John Andre, a British officer, born in London in 1751, executed at Tappan, Rockland co., N. Y., Oct. 2,1780. At 18 years of age he embarked in a mercantile career, but being disappointed in a love affair he entered the army, and in the autumn of 1775 was taken prisoner by Gen. Montgomery in Canada. He afterward became aide-de-camp successively to Gen. Grey and Sir Henry Clinton, the latter of whom in 1779 caused him to be promoted to the rank of major, and appointed adjutant general of the British army in North America. In this capacity he soon became engaged in a secret correspondence with (Jen. Benedict Arnold of the continental army, the object of which was the betrayal of the American cause to the British commander-in-chief. Early in August, 1780, Arnold assumed command of West Point on the Hudson river, then the strongest and most important post in the United States, and considered the key of communication between the eastern and southern states. In furtherance of his treasonable designs he proposed to Clinton, whose headquarters were then in New York, to deliver this fortress into his hands, and with a view of perfecting arrangements for that purpose demanded a personal interview with Andre The latter accordingly repaired on Sept. 20 to Dobbs Ferry, on the Hudson, and failing to meet Arnold there, went on board the British sloop-of-war Vulture, which was anchored in the river near that place.

On the night of the 21st he went ashore at a point about 6 m. S. of Stony Point and had an interview with Arnold, which was prolonged into the morning of the 22d. On departing for West Point Arnold gave him a passport, authorizing John Anderson (the name assumed by Andre) to pass the American lines to White Plains or below, if he chose; and also six papers in his own handwriting which would enable the British general to direct his attacks against West Point with almost absolute certainty of success. These, at Arnold's suggestion, Andre concealed between the soles of his feet and his stockings. Andre had fully expected to return to New York on board the Vulture; but finding this impossible, he reluctantly crossed the river to Verplanck's Point, accompanied by one Joshua Smith, at whose house the interview with Arnold had taken place, and prepared to journey on horseback to New York. Previous to this he had, contrary to the positive instructions of Clinton, exchanged his uniform of a British officer for a disguise. He passed the night of the 22d with Smith at a place called Miller's, and early on the succeeding morning was again in the waddle.

Near Pine's bridge Smith left him, and he proceeded on his way alone, taking the Tarrytown road through what was then known as the "neutral ground" a region devastated by marauding parties from both armies. Between 11 and 12 o'clock, when within half a mile of Tarrytown, he was challenged by three men, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart, to whom he incautiously replied that he belonged to the "lower" or British party. His captors, who were Americans, immediately searched his person and discovered the treasonable papers. Rejecting his offers of pecuniary reward, they conveyed him to the nearest military station at North Castle, He was thence taken to Tap-pan, the headquarters of the American army, and tried as a spy before a board of officers consisting of six major generals and eight brigadiers, by whom he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Every effort was made by Clinton to save him. and every fair opportunity allowed by Washington, but his offence under military law was unpardonable.

His request that he might be shot could not under the circumstances be granted, and he was hanged as a spy, in the full uniform of a British officer, and in the presence of a large detachment of troops and an immense concourse of people, whom he bade witness that he died like a brave man. During the brief period of his captivity he endeared himself to all who came in contact with him by his sweetness of disposition and the charm of his conversation and manners. His fate was lamented not less sincerely by American officers than by his own countrymen. Its justice, notwithstanding the exasperation which it originally provoked in England, is now generally conceded. In 1821 Andre's remains were removed to England, and are now interred in Westminster Abbey beneath a costly monument of marble.