Pennsylvania Gazette 1780
Patriot Turns Traitor!
by Steven
Today American History has been changed! Patriots and American militias everywhere have almost lost the war! When Benedict Arnold, the commander of West Point, gave the defense plans of West Point to British Major John Andre, we were shocked! Luckily for us, we caught Andre when he was crossing militia lines in Tarrytown. He hid the plans in his boots.
Be on the alert for spies! We found out that loyalist, Joshua Hett Smith, let Arnold and Andre exchange plans on September 22,1780 . Arnold received a huge 10,000 pounds sterling for the American plans of West Point. Andre was found guilty in the Old Dutch Church in Tappan. During the trial, he was held prisoner in the Old ’76 house. After being found guilty, he was hung as a spy on October 2, 1780. Arnold escaped to New York and joined the British. He fought against his own country as a brigadier general in the British army under General Henry Clinton.
West Point is very important. Beware Americans! If we let the British take over West Point then we will be done for. They will have control over the Hudson River! That means they would have control over the colonies! Another part of the deal was to change the chain into rope across the Hudson River. Then the British could attack the fort at West Point.. We’re lucky that didn’t happen. But what if our militia hadn't captured Major Andre? We would have lost the war! SO BEWARE OF SPIES!