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{{Short description|British Army officer during the American Revolutionary War(1750–1780)}}
{{For|the baseball player|John André (baseball)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use AmericanBritish English|date=October 2023}}
 
{{Infobox military person
| name = John André
| birth_date = {{birth date|17511750|5|2|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1780|10|2|17511750|5|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[London]], [[Kingdom of Great Britain]]England
| death_place = [[Tappan, New York]], U.S.
| placeofburial = [[Westminster Abbey]]
| image = John Andre.jpg
| allegiance = {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
| branch = {{army|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
| serviceyears = 1770–1780
| rank = [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]]
| battles = {{tree list}}
| branch = [[British Army]]
| battles =* [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]]{{Executed}}
** [[Battle of Brandywine]]
| signature = Appletons' André John signature.jpg▼
** [[Battle of Germantown]]
** [[Grey's raid]]
{{tree list/end}}
▲| signature = Appletons' André John signature.jpg
}}
'''John André''' (May 2, 1750/1751<ref name="DOB">[https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/john-andre ''Graveside–Memorial'']; Westminster Abbey webpage; accessed September 2020</ref> – October 2, 1780) was a major in the [[British Army]] and head of its intelligence operations in America during the [[American Revolutionary War]]. In that role he was assigned the task of negotiating [[Benedict Arnold]]'s secret offer to surrender the fort at [[West Point, New York]], to the British in September 1780. Through a series of mishaps and unforeseen events, André was forced to return from a meeting with Arnold through American territory while wearing civilian clothes. He was captured by Colonials, including [[Issac Van Wart]], and soon identified. He was convicted of espionage and [[hanged]] as a [[Espionage|spy]] by the [[Continental Army]] on the orders of [[George Washington]].
 
[[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] '''John André''' (May 2, 1750 – October 2, 1780) was a [[British Army]] officer who served as the head of [[Intelligence in the American Revolutionary War|Britain's intelligence operations]] during the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]]. In September 1780, he negotiated with [[Continental Army]] officer and turncoat [[Benedict Arnold]], who secretly offered to turn over control of the American fort at [[West Point, New York]] to the British. Due to a series of mishaps and unforeseen events, André was forced to return to British lines from a meeting with Arnold through American-controlled territory while wearing civilian clothes.
André is typically remembered favorably by historians as a man of honor, and several prominent U.S. leaders of the time, including [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|the Marquis de Lafayette]], did not agree with his fate.
 
André was captured by three Americans and was quickly identified and imprisoned; he was subsequently convicted of [[espionage]] by the Continental Army and executed by [[hanging]] on [[George Washington]]'s orders. His execution led to an outburst of [[anti-Americanism]] in Great Britain, and American painter [[John Trumbull]] was imprisoned as a result. André is typically remembered positively by historians, and several prominent leaders of the [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriot cause]], including [[Alexander Hamilton]] and the [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]], disagreed with the American decision to execute him.
==Early life and education==
André was born on May 2, 1750 or 1751, in London to wealthy [[Huguenot]] parents Antoine André, a merchant from [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]], and Marie Louise Girardot from [[Paris]].<ref name="DOB"/> He was educated at [[St Paul's School (London)|St Paul's School]], [[Westminster School]], and in [[Geneva]]. He was briefly engaged to [[Honora Sneyd]]. In 1771, at the age of 20, he joined the [[British Army|army]], first being commissioned a second [[lieutenant]] in the 23rd Regiment [[Royal Welch Fusiliers|(Royal Welch Fuziliers)]] but soon exchanging as [[lieutenant]] in the [[Royal Fusiliers|7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fuzileers)]]. He was on leave of absence in Germany for nearly two years, and in 1774 re-joined his regiment in [[British Canada]].<ref name=":1">{{cite wikisource |title=The Biographical Dictionary of America| first=Rossiter| last=Johnson| year=1906| plaintitle=| wslink=The Biographical Dictionary of America| volume=1| wspage= | chapter=André, John| page= 114| publication-place=Boston| publisher=American Biographical Society| scan=}}</ref>▼
 
==CareerEarly life==
During the early days of the [[American Revolutionary War]], before [[Declaration of Independence (United States)|independence was declared]] by the [[Thirteen Colonies]], André was captured near [[Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec)|Fort Saint-Jean]] by [[Continental Army|Continental]] General [[Richard Montgomery]] in November 1775, and held prisoner at [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]].<ref name=":1" /> He lived in the home of Caleb Cope, enjoying the freedom of the town, as he had [[Parole#Prisoners of war|given his word not to escape]]. In December 1776 he was freed in a [[prisoner exchange]]. He was promoted to captain in the [[26th Foot]] on January 18, 1777. That same year he was aide-de-camp to [[Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey|Major-General Grey]], serving thus on the expedition to [[Philadelphia campaign|Philadelphia]], and served in battles at [[Battle of Brandywine|Brandywine]] and [[Battle of Germantown|Germantown]]. In September, 1778, he accompanied Grey in the [[Grey's raid|New Bedford expedition]], and was sent back to [[Henry Clinton (British Army officer, born 1730)|Sir Henry Clinton]] as a despatch bearer. On Grey's return to England, André was appointed aide-de-camp to Clinton with the rank of major.<ref name=":1" />▼
 
▲John André was born on May 2, 1750May or 17511750, in [[London]], England to wealthy [[Huguenots|Huguenot]] parents who had immigrated there from [[Continental Europe]]. His parents were Antoine André, a merchant from [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]], and Marie Louise Girardot, fromwho was born in [[Paris]].<ref name="DOB">[https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/john-andre ''Graveside–Memorial'']; Westminster Abbey webpage; accessed September 2020</ref> HeAndré was educated at [[St Paul's School, (London)|St Paul's School]], [[Westminster School]], and in [[Geneva]].; Hehe was briefly engaged to [[Honora Sneyd]]. In 1771, at the age of 20, he joined the [[British Army|army]], first being commissioned ainto secondthe [[lieutenant]]Royal in theWelch Fusiliers|23rd Regiment [[Royalof WelchFoot Fusiliers|(Royal WelchWelsh FuziliersFuzileers)]] butat soonthe exchangingrank asof [[second lieutenant]] before quickly being promoted to [[lieutenant]] in the [[Royal Fusiliers|7th Regiment of Foot (Royal FuzileersFusiliers)]]. HeAndré wastook ona leave of absence in [[Germany]] for nearly two years, and in 1774before re-joinedjoining his regiment in [[British CanadaNorth America]] in 1774.<ref name=":1">{{cite wikisource |title=The Biographical Dictionary of America| first=Rossiter| last=Johnson| year=1906| plaintitle=| wslink=The Biographical Dictionary of America| volume=1| wspage= | chapter=André, John| page= 114| publication-place=Boston| publisher=American Biographical Society| scan=}}</ref>
He was a great favorite in colonial society, both in [[Philadelphia]] and [[New York City|New York]], during those cities' occupation by the British Army. He had a lively and pleasant manner and could draw, paint, and create [[silhouette]]s, as well as sing and write verse. André was a prolific writer who carried on much of the correspondence of [[Henry Clinton (American War of Independence) |General Sir Henry Clinton]], [[Commander-in-Chief, North America#Commanders-in-Chief, America 1775–1783|commander-in-chief of British armies]] in America. He was fluent in [[English (language)|English]], [[French (language)|French]], [[German (language)|German]], and [[Italian (language)|Italian]]. André planned and managed the elaborate 13-hour festival called the "[[Mischianza]]," staged in Philadelphia in May 1778 to honor General [[William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe |William Howe]], Clinton's predecessor, after Howe had resigned and was soon to return to England.{{efn|One of the participants of the Mischianza was seventeen-year-old [[Peggy Shippen]], a daughter of a Philadelphian Loyalist, and the future wife of [[Benedict Arnold]].<ref name= "NatPhil" />}}<ref name= "NatPhil">Philbrick, Nathan, ''Valiant Ambition,'' ©2016, Viking, New York, pp. 201-203</ref>▼
 
==American War of Independence==
During his nearly nine months in Philadelphia, André occupied [[Benjamin Franklin]]'s house, from which it has been claimed that he removed several valuable items on the orders of Grey when the [[History of Philadelphia#Revolution|British left Philadelphia]], including an oil portrait of Franklin by [[Benjamin Wilson (painter)|Benjamin Wilson]].{{Efn|Grey's descendants returned Franklin's portrait to the United States in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. The painting now hangs in the [[White House]].<ref name="IndiHall" />}}<ref name="IndiHall">{{cite web | url=http://www.ushistory.org/march/bio/andre.htm | title=Major John Andre | publisher=Independence Hall Association | date=1997–2012 | access-date=25 October 2007}}</ref>
 
▲During the early days of the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], before [[United States Declaration of Independence (United States)|independence was declared]] by the [[ThirteenContinental ColoniesCongress]], André was captured near [[Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec)|Fort Saint-Jean]] by [[Continental Army|Continental]] troops under the command of General [[Richard Montgomery]] in November 1775, and held prisoner at [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]].<ref name=":1" /> He lived in the home of Caleb Cope, enjoying the freedom of the town, as heAndré had [[Parole#Prisoners of war|given his word not to escape]]. In December 1776, he was freed in a [[prisoner exchange]]., Heand was promoted to the rank of [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] in the [[26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot|26th Regiment of Foot]] on 18 January 18, 1777. ThatIn the same year, heAndré was appointed as an [[aide-de-camp]] to Major-General [[Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey|Major-GeneralCharles Grey]], serving thus onin the [[Philadelphia campaign|British expedition]] to capture [[Philadelphia campaign|Philadelphia]], and servedparticipating in the battles atof [[Battle of Brandywine|Brandywine]] and [[Battle of Germantown|Germantown]]. In September, 1778, he accompanied Grey in theduring [[Grey's raid|New Bedford expedition]], and was sent back to [[Henry Clinton (British Army officer, born 1730)|Sir Henry Clinton]] as a despatchdispatch bearer. OnAfter Grey's returnreturned to England, André was appointed as an aide-de-camp to Clinton with the rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]].<ref name=":1" />
===Intelligence work===▼
 
▲HeAndré was met with a greatpositive favoritereception in colonialAmerican society, bothincluding in both [[Philadelphia]] and [[New York City|New York]], duringwhen thosethey cities'were occupationunder byBritish themilitary British Armyoccupation. He had a lively and pleasant manner and could draw, paint, and create [[silhouette]]s, as well as sing and write verse. André was a prolific writer who carried on much of the correspondence of [[Henry Clinton's (American War of Independence) |General Sir Henry Clinton]], [[Commander-in-Chief, North America#Commanders-in-Chief, America 1775–1783|commander-in-chief of British armies]] in Americacorrespondence. He was fluent in [[English (language)|English]], [[French (language)|French]], [[German (language)|German]], and [[Italian (language)|Italian]]. André also planned and managedorganised the elaborate 13-hour festival[[fête]] calledknown as the "[[Mischianza]]," staged in Philadelphia in May 1778 to honor General [[William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe |William Howe]], Clinton's predecessor, after Howe had resigned and was soonabout to return to England.{{efn|One of the participants of the Mischianza was seventeen-year-old [[Peggy Shippen]], a daughter of a PhiladelphianPhiladelphia [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]], and the future wife of [[Benedict Arnold]].<ref name= "NatPhil" />}}<ref name= "NatPhil">Philbrick, Nathan, ''Valiant Ambition,'' ©2016, Viking, New York, pp. 201-203</ref> During his nearly nine months in Philadelphia, André lived in [[Benjamin Franklin]]'s house, from which it has been alleged that he removed several valuable items on Grey's orders when the occupation of Philadelphia came to an end, including an oil portrait of Franklin by [[Benjamin Wilson (painter)|Benjamin Wilson]].{{Efn|Grey's descendants returned Franklin's portrait to the United States in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. The painting now hangs in the [[White House]].<ref name="IndiHall" />}}<ref name="IndiHall">{{cite web | url=http://www.ushistory.org/march/bio/andre.htm | title=Major John Andre | publisher=Independence Hall Association | date=1997–2012 | access-date=25 October 2007}}</ref>
====Head of British Secret Service in America====
In 1779, André became [[adjutant general]] of the British Army in North America with the rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]]. In April of that year, he took charge of the [[Intelligence operations in the American Revolutionary War|British Secret Service in America]]. By the next year (1780), he had briefly taken part in Clinton's invasion of the [[Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War|South]], starting with the [[Siege of Charleston|siege]] of [[Charleston, South Carolina]].{{citation needed|date = September 2021}}
 
▲=== Intelligence workactivities ===
Around this time, André took over secret British communications with U.S. general [[Benedict Arnold]]. Arnold was a much-admired field general who had been wounded twice in battle, and was considered an American hero for his actions at the [[Battle of Saratoga]]. He was also impetuous and hotheaded. Arnold had become bitter about the decline in his financial fortunes caused by the war, and the reluctance of the [[Continental Congress]] to grant him the promotions he believed he deserved.
[[File:Treason Site Historic Marker.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|U.S.The generallocation Arnoldwhere André and British major John AndréArnold plotted theto surrender of West Point atto thisthe spotBritish. onIt the shoreis pathwaylocated south of [[Haverstraw, New York]], inand theforms historicpart Dutchtownof area.the Today this is part ofmodern-day [[Hook Mountain State Park]] .]]▼
 
In 1779, André became [[adjutant general]] of the British Army at the rank of major. By April of that year, he took charge of [[Intelligence in the American Revolutionary War|British intelligence operations in North America]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Percoco |first=James A. |title=John André |url=https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-andr%C3%A9 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=American Battlefield Trust |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1780, André briefly took part in Clinton's [[Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War|invasion of the American South]], which began with the successful [[siege of Charleston]].{{citation needed|date = September 2021}} Around this time, André took over control of British communication with Continental Army officer [[Benedict Arnold]]. Arnold was a popular [[general officer]] who had been wounded twice in battle, and was considered an American hero for his actions at the [[Battles of Saratoga]]. However, he had become bitter about the decline in his financial fortunes caused by the war, and the reluctance of the Continental Congress to grant him the promotions Arnold believed he deserved.<ref>Nathaniel Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution'' (2016) pp. 321–26.</ref><ref>Michael Dolan, "Hero and Villain" ''American History'' (2016) 51#3 pp. 12–13.</ref>
Arnold's [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] wife, Peggy Shippen, was one of the go-betweens in the correspondence with André. Arnold steadily provided the British with vital intelligence on American troop movements and Washington's strategy. His ultimate goal was to be the key player in helping the British achieve such a knock-out blow against the Colonials that he would handsomely rewarded. In pursuit of this plan, he carefully maneuvered his way into the command of the critical Continental Army fortifications at [[West Point]], secretly promising to surrender them to the British for £20,000 (approximately £3.62 million in 2021).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/1779?endYear=2021&amount=20000| title = £20,000 in 1779 → 2021 &#124; UK Inflation Calculator}}</ref> Possession of the forts at West Point would deliver to the British effective control of the entire vital Hudson River waterway, and might very well serve as the death-blow that doomed the Continental cause. ▼
 
▲Arnold's [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] wife, [[Peggy Shippen]], was one of the go-betweens in thehis correspondence with André. Arnold steadily provided the British with vital intelligence on American troopmilitary movements and General [[George Washington]]'s strategystrategies. His ultimate goal was to be the key player in helping the British achieve such a knock-outdecisive blow against theAmerican Colonialsforces thatfor which he would handsomely rewarded. In pursuit of this plan, heArnold carefully maneuvered his way into the command of the critical Continental Army fortifications at [[West Point, New York]], secretly promising to surrender them to the British for £20,000 (approximately £3.62 million in 2021).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/1779?endYear=2021&amount=20000| title = £20,000 in 1779 → 2021 &#124; UK Inflation Calculator}}</ref> Possession of the forts at West Point would deliver to the British effective control of the entire vital [[Hudson River]] waterway, and mightcould have very well serveserved as the death-blow that doomedto the Continental[[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriot cause]].{{fact|date=May 2024}}
▲[[File:Treason Site Historic Marker.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|U.S. general Arnold and British major John André plotted the surrender of West Point at this spot on the shore pathway south of [[Haverstraw, New York]], in the historic Dutchtown area. Today this is part of [[Hook Mountain State Park]] ]]
 
As the summer of 1780 endedcame to an end, Arnold had at last taken command of West Point, and was in a position to facilitate a British takeover of the forts. Major André traveled up the [[Hudson River]] ononboard the British [[Royal Navy]] sloop-of-war]] [[HMS Vulture (1776)|HMS ''Vulture'']] to meet Arnold. The presence of the warship''Vulture'' on the upper Hudson, close to Patriot territory,river was first discovered the following morning by two American privatessoldiers, privates John Peterson and Moses Sherwood, on 21 September.<ref>{{cite news | title=Peterson and Sherwood, Local Men Real Heroes of "Vulture" Episode| date=19 October 1936| author=G.P. Wygant| publisher=Peekskill Evening Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2020/07/the-hamilton-musical-and-historys-unsung| title=The Hamilton Musical and History's Unsung| author=Suzanne Clary| publisher=New York Almanack| date=8 July 2020| accessdate=12 December 2021}}</ref> From their position at [[Croton Point Park|Teller's Point]], they attacked HMS ''Vulture'' with riflesmall and musketarms fire. Seeking greater firepower, Peterson and Sherwood headed to Fort Lafayette at [[Verplanck's Point]] to request cannons and ammunition from their commander, Colonel [[James Livingston (American Revolution)|James Livingston]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Randall |first=Willard Sterne |title=Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor |date=1990 |publisher=Morrow |isbn=978-1-55710-034-4 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=547–549}}</ref>
 
During this pause in the shootingskirmish, a small boat furnished by Arnold was steered to the ''Vulture'' by Joshua Hett Smith. At the oars were twothe Colquhon brothers, (both of whom were tenants of Smith,) who reluctantly rowed the boat {{convert|6|mi|0}} on the river to the sloop''Vulture''. Despite Arnold's assurances, the two oarsmenbrothers sensed that something was wrong. None of thesethe mentrio knew Arnold's purpose or suspected hishim of treason; all were told that thehis purposeintentions waswere to do good forassist the AmericanPatriot cause. Only Smith was told anything specific, and that was the liefalse claim that it was to secure vital intelligence for the American cause. The brothers finally agreed to row after Arnold mixed threats of arrest with a bribe of fifty pounds of [[flour]] for each man. They picked up André from the ''Vulture'' and brought him ashore, where Arnold was waiting.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', pp. 287-289</ref>
 
The two men conferred in the woods below [[Stony Point, New York|Stony Point]] on the river's west bank until nearly dawn on September 22.<ref name=":2" /> Then, instead of returning to the ''Vulture'', André decided to continue their conversation, and with the sun coming up, he and Arnold rode several miles to [[Joshua Hett Smith House|Smith's house]] (later named Treason House) in [[West Haverstraw, New York]], owned by Thomas Smith, Joshua's brother. That same morning, American troops at Teller's Point, under the command of Livingston, began a two-hour cannonade against ''Vulture'' using cannons.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=Skaneateles Democrat| location=Skaneatles, New York| title=Revolutionary Incidents| date=13 October 1859}}</ref> ''Vulture'', trapped by the Hudson's tidal currents, sustained several hits before it was finally able to escape downriver. The retreat of ''Vulture'' stranded André on shore.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=The Putnam County Courier| title=The Shrine of the Memorial Museum| date=28 November 1963}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=126260| publisher=Historical Marker Database| title=Commemorating the Defense of Teller's Point| access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher=Journal News| author=John Alcott| title=Black Revolutionary Soldiers Fight to be Free| date=8 February 1988}}</ref>
 
===Arrest===
That same morning, the Americans on Teller's Point, under the command of Livingston, launched a two-hour cannonade on HMS ''Vulture'' using heavy guns.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=Skaneateles Democrat| location=Skaneatles, New York| title=Revolutionary Incidents| date=13 October 1859}}</ref> The sloop, trapped by the Hudson's tidal currents, sustained many hits before it was finally able to escape downriver. The retreat of the British sloop stranded André on shore.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=The Putnam County Courier| title=The Shrine of the Memorial Museum| date=28 November 1963}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=126260| publisher=Historical Marker Database| title=Commemorating the Defense of Teller's Point| access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher=Journal News| author=John Alcott| title=Black Revolutionary Soldiers Fight to be Free| date=8 February 1988}}</ref>
[[File:Joshua Hett Smith House from The Picturesque Hudson 1915.jpg|thumb|upright=1|left|The [[Joshua Hett Smith House]] (since demolished) in 1909]]▼
[[File:Capture of John andre.jpg|thumb|upright=1|TheAn capture1845 oflithograph Johndepicting André,'s 1845 lithographcapture]]▼
 
Arnold persuaded André that his best option for returning to British territorylines was to travel overland, which meant that he would need to take off his British officer's uniform and put on civilian clothes. André He borecarried six papers written by Arnold which were hidden in his stocking,; writtenthey indetailed Arnold's hand, that showedto the British how to take the fort.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Randall |first=Willard Sterne |title=Benedict Arnold: patriot and traitor |date=1990 |publisher=Morrow |isbn=978-1-55710-034-4 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=548}}</ref> In the event that André was met byencountered American sentries, Arnold gave him a [[passport]] allowing him to travel under the name John Anderson.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Randall |first=Willard Sterne |title=Benedict Arnold: patriot and traitor |date=1990 |publisher=Morrow |isbn=978-1-55710-034-4 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=543}}</ref> Arnold departed to return to his home, and Joshua Hett Smith escorted André a few miles north, where the two men crossed to the east side of the Hudson River at King's Ferry.{{efn|King's Ferry was a crossing roughly halfway between present-day [[Peekskill, New York|Peekskill]] and Croton, New York.}} André, who had expected to travel to and from the meeting by ship while dressed in full uniform, was now traveling by road, in civilian disguise. He was deep behind enemyAmerican lines, and risked arrest as a spy.{{fact|date=May 2024}}▼
====Taken into custody====
▲Arnold persuaded André that his best option for returning to British territory was to travel overland, which meant that he would need to take off his British officer's uniform and put on civilian clothes. He bore six papers hidden in his stocking, written in Arnold's hand, that showed the British how to take the fort. In the event that André was met by American sentries, Arnold gave him a passport allowing him to travel under the name John Anderson. Arnold departed to return to his home, and Joshua Hett Smith escorted André a few miles north, where the two men crossed to the east side of the Hudson at King's Ferry{{efn|King's Ferry was a crossing roughly halfway between present-day [[Peekskill, New York|Peekskill]] and Croton, New York.}} André, who had expected to travel to and from the meeting by ship while dressed in full uniform, was now traveling by road, in civilian disguise. He was deep behind enemy lines, and risked arrest as a spy.
 
After spending the night in a local home, the two men continued on to the Croton River, the southernmost edge of the American lines. Here Smith left him and André continued south in hopes of coming into contact with one of the Loyalist bandsgroups who marauded through [[Westchester County, New York]].<ref>Philbrick, Nathan, ''Valiant Ambition,'' ©2016, Viking, New York, pp. 297-299</ref> He had been warned to keep inland, but André instead shifted west until he was riding down the Albany Post Road, which followed the edge of the Hudson.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition,'' p. 300</ref> André rode on safely until 9 a.m. on 23 September, when he arrived at the crossing of a stream known as Clark's Kill{{efn|Clark's Kill today forms the boundary between [[Tarrytown, New York]], and [[Sleepy Hollow, New York]]}} (since renamed the André River). Here, three Americans: [[John Paulding]], [[Isaac Van Wart]] and [[David Williams (soldier)|David Williams]] stopped him.<ref name="Raymond11-17">Raymond, pp. 11–17</ref><ref name="Cray371-397">Cray, pp. 371–397</ref>
 
André believed that thesethe threetrio were [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]] because Paulding was wearing the uniform of a [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessian soldier's]] uniform. Paulding had himself escaped from a British prison only days earlier, aided by a sympathetic Loyalist who provided him with the uniform. "Gentlemen," André said, "I hope you belong to our party." "What party?" asked one of the mentrio. "The lower party", replied André, meaningreferring to the British, whose headquarters were to the south. "We do" was their answer. André then declared that he was a British officer who must not be detained. To his surprise, Paulding informed him that "We are Americans," and took him prisoner.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition,'' pp.299-300</ref> André then tried to convince the men that he was aan USAmerican officer by showing them the passport Arnold had provided to him. ButHowever, the suspicions of his captors were now aroused; they searched him and found Arnold's papers and the plans for West Point hidden in his stocking. Only Paulding could read and Arnold was not initiallythe subject of suspectedsuspicion. André offered them his horse and watch to let him go, but they declined.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Randall |first=Willard Sterne |title=Benedict Arnold: patriot and traitor |date=1990 |publisher=Morrow |isbn=978-1-55710-034-4 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=553–554}}</ref>▼
▲[[File:Joshua Hett Smith House from The Picturesque Hudson 1915.jpg|thumb|upright=1|left|The [[Joshua Hett Smith House]] in 1909]]
 
André later testified at his trial that the mentrio searched his boots for the purpose of robbing him. Whether or not this was true, the laws of [[New York State(state)|New York]] at the time permitted the men to keep whatever bootyproperty they might findtake onfrom a Loyalist's person. John Paulding suspected that André was a spy and took him to Continental Army's frontline headquarters in Sands Mill (in today's [[Armonk, New York|Sands Mill]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.northcastleny.com/sites/northcastleny/files/file/file/19.pdf| title=Location of Sand's mill noted in ''North Castle History'', p.28| access-date=October 21, 2019| archive-date=September 3, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903072455/http://www.northcastleny.com/sites/northcastleny/files/file/file/19.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> a hamlet within [[North Castle, New York|North Castle]] that was situated on the [[Connecticut]] border of [[Westchester County. At first, Newall Yorkwent well for André: the post commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel [[John Jameson (colonel)|WestchesterJohn CountyJameson]]), unsure as to Arnold's role in André's mission, decided to send him back to Arnold's home close to West Point. However, Major [[Benjamin Tallmadge]], head of Continental Army intelligence, arrived and was considerably more suspicious of Arnold's part in the episode. He persuaded Jameson to send a rider to bring André back.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', pp. 300-304</ref>▼
André had been warned to keep inland, but instead he shifted west until he was riding down the Albany Post Road, which follows the edge of the Hudson.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition,'' p. 300</ref> He rode on safely until 9 a.m. on 23 September, when he arrived at the crossing of a stream known as Clark's Kill{{efn|Clark's Kill today forms the boundary between [[Tarrytown, New York]], and [[Sleepy Hollow, New York]]}} (since renamed the André River). Here three young men: [[John Paulding]], [[Isaac Van Wart]] and [[David Williams (soldier)|David Williams]] stopped him.<ref name="Raymond11-17">Raymond, pp. 11–17</ref><ref name="Cray371-397">Cray, pp. 371–397</ref>
 
Jameson sent General [[George Washington]] the six sheets of paper carried by André, but he hedged his bets about Arnold; Jameson knew that his own career would be in jeopardy if he treated Arnold with suspicion and Arnold was absolved of guilt. In place of André himself, he sent Arnold a letter informing him of André's capture. Arnold received Jameson's note while at breakfast with his officers, made an excuse to leave the room, and rushed upstairs to confer with his wife. Soon after, he made his escape to the Hudson, where he boarded his personal barge and ordered the crew to row him to the ''Vulture'', which had returned to its northerly position on the river. Arnold turned himself over to the Britishship's commander of the ship, who promptly sailed for New York City to deliver Arnold to General Clinton. An hour or so later, Washington arrived at West Point with his party; he had not yet received Jameson's letter or the incriminating documents, and as yet knew nothing of Arnold's betrayal or his flight. Washington was disturbed to see the stronghold's fortifications in such neglect, which was part of Arnold's plan to weaken West Point's defenses. He was further irritated to find that Arnold had breached protocol by not being present to greet him.{{fact|date=May 2024}} ▼
▲André believed that these three were [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]] because Paulding was wearing a [[Hessian (soldiers)|Hessian soldier's]] uniform. Paulding had himself escaped from a British prison only days earlier, aided by a sympathetic Loyalist who provided him with the uniform. "Gentlemen," André said, "I hope you belong to our party." "What party?" asked one of the men. "The lower party", replied André, meaning the British, whose headquarters were to the south. "We do" was their answer. André then declared that he was a British officer who must not be detained. To his surprise, Paulding informed him "We are Americans," and took him prisoner.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition,'' pp.299-300</ref> André then tried to convince the men that he was a US officer by showing them the passport Arnold had provided to him. But the suspicions of his captors were now aroused; they searched him and found Arnold's papers and the plans for West Point hidden in his stocking. Only Paulding could read and Arnold was not initially suspected. André offered them his horse and watch to let him go, but they declined.
 
Finally, several hours later, Washington returned to Arnold's home and headquarters on the eastern side of the Hudson, where the documents taken from André were presented to him. Instantly grasping the meaning and significance of the papers, Washington quickly sent men to try to intercept Arnold, but it was too late.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', pp. 309-310</ref> André, meanwhile, was held in [[South Salem, New York]], and then briefly at Arnold's home, before being transferred across the Hudson to the Continental Army headquarters in [[Tappan, New York]]. According to Tallmadge's account of the events, he and André conversed during the latter's captivity and transport to Tappan. André wanted to know how he would be treated by Washington. Tallmadge had been a classmate of [[Nathan Hale]] while boththe two were studying at [[Yale University|YaleCollege]], and he spoke to André of Hale's capture, and what Tallmadge considered to be Hale'shis cold-blooded execution. by the British. André asked whether Tallmadge thought the situations similar; he replied, "Yes, precisely similar, and similar shall be your fate."<ref>{{Citation | title=The library of American biography, volume 3 |first=Jared|last=Sparks|author-link=Jared Sparks| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6rU-AAAAYAAJ&q=inauthor%3Asparks+tallmadge+andre&pg=PA258|page=258| publisher=Harper| year=1856| oclc=12009651}}</ref>▼
▲André later testified at his trial that the men searched his boots for the purpose of robbing him. Whether or not this was true, the laws of New York State at the time permitted the men to keep whatever booty they might find on a Loyalist's person. John Paulding suspected that André was a spy and took him to Continental Army's frontline headquarters in Sands Mill (in today's [[Armonk, New York]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.northcastleny.com/sites/northcastleny/files/file/file/19.pdf| title=Location of Sand's mill noted in ''North Castle History'', p.28| access-date=October 21, 2019| archive-date=September 3, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903072455/http://www.northcastleny.com/sites/northcastleny/files/file/file/19.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> a hamlet within [[North Castle, New York|North Castle]] situated on the Connecticut border of [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County]]).
 
====Trial and execution====▼
▲[[File:Capture of John andre.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The capture of John André, 1845 lithograph]]
[[File:John Andre self portrait 1780-10-01.jpg|thumb|upright=1|SelfA [[self-portrait]] by André, drawn on the eve of his execution]]▼
[[File:Major John André01.jpg|thumb|upright|André's hangingexecution by the [[Continental Army]]]]▼
 
Washington convened a [[militaryMilitary tribunal|board of senior Continental Army officers]] to investigate the matter. The trial contrasted with [[Sir William Howe]]'s treatment of Hale some four years earlier. The board consisted of [[Major general (United States)|Majormajor Generalgenerals]]s [[Nathanael Greene]] (presiding officer), [[William Alexander, Lord Stirling|LordWilliam StirlingAlexander]], [[Arthur St. Clair]], the [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]], [[Robert Howe (Continental Army officer)|Robert Howe]], and [[Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben|von Steuben]], [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadierbrigadier Generalgenerals]]s [[Samuel Holden Parsons|Samuel H. Parsons]], [[James Clinton]], [[Henry Knox]], [[John Glover (general)|John Glover]], [[John Paterson (New York politician)|John Paterson]], [[Edward Hand]], [[Jedediah Huntington]], and [[John Stark]], and [[Judge Advocate General's Corps|Judge Advocate General]] [[John Laurance]].{{citation needed|date = September 2021}} André's defence was that he was suborning an enemy officer, "an [[Ruse of war|advantage taken in war]]".<ref name="board" /> He told the board that he had neither desired nor planned to be behind American lines, but had been summoned ashore by Arnold and stranded there accidentally when ''Vulture'' sailed away. He also asserted that, as a [[prisoner of war]], he had the right to escape in civilian clothes.{{fact|date=May 2024}}▼
At first, all went well for André: the post commandant, Lieutenant Colonel [[John Jameson (colonel)|John Jameson]], unsure as to Arnold's role in the spy's mission, decided to send André back to Arnold's home and headquarters close to West Point. But Major [[Benjamin Tallmadge]], head of Continental Army Intelligence, arrived and was considerably more suspicious of Arnold's part in the episode. He persuaded Jameson to send a rider to bring the prisoner back.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', pp. 300-304</ref>
 
On 29 September 1780, the board found André guilty of being behind American lines "under a feigned name and in a disguised habit" and ordered that "Major André, Adjutant-General to the British Army, ought to be considered as a spy from the enemy, and that agreeable to the [[Laws of war|law and usage of nations]], it is their opinion, he ought to suffer death."<ref name="board">{{citation | url=http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html | title=André' – A Play in Five Acts | author=William Dunlap | date=30 March 1798 | publisher=transcribed by John W. Kennedy | access-date=25 October 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211200049/http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html | archive-date=11 December 2007 }}</ref> Clinton did all that he could to save André, his favourite aide-de-camp. However, in their written negotiations Washington demanded that in exchange for André, Clinton must give the Americans Arnold, who was now under British protection in New York.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Randall |first=Willard Sterne |title=Benedict Arnold: patriot and traitor |date=1990 |publisher=Morrow |isbn=978-1-55710-034-4 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=566}}</ref> Clinton personally detested Arnold, but declined to hand him over to the Americans. From the time of his arrest, André endeared himself to the Americans, some of whom lamented his death sentence as much as the British. [[Alexander Hamilton]] in particular was thoroughly charmed by André, writing that "He united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the advantage of a pleasing person".<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', p.315</ref>
▲Jameson sent General [[George Washington]] the six sheets of paper carried by André, but he hedged his bets about Arnold; Jameson knew that his own career would be in jeopardy if he treated Arnold with suspicion and Arnold was absolved of guilt. In place of André himself, he sent Arnold a letter informing him of André's capture. Arnold received Jameson's note while at breakfast with his officers, made an excuse to leave the room, and rushed upstairs to confer with his wife. Soon after, he made his escape to the Hudson, where he boarded his personal barge and ordered the crew to row him to the ''Vulture'', which had returned to its northerly position on the river. Arnold turned himself over to the British commander of the ship, who promptly sailed for New York City to deliver Arnold to General Clinton.
 
As his date of execution approached, André appealed to Washington to be executed by firing squad as a soldier, rather than hanged as was customary for spies: "I trust that the request that I make to your Excellency at this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments, will not be rejected. Sympathy towards a soldier will surely induce your Excellency and a military tribunal to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honor." Washington refused his request.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition,'' pp. 315-316</ref> André was hanged by the Continental Army as a spy in Tappan on 2 October 1780.<ref>Schwarz, Frederic. "[http://www.americanheritage.com/content/1780-225-years-ago Benedict's Betrayal]" ''American Heritage'', August/September 2005.</ref> According to witnesses, he placed the noose around his own neck and tightened it.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Historical Collections of the State of New York : Containing a general collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical descriptions of every township in the state. Illustrated by 230 engravings| url=https://lccn.loc.gov/01015812| access-date=10 December 2021| website=Library of Congress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=1841 - North view of the place where Andre was taken prisoner - Antiqu| url=https://mapsofantiquity.com/products/nyo1016-north-view-of-the-place-where-andre-was-taken-prisoner-barber-1841| access-date=10 December 2021| website=Maps of Antiquity| language=en}}</ref> The day before his hanging, André drew a likeness of himself with pen and ink, which is now owned by [[Yale College]]. A religious poem was found in his pocket after his execution, written two days beforehand.<ref>{{citation | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zWUFAAAAQAAJ | title=The Life and Career of Major John André | last=Sargent | first=Winthrop | publisher=Ticknor and Fields | year=1861| isbn=9780795004049 }}</ref> Lafayette was reported to have wept at the execution of André.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} [[Alexander Hamilton]] wrote of him: "Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Founders Online: From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [1 ... |url=http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-02-02-0896 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=founders.archives.gov |language=en}}</ref>
An hour or so later, Washington arrived at West Point with his party; he had not yet received Jameson's letter or the incriminating documents, and as yet knew nothing of Arnold's betrayal or his flight. Washington was disturbed to see the stronghold's fortifications in such neglect, part of the plan to weaken West Point's defenses. Washington was further irritated to find that Arnold had breached protocol by not being present to greet him. Finally, several hours later, Washington returned to Arnold's home and headquarters on the eastern side of the Hudson, where the documents taken from André were presented to him. Instantly grasping the meaning and significance of the papers, Washington quickly sent men to try to intercept Arnold, but it was too late.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', pp. 309-310</ref>
 
===== Eyewitness account ==accounts===▼
▲André, meanwhile, was held in [[South Salem, New York]], and then briefly at Arnold's home, before being transferred across the Hudson to the Army headquarters in [[Tappan, New York]]. According to Tallmadge's account of the events, he and André conversed during the latter's captivity and transport. André wanted to know how he would be treated by Washington. Tallmadge had been a classmate of [[Nathan Hale]] while both were at [[Yale University|Yale]], and he spoke to André of Hale's capture, and what Tallmadge considered to be Hale's cold-blooded execution. André asked whether Tallmadge thought the situations similar; he replied, "Yes, precisely similar, and similar shall be your fate."<ref>{{Citation | title=The library of American biography, volume 3 |first=Jared|last=Sparks|author-link=Jared Sparks| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6rU-AAAAYAAJ&q=inauthor%3Asparks+tallmadge+andre&pg=PA258|page=258| publisher=Harper| year=1856| oclc=12009651}}</ref>
 
▲====Trial and execution====
▲[[File:John Andre self portrait 1780-10-01.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Self-portrait by André, drawn on the eve of his execution]]
 
▲Washington convened a [[military tribunal|board of senior officers]] to investigate the matter. The trial contrasted with [[Sir William Howe]]'s treatment of Hale some four years earlier. The board consisted of [[Major general (United States)|Major General]]s [[Nathanael Greene]] (presiding officer), [[William Alexander, Lord Stirling|Lord Stirling]], [[Arthur St. Clair]], [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Lafayette]], [[Robert Howe (Continental Army officer)|Robert Howe]], [[Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben|von Steuben]], [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]]s [[Samuel Holden Parsons|Samuel H. Parsons]], [[James Clinton]], [[Henry Knox]], [[John Glover (general)|John Glover]], [[John Paterson (New York politician)|John Paterson]], [[Edward Hand]], [[Jedediah Huntington]], [[John Stark]], and [[Judge Advocate General's Corps|Judge Advocate General]] [[John Laurance]].{{citation needed|date = September 2021}}
 
André's defense was that he was suborning an enemy officer, "...an [[Ruse of war|advantage taken in war]]..."<ref name="board" /> André told the court that he had neither desired nor planned to be behind American lines, but had been summoned ashore by Arnold and stranded there accidentally when the ''Vulture'' sailed away. He also asserted that, as a [[prisoner of war]], he had the right to escape in civilian clothes. On 29 September 1780, the board found André guilty of being behind American lines "...under a feigned name and in a disguised habit..." and ordered that "Major André, Adjutant-General to the British Army, ought to be considered as a spy from the enemy, and that agreeable to the [[Laws of war|law and usage of nations]], it is their opinion, he ought to suffer death."<ref name="board">{{citation | url=http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html | title=André' – A Play in Five Acts | author=William Dunlap | date=30 March 1798 | publisher=transcribed by John W. Kennedy | access-date=25 October 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211200049/http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html | archive-date=11 December 2007 }}</ref>
 
Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander in New York, did all that he could to save André, his favorite aide. But in their written negotiation, Washington demanded that in exchange for André, Clinton must give the Americans the traitor Arnold, who was now under British protection in New York City. Clinton personally disliked Arnold, but declined to hand him over to his former compatriots.
 
From the time of his arrest, André endeared himself to American officers, some of whom lamented his death sentence as much as the British. [[Alexander Hamilton]] in particular was thoroughly charmed by the young and erudite British spy. "He united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the advantage of a pleasing person," he wrote.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition'', p.315</ref> As the execution date approached, André appealed to Washington to be executed as a combat officer by being shot, rather than hanged as was customary for spies. "I trust that the request that I make to your Excellency at this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments, will not be rejected. Sympathy towards a soldier will surely induce your Excellency and a military tribunal to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honor." Washington refused his request.<ref>Philbrick, ''Valiant Ambition,'' pp. 315-316</ref>
 
John André was hanged as a spy at [[Tappan, New York]] on October 2, 1780.<ref>Schwarz, Frederic. "[http://www.americanheritage.com/content/1780-225-years-ago Benedict's Betrayal]" ''American Heritage'', August/September 2005.</ref> André, according to witnesses, placed the noose around his own neck and tightened it.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Historical Collections of the State of New York : Containing a general collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical descriptions of every township in the state. Illustrated by 230 engravings| url=https://lccn.loc.gov/01015812| access-date=10 December 2021| website=Library of Congress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=1841 - North view of the place where Andre was taken prisoner - Antiqu| url=https://mapsofantiquity.com/products/nyo1016-north-view-of-the-place-where-andre-was-taken-prisoner-barber-1841| access-date=10 December 2021| website=Maps of Antiquity| language=en}}</ref>
 
▲[[File:Major John André01.jpg|thumb|upright|André's hanging]]
 
The day before his hanging, André drew a likeness of himself with pen and ink, which is now owned by [[Yale College]]. A religious poem was found in his pocket after his execution, written two days beforehand.<ref>{{citation | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zWUFAAAAQAAJ | title=The Life and Career of Major John André | last=Sargent | first=Winthrop | publisher=Ticknor and Fields | year=1861| isbn=9780795004049 }}</ref>
 
Lafayette was reported to have wept at the execution of André. [[Alexander Hamilton]] wrote of him: "Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less."
 
▲===== Eyewitness account =====
An eyewitness account of André's last day 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'':
<blockquote>
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</blockquote>
 
==AftermathLegacy==
[[File:Major John Andre memorial, Westminster Abbey.jpg|thumb|upright|MemorialA memorial to André in [[Westminster Abbey]] ]]▼
On the day of his capture, [[James Rivington]] published André's poem "The Cow Chase" in his gazette in New York. In the poem, André muses on his foiling of a foraging expedition in [[Bergen Township, New Jersey (pre-1862)|Bergen]] across the Hudson from the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fortklock.com/hudsonch23.htm |title=Fortklock.com |publisher=Fortklock.com |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719165211/http://www.fortklock.com/hudsonch23.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofjerseycity.org/pastimperfect/sipmanorjerseycity.shtml |title=Cityofjerseycity.org |publisher=Cityofjerseycity.org |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> Nathan Strickland,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/annualreport06berg|title=Annual report ..|first1=Hackensack|last1=Bergen County historical society|first2=Frances Augusta (Johnson)|last2=Westervelt|date=21 October 1905|publisher=Hackensack, N.J.|access-date=21 October 2019|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hVlNAQAAMAAJ&q=nathan+strickland&pg=PA369 | last = Allen | first = Ethan | title = Washington, Or, The Revolution: A Drama (in Blank Verse) Founded Upon the Historic Events of the American War for Independence | publisher = F.Tennyson Neely | year = 1894 | pages = 369}}</ref> André's executioner, who was confined at the camp in Tappan as a dangerous Tory during André's trial, was granted liberty for accepting the duty of hangman and returned to his home in the [[Ramapo Valley]] or Smith's Cove, and nothing further of him is known. Joshua Hett Smith, who was connected with André with the attempted treason, was also brought to trial at the [[Reformed Church of Tappan]]. The trial lasted four weeks and ended in acquittal for lack of evidence. The Colquhon brothers who were commanded by Benedict Arnold to bring André from the sloop-of-war ''Vulture'' to shore, as well as Major Keirs, under whose supervision the boat was obtained, were exonerated from all suspicion.▼
 
▲On the day of his capture, [[James Rivington]] published André's poem "The Cow ChaseChace" in his gazette in New York. In the poem, André muses on histhe foilingAmerican ofdefeat aat foraging expedition inthe [[BergenBattle Township,of NewBull's Jersey (pre-1862)|BergenFerry]] across the Hudson from the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fortklock.com/hudsonch23.htm |title=Fortklock.com |publisher=Fortklock.com |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719165211/http://www.fortklock.com/hudsonch23.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofjerseycity.org/pastimperfect/sipmanorjerseycity.shtml |title=Cityofjerseycity.org |publisher=Cityofjerseycity.org |access-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> Nathan Strickland, André's executioner, who was detained at the Continental Army camp in Tappan during André's trial due to being a Loyalist, was granted freedom for accepting the duty of hangman and returned to his home in the [[Ramapo Valley]] or Smith's Cove; nothing further of him is known.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/annualreport06berg|title=Annual report ..|first1=Hackensack|last1=Bergen County historical society|first2=Frances Augusta (Johnson)|last2=Westervelt|date=21 October 1905|publisher=Hackensack, N.J.|access-date=21 October 2019|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hVlNAQAAMAAJ&q=nathan+strickland&pg=PA369 | last = Allen | first = Ethan | title = Washington, Or, The Revolution: A Drama (in Blank Verse) Founded Upon the Historic Events of the American War for Independence | publisher = F.Tennyson Neely | year = 1894 | pages = 369}}</ref> André'sJoshua executionerSmith, whowhose was confined at the camp in Tappan as a dangerous Tory during Andréconnection's trial, was granted liberty for accepting the duty of hangman and returned to his home in the [[Ramapo Valley]] or Smith's Cove, and nothing further of him is known. Joshua Hett Smith, who was connected with André with the attemptedwere treasondiscovered, was also brought to trial at the [[Reformed Church of Tappan]]. The trial lasted four weeks and ended in acquittalSmith forbeing acquitted due to a lack of evidence. The Colquhon brothers, whoas werewell commandedas bya BenedictContinental ArnoldArmy to bring André from the sloop-of-war ''Vulture'' to shore, as well asmajor Majornamed Keirs, under whose supervision the boat was obtained, were exonerated from all suspicion.{{fact|date=May 2024}}
▲[[File:Major John Andre memorial, Westminster Abbey.jpg|thumb|upright|Memorial to André in [[Westminster Abbey]] ]]
 
After news of André's execution reached [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]], there was an outburst of [[anti-Americanism]] and American painter [[John Trumbull]] was arrested for [[treason]], since he was known to be a former Continental Army officer of a similar rank to André. He was released after seven months of imprisonment.<ref name=high>{{cite web |last1=Digges |first1=Thomas |title=To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 22 November 1780 |url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-10-02-0198 |publisher=Founders Online, National Archives |date=November 22, 1780 |quote=A person of the name of Trumbull was taken up for high Treason on Sunday night and committed Irond to Prison.}}</ref> A pension was awarded by the British to André's mother and three sisters not long after his death; and his brother William André was made a [[baronet]] in his honor in 1781 (see [[André baronets]]).<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=12172 |date=20 March 1781 |page=5 }}</ref> In 1804 a memorial plaque by [[Charles Regnart]] was erected in the [[Grosvenor Chapel]] in London, to John's memory.<ref>Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, Rupert Gunnis</ref> In 1821, at the behest of [[Prince Frederick, 1st Duke of York and Albany|the Duke of York]], his remains, which had been buried under the gallows, were removed to England<ref name="world and its people">{{Citation | last = Dunton | first = Larkin | title = The World and Its People | publisher = Silver, Burdett | year = 1896 | pages = 34–35}}</ref> and placed among kings and poets at [[Westminster Abbey]], in the nave, under a marble monument depicting [[Britannia]] mourning alongside a British lion overmourning André's death.<ref name="Westminster">{{cite web | url=https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/john-andre/| title=Commemorations - John Andre| publisher= Westminster Abbey| access-date=15 June 2018}}</ref> In 1879 a [[Major John André Monument|monument]] was unveiled on the place of his execution at Tappan.<ref name = "Westminster"/>
 
The [[United States Congress]] gave each of André's captors: Paulding, Williams, and vanVan WertWart, a silver medal, known as the [[Fidelity Medallion]], and a pension of $200 a year. That came close to the annual pay of a Continental Army's infantry ensign in 1778.<ref>{{Citation | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4UdOAQAAMAAJ&dq=us+army+pay+1778&pg=PA7 | last = Ray | first = Alexander | title = Officers of the Continental Army who served to the End of the War, and acquired the Right to Commutation Pay and Bounty Land, also Officers killed in Battle, or died in the Service | publisher = J. and G. S. Gideon, Printers | year = 1849 | page = 7}}</ref> All were honored in the [[List of counties in Ohio|names of counties in Ohio]], and in 1853 a monument was erected to their memory on the place where they captured André. It was re-dedicated in 1880 and today is located in [[Patriot's Park]] on [[U.S. Route 9 in New York|U.S. Route 9]]. The memorial is along the boundary between [[Tarrytown, New York|Tarrytown]] and [[Sleepy Hollow, New York|Sleepy Hollow]] in [[Westchester County]].<ref name="mnumnt">{{Cite web | title= Monument to the captors of Major John Andre, Tarrytown, N.Y., undated (ca. 1905-1909). {{!}} New York Historical Society {{!}} Digital Collections |url=https://digitalcollections.nyhistory.org/islandora/object/islandora:72499 |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=digitalcollections.nyhistory.org}}</ref> It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1982.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref| version= 2009a}}</ref> One of the buildings in the towns' unified school district is today known as the John Paulding School.
<!--* "He was more unfortunate than criminal." – from a letter of George Washington to [[Comte de Rochambeau]], 10 October 1780
* "An accomplished man and gallant officer." – from a letter written by Washington to Colonel [[John Laurens]] on 13 October 1780-->
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The 1798 play ''[[André (play)|André]],'' based on Major André's execution, is one of the earliest examples of American tragedy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book | author=Lachman, Marvin| url= http://worldcat.org/oclc/903807427| title=The Villainous Stage : Crime plays on Broadway and in the West End| date=2014| publisher=McFarland| isbn=978-0-7864-9534-4| oclc=903807427}}</ref> [[Clyde Fitch]]'s play ''Major André'' opened on Broadway in November 1903, but was not a success, possibly because the play attempted to portray André as a sympathetic figure.<ref name=":0" />
 
In [[Washington Irving]]'s famous short story, ''"[[The Legend of Sleepy Hollow]]''", the townspeople describe the site of the capture of Major John André, in particular a tulip-tree, as one of the haunted locations in Sleepy Hollow. [[Ichabod Crane]] later passes the tree himself just before he encounters the Headless Horseman.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
 
The [[young adult fiction]] book ''Sophia's War'' by [[Avi (author)|Avi]] is about a young girl becoming a [[spy]] and foiling his plot.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
 
André has been portrayed several times in film and television:
* by [[Michael Wilding (actor)|Michael Wilding]] as an eloquent and dignified idealist in the 1955 Hollywood film ''[[The Scarlet Coat]]'';
* by [[JJ Feild]] in the TV series ''[[Turn: Washington's Spies]]''{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
* by [[William Beckley (actor)|William Beckley]] in season 4, episode 26 of the sci-fi TV series ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]''{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
 
* by [[WilliamEric BeckleyJoshua (actor)|William Beckley]]Davis in season 4, episode 26 of the sci-fi TV series ''[[VoyageSleepy to the Bottom of the SeaHollow (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of theSleepy SeaHollow]]''{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
* by [[John Light (actor)|John Light]] in the movie ''[[Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor]]''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}▼
 
*by Eric Joshua Davis in the TV series ''[[Sleepy Hollow (TV series)|Sleepy Hollow]]''{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
 
▲*by [[John Light (actor)|John Light]] in the movie ''[[Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor]]''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
 
==Notes==
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{{Reflist}}
 
==BibliographyWorks cited==
{{Refbegin|33em}}
* ''An Authentic Narrative of the Causes Which Led to the Death of Major Andre, Adjutant-General of His Majesty's Forces in North America'', Joshua Hett Smith (London 1808)
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* {{citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/davidwilliamscap00raym#page/n5/mode/2up | title=David Williams and the capture of Andre: A paper read before the Tarrytown Historical Society | last=Raymond | first=Marcius D. | year=1903 | access-date=15 July 2010 }}
* {{citation | jstor=3189387 | contribution=Patriot and Criminals, Criminal and Patriots: Representations of the Case of Major Andre | last=Reynolds | first=Larry J. | title=South Central Review | publisher=Historicizing Literary Contexts | volume=9 | date=Spring 1992 | pages=57–84 | issn=0743-6831 | issue=1| doi=10.2307/3189387 }}
* {{citation | doi=10.1353/eal.2000.0011 | url=http://muse.jhu.edu/demo/early_american_literature/v035/35.3trees.html | title=Benedict Arnold, John André, and His Three Yeoman Captors: A Sentimental Journey or American Virtue Defined | last=Trees | first=Andy | publisher=The University of North Carolina Press | page=246 | volume=35 | year=2000 | journal=Early American Literature | access-date=9 March 2008 | issue=3| s2cid=162302291 | doi-access=free }}
{{Refend}}
 
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