Hey everyone, this is my first visit back since June when I retired from the Army and started my new job as a JROTC instructor in Lubbock, Texas. I have a new found respect for teachers! I have had no time to hang out on AH.com, I have dropped my latest story because I have no time to do the research and posting. I have missed it however, so I made the time to post an interesting story I read in a US Army publication. Please enjoy. The following story has been reprinted word for word from the October 2012 issue of the NCO Journal.
"Like many other Continental Army Soldiers in October 1780, Sergeant Major John Champe, a 28 year old serving in Major Henry Lee's "Loudoun Dragoons" cavalry unit, was utterly disgusted with Major General Benedict Arnold's desertion to the British side a month before. But when Champe's unit found itself encamped across the Hudson River from Arnold's headquarters in New York City, it found it had a singular opportunity to capture the infamous traitor.
General George Washington entrusted the mission to Lee, his most able cavalry officer, who in turn recommended Champe - a man "of tried courage and inflexible perseverance" - as the perfect double agent.
Champe set the plan in motion late in the night of October 20, when he crossed the Hudson to present himself to British officers as a deserter. Interrogated over and over again by British officers, he stuck to his cover story - that he was inspired by Arnold's defection and wanted to do the same. Impressed, Arnold made Champe one of his recruiters, which gave him almost unfettered access to Arnold's home.
Ten days later, unaware that Champe was about to kidnap him, Arnold moved his headquarters away from Lee's grasp. Champe was forced to go along, fighting for the British until he was able to escape back to Continental troops a few weeks later.
Though unsuccessful, Champe's "daring and arduous attempt" became famous among Continental troops, and Washington excused him from further war service. He later served as the Continental Congress' doorkeeper before retiring to Loudoun County, Virginia. He died there in 1798 at the age of 46. His exploits were later told in Lee's memoirs, republished by his son, General Robert E. Lee."
So, what if Champe had been successful in his attempt to kidnap Arnold and return him to Continental control? Please discuss.
"Like many other Continental Army Soldiers in October 1780, Sergeant Major John Champe, a 28 year old serving in Major Henry Lee's "Loudoun Dragoons" cavalry unit, was utterly disgusted with Major General Benedict Arnold's desertion to the British side a month before. But when Champe's unit found itself encamped across the Hudson River from Arnold's headquarters in New York City, it found it had a singular opportunity to capture the infamous traitor.
General George Washington entrusted the mission to Lee, his most able cavalry officer, who in turn recommended Champe - a man "of tried courage and inflexible perseverance" - as the perfect double agent.
Champe set the plan in motion late in the night of October 20, when he crossed the Hudson to present himself to British officers as a deserter. Interrogated over and over again by British officers, he stuck to his cover story - that he was inspired by Arnold's defection and wanted to do the same. Impressed, Arnold made Champe one of his recruiters, which gave him almost unfettered access to Arnold's home.
Ten days later, unaware that Champe was about to kidnap him, Arnold moved his headquarters away from Lee's grasp. Champe was forced to go along, fighting for the British until he was able to escape back to Continental troops a few weeks later.
Though unsuccessful, Champe's "daring and arduous attempt" became famous among Continental troops, and Washington excused him from further war service. He later served as the Continental Congress' doorkeeper before retiring to Loudoun County, Virginia. He died there in 1798 at the age of 46. His exploits were later told in Lee's memoirs, republished by his son, General Robert E. Lee."
So, what if Champe had been successful in his attempt to kidnap Arnold and return him to Continental control? Please discuss.
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