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THE "Andre. CAPTURE" MEDAL

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THE THE "ANDRe. CAPTURE" MEDAL ............................... Col. John T. Moorhead~ AUS - Ret’d OMSA # 1953 PREFACE: The photograph of the "Andr~ Capture" Medal sho,~n overleaf is that of an exact facsimile of a copy of one of the originals which were made by a silversmith, and are not properly medals, being made by a process known as "Repousse" which involves hammering on the reverse sides of two parts, which were then fastened together. The facsimiles were no doubt made from a mold of one of the original awards or a copy of an original ..... A display of this award had been designed for public exhibition and for photographing, by Colonel John T. Moorhead, member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, No. 103732, whose great grandfather, Captain Thomas Houghtaling, sirved with the llth Regiment of the New York State Mounted Militia. Captain Houghtaling~ was born on November 14, 1731, and died on February 21, 1824. On September 23, 1780, three New York militiamen captured Major Andre/ of the British Army, and refusing his large offers of money, 4elivered him up to the American commanding officer of the district. Thus the treasonable intentions of General Arnold to surrender West Point to the enemy were frustrated. For this great service to their country they each received the thanks of Congress and a silver medal. The three militiamen so honored were: JOHN PAULDING, born in New York in 1759; and died in Wes~chester County, New York, February 18, 1848. DAVID WILLIAMS, born in Tarrytown, October 21, 1754, and died in Broome, Schoharie County, New York, August 2, 1831. ISAAC VAN WART, born in New York in 1750, and died in Westchester County, New York, May 23, 1818. They were all members of the First Regiment - Westchester County Militia. ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS LEADING TO AWARD GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS Robinson llouse, in the Highlands, TO September 26, 1780 THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS SIR: In the mean time, a packet had arrived from Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, announcing the capture of a John Anderson, who was endeavouring to go to New York with several interesting and important papers, all in the handwriting of General Arnold. This was also accompanied with a letter from the prisoner, avowing himself to be Major John Andre, adjutant-general of the British army, relating the manner of his capture, and endeavouring to show that he did not come under the description of a spy. From the several circumstances, and information that the general (Arnold) seemed to be thrown into some degree of agitation on receiving a letter, a little time before he went do~cn from his quarters, I was led to conclude immediately, that he had heard of Major Andre’s captivity, and that he would if possible, escape to the enemy; and I accordingly took such measures as appeared the most probable, to apprehend him. 20 21 But he had embarked in a barge, and proceeded down the river under a flag to the Vulture sloop-of-war, which lay some miles below Stony and Verplanck’s Points. After he got on board, be wrote to me a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. ~Jor Andre is not arrived yet, but I hope he is secure~ and that he will be here to-day. I have been and am taking proper precautions, which I trust will prove effectual, to prevent the important consequences which this conduct on the part of General Arnold was intended to produce. I do not know the party that took ~jor Andre, but it is said to have consisted only of militia, who acted in such a manner as does them the highest honour~ and proves them to be men of great virtue. They were offered, I am informed, a large sum of money for his release, and as many goods as they would demand, but without any effect. Their conduct gives them a just claim to "the thanks of their country, and I also hope they will be otherwise rewarded. As soon as I know their names, I shall take pleasure in transmitting them to Congress. I have the honour to be, &c., GEO. WASHINGTON GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. TO Paramus~ October 7, 1780 THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. SIR: I have now the pleasure to communicate the names of the three persons who captured Major Andre, and who refused to release him, notwithstanding the most earnest importunities and assurances of a liberal reward on his part. Their conduct merits our warmest esteem; and I beg leave to add, that I think the public will do well to make them a handsome gratuity. They have prevented in all probability our suffering one of the severest strokes that could have been meditated against us. Their names are John Pauldlng, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart. I have the honour to be, &c., GEO. WASHINGTON. This letter was ~Titten five days after Major Andre was executed by hanging. On Friday, November 3, 1780 Congress passed the following: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS VOTING ~EDALS TO JOHN PAULDING, DAVID WILLIAMS, AND ISAAC VAN WART BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSE!iBLED ~ereas, Congress having received information that John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, three young volunteer militiamen of the State of New York, did, on the 23d day of September last, intercept Major John Andre, adjutant-general of the British army, on his return from the American lines, in the character of a spy; and, notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release~ nobly disdaining to sacrifice their country for the sake of gold, secured and conveyed him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the United States rescued from inpending danger: Resolved, That Congress have a high sense of the virtuous and patriotic conduct of the said John Paulding, David Williamns. and Isaac Van Wart. In testimony whereof, Ordered, That each of them receive annually, out of the public treasury, 200 dollars in specie~ or an equivalent in the current money of these Sta~es, during life; and that the Board of War, procure for each of them a silver .
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