American Historical Trivia

Holy Hell was this Man Hot Pt. 1

In many ways John André is much like our young boy Nathan Hale. They were both extremely patriotic and believed unwaveringly in their country, they were clever and well read, and both unmistakably handsome. But there's a catch. John André was a Red Coat.

John André was born of French descent with schooling in Britain. When he turned 20 he joined the British Royal Army. In 1777, after being released from capture via prisoner exchange, he was promoted to Captain.

When the British took Philadelphia from the Continentals, John André occupied Benjamin Franklin's house. It is here where John met a certain woman who would capture his heart. Miss Peggy Shippen was the most beautiful woman in Philadelphia- the 'It' girl, you could say. They developed a quick and vibrant love.

By 1779, John became a Major and Head of British Intelligence. Now, John began to concoct a plan that resulted in the epitome of American espionage. Knowing of the ever growing ring of American spies infiltrating the British, André knew they needed to fight back just as hard. Using his love, Peggy Shippen, André got as close to Washington as he could without hearing the information right from George's mouth.

André sent Peggy on a mission as a spy for the British to woo Benedict Arnold into spilling Continental secrets. By making Arnold fall for and marry Peggy, she was able to convince him to talk to her 'friend' about the Continentals- whom she says has wronged him by not recognizing his full potential.

Once completely winning Arnold's trust, John set out to meet with the American General. At the time Benedict was occupying West Point and agreed to give the base over to the British for a large sum profit. (All Arnold really cared about was money and how hot Peggy was.) September 20, 1780, André traveled to the meeting spot between himself and Arnold.

André and Arnold met with success, but their luck was about to run dry. After finishing business Arnold had planned to smuggle André back to the boat he had come in, but the ship had gone under fire and was forced to leave without John. Instead, André would have to make his way back by foot.

Knowing a written letter of safe passing by the Benedict Arnold would safice for any average man to get through Continental borders, Benedict assumed this would be enough for André as well. André changed into commoner clothes, leaving behind his bright red uniform, and set out for New York.

After riding on for a few hours, John came upon three militiamen. Assuming they were Loyalists by appearance, John addressed them as such and naïvely gave away his true identity as a British officer. When they flipped and announced they were actually American soldiers John tried to play the whole "I was just faking it... hahaha... I'm American...lol."

The three guys took him as prisoner anyway and back to Continental territory John André went. When taken to the headquarters of the Continental Army John gave up and confessed who he really was, surely understanding now what his fate would contain.

John told General Jameson- the General in charge- that he knew of a high ranking officer who was feeding American intelligence to the British, but he wouldn't say who. Jameson- being the ignorant bloke he was- thought it best to convey this information to none other than Benedict Arnold, the very man André was referring.

This is when young Benjamin Tallmadge stepped in, realizing the only 'high ranking American Officer' John must be referring is Benedict Arnold himself.  Praying that Arnold was not the villain of this story, Jameson sent his letter to Washington- with much reluctance though. THEN THE IDIOT GOT THE BRIGHT IDEA TO SEND BENEDICT A LETTER TOO LIKE THE BITCH ASS HE WAS!

Despite getting a letter from Jameson and Tallmadge on the situation, Washington arrived too late to West Point and Arnold had already fled- upon getting that fucking letter from Jameson.

Back where André was being held, Ben Talmadge and André got to know each other while waiting for Washington to reply. John had asked Ben what would happen to him- meaning how will he be executed. In response, Ben told the story of his best friend- Nathan Hale's- death.

When John André asked if Ben found the two situations similar, Ben said:

"Yes, precisely similar, and similar shall be your fate."

John André will be hung.

~~~~~~~~~~
Pt. 2 to come discussing André's trial and execution. I love this man.