Firle Place-Sussex (Just outside Lewes, on the "Eastbourne Road)
    Home of General Gage, the British commander at the outbreak of the American War of Independence. Alas few if any of his papers remain at the estate, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, but there are many artefacts linking the man to both America and his part in history. The old General is at rest within the walls of the nearby St Peters Church (Alas no marker or memorial exists).His papers, including many military and political documents, are housed in the Clements Library The University of Michigan.

Sulgrave Manor-Northampton
Ancestral home of George Washington's family.
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Major John Andre
South aisle of the Nave, Westminster Abbey, London.

This photograph is reproduced By kind permission of the
Dean & Chapter of Westminster.
I Would also like to add a personal note of thanks, to Ms Victoria Wood For help in obtaining this photo and others on this web site

Born 1750--Hanged after trial by American Military on October 2nd, 1778.

Handsome, artistic, beloved by the Loyalists, admired by Washington ... a spy brave and cunning ... convinced Benedict Arnold to sell out West Point ... hanged at age 31.His untimely death while but a young officer was regretted by friend and foe alike.

Education in Geneva Switzerland (probably because his father was Swiss), he proved to be a Charismatic and charming young man. His education also elevated him amongst his contemporaries, he was a linguist--having some 4 fluent languages, he was a gifted artist, could write both serious poetry and common verse, on top of this he could also play musical instruments.

Despite his high educational standard the glamour of military life appealed to Andre but as a mere tradesman of limited means, he knew he would not be able to advance in the British army, where a purchase system almost always governed promotions.

Following a forlorn love a "broken hearted" Andre finally decided to follow his dream and join the army. He received his commission on March 4th, 1771, and was selected for special training in Germany, where he spent two years. In 1774 he went to America as lieutenant in the Royal English Fusiliers travelling to Canada by way of Philadelphia and Boston.

As a British lieutenant in Canada, Andre was involved in the defence of  St. Johns which was taken by American forces on November 2, 1775, after a two month siege. He became a prisoner of war and was transferred to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was not uncommon for officers who were prisoners of war to be entertained en route to their places of detention, and Andre was entertained in Haverstraw, New York, at the home of a Mr. Hays. Also present was Mr. Hays's brother-in-law, Joshua Hett Smith. (Five years later, Andre and Smith would meet again, apparently without recognition on either side; in 1780 it was Joshua Hett Smith who set Andre on the road to capture and death).

As a captured officer Andre received far better treatment than the ordinary soldiers and were allowed to be housed at their own expense in local inns. Andre was among those officers allowed to reside with a local family,  the Caleb Cope family. The Copes developed a real affection for Andre, who gave art lessons to their eldest son. His linguistic skills aiding him greatly in this German-speaking Lancaster community and made him somewhat popular

At the close of 1776, as part of a prisoner exchange, Andre was returned to Howe, now wintering in New York. Andre presented Howe a memoir he had compiled from his observations in "the colonies." Impressed by the young man's abilities, Howe first gave him a captaincy in the 26th Regiment and recommended him as an aide to Major-General Charles Grey.

In August, 1777, serving under Grey, Andre was among the 17,000 British who landed at Head of Elk, Maryland, which led to the occupation of Philadelphia. Andre was present at the Battle of Brandywine, Grey's bloody night raid, known as the Paoli Massacre, the Battle of Germantown, the British occupation of Philadelphia, the Battle of Monmouth, and  Grey's brutal raids of 1778 in Massachusetts and New Jersey. One of the most reliable sources for the history of the war from the British side is Andre's Journal.

After its capture Andre lived in Benjamin Franklin's house in Philadelphia. While the British were preparing to evacuate the city, Andre shocked his friend Du Simitiere (a Swiss-born citizen of Philadelphia) by looting Franklin's house. This may have been under orders of  Grey?.

Following Grey's departure, in November 1778, Andre was awarded the rank of major and appointed deputy Adjutant General on the the staff of Sir Henry Clinton, Howe's successor and the new British Commander in Chief. Despite a tendency to be solitary in his relations with his staff, Clinton had confidence in Andre's abilities and soon Andre was co-ordinating British intelligence activities. This new task seemed to suit the young man to which his journal can testify.

One aspect of this task was gathering information as to which American Officers might change sides. On May 10, 1779, this seems to have born fruit as Andre received a most historic offer. American General Benedict  Arnold, commander of West Point, the fort key to control of the Hudson Valley and New England, offered to surrender the fort to the British -- for a fee. Negotiations continued for months, but bogged down over the fee. Arnold wanted 10,000 pounds, success or failure.

On top of this Arnold warned the British of  the French plan under Rochambeau to assault Rhode island. The response by Clinton was to cease his Southern campaign, leaving Cornwallis in charge and return to New York to prepare for the French arrival.

Now, Benedict Arnold arranged to be made Commandant at West Point. On July 15, Arnold asked for 20,000 pounds in return for successfully ceding West Point to the enemy. Referring to Andre, Arnold wrote to Clinton, "A personal interview with an officer that you can confide in is absolutely necessary to plan matters." This arrangement was accepted.

On the night of September 21, Andre came ashore from the British sloop "Vulture," anchored in the Hudson just south of West Point, met with Arnold, accepted a sheaf of documents, and spent the night at the house of Joshua Hett Smith -- the man Andre broke bread with in New York, years earlier -- some miles within the American lines. During the night, the "Vulture" was bombarded from the shore by American artillery, and withdrew down the river. Smith, a Loyalist collaborator, escorted Andre back to the "Vulture," only to find it missing. To their consternation, they recognized that they'd need to cross overland through American-held territory.

Because wearing his British uniform was too dangerous, Andre donned an American uniform for the trip. Smith accompanied Andre all but the last 15 miles, which were through British territory. It was in that last distance, while travelling alone and believing himself out of danger that Andre was stopped by a trio of American mounted militia, dressed in British uniform. Andre commanded them to give way but they revealed themselves and immediately searched Andre. Discovering Arnold's papers hidden in his boot Andre was immediately arrested.

It was assumed that Andre possessed stolen papers. What followed was a sequence of improbable coincidences and near misses that led to the recognition that Arnold was a traitor and thence to his escape. Arnold learned that his treason was discovered and escaped down river to the "Vulture" at the same time that Washington was arriving unexpectedly at West Point -- exactly on the day that the fortress was to have been handed over to the
British forces.

Andre was imprisoned at Tappan, New York, tried by a military court, found guilty and sentenced to hang as a spy.Many on General George Washington's staff felt great sympathy for the condemned man, visiting him frequently during his brief imprisonment. Indeed General Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton petitioned to have his sentence commuted, but Washington refused. In a famous last letter, aware that he was about to die one way or another, André wrote to Washington asking to be shot as a soldier and to avoid the disgrace of being hung as a spy.

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TAPPAN, 1ST OCTOBER 1780

SIR

Buoyed above the Terror of Death by the Consciousness of a Life devoted to honorable pursuits and stained with no Action that can give me Remorse, I trust the request 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 honour.

Let me hope Sir, that if ought in my character impresses you with esteem towards me, if ought in my misfortunes marks me as the Victim of policy and not of resentment, I shall experience the operation of these Feelings in your Breast by being informed that I am not to die on a Gibbet.

                                        I have the honour to be
                                         Your Excellency's
                                          Most obedient and
                                           most humble Servant

                                            John André, Adj. Gen. to the Brit. Army
 

This last request from a brave man was refused by Washington (Aware no doubt he was setting a precedent for a New Country) who admitted that Andre "was more unfortunate than criminal". Andre was hanged as a spy at noon on October 2, 1778. His last words were--

      " I pray you bear me witness that I met my fate like a brave man."

His body was transferred to Britain in 1821  and rests in Westminster Abbey. (In a tomb, paid in part, by troubled Americans) It lies in the South aisle of the Nave ---visit. While  in America a monument was erected to his memory on the spot he was executed.

The inscriptions on the tomb in Westminster Abbey read:

The second part was added after the repatriation of the body:

BENEDICT ARNOLD
The Crypt of St Mary's Church, Battersea, London.

ABOVE--THE INSCRIPTION IN THE CRYPT
BELOW-- THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW WITHIN IN THE CHURCH

BOTH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WORDS

TWO NATIONS WHOM HE SERVED
IN TURN IN THE YEARS OF THEIR EMNITY HAVE
UNITED IN THIS MEMORIAL AS A TOKEN OF THEIR
ENDURING FRIENDSHIP

I would like to thank the custodians of St Mary's Church for help in obtaining these photographs.
I would also like to thank in particular the Playgroup's leader, Elise for her forbearance while taking the photograph in the Crypt.

Born Norwich, Conn. Jan. 14th, 1741-Died 14th of June 1801.
    In the U.S.A he is reviled as the arch traitor but few care to know that until 1780 he had bravely fought many actions for the "rebel" cause. However for reasons known to himself (possibly because of imagined affronts?) this brave Soldier for the American side negotiated with John Andre for the surrender  of West Point to General Clinton. On the discovery of the plot he defected to the British.

    Subsequently he led an expedition against his former country and burned and looted Richmond, Virginia. In 1781 he went to London and was consulted by the King and his ministers.

    Later he returned to St Johns, New Brunswick and engaged in the West Indian trade. When War broke out between Revolutionary France and Britain, Arnold was quick to participate in fitting out privateers. Returning to London, he was shunned by much of society. Worn by depression and suffering from a nervous disease, he died in London on June 14, 1801.

St. Marys Church is on the South bank of the River Thames and may involve a certain amount of walking (Unless using a taxi). The riverside walk is a splendid means of reaching the Church---if so you cannot miss St Mary's.
NOTEAccess to Benedict Arnold's resting place can only be made with prior arrangement (As the Crypt is used by a playgroup). Contact numbers are as follows---Joan-St Mary's secretary------ ----07072 289648
                                         "e-mail"--- office@stmarysbattersea.fsnet.co.uk
or
                  Playgroup leader Elise-----0207 7380400

JOHN BURGOYNE ("Gentleman Johnney")
The north walk of the Cloisters Westminster Abbey London.

This photograph is reproduced By kind permission of the
Dean & Chapter of Westminster.
I Would also like to add a personal note of thanks, to Ms Victoria Wood For help in obtaining this photo and others on this web site

Born 1722-4th August 1792
    An undistinguished somewhat vain and boastfull soldier, playwright, famed leader and planner of the disastrous Saratoga campaign. Know for his care and concern over his men (which was well ahead of his time). It was this attitude and concern over his men that earnt him the nick-name "Gentleman Johnney". Sadly skill and reputation did not follow and certainly not into action. His slow advance from Canada, (Plus the bad luck of his supporting right wing under St Leger being repulsed by the Americans, and no support from Clinton from the South) contributed to his defeat.

    After the surrender he returned to Britain where he tried to defend his actions. A brief interlude in politics followed but spent the rest of his life in literary pusuits. He died in London on the 4th of August 1792 and was burried in Westminster Abbey.

Charles,Earl Cornwallis(1738-1805) (Note this is a memorial not His Tomb--He rests in India)
St Pauls Cathedral LONDON
Known Mostly for his surrender at YORKTOWN. However he was a brave professional soldier who was popular with his men. His service in North America included action at Brandywine and Monmouth as a division commander before being given overall command and attacking the South. He managed to totally defeat General Gates at CAMDEN before being isolated at Yorktown.
Despite his failure in the Americas he remained popular and was eventually sent to India where at 67 years of age he died.

Photograph Obtained by Kind Permission of the Dean and Chapter of
ST PAULS CATHEDRAL
I Would also like to add a personal note of thanks, to Mr J. Robinson For help in obtaining this photo and others on this web site

General Thomas Gage Born 1719 died 2nd April 1787
    Thomas Gage is of course more well know as the British Commander during the early days of the American Revolution (Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill 1775) Less well known is that he was an able and inventive leader of light infantry during the French and Indian Wars, and raised a regiment--The 80th Foot during that conflict. (Originally uniformed in BROWN and lightly equiped as befitting their role).

    As stated he is known more widely to history for the events surrounding the Start of The American Revolution. Highly critical of the "American" leaders in his reports to Britain he was subsequently ordered to take a tougher line with the population. His aggressive actions against the colonists probably contributed to the American Revolution.

    In 1774 he became governor ofMassachusetts, where he attempted to quell agitation and enforce the IntolerableActs. Lexington Concord and the Battle of "Bunker Hill" followed after which he returned to England where he was promoted t General in 1782.

General Gage died on 2nd April 1787. He rests within the walls of St Peters Church Firle. Sadly no marker or monument marks his resting place

JOHN GRAVES SIMCOE
Commander of the famed QUEENS RANGERS

Simcoe was born in England in 1752. He was the son of a Royal Navy captain who died on active service in 1759 so young Simcoe was raised by his mother, in the city of Exeter.He was educated at Eton and Oxford. In 1770 he joined the British Army and was commissioned ensign in the35th Foot and in this capacity saw action at "Bunker Hill" .(To be further researched).
    Later promotion led him into the 40th Foot before finding fame leading THE QUEENS RANGERS. His exploits gaining admiration from his superiors and respect from his foes. During the battle of Brandywine, if he had been of the Tarleton mould, one order from Simcoe could well have changed the course of history, when he ordered his men not to shoot three fleeing Americans in the back. One of those Americans was George Washington, the "rebels" leader and first President of the United States.
    He was a brave and gallant leader of men and something of a romantic as he is credited in the USA for America's  first Valentine (Link). Later saw him as Lieutenant-Governor of the new province of Upper Canada and was instrumental in the birth of TORONTO, Ontario.

Simcoe was buried with full military honours at Wolford Chapel on the family estate. A memorial to his exploits is in Exeter Cathedral.

BANASTRE TARLETON
Born in Liverpool 21st of August 1754 died on January 16th 1833.

    Thanks to such Hollywood fiction as the film "Patriot"and American propaganda he inspired at the time, possibly the most vilified British Officer (The other candidate being, Col John Butler of "Butlers Rangers" fame),  ever to have fought  in the American Revolution.

    There is no doubt Tarleton could be ruthless, and by today's standards merciless. However he was certainly not a monster. In truth he was probably no better or worse than many officers ON BOTH SIDES during the American Revolution, and far better than a good many Union officers towards beaten "rebels" in say the American Civil War (some 80 plus years later) or some American Officers fighting Native Americans as late as the early 1900's
(120 plus years later).

    When one also considers that during the period when he was waging a brilliant cavalry campaign (The tactics of which American Cavalry were quick to adopt). American rebels happily tarred feathered and set on fire men, women AND children. Rebellious coloured slaves were still being burnt at the stake (As were witches in the UK ) while punishment of criminals
In PARTICULAR REBELLIOUS SUBJECTS of all ages and sex, everywhere on the planet, was to say the least harsh.

    The testimony which has often been used against him states of his enjoyment, at shooting fleeing rebels in the back. This naturally horrifies our twentieth-- twenty first century sensitivities until one realizes that part of the duties of light cavalry (Which Tarleton led) of ALL NATIONS at that time was to chase after beaten infantry, cutting down fleeing men and turn defeat into route!.In short as stated elsewhere on the site it is a great mistake to judge people of the past by the standards of today.

    He was originally buried in the churchyard at Leintwardine, may now rest within the Church. The inscription on the memorial inside the Chapel at Leintwardine reads---

Near this place are deposited the mortal remains of Sir Banastre Tarleton
Baronet -- General in the Army -- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Governor of Berwick-on-Tweed, Colonel of the Gallant 8th Hussars.
He represented his native town of Liverpool for seven sessions and closed
his distinguished career in this place Jan. 16, 1833.

He was a tender-hearted husband, an indulgent master and liberal benefactor to the poor. This monument is raised by his bereaved widow as testimony of her affection. But he has a more imperishable memory for himself in the annals of his country, and in the hearts of many friends.

                              He was a hero, his youth's idol, glory,
                               He courted on the battlefield of war.
                                 England exulted in her valiant son
                         And stamped his name for ever on her story.

(Those reading the history of the 35th Foot may have Noticed a Captain Tareleton's name during the 1807 campaign in Egypt, as yet we have not been able to reasearch any connection.)