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Rochambeau as proper persons. After this he had recourse to threats of retaliation on some people in New-York and Charleston, but he was told that such conversation could neither be heard nor understood. He next urged the release of Andre on motives of humanity, saying, he wished an intercourse of such civilities as might lessen the horrors of war, and cited instances of General Clinton's merciful disposition, adding that Andre possessed a great share of that gentleman's affection and esteem, and that he would be infinitely obliged if he was spared. He offered, that if his earnest wishes were complied with, to engage that any prisoner in their possession, whom General Washington might name, should immediately be set at liberty. But it must be viewed as the height of absurdity that General Robertson should, on this occasion, suffer himself to be the bearer of a letter which the vile traitor had the consummate effrontery to write to General Washington. This insolent letter is filled with threats of retaliation, and the accountability of his Excellency for the torrents of blood that might be spilt if he should order the execution of Major Andre. It should seem impossible that General Robertson could suppose that such insolence would receive any other treatment than utter contempt.

October 2d.-Major Andre is no more among the living. I have just witnessed his exit. It was a tragical scene of the deepest interest. During his confinement and trial, he exhibited those proud and elevated sensibilities which designate greatness and dignity of mind. Not a murmur or a sigh ever escaped him, and the civilities and attentions bestowed on him were politely acknowledged. Having left a mother and two sisters in England, he was heard to mention them in terms of the tenderest affection, and in his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recommends them to his particular attention.

The principal guard officer, who was constantly in the room with the prisoner, relates that when the hour of his execution was announced to him in the morning, he received it without emotion, and while all present where affected with silent gloom, he retained a firm countenance, with calmness and composure of mind. Observing his servant enter the room in tears, he exclaimed, "leave me till you can show yourself more manly." His breakfast being sent to him from the table of General Washington, which had heen done every day of his confinement, he partook of it as usual, and having shaved and dressed himself, he placed his hat on the table, and cheerfully said to the guard officers, "I am ready at any moment, gentlemen, to wait on you." The fatal hour having arrived, a large detachment of troops was paraded, and an immense concourse of people assembled; almost all our general and field officers, excepting his Excellency and his staff, were present on horseback; melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks, and the scene was affectingly awful. I was so near during the solemn march to the fatal spot, as to observe every movement, and participate in every emotion which the melan choly scene was calculated to produce. "Major Andre walked from

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the stone house, in which he had been confined, between two of our subaltern officers, arm in arm; the eyes of the immense multitude were fixed on him, who, rising superior to the fears of death, appeared as if conscious of the dignified deportment which he displayed. He betrayed no want of fortitude, but retained a complacent smile. on his countenance, and politely bowed to several gentlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned. It was his earnest desire to be shot, as being the mode of death most conformable to the feelings of a military man, and he had indulged the hope that his request would be granted. At the moment, therefore, when suddenly he came in view of the gallows, he involuntarily started backward, and made a pause. Why this emotion, sir," said an officer by his side? Instantly recovering his composure, he said, "I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode." While waiting and standing near the gallows, I observed some degree of trepidation; placing his foot on a stone, and roiling it over, and choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow. So soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readiness, he stepped quickly into the waggon, and at this moment he appeared to shrink, but instantly elevating his head with firmness, he said, "It will be but a momentary pang," and taking from his pocket two white handkerchiefs, the provost marshal with one, loosely pinioned his arms, and with the other, the victim, after taking off his hat and stock, bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness, which melted the hearts, and moistened the cheeks, not only of his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his head and adjusted it to his neck, without the assistance of the awkward executioner. Colonel Scammel now informed him that he had un opportunity to speak, if he desired it; he raised the handkerchief from his eyes and said, "I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave man." The waggon being now removed from under him, he was suspended, and instantly expired; it proved indeed" but a momentary pang." He was dressed in his royal regimentals and boots, and his remains, in the same dress, were placed in an ordinary coffin, and interred at the foot of the gallows; and the spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands. Thus died, in the bloom of life, the accomplished Major Andre, the pride of the royal army, and the valued friend of Sir Henry Clinton. He was about twenty-nine years of age, in his person well proportioned, tall, genteel and graceful. His mien respectable and dignified. His countenance mild, expressive and prepossessing, indicative of an intelligent and amiable mind. His talents are said to have been of a superior cast, and being cultivated in early life, he had made very considerable proficiency in literary attainments. Colonel Hamilton, aid de camp to General Washington, having had an interview with him, entertained an exalted opinion of his character. In the line of his profession, Major Andre was considered as a skilful, brave and enterprizing officer, and he is reported to have been benevolent and

humane to our people who have been prisoners in New-York. Military glory was the main spring of his actions, and the sole object of his pursuits, and he was advancing rapidly in the gratification of his ambitious views, till, by a misguided zeal, he became a devoted victim. He enjoyed the confidence and friendship of Sir Henry Clinton, being consulted in his counsels and admitted to the secrets of his cabinet. The heart of sensibility mourns when a life of so much worth is sacrificed on a gibbet. General Washington was called to discharge a duty from which his soul revolted; and it is asserted that his hand could scarcely command his pen, when signing the warrant for the execution of Major Andre. But, however abhorrent in the view of humanity, the laws and usages of war must be obeyed, and in all armies it is decreed, that the gallows shall be the fate of spies from the enemy. It was universally desired that Major Andre should experience every possible favour and indulgence, consistent with his peculiar circumstances, but it was well considered, that should he be indulged in his request to be shot, it would imply that his case admitted of extenuation, and it might be doubted whether in justice he ought to be convicted as a spy.'

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The following anecdotes of Major Andre, are worth preserving in this connexion-the first is given by a Mr. Drewy:

A foraging party from New-York made an inroad into our settlement near that city. The neighbours soon assembled to oppose them; and, though not above fifteen years old, I turned out with my friends. In company was another boy, in age and size nearly about my own speed. We had counted on a fine chase But the British were not to be driven so easily as we had expected. Standing their ground, they not only put us to flight, but captured several of our party; myself and the other boy among them. They presently set out with us for New-York: and, all the way, as we were going, my heart ached to think how my poor mother and sisters would be distressed when night came, and I did not return. Soon as they brought me in sight of the prison, I was struck with horror. The gloomy walls, and frightful guards at the doors, and wretched crowds at the iron windows, together with the thoughts of being locked up there in dark dungeons with disease and death, so overcame me. that I bursted into tears. Instantly a richly dressed officer stepped up, and taking me by the hand, with a look of great tenderness, said, "My dear boy! what makes you cry?" I told him I could not help it when I compared my present sad prospect with the happy one I enjoyed in the morning with my mother and sisters at home. "Well, well, my dear child, (said he) don't cry, don't cry any more." Then turning to the jailor ordered him to stop till he should come back. Though but a boy, yet I was deeply struck with the wonderful difference betwixt this man and the rest around me. He appeared to me like a brother; they like brutes. I asked the jailor who he was. Why, that's Major Andre, said he angrily) the adjutant-general of the army; and you may thank your stars that he saw you; for I suppose he is gone to the gener al to beg you off, as he has done many of your d-d rebel countrymen. In a short time he returned; and with great joy in his countenance called outWell, my boys, I've good news, good news for you! The General has given you to me, to dispose of as I choose; and now you are at liberty! So run home to your fond parents, and be good boys; mind what they tell you: say your pravers; love one another; and God Almighty will bless you.

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Just before his fatal enterprize to west Point, Major Andre, who was a poet

* Thacher's Military Journal, p. 258-75.

published, his Hudibrastic poem, called the "Cow-chase," the object of which was to ridicule some of the American officers, particularly General Wayne. The last verse seems prophetic

"And now I close my epic strain,

I tremble as I shew it,

Lest this same warrio-drover, Wayne,
Should ever catch the Poet."

"In November, Major Talmage crossed the Sound to Long Island with eighty men; made a circuitous march of twenty miles to Fort George, and almost instantly reduced it. He had but one man wounded. Eight of the enemy were killed and wounded, and a lieutenant colonel, a captain, and fifty-five privates, captured.

The British corps and recruits, sent to America and the West Indies this year, amounted to ten thousand two hundred and thirtyseven. By returns on the first of December, the British land forces, serving under General Clinton, amounted to nineteen thousand one hundred and fifty-three; in Canada, three thousand three hundred and eighty-five; in the West-Indies, seven thousand one hundred and thirty; and under the convention of Saratoga, one thousand six hundred and forty-six.

The successes of the British, after the reduction of Savannah and Charlestown, encouraged them to a vigorous invasion of North Carolina. The American army, after its defeat and dispersion on the sixteenth of August, 1780, rendezvoused at Hillsborough; and toward the close of the year advanced to Charlottetown. At this place General Gates transferred the command to General Greene, whom congress had sent to take charge of the southern army. The whole of this army consisted of about two thousand men, more than half of whom were militia. With this inconsiderable body of troops, miserably provided, General Greene took the field against a superior regular force, which had already marched in triumph two hundred miles from the sea-coast. Soon after he took the command, he divided his force, and sent General Morgan with a respectable detachment to the western extremity of South Carolina, and marched with the main body to Hick's Creek, on the north of the Pedee, opposite to Cheraw Hill,

On the entrance of General Morgan into the district of Ninety-Six, Lord Cornwallis, who was far advanced in his preparations for the invasion of North Carolina, found it necessary to drive him from this station, that he might not leave an enemy in his rear. Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton was therefore ordered to proceed with about eleven hundred men, and "push him to the utmost." Tarleton had two field pieces, and a superiority of infantry in the proportion of five to four, and of cavalry the proportion of three to one. With these advantages, he engaged Morgan at the Cowpens, near Pacolet River, on the seventeenth of January, 1781. The attack was begun by the first line of infantry, consisting of the seventh regiment, the infantry of the legion, and corps of light infantry annexed to it; a troop of cavalry was placed on each flank; the first battalion of the seventy

first and the remainder of the cavalry formed the reserve. General Morgan had drawn up his men in two lines. The front line was composed entirely of militia, placed under the command of Colonel Pickens, and was advanced a few yards before the second, with orders to form on the right of the second when forced to retire. Major M'Dowell with a battalion of the North Carolina volunteers, and Major Cunningham with a battalion of Georgia volunteers, were advanced about one hundred and fifty yards in front of this line. The second line consisted of the light infantry, and a corps of Virginia riflemen. The cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel Washington were drawn up at some distance in the rear of the whole. The British, led to the attack by Tarleton himself, advanced with a shout, and poured in an incessant fire of musketry. The militia, though they received the charge with firmness, were soon compelled to fall back into the rear of the second line; and this line, in its turn, after an obstinate conflict, was compelled to retreat to the cavalry. At this juncture, Lieutenant Colonel Washington made a successful charge on Captain Ogilvie, who with about forty dragoons was cutting down the retreating militia; Lieutenant Colonel Howard, almost at the same moment, rallied the continental troops, and charged with fixed bayonets; and the militia instantly followed the example. By these sudden and unexpected charges, the British, who had considered the fate of the day decided, were thrown into confusion, and driven from the ground with great slaughter. Howard and Washington pressed the advantage, which they had respectively gained, until the artillery and a great part of the infantry had surrendered. So sudden was the defeat, that two hundred and fifty horse, which had not been brought into action, fled with precipitation. The first battalion of the seventy-first, and two British light infantry companies, laid down their arms to the American militia. Upward of three hundred of the British were killed or wounded, and above five hundred taken prisoners. Eight hundred muskets, two field pieces, two standards, thirty-five baggage waggons, and one hundred dragoon horses, fell into the hands of the conquerors. Of the Americans, twelve men only were killed, and sixty wounded. Congress, in honour of the good conduct of General Morgan, presented him a gold medal; to Lieutenant Colonels Washington and Howard, medals of silver; and to Colonel Pickens, a sword.

Lord Cornwallis was surprised and mortified, but not dispirited, by intelligence of this disastrous event. With the expectation of retaking the prisoners, and the intention of obliterating the impression made by the late defeat, his lordship instantly determined on the pursuit of Morgan, who had moved off with his prisoners toward Virginia. The movements of the royal army induced General Greene immediately to retreat from Hick's Creek; and, leaving the main army under the command of General Huger, he rode one hundred and fifty miles through the country to join the detachment under General Morgan, that he might be in front of Lord Cornwallis

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