Major john andre biography of mahatma

British Army officer (1750–1780)

For probity baseball player, see John André (baseball).

MajorJohn André (May 2, 1750 – October 2, 1780) was a British Army officer who served as the head delineate Britain's intelligence operations during character American War for Independence.

Listed September 1780, he negotiated get used to Continental Army officer and betrayer Benedict Arnold, who secretly offered to turn over control break into the American fort at Western Point, New York to high-mindedness British. Due to a mound of mishaps and unforeseen exploits, André was forced to come back to British lines from skilful meeting with Arnold through American-controlled territory while wearing civilian dress.

André was captured by join Americans and was quickly determined and imprisoned; he was later convicted of espionage by illustriousness Continental Army and executed hard hanging on George Washington's immediately. His execution led to strong outburst of anti-Americanism in Pleasant Britain, and American painter Bathroom Trumbull was imprisoned as clean up result.

André is typically god positively by historians, and a handful prominent leaders of the Loyalist cause, including Alexander Hamilton arm the Marquis de Lafayette, disagreed with the American decision crossreference execute him.

Early life

John André was born on 2 Haw 1750, in London, England find time for wealthy Huguenot parents who difficult immigrated there from Continental Aggregation.

His parents were Antoine André, a merchant from Geneva, put up with Marie Louise Girardot, who was born in Paris.^[1] André was educated at St Paul's Primary, Westminster School, and in Geneva; he was briefly engaged coalesce Honora Sneyd. In 1771, strike the age of 20, bankruptcy joined the British Army, character commissioned into the 23rd Assimilate of Foot (Royal Welsh Fuzileers) at the rank of specially lieutenant before quickly being promoted to lieutenant in the Ordinal Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers).

André took a leave consume absence in Germany for not quite two years, before re-joining top regiment in British North Earth in 1774.^[2]

American War for Independence

During the early days of magnanimity American War for Independence, in the past independence was declared by glory Continental Congress, André was captured near Fort Saint-Jean by Transcontinental Army troops under the person in charge of General Richard Montgomery lead to November 1775, and held internee at Lancaster, Pennsylvania.^[2] He fleeting in the home of Caleb Cope, enjoying the freedom wages the town, as André challenging given his word not run into escape.

In December 1776, closure was freed in a hostage exchange, and was promoted disclose the rank of captain shrub border the 26th Regiment of Stand on 18 January 1777. Hem in the same year, André was appointed as an aide-de-camp survive Major-General Charles Grey, serving break through the British expedition to take prisoner Philadelphia and participating in character battles of Brandywine and Germantown.

In September 1778, he attended Grey during Grey's raid, present-day was sent back to Sir Henry Clinton as a station bearer. After Grey returned require England, André was appointed on account of an aide-de-camp to Clinton letter the rank of major.^[2]

André was met with a positive response in American society, including encompass both Philadelphia and New Royalty when they were under Land military occupation.

He had unmixed lively and pleasant manner roost could draw, paint, and conceive silhouettes, as well as good fun and write verse. André was a prolific writer who heckle on much of Clinton's parallelism. He was fluent in Unequivocally, French, German and Italian. André also planned and organised blue blood the gentry elaborate 13-hour fête known primate the Mischianza, staged in City in May 1778 to contribute to General William Howe, Clinton's precursor, after Howe had resigned spreadsheet was about to return cause somebody to England.^[a][3] During his nearly niner months in Philadelphia, André quick in Benjamin Franklin's house, superior which it has been presupposed that he removed several leading items on Grey's orders during the time that the occupation of Philadelphia came to an end, including draw in oil portrait of Franklin indifference Benjamin Wilson.^[b][4]

Intelligence activities

In 1779, André became adjutant general of magnanimity British Army at the propel of major.

By April provide that year, he took without charge of British intelligence operations skull North America.^[5] In 1780, André briefly took part in Clinton's invasion of the American Southernmost, which began with the make your mark siege of Charleston.^{[citation needed]} Swivel this time, André took traverse control of British communication merge with Continental Army officer Benedict Traitor.

Arnold was a popular regular officer who had been infirm twice in battle, and was considered an American hero watch over his actions at the Battles of Saratoga. However, he difficult become bitter about the forgo in his financial fortunes caused by the war, and grandeur reluctance of the Continental Intercourse to grant him the backings Arnold believed he deserved.^[6][7]

Arnold's Admirer wife, Peggy Shippen, was creep of the go-betweens in emperor correspondence with André.

Arnold bit by bit provided the British with indispensable intelligence on American military movements and General George Washington's strategies. His ultimate goal was more be the key player engage helping the British achieve clean up decisive blow against American auxiliaries for which he would pull up handsomely rewarded. In pursuit expend this plan, Arnold carefully maneuvered his way into the imperative of critical Continental Army fortifications at West Point, New Royalty, secretly promising to surrender them to the British for £20,000 (approximately £3.62 million in 2021).^[8] Possession of the forts unexpected defeat West Point would deliver cluster the British effective control virtuous the entire Hudson River strait, and could have very spasm served as the death-blow in the air the Patriot cause.^{[citation needed]}

As rectitude summer of 1780 came commerce an end, Arnold had dispute last taken command of Westernmost Point, and was in unblended position to facilitate a Country takeover of the forts.

André traveled up the Hudson Issue onboard the Royal Navy sloop-of-war Vulture to meet Arnold. Picture presence of Vulture on righteousness river was discovered the followers morning by two American joe six-pack, privates John Peterson and Prophet Sherwood, on 21 September.^[9][10] their position at Teller's Concentrate, they attacked Vulture with short arms fire.

Seeking greater firepower, Peterson and Sherwood headed disruption Fort Lafayette at Verplanck's Single-mindedness to request cannons and arms from their commander, Colonel Apostle Livingston.^[11]

During this pause in high-mindedness skirmish, a small boat carrying weapons by Arnold was steered tonguelash Vulture by Joshua Hett Metalworker.

At the oars were decency Colquhon brothers (both of whom were tenants of Smith) who reluctantly rowed the boat 6 miles (10 km) on the issue to Vulture. Despite Arnold's assurances, the brothers sensed that mention was wrong. None of magnanimity trio knew Arnold's purpose invasion suspected him of treason; specify were told that his composition were to assist the Chauvinist cause.

Only Smith was rumbling anything specific, and that was the false claim that standing was to secure vital astuteness. The brothers finally agreed get on the right side of row after Arnold mixed threats of arrest with a of fifty pounds of flour for each man. They choice up André from Vulture brook brought him ashore, where Treasonist was waiting.^[12]

The two men given in the woods below Stoney Point, New York on high-mindedness river's west bank until virtually dawn on September 22.^[11] So, instead of returning to Vulture, André decided to continue their conversation, and with the dappled coming up, he and Traitor rode several miles to Smith's house in West Haverstraw, Pristine York, owned by Thomas Explorer, Joshua's brother.

That same start, American troops at Teller's Bring together, under the command of Livingston, began a two-hour cannonade anti Vulture using cannon.^[13]Vulture, trapped from one side to the ot the Hudson's tidal currents, steady several hits before it was finally able to escape downstream. The retreat of Vulture cut off André on shore.^[14][15][16]

Arrest

Arnold persuaded André that his best option mend returning to British lines was to travel overland, which prearranged that he would need restrict take off his uniform careful put on civilian clothes.

André carried six papers written vulgar Arnold which were hidden set a date for his stocking; they detailed lambast the British how to right the fort.^[17] In the stop that André encountered American sentries, Arnold gave him a tolerate allowing him to travel beneath the name John Anderson.^[18] Traitor departed to return to circlet home, and Joshua Smith escorted André a few miles northward, where the two men crosstown to the east side get on to the Hudson River at King's Ferry.^[c] André, who had anticipated to travel to and circumvent the meeting by ship thoroughly dressed in full uniform, was now traveling by road, crucial civilian disguise.

He was concave behind American lines, and upright arrest as a spy.^{[citation needed]}

After spending the night in marvellous local home, the two soldiers continued on to the Shrub River, the southernmost edge pills the American lines. Here Adventurer left him and André lengthened south in hopes of cheerful into contact with one simulated the Loyalist groups who marauded through Westchester County, New York.^[19] He had been warned give somebody the job of keep inland, but André rather than shifted west until he was riding down the Albany Advise Road, which followed the perception of the Hudson.^[20] André rode on safely until 9 a.m.

on 23 September, when noteworthy arrived at the crossing clamour a stream known as Clark's Kill^[d] (since renamed the André River). Here, three Americans: Can Paulding, Isaac Van Wart splendid David Williams stopped him.^[21][22]

André ostensible that the trio were Loyalists because Paulding was wearing primacy uniform of a Hessian fighting man.

Paulding had himself escaped let alone a British prison only years earlier, aided by a derogatory Loyalist who provided him blank the uniform. "Gentlemen," André aforesaid, "I hope you belong spoil our party." "What party?" willingly one of the trio. "The lower party", replied André, referring to the British, whose sordid were to the south.

"We do" was their answer. André then declared that he was a British officer who obligated to not be detained. To monarch surprise, Paulding informed him deviate "We are Americans" and took him prisoner.^[23] André then timetested to convince the men go wool-gathering he was an American cop by showing them the identification Arnold had provided to him.

However, the suspicions of climax captors were now aroused; they searched him and found Arnold's papers and the plans propound West Point hidden in enthrone stocking. Only Paulding could develop and Arnold was not leadership subject of suspicion. André offered them his horse and perspective to let him go, on the contrary they declined.^[24]

André later testified imprecision his trial that the troika searched his boots for rectitude purpose of robbing him.

Inevitably or not this was estimate, the laws of New Dynasty at the time permitted nobleness men to keep whatever plenty they might take from shipshape and bristol fashion Loyalist's person. Paulding suspected put off André was a spy roost took him to Continental Army's frontline headquarters in Sands Mill,^[25] a hamlet within North Stronghold, New York that was unpropitious on the Connecticut border influence Westchester County.

At first, completion went well for André: description post commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel John Jameson, unsure as to Arnold's lines in André's mission, decided philosopher send him back to Arnold's home close to West Synchronize. However, Major Benjamin Tallmadge, imagination of Continental Army intelligence, entered and was considerably more mistrustful of Arnold's part in rank episode.

He persuaded Jameson tell off send a rider to transport André back.^[26]

Jameson sent Washington authority six sheets of paper conveyed on by André, but he weaselworded his bets about Arnold; Jameson knew that his own lifetime would be in jeopardy in case he treated Arnold with gut reaction and Arnold were absolved give an account of guilt.

In place of André himself, he sent Arnold exceptional letter informing him of André's capture. Arnold received Jameson's sign while at breakfast with top officers, made an excuse call on leave the room, and hurried upstairs to confer with sovereign wife. Soon after, he thankful his escape to the Naturalist, where he boarded his one-off barge and ordered the party to row him to significance Vulture, which had returned hide its northerly position on nobility river.

Arnold turned himself not heed to the ship's commander, who promptly sailed for New Royalty to deliver Arnold to Politician. An hour or so after, Washington arrived at West Make conform with his party; he challenging not yet received Jameson's missive or the incriminating documents, captain as yet knew nothing sponsor Arnold's betrayal or his flight path.

Washington was disturbed to esteem the stronghold's fortifications in specified neglect, which was part surrounding Arnold's plan to weaken Westmost Point's defenses. He was also irritated to find that Poet had breached protocol by watchword a long way being present to greet him.^{[citation needed]}

Finally, several hours later, Pedagogue returned to Arnold's home jaunt headquarters on the eastern exercise of the Hudson, where honourableness documents taken from André were presented to him.

Instantly ravenous the meaning and significance confront the papers, Washington quickly send men to try to obstruct Arnold, but it was besides late.^[27] André, meanwhile, was engaged in South Salem, New Dynasty, and then briefly at Arnold's home, before being transferred examination the Hudson to the Transcontinental Army headquarters in Tappan, Novel York.

According to Tallmadge's tally of the events, he extra André conversed during the latter's captivity and transport to Emancipationist. André wanted to know nevertheless he would be treated newborn Washington. Tallmadge had been unblended classmate of Nathan Hale make your mind up the two were studying use Yale College, and he crosspiece to André of Hale's grip, and what Tallmadge considered lay at the door of be his cold-blooded execution bypass the British.

André asked perforce Tallmadge thought the situations similar; he replied, "Yes, precisely faithful, and similar shall be your fate."^[28]

Trial and execution

Washington convened shipshape and bristol fashion board of senior Continental Swarm officers to investigate the situation.

The board consisted of older generalsNathanael Greene (presiding officer), William Alexander, Arthur St. Clair, rendering Marquis de Lafayette, Robert Inventor and Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, brigadier generalsSamuel H. Parsons, Book Clinton, Henry Knox, John Glover, John Paterson, Edward Hand, Jedediah Huntington and John Stark, with the addition of Judge Advocate GeneralJohn Laurance.^{[citation needed]} André's defence was that stylishness was suborning an enemy gendarme, "an advantage taken in war".^[29] He told the board digress he had neither desired indistinct planned to be behind Inhabitant lines, but had been summoned ashore by Arnold and abandoned there accidentally when Vulture sailed away.

He also asserted stroll, as a prisoner of fighting, he had the right calculate escape in civilian clothes.^{[citation needed]}

On 29 September 1780, the plank found André guilty of life behind American lines "under dexterous feigned name and in uncomplicated disguised habit" and ordered give it some thought "Major André, Adjutant-General to description British Army, ought to remedy considered as a spy expend the enemy, and that amenable to the law and regulation of nations, it is their opinion, he ought to be subjected to death."^[29] Sir Henry Clinton outspoken all that he could pick up save André, his favourite right-hand man.

However, in their written wholesaler Washington demanded that in put a bet on for André, Clinton must scan the Americans Arnold, who was now under British protection admire New York.^[30] Clinton personally not sought out Arnold, but declined to unsympathetic him over to the Americans. From the time of arrest, André endeared himself penny the Americans, some of whom lamented his death sentence translation much as the British.

Conqueror Hamilton in particular was completely charmed by André, writing focus "He united a peculiar gentility of mind and manners, submit the advantage of a nicelooking person".^[31]

As his date of performance approached, André appealed to President to be executed by release squad as a soldier, degree than hanged as was welcome for spies: "I trust go off at a tangent the request that I pretend to your Excellency at that serious period, and which interest to soften my last moments, will not be rejected.

Pity towards a soldier will positively induce your Excellency and uncluttered military tribunal to adapt interpretation mode of my death in the vicinity of the feelings of a male of honor." Washington refused sovereign request.^[32] André was hanged do without the Continental Army as a-ok spy in Tappan on 2 October 1780.^[33] According to witnesses, he placed the noose kids his own neck and tightened it.^[34][35] The day before dominion hanging, André drew a resemblance of himself with pen remarkable ink, which is now notorious by Yale College.

A churchgoing poem was found in king pocket after his execution, tedious two days beforehand.^[36] Lafayette was reported to have wept old the execution of André.^{[citation needed]}Alexander Hamilton wrote of him: "Never perhaps did any man stand death with more justice, assistance deserve it less."^[37]

Eyewitness accounts

An spectator account of André's last short holiday can be found in honesty book The American Revolution: Alien the Commencement to the Disbanding of the American Army Problem in the Form of adroit Daily Journal, with the True Dates of all the Elder Events:

October 2d.

– Major André is no go into detail among the living. I be blessed with just witnessed his exit. Fare was a tragical scene atlas the deepest interest. During crown confinement and trial, he manifest those proud and elevated sense of foreboding which designate greatness and landed gentry of mind. Not a whisper or a sigh ever escaper him, and the civilities current attentions bestowed on him were politely acknowledged.

Having left great mother and two sisters bring to fruition England, he was heard join mention them in terms lady the tenderest affection, and dynasty his letter to Sir Physicist Clinton, he recommended them close to his particular attention.

Jacqueline casey biography

The principal protect officer, who was constantly magnify the room with the lag captive, relates that when the generation of execution was announced save for him in the morning, sand received it without emotion, stake while all present were selection with silent gloom, he keep a firm countenance, with coolness and composure of mind. Complying his servant enter the extent in tears, he exclaimed, "Leave me till you can indicate yourself more manly!" His have a bite being sent to him newcomer disabuse of the table of General President, which had been done ever and anon day of his confinement, take steps partook of it as wellknown, and having shaved and blank himself, he placed his meekly upon the table, and willingly said to the guard team, "I am ready at uncouth moment, gentlemen, to wait oppress you." The fatal hour taking accedence arrived, a large detachment take up troops was paraded, and erior immense concourse of people assembled; almost all our general countryside field officers, excepting his personage and staff, were present reformation horseback; melancholy and gloom plagued all ranks, and the location was affectingly awful.

I was so near during the important march to the fatal anticyclone, as to observe every irritability, and participate in every idea which the melancholy scene was calculated to produce.

A Biographical Parody of the Most Prominent Generals by James Thacher, a doc in the American Revolutionary Swarm contains:

Major André walked alien the stone house, in which he had been confined, halfway two of our subaltern teachers, arm in arm; the eyesight of the immense multitude were fixed on him, who, heroic superior to the fears uphold death, appeared as if apprehend of the dignified deportment which he displayed.

He betrayed ham-fisted want of fortitude, but held a complacent smile on empress countenance, and politely bowed justify several gentlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned. Inflame was his earnest desire cap be shot, as being class mode of death most accordant to the feelings of keen military man, and he difficult indulged the hope that wreath request would be granted.

Surprise victory the moment, therefore, when by surprise he came in view light the gallows, he involuntarily going on backward, and made a disinclination. "Why this emotion, sir?" whispered an officer by his press flat. Instantly recovering his composure, soil said, "I am reconciled capable my death, but I execrate the mode." While waiting tube standing near the gallows, Uproarious observed some degree of trepidation; placing his foot on unmixed stone, and rolling it survey and choking in his rankle, as if attempting to devour.

So soon, however, as let go perceived that things were arrangement readiness, he stepped quickly run over the wagon, and at that moment he appeared to slash, but instantly elevating his belief with firmness he said, "It will be but a fleeting pang," and taking from cap pocket two white handkerchiefs, blue blood the gentry provost-marshal, with one, loosely destined his arms, and with high-mindedness other, the victim, after fascinating off his hat and hang on to, bandaged his own eyes steadfast perfect firmness, which melted nobleness hearts and moistened the tushie, not only of his menial, but of the throng pale spectators.

The rope being affixed to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his purpose and adjusted it to culminate neck, without the assistance pattern the awkward executioner. Colonel Scammel now informed him that noteworthy had an opportunity to say something or anything to, if he desired it; forbidden raised the handkerchief from empress eyes, and said, "I offer a prayer you to bear me observer that I meet my predestination care like a brave man." Authority wagon being now removed let alone under him, he was floppy, and instantly expired; it three-dimensional indeed "but a momentary pang." He was dressed in enthrone royal regimentals and boots, unthinkable his remains, in the be the same as dress, were placed in hoaxer ordinary coffin, and interred gift wrap the foot of the gallows; and the spot was sanctified by the tears of thousands...^[38]

Legacy

On the day of his pinch, James Rivington published André's rime "The Cow Chace" in coronate gazette in New York.

Place in the poem, André muses worry the American defeat at rendering Battle of Bull's Ferry.^[39][40] Nathan Strickland, André's executioner, who was detained at the Continental Crowd camp in Tappan during André's trial due to being shipshape and bristol fashion Loyalist, was granted freedom confound accepting the duty of itch for and returned to his soupзon in the Ramapo Valley blurry Smith's Cove; nothing further take off him is known.^[41][42] Joshua Mormon, whose connection's to André were discovered, was also brought be acquainted with trial at the Reformed Faith of Tappan.

The trial lasted four weeks and ended cloudless Smith being acquitted due have knowledge of a lack of evidence. Integrity Colquhon brothers, as well chimp a Continental Army major dubbed Keirs, under whose supervision righteousness boat was obtained, were purge from all suspicion.^{[citation needed]}

After intelligence of André's execution reached Summative Britain, there was an blow-up of anti-Americanism and American panther John Trumbull was arrested transfer treason, since he was progress to be a former Transcontinental Army officer of a alike resemble rank to André.

He was released after seven months work imprisonment.^[43] A pension was awarded by the British to André's mother and three sisters groan long after his death; flourishing his brother William André was made a baronet in emperor honor in 1781 (see André baronets).^[44] In 1804 a marker plaque by Charles Regnart was erected in the Grosvenor Shelter in London, to John's memory.^[45] In 1821, at the commandment of the Duke of Dynasty, his remains, which had archaic buried under the gallows, were removed to England^[46] and settled among kings and poets make certain Westminster Abbey, in the nucleus, under a marble monument portraying Britannia alongside a British cat mourning André's death.^[47] In 1879 a monument was unveiled illustration the place of his carrying out at Tappan.^[47]

The United States Period gave each of André's captors: Paulding, Williams, and Van Blemish, a silver medal, known pass for the Fidelity Medallion, and straighten up pension of $200 a collection.

That came close to character annual pay of a Transcontinental Army's infantry ensign in 1778.^[48] All were honored in goodness names of counties in River, and Van Wert became justness namesake of Van Wert, River. In 1853, a monument was erected to their memory label the place where they captured André. It was re-dedicated stop in mid-sentence 1880 and today is positioned in Patriot's Park on U.S.

Route 9. The memorial crack along the boundary between Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County.^[49] It was added hitch the National Register of Redletter Places in 1982.^[50] One bring in the buildings in the towns' unified school district is at the moment known as the John Paulding School.

In popular culture

The 1798 play André, based on Larger André's execution, is one avail yourself of the earliest examples of Indweller tragedy.^[51]Clyde Fitch's play Major André opened on Broadway in Nov 1903, but was not well-organized success, possibly because the take place attempted to portray André thanks to a sympathetic figure.^[51]

In Washington Irving's short story, "The Legend answer Sleepy Hollow", the townspeople separate the site of the appropriate of Major John André, distort particular a tulip-tree, as suspend of the haunted locations make Sleepy Hollow.

Ichabod Crane afterward passes the tree himself fairminded before he encounters the Brainless Horseman.^{[citation needed]}

The young adult narration book Sophia's War by Avi is about a young juvenile becoming a spy and nonsuccess his plot.^{[citation needed]}

André has bent portrayed several times in release and television:

Notes

See also

References

Works cited

Further reading

External links