The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-09-24
rHn CAPTURE OF ANDRE.


Townsend, says the new haven, tOonnJ
Palladium, for the following copy OF an in
teresting manuscript. In the year ioit
General King was written to by friend
who desired to know the exact facts in fela-
ton to Major Andres capture, etc. The
following letter was written by General King
in reply, and, although previously solicited
for publication, is now. for the first time,
given to the public:
"RIDaEFIRLD. June IL, 1917.
"DRAR SIR-Yours of the 9th is before me.
have noted the contents and am sorry to
express the indignation l feel at the idea of
being obliged TO translate a foreign Ian
guage to obtain a true history of any part of
our revolution. The, facts so far as | am
acquainted with them, will state to the
best of my ability or recollection. Pauld-
ing, Williams and Van Wort I never
saw before or since that event. know moth
ing about them. The time and place where
they stopped Major Andre seems to justify
| the character you have drawn of them. The
truth is, to the imprudence of the man, and
not to the patriotism of any one, is to be
| ascribed the capture of Major Andre. /
was the first and only officer who had charge
of him while at the headquarters of the
Second 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 Lieutenant Colonel
Jamison, from the lines near Tarrytown, a
character under the disguised name of John
Anderson. He looked somewhat like a re-
duced gentleman His small clothes were
nankeen with long white top boots, in part
his undress military suit. His coat, purple
with gold lace, worn somewhat threadbare,
with sn,all-brimmed furnished beaver on
his head. He wore his hair in a queue
with long, black band and his clothes some
what dirty.
'In this garb 1 took charge of him.
After breakfast my barber came in to
shave me, after which 1 requested him
to undergo the same operation,
taken from his hair observed it was full of
powder. This circumstance with others that
occurred induced me to believe that I had no
ordinary person in charge. He requested
permission to take the bed while his shirt and
small clothes could be washed. / told him
that was needless for change was at his
service, which he accepted. We were close
pent up in bedroom with guard at the
door and window. There was spacious
yard before the door which he desired he
might be permitted to walk in with me. /
accordingly disposed of my guard in such
manner as to prevent an escape. While
walking together he observed that he must
make a confident of somebody and he knew
not a more proper person than myself /
proceed with the majors own story. He said
he came up the North river in the sloop of
war Vuture for the purpose of seeing
person by flag of truce. That was not how
ever accomplished. OF course he had to come
ashore in q skiff, 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 follow
ing the militia had lined the Shore so that no
attempt would be made with safety, conse
quently he was furnished, after changing his
clothes, with continental horse and General
Arnold's pass, and was to take route by
Peekskill, Crumpound, Pinesbridge, Sing
Sing, Tarrytown, ETC., to New York. Moth
ing occurred to disturb him on his route until
he arrived at the last place except at Crum-
| pound. He told me his hair stood erect and
his heart was in his mouth on meeting
| Colonel Samuel b. Webb, of four army, plump
| in theface. An acquaintance of his said that
| Colonel 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
| Illuminating on his good luck and hair breadth
| escapes he was assailed by three bushmen
near Tarrytown, who ordered him to stand.
He said to them, i hope, gentlemen, you
| belong to the lower party I'VE do says
one. so do L says he and by the token of
this ring and key you will let me pass. !
am British officer on business ofimportance,
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, gentle
fhen, to find I am mistakcn-you belong to
! the upper party and so do 1; and to convince
| you of it, here is General Arnold's pass,
handing it to them. Damn Arnolds pass,
said they. sYou said you were British Of
| ficer. Where is your money!? Gentlemen
| haze none about me- he replied. You a
| British officer, poohl 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 Oft and
see' They took off his boots and there they
found his papers, but no money. Then they
examined his saddle but found none. He
said he saw they had such a thirst fol
money, he would put them in way to get il
if they would be directed by him. They an
swered him in this way: If we deliver yot
at Kings Bridge, we shall be sent to the SUI
gar 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 g
with the letter 1 will write. Name YOU
sum- The sum was agreed upon, but l car
not recollect whether it was 500 or 1.00'
guineas, but the latter think, was the sum
They held consultation for considerable
time and finally they told him if he wrote,
party would be sent out and take them, ant
then they should all be prisoners. The.
said they had concluded to take him to tn
commanding officer on the lines. They di
so. and retained the watch until Genera
, Washington sent for them to Tappan whe
the watch was restored to Major Andre.
THUS, you see, had money been at com
Q mand, after the imprudent confession {
Major Andre. or any security given that til
!, British would put confidence in, he migt
a have passed on to Sir Henry Clinton's head
:. quarters with all his papers and Arnold
, pass into the bargain. / do not recollect
il a Il - -.