The Death of Major Andree.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2351, 22 October 1889, Page 2

The Death of Major Andree.

The United Servic" Review of Philadelphia contains a description of tli. capture and trial of Major Andre. It will be remembered that that gallant oilier was in civilian clothes when taken prisoner outside the British lines at New Yoik, thus incurring the fate of a apy. A British man-of-war bad put hitn ashore from the Uudson Kiver, in order to arrange with Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point, but a gun having been trained on the Vulture, she was ob'ighed to drop down stream; ant uuable to r.turu on board, Andre fell into the hands of the Americans while endeavouring to make his way by land to New York. The sentence of death passed on hint by a court of genera] officers (among whom was La layette) was oonfirm ;d hy Washington, and the time of execution Ii sal for noon on Monday, October 2, 1780. Mia fat-, we are told, excited universal sympathy among American officers, their ohief himself being merely actuated iy a strict sense of duty. “Indeed,'' continues the writer, “ Washington and Andre dewrve equal honour; Andre tor lioiu - m .rpted a terrible rislc for lii« ountrv, a d borne the consequences of failor I, I k ing courage ; and Washington for having performed his duty to Ins own connin' at a great sacrifice of Ins t . ~, L» Fayette writes:—“All of h n »t inquired into his case « fid with sentiments of admiration and compassion

. or him. Ho behaved with so much (.iinknesa, and courage, and delicacy, that [could not help lamenting bia unhappy fate. It is impossible to express too. ’ c h respect, or too deep regret for u»ior Andrg.” This being so, it is hard understand why Washington and his counsellors did not see their way at any to saving their victim from the callows, and we are glad to rend that the futhor of this article is of the s one way f thinking. There can, indeod, be no Lobt whatever that a volley from a action of infaDtry would hare met all the lanuireinents of the case. A certain Louot of gall most have mingled with Mg executioners’ sense of duty, as is too .[ten the case in this imperfect world, jndre was led to the gallows. He gglkod arm-in-arin with two subalterns holding drawn swords. He was “ pale, b „t calm, and his face bespoke the erenity of no approving and undismayed conscience. He was dressed in full British uniform, except sash and sword ; his cc at (( g of the brightest scarlet laced with a beautiful green, his vest and breeches iright buff.” Ho had naturally concluded Lt his sentence would be commuted to Lth by the bullet, and on sighting the ,allows die started back. “ Why this Lotion, sir ?" asked one of his escort. .[ am reconciled to my fate,” retorted lodre • “ but not to the manoer of it.” L said to another, “Most I then die in this manner ? How hard is my fate, but It will soon be over.” He leaped on to he waggon “ lightly, but with a visible Wiling,” and adjusting the rope round iis neck with his own hands, bound Ins hjndkerchief over his eyes. Lifting ii i or » moment, he bowed courteously to L officers rouud him, saying, “ All I Jiuest of yon, gentlemen, is that you ,ill bear witness to the world that I died jke a brave man ;” and, as if to himself, •it will be but a momentary pang.” Thus wished Andre in his thirtieth year. “ A udder tragedy,” we read, “ was never malted ; but it war inevitable, and no gproach rests upon any person concerned, ncept Arnold.” This verdict we could iire heartily endorsed had the unfortunate been granted a soldier’s death, jorrly no more tragic episode was ever jeorded on a tablet in Westminster Ibbey.