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SERGEANT CHAMPE. |
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Base Arnold's head, by luek, was sav'd,
Poor Andre was gibbeted, Arnold's to blame for Andre's fame,
And Andre's to be pitied.
Sergeant John Champe was " a native of London county, in Virginia, rather above the ordinary size, full of physical power, with a countenance grave and thoughtful." He enlisted in the Continental army at the age of nineteen, where he served with honor to himself and the corps to which he belonged. He was honorably discharged from service, by Gen. "Washington, on the conclusion of his hazardous adventure, lest he might be taken by the enemy and hung ; and soon after retired to his home in London county. In 1798 he removed to Kentucky, where he remained until the time of his death.
2 And listen to the story. General Washington, on his return to the army, immediately sent for Major Lee. This officer, on repairing to head-quarters, found the general alone in his marquee busily engaged in writing. As soon as he entered, a bundle of papers was laid before him for perusal, in which he found much information tending to prove that Arnold was not alone in the conspiracy, but that among others, a major-general, whose name was not concealed, was as guilty as Arnold himself. It was for the purpose of forming a plan to ascertain the truth of these suggestions, as well as for the capture of Arnold, that "Washington had summoned Lee, and the project was known to them alone. " It is my desire," said "Washington, " to probe to the bottom the intelligence contained in the papers you have just read ; to seize Arnold, and by securing him, to render it possible for me to restore the amiable and unfortunate Andre to his friends. Have you, in your legion, a person capable and willing to undertake a delicate and dangerous project ? Whoever comes forward, will lay me under great personal obligations, and in behalf of the nation I will reward him." Lee suggested a ser- |
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