15
of which a timber or two can be seen at low tide, was between the two rows of
huge old willows seen in the view. This was taken from the Ten Byck property
on the north, and the boulder seen on a line with the post in the nearer stone
wall shows the exact spot. Lonely and deserted as it now is, it is hard to realize
that during the Revolution it was the ferry-place of the patriot army and the
public, and a link of communication1 between New England and the South. As
a natural sequence, it was constantly occupied by the ferrymen and a detail of
soldiers, and near it our party met some of Livingston's officers. One was
Captain Cooley, probably Adjutant John, late of the Third Westchester militia
but then of the Fourth (Colonel Crane's). A second was William Jameson.2
Smith asked Cooley if they could get a boat, and was told they might catch the
Government boat if they were quick about it. They had previously met Maior
John Burrowes, of Spencer's New Jersey Regiment
(often called the Fifth Battalion of the Jersey Line),8
to whom Smith dexterously gave the slip after a brief
colloquy, and near a tent—of either Livingston or /¦% -- —-
these officers, probably the latter4—Smith stopped, \^K^Z-K..- -M.—•*f\
chatted, and without dismounting drank grog or
punch from a bowl handed him. Andre and the negro meanwhile rode on. It
may easily be supposed the former was in no mood for unnecessary conver-
sation with the officers, to whom Smith was well known. The ferryboat which
was probably a bateau (flatboat or scow) was just starting as they boarded
her. Among the rowers were Cornelius, Lambert and Henry Lambert and
Benjamin Acker. Henry Lambert6 was steersman, William Van Wert__or Van
Wart—was the ferrymaster, and on reaching the eastern shore Smith paid him
eight dollars Continental money for the ferriage. Smith's presence doubtless saved
Andre from unwelcome questions, and once the boat reached her dock, in the deep
bay called Green's Cove, nearly a mile southeast of the extremity of Verplanck's
Point, he was free to continue his journey—henceforward to be full of danger.
1 It -was called the lower route, to distinguish it from the upper, terminating at Fishkill. At this time there
were 166 "bateau-men " at Verplanck's and Stony Points.
2 He was apparently an officer, as, witnessing at Smith's trial, he spoke of "my tent." Possibly the company
tent was meant. The New York records do not contain any officer of the name. Another account says
they also met Major Kierse. '
3 John Burrowes first appears as Captain in Forman's New Jersey Regiment, 1776, then in 1779 as Major in
Spencer's. After the war he became Sheriff of Monmouth County, N. J.
He seems to have been commanding officer at Haverstraw, as Smith, on his trial, asked him whether his
guards at the lower end had reported to him "meeting (being passed by) two strange gentlemen the night
before" (Thursday). These two must have been Arnold ana Andr£.
i On his trial Smith stated that he met Livingston at Verplanck's Point Livingston corroborated him, adding
that he gave Smith two letters to deliver, one each for Arnold and Governor Clinton. Smith adds that
Livingston was related to Mrs. Smith, and that he asked Andre and W«i to remain to supper, but Andre
declined. While Smith, as a rule, is a discredited authority, I think he may be trusted on minor points.
5 Names which show the craft must have been the Government boat, for all were soldiers. Cornelius was
a veteran who had served in the Third New York Levies (Colonel Morris Graham). In the previous May
he had enlisted in the Fourth New York Continentals (Colonel James Hughes) in which Acker was also
a private. Lambert was a private (Combs' company) and Henry a lieutenant (Orser's company) of the
First Westchester militia.
