We Remember

THE CAPTURE OF MAJOR ANDRE

In the second installment of our eleven part series, we continue with the history of the Purple Heart’s beginnings during the revolutionary war.

In the late 1700’s, Major John Andre was a spy operating under the direction of one of American History’s famous traitors, Major General Benedict Arnold.  Arnold was made famous through his betrayal, in turning over the U.S. military Post at West Point for cash and a command in the British Army.  Needless to say the word “traitor” is synonymous with Arnold’s name to this day.

Before becoming the famous traitor, Major General Arnold commanded West Point while secretly in collusion with British Intelligence for the purpose of surrendering this American Post to the enemy.  To accomplish this Arnold handed over secret American documents to be delivered by Major Andre into the hands of the British enemy.  

Wearing an American uniform, Major Andre set out on his treacherous mission, travelling through American held territory, with Arnold’s secret documents.  As he entered Tarrytown, New York, he encountered three Revolutionary Privates; Paulding, Williams and Van Wart who found the secret documents hidden in Andre’s boots.  The Privates immediately arrested him and sent him to prison in Tappan, New York on September 29, 1780.

During the trial the Privates were offered $5,000 in bribes, which would equate to 670, 000 in American dollars today.  The Privates held true to their patriotism and testified against the traitor.  Andre was then found guilty of being a traitor “under a feigned name in a disguised habit,” and was subsequently hanged as a spy three days later at the age of 31.

"What do you think would be my fate if my misguided countrymen were to take me prisoner?"                                                                                                  ~Benedict Arnold