The following is an account written
by John Middle ton 2nd. Following is the account written by
Gen. Lighthorse Harry Lee who was serving directly under Gen.
Washington at the time the event occurred. It tells the story of the
enlistment of Sergeant Major John Champe for the purpose of interfering
with Benedict Arnold. This was sent to me by Clyde Edmonds of
Salida, CO; John Middleton was his ggggrandfather. It
is reproduced here by permission and shared with great joy and
appreciation to Mr. Edmonds on behalf of all Champe descendants.
The lithograph attached at the end is
a copy of a Courier and Ives lithograph located in the Loudon Museum in
Virginia. 
The following is taken from
General "Light Horse" Harry Lee's Memoirs.
The treason of Benedict Arnold – the
capture of Andre – with intelligence received by Washington, through
his confidential agents in New York, communicating that many of his
officers, and especially a Major General named to him, were connected
with Arnold – could not fail to seize the attention of a commander less
diligent and zealous than Washington. It engrossed his mind entirely,
exciting reflections the most anxious as well as unpleasant. The moment
he reached the army, then under the command of Major General Greene,
encamped in the vicinity of Tappan, he sent for Major Lee, posted with
the Light Troops some distance in front. The officer repaired to the
front with celerity, and found the General in his marquee alone, busily
engaged in writing. As soon as Lee entered, he was requested to take a
seat, and a bundle of papers, lying on the table, was given him for
perusal. In these much information was detailed, tending to prove that
Arnold was not alone in the base conspiracy just detected, but that the
poison had spread; and that a Major General, whose name was not
concealed, was certainly as guilty as Arnold himself. This officer had
enjoyed with- out interruption the confidence of the Commander-in-Chief
throughout the war; nor did there exist a single reason in support of
the accusation. It altogether rested upon the intelligence derived from
the papers before him. Major Lee, personally acquainted with the
accused, could not refrain from suggesting the probability, that the
whole was a contrivance of Sir Henry Clinton, in order to destroy that
confidence between the commander and his officers, on which the success
of military operations depend. This suggestion Washington replied was
plausible and deserved due consideration. It had early occurred to his
own mind and had not been slightly regarded ; but his reflections
settled in a conclusion not to he shaken, as the same suggestion
applied to no officer more forcibly than a few days ago it would have
done to General Arnold, known now to be a
traitor.
Announcing this result of his meditations with
the tone and countenance of a mind deeply agitated and resolved upon
its course, Lee continuing silent, the General proceeded, "I have sent
for you in the expectation that you have in your corps individuals
capable and willing to undertake an indispensable, delicate and
hazardous project. Whoever comes forward upon this occasion will lay me
under great obligations personally, and in behalf of the United States
I will reward him amply. No time is to lie lost; he must proceed if
possible this night. My object is to probe to the bottom the afflicting
intelligence contained in the papers you have just read; to seize
Arnold, and by getting him to save Andre. They are all connected. While
my emissary is engaged in preparing means for the seizure of Arnold,
the guilt of others can be traced and the timely delivery of Arnold to
me will possibly put it into my power to restore the amiable and
unfortunate Andre to his friends. My instructions are ready, in which
you will find my express orders that Arnold is not to be hurt, but that
he be permitted to escape if to be prevented only by killing him, as
his public punishment is the sole object in view. This you cannot too
forcibly impress upon whomsoever may engage in the enterprise; and this
fail not to do. With my instructions are two letters to be delivered as
ordered and here are some guineas for expenses."
Major
Lee, replying, said that he had little or no doubt but that his Legion
contained many individuals daring enough for any operation however
perilous; but that the one in view required a combination of qualities
not easily to be found unless in a commissioned officer to whom he
could not propose an enterprise the first step to which was desertion.
That though the Sergeant Major of the cavalry was in all respects
qualified for the delicate and adventurous project, and to him it might
be proposed without indelicacy, as his station did not interpose the
obstacle before stated; yet it was very probable that the same
difficulty would occur in his breast, to remove which would not be
easy, if practicable.
Washington
was highly pleased at finding that a non-commissioned officer was
deemed capable of executing his views, as he had felt extreme
difficulty in authorizing an invitation to officers, who generally are,
and always ought, to be, scrupulous and nice in adhering to the course
of honor. He asked the name, the country, the age, the size, length of
service, and character of the Sergeant. Being told his name-that he was
a native of Loudoun County in Virginia, about twenty-three or
twenty-four years of age – that he had enlisted in 1776 rather above
the common size – full of bone and muscle, with a saturnine
countenance, grave, thoughtful, and taciturn – of tried courage and
inflexible perseverance, and is likely to reject an overture coupled
with ignominy as any officer in the corps; a commission being the goal
of his long and anxious exertions, and certain on the first vacancy –
the General exclaimed that he was the very man for the business; that
he must undertake it, and that going to the enemy by the instigation
and at the request of his officer, was not desertion, although it
appeared to be so. And he enjoined that this explanation, as coming
from him, should be pressed on Champe; and that the vast good in
prospect should be contrasted with the mere semblance of doing wrong,
which he presumed could not fail to conquer every scruple.
Major Lee assured the General that
every exertion would be essayed on his part to execute his wishes; and
taking leave, returned to the camp of the Light Corps, which he reached
about eight o'clock at night. Sending instantly for the Sergeant Major,
he introduced the business in the way best calculated, as he thought,
to produce his concurrence, and dilated largely on the very great
obligations he would confer on the Commander-in-Chief, whose unchanging
and active beneficence to the troops had justly drawn to him their
affection, which would be merely nominal if, when an opportunity should
offer to any individual of contributing to the promotion of his views,
that opportunity was not zealously embraced. That the one now presented
to him had never before occurred, and in all probability never would
occur again, even should the war continue for ages; it being most rare
for three distinct consequences all of primary weight, to be comprised
within a single operation, and that operation necessarily to be
intrusted to one man who would want but one or two associates in the
active part of its execution. That the chance of detection became
extremely narrow, and consequently that of success enlarged. That by
succeeding in the safe delivery of Arnold he not only gratified his
General in the most acceptable manner, but he would be hailed as the
avenger of the reputation of the army, stained by foul and wicked
perfidy; and what could not but be highly pleasing, he would be the
instrument of saving the life of Major Andre, soon to be brought before
a Court of Inquiry, the decision of which could not be doubted from the
known circumstances of the case, and had been anticipated in the
General's instructions. That by investigating with diligence and
accuracy the intelligence communicated to him, he would bring to light
new guilt, or he would relieve innocence (as was most probable) from
distrust; quieting the torturing suspicions which now harrowed the mind
of Washington, and restoring again to his confidence a once honored
General, presenting it at present only ostensibly, as well as hush
doubts affecting many of his brother soldiers.
In short, the accomplishment of so
much good was in itself too attractive to be renounced by a generous
mind, and when connected with the recollection of the high honor which
the selection shed upon him as a soldier, he ought not, he must not,
pause. This discourse was followed by a detail of the plan with a wish
that lie would enter upon its execution instantly. Champe listened with
deep attention and with a highly excited countenance, the perturbations
of his breast not being hid even by his dark visage. He briefly and
modestly replied that no soldier exceeded him in respect and affection
for the Commander-in-Chief, to serve whom he would willingly lay down
his life; and that he was sensible of the honor conferred by the choice
of him for the execution of a project all over arduous; nor could he be
at a loss to know to whom was to be ascribed the preference bestowed,
which he took pleasure in acknowledging, although increasing
obligations before great and many.
That he was
charmed with the plan; even its partial success would lead to great
good, as it would give peace to the General's mind and do justice to
the innocent, while full success would add powerful and delicious
personal excitements, as well as the gratification of the General and
the army. He was not deterred by the danger and difficulty which was
evidently to be encountered, but he was deterred by the ignominy of
desertion to be followed by the hypocrisy of enlisting with the enemy,
neither of which comported with his feelings, and either placed an
insuperable bar in his way to promotion. He concluded by observing that
if any mode could be contrived free from disgrace, he would cordially
embark in the enterprise. As it was he prayed to be excused and hoped
that services always the best in his power to perform, faithfully
performed, entitled his prayer to success. The objections at first
apprehended, now to be combated, were extended to a consequence which
had not suggested itself.
Lee candidly
admitted that he had expected the first objection made, and that only,
which had been imparted to the General, who gave it full consideration,
and concluded by declaring that the crime of desertion was not incurred
; as no act done by the soldier at the request of the
Commander-in-Chief could be considered a desertion; and that an action
so manifestly praiseworthy as that to be performed when known, would
dissipate by its own force the reflections excited by appearances,
leaving the actor in full enjoyment of the rich rewards of his virtue.
That the reflecting mind ought not to balance between the achievement
of so much good and the doing wrong in semblance only; to which Major
Lee subjoined that he had considered himself and corps highly honored
by the General's call upon him for a soldier capable and willing to
execute a project so tempting to the brave, and that he should feel
himself reduced to a mortifying condition if the resistance to the
undertaking compelled him to inform the General that he must recur to
some other corps to provide an agent to execute this bold and important
enterprise.
He entreated
the Sergeant to ask himself what must be the reflections of his
comrades, if a soldier from some other corps should execute the
attempt, when they should be told that the glory transferred to the
regiment of which he was one, might have been enjoyed by the Legion,
had not Sergeant Champe shrunk from the overture made to him by his
General, rather than reject scruples too narrow and confined to be
permitted to interfere with grand and virtuous deeds. The esprit de
corps could not be resisted; united to his inclination it subdued his
prejudices, and he declared his willingness to conform to the wishes of
the General, replying, as he confidently did. that his reputation would
be protected by those who had induced him to undertake the enterprise,
should he be unfortunate.
The instructions were read to him and
each distinct object presented plainly to his view, of which he took
notes so disguised as to be understood only by himself. He was
particularly cautioned to use the utmost circumspection in delivering
his letters, and to take care to withhold from the two individuals,
addressed under feigned names, knowledge of each other, for although
both had long been in the confidence of the General, vet it was not
known by either that the other was so engaged. He was further urged to
bear in constant recollection the solemn injunction so pointedly
expressed in the instructions to Major Lee of forbearing to kill Arnold
in any condition of things.
This part of
the business being finished, their deliberation was turned to the
manner of Champe's desertion, for it was well known to them both that
to pass the numerous patrols of horse and foot crossing from the
stationary guards was itself difficult, which was now rendered more so
by parties thrown occasionally beyond the place called Liberty Pole, as
well as by swarms of irregulars induced sometimes to venture down to
the very point at Paulus Hook with the hope of picking up booty.
Evidently discernible as were the difficulties in the way, no relief
could be administered by Major Lee, lest it might induce a belief that
he was privy to the desertion, which opinion, getting to the enemy,
would involve the life of Champe.
The Sergeant
was left to his own resources and to his own management, with the
declared determination that in case his departure should be discovered
before morning, Lee would take care to delay pursuit as long as
practicable. Giving to the Sergeant three guineas and presenting his
best wishes, he recommended him to start without delay and enjoined him
to communicate his arrival in New York as soon as he could. Champe,
pulling out his watch, compared it with the Major's, reminding the
latter with the importance of holding back pursuit, which he was
convinced would take place in the course of the night and which might
be fatal, as he knew that he should be obliged to zig-zag in order to
avoid the patrols, which would consume time. It was now nearly eleven.
The Sergeant returned to camp and,
taking his cloak, valise, and orderly book, he drew his horse from the
picket and, mounting him, put himself upon fortune. Lee, charmed with
his expeditious consummation of the first part of the enterprise,
retired to rest. Useless attempt; the past scene could not be
obliterated; and indeed had that been practicable, the interruption
which ensued would have stopped repose.
Within half an hour Captain Carnes,
officer of the day, waited on the Major and with considerable emotion
told hint that one of the patrol had fallen in with a dragoon, who,
being challenged, put spur to his horse and escaped, though instantly
pursued. Lee, complaining of the interruption and pretending to be
extremely fatigued by his ride to and from headquarters, answered as if
he had not understand what had been said, which compelled the Captain
to repeat it. Who can the fellow that was pursued be?" inquired the
Major, adding, "A countryman, probably." "No," replied the Captain,
"the patrol sufficiently distinguished him to know that he was a
dragoon, probably one from the army, if not certainly one from our
own." This idea was ridiculed from its improbability, as during the
whole war but a single dragoon had deserted from the Legion. This did
not convince Carnes, so much stress was it now the fashion to lay on
the desertion of Arnold and the probable effect of his example.
The Captain
withdrew to examine the squadron of horse, whom he had ordered to
assemble, in pursuance of established usage on similar occasions. Very
quickly he returned, stating that the scoundrel was known and was no
less a person than the Sergeant Major, who had gone off with his horse,
baggage, arms and orderly book so presumed, as neither the one or the
other could be found. Sensibly affected at the supposed baseness of a
soldier extremely respected, the Captain added that he had ordered a
party to make ready for pursuit, and begged the Major's written orders.
Occasionally
this discourse was interrupted and every idea suggested which the
excellent character of the Sergeant warranted, to induce the suspicion
that he had not deserted, but had taken the liberty to leave camp with
a view to personal pleasure, an example, said Lee, too often set by the
officers themselves, destructive as it was of discipline, opposed as it
was to orders, and disastrous as it might prove to the corps in the
course of service. Some little delay was thus interposed; but it being
now announced that the pursuing party was ready, Major Lee directed a
change in the officer, saying he had a particular service in view which
he had determined to in trust to the Lieutenant ready for duty, and
which must probably be performed in the morning. He therefore directed
him to summon Cornet Middleton for the present command. Lee was thus
induced to act, first to add to the delay, and next from his knowledge
of the tenderness of Middleton's disposition, which he hoped would lead
to the protection of Champe should he be taken. Within ten minutes
Middleton appeared to receive his orders, which were delivered to him,
made out in the customary form and signed by the Major. "Pursue so far
as you can with safety, Sergeant Champe, who is suspected of deserting
to the enemy and has taken the road leading to Paulus Hook. Bring him
alive that he may suffer in the presence of the army, but kill him if
he resists or escapes after being taken." Detaining the Cornet a few
minutes longer in advising him what course to pursue, urging him to
take care of the horse and accouterments if recovered, and enjoining
him to be on his guard lest he might by his eager pursuit improvidently
fall into the hands of the enemy, the Major dismissed Middleton,
wishing him success. A shower of rain fell soon after Champe's
departure, which enabled the pursuing dragoons to take the trail of the
horse knowing, as officer and trooper did, the make of their shoes, the
impression of which was an unerring guide. 
When
Middleton departed it was a few minutes past twelve, so that Champe had
only the start of rather more than an hour, by no means as long as was
desired. Lee became very unhappy, not only lest the estimable and
gallant Champe might be injured, but lest the enterprise might be
delayed, and he spent a sleepless night. The pursuing party during the
night was on their part delayed by the necessary halts to examine
occasionally the road as the impression of the horse's shoes directed
their course. This was unfortunately too evident, no other horse having
passed along the road since the shower. When the day broke Middleton
was no longer forced to halt, and he pressed on with rapidity.
Ascending an eminence before he reached the "Three Pigeons," some miles
on the north of the village of Bergen, as the pursuing party reached
the summit, Champe way descried not more than half a mile in front.
Resembling an Indian in his vigilance, the Sergeant at the same moment
discovered the party whose object he was no stranger to and, giving
spur to his horse, he determined to outstrip his pursuers. Middleton at
the same instant put his horses to the top of their speed, and being,
as the Legion all were, well acquainted with the country. he
recollected a short route through the woods to the bridge below Bergen,
which diverged from the great road just after you gain the "Three
Pigeons." Reaching the point of separation lie halted and, dividing his
party, directed a Sergeant with a few dragoons to take the near cut and
possess with all possible dispatch the bridge, while he with the
residue followed Champe, not doubting but that Champe must deliver
himself up, as lie would be enclosed between himself and his Sergeant.
Champe did not forget the short cut, and would have taken it himself,
but he knew it was the usual route of our parties when returning in the
day from the neighborhood of the enemy, properly preferring the woods
to the road. He consequently avoided it, and, persuaded that Middleton
would avail himself of it, wisely resolved to relinquish his intention
of getting to Paulus Hook and to seek refuge from two British galleys
lying a few miles to the west of Bergen.
This was a station always occupied by
one or two galleys, and which it was known now lay there. Entering the
village of Bergen, Champe turned to his right and, disguising his
change of course as much as he could by taking the beaten streets,
turning as they turned, he passed through the village and took the road
toward Elizabethtown Point. Middleton's Sergeant gained the bridge,
where he concealed himself, ready to pounce upon Champe when he came
up, and Middleton, pursuing his course through Bergen, soon got also to
the bridge when, to his extreme mortification, he found that the
Sergeant had slipped through his fingers. Returning up the road, he
inquired of the villagers of Bergen whether a dragoon had been seen
that morning ahead of his party. He was answered in the affirmative,
but could learn nothing satisfactory as to the route he took. While
engaged in inquiries himself, he spread his party through the village
to strike the trail of Champe's horse, a resort always recurred to.
Some of his dragoons hit it just as the Sergeant, leaving the village,
got in the road to the Point. Pursuit was renewed with vigor and again
Champe was descried. He, apprehending the event, had prepared himself
for it by lashing his valise (containing his clothes and orderly book)
on his shoulders and holding his drawn sword in his hand, having thrown
away the scabbard. This he did to save what was indispensable to him
and to prevent any interruption to his swimming should Middieton, as he
presumed when disappointed at the bridge take measures adopted by him.
The pursuit was rapid and close, as the stop occasioned by the
Sergeant's preparations for swimming had brought Middleton within two
or three hundred yards. As soon as Champe got abreast of the two
galleys he dismounted and. running through the marsh to the river,
plunged into it, calling upon the galleys for help.
This was
readily given, they fired upon our horse and sent a boat to meet
Champe, who was taken in and carried on board and conveyed to New York
with a letter from the Captain of the galley, stating the circumstances
he had seen. The horse, with his equipment, the Sergeant's cloak and
scabbard, were recovered, the sword itself, being held by Champe until
he plunged into the river, was lost, as Middleton found it necessary to
retire without searching for it. About three o'clock in the evening our
party returned and the soldiers, seeing the well-known horse in our
possession, made the air resound with acclamations that the scoundrel
was killed. Major Lee, called by this heart-rending annunciation from
his tent, say- the Sergeant's horse led by one of Middleton's dragoons
and began to reproach himself with the blood of the high-prized
faithful and intrepid Champe. Stifling his agony, he advanced to meet
Middleton and became somewhat relieved as soon as he got near enough to
discern the countenance of the officer and party. There was evidence in
their looks of disappointment, and he was quickly relieved by
Middleton's information that the Sergeant had effected his escape with
the loss of his horse, and narrated the particulars just recited.
Lee's joy was
now as full as, the moment before, his torture had been excruciating.
Never was there a happier conclusion, the Sergeant escaped unhurt,
carrying with him to the enemy undeniable testimony of the sincerity of
his desertion, cancelling every apprehension before entertained, unless
the enemy might suspect him of being what he really was. Major Lee
imparted to the Commander-in-Chief the occurrence, who was sensibly
affected by the hair-breadth escape of Champe, and anticipated with
pleasure the good effect sure to follow the enemy's knowledge of its
manner.
On the fourth
day after Champ's departure, Lee received a letter from him teen the
day before in a disguised hand, without any signature, and stating what
had passed after he had got on board the galley. where he was kindly
received. He was carried to the Commandant of Yew- York as soon as he
arrived and presented the letter addressed to this officer from the
captain of the galley. Being asked to what corps he belonged and a few
other common questions, he was sent under the care of an
Orderly-Sergeant to the Adjutant-General who, finding that he was
sergeant-Major of the Legion horse, heretofore remarkable for their
fidelity, began to interrogate him. He was told by Champe that such was
the spirit of defection which prevailed among the American troops in
consequence o f Arnold's example, that he had no doubt that if the
temper was properly cherished. Washington's ranks would not only be
greatly thinned, but that some of his best corps would leave him. To
this conclusion. the Sergeant said, lie was led by his own observations
and especially by his knowledge of the discontents which agitated the
corps to which he had belonged. His size, place of birth, form,
countenance, hair, the corps in which he had served, with other remarks
in conformity with the British usage, was noted clown. After this was
finished he was sent to the Commander-in-Chief, in charge of one of the
staff, with a letter from the Adjutant-General. Sir Henry Clinton
treated hint very kindly and detained him more than one hour, asking
him many questions, all leading – first, to know to what extent this
spirit of defection might be pushed by proper incitements – what the
most operating incitements – whether any general officers were
suspected by Washington as concerned in Arnold's conspiracy or an-
other officers of note, who they were and whether the troops approved
or censured Washington's suspicions, whether his popularity in the army
was sink- ing or remained stationary. What was Major Andre's situation,
whether any change had taken place in the manner of his confinement,
what was the current opinion of his probable fate and whether it was
thought that 'Washington would treat him as a spy.
To these
various interrogations, some of which were perplexing, Champe answered
warily, exciting nevertheless hopes that the, adoption of proper
measures to encourage desertion (of which he could not pretend to form
an opinion) would certainly bring off hundreds of the American
soldiers, including some of the best troops, horse as well as foot.
Respecting the fate of Andre he said he was ignorant, though there
appeared to be a general wish in the army that his life should not be
taken, and that he believed it would depend more upon the disposition
of Congress than upon the will of Washington. After this long
conversation ended, Sir Henry presented Champe with a couple of guineas
and recommended him to wait upon General Arnold, who was engaged in
raising an American Legion in the service of His Majesty. He directed
one of his aides to write to Arnold, by Champe, stating who he was, and
what he had said about the disposition of the army to follow his
example, which, being soon done, the letter was given to the orderly
attending on Champe, to he presented with the deserter to General
Arnold. Arnold expressed much satisfaction on hearing from Champe the
manner of his escape and the effect of Arnold's example, and concluded
his numerous inquiries by assigning quarters to the Sergeant – the same
as were occupied by his recruiting Sergeants.
He also
proposed to Champe to join his Legion, telling him he would give him
the same station he had held in the rebel service and promising further
advancement when merited. Expressing his wish to retire from war, and
his conviction of the certainty of his being hung if ever taken by the
rebels, he begged to be excused from enlistment, assuring the General
that should he change his mind, he would certainly accept his offer.
Retiring to his quarters, Champe now turned his attention to the
delivery of his letters, which he could not effect until the next
night, and then to only one of the two incogniti to whom he was
recommended. This man received the Sergeant with extreme attention and,
having read the letter, assured Champe that he might rely on his
faithful co-operation in everything in his power consistent with his
safety, to guard which required the utmost prudence and circumspection.
The sole object in which the aid of this individual was required
regarded the General and others of our army implicated in the
information sent to Washington by him. To this object Charnpe urged his
attention, assuring him of the solicitude it had excited and telling
him that its speedy investigation had induced the General to send him
to New York. Promising to enter upon it with zeal, and engaging to send
out Champe's letters to Major Lee, he fixed the time and place for
their next meeting, when they separated.
Lee made
known to the General what had been transmitted to him by Champe and
received in answer directions to press Champe to the expeditious
conclusion of his mission, as the fate of Andre would be soon decided,
when little or no delay could be admitted in executing whatever
sentence the court might decree. The same messenger who brought
Champe's letter returned with the ordered communication. Five days had
nearly elapsed after reaching New York before Champe saw the confidant
to whom only the attempts against Arnold were to be intrusted. This
person entered with promptitude into the design, promising his cordial
assistance. To procure a proper associate for Champe was the first
object, and this he promised to do with all possible dispatch.
Furnishing a conveyance to Lee. we again heard from Champe, who stated
what I have related, with the additional intelligence that he had that
morning (the last of September) been appointed one of Arnold's
recruiting sergeants, having enlisted the day before with Arnold, and
that he was induced to take this afflicting step for the purpose of
securing uninterrupted ingress and egress to the house which the
General occupied, it being indispensable to a speedy conclusion of the
difficult enterprise, which the information which he had just received
had so forcibly urged. He added that the difficulties in his way were
numerous and stubborn, and that his prospect of success was by no means
cheering. With respect to the additional treason, he asserted that he
had every reason to believe that it was groundless, that the report
took its rise in the enemy's camp and that he hoped soon to clear up
that matter satisfactorily. The pleasure which the last part of this
communication afforded was damped by the tidings it imparted respecting
Arnold, as on his speedy delivery depended Andre's relief. The
interposition of Sir Henry Clinton, who was extremely anxious to save
his aide-de-camp. still continued, and it was expected the examination
of witnesses and the defense of the prisoner would protract the
decision of the Court of Inquiry. now assembled, and give sufficient
time for the consummation of the project committed to p Champe. A
complete disappointment took place from a quarter unforeseen and
unexpected.
e The honorable and accomplished
Andre, knowing his guilt, disdained defense, and prevented the
examination of witnesses by confessing the character in which he stood.
On the next day (the 2nd of October), the court again assembled, when
every doubt that could possibly arise in the case having been removed
by the previous confession, Andre was declared to be a spy and
condemned to suffer accordingly. The sentence was executed on the
subsequent day in the usual form, the Commander-in-Chief deeming it
improper to interpose any delay. In this decision he was warranted by
the very unpromising intelligence received from Champe – by the still
existing implication of other officers in Arnold's conspiracy, by a due
regard to public opinion, and by real tenderness to the condemned.
Neither Congress or the Nation could
have been with propriety informed of the cause of the delay, and
without such information it must have excited in both alarm and
suspicion. Andre himself could not have been entrusted with the secret
and would consequently have attributed the unlooked event to the
expostulation and exertion of Sir Henry Clinton, which would not fail
to produce in his breast expectations of ultimate relief, to excite
which would have been cruel, as the realization of such expectation
depended upon a possible but improbable contingency. The fate of Andre,
hastened by himself, deprived the enterprise committed to Champe of a
feature which had been highly prized by its projector, and which had
very much engaged the heart of the individual chosen to execute it.
Washington ordered Major Lee to
communicate what had passed to the Sergeant, with directions to
encourage him to prosecute with unrelaxed vigor the remaining objects
of his instructions, but to intermit haste on the execution only as far
as was compatible with final success. This was accordingly done by the
first opportunity. Champe deplored the sad necessity which had occurred
and candidly confessed that the hope of enabling Washington to save the
life of Andre (who had been the subject of universal commiseration in
the American camp) greatly contributed to remove the serious
difficulties which opposed his acceding to the proposition when first
propounded.
Some
documents accompanied this communication, tending to prove the
innocence of the accused General; they were completely satisfactory and
did credit to the discrimination, zeal and diligence of the Sergeant.
Lee enclosed them immediately to the Commander-in-Chief, who was
pleased to express the satisfaction he derived from the information and
to order the Major to wait upon him the next day, when the whole
subject was re-examined and the distrust heretofore entertained of the
accused was forever dismissed. Nothing now remained to be done but the
seizure and safe delivery of Arnold. To this subject Champe gave his
undivided attention, and on the 19th of October Major Lee received from
him a very particular account of the progress he had made, with the
outlines of his plan. This was without delay submitted to Washington
with a request for a few additional guineas. The General's letter,
written on the same day (29th of October) evinces his, attention to the
minutia of business as we as his immutable determination to possess
Arnold alive or not at This was his original injunction, which he never
omitted to enfo upon every proper occasion. Major Lee had an
opportunity in the course of the week of writing to Champe, when he had
told him that the rewards that he had promised to his associates would
certainly be paid on the delivery of Arnold, and in the meantime these
small sums of money would be furnished for casual expenses it being
deemed improper that lie should appear with much lest it might lead to
suspicion and detection. That five guineas were no sent and that more
would follow when absolutely necessary.
Ten days
elapsed before Champe brought his measures to conclusion, when Lee
received from him his final communication; appointing the third
subsequent night for a party of dragoons to meet him at Hoboken, when
he hoped to deliver Arnold to the officer. Champe had from his
enlistment into the American Legion (Arnold's corps) every opportunity
he could wish to attend to the habits of the General. He discovered
that it was his custom to return home about twelve every night, and
that previous to going to bed he always visited the garden. During this
visit the conspirators were to seize him and being prepared with a gag
intended to have applied the same instantly.
Adjoining the
house in which Arnold resided, and that in which it was designed to
seize and gag him, Champe had taken of several of the palings and
replaced them so that with care and without noise he could readily open
his way to the adjoining alley. Into this alley he meant to have
conveyed his prisoner, aided by his companion, one of two associates
who had been introduced by the friend to whom Champe had originally
been made known by letter from the Commander-in-Chief, and with whose
aid and counsel he had so far conducted the enterprise. His other
associate was with the boat at one of the wharves on the Hudson River
to receive the party. Champe and his friend intended to have placed
themselves each under Arnold's shoulder and to have thus borne him
through he most unfrequented alleys and streets to the boat,
representing Arnold, in case of being questioned, as a drunken soldier
whom they were conveying to the guard-house. When arrived at the boat
the difficulties would be all surmounted, there being no danger nor
obstacle in passing to the Jersey shore.
These
particulars, as soon as known to Lee, were communicated to the
Commander-in-Chief, who was highly gratified with all. he much desired
intelligence. He directed Major Lee to meet Champe and to take care
that Arnold should not be hurt. The day arrived and Lee, with a party
of dragoons, left camp late in he evening with three led horses, one
for Arnold, one for the sergeant and the third for his associates.
never doubting the success of the enterprise, from the tenor of the
last received communication. The party reached Hoboken about midnight,
where they were concealed in the adjoining wood, Lee with three
dragoons stationing himself near the river shore. Hour after hour
passed, no boat approached. At length the day broke and the Major
retired proceeded to headquarters to inform the General of the
disappointment, as mortifying as inexplicable. Washington, having
perused his party and with his led horses returned to camp, when he
Champe's plan and communication, had indulged the presumption that at
length the object of his keen and constant pursuit was sure of
execution and did not dissemble the joy such conviction produced. He
was chagrined at the issue and apprehended that his faithful Sergeant
must have been detected in the last scene of his tedious and difficult
enterprise. In a few days Lee received an anonymous letter from
Champe's patron and friend, informing him that on the day previous to
the night fixed for the execution of the plot, Arnold had removed his
quarters to another part of the town to superintend the embarkation of
troops, preparing (as was rumored) it an expedition to be directed by
himself, and that the American Legion, consisting chiefly of deserters,
had been transferred from their barracks to one of the transports, it
being apprehended that if left on shore until the expedition was ready,
many of them might desert. Thus it happened that John Champe, instead
of crossing the Hudson that night, was safely deposited on board one of
the fleet of transports from whence he never departed until the troops
under Arnold landed in Virginia. Nor was he able to escape from the
British army until after the junction of Lord Cornwallis at Petersburg,
when he deserted and, proceeding high up into Virginia, he passed into
North Carolina near the Saura towns and, keeping in the friendly
districts of that state, safely joined the army soon after it had
passed the Congaree in pursuit of Lord Rawdon. His appearance excited
supreme surprise among his former comrades, which was not a little
increased when they saw the cordial reception he met with from
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee. His whole story soon became known to the corps,
which reproduced the love and respect of officer and soldier,
heightened by universal admiration of his daring and arduous attempt.
Champe was introduced to General
Greene, who cheerfully complied with the promises made by the
Commander-in-Chief so far as in his power; and having provided the
Sergeant with a good horse, and money for his journey, sent him to
General Washington, who munificently anticipated every desire of the
Sergeant and presented him with a discharge from further service, lest
he might in the vicissitudes of war fall into the enemy's hands, when,
if recognized, he was sure to die on a gibbet.
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