have drawn of them. The
truth is, to the imprudence of the man,
and not the patriotism of any one, is to
be ascribed the capture of Major Andre.
l was the first and only officer who had
charge of him while at the headquarters
of the I'd Regiment Of Light Dragons,
which was then at Esquire Gilberts in
South Salem. He was brought up by an
adjutant and four men belonging to the
Connecticut militia, under the command
of Lieut.. Col. Jamison, from the lines
near Tarrytown, character under the
disguised name Of John Anderson. He
looked somewhat like reduced gentle
man. His small clothes were nankeen,
with long, white top boots, in part his
undress military suit. His coat, purple
with gold lace, worn somewhat thread
bare, with q smaN brimmed tarnished
beaver on his head. He wore his hair
in queue with long, black band, and
his clothes somewhat dirty.
"In this garb took charge of him.
After breakfast my barber came into
shave me, after which I requested him to
undergo the same operation, which he
did. When the ribbon was taken from
his hair 1 observed it was full of powder.
This circumstance with others that oc-
Cured induced me to believe that I had
no ordinary person in charge. He re-
quested permission to take the bed while
his shirt and small clothes could be
washed. I told him that was needless,
for change was at his service, which he
accepted. We were close pent up in o
bedroom with a guard at the door and
window. There was spacious yard be-
fore the door which hedesired he might
be permitted to walk in with me. l ac-
cordingly disposed of my guard in such
manner as to prevent an escape.
While walking together he observed that
he must make confdant of somebody,
and he knew not more proper person
than myself. Iproceed with the May.
jor's own story. He said he came up the
North River in the sloop-of-war Vulture
for the purpose of seeing person by flag
of truce. This was not, however, accom-
plished. OF course he had to come
ashore in skif, and after he had done
his business the wind was so high the
Dutchman who took him ashore dare not
venture to return him on board. The
night following the militia had lined the
shore, so that no attempt would be made
with safety, consequently he was fur
nished, after changing his clothes, with o
continental horse and Gen. Arnold's pass,
and was to take route by Peekskill,
Crumpound, Pinesbridge, Sing Sing,
Tarrytown, ETC., to New York. Nothing
occurred to disturb him on his route un-
til he arrived at the last place except at
Crumpound. He told me his hair stood
erect and his heart was in his mouth on
meeting Col. Samuel D. Web, of our
army, plumb in the face. An acquain-
tance of his said that Col. Stoddert knew
him and he thought that he was gone,
but they kept moving along, and soon
passed each other. He then thought
himself past all danger, and, while
ruminating on his good luck and hair
breadth escapes, be was assailed by three
bushmen near Tarrytown, who ordered
him to stand. He said to them, Il hope,
gentlemen, you belong to the lower par
ty.' 'We do says one. so dol, says he,
'and by the token of this ring and key
you will let me pass. / am British
officer on business of importance, and
must not be detained
"One of them took his watch from him,
and then ordered him to dismount. The
moment that was done he said he found
he was mistaken he must shift his tone.
He says: I am happy, gentlemen, to
find am mistaken-you belong to the
upper party and so do land to convince
you of it, here is General Arnold's pass
handing it to them. Damn Arnold's
pass said they. you said you were q
British officer. Where is your money!
Gentlemen, I have none about me- he
replied. you British officer, pooh
A gold watch and no money! Let us
search him. They did so, but found none.
Says one: He has his money in his
boots; let's have them off and see.' They
took off his boots and there they found
his papers, but no money. They then
examined his saddle but found none.
He said he saw they had such q thirst
for money, he wonld put them in a way
to get it if they would be directed by him.
They answered him in this way: If we
deliver you at Kings Bridge, we shall be
sent to the sugar-house and you will save
your money He says: If you will
not trust my honor, two of you may stay
with me and one shall 60 with the letter
l will write. Name your sum- The
sum was agreed upon, but I cannot re-
collect whether it was five hundred or
one thousand guineas, but the latter, l
think, was the sum. They held a con-
sultation for long time, and finally they
told him if he wrote o party would be
sent out and take them, and then they
should all be prisoners. They said they
had concluded to take him to the COM
manding officer on the lines. They did
so, and retained the watch until General
Washington sent for them to Tapan,
when the watch was restored to Major