Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-11-08

l nv VI u'.oNllNtNt'
We have Just been reading in "Thc
Magazine of American History somo
sketches of the family of this "Arch
Traitor rs he seems ever to be known
in American history. These sketches
are by Bishop Kip, of California; the
materials being gathered by him dur.
ing a protractGd visit to England
From documents that can not be doubt
Ell, it is asccrtaincd that the descend
ants Of Arnold achieved great diStinc.
ton and among the very highest re-
wards and honors in the service, and
the armies of Great Britain.
From the glimpics of the biog-
raphics of Arnold and his dcccndants--
sons and grandsons great fact
stands out full Of meaning. II is that
thGy all were most kccnly alive to the
position of Arnold in tho estimation Of
man. 1t spurrcd them on to deeds of
the greatest herOsm, and to the living
of lives unslaincd by any blot. We
give ono single Illustration furnished
by the bishop from original documents
put into his possession, and that hat
!
never before been published.
James Robertson Arnold, u son of
Benedict, and Il licutGlant in the
British army, was in active service
when but twonty-three years of age in
the East Indies. The army was at
war, and detachment was engaged
in undertaking the capture of Fort
Lcydcu and Frederic at SUrinan.
Young Arnold had with the ever active
military instincts Of his sire, discovered
II way by which he believed the forts
could bo taken by storm. When he
informed the commander, the general
saw that the danger was 50 great that
he would not order the assault, so he
called for volunteers. Arnold was the
first TO advance, and appealed To his
commander in these words, IL beg the
privilege of guiding and leading this
assault. You know the history Of my
father. No bravor man than he over
lived, but he has been bitterly con-
dcmncd for the affair at West Point.
Give me the chance, | beg you, to do
what can to redeem tho pamc." His
request was granted. Just before the
storm he wrote the following letter to
his mother:
"A gloomy moment, my beloved
mother, will arise in the heart even
Of a soldier, whom on the eve of glory
or eternal happiness. One or the other
shall shortly be mine; if the former you
shall hear of it in more gay strain
if tho latter, let this tell you am with
my Creator. A glorious death on the
field OF battle is fate of all Others to
be envied. You will feel ii rs one fit
for tho son of my father. You will not
long repine at it. We shall soon meet
again What has life more valuable
than good name, that shall leave
behind mc?-That, and fear little
else. That little is S1pha's, This only
sister, aftor George, his youngest
brotherl is properly placed with his
regiment; may it contribute to hor
comfort. For you, | feel everything;
Tor myself nothing. May
your other children become source of
happiness to you. would have tried
to be so, hope hitherto have been.
May you know every felicity you desire.
If an interval be left between the fatal
stroke, and its full effect, that interval
will have been devoted to calling down
every blessing on you and yours, here
and hereafter. The Solemnity | now
feel il it be presentment-L he said
that ho had prosentmcnt that he
would be slain holds out nothing
dreadful; all is peace within. | have
so lived rs to be Indifferent when or
where fall; but | would wipe away
the tear that starts in your own eye
whenever you read this. Iwould spare
as many as possible of tho drops that
| know will fall. Enough my beloved
mother, enough This is scene toe
affecting to think of. Let the idea OF
my last sensations soften yoars. Once
more, may the Eternal God keep you
under His everlasting protection.
He led the assault, he captured the
forts, and fell desperately wounded
but survived his wounds.
A gold mounted sword of great val
no was awarded him for his heroic ex
plot. He was made military aid tt
t the king of England. Was made
knight. He reached the rank o
. lieutenant general, and served mort
than fifty years in the army, with un
sullied renown.
We write this as y glowing illustra
: tion of how dearly cherished the repn
! tation of good character is by ~
> honorable soul.