Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-01-30

EWnN OHAA AMFE'S UECEnIIUNs
The proposition to erect monument
10 Major Andre OF the British army re-
wives an incident in the Revolutionary
war that will be read with interest.
All Americans know how anxious
Washington was to capture Benedict
Arnold. But all do not know one OF
the weightiest reasons for this anxiety.
If Arnold had fallen, who could be
trustedi Who could tell how far the
treason had sspped its way unsuspected'
Strange rumors were in the air about
other officers high in rank one of whom
enjoyed in an eminent degree The conf
dence and esteem Of Washington. On
his arrival at the camp he sent for Ma
for Henry Lee, unbosomed himself ful-
ly 10 him, and asked If among the bold
Virginia spirits under bis command
there was one who would be willing TO
risk life, liberty and honor on desper-
etc stake for the good CT his couatry.
Lee replied that he had such a man in
his legion, 3 native of has own county OF
Loudon, John Champe, his Sergeant
Major, who. although but "a years old,
possessed a courage equal 10 any dan
ger. His only doubt was whether
Champe would accept any service on
which the shadow Of dislIonor rested.
Washington gave minute and accurate
instructions TO Major Lee, who repaired
to bis camp and sent for Champe. He
was a handsome, finely -proportioned
young man, Of grave countenance, with
deep-set black eyes. When the scheme
was unfolded to him, Champe shrank
from the idea Of desertion. He declared
his life was at the service of Washing
ton, but that his honor was his own.
Lee, as last inducement, pronounced
the name Of the suspected General
whose character Washington was anx-
icus - clear. Champe started, declar-
ed that the army held no man more
loyal, and yielded.
He fastened 10 make his preparations.
He knew that his first dangers was from
the pursuit Of his own comrades, rem
dered doubly watchlul and suspicious
by the crime OF Arnold. Major Lee
was sitting IN his tent when il was re-
ported 10 HIM that dragoon had been
seen to leave the camp, who, when
challenged by the sentry, put spurs to
his horse aud escaped. Anxious to give
his Sergeant every possible opportuni-
ty, Lee first affected to misunderstood,
aud next to doubt the correctness of the
report. II was undoubtedly, he said,
some countryman. II was impossible
any member of the Virginia legion
could be guilty OF such an act. The
officer making the report was indignant,
ard replied that the deserter was be-
lieved TO be no less person than the
SeFgeant-Major, as his horse and arms
were missing. A pursuing party was
soon equipped. After inspecting them,
Lee suddenly remembered that he had
other duty for the Lieutenant in COM
mand. and sent for Cornet Middleton to
take his place. He did this partly to
create delay, partly from knowledge
OF Middleton's kindly disposition. His
instructions were to bring the man alive
10 camp that he might suffer, il guilty,
in the presence of the army, but to kill
him If he resisted. Il was midnight,
asd fhe ram fell in torrents. Just at
daybreak, from an eminence some miles
from Bergen, near the "Three Pigeons, |"
tavern kept at the present day, the
dragons deserted Champe about half a
mile in advance. He put spurs to his
horse, and made for the village ofSouth
Berg, determined to seek refuge on
board one Of the two British galleys
which usually lay in Newark Bay, a
mile or two distant. Presently he heard
the pursuers again at has heels. But a
few hundred yards separated them. A
long marsh and deep waters lay be-
tween them and safety. He sprang
from bis horse and plunged into the
morass. His pursuers came up and
dismounted also. Struggling through
the mud and slime, with his drawn
sword held above his head, Champe
reached the rivers brink, plunged in,
end swan toward The galleys. His
cloak and scabbard had been thrown
away, but for time he still grasped his
irusty blade. This slipped from his
hand and was lost. The scene had
been watched with great interest and
rightly interpreted by those on board
the galleys. Fire was opened on the
dragons, some Of whom were pre-
pairing TO follow Champe in the water,
while light boat quickly picked up the
fugitive.
Chsmpe was kindly received on board
The British galley and sent at once 10
New York. After The usual interroga-
fsons BY the Adjutant- General he was
taken before SIR Henry Clinton, who