The Tragic Tale of Major John André

Calling the tale of British Major John André “tragic” may seem entirely too sympathetic for a man who was working with the traitorous Benedict Arnold to undermine the American war effort; however, even after his capture and execution, many American officers and soldiers were believed to have felt pity for the well-liked gentleman. Alexander Hamilton even wrote in a letter following his hanging, “never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less.”

In fact, André and Arnold’s scheme and its impact on our nascent nation was so great that monuments and memorials were built at sites associated with the two (certainly not to honor the traitorous act, but so we do not forget what happened). Join us as we explore some of those historic sites!

History

Who exactly was the man? Major John André was a British military officer and eventual Adjutant General (chief administrative officer) for the British Army in North America during the American Revolution. He worked directly for General Henry Clinton out of New York City and became the head of British intelligence late in the war.

By 1780, a young John André (he had turned 30 on May 2nd) had been in clandestine talks with American General Benedict Arnold (who was bitter with the Continental Congress over lack of recognition and promotion). The plan was for Benedict Arnold, who was in charge of the crucial military fortification called West Point on the Hudson River, to essentially hand over the fort to the British in exchange for a large sum of money and a commission in the British Army. These talks primarily took place in coded letters until the two infamous men finally met on September 21st, 1780 in American territory.

After being given a map of the West Point defenses, details of one of Washington’s recent war councils, and a pass signed by General Arnold allowing a “Mr. John Anderson” (André’s cover- he would travel in civilian clothing) to pass freely through contested territory, Major André set off on foot for British-held New York. The rest, as they say, is history.

5 Historic Sites – The Final Days of Major André

Today, there are still many locations in the Hudson River region that mark important events associated with the final days of British Major John André. The maps below outline five of these historic sites and a recommended route/order to see them (note that it begins near famous Sleepy Hollow). This tour begins in Tarrytown, New York at Patriot’s Park and ends in Tappan, New York, at the site of Major André’s execution. These five sites include: 1 – Patriot’s Park, 2 – Reformed Church of Tappan, 3 – The Old ’76 House, 4 – The DeWint House, and 5 – Site of Major André’s execution.

1 – Patriot’s Park – Tarrytown, NY

John André’s closing scene began on September 23rd, 1780. As he continued south towards the British lines, the plainly-clad André was confronted by a patrol of three New York militiamen on the road near Tarrytown. Believing he had just encountered men belonging to the British (one of the militiamen was clad in a Hessian coat), André readily admitted that he was a British Officer- what unfolded could not have been worse for Major André.

The militiamen had him remove his boots and quickly noticed that his boot sock was sagging in an odd fashion- they soon discovered the hidden plans for West Point and other sensitive documents. They realized they had captured a spy!

Today, Patriot’s Park in Tarrytown, New York, commemorates the location of this famous moment. The park is known for a beautiful “Captor’s Statue” that was dedicated in the 1850s in memory of the three men who captured André: John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart. The park is also known for its Saturday morning Farmer’s Markets, running from Memorial Day to Thanksgiving (we luckily visited during the last one of the year).

2 – Reformed Church of Tappan

Major John André’s trial took place on September 29, 1780. He was charged with espionage and the board of inquiry was composed of 14 generals from Washington’s Army and led by General Nathanael Greene.

The trial took place at the Dutch Reformed Church, which was built in 1716 (this was the first church built on the site- André’s trial took place in the second church built there). The Reformed Church of Tappan that currently occupies the location was built in 1835.

3 – Old ’76 House/Mabie’s Tavern – Tappan, NY

Known today as the Old ’76 House, the tavern formerly known as Mabie’s Tavern (or possibly Inn, after Yoast Mabie) was built around 1752. In 1780, the ’76 House was used to confine Major André as he awaited trial and his eventual execution.

Although there are claims that George Washington drank there and that he ordered a portrait of Benedict Arnold that hung over the fireplace to be turned upside in shame (which is still like that today), there is no documentation of him ever visiting the tavern. But it did serve as André’s prison and it served as headquarters for General Nathanael Greene at one point.

I stopped in for a quick beer at the bar (which is right next to the original doorway from 1755, which is now inside the tavern) and to look around. The Old ’76 House maintains its colonial charm and has a full drink and food menu. If you are looking to relax by the fireplace with a pint and a good book, this is the place for you.

4 – The DeWint House – Tappan, NY

The colonial-dutch style DeWint House in Tappan, NY is one of the oldest buildings in Rockland County (built in 1700 by Daniel De Clark). In 1746, a man named John DeWint purchased the house and it would have been known as the “DeWint Mansion” during the American Revolution. The house served as the residence of General George Washington on four separate occasions during the war, with perhaps the most important being during the trial of Major John André (he stayed there from September 28 – October 7, 1780). It was in the DeWint House that George Washington reviewed the results of André’s trial, concurred with the guilty verdict, and signed the execution warrant. Additionally, Washington sent meals from his table at the DeWint house to feed André.

The other times Washington stayed at the DeWint House were:

• August 8 – 24, 1780: While inspecting fortifications along the Hudson River
• May 4 – 8, 1783: While negotiating the British withdrawal of New York City with British General Sir Guy Carleton.
• November 11 – 14, 1783: A snowstorm forced Washington to seek refuge in the DeWint House while on his way to visit West Point and ultimately New York City (to resign his post).

Today, the DeWint House is managed by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons on the State of New York (and has been since 1932). The house is free to tour and you can walk right into the house and tour portions of the house on your own.

5 – Major John André Monument – Tappan, NY

Major John André had personally requested of George Washington to be executed by a firing squad, which was befitting of a soldier that was to be put to death; however, Washington fully intended to have André hanged at the gallows as a spy (similar to how school teacher Nathan Hale was hanged by the British as a spy in 1776). Major André was not aware that Washington had denied his request until the moment he sighted the hangman’s noose- imagine his mortification.

In the late afternoon on October 2, 1780, Major André was hanged as a spy in Tappan, NY. Some accounts record that up to a few thousand spectators attended the execution- a remarkable number for the time and location. Those spectators would have witnessed Major André, who donned an immaculate military uniform (sent up from New York per his request), remark his final words: “bear me witness that I meet my fate as a brave man.” After placing the handkerchief over his own eyes, he was hanged until dead and buried in a shallow grave on that spot and rested there for decades.

Today, the execution site is marked by a small stone monument surrounded by a circular fence (placed in 1880 on the 100th anniversary of the execution). Local history says that the monument was defaced numerous times over the years (perhaps by ardent patriots, who even 100 years later, couldn’t imagine commemorating the British spy); however, it also commemorates the “fortitude of Washington and his generals in one of the crises of the American Revolution.”

Oddly, this monument now sits in the middle of a small round-a-bout in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The children running about the street likely do not realize the importance of that “strange” stone sitting in the middle of their street.

Legacy

The story of John André may be considerably less known than that of the legendary traitor Benedict Arnold (he is certainly not a household name); however, their stories and fates are forever intertwined. The discovery of Arnold’s treachery was a complete surprise to Washington, the Continental Congress, and the Army- it reinvigorated the Patriot cause and sent Major André to the gallows as the sacrificial symbol of the disgraceful event. For the remainder of the war, General Washington fiercely desired to capture Arnold for trial and execution as a traitor; however, Arnold escaped, fought for the British, and eventually fled to England after the war where he died in 1801 as a man without a nation. While the name “Benedict Arnold” will forever be synonymous with “traitor,” the story and fate of Major André cannot be forgotten.

Book recommendation: Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick