Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17

HERO UNHONORED
IN OBSCURE GRAVE
D. A. R. Convention Learns of
Revolutionary Soldier Who
Won Fame.

The Thirty-eighth Continental Con-
gresS Of the Daughters Of the American
Revolution now assembled In Washing
ton in its patriotic mission Ito perpet-
uate the memory of the spirit of the
men and women who achieved Ameri-
can independence" recalls that there Is
somewhere in Kentucky an unmarked,
perhaps neglected, grave of a Reyolu-
tionary hero whose courage embraced
one of the most thrilling chapters of
the American struggle for independence
of which there was little written at this
time: thus it might be called in this
generation "a bit of little-known Revo-
lutionary history"
At the time that Benedict Arnold de-
serted the American cause in 1880. one
of the darkest periods Of the war, Wash
ington. disturbed by doubts Of other Off
GERS in the Army and anxious to cap
ture Arnold, consulted with Mai. Lee,
Light Horse Harry" in which a plan
was perfected to have an American SOL
der affect desertion to the British and
enlist in the battalion which Arnold
was reported to be forming in Gen.
Clintons army. 1t was planned in this
fake desertion, which depended upon
the appearance of genuinenesS for sue
cess. to capture Arnold and abduct him
to the Jersey shore and deliver him into
the hands of the Americans.
Champee Named for Perilous Duty.
Lee recommended John Champee for
this dangerous mission, man who had
the courage, the audacity and 6iscre-
ton. Champee was brought before
Washington and Lee and given an out
line of the mission and asked to under
take it. 1T first he objected feigning
desertion, but when informed that II
was of prime importance in order TO
get at the truth or falsity of the posi-
ton of others in the Continental
Armies. Champee decided to under
take the mission.
Champee selected rainy night,
mounted his horse and soon passed the
American line, which was reported to
Lee. who suggested excuses to give his
sergeant major the start in the pursuit.
Champee finally reached the British
lines, which interpreted him as another
welcome desertion from the Patriot
Army. Champee was sent to Gen. Gin
ton in New York, and after the usual
croSS-eXanination he was placed in
Arnold's corps, which gave Champee
splendid opportunity to execute his
scheme of kidnapping Arnold; in the
meantime he communicated in cipher to
Lee. setting the date and to have a
number of his Virginia dragons to aid
at Hobolen. where Champee and his
confederates were to land the American
traitor into a boat which was to be in
readiness.
Arno!d's Plans Changed.
But, the very night set for the execu-
ton of the scheme Arnold changed his
headquarters and Champee, who then
was a member of the traitors corps.
was ordered TO provide for embarkation
for the Virginia campaign. and instead
of carrying his bound traitor back into
the American lines found himself aboard
transport en- route to Virginia with
Arnold in command. Champee soon
embraced the first opportunity to escape,
made his way through Virginia to his
old company. and when his exploit was
made known was received with great
enthusiasm.
John Chan1pee was born m Joudoun
County. Virginia. in 1852. When the
War of the Revolution broke out he
enlisted in Mai. Lees corps After
Champee returned from his exploit of
Gesertion. Washington advised him not
to do any more active service for fear
he might be captured by the British and
hanged.
Hero Dies in Kentucky.
When Adams appointed Washington
acknowledgement in the American
Army in 1893. at the time war with
France seemed imminent. he wrote for
Champee and was informed that he
had moved to Kentucky and that he
had died in the Blue Grass State. In
comparatively recent years Melvin d.
Champee, grandson of Champee, died
in Jackson. Mich.
Champee gave to Washington the
truth of the British reports as to the
other offcers in the Patriot Army. but 1t
was too late to save Maj. Andre in the
Arnold treason.