The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-11-26

Arnold had an cnviablc reputation for
bravery. lie had distinguished him
self at Lake Champlain, at Quebec,
and at Saratoga, but he had not re-
ccivcd from Congress the reward he
expected. Arnold WIS cxtravagant
and, while military governor of Phil
adeiphia, he had been guilty Of pccu-
lations aud had been suspected OF
reasonable connections The patti
OTIS cf Pennsylvania had asked for his
removal, and on their charges he had
been tried and sentenced to be rcpri-
mandcd by the commandcr-in chief.
Arnold broodcd over his real and
fanclcd wrongs Till he at length be-
came bent on revenge. Alrcdy he
was in correspondence with the Brit
ist. and was receiving money for the
intelligence furnished them. lie now
began to offer TO deliver West Point
to General Clinton in exchange for
military advancement and large sum
of money. In order to carry. out the
plan, Arnold made application for the
command Of West Poiut, giving as a
reason for his preference that his
wounds would not admit of active
service in the field. Washington
who was friendly to Arnold, granted
the request, and. On August third,
1850, Arnold took command of West
Point and all its dependencies, from
Stony Point to Fishkill.
1t was perhaps the gloomicst time
in our history. The army numbered
only three thousand men, and these
were in rags and almost starving,
while General Clinton's s force in and
about New York city amounted to
more than twelve thousand. Not
only New York city, but tho Virginia
coast, most Of Georgia, and the Caro-
linas were held by the British. The
States were rent by factions. They
had almost no public credit. Alto
gcther, the prospect was most dis
heartening. Washington himself con
fessed in :. letter Of May twenty third,
1880, II have almost ceased to hope"
Washington felt that decisive
blow must be strnok. He planned a
combined attack Of tho French and
American forces upon New York.
The French were to reach the city by
way of Long Island; the Americans,
by crossing Kingsbridge, above New
York.
On September eighteenth, Wash
ington started for Hartford, where
he was to hold q conference with
the French officers. Arnold felt that
the time was propitious for his treach-
cry, and, on the evening of the eigh-
tcenth, he sent to General Clinton,
asking him to send John Andre to
treat with him about the surren der Of
West Point. Andre, who was adjutant-
general, had long been aware Of the
proposed treason. Indeed, the CORE
spondence with General Clinton had
been conducted through him.
Andre left New York on the twen-
tieth, in the sloop Vulture, having re-
ceived from his chief strict orders not
to change his dress, nor to receive
papers, nor in any way to act as
spy. He did not meet Arnold on the
Vulture, as General Clinton had ex.
pected, for Arnold chose rcndez-
vous which involved less risk to him,
but more 10 Andre. The p!otters
met in a wood a little below Haver-
straw. So long did the interview last,
for Arnold was greedy and demanded
larger price than Andre was empow-
cred TO pay, that day began to break.
Arnold persuaded Andre to 60 with
him 20 farmhouse few miles dis.
tant, and to remain there till the fol-
lowing night, when he would be taken
to the Vulture. Andre did not know,
till it was too late to go back, that
this house was within American lines.
The plotting went on through the
day. Arnold was to weaken the gar
rison by dividing the troops into small
detachments and sending them to
various redoubts in the neighborhood.
Under pretense of needed repair, he
was to remove portion from the great
boom which was stretched across the
river. The British, who were already
embarked on the Hudson, we're to pro.
ceed to West Point. Arnold was TO send
TO Washington for aid, but was to sur
render his post before Washington
could arrive. The British feet was
in command of Rodney, but Clinton
himself would intercept Washington