The American militia men were hidden in the bushes having lunch and playing cards when they heard the horse galloping toward them. He was Maj. John André, head of British secret intelligence. He had only received the information two days earlier from Benedict Arnold, the commander of the fort, and André now was riding south in the hope of getting back behind the British lines. But the militia men, John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, questioned André, realized he was a spy and arrested him. West Point was never attacked, André was later hanged and Arnold, whose name became synonymous with treason, fled.

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Persons: John André, “ John Anderson, ”, Benedict Arnold, André, John Paulding, David Williams, Isaac Van, Arnold Locations: Tarrytown, N.Y, West