Aldie Obelisk Honors John Champe, A Revolutionary War Spy By Richard Hooper For Middleburg Life
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n Route 50 at Dover, a little west of Aldie, two historical markers commemorate Sergeant-Major John Champeâs contribution to the American Revolution. Near the intersection of Champeâs Ford Road is one of the familiar roadside markers, and in a field west of that stands a stone obelisk erected in 1939 inset with a bronze plaque reading, âHere was the home of Sergeant Major John Champe Continental Army who risked the inglorious death as a spy for the independence of his country.â Wilbur C. Hall of Leesburg, one of the individuals instrumental in placing the obelisk, wrote the poem, âA Ballad of the Revolution,â which begins: Come sheath your swords! my gallant boys, And listen to the story, How Sergeant Champe, one gloomy night, Set off to catch the Tory. The Tory was Benedict Arnold, who began as a general in the American Continental Army, but secretly changed his allegiance to the British and hatched a plot to turn over the fort at West Point. The plan was discovered in late September, 1780 and Arnold, fleeing for his life, joined the British Army as a brigadier general. Arnoldâs liason to the British was Major John AndrĂŠ, a man of great charm and a favorite aide to British commander Sir Henry Clinton. When
AndrĂŠ was captured by American soldiers, he was carrying papers confirming Arnoldâs allegiance to the British. AndrĂŠ was hanged as a spy on Oct. 2 at Tappan, N.Y., which is where John Champe was stationed as part of Leeâs Legion, commanded by Henry âLight Horse Harryâ Photo by Richard Hooper Lee. It is Leeâs military memoirs that contain most of the information regarding Obelisk memorial to John Image courtesy of Michele and Donald DâAmour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts. Gift of Lenore B. and Sidney Champe. Champe. A. Alpert, supplemented with Museum Acquisition Funds, Photography by David Stansbury. Arnoldâs defection was demoralizing The Escape of Sergeant Champe as depicted by Currier & Ives. to many American soldiers, and the British had also let slip information that other gunfire, Champe jumped into the river and made spirator would be waiting with a boat to ferry high-ranking American officers were planning his way to a British vessel. them to Hoboken, N.J., where Arnold would be desertion. As well as desiring Arnoldâs capture Champe was transported to the British turned over to Lee. and return, George Washington needed to know encampment and the details, as with much of Lee waited in vain, however, because Arnold if there was validity to the British claims or merely his life, become very sketchy and at times con- and his troops, including Champe, relocated into clever disinformation. tradictory. Champe was presented to Sir Henry Virginia, where Champe managed to escape the Thus, a plan was formed to fake a convinc- Clinton who, believing that Champe was sincere British forces near Petersburg. He rejoined Lee ing desertion and to infiltrate the British Army. in his defection, assigned him to Benedict Arnold. and was given a discharge by Washington, who Champe was selected by Lee to be the deserter. However, taking orders from Arnold was too feared that if Champe were taken by the British On horseback, Champe at first appeared repugnant for Champe, who convinced Arnold heâd be hanged. to amble out of the encampment, but he was that he was tired of fighting and if captured in The obelisk at Dover was the location of challenged by his own guards and put spurs to battle, heâd surely be hanged by the Americans. Champeâs home after the war, until he moved into his mount, quickly escaping. His departure was Champe somehow made contact with what is now West Virginia. It can be seen from the reported to Lee, who stalled as long as possible, American friends within the British camp and road, but drive carefully, itâs only a fleeting glimpse before issuing his order to, âBring him alive that was able to communicate with Lee, informing through the summer foliage. n he may suffer in the presence of the army; but kill him that the British story about further desertions him if he resists or escapes after being captured.â Richard Hooper is an antiquarian book by officers was untrue. Unfortunately, we do not Champe was pursued through the night and know how he obtained this information. Perhaps expert and dealer in Middleburg. He specializes in into the next day. Tracking was easier in the day- it came from Arnold. art objects related to dogs, horses and equestrian light, because the Leeâs Legionâs horses were shod Through the aid of his confederate, Champe sports and is the creator of Chateaux de la Pooch, in an unusual manner that was easy to identify. planned to overpower and abduct Arnold during elegantly appointed furniture for dogs and home. Champeâs pursuers eventually closed in and, amid his midnight stroll in his garden. Another con- He can be contacted at rhooper451@aol.com.
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