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By DANIEL VAN WINKLE
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
ONE of the most notable occurrences of the Revolutionary
period, and yet probably the least widely known, was the
pretended desertion from the American army of Sergeant John
Champe, and in connection therewith his attempted capture of
Benedict Arnold. The story of Arnold's treachery is too well
known to need repetition at this time, but it may be of interest to
sketch briefly the then existing conditions. Washington's headquarters were at Tappan, on the New Jersey side of the Hudson,
about opposite Dobbs Ferry. He had for some time contemplated
an attack upon New York City with the assistance of the French
fleet then at Newport, and in order to carry out his design, he
found it necessary to consult with the French officers at Hartford.
The withdrawal of the French fleet disconcerted the plan of attack,
and Washington determined to return to his headquarters at
Tappan, and "en route" to examine the defenses along the Hudson,
visiting West Point, then under the command of General Arnold,
who had established his headquarters a little below West Point,
on the eastern side of the river, in what was commonly known as
the Robinson House. From this place the treasonable correspondence with Major Andre was carried on under assumed names.
Washington's baggage was forwarded to this place, with
notice that he and his escort would breakfast with General Arnold
the next morning. On nearing Arnold's headquarters at that time,
he ordered his aide-de-campes to continue, as proposed, with
apologies for his delay, as he would examine the defenses along
the river bank before breakfasting.
Meanwhile, the capture of Andre had been effected and treasonable papers found upon his person. Only the combination of
several unexpected events prevented the execution of Arnold's
designs. In the first place, the vessel that had brought Andre to the
conference with Arnold for the final arrangements for the carrying
out of his purpose, was driven down the river by the fire of the
American batteries, thus compelling Andre's return by the land
route, and causing him to travel through a territory that was beset
with American scouts, as well as with marauders who were indifferent as to which side they despoiled. Hence the capture of
Andre was made easy. As he was nearing his place of destination
and had so far escaped molestation of any sort, his spirits lightened
with the near prospect of complete safety. When near Dobbs
landing he was suddenly halted and challenged. Being deceived
by the appearance of his questioner – who had just been deprived
of his own garments through a forcible exchange for the ragged
refugee garb of his captor, he declared himself to be a British
officer. He soon discovered his mistake, and his captors, closely
examining his person, discovered incriminating papers concealed in
his boots. He then pleaded for his release, submitting the following
pass: "Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White
Plains or below, if he chooses, he being on Public business by my
direction," signed, "B. Arnold, M. Gen'l," at the same time offering
any reward his captors might name for his release. The offer was
indignantly spurned, and he was told "that if he would give 10,000
guineas, he should not stir one step."
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