By Sruti (4R)

Colonists beware! You are in danger! Benedict Arnold sold The West Points plans! Arnold, commander of West Point, offered to surrender West Point for 20,000 pounds plus he wanted to replace links from the chain that goes across the Hudson River with rope. Arnold and Andre met at Joshua Hett Smith’s house so they could talk in private. Arnold gave the plans too John Andre, a British spy. But Andre was careful so he put the plans in one of his boots. But thank god, three militiamen stopped him, searched him and found the plans for West Point in his boots.

On September 28, 1780, Smith and Andre were arrested and put on trial. The trial took place in the Dutch Church in Tappan, NY. Smith was found innocent while Andre was found guilty. General George Washington stayed at the De Wint house during the trial. Andre was hung and Washington sentenced that Smith be held in jail at Fishkill. But he escaped in women’s clothing and later on he moved to England.

Then the traitor Arnold joined the Brits and fought against his own countrymen. He attacked forts in New York and Virginia. It is a good thing Arnold and Andre did not succeed in their plans to give the British West Point because then they would have control the Hudson River and have an easy time to capture NY.

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