The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-06-07
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erty loving American people. Arnold had
during the earlier part OF the War Of the
Revolution, distinguished himself as a
brave soldier and an able general in
the army Of the patriots. lie was loved
and praised by Washington and honor
ed by all his countrymen but his char
acter was weak. liz was selfish,
jealous, and revengeful. II was these
evil traits that proved his downfall.
At the time when officers who stood
below Arnold were promoted to places
above him, discomfort ragged in the
heart OF the traitor, and while he held
the command OF Philadelphia his ex.
travagant mode of living and love for
revenge, tempted him to "A reasonable
plot. 1t was not long after this until
he made known, TO Clinton, the British
Commander-in-chief, his plot, also that
he was DESTROYS OF exchanging Ameri-
can service for that OF Great Britain.
While holding the command OF Phila-
delphia, Arnold was tried by court
martial for preferring the friendship OF
the English. lie was mildly sentenced
to be reprimanded by Washington but
the evidence which was gained indicated
that months before this he begun his
reasonable plot.
In 1880, the command at West Point
needed to be changed. Acting secretly
with Clinton and supported by New
York delegation in Congress, Arnold,
pleading mis- wounds as an excuse for
declining active service received the
command Of this post. II was his
tArnold's) deliberate intention to be-
tray this important post into the hands
OF Clinton, who now entered with all his
soul into the plot, believing the fall of
West Point would be the turning point
OF the war.
After correspondence OF two months
between Arnold and the Commander
in-Chief Clinton through Major Andre,
adiutant general to Clinton, the plans
were made ana everything was In
readiness for the betrayal OF West
Point.
Time pressed on, but no opportunity
seemed to afford itself for the execution
of the plan. Finally on the evening Of
18th OF August. Arnold vas informed
that Washington would BIZ his guest al
West Point on the following Sunday
night. Fearing that Washington
might discover his plot, Arnold immedi-
ately informed Andre to come to the
"Vulture," the Britist ship OF war,
where Inc would secretly meet him and
arrange for the immediate attack OF
West Point. Andre, taking his life in
his own hands, meets Arnold at the
appointed place. Here Arnold provides
Andre with a flag Of truce also a pass
and then informs him TO make rapid
haste TO the British ranks at New York.
While Andre was attempting to make
his way to New York, he was captured
at Tarrytown by three militiamen who
happened to see him passing along the
road. They became rather suspicious
of his manner and dress and commanded
him to halt. Andre became very much
agitated and soon betrayed himself by
offering his capturers money il they
would not detain him bat these men
were jealous patriots and hated brides.
They led their prisoner into cluster Of
bushes near the road and searched him,
finding the plans OF Arnold in the bot
tom OF Andres stockings. Andre was
taken to North Castle and turned over
to General jameson as spy.
Arnold WAS notified OF Andres cap
ture by the stupidity OF an officer who
thought the arrest important but little
thinking that Arnold took part in the
transaction. As soon as lie learned Of
Andres capture, he mounted his horse
aud FASTENED TO the British ranks At
New York, where he was received and
became Brigadier General in their army
As soon as Washington was informed
Of Arnold's treacherona act he promptly
devised plan to secure the traitors,
immediate capture selecting john
Champe, the sergeant major Of Henry
Lees cavalry, for this purpose. The
plan was that Champe should pretend to
desert the Americans aud jim the Brit
sh in New York, secure u position near
Arnold, observe his habits and watch
Tor an opportunity TO capture him
Champe after being followed by officers
,f the American army escaped them aud
oined Arnold's legion aud soon pro-
Sided plan for his capture. Arnold
was in the habit OF walking in his gar
len about midnight TWAS the plau Of
Jhampe with the assistance Of another
nan to conceal themselves in Arnold's
yarden at midnight, capture him, place
gag in his mouth and carry him away