Trial and execution John André

major andré s hanging



monument @ site of hanging



detail of inscription on monument

general washington convened board of senior officers investigate matter. trial contrasted sir william howe s treatment of hale 4 years earlier. board consisted of major generals nathanael greene (the presiding officer), lord stirling, arthur st. clair, lafayette (who cried @ andré s execution), robert howe, steuben, brigadier generals samuel h. parsons, james clinton, henry knox, john glover, john paterson, edward hand, jedediah huntington, john stark, , judge advocate general john laurance.

andré s defense was suborning enemy officer, advantage taken in war (his words). however, did not attempt pass blame onto arnold. andré told court had neither desired nor planned behind american lines. asserted that, prisoner of war, had right escape in civilian clothes. on 29 september 1780, board found andré guilty of being behind american lines under feigned name , in disguised habit , ordered major andré, adjutant-general british army, ought considered spy enemy, , agreeable law , usage of nations, opinion, ought suffer death.

glover officer of day @ andré s execution. sir henry clinton, british commander in new york, did save andré, favourite aide, refused surrender arnold in exchange him, though despised arnold. andré appealed george washington executed firing squad rules of war, hanged spy @ tappan, new york on 2 october 1780.

a religious poem found in pocket after execution, written 2 days before execution.

while prisoner, endeared himself american officers lamented death as british. alexander hamilton wrote of him: never perhaps did man suffer death more justice, or deserve less. day before hanging, andré drew likeness of himself pen , ink, owned yale college. andré, according witnesses, placed noose around own neck.

eyewitness account

an eyewitness account of last day of major andré can found in book american revolution: commencement disbanding of american army given in form of daily journal, exact dates of important events; also, biographical sketch of prominent generals james thacher, m.d., surgeon in american revolutionary army:

october 2d.-- major andré no more among living. have witnessed exit. tragical scene of deepest interest. during confinement , trial, exhibited proud , elevated sensibilities designate greatness , dignity of mind. not murmur or sigh ever escaped him, , civilities , attentions bestowed on him politely acknowledged. having left mother , 2 sisters in england, heard mention them in terms of tenderest affection, , in letter sir henry clinton, recommended them particular attention. principal guard officer, in room prisoner, relates when hour of execution announced him in morning, received without emotion, , while present affected silent gloom, retained firm countenance, calmness , composure of mind. observing servant enter room in tears, exclaimed, leave me till can show more manly! breakfast being sent him table of general washington, had been done every day of confinement, partook of usual, , having shaved , dressed himself, placed hat upon table, , cheerfully said guard officers, ready @ moment, gentlemen, wait on you. fatal hour having arrived, large detachment of troops paraded, , immense concourse of people assembled; our general , field officers, excepting excellency , staff, present on horseback; melancholy , gloom pervaded ranks, , scene affectingly awful. near during solemn march fatal spot, observe every movement, , participate in every emotion melancholy scene calculated produce.

major andré walked stone house, in had been confined, between 2 of our subaltern officers, arm in arm; eyes of immense multitude fixed on him, who, rising superior fears of death, appeared if conscious of dignified deportment displayed. betrayed no want of fortitude, retained complacent smile on countenance, , politely bowed several gentlemen whom knew, respectfully returned. earnest desire shot, being mode of death conformable feelings of military man, , had indulged hope request granted. @ moment, therefore, when came in view of gallows, involuntarily started backward, , made pause. why emotion, sir? said officer side. instantly recovering composure, said, reconciled death, detest mode. while waiting , standing near gallows, observed degree of trepidation; placing foot on stone, , rolling on , choking in throat, if attempting swallow. soon, however, perceived things in readiness, stepped wagon, , @ moment appeared shrink, instantly elevating head firmness said, momentary pang, , taking pocket 2 white handkerchiefs, provost-marshal, one, loosely pinioned arms, , other, victim, after taking off hat , stock, bandaged own eyes perfect firmness, melted hearts , moistened cheeks, not of servant, of throng of spectators. rope being appended gallows, slipped noose on head , adjusted neck, without assistance of awkward executioner. colonel scammel informed him had opportunity speak, if desired it; raised handkerchief eyes, , said, pray bear me witness meet fate brave man. wagon being removed under him, suspended, , instantly expired; proved indeed momentary pang. dressed in royal regimentals , boots, , remains, in same dress, placed in ordinary coffin, , interred @ foot of gallows; , spot consecrated tears of thousands...