THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH. 337 



" It may well be supposed that the news of the execution was received 

 at New York in sorrow and anger. Joshua Smith says: — "No lan- 

 guage can describe the mingled sensations of sorrow, grief, sympathy 

 and revenge, that agitated the whole garrison; a silent gloom overspread 

 the general countenance; the whole army, and citizens of the first dis- 

 tinction, went into mourning." Miss Seward also mentions the signs of 

 grief the troops displayed in their apparel; and in November a London 

 account censures Clinton for not employing the heated animosity of his 

 men to strike an avenging blow. "The troops at New York on hear- 

 ing of his execution raised such an outcry for vengence, and to be led to 

 the attack of Washington's camp, that the Commander-in-Chief could 

 hardly keep them within the bounds of discipline ; and many letters men- 

 tion, that as Sir Henry had an army at least equal to Washington's, he 

 ought to have indulged them — for the determined spirit with which they 

 were actuated, would have made them invincible against any superior- 

 ity. On this account the military critics say, "he has given another con- 

 vincing proof that he is a General who does not know when to act. Af- 

 ter this, few rebel prisoners will be taken. The universal cry of the sol- 

 diers at New York is, ' Remember Andre ! ' " 



But if Clinton would not expose his men to the doubtful enterprise, 

 he was not unmindful either of the fame or the last wishes of his friend. 

 By public orders, his memory was released from any imputation that 

 might arise from the manner of his death : 



Head-Quarters New York, ) 

 8th Oct. 1780. } 



" The Commander-in-Chief does, with infinite regret, inform the army of the 

 death of the Aujutant-General, Major Andre. 



" The unfortunate fate of this officer calls upon the Commander-in-Chief to 

 declare his opinion that he ever considered Major Andre as a gentleman — as well 

 as in the line of his military profession, of the highest integrity and honor, and 

 incapable of any base action or unworthy conduct. 



Major Andre's death is very severely felt by the Commander-in-Chief, as it as- 

 suredly will be by the army; and must prove a real loss to his country, and to 

 his Majesty's service." 



How far the army felt their loss may be gathered from Simcoe's orders 

 to his own regiment (the Queen's Rangers) by the officers and men of 

 which Andre was personally known. He commanded them to wear, for 

 the future, black and white feathers as mourning for a soldier "whose 

 superior integrity and uncommon ability did honor to his country and 

 human nature, &c." a 



a Simcoe's Mil., Jour. 152. 



