Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-02-04
MIscEILkME GUS.
CHAMPE'S DEsERTION.
The Story of Light Horse Harry's
Brave Sergeant-Maior.

Letter in the New SoIk SUM-
66tsSd5st l,o JtIi.rI iyHst5un7wiIen
it was announced that monument was to be
put up on American soil to the spy who
plotted with Benedict Arnold the capture of
George Washington. and tho popular
sponse to the suggestion OF a monument in
New York to the heroic Nathan Hale, prove
that the fires of patriotism still burn brightly
in American hearts. May they never lie
quenched
But my purpose in this letter was to re-
call a romantic episode of the Andre Arnold
affair which some OF the Suns readers may
have forgotten, and with IL one of the no.
best figures of the revolutionary epoch-a
man who riskcd his life as bravely for his
country a. did Hale himself-Sergeant John
Chsmpe of the Virginia Light Horse Cav
airy.
All Americans know how anxious Wash
+ ington was to capture Benedict Arnold. But
all do not know one of the weightiest rea
sons for this anxiety IF Arnold had fallen
who could be trusted? Who could tell how
far the treason had sarped It's way unsus
pPctcd? Strange ruinnrs were in the air
about other officers high in rank. one of
whom enjoyed in an eminent degree the
! confidence and esteem of Washington On
| his arrival at the camp he sent for Major
| Henry Lee, the father Of the late Robert +
| Lee, unbOsOmed himself fully 70 him, aud
asked if among the hold Virginia spirits un'
| der his command there was one who would
! be willing to risk his life, liberty and honor
| on a desperate stake for the good OF his
country. Lee replied that he had such
man in his legion, native Of his own cnun-
| ty OF Loudoun, John Champe, his Sergeant
| Maj0r, who, although but 81 years old, pos
| sessed a courage eqnal to any danger. His
| only dnubt was whether Champe would &C.
| cept any service on which the shadow Of dis
! honor rested. Washington gave minute and
accurate instructions to Major Lee. who re-
! paired to his camp and sen; for Champe He
was a handsome. finely -prnportioDed young
man, of grave countenance. with deepest
black eyes. When the scheme was unfoldcd
| to him, Champc shrank FROM the idea Of de-
sertion He declared his life was at the ser
vice of Washington, bu. that his honor was
| his own. Lee, as last iDducement. pro-
rounced the name of the suspected General
whose character Washington was anxinus tn
clear Champe started, declared that the
army held no man moro loyal and Welded.
lie hastened to make his preparations. He
knew that his first danger was the pursuit nj
his own comrades. rendered doubiy watchful
and suspicious by the crime of Arnold Maj
Lee was sitting In hIs tent when It was re
ported that dragnon had been seen to leave
the camp, who. when challenged by the cen
try, put spurs to his horse and escaped
Anxious to give his Sergeant every possible
opportunity, Lee first affected to msunder-
stand. and next to doubt the correctness OF
the report II was undoubtedly, he said,
some countryman. Il was impossible any
member of the Virginia legion could be
guilty of such an act The officer making
the report was somewhat indignant, and re.
piled that the deserter was believed to be nc
less person than the Sergeant>Major. as
his horse and arms were missing. a pursu
ing party wss soon equipped. After inspect
ing them Lee suddenly remembered that he
bad other duty for the Lieutenant iu com
mand. aud sent for CorDet Middleton 10 take
his place He did this partly TO create delay
p.rtly from knowledge of Middlet2ni
kindly disposition His instructions were t.
bring the man alive tn camp. that he nigh
suffer. If guilty in the presence of the army
but to kill him if he resisted. 1t was mid
night, and the rain fell in torrents. Jus: =