Part 16

I cannot conclude without informing you of an event which has happened here, which will strike you with astonishment and indignation:--Major General Arnold has gone to the enemy. He had had an interview with Major André, Adjutant General of the British Army, and had put into his possession a state of the army of the garrison at this post, of the number of men considered as necessary for the defense of it, a return of the ordinance, and the disposition of the artillery corps, in case of an alarm. By a most providential interposition, Major André was taken in returning to New York, with all the papers in General Arnold’s hand writing; who, hearing of the matter, kept it to himself, left his quarters immediately, under pretext of going over to West Point, on Monday forenoon, about an hour before my arrival; then pushed down the river in the barge, which was not discovered until I had returned from West Point in the afternoon, and when I received the first information of Mr. André’s capture. Measures were instantly taken to apprehend him, but, before the officer sent for the purpose could reach Verplanck’s Point he had passed it with a flag, and got on board the Vulture ship of war, which lay a few miles below. He knew of my approach, and that I was visiting, with the Marquis, the north and middle redoubts; and from the circumstances was so straightened in point of time, that I believe he carried with him but very few, if any, material papers; tho he has very precise knowledge of the affairs of the post. The gentlemen of General Arnold’s family I have the greatest reason to believe, were not privy in the least degree to the measures he was carrying on, or to his excape.

GO. WASHINGTON.

Nathaniel Green’s letter is addressed to Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth at Hartford, and reads: “I think I have not written you since the late desertion of Arnold. Was you ever more astonished in your life? A man high in reputation, and with the fairest prospects of domestic happiness. The love of parade and the thirst for gold has proved his ruin. How black, how despised, loved by none, and hated by all. Once his Country’s Idol now her horror. Curse on his folly nay his villainy and most of all his meanness. The latter has been displayed in such dirty colours in his transactions at this post, as has not been equaled in the history of man. All kind of private and public robery has he pursued, and accompanied it, with such circumstances of littleness as shows him to be the basest of mortals. I freely confess I had no conception notwithstanding the converse I have had with mankind, that it was possible for human nature to arrive at such a degree of corruption. The discovery has been very providential. Had these Posts fallen into the Enemies’ hand God knows what might have been the consequence. But I think little short of the entire subjection of America. What a triumph to British pride; and what a downfall to American glory. Poor Congress what would have become of you?”

_Benedict Arnold_

We know that his mother’s maiden name was Hannah Waterman, and that she married first Absalom King, of Long Island, and then, after his death, on November 8th, 1733, she married Benedict Arnold and that Benedict, the traitor, was born on January 3d, 1740, new style Jan. 14, 1741; and that he had a sister Hannah, born Dec. 9th, 1742. We also know that while yet a lad he was apprenticed to a druggist in Norwich and that another lad likewise apprenticed was Hopkins. Arnold when only sixteen enlisted in a regiment and went off to Hartford but at his mother’s earnest solicitation he was sent back; only to run away again and enlist in a regiment stationed in the vicinity of Ticonderoga. He soon deserted and returned to his home and business and after serving his apprenticeship started in the drug business for himself in New Haven. This for awhile prospered and later failed. We know that before the war, in 1767, he was married at New Haven to a lady by the name of Margaret Mansfield. They had three sons, Benedict, Richard and Henry. This lady probably died in 1775. We know that during the war, in April, 1779, he was married to the youngest daughter of Edward Shippen of Philadelphia, Pa. Margaret, or as she was more frequently called, Peggy Shippen, a girl under nineteen in 1779. We know they went to England before the close of the war and Benedict Arnold was in England in 1786 and part of 1787. We do not know if he was married again after the war, but we know that a lady calling herself Mrs. Arnold arrived in Massachusetts on January 3, 1796. She came in the ship _Outram_ from London 56 days out. With her was her daughter Elizabeth Arnold, then nine years old. A man showed them marked attention during the voyage and after they had been some time settled in Boston Mrs. Arnold announced that she had married this individual, who was Charles Tubbs, before leaving England. Mrs. Tubbs and her daughter Betty or Elizabeth Arnold became stage favorites and in 1802 the daughter Elizabeth Arnold, then fifteen years old, married C. D. Hopkins, and they continued to take prominent parts on the stage until his death, which occurred on October 26th, 1805. Meanwhile David Poe, the son of David Poe of Baltimore, Maryland, had fallen desperately in love with Betty Arnold Hopkins. Her husband’s sudden death enabled them to marry and in July 1806 Mr. and Mrs. Poe appeared together at the Vauxhall Garden Theatre in New York. In January, 1809, they were together, filling an engagement on the Boston stage, assisted by John Howard Payne, the immortal author of Home, Sweet Home, when on the 19th of the month Edgar Poe was born. What became of his Arnold grandmother may always remain a mystery. She may have died in Philadelphia in 1798 after which date she was never heard of, but wherever she reposes, with her is probably buried for all time that question one might like to solve. Was her child, as some affirm, the daughter of Benedict Arnold? If this Betty Arnold was his daughter then our immortal poet Edgar Allan Poe was a grandson of the arch traitor, Benedict Arnold.

FOOTNOTES to “EYEWITNESSES EXPLAIN ANDRÉ’S CAPTURE”:

[48] Bancroft, vol. 10, p. 388 says: When they had delivered André to Col. Jameson they “went their way not asking a reward for their services or leaving their names.” John Jameson practically confirms this in the letter he wrote to General Washington at the time. In full it reads:

NORTH CASTLE, Sept. 27th, 1780.

This will be delivered you by John Paulding, one of the young men that took Major André and who nobly refused any sum of money that he should demand. The other two young men that were in company with him are not yet found; as soon as they arrive they shall be sent on. I have just seen L. Kennecut. He thinks it will be impossible for him to go below again; he begs your instruction and assistance; almost all his furniture, clothes and money are below. Some of the slanderers from above have stole his horses which makes him very poor; he has gone down between the lines to try to get out some of his things and to give notice to some people that have assisted him in his business.

I should take it as a particular favour if you would use your influence with Governor Clinton to have some board appointed to enquire into and determine the horrid practice of plundering that is carried on in this part of the country. I have no doubt but that the plunderers above and below are connected. If some proper board could be appointed or the commanding officer on the lines vested with proper authority from Governor Clinton many petty villains near the lines may be detected I make no doubt who hold a correspondence with DeLancey’s Cow Boys. I am very sorry that I wrote to G-- Arnold. I did not think of a British Ship being up the River and expected that if he was the man he has since turned out to be that he would come down to the troops in this quarter in which case I should have secured him. (I mentioned my intention to Major Tallmadge and some other of the field officers all of which were clearly of opinion that it would be right) until I could hear from your Excellency. The Queens Rangers I am informed marched from Oyster Bay last Saturday for Kingsbridge, the 17th on Sunday and some others ordered to hold themselves in readiness. Two British Officers went on board the Vulture just above Tarrytown they were out in the country cloathed in mean ragged country cloaths and at the river side changed them for fine laced regimentals. Some gentleman came out from Kingsbridge about a fortnight ago with a handkerchief full of gold; changed his clothes for an old sack coat and pushed up the North River. I am with regard and esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedient and very humble servant

JOHN JAMESON.

[49] Paulding died in 1818, and in 1827 the Corporation of the City of New York placed a monument over his grave in the old cemetery just north of Peekskill, reciting, “The Corporation of the City of New York erected this tomb as a Memorial Sacred to Public Gratitude.” Van Wart died in 1828, and in the Greenburgh church-yard the citizens of this county erected a memorial in “Testimony of his virtuous and patriotic conduct.” Williams died in Livingstonville, in Schoharie County, in 1831, and was buried with military honors. In 1876 the State erected a monument, and his remains were re-interred in the old stone fort at Schoharie Court House. On the spot where André was captured the young men of Westchester County, in 1853, built a cenotaph in honor of his captors.

[50] Jameson addressed another letter to headquarters on the very day of André’s execution. It is dated from Northcastle, New Purchase, Oct. 2nd, 1780, and reads:

“_Sir_, I have just received information that about six thousand men are embarked and embarking, some say they are destined for Rhode-Island, some for Pennsylvania, and others that they are going to Philadelphia. It is said that all the Pennsylvania refugees are to go on board the fleet. It is also said that part of their Cavalry are to go. The man I wrote to you about in my last letter, is up in this neighborhood. He tells me that he has been informed that most of the people that were friends to America in New York are confined. He is very desirous to move his family from the lines, but says that he is not able. A party of the inhabitants and some of my men have killed two of DeLancey’s men and three prisoners. One of the prisoners was so badly wounded that he was left on Parole. The inhabitants are very desirous to have the prisoners exchanged for some men of their own company that are prisoners now in the sugar-house. I am with esteem, Your Excellency’s most obedient, and very humble servant.

“JOHN JAMESON.”

[51] Colonel Richard Varick was born in New Jersey, on March 25, 1753. Making law his profession, he entered the office of John Morin Scott, in New York City, with whom he served his law apprenticeship in 1772, 1773 and 1774, and who from friendship and personal confidence embarked him in professional business as soon as he attained the years of maturity and responsibility. The Revolutionary troubles coming on, he took up his sword, being appointed sixth Captain of McDougall’s regiment on June 28, 1775. A day or two later, July 1, Schuyler made him his Private Secretary, and when the General resigned in 1776, Congress appointed Varick, September 26, Deputy Muster Master General of the Northern Department, giving him the rank, November 7, of Lieutenant-Colonel. This office he held until January 12, 1780, when all the mustering officers of the department were discharged. Varick was then on the point of retiring to civil life, when he received Arnold’s invitation to become his Secretary. Nor was he long off duty after the traitor’s family was broken up, as he favorably impressed the Commander-in-Chief, who appointed him Recording Secretary under resolution of Congress in the spring of 1781, for the purpose of arranging his military correspondence for preservation; and this office he retained to the close of the war. Resuming his law practice in 1784, Varick rose to influence, became Recorder of the city, Attorney-General of the State, and finally Mayor, which office he held for twelve years, from 1789 to 1800. His death occurred July 30, 1831. He left a widow, formerly Miss Maria Roosevelt, of New York, who survived him a number of years. They had no children. The above, written by H. P. Johnston, will be found on p. 733 of the Magazine of American History, November 1882, copied from the original papers, then in possession of the Mercantile Library, New York City.

[52] The name of Mrs. Arnold’s baby, born that fall, was Edward Shippen Arnold. He died Dec. 15, 1813.

AFTERMATH

None were more shocked at the news of André’s execution than the Townsend family. Robert in particular feared that his friends among the British officers might betray him in retaliation. He considered it necessary to visit personally every one in his employ. Meanwhile, his store in New York was closed for nearly three weeks and upon the day of his return entries were made of over £500 in cash that had been given to sundry persons. In a letter dated from Bedford, October 11, 1778,[53] Major Tallmadge writes:

“The conduct of Arnold, since his arrival at N. Y. has been such, that though he knows not a single link in the chain of my correspondence, still those who have assisted us in this way, are at present too apprehensive of Danger to give their immediate usual intelligence. I hope as the tumult subsides matters will go on in their old channels.

“Culper, Junr. has requested an interview with me on Long Island on the 13th inst, but in the present situation of affairs I believe it would be rather imprudent. What makes it peculiarly so at this time is the swarm of Refugee Boats which cruise along the shore of Long Island. I have wrote Culper, Junr. assuring him that his name or character are not even known by any officer but myself in the army, tho should your Excellency wish to have me meet Culper, Junr. I will appoint an interview at any time, with great Regard Regard[54]

Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient sert.

“BENJ. TALLMADGE.”

In reply to this General Washington wrote:

“_Dear Sir_, I recd. your favr. of the 11th, with C. Senior’s enclosed. I think you were right in declining an interview at this time, as the enemy would act with more than common rigor just now should an officer be taken under circumstances the least suspicious--I should be exceedingly glad to hear from C. Junior, because all my accounts from other quarters are very defective as to the number of troops to be embarked, or, indeed, whether an embarkation is seriously in contemplation. The last account was of the 13th, and it was then said the expedition was delayed for some purpose or other.”

General Washington supplements this justifiable praise with the following paragraph which will be found in a letter to the Congress (No. 20645):

“Unluckily, the person in whom I have the greatest confidence is afraid to take any measures for communicating with me just at this time, as he is apprehensive that Arnold may possibly have some knowledge of the connection and may have him watched.”

Townsend, meanwhile, in a letter addressed to John Bolton, Esq., replied to two he had received from Major Tallmadge, as follows:

“729. 462. 20th, 1780

“_Sir_, Yours of the 30th of Sept. & 6th of October are now before me. In answer to the first, W-s assurances are as much as I could expect. When I conclude to open another route you shall be informed of it. I do not choose that the person you mention, or any other of his character, should call on me.

“I am happy to think that Arnold does not know my name. However, no person has been taken up on his information. I was not much surprised at his conduct, for it was no more than I expected of him. Genl. Clinton has introduced him to the General officers on parade as General Arnold in the British service, and he is much caressed by General Robinson. This will tend to gloss his character with the venal part of the enemy, but the independent part must hold him in contempt; and his name will stink to eternity with the generous of all parties.

“I never felt more sensibly for the death of a person whom I knew only by sight, and had heard converse, than I did for Major André. He was a most amiable character. General Clinton was inconsolable for some days; and the army in general and inhabitants were much exasperated, and think that General Washington must have been destitute of feeling, or he would have saved him. I believe General Washington felt sincerely for him, and would have saved him if it could have been done with propriety.

“The long time I have been out of town prevents my giving you any information of consequence. The army which embarked last week are generally supposed intended to make a diversion in Virginia or Cape Fear in North Carolina, to favour Lord Cornwallis--They take but few horses, but a number of saddles with an intention to mount a number of dismounted dragoons who are going with them. The Cork and English fleets are, I expect, arrived by this. I hope and expect that all my letters are destroyed after they are perused. I am yours &c.

“SAMUEL CULPER JUNIOR.”

Culper Senior enclosed one of his in the above,(129) in which he says: “C. Junr. is now with me.... I was in hopes you might have come and seen him.” Major Tallmadge forwarded these to General Washington on October 17th, and in a note of his own(130) says: “As circumstances have since turned out I wish I had met C. Junr. as mentioned in my last to Your Excellency.”

* * * * *

Again on October 23d, Major Tallmadge wrote to General Washington, saying that he was obliged to attend Colonel Sheldon’s trial that day at West Point, and expected to be detained some time. Nevertheless he would give attention to the Culper messages.

* * * * *

The momentary retirement of Townsend, Woodhull’s fear to remain in the city, and request that Tallmadge undertake the expedition that terminated in the capture of Fort St. George, are features of the next letter from Culper Senior, dated October 26, 1780. In full, as translated, it reads:

“_Dear Sir._ Your favour of the ee instant came to hand, and observe the contents. Your desire to have a shorter conveyance opened hath been repeatedly urged from time to time. I have this day returned from New York, and am sorry to informe you that the present commotions and watchfullness of the Enemy at New York hath resolved C. Jur. for the present to quit writing and retire into the country for a time.--Most certainly the enemy are very severe, and the spirits of our friends very low. I did not think myself safe there a moment, and as nothing is like to be done about New York, perhaps it may not be much disadvantage to drop it for a time, and if need requires C. Junr. will undertake again, and in the interum if anything in

## particular is wanted to be known, shall be ready to serve and

faithfully transmit what I may know. The enemy’s Fleet left the Hook on the 17--and very probable this moment are landed in Virginia. They were in case of a separation to rendezvous in Hampton Roads. Another embarcation is thought will take place soon, accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton, and is thought will proceed to reinforce Lord Cornwallis. The sum of their intention is you may depend, to exert their whole force against the Southern Provinces. The Militia together with their ships and about four thousand regular Troops are to defend New York this winter. The English fleet consisted of about fifty sail the better half merchantmen. The best information that can be collected says the recruits do not exceed twenty five hundred men with one general officer. They have had a short passage and are not very sickly. A Cork fleet is daily expected, and the enemy are in fears about them. Should they not arrive it would ruin them and the inhabitants of Long Island. The French have taken twenty six sail of outward bound East and West Indiamen, five of them were bound to the East Indies. The 17th Dragoons in about five days will be at Musqueto Cove, handy to take some of the gentlemen. They are now at Cedar Swamp--The enemy are foraging in these parts, with a very small guard of Militia Troops. I yesterday saw a guard of 17 men following one hundred and five Brigade Wagons. Most certainly they will be this way in three or four days, and expect they will go to South Hampton. Yourself with fifty men might do as you would with them. They are much off their guard. I think if you undertake and call on me you will do something handsome. Arnold is about to publish an address to his County Men, which am fearful may do you much harm, assuring all officers and men countenance and protection, that may come in, and have the same rank in the British service as they have now in your army. Thus sir, have communicated as much as possibly could--and in the mean time Remain your most obed. Humbl. Servt.

“SAML. CULPER.”

The saddest letter in the correspondence comes next. Some of those friends of their country were captured by the British in New York. Culper transmits the information to John Bolton in the following letter:

“SETAUKET, November 12th, 1780