Three colonial militiamen changed history. David Williams (25 years old), Isaac Van Wert (20), and their leader John Paulding (22). They were on duty near the Hudson River in New York looking for cattle rustlers. Nothing was happening so they were playing cards. Along came a man dressed as a country gentleman. The trio stopped him to check him out. He made the mistake thinking they were Loyalists. When he made a comment to that effect, they got suspicious. They made him dismount. He had a pass from Benedict Arnold which identified him as John Anderson. He demanded they let him go or escort him to a British post. What happened next possibly saved the Revolution because if Paulding had allowed Anderson to ride on, which would have been reasonable, the British might have easily captured West Point. Instead, Paulding was suspicious about Anderson’s demeanor and the fact that he had assumed they were Tories and was relieved by that. Anderson was searched and nothing was found, but Paulding knew something was fishy. He told his comrades to check the last place – Anderson’s stockings. That’s where they found the maps and papers. Anderson offered them a huge bribe. Paulding responded: “No, by God, even if you give us ten thousand guineas, you should not stir a step!” The trio brought their captive to the nearest American camp. The officer there looked at the evidence and sent it to Washington, who was headed for West Point. Before Washington arrived, another message arrived informing Arnold of the arrest of Anderson. Arnold immediately escaped to a British warship on the Hudson. Because John Andre was in civilian clothes (Arnold had suggested he wear a civilian coat), he was convicted as a spy and hung on October 2, 1780. Washington was extremely upset that Arnold escaped, but he still recognized the importance of the trios actions. “They have prevented in all probability our suffering one of the severest strokes that could have been meditated against us.” He had dinner with them. He wrote to Congress commending them which resulted in medallions and $200 pensions. New York gave each 200 acres.
https://allthingsliberty.com/2013/07/peter-francisco-fact-or-fiction/
https://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/john-paulding
0 Comments