Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-21
The nenfh of Nlaior Andre.

The United Src5ce ReCie~, Of Philadel-
phia. contains a description of the capture
and trial of Major Andre. 1t will be re-
mcmbercd that that gallant officer was IN
civilian clothes when taken prisoner out
side the British lines ~ New York. thus IN
curing the fate of a spy. 4 British man-Of
war had put him ashore from the Hudson
river. in order 10 arrange with Benedict
Arnold for the surrender OF West
Point, but gun having been trained
on the Nulturc, she was obliged
to drop down stream; and unable
TO return on board Andre fell into the
hands Of the Americans while endeavoring
10 make his way by land 10 New York. The
sentence of death passed upOn him by a
court Of general officers lamong whom was
I,afavette) was confirmed by Washington,
and tho time of execution fixed for noon
on Monday. October 2. l7S0. His fate, We
are told. excited universal sympathy among
American officers, their chief himself being
merely actuated by strict sense OF
dutv. Indeed continues the writer,
A" Washington and Andre deserve equal
honour Andre for having accepted
a terrible risk for his country, and
borne the consequences of failure with I'M
shrinking COURAGE and Washington for
having performed his duty 70 ms own
country at great sacrifice OF his feel
iugs." Lafayette writes All the court
that inquired into his case were filled with
sentiments Of admiration and compassion
for him. He behaved with so much frank
ness and courage and delicacy that could
not help lamenting his unhappy fate. 1t
is iupOssible TO express too much respect
OF too deep regret for Major Andre"
This being so II Is hard to under
stand why Washington and his counsel
lCrs did not see their way at any rate To
. IL 81. from fnr fflllANyg and
we are glad 20 read that the author OF this
article is Of the same way Of thinking.
There can. indeed, be no doubt whatever
that q VOlley from a section OF infantry
would have met all the requirements of the
case. A certain amount OF gall must have
mingled with his executlOners' sense of
duty, az is too often the case Ia this imper-
feet world. Andre was led 10 the gallows.
He walked arm-in-arln with two sub
alterns holding drawn swords. He was
male. but calm, and his face be
spoke the serenity of an approving and
undismayed conscience. He was dressed
in full British uniform. except sash and
sword his coat was of the brightest scarlet,
faced with a beautiful green, his vest and
breaches bright buff" He had naturally
concluded that his sentence would be COM
muted to death by the bullet, and on
sighting the gallows he started back:
his escort. II am reconciled 10 my fate"
retorted Andre; but not TO the manner
of It," He said TO another: Must | then
DIE IN this manner? How hard is my fate,
but il will soon be over He leapt
on TO the wagon Lightly, but with
visible loathing," and adjusting the rope
round his neck with his own hands, bound
his handkerchief over his eyes. Lifting it
for moment he bowed courteously to the
officers around him, saying "All | re-
quest Of you, gentlemen. is that you Will
bear witness 10 the world that / died like
brave man; and" as if TO himself, " it will
be but momentary pang." Thus persisted
Andre in his thirtieth year. A sadder
tragedy we read. was never enacted;
but il was inevitable. and no reproach rests
upon any person concerned except Ar
mold" This verdict We could have hearth
IN endorsed had the unfortunate officer
been granted a soldiers death. Surely no
more tragic episode was ever recorded on
q tablet in Westminster Abbey.