- For other uses, see: John André (disambiguation). John André may refer to John André, a British spy during the American Revolutionary War John André (baseball, a MLB player
| John André | |
|---|---|
| 2 May 1750 – 2 October 1780 | |
 Major John André |
|
| Place of birth | London, England |
| Place of death | Tappan, New York |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1770 – 1780 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Major John André (May 2, 1750 – October 2, 1780) was a British officer hanged as a spy during the American Revolutionary War. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1750 ( MDCCL) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Tappan is a hamlet (and a Census-designated place) in the Town of Orangetown Rockland County, New York, United States located The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Major is a Military rank the use of which varies according to country Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1750 ( MDCCL) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" This was due to an incident in which he assisted Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York, to the British Army. Benedict Arnold V ( – June 14, 1801) was a General during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental West Point is a federal military reservation (and a Census-designated place) located North of the Village of Highland Falls in Orange County New York
Contents |
Early life
André was born 1750 in London to Huguenot parents, Antoine André (a merchant from Geneva, Switzerland) and Marie Louise Giradot (from Paris, France). The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France (or French Calvinists) from the sixteenth to the eighteenth Geneva (Genève is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French -speaking Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. He entered the British Army at the age of twenty, and moved to North America and joined his regiment, the 23rd Foot, in Canada in 1774 as a lieutenant. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The Royal Welch Fusiliers were a Regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Lieutenant (abbreviated Lt or Lieut) is a Military, Naval, Paramilitary, Fire service, Emergency medical services He was captured at Saint Johns by General Montgomery in November 1775, and held a prisoner at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, until December 1776, when he was exchanged. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a city in the province of Quebec, Canada about southeast of Montreal. Lancaster is a city in the South Central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is the County seat of Lancaster County. He was promoted to captain in 1777, and to major in 1778.
He was a great favourite in society, both in Philadelphia and New York during their occupation by the British Army. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə The City of New York During his nearly nine months in Philadelphia, André occupied Benjamin Franklin's house, where it is said he took items from Franklin's home when the British left Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin ( April 17 1790 was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He had a lively and pleasant manner and could draw and paint and cut silhouette pictures, as well as sing and write verses. A silhouette is a view of some object or scene consisting of the outline and a featureless interior with the silhouette usually being black He was a fluent writer who carried on much of General Clinton's correspondence. He was fluent in English, French, German, and Italian. He also wrote many comic verses. [1]
His capture and execution
In 1779, he became adjutant-general of the British Army with the rank of Major. Major is a Military rank the use of which varies according to country In April, he was placed in charge of the British Secret Intelligence. By the next year (1780) he had begun to plot with American General Benedict Arnold. Benedict Arnold V ( – June 14, 1801) was a General during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental Arnold's Loyalist wife, Peggy Shippen, was a close friend of André from the time of his stay in Philadelphia, and the two courted prior to Shippen's marriage to Arnold; she was probably the go-between. Peggy Shippen, or Margaret Shippen ( July 11 1760 - August 24 1804 or February 14 1836) was the second wife Arnold, who commanded West Point, had agreed to surrender it to the British for £20,000 — a move that would have enabled the British to cut New England off from the rest of the rebellious colonies. History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the
André went up the Hudson River on September 20, 1780, to visit Arnold. The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, the Great Mohegan by the Iroquois, or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a At night, André rowed ashore in a boat from the sloop-of-war Vulture and met Arnold in the woods below Stony Point. Stony Point, shaped like a Triangle, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the Town of Haverstraw Morning came before they had finished talking, and some Americans began to fire on the Vulture. The Vulture was forced to go down the river without André, who met with Arnold on the 21st and 22 September. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians
In order to escape through American lines, André was provided common clothes and a passport by Arnold. André took the name John Anderson. Arnold also gave six papers (written in Arnold's hand) showing the British how the fort could be taken. André hid them in his stocking.
André rode on in safety until 9 A. M. on September 23 when he came near Tarrytown, New York, where three men with guns — John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart and David Williams— stopped him, intending to rob him. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Tarrytown is a village in the Town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York, United States. John Paulding ( October 16, 1758 &ndash February 18, 1818) was a Militiaman from the state of New York during the American Isaac Van Wart (bOctober 251762-May 231828 was a Militiaman from the state of New York during the American Revolution. David Williams ( October 21, 1754 - August 2, 1831) was a Militiaman from the state of New York during the American Revolution
"Gentlemen," said André, who thought they were Tories because one was wearing a Hessian overcoat, "I hope you belong to our party. In the political tradition of some English-speaking countries, the term Tory has referred to a variety of political parties and Creeds since it was " "What party?" asked one of the men. "The lower party," replied André, meaning the British. "We do," was the answer. André then told them he was a British officer who must not be detained, when, to his surprise, they said they were Americans, and that he was their prisoner. He then told them that he was an American officer, and showed them his passport. But the suspicions of his captors were now aroused, and they searched him and found Arnold's papers in his stocking. Only Paulding could read them, and for some time, Arnold was not suspected. André offered them his horse and watch, if they would let him go, but they did not accept the bribe (unusual for the time). André testified at his trial that the men searched his boots for the purpose of robbing him.
The prisoner was at first detained at Sands Mill in Armonk, New York, before being taken to the headquarters of the American Army at Tappan, and was held at The Old '76 House which was not a prison, and has never been a place of incarceration for anyone before or since. Armonk is a census-designated place (CDP located in the town of North Castle in Westchester County New York. Tappan is a hamlet (and a Census-designated place) in the Town of Orangetown Rockland County, New York, United States located The Old '76 House is located on 110 Main St Tappan, New York, just past the village green near the light at the center of town is one of America's oldest taverns General George Washington convened a board of senior officers to investigate the matter. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the The board consisted of Major Generals Nathanael Greene (the presiding officer), Lord Stirling, Arthur St. Clair, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette, Robert Howe, Steuben, Brigadier Generals Samuel H. Parsons, James Clinton, Henry Knox, John Glover, John Paterson, Edward Hand, Jedediah Huntington, John Stark, and Judge-Advocate-General John Laurance. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries Nathanael Greene ( August 7 1742 &ndash June 19, 1786) was a Major general of the Continental Army in the American Lord Stirling redirects here For the title see Earl of Stirling. Arthur St Clair (March 23 1736 August 31 1818 was the ninth President of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation, a general in the Robert Howe (1732 - December 14, 1786) was a Major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben ( September 17, 1730 &ndash November 28, 1794) was a Prussian-German army officer Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. Samuel Holden Parsons ( May 14 1737 &ndash November 17 1789) was an American lawyer jurist and military leader James Clinton ( August 9, 1733 &ndash September 22 1812) was an American Revolutionary War soldier who obtained the rank of Henry Knox ( July 25, 1750 &ndash October 25, 1806) was an American Bookseller from Boston who became the chief John Glover ( November 5, 1732 &ndash January 30, 1797) was an American fisherman merchant and military leader from Marblehead John Paterson sometimes Patterson (1744-1808 was born in New Britain Connecticut and graduated from Yale in 1762 Edward Hand ( December 31, 1744 &ndash September 3, 1802) was a physician farmer congressman and a general officer in the Continental Jedediah Huntington ( 4 August 1743 &ndash 25 September 1818) was an American general in the Continental Army during the John Stark ( August 28, 1728 &ndash May 8, 1822) was a general who served in the American Continental Army during the American Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG, can refer to the judicial arm of any of the United States Armed Forces including the Air Force John Laurance ( 1750 - November 11, 1810) was an American lawyer statesman and speculator from New York. On September 29, 1780, the board found André guilty of being behind American lines "under a feigned name and in a disguised habit", and that "Major André, Adjutant-General to the British army, ought to be considered as a Spy from the enemy, and that agreeable to the law and usage of nations, it is their opinion, he ought to suffer death. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a "[2] Later, Glover was officer of the day at André's execution. Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander in New York, did all he could to save André, but refused to surrender Arnold (who had escaped to British lines upon learning of Andre's capture) in exchange for André even though he despised Arnold and André was his favorite aide. André appealed to George Washington to be executed by firing squad, but by the rules of war he was to be hanged as a spy at Tappan on October 2, 1780. The law of war (also law of armed conflict, LOAC) is Law concerning acceptable practices relating to war Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a This poem, written two days before his execution, was found in his pocket after his execution.
Hail, sovereign love, which first began
The scheme to rescue fallen man!
Hail, matchless, free, eternal grace,
That gave my soul a Hiding Place!
Against the God who built the sky,
I fought with hands uplifted high,
Despised the mention of His grace,
Too proud to seek a Hiding Place.
Enwrapt in thick Egyptian night,
And fond of darkness more than light,
Madly I ran the sinful race,
'Secure' without a Hiding Place.
But thus the eternal counsel ran:
"Almighty love, arrest that man!"
I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding place.
Indignant Justice stood in view.
To Sinai's fiery mount I flew;
But Justice cried, with frowning face:
"This mountain is no hiding place. "
Ere long a heavenly voice I heard,
And Mercy's angel soon appeared;
He led me with a beaming face,
To Jesus, as a Hiding Place.
On Him almighty vengeance fell,
Which must have sunk a world to hell.
He bore it for a sinful race,
And thus became their Hiding Place.
Should sevenfold storms of thunder roll,
And shake this globe from pole to pole,
No thunderbolt shall daunt my face,
For Jesus is my Hiding Place.
A few more setting suns at most,
Shall land me on fair Canaan's coast,
Where I shall sing the song of grace,
And see my glorious Hiding Place.
-Major John Andre
While a prisoner he made himself so dear to all by the sweetness of his character and the charm of his conversation that his sad fate was as much lamented by the American officers as by the British. Alexander Hamilton wrote of him: "Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less. " The day before André's hanging he drew, with pen and ink, a likeness of himself, which is now owned by Yale College. Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887 In fact André, according to witnesses, refused the blindfold and placed the noose around his own neck.
An eyewitness account of the last day of Major Andre can be found in the book THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION From the Commencement to the Disbanding of the American Army Given in the Form of a Daily Journal, with the Exact Dates of all the Important Events; Also, a Biographical Sketch of the Most Prominent Generals. By James Thacher, M. D. , Surgeon in the American Revolutionary Army
"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 recommended them to his particular attention. The principal guard officer, who was constantly in the room with the prisoner, relates that when the hour of execution was announced to him in the morning, he received it without emotion, and while all present were 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 been done every day of his confinement, he partook of it as usual, and having shaved and dressed himself, he placed his hat upon 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 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 melancholy scene was calculated to produce. Major Andre walked from 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 rolling 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 wagon, 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 an 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 wagon 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 . . . "
Aftermath
A pension was awarded to his mother and three sisters not long after his death, and his brother William was made a Baronet. A baronet (traditional abbreviation Bart, modern abbreviation Bt) or the rare female equivalent a baronetess (abbreviation Btss) is the holder
In 1821, at the behest of the Duke of York, his remains, which had been buried under the gallows, were removed to England and placed among kings and poets in Hero's Corner at Westminster Abbey under a marble monument, and, in 1879, a monument was erected on the place of his execution at Tappan. The Prince Frederick Duke of York and Albany (Frederick Augustus 16 August 1763 – 5 January 1827) was a member of the Hanoverian The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church
The names of André's captors were John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart. John Paulding ( October 16, 1758 &ndash February 18, 1818) was a Militiaman from the state of New York during the American David Williams ( October 21, 1754 - August 2, 1831) was a Militiaman from the state of New York during the American Revolution Isaac Van Wart (bOctober 251762-May 231828 was a Militiaman from the state of New York during the American Revolution. The United States Congress gave each of them a pension of $200 a year and a silver medal, known as the Fidelity Medallion. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses The Fidelity Medallion is the oldest decoration of the United States military and was created by act of the Continental Congress in 1780. All were honored in the names of counties in Ohio and in 1853 a monument was erected to their memory on the place where they captured André. Wikipedia_talkFeatured_lists#Proposed_change_to_all_featured_lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of Ohio county name Year 1853 ( MDCCCLIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common
- "He was more unfortunate than criminal. " -- from a letter of George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, October 10, 1780
- "An accomplished man and gallant officer. Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau ( July 1, 1725 &ndash May 10, 1807) was a French Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a " -- from the sentence of a letter written by Washington to Colonel John Laurens on 13 October
Historical portrayal
André is primarily remembered as a British spymaster and Benedict Arnold's handler. John Laurens ( October 28, 1754 - August 27, 1782) was an American Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees Popular legend holds that Peggy Shippen fell in love with and pursued André, as she later did with Arnold. Peggy Shippen, or Margaret Shippen ( July 11 1760 - August 24 1804 or February 14 1836) was the second wife
Some authors of both historical documentary and fiction have speculated that André was homosexual. Historical fiction is a sub-genre of Fiction that often portrays alternate accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. Examples of such portrayal occur in Dark Eagle : A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution (1999) by John Ensor Harr. Benedict Arnold: A Drama of the American Revolution in Five Acts (2005) by Robert Zubrin similarly implies that André was a lover of General Henry Clinton.
Historically, a possible allusion to André's lack of interest in women occurs in one of Shippen's letters, which refers to Andre's "unrequited appeal to the fairer sex".
Willard Sterne Randall's non-fiction book, Alexander Hamilton : a life, gives some details about Major John Andre in reference to some time before his capture (as Hamilton's wife had an interest in André prior to her marriage) and his execution. In describing André, he stated that there was most likely a relationship between Andre and General Clinton, to whom he wrote a last letter.
References
- ^ Major John Andre. Independence Hall Association (1997-2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a
- ^ William Dunlap (March 30, 1798), André' — A Play in Five Acts, transcribed by John W. Kennedy, <http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html>. Retrieved on 25 October 2007
Further reading
- Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1858), vol vi, which contains a comprehensive essay by Charles J. Biddle
- Andreana, H. W. Smith (Philadelphia, 1865)
- Two spies, Lossing, (New York, 1886)
- Life and Career of Major John André, Sargent, new edition (New York, 1904)
- The Secret is Out: True Spy Stories, T. Martini (Boston, 1990)
See also
- André (play)
- The events around the treason of General Arnold and the gallant English officer Major André were the subject of the film The Scarlet Coat (1955), directed by John Sturges, with Michael Wilding playing Major André. André is a play by William Dunlap, first produced at the Park Theatre in New York City on March 30, 1798 by the Old John Eliot Sturges ( 3 January 1911 &ndash 18 August 1992) was an American film director Michael Wilding may refer to Michael Wilding (actor Michael Wilding (writer
References
- ^ Major John Andre. Independence Hall Association (1997-2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a
- ^ William Dunlap (March 30, 1798), André' — A Play in Five Acts, transcribed by John W. Kennedy, <http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html>. Retrieved on 25 October 2007
Further reading
- Fleming, Thomas (February/March 2000), George Washington, Spymaster, American Heritage Magazine, <http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2000/1/2000_1_45.shtml>. Retrieved on 9 March 2008
- Reynolds, Larry J. (Spring 1992), “Patriot and Criminals, Criminal and Patriots: Representations of the Case of Major Andre”, South Central Review, vol. 9, Historicizing Literary Contexts, pp. 57-84, <http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0743-6831(199221)9%3A1%3C57%3APACCAP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0>. Retrieved on 9 March 2008
- Trees, Andy (2000), Benedict Arnold, John André, and His Three Yeoman Captors: A Sentimental Journey or American Virtue Defined, The University of North Carolina Press, <http://muse.jhu.edu/demo/early_american_literature/v035/35.3trees.html>. Retrieved on 9 March 2008
External links
- "The Capture of Major John André" by A.C. Warren (1856)
- Letters from Andre, including coded interchange between Andre and Arnold
- More on his early life
- Sleepy Hollow Chamber of Commerce
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