92 WINTER SKETCHES. 



stances and unaccountable deprivation of mind 

 in a man of the first abilities, and the virtue of 

 three militia men, threw the Adjutant General 

 of the British forces (with full proof of 

 Arnold's intention) into our hands ; and but 

 for the egregious folly or the bewildered con- 

 ception of Lieut.-Col. Jamison who seemed 

 lost in astonishment and not to have known 

 what he was doing, I should have gotten 

 Arnold." 



The militia men took Andre to Jamison, 

 and Jamison, who seems never to have been 

 suspected of complicity in the treason, 

 although that is the only rational way of ac- 

 counting for his conduct, despatched Andre 

 with a guard to Arnold himself, sending him 

 a letter detailing the circumstances of the 

 capture, but transmitting the compromising 

 papers to Washington who was upon his route 

 from New England. 



Maj. Talmadge soon afterwards arrived at 

 Jamison's quarters and having convinced his 

 superior officer of his stupidity, started in pur- 

 suit and brought Andr6 back, but strangely 

 permitted the messenger to proceed with 

 the letter. The result was that Arnold 

 effected his escape, and on the second day 



