A history of the United States . letter had reached Arnold only in time to enable him toescape by taking a boat and rowing swiftly down to the Britishship which was awaiting Andre. When Washington read thedocuments he burst into tears, and with choking voice disclosedthe aftair to Lafayette and Knox and the other officers abouthim. 220. Andres Execution. — Andre was put upon trial by acourt-martial consisting of fourteen officers, including Greene, Steuben, and Lafayette, and waspronounced guilty. Though everyeffort was made by Clinton to savehis life, Washington was inflexible,and,
A history of the United States . letter had reached Arnold only in time to enable him toescape by taking a boat and rowing swiftly down to the Britishship which was awaiting Andre. When Washington read thedocuments he burst into tears, and with choking voice disclosedthe aftair to Lafayette and Knox and the other officers abouthim. 220. Andres Execution. — Andre was put upon trial by acourt-martial consisting of fourteen officers, including Greene, Steuben, and Lafayette, and waspronounced guilty. Though everyeffort was made by Clinton to savehis life, Washington was inflexible,and, on the morning of October 2,he died upon the gallows the deathof a spy. Though the Englishhave been inclined to dispute thejustice of Washingtons action,the latest and most judicious ofBritish historians of this period,Mr. Lecky, after a full examina-tion of the facts, reaches the con-clusion that his condemnation wasjustified by the usages of war. Benedict Arnolds tieason hasproperly given his name an immortality of Place of Andres Execution. §222] CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT. 167 CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT. 221. Discontent in the Army. — The treason of Arnold wasfollowed by events in the army which added to the generaldistress and anxiety. The best of the troops were those thathad enlisted during the hopeful period just after Burgoynessurrender, in 1777. The term of enlistment was three years,or during the war. The troops claimed that, as the threeyears would expire at the end of December, they would then befree. The officers interpreted the law as meaning that in casethe war should continue more than three years, the soldierswould be bound to service until its close. The army hadmany causes of complaint. Paper money issued by Congresshad now become nearly worthless. With this money Congresswas reluctant to pay the troops, but there was no other. Atthe end of December many of the regiments had received nopay for sixteen months, and supplies of clothing and shoeswere
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