87. The Execution of André
BY WILLIAM HEATH
(1780)[215]
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
recommends them to his
particular attention.
The principal guard officer who was constantly in the room
with the prisoner, relates that
when the hour of his 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 on 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 his staff, were present on horseback; melancholy and
gloom pervaded all ranks,
and the scene was affectingly awful. 1 was so near during the solemn
march to the fatal spot, as to
observe every movement, and share in every emotion which the sad
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
dignity 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 fitting 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 he took 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.
When the rope was 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. Thus
died in the bloom of life,
the accomplished Major Andre, the pride of the royal army.
[[215]]
André was a British officer who came
to bargain with Benedict Arnold for the surrender of the post of West
Point by treachery. He was captured while returning, and condemned
as a spy.
