PREFACE
IN putting forth a new book on so familiar a subject as the conspiracy of Benedict Arnold
with Major Andr6, I am not unmindful of the opening words of Issing's Field-Book,
"The story of the Revolution has been well and often told." My excuse for again
telling this part of it must be, first, to again quote tossing: "A large proportion of our
people are but little instructed in many of the essential details of that event, so important for
every intelligent citizen to learn," and secondly, that while so much has been printed that I cannot add much new material, it has not been published in any complete form. Hence the
student who seeks for all its details has been obliged to consult a wearisome succession of
books, periodicals, newspapers, and some MSS., many accessible only to the favored few
living within reach of our great libraries.
Finally, no complete itinerary of Andre's journey has been published,1 nor has any
authority given more than a few illustrations of the various places identified with him. In
this last respect I flatter myself I have left no scene of any interest unrepresented; and to
this feature I trust in part for popular endorsement of my work. To obtain the photographs Mr. Bennett and myself visited almost every site, and traveled over the greater part of Andre's path.
The map showing his route has been carefully drawn from authentic surveys, and shows every detail. I am greatly indebted for their aid in preparing it, and for valuable
topographical information, to Mr. I^avalette Wilson, of Haverstraw; Rev. Amos C. Requa,
of Peekskill; Judge J. O. Dykman, of White Plains; Mr. William H. Bleakley, of Verplanck's
Point; Rev. David Cole, of Yonkers, and Mr. Edward Hagaman Hall, of New York; and
for access to their libraries, to Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet and Mr. William I,. Stone.
If my book shall increase interest in Revolutionary history and lead to further investigation of the many events for which general histories cannot afford adequate space, it will
not have been written in vain. In that hope it is now confided to the individual whose
qualifying adjective, in view of the numerous membership of ladies in our patriotic societies,
assumes a new and pleasing significance — the '' Gentle Reader.''
W. A.
West Chester, N. Y., 18pp.
1 Save Judge Dykman's Last Twelve Days of Major Andre", in 1889.
