Today's MOZEN: "Consecrated by the Tears of Thousands" - Memorial Day 2015

Major John Andre'/Self portrait. Words by F LoBuono

Memorial Day is always intensely reflective for me. I did not serve in the military but my father, uncles and many friends did. Most of them saw intense combat action and, by their own admissions, are fortunate to have survived. But, so many of them did not. Too many of our best and brightest have been lost to the beast that is war. It's this terrible loss, this sacrifice of so much of our youth, the ones with the most potential, that truly fills me with such great sadness.

The recent TV series, Turn: Washington's Spies, has featured key events during the American Revolution and how import the roll of information garnered by spies on both sides was to the final outcome of the conflict. And, perhaps, the most important of these events, and certainly one of the most well known, involved the treason of General Benedict Arnold. We are familiar with the story: Arnold tried to sell the blueprints for West Point's fortifications to the British. Had the British been able to take West Point, they would have cut the Colonies in half. It was a plan to divide and conquer. For this, Arnold's name, even for it's infamy, is well known to American history. However, a lesser known player is that of his British counterpart, Major John Andre'. Andre', thirty years-old at the time, was the dashing head of British intelligence when he hatched the plot to turn Arnold. By all accounts, Andre' was an incredibly accomplished man. In addition to being a gallant soldier, he was also an actor and a singer. He was an artist. He spoke four languages. He wrote plays and poetry. In a sense, Andre' was the living embodiment of the Renaissance Ideal.

The '76 House Today

After meeting with Arnold, Andre' must have felt that he had pulled off his bold plan. Arnold had his money and Andre's had the plans to the fort. However, after a series of almost freakish circumstances, Andre' was discovered and captured. In an strange twist of fate, Arnold caught every break and escaped. After his capture, Andre' was taken to Colonial headquarters in Tappan, NY and held prisoner in Mabie's Tavern (the tavern is still there and now called The '76 House). His trial was held across the street in the Old Reformed Church (it is also still there). During his imprisonment, Andre' completely won over his captors. He was a brilliant conversationalist and held their attention for hours. He sang to them. He sketched. He wrote. And, never once, it has been written, did he ever complain of his lot. In fact, it was said that he was resigned to his fate and insisted that he meet it with bravery and grace. ALL were impressed with his fearless resolve. He never asked Washington for quarter. In fact, the only request that he made was to be shot as a soldier and not hung as a criminal. Even after he received his sentence of death, he never wavered. On the eve of his execution, he sketched the self-portrait seen above. In it he appears calm and relaxed.

The Old Reformed Church, Tappan, NY

The only time it was said that Andre's faltered was when he was lead to the gallows, he realized that he would indeed be hung and not shot. After a momentary step backwards, Andre' preceded, unaided, where he blindfolded himself AND placed the noose around his own neck. This is an eyewitness account of his last moments:

Colonel Scammel now informed him that he had an opportunity to speak, if he desired it; he raised the handkerchief from his eyes, and said, "I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave man." The wagon being now removed from under him, he was suspended, and instantly expired; it proved indeed "but a momentary pang." He was dressed in his royal regimentals and boots, and his remains, in the same dress, were placed in an ordinary coffin, and interred at the foot of the gallows; and the spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands..."

Tappan, NY

And, so he died a hero. His body was placed in a plain wooden casket and buried at the site of his execution. In 1821, at the behest of the Duke of York, his remains were exhumed and transported back to London where they were given a heroes burial at Westminster Abbey. He lies there today, with other heroes of the British Empire.


What fills me with so much sadness from this story, and all the others of war, is the incredible sense of loss. There have been so many Andres throughout our history - so many young men with so much potential, lost forever. Who knows what Andre might have accomplished should he have lived a full life? When I think of the sacrifices made by these men and woman I bow my head in reverence. At the same time, as I honor their sacrifice and morn their loss, I would also vow to move forward to stop war, end the killing, and allow ALL young people to live their lives to their fullest potential.