The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1920-03-26
THRILLS OF HISTORY.


The most unusual trial of a spy
in American history was that of Maj
or Andre, at Tappan, New York, in
the early fall of 1880. Remembering
that Andre was captured by three
Americans while trying to return to
the British lines with important dis
patches, after the treason of Arnold,
he was taken to Tappan. The trial,
took place in the old Dutch Church,
in the town, which was torn down in
1886. 1t was only within a few hun
dred yards of the house where Andre
had been confined.
When Washington arrived at Tap
pan he ordered a court of inquiry.
1t consisted Of fourteen general Of
~ficers, with General Greene a. the
president of the board. 1t convened
on Sept. 29th, with John Laurence
as judge advocate.
Andre made a plain statement of
the facts of his mission, his flight and
his capture. After he had concluded
the board asked him if he had any
thing further to say respecting the
charges preferred against him. He
remarked: 81 leave them to oper-
ate with the board, persuaded that
you will do me justice"
Andre was remanded to prison,
and, after a long and careful delib-
Grafton, the board reported: "The
Major Andre ,adjutant general of the
british Army, ought to be considered
as a spy from the enemy, and that,
agreeable to the law and usage of
nations, it is their opinion he ought
to suffer DEATH" On the following
day Washington signified his approx
al of the decision, as follows: 1.-THE
commander-in-chief approves of the
opinion of the board of general Of
ficers respecting Major Andre, and or
ders that the execution of Major An
DIRE takes place tomorrow at five
o'clock p. m"
The youth, candor and gentleman
ly bearing Of Andre during the try
ing scenes of his examination made a
deep impression upon the court; and
had the decision of those officers
been incOnsOnance with their feel
ings instead of their judgments and
the stern necessities disposed by the
e~xpedients of war, he would not have
suffered death.
When the decision of the court
was made known to Major Andre, the
heroic firmness of his mind challeng-
ed the admiration of all. He exhibit
ed no fear of death, but the manner"
was a subject to give him uneasiness.
He wished to die as a soldier, not as
a spy.
Tender of the feelings of his COM
mander, he obtained permission of
Washington to write to Sir Henry
Clinton for the purpose of assuring
him that the dilemma in which ne
found himself was not attributable
to the duty required of him by his
general. In that letter he implied a
tbresentment of his fate, and said:
II have a mother and two sisters, to
whom the value of my commission
would be an object, as the loss OF
Grenada has much affected their In
come"
There could be no question among
military men as to the equity OF An
dre's sentence, and yet there was a
general desire on the part of the
Americans to save his life. Washing
ton was deeply impressed with this
feeling, and was ready to employ any
measure to effect it consistent with
his public duty.
! The proposition was made to Sir
Henry Clinton to have the life OF
Andre provided the British would
deliver Arnold to the Americans. but
Sir Henry promptly refused compli-
iance. for honor would not allow the
surrender Of a mar who had desert
ed from the Americans and open
ly espoused the OF n KING:
| Andre was executed at Tappan at
/ twelve o'clock on Oct. End, 1880.
AS the handkerchief was placed over
his eyes, he said: Il pray % zeal
me witness that l may meet my tate
like a brave MANN. .. Dally
States.