The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02541.02 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1823 |
| Title | An account of the execution of Major John Andre |
| Date | 18 September 1823 |
| Author | North, William (1755-1836) |
| Document Type | Miscellany |
| Content Description | Details the execution of Major John Andre, accused of being a spy, and expresses his sympathetic feelings toward Andre's unfortunate fate. Describes how Baron Von Steuben could not comply with Andre's wish to suffer a soldier's death by being shot since the only suitable death for a spy is hanging. |
| Subjects | Death Revolutionary War Military History Military Law Global History and Civics Death Death Penalty Prisoner Treason American Statesmen Spying |
| People | North, William (1755-1836) Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand (1730-1794) André, John (1750-1780) |
| Place written | New London, Connecticut |
| Theme | Law; The American Revolution |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | John André was the aide-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander-in-chief. He was involved in Benedict Arnold's treason plot to surrender West Point to the British. He was captured by the American forces and hanged as a spy in Tappan, New York on October 2, 1780. Many on both sides felt that Arnold should have been the one to die for treason and that André just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Washington had no choice but to punish him as a spy. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |