Elsie on the Hudson Part 8

"Washington was surprised, but his suspicions were not aroused. So Arnold got command of that post with all its dependencies; that is, including everything from Peekskill to Kings Ferry. His instructions were dated at Peekskill on the 3d of August, 1780. He went at once to the Highlands and established his quarters at Colonel Robinson's house.

"At this time Arnold had been in correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton for eighteen months. Both wrote over fict.i.tious names, and Clinton did not know who his correspondent was; at least, for a great part of the time he was ignorant of his name and character, the letters pa.s.sing through the hands of Major Andre. During the previous winter Arnold had had some connection with a British spy--Lieutenant Hele--in Philadelphia, where he had been sent with a pretended flag of truce in a vessel afterward wrecked in the Delaware, when he--Hele--was made prisoner by Congress."

"I think there was something known of Arnold's plot in England at that time; was there not, captain?" asked Mr. Leland.

"Yes," replied Captain Raymond; "and great hopes were built upon it long before it was to take place. Some of the officers who returned to England in 1780 were often heard to declare that it was all over with the rebels; that they were about to receive an irreparable blow the news of which would soon arrive. But they had no more to say on the subject after the account was received of the plot and the discovery of the traitor. To resume: Arnold wrote his letters in a disguised hand and ambiguous style, affixing to them the feigned signature of 'Gustavus.' Andre signed his 'John Anderson.'"

"He wasn't so bad a man as Arnold, was he, uncle?" asked Eric.

"I think not, by any means," replied Captain Raymond. "He was a fine young man who enjoyed the unbounded confidence of Sir Henry Clinton.

He had been an aide-de-camp of the commander-in-chief, and was now adjutant-general of the British Army.

"Before Arnold's trial by a court-martial Clinton had come to the belief that he was his correspondent. That trial made him seem of less value; but when he got command of West Point his traitorous advances to his country's foes a.s.sumed increased importance. So their plans were made. Clinton was to send a strong force up the Hudson at the moment when the combined American and French forces should make an expected movement against New York. That last was one of Washington's plans which Arnold had revealed to the British general. It was thought that West Point would be the repository of the ammunition and other stores of the allied armies. It was reported that the French were to land on Long Island, and from there march against New York, while Washington would approach it from the north with the main army of the Americans; and the plan of the enemy was to send up the river at that precise time a flotilla bearing a strong land force. When they reached West Point, Arnold was to surrender to them under pretence of a weak garrison.

"With the view of carrying out that plan, the British troops were so posted that they could be put in motion on very short notice, while vessels, properly manned, were kept in readiness on the Hudson.

"But now Clinton felt it necessary to make certain of the ident.i.ty of his correspondent; so he proposed a personal conference, and Arnold insisted that Major Andre should be the one sent. Clinton had already fixed upon Andre as the most suitable person to whom to intrust that important mission, and so sent him. I do not know that Andre went unwillingly, but he did not seek the service, though once engaged in it he did his best.

"The love of money seems to have been Arnold's greatest temptation to the treachery of which he was guilty. His first plan was to have the interview with Andre at his own quarters in the Highlands, Andre to be represented as a person entirely devoted to the American cause and possessing ample means for gaining intelligence from the enemy. As secret agents were frequently employed to procure intelligence, this was safe ground to go upon. He sent a letter to Andre telling him of this arrangement, and a.s.suring him that if he could make his way safely to the American outpost above White Plains, he would find no difficulty after that.

"On the east side of the Hudson at that time was a detachment of cavalry under the command of Colonel Sheldon, who had his headquarters, with a part of his detachment, at Salem. Arnold gave him notice that he was expecting a person from New York whom he was to meet at his quarters for the purpose of making important arrangements for obtaining early intelligence from the enemy. Also he asked Sheldon to send him word to the Robinson House when this stranger arrived.

"But the arrangement was distasteful to Andre, who had no disposition to act as a spy. He therefore wrote a letter to Colonel Sheldon, knowing that it would be put into Arnold's hands. He proposed a meeting with Arnold at Dobbs Ferry, upon the Neutral Ground, on the next Monday, the 11th instant.

"That letter puzzled Colonel Sheldon, because he had never before heard the name of John Anderson, or anything from Arnold about expecting an escort. But he supposed it was from the person expected by the general, therefore enclosed it to him, writing at the same time that he himself was not well enough to go to Dobbs Ferry, and hoped that he would meet Anderson there himself. It was somewhat difficult for Arnold to explain matters to Sheldon so that his suspicions should not be excited, but he seems to have been skilful in deception, and managed to do so. He left his quarters on the 10th, went down the river in his barge to King's Ferry, and pa.s.sed the night at the house of Joshua Hett Smith, near Haverstraw."

"That Smith was a traitor too, was he not, captain?" asked Evelyn.

"Probably; though there is a difference of opinion on that point; he acted a part in the work of treason, but was perhaps only Arnold's dupe. Early the next morning Arnold proceeded toward Dobbs Ferry, where Andre and Colonel Robinson were waiting to meet him, but as he drew near he was fired upon and closely pursued by the British gunboats. That, of course, made it necessary to defer the conference.

"Having gone down the river openly, Arnold thought it necessary to make some explanation to Washington, so wrote him a letter in which he mentioned several important matters connected with his command at West Point and incidentally referred to having come down the river to establish signals as near the enemy's lines as possible, that he might receive prompt notice of any fleet or troops coming up the Hudson.

"This letter was dated at Dobbs Ferry, September 11th, and that night he returned to his quarters at the Robinson House. He desired to have his interview with Andre as speedily as possible, because he knew that Washington was going to Hartford to hold a conference with the newly arrived French officers, and that the best time to carry out his plans for betraying his country would be in the absence of the commander-in-chief. And as Washington would cross the Hudson at King's Ferry, it was very necessary that until his departure no movement should be made that might excite his suspicion.

"Two days after Arnold had returned to his quarters he wrote again to Andre telling him that a person would meet him on the west side of Dobbs Ferry on Wednesday, the 20th inst., and conduct him to a place of safety where the writer would meet him. 'It will be necessary,' he added, 'for you to be in disguise. I cannot be more explicit at present. Meet me if possible. You may rest a.s.sured that if there is no danger in pa.s.sing your lines, you will be perfectly safe where I propose a meeting.'

"Arnold also wrote to Major Tallmadge, at North Castle, instructing him that if a person named John Anderson should arrive at his station, to send him on without delay to headquarters under the escort of two dragoons.

"The house in which Arnold was living at that time had been the property of Colonel Robinson, but was confiscated because he had become a Tory. The two had been corresponding for some time under the pretence that Robinson was trying to recover the property through Arnold. Sir Henry Clinton had sent Robinson up the river on board the _Vulture_ with orders to proceed as high as Teller's Point. It is probable that Robinson knew all about Arnold's treasonable plans and purposes. He now wrote a letter to General Putnam asking for an interview with him on the subject of his property, and, pretending that he did not know where Putnam was, he enclosed his letter to him in one addressed to Arnold, requesting him to hand the enclosed to Putnam, or, if that officer had gone away, to return it by the bearer, adding 'In case General Putnam should be absent, I am persuaded, from the humane and generous character you bear, that you will grant me the favor asked.'

"The _Vulture_ was then lying six miles below Verplanck's Point, and the letters were sent to the Point under a flag of truce. Arnold went down to that point some hours before Washington was to arrive there on his way to Hartford, and received and read Colonel Robinson's letter.

Arnold took Washington and his suite across the river in his barge and accompanied them to Peekskill. He laid Robinson's letter before Washington and asked his advice. Washington replied that the civil authority alone could act in the matter, and he did not approve of a personal interview with Robinson. Arnold's frankness in all this effectually prevented any suspicion of his integrity as commandant of West Point.

"After receiving Washington's opinion in regard to the matter Arnold dared not meet Robinson; but he wrote to him, and in that letter told him that on the night of the 20th he should send a person on board of the _Vulture_ who would be furnished with a boat and a flag of truce, and in the postscript he added, 'I expect General Washington to lodge here on Sunday next, and I will lay before him any matter you may wish to communicate.' It was an ingenious and safe way of informing the enemy just when the commander-in-chief would return from Hartford."

"That looked as though he wanted to put Washington in peril," said Lucilla.

"I think it did," said her father. "That letter was sent to Sir Henry Clinton, and the next morning Andre went to Dobbs Ferry. Clinton had given him positive instructions not to change his dress, not to go into the American lines, not to receive papers, or in any other way act the character of a spy.

"It was expected that Arnold would visit the _Vulture_ and there hold his interview with Andre. But Arnold had arranged a plan which would be safer for himself, though a greater risk for Andre.

"About two miles below Stony Point lived a man named Joshua Hett Smith, who had been employed by General Robert Howe, when in command of West Point, to procure intelligence from New York. Which--as Howe was a loyal American officer--would seem to be good reason for supposing that Smith was esteemed a patriotic citizen. Lossing tells us that Smith occupied a respectable station in society, and could command more valuable aid in the business in question than any other person. Arnold went to him and told him he wanted his services in bringing within the American lines a person of consequence with valuable intelligence from New York. It would seem that Arnold had resolved not to adventure himself on the British ship, but to have Andre take the risk of coming on sh.o.r.e that they might hold their contemplated interview. Arnold seems to have expected it to prove a protracted interview, and arranged with Smith to have it take place partly in his house. Therefore Smith took his family to Fishkill to visit friends, and on his return trip stopped at the Robinson house and with Arnold arranged the plan for getting Andre on sh.o.r.e for the desired interview.

"Arnold gave Smith the usual pa.s.s for a flag of truce, and an order on Major Kierse at Stony Point to furnish him with a boat whenever he should want one, and he directed Smith to go to the _Vulture_ the next night and bring ash.o.r.e the person who was expected to be there.

"Smith did not succeed in getting such a.s.sistance as he needed in boatmen, so failed to visit the _Vulture_ at the appointed time. He sent a messenger to Arnold with a letter telling of his failure. The messenger rode all night and reached the Robinson House at dawn.

"Having received the message, Arnold went down the river to Verplanck's Point and from there to Smith's.

"At the Point, Colonel Livingston handed him a letter just received from Captain Sutherland of the _Vulture_. It was a complaint that some one of the Americans had violated the rules of war--showing a flag of truce on Teller's Point, and when in response a boat with another flag was sent off, as soon as it neared the sh.o.r.e it was fired upon by some armed men who were concealed in the bushes.

"The letter was signed by Sutherland, but was in the handwriting of Andre. Arnold at once understood that the sight of that handwriting was meant to inform him that Andre was on board of the vessel, and, perceiving that, he set to work making arrangements to bring him ash.o.r.e. He ordered a skiff to be sent to a certain place in Haverstraw Creek, then went to Smith's house. They soon had everything ready except the boatmen to row the skiff. Samuel and Joseph Colquhon were asked to serve, but refused until Arnold threatened them with punishment, when they yielded.

"It was near midnight when at last they pushed off from the sh.o.r.e, and so still that not a leaf stirred in the forests, and there was not a ripple on the water. When they neared the ship they were hailed by the sentinel on its deck. Smith gave some explanation of their errand, and after some rough words was allowed to go on board. He found Captain Sutherland and Beverly Robinson in the cabin. He had a missive for the latter from Arnold, but though addressed to Robinson its contents were evidently meant for Andre--inviting him to come ash.o.r.e and a.s.suring him of safety in so doing. Robinson understood it and, I presume, explained it to Andre. Two pa.s.ses signed by Arnold, which Smith brought, made still plainer Arnold's wish that Andre should come ash.o.r.e. Andre yielded and went with Smith, who landed him at the foot of a great hill called Long Clove Mountain, about two miles below Haverstraw, on the western side of the river.

"This was the place Arnold had set for the meeting with Andre, and he was there hidden in the bushes. Smith took Andre to him, then left them alone together, and for the first time they heard each the other's voice. They were plotting the utter ruin of this land, and the darkness and gloom of the place seemed to suit the nature of the wicked work. They had not finished their conference when Smith returned to give warning that dawn approached and it would be dangerous for them to linger longer. Smith's house was four miles away. Arnold proposed that they should go there to finish their talk, offering Andre a horse which he called his servant's, though it is altogether probable it had been brought there for this purpose. Andre reluctantly complied with the request. He did not know that he was within the American lines until he heard the voice of a sentinel near the village of Haverstraw. His uniform was concealed by a long blue surtout, but he knew that he was in real danger because he was within the enemy's lines without a flag or pa.s.s. At dawn they reached Smith's house, and at the same moment heard the sound of a cannonade on the river. It was in the direction of the _Vulture_."

"Fired by the Americans, papa, or by the British?" asked Elsie.

"The Americans," replied her father. "It was an attack upon the British ship _Vulture_. Colonel Livingston had heard that she lay so near the sh.o.r.e as to be within cannon shot and had conceived the idea of destroying her, and during the night had sent a party with cannon from Verplanck's Point; and at dawn, from Teller's Point, they opened fire upon the _Vulture_; so severe a one that the vessel's crew raised her anchor and moved down the river.

"Colonel Livingston had asked Arnold for two pieces of heavy cannon for the purpose of destroying the _Vulture_, but on some slight pretence Arnold refused, and Livingston's detachment could bring only one four-pounder to bear upon her.

"Colonel Lamb of West Point furnished the ammunition--but grudgingly, saying that firing at a ship with a four-pounder was, in his opinion, a waste of powder. As Lossing remarks, he little thought what an important bearing that cannonade was to have upon the destinies of America. It drove the _Vulture_ from her moorings, and was one of the causes of the fatal detention of Andre at Smith's house. The _Vulture_ was so seriously damaged that had she not got off with the flood tide she would have had to surrender to the Americans. Andre was anxious and troubled at sight of her retreat, but when the firing ceased his spirits revived. He and Arnold went on arranging their plot, and settled upon the day when it should be consummated.

"Andre was to go back to New York; the British vessels, carrying troops, were to be ready to come up the river at a moment's notice, and Arnold was to weaken the post at West Point by sending out detachments among the mountain gorges under the pretence of meeting the enemy, as they advanced, at a distance from the works; and that the river might be left free for the pa.s.sage of the British vessels a link from the great chain at Const.i.tution Island was to be removed. So the enemy could take possession with very little resistance.

"Also Arnold supplied Andre with papers explaining the military condition of West Point and its dependencies, asking him to place them between his stockings and his feet, and in case of accident to destroy them. He also gave him a pa.s.s; then bade him adieu and went up the river in his barge; probably feeling greatly satisfied with the thought that he had at last fully succeeded in carrying out his wicked scheme to betray his country.

"Andre remained where he was until evening, then asked Smith to take him back to the _Vulture_. Smith refused, saying he was not well--had the ague. Probably, though, it had been caused by the firing upon the _Vulture_, as he was willing to go with Andre if he would take the land route.

"To that Andre finally consented, as he had no other means of reaching the vessel. Arnold had persuaded him that in case of taking a land route he would better exchange his military coat for a citizen's dress, and that he did. Both that and the receiving of papers were contrary to the orders of Sir Henry Clinton; but Andre felt obliged to be governed by the unforeseen circ.u.mstances in which he was now placed. He and Smith started on the short journey together, Smith promising to conduct him as far as the lower outposts of the American line.

"A little before sunset, on the evening of September 22d, they crossed King's Ferry, accompanied by a negro servant, and at dusk pa.s.sed through the works at Verplanck's Point and turned toward White Plains.

They had gone as far as Crompond, a little village about eight miles from Verplanck's Point, when they were hailed by a sentinel who belonged to a party under Captain Boyd. That officer asked the travellers many searching questions, and would not be satisfied that all was right until they showed him Arnold's pa.s.s. He had a light brought and examined the pa.s.s, and, seeing that it was genuine, he gave them permission to go on, after he had apologized for his doubts of them and given them a friendly warning of danger from the Cowboys in the neighborhood. He advised them on that account to travel no farther till morning; but Smith said their business was urgent and they must make haste to reach White Plains.

"At that the captain went on to speak very strongly of the dangers of the way, till he so aroused the fears of Smith that he was disposed to tarry where they were for the rest of the night. Andre was not so inclined, and it was some time before Smith could induce him to stay and take lodging in a near-by cottage.

"They occupied the same bed, and Smith afterward told that it was a weary and restless night for Andre. They left their bed at dawn and again started upon their journey. As they neared Pine's Bridge, Smith a.s.sured Andre that they were beyond patrolling parties, and Andre at once shook off his depression and talked gaily, discoursing upon arts, literature, poetry, and the common topics of the day. Near Pine's Bridge they separated; Smith went to Fishkill, stopping at the Robinson House on his way to tell Arnold the particulars of his little journey with Andre and where he had left him.

"Smith and others had advised Andre not to take the Tarrytown road because of the many Cowboys in that neighborhood, but Andre, considering them his friends, disregarded the advice, and, in consequence, met his sad fate."

"It was a pity for him, but a good thing for our country," remarked Lucilla.

"Yes," her father said. "On that very morning a little band of seven volunteers went out near Tarrytown to prevent cattle from being driven to New York, and to arrest any suspicious characters who might be travelling that way. A man named John Yerks proposed the expedition the day before, and enlisted several others to take part in the enterprise. They reached Tarrytown early on the day Andre did. Four of them agreed to watch the road from a hill above, while Paulding, Van Wart, and David Williams were to conceal themselves in the bushes beside the stream and near the post road.

"Eleven days after that, at the trial of Smith, Paulding and Williams told the story of their capture of Andre. Paulding testified that he, Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams were lying by the side of the road about half a mile above Tarrytown and fifteen miles above Kingsbridge, between nine and ten o'clock on Sat.u.r.day morning, the 23d of September. That they had lain there about an hour and a half, as nearly as he could recollect, and had seen several persons with whom they were acquainted and whom they let pa.s.s. Presently one of the young men with him said, 'There comes a gentlemanlike-looking man who appears to be well dressed and has boots on. You'd better step out and stop him, if you don't know him.'

"Paulding went on to say that on that he got up, presented his firelock at the breast of the traveler, told him to stand, and then asked him which way he was going. 'Gentlemen,' said Andre, 'I hope you belong to our party.' Paulding asked him what party. He answered, 'The lower party.' Paulding said he did; then Andre said, 'I am a British officer, out in the country on particular business, and I hope you will not detain me a minute.' Then, to show that he was a British officer, he drew out his watch. Upon that Paulding told him to dismount. 'I must do anything to get along,' he said, and made a kind of laugh of it, and pulled out General Arnold's pa.s.s, which was to John Anderson, to pa.s.s all guards to White Plains and below. Upon that he dismounted, and said, 'Gentlemen, you had best let me go, or you will bring yourselves into trouble, for your stopping me will detain the general's business'; and he said he was going to Dobbs Ferry to meet a person there and get intelligence for General Arnold.