The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-06
JOHN CIAMPE'S DISCRETION.
THE STORY OF LIGHT HORSE HARRF'S
BR1VE SERGE1NT-AdJOR.
How TIE MD WashIngton's Errnnd at the
Risk OF Its Lire-uts Plan TO Capture
ArnoId-WhRt Might have Saved Andre.

10 THE GDlION Of lHE OUN-DUs ue
outburst Of popular indignation when It was
announced that q monument was to be put up
on American soil to the spy who plotted with
Benedict Arnold the capture OF George Wash
ington. and the popular response to the suggcs-
ton Of n monument in New York to the heroic
Nathan Hale prove that the fires OF patriotism
still burn brightly in American hearts. May
they never bo quenched.
But my purpose in this letter was to recall n
romantic episode OF the Andr6-Arnod affair,
which some of THE suns readers may have
forgotten. and with IL one Of the noblest figures
Of the revolutionary opoch-a man who riskod
his life as bravcly for his country as did Hale
himsef-Scrgcant John Champc Of the Virginia
Light Horse Cavalry
All Americans know how anxious Washing
ton was to capture Benedict Arnold. But all do
not know one of Me woghtiest reasons for this
anxiety. II Arnold had fallen. who could DO
trustedY Who could tell how far the treason
had Slapped its way unsuspected2 Strange
rumors were in the air about other officers high
in rank. ono of whom enjoyed In an eminent
degree the confidence and esteem Of Washing
ton. On his arrival ut tho camp no sent for
Major Henry Ice. the father Of the late Robert
f. Lee unbosomed himself fully TO him. and
asked II among the bold Virginia spirits under
his command there was one who would DO will
ing to risk life. liberty and honor on des-
pcrato stake for the good OF his country. Lee
replied that he had such man in his legion.
native Of his own county Of Loudon. John
Champe. his Sergeant Major. who. although but
- years old. possessed n courage equal TO any
danger. His only doubt was whether Champo
would accept any service on which the shadow
OF dishonor rested Washington gave minute
and accurate instructions to Major Lee who re-
paired to his camp and sent for Champe. He
was handsome. hney-proportioned young
man. Of grave countenancc, with deep-set black
eyes. When the scheme was unfolded to him
Champe ehrank from the idea OF desertlon. Ho
declared his life was at the service OF Washing
ton. but that his honor was his own. Lee, Ms
last inducement, pronounced the name OF the
suspected General whose character washing
ton was anxious to clear. Champe started. de-
clarcd that the army held no man more loyal
and Welded.
He hastened TO make his preparations. He
knew that his first danger was from the ppr-
suit of his own comrades. rendered doubly
watchfu and suspicious by tho crime Of Ar
mold. MAYOR Leo was sitting in his tent when il
was reported to him that dragon had been
seen 10 leave the camp. who. when challenged
capped. Anxious 10 give his Sergeant every
possible opportunity, Ice first affected 10 mis-
OF tho report II was undoubtedly he said,
some countryman. II was impossible any
member OF the Nirglnia legion could ne gullty
was somewhat indignant and replied that tho
descrtor was beieyed TO b9 no lees a person
| than the Sergeant. Major. ~ his horse and arms
| were missing. pursuing party was soon
| equipped After inspecting them, Lee sud
| denly remembered that he had other duty for
the Lieutenant in command. and sent for Cor:
net Middleton 10 take his place. He did
s1 pSTI,8 to FGIai% 5d de,ay PTdy iron rem
| position. His instructions were 10 bring
| the man alive to camp that he might suffer.
| e. XIII him N he resisted. II was midnight. and
| the rain fell in torrents. just at daybreak. from
| an eminence some miles from Bergen, near tho
| Three Pigeons. tavern kept at the presen!
| day, the Dragons deserted Champe about half
@d the village H put Of e as ao de-
| tcrmined 20 seek refuge on board one Of the
two British galleys which usually lay in New
| ark Bay. n mile or two distant Presently he
| heard the pursuers again at his heels. But y
few hundred yards separated them. long
marsh and deep waters lay between him and
safety. He sprang from his horse and plunged
into the morass. HIS pursuers came NJ and
and slime. with his drawn sword held above his
| head, Champe reached the rivers brink.
plunged in. and swan toward the galleys. His
| cloak and scabhard had been thrown away but
for time he still graspad his trusty blade. This
slipped from his hand and was lost. The scene
| had been watched with great interest and
rightly interpreted 10y those ON board the gal
| lcys; Fire was opened on the Dragons, some
tho water while light boat quickly picked up
| the fugitive.
Champe was kindly received on board the
| British galley and sent at once 20 New York.
After the usual interrogations by the Adlutant-
General he WAS taken before Sir Henry Clinton.
who nut gold in his hand and sent him 20 Ar
mold. Champe found Arnold quartered In an
elegant private mansion. surrounded by the
luxury which was 80 dear TO him. The traitor
regarded his visitor with a keen. inquisitOrIal
! look. The virginia cavalry had borne such n
high reputation Tor fidelity tina, he could scarce
" believe one ~ thom stood before him In the
character Of a dcscrter. But as he read the let.
ter from the commander Of the galleys. VINO had
witnessed the APE. his doubts vanished. lie
| congratulated Champo. promised him the same
| position in his legion that he had held IN the
ar Some %Hd days eT By The SS snd
other spy, MAJOR Lee received Il letter in cipher.
Of which this was the important part;
am "9S Sqnds@py 10 sss SSs h"' f 9 % on,
Ulcers !. supposed BY the British to be otherwise than
rerdnon 10 have the pleasure Of doing this Justice
day e6npced to nc.t ,ieurs .tsp but ono iaS.psa
fable 70 the eomPeuqn OF my plan IL Was oT
might have uninterrupted access 10 his house Ihither
us was .hSTs ums, ~ h; sarien There am tS
interrogation Ne shall ssy tatwe arr carving az
from ,e gnren lenGe AZ. to be rs%oysd hs
t Tue n ish s IsTer ~ S, nm, 1e sppoim
meet At ioboken with twenty Of the virginia cavAl
ions CHASrE
Lee on the appointed day. repaired 10 Ho-
boken with party Of Dragons. carrying three
led horses, one Of them the beautiful steed OF
Chanpe lie concenled himself with his part,
in q thick wood. His anxiety may well be- i'm
agined ~ evening drew on. midnight passed
and morning dawned. Disappointed aud full
consult Washington. Several days passed be-
fore the arrival OF tho trusty spy. from whom
they learned that sudden movement of Ar
mold. who changed his quarters only few
| hours before the time fixed for the execution o
a their plans. had frustrated them.
r Poor Champe WAS obliged to accompany th'
traitor TO Virginia. At the peril of his life h'
| escaped in North Carolina. hiding for whole
days In the thickets. and at length reJolnod th'
army which was in pursuit Of Lord Rawdon
| He sought MAJOR Lee. who received him witt
r | fraternal emotion. and introduced him 10 Gen
J. ! Greene. The veteran treated him with all tn
i consideration due 10 his herosm. Major Lee
y restoring 10 him his favorlte horse. sent him 4
. | Washington. who comiOrted him az only
/ noble mind could. and gave him an honor
/ able discharge. fearing for him the vrngeanc
a OF the enemy should the chances Of war plac
g | him in their power.
| County. Virginia whore he lived several years
a | hunurod and respected. When our brief wa
/, ! with France occurred. and Washington was ap
I. | pointed Leuteuant-Gencral. no sought on
e Champe to confer on him Captains commits
r sion but the brave Sergeant had gone oHnswe
e IA higher muster roll j. w. b.
: ANDRES CRIME AND MONUMENT
The Plot 20 Capture GeorEe WashinRton
Vandalism In Mestniinstcr Abbey.
m M