Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-12-25
S)t(liGtellallp.
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MAJOR JOHN ANDRE.
a New story of His Cspture--six Men
said to Have Been Engaged In It.

that three others assisted, whose de-
scendants thus tell the story:
The smallest scboolboy knows that
Benedict Arnold had made terms with
Andre to surrender West Point to the
British, and had prepared dispatches for
the British commander in New York,
giving detailed information of the condi-
tion of affairs in the department that the
traitor commanded. 1t was while re-
turning to New York rs private citizen
on horseback that Andre was captured
and the dispatches found. The spy was
eventually executed. The men whose
names are mentioned in the foregoing in
scription are the historical captors, and
were so recognized by act OF Con-
gress. A reporter of the Herald having
made inquiries among the old residents
of the county, has CLEANED some infor-
nation of an interesting character which
has been handed down from their ances-
tors. FROM Caleb Van Tassel, of Kings
Bridge, Henry Romer, of PleasanLville
and Alexander Van Wart, OF Tarry-
town, the following history of the cap
ture was obtained: On the eventful day,
Paulding, Williams, Van Wart, James
Romer, John Yerks and Stephen Van
Tassel were sent TO guard the roads
against cattle thieves. Paulding had
been prisoner for several months in
the British camp and had escaped four
days previously, and was attired princi-
pally in British uniform, the rest being
dressed in ordinary rural style. Pauld-
| ing and his two companions stationed
themselves on the Albany road aud the
| other three took charg' of tn White
| Plains road, which branched Off the
Albany road halfa mile northward and
led eastward, each party being stationed
about half mile from the forks OF the
two roads, and being in straight line
over half mile apart. About ten
o'clock in the morning, while Paulding
and his companions were sitting on
rock, playing q game of cards known as
seven-up,' they saw Major Andre
coming down TIE road. He stopped at
the brook to water his horse, and Pauld-
ing's party approached him. Paulding,
who was the Spokesman, said: Good
morning, stranger. Which way are
you golngP"
He thought he had found cattle
thief, but when the man spoke like
gentleman and said he was going to
White Plains ION important business
for General Arnold" Paul 'ing's opinion
was changed, and no quickly replied
that he guessed he had missed the road.
The man seemed to be a little confused,
and, Paulding said: (Which party do
you belong TOP"
"To your party" said the man.
GLOW do you know which party l
belong TOP" said Paulding.
81 can tell by your dress" said tie
II suppose, then, you belo 9th
ower party?" said Paulding.
eyes," said the man.
"Then we must detain you," replied
Paulding.
81 cannot be detained" was tie an
swor. my business is urgent" :"
"What business have you with the
lower partyP"
"Oh, l belong to the ether party"
the man said, and exhibited a pass
signed "B. Arnold, requesting the safe
passage of John Anderson on import
ant business"
Paulding and his party held a briei
consultation on the propriety of detaln.
ing him and were in doubt. Andre,
seeing this, started his horse forward
and had gone about three rods when
Pauldng commanded him to halt. The
man stopped and begged to be allowed
to proceed. but Pauldirg said that as he
was going toward the lines Of the lower
party, he should take him into custody.
The man then offered Paulding's party
his gold watch, which was curiosity
to the ruransLs, To let MN go. Jhey
refused the bribe. Then he offered to
secure for them any amount of money
they might name if they would concea
him and communicate with such parties
as he directed, and then liberate him
upon the ereceipt of the ranso44. This they
declined and ordered him to dismount
Upon searching him they found nothing
and were somewhat in doubt about
their right to interfere, when Paulding
commanded him to take off his boots.
The man then turned pale. In his
stockings were found the dispatches
from Arnold. "My Cod" said Pauld-
ing, "he is n spy!" On making this
discovery they started for North Castle
near White Plains. They went to the
forks of the road, and turning into the
White Plains road with their prisoner
they met the Romer party, TO whom
they impaired the information already
given. It was agreed between the six
men that Andre should be deliverd to
Colonel Jameson, at North Castle. 1t
was then about noon, and they stopped
for dinner ut the Laudrine place, and
Andre was placed in room under
guard, and the room in that house,
which is still standing, is called =" the
! Andre ROOM" To Colonel Jameson's
amp the prisoner ana the evluepne
against him were delivered. His
; watch horse and property were all sold
and their value divided among the six
men. Soon after Andres arrival he
wrote letter to Arnold, and Colonel
jameson sent messenger with IL to the
, traitor, to whom ii was delivered, the