1. Col. Israel Angell began his diary entry for this date: “A foggy morning but Soon Cleard off hott” (Field, Angell Diary description begins Edward Field, ed. Diary of Colonel Israel Angell, Commanding the Second Rhode Island Continental Regiment during the American Revolution, 1778–1781. Providence, 1899. description ends , 121–22).

2. For the papers taken from British major John André, who used “John Anderson” as his alias, see Document VIII.

GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton provided details on André’s activities and capture when he wrote Lt. Col. John Laurens circa 11 Oct.: “Since my return from Hartford, my Dear Laurens, my mind has been too little at ease to permit me to write to you sooner. It has been wholly occupied by the affecting and tragic consequences of Arnold’s treason. My feelings were never put to so severe a trial. You will no doubt have heard the principal facts before this reaches you; but there are particulars, to which my situation gave me access, that cannot have come to your knowlege from public report, which I am persuaded you will find interesting.

“From several circumstances, the project seems to have originated with Arnold himself and to have been long premeditated. …

“Arnold employed one Smith to go on Board the Vulture the night of the 22d [Sept.] to bring André on shore with a pass for Mr. John Anderson. André came ashore accordingly, and was conducted within a picket of ours to the house of Smith, where Arnold and he remained together in close conference all that night and the day following. At day light in the morning, the commanding officer at Kings ferry, without the privity of Arnold moved a couple of pieces of cannon to a point opposite to where the vulture lay and obliged her to take a more remote station. This event, or some lurking distrust, made the boatmen refuse to convey the two passengers back, and disconcerted Arnold so much, that by one of those strokes of infatuation, which often confound the schemes of men conscious of guilt, he insisted on André’s exchanging his uniform for a disguise, and returning in a mode different from that in which he came. André who had been undesignedly brought within our posts in the first instance remonstrated warmly against this new and dangerous expedient. But Arnold persisting in declaring it impossible for him to return as he came, he at length reluctantly yielded to his direction. Smith furnished the disguise, and in the evening passed Kings ferry with him and proceeded to Crompond where they stopped the remainder of the night (at the instance of a militia officer) to avoid being suspected by him. The next morning they resumed their journey Smith accompanying André a little beyond Pine’s bridge, where he left him. He had reached Tarry town, when he was taken up by three militia men, who rushed out of the woods and seized his horse.

“At this critical moment his presence of mind forsook him. Instead of producing his pass which would have extricated him from our parties and could have done him no harm with his own, he asked the militia men, if they were of the upper or lower party, distinctive appellations known among the enemy’s refugee corps. The Militia men replied they were of the lower party; upon which he told them he was a British officer and pressed them not to detain him, as he was upon urgent business. This confession removed all doubt; and it was in vain he afterwards produced his pass. He was instantly forced off to a place of greater security; where after a careful search there were founded concealed in the feet of his stockings several papers of importance delivered to him by Arnold; among these were a plan of the fortifications of West Point, a memorial from the Engineer on the attack and defence of the place, returns of the garrison, cannon and stores, copy of the minutes of a council of war held by General Washington a few Weeks before. …

“To his [Arnold’s] conduct, that of the captors of André forms a striking contrast. He tempted them with the offer of his watch, his horse and any sum of money they should name. They rejected his offers with indignation; and the gold, that could seduce a man high in the esteem and confidence of his country, who had the remembrance of past exploits; the motives of present reputation and future glory to ⟨cloak⟩ his integrity, had no charm for three simple peasants, leaning) only on their virtue and an honest sense of their duty. While Arnold is handed down with execration to future times, posterity will repeat with reverence the names of [Isaac] Van Wert, [John] Paulding and [David] Williams!” (Hamilton Papers description begins Harold C. Syrett et al., eds. The Papers of Alexander Hamilton. 27 vols. New York, 1961–87. description ends , 2:460–70, quotes on 460–61, 463–64, 470, angle brackets in source; see also Council of War, 6 Sept.). For the actions of John Peterson—“a colored man” who had served in the Continental army—that preceded the firing upon the Vulture that compelled the British sloop to move where inaccessible to André, see Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 156–61, 170–73, quote on 158. Lt. Col. Henry Dearborn noted this firing “at day brake” of 22 Sept. in his journal entry for that date (Brown and Peckham, Dearborn Journals description begins Lloyd A. Brown and Howard H. Peckham, eds. Revolutionary War Journals of Henry Dearborn, 1775–1783. 1939. Reprint. New York, 1971. description ends , 204; see also Col. Israel Angell’s diary entry for 22 Sept. in Field, Angell Diary description begins Edward Field, ed. Diary of Colonel Israel Angell, Commanding the Second Rhode Island Continental Regiment during the American Revolution, 1778–1781. Providence, 1899. description ends , 121, and Nathanael Greene to GW, 23 Sept.).

David Williams recalled André’s capture in a communication to Isaac H. Tiffany when at Broome, N.Y., on 13 Feb. 1817: “Williams, Van Wart and Paulding, (Williams aged between twenty-two and twenty-three, the other two being younger,) were going to see some relations twenty miles below. The three were seated beside the road, in the bushes, amusing themselves at cards, when their attention was arrested by the galloping of a horse. On approaching the road, they saw a gentleman riding towards them, seated on a large brown horse, which was afterward observed to have marked on the near shoulder, the initials ‘U.S.A.’ The rider was a light, trim-built man, about five feet, seven inches in height, with a bold military countenance and dark eyes; and was dressed in a round hat, blue surtout, crimson coat, with pantaloons and vest of nankeen. As he neared them, the three cocked their muskets and aimed at the rider, who immediately checked his horse, and the following conversation ensued: …

“Andre—‘I am a British officer: I have been up in the country on particular business, and would not wish to be detained a single moment.’

“He thereupon pulled out a gold watch, and exhibited it as an evidence that he was a gentleman, and returned it again to his fob. Paulding thereupon remarked, ‘We are Americans.’

“Andre—‘God bless my soul! a man must do anything to get along—I am a Continental officer, going down to Dobbs’s Ferry, to get information from below.’

“Andre then drew out and presented a pass from General Arnold, in which was the assumed name of ‘John Anderson.’ Seizing hold upon the reins of the horse, they ordered him to dismount. Andre exclaimed, ‘You will bring yourselves into trouble!’ ‘We care not for that,’ was the reply. They took him down, ten or fifteen rods, beside a run of water; and Williams proceeded to search the hat, coat, vest, shirt, and pantaloons, in which they found eighty dollars in Continental money; and at last, ordered him to take off his boots. At this, he changed color. Williams drew off the left boot first, and Paulding seizing it, exclaimed, ‘My God! here it is!’ In it, three half-sheets of written paper were found enveloped by a half-sheet, marked, ‘Contents, West Point.’ Paulding again exclaimed, ‘My God! he’s a spy!’ On pulling off the other boot, a similar package was found.

“Andre was now allowed to dress, and they marched him across the road, into the field, about twenty rods. The young men winked to each other to make further discoveries, and inquired from whom he got the papers? ‘Of a man at Pine’s Bridge, a stranger to me,’ replied Andre. He then offered them for his liberty, his horse and equipage, watch, and one hundred guineas. This they refused to take, unless he informed them where he obtained the manuscript. He refused to comply, but again offered his horse, equipage, and one thousand guineas. They were firm in their denial; and Andre increased his offer to ten thousand guineas and as many drygoods as they wished, which should be deposited in any place they desired—that they might keep him and send some one to New York with his order, so that they could obtain them unmolested. To this they replied, ‘That it did not signify for him to make any offer, for he should not go.’ They then proceeded to the nearest military station, which was at North Castle, about twelve miles distant. On the way, Andre gave them his watch, telling them that ‘it was a prize.’ On delivering him to Colonel Jameson, the commanding officer, that gentleman enjoined the strictest secresy, at the same time expressing an opinion that there were others doubtless concerned in the plot. Major Tallmadge, who had commanded a guard, received Andre at Colonel Jameson’s quarters, and afterward, with about twenty men, conducted him to Colonel Sheldon, at Salem. The three accompanied Andre part of the way, and then left. During the night, Tallmadge caused Andre to be tied to a tree at Comyen hill. From Salem he was conveyed to West Point, and from thence to Tappan” (Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 1–4; see also Dawson, Trial of Joshua Hett Smith description begins Henry B. Dawson, ed. Record of the Trial of Joshua Hett Smith, Esq., for Alleged Complicity in the Treason of Benedict Arnold, 1780. Morrisania, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 56–60, and Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 184–86). Tallmadge subsequently recollected that he learned late on 23 Sept. 1780 about “John Anderson” being brought to North Castle; that the prisoner had departed earlier for West Point; and that Jameson had “dispatched an express with the papers found on John Anderson, to meet Gen. Washington, then on his way to West Point.” Tallmadge prevailed on Jameson to return André to the headquarters at North Castle. He then escorted André to Salem, N.Y. (Tallmadge, Memoir description begins Memoir of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, Prepared by Himself, at the Request of his Children. 1858. Reprint. New York, 1968. description ends , 34–36; see also Document II, source note).

Isaac Van Wart likewise recalled André’s capture at a much later date: “When a division of the American army was at North Castle, commanded by Colonel Jameson, I went on a scouting party, consisting of two besides myself, in order to way-lay the Cowboys or Refugees, who, we had notice, passed the North River post, daily, with cattle, horses, sheep, &c.

“While at the encampment at North Castle, John Paulding came, one afternoon, to me, saying, ‘Isaac, have you any objection to going with me on a scout, below?’ ‘No,’ says I. We then started between three and four o’clock in the afternoon, with our English rifles on our shoulders, and proceeded southward. After walking a mile or so, we fell in with David Williams, and persuaded him to accompany us on our expedition. At night, we came to neighbor John Andrew’s barn at Mount Pleasant, and slept on the hay until daybreak. We next crossed the fields to the North River post-road; and about half-past seven o’clock, we came to the widow Read’s house, got some milk and a pack of playing cards. At nine we reached the field beside the road … three-quarters of a mile from Tarrytown. Getting over the fence, we found it filled with thick bushes, underwood, &c., &c. We cleared a spot; and Paulding, taking out the cards, said, ‘Boys, we will draw cuts—two can play, while the third stands sentry.’ The cuts were made, and I was to stand sentinel.

“During fifteen or twenty minutes, several neighbors, whose political principles I well knew, passed the field where we were, without discovering us—Paulding and Williams keeping a perfect silence, and I laying down within the bushes, and close to the fence. Shortly, (say twenty or thirty minutes from the time of our arrival) I saw a horseman ride slowly along on a black horse. … I said to Paulding and Williams, ‘Here’s a horseman coming; we must stop him.’ We got up, with our firelocks ready, and waited for him to advance.

“As soon as he (it was Major Andre) saw us standing by the fence, he reined in his horse, and riding straight up to us, said, ‘God bless you, my dear friends, I hope you belong to our party!’ We asked ‘What party?’ Without hesitation, he smilingly replied, ‘Why, the lower party. I am a British officer; and to convince you that I am a gentleman, and aver the truth, see, here is my gold watch.’ We told him he was wrong; for we neither belonged to his nor to the lower party, but were Americans, and that he was our prisoner.”

Van Wart’s account of taking André to Jameson then largely parallels the one from Williams until a final paragraph: “I wish you to know, that after traveling one or two miles, Major Andre said, ‘I would to God you had blown my brains out when you stopped me.’ During this speech, and the whole of the journey, big drops of sweat kept continually falling from his face. He suffered much in mind, as was apparent from his great dejection; but he acted like a gentleman, candidly and politely. He never once attempted to escape” (Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 4–7; for Van Wart’s deposition on André’s capture, dated 28 Jan. 1817, and a related testimonial, see Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 119–22; see also Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 173–76).

John Paulding, deposed on 6 May 1817, provided his recollection of André’s capture: “John Paulding, of the County of Westchester, one of the persons who took Major Andre, being duly sworn, saith, that he was three times during the revolutionary war a prisoner with the enemy:—the first time, he was taken at the White Plains, when under the command of Captain Requa, and carried to New York, and confined in the Sugar House: the second time, he was taken near Tarry Town, when under the command of Lieutenant Peacock, and confined in the North Dutch Church, in New York: that both these times he escaped; and the last of them only four days before the capture of Andre: that the last time he was taken, he was wounded, and lay in the hospital in New York, and was discharged on the arrival of the news of peace there: that he and his companions, Van Wart and Williams, among other articles which they took from Major Andre, were his watch, horse, saddle, and bridle, and which they retained as prize: that they delivered over Andre, with the papers found on him, to Colonel Jameson, who commanded on the lines: that shortly thereafter they were summoned to appear as witnesses at the head-quarters of General Washington, at Tappan: that they were at Tappan some days, and examined as witnesses before the court martial on the trial of Smith, who brought Andre ashore from on board the sloop of war: that while there, Colonel William S. Smith redeemed the watch from them for thirty guineas; which, and the money received for the horse, saddle, and bridle, they divided equally among themselves and four other persons, who belonged to their party, but when Andre was taken, were about half a mile off, keeping a lookout on a hill: that Andre had no gold or silver money with him, but only some continental bills, to the amount of about eighty dollars: that the medals given to him, and Van Wart, and Williams, by Congress, were presented to them by General Washington, when the army was encamped at Verplanck’s Point, and that they on the occasion dined at his table: that Williams removed some years ago from Westchester County to the northern part of the State, but where, particularly, the deponent does not know. And the deponent, referring to the affidavit of Van Wart, taken on the 28th of January last, and which he has read, says that the same is in substance true” (Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 123–24; see also Dawson, Trial of Joshua Hett Smith description begins Henry B. Dawson, ed. Record of the Trial of Joshua Hett Smith, Esq., for Alleged Complicity in the Treason of Benedict Arnold, 1780. Morrisania, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 52–56; Lossing, Pictorial Field-Book description begins Benson J. Lossing. The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution; or, Illustrations, by Pen and Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence. 2 vols. New York, 1851–52. description ends , 2:187–89; and Document XVI, n.7).

Another version of André’s capture can be found in the recollections of Joshua King, who served in 1780 as a lieutenant in the 2d Continental Dragoons. King, who oversaw André during his first day as a prisoner, wrote Charles Hoadley from Ridgefield, Conn., on 9 June 1817 and related André’s account of having left with Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold’s pass and instructions “to take a route by Peekskill, Crompond, Pine’s Bridge, Sing Sing, and Tarrytown, to New York.

“Nothing occurred to disturb him in his route, until he arrived at the last place, excepting at Crompond; he told me his hair stood erect, and his heart was in his mouth, on meeting Col. Samuel B. Webb of our army, plump in the face—an acquaintance of his. He said the Colonel stared at him, and he thought he was gone; but they kept moving, and soon passed each other. He then thought himself passed all danger. Whilst ruminating on his good luck and hair breadth escape, he was assailed by three bushmen near Tarrytown, who ordered him to stand. He says to them, ‘I hope, gentlemen, you belong to the lower party.’ ‘We do,’ says one. ‘So do I,’ says he, ‘and by the token of this ring and key you will let me pass. I am a British Officer on business of importance, and must not be detained.’ One of them took his watch from him, and ordered him to dismount. The moment this was done, he said he found he was mistaken, and he must shift his tone. He says, ‘I am happy, gentlemen, to find that I am mistaken. You belong to the upper party, and so do I. A man must make use of any shift to get along, and to convince you of it, here is Gen. Arnold’s pass … and I am in his service.’ ‘Damn Arnold’s pass,’ says they. ‘You said you was a British Officer; where is your money?’ ‘Gentlemen, I have none about me,’ he replied. ‘You a British Officer, and no money,’ says they. ‘Let’s search him.’ They did so, but found none. Says one, ‘he has got his money in his boots, let’s have them off and see.’ They took off his boots, and there they found his papers, but no money. They then examined his saddle, but found none. He said, he saw they had such a thirst for money, he could put them in a way to get it, if they would be directed by him. He asked them to name their sum to deliver him at King’s Bridge. They answered him in this way. ‘If we deliver you at King’s Bridge, we shall be sent to the Sugar House, and you will save your money.’ He says to them, ‘If you will not trust my honor, two of you may stay with me, and one shall go with a letter which I shall write. Name your sum.’ The sum was agreed upon, but I cannot recollect whether it was five hundred or a thousand guineas, the latter I think was the sum. They held a consultation a considerable time, and finally they told him, if he wrote, a party would be sent out and take them, and then they all should be prisoners. They said they had concluded to take him to the commanding Officer on the lines. They did so, and retained the watch, until Gen. Washington sent for them to Tappan, when the watch was restored to Major Andre. Thus you see, had money been at command after the imprudent confession of Major Andre, or any security given that the patriots could put confidence in, he might have passed on to Sir Henry Clinton’s Head Quarters, with all his papers, and Arnold’s papers into the bargain. I do not recollect to have seen a true statement of this business in any history that has fallen into my hands” (Dawson, Papers Concerning André description begins Henry B. Dawson, comp. Papers Concerning the Capture and Detention of Major John André. Yonkers, N.Y., 1866. description ends , 45–50, quotes on 48–50; see also Document II, source note).

3. For recent intelligence from Jameson, see his letter to GW on 17 Sept. 1780, found at GW to Greene, 18 Sept., n.2.