The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-19
FUNSTON'S EXPLOIT
wAsHINaToN's SIMILAR RUsE
 TO CAPTURE ARNOLD.
Sent Spy Into British camp-Method Used by the Father of His Country-Why 1t
 Failed.
Washington Star.

|
 Since there has been criticism oi
 General Funston for his method of cap | turing Aguinaldo, would 1t not be well
 10 recall in this connection a plan of Seneral Washingtons to capture Ben- 1 eoict Arnold and to see in what way
 the two cases differ further than in
 tnat Washington failed and Funston
 succeeded. When Washington wanted
 an agent he applied to Light Horse
 harry Lee, who recommended a ser | geant In his command upon whem
 great reliance could be placed. His
 name was John Champe and he was
 born in Loudoun County, Virginia. General Washington concsiyo the , idea of attempting to capture Benedict Arnold secretly, in order that he might be brought before the court at the investigation of charges against Major Andre, and thus clear all doubt
 as to the perfidy of Arnold and u e l cemplicity of Andre in hia treschsry. General Washington mad this effort | in order to save the life of Andre if he
 should be proved to be innocent. He confided his wishes to ..ee, to whom was given the selection of such a man whose discretion and valor could De so relied upon that he could be trusted with the important commission Of vis- iting the camp of Sir Henry Ciirtcn in New York and obtaining interviews with persons there who would assist in the capture of Benedict Arnold and bringing him alive to Washing.on's S camp. The execution of General Washington's plan required tact and ! unerring judgment as we'll as endu- | rance and bravery.
 The greatest difficulty was the ne cessity for absolute secrecy, and Ch hA aA to from the army and openly join the British forces. At first it seemed im- possible to Sergeant Champe that he could do such thing, so derogatory to a soldiers character, but by the ar guments used by Washington and Lee, his superior officers. he saw the fallacy
 of his objections and the great honor to accrue to himself and to his corps If he succeeded.
 The desertion was not easily accom- plished, for although Major Lee made | such arrangements of the picket lines as to give Champe a fair chance to es- | cape the bullets of the patrol. yet with | all his delays in ordering pursuit when the soldiers reported the sergeant's de- sertion Major Lee was compelled to de- | liver the following order, at the same time selecting as commander of the capturing party man whom he knew to be most tender by nature, in orSCr,
 if caught, Champe would be kindly treated:
 The Order for Arrest.
 The order ran thus: Pursue Sergt Champe as far as you can with safety. He is suspected of deserting to the
 enemy and has taken the road to Pau
 It's Hook. Bring him back alive, that
 he may suffer in the presence of the
 army; but kill him if he resists or es-
 capes fter being taken"
 It was no night of ease and rest to
 Major Lee to wait the return of the
 soldiers. who returned next day with the sergeant's horse, the sight of which. at first, seemed evidence that the deserter had been killed. Although Champe had made good his escape, 1t had been at the risk of his life, for the pursuing party came up with him
 not far from Bergen village, where q desperate effort was made to capture
 him. but by abandoning his horse and
 baggage and jumping into the river,
 he reached the English galleys that
 were lying at anchor in the river. Ma jor Lee, being the only one in the se-
 cret. was compelled with concealed
 joy to hear the account of the disap-
 pointed soldiers, and to convey to
 Washington the news of the hair breadth escape of their ambassador.
 In order to disarm the suspicious of the English officers who interrogated him. Champe said that Arnold's exam pie had demoralized the whole of the American army, and the discontent would soon breed disaffection through the ranks of Washingtons soldiers if properly encouraged by the British commanders. The records of the Brit ish army give Champe's birthplace Loundoun County, his size, counte- nance, color of his hair, the corps in which he served and other remarks in conformity with army regulations.
 Champe in theBritish Army.
 Sir Henry Clinton. on hearing of Champes desertion from the American army, sent for him and made various inquiries as to the condition of Major Andre and of the disaffection among the American forces, and sent him with a letter to Benedict Arnold, who was forming legion among the Brit ish soldiers. Champe received a warm welcome from Arnold and was assigned to comfortable quarters. Champe next made the attempt to see the persons to whom Washington had sent letters This step was taken with the greatest precaution. At first he saw the person designated as one, who would assist in Keeping up constant communication with Washington. Again he sought the seccG5 person, who assured him that he would spare no pains to assist him in securing the person of Benedict Ar mold. .,
 For the object of being nearer Ar mold and also to learn as much as pos sible whether Washington need fear that there was additional treason to be apprehe nded in the American camp, Sergeant Champe enlisted in the army. In spite of his efforts time passed rap idly, and, although Washington and others hoped to delay Andres Court martial in order to give Champe more time for the execution of hiS project the self-convicted Andre made a full confession, the death sentence was pro- nounced October 1, 1870, and the next day Andre was executed according to custom.
 Although not able to save Andre Champe made every effort to secure Arnold. Washington sent money and letters to Champe to encourage hirn, as can he seen by the following letter:
 Gen. Washington's Letter.
 Headquarters. October 20. 17s0.
 Dear Sir-The plan proposed for talk ing A. (the outlines of which are communicated in your letter which was this moment given into my hands with out date) has every mark of a good one. I thus agree to the promised re- wards. and have such entire confidence in your management of the business as to give my fullest appreciation, and leave the whole to the guidance of your own judgment. with this express