September 29, 1780 British spy John André is court-martialed, found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging today in 1780. André was an accomplice of Benedict Arnold, had been captured by Patriots John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart six days earlier, after they found incriminating papers stashed in his boot. Arnold escaped to a British warship and General Washington petitioned to the British for a trade of André for Arnold. After receiving no reply, He was executed by hanging in Tappan,NY on October 2nd at 31 years old.
Today, September 28, 1781, marks the start of the Siege of Yorktown. Continental troops under the leadership of General Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau. The Continentals along with French engineers started digging trenches parallel to Cornwallis' fortifications. In a few weeks they would begin bombardment of the King's forces and force the surrender of Cornwallis effectively ending the War.
The NWTA will be a part of this fall festival next weekend October 10 & 11 in Lebanon, IN.
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Ethan Allen is captured
September 25, 1775
After aborting a poorly planned and ill-timed attack on the British-controlled city of Montreal, Continental Army Colonel Ethan Allen is captured by the British on September 25, 1775. After being identified as an officer of the Continental Amy, Allen was taken prisoner and sent to England to be executed.
Although Allen ultimately escaped execution because the British government feared reprisals from the American colonies, he was imprisoned in England for more than two years until being returned to the United States on May 6, 1778, as part of a prisoner exchange. Allen then returned to Vermont and was given the rank of major general in the Vermont militia. In 1777, Vermonters had formally declared their independence from Britain and their fellow colonies when they created the Republic of Vermont. Forever loyal to the colony he founded, Allen spent the rest his life petitioning the Continental Congress to grant statehood to Vermont
On September 25, 1780, Benedict Arnold defected to the British, a pivotal moment revealing his betrayal of the American cause. After his accomplice, Major John André, was caught with incriminating documents, Arnold fled his post as commander of West Point and narrowly escaped capture. His defection stemmed from feelings of being overlooked for promotion, financial struggles, and bitterness over his treatment after a court-martial, leading him to conspire with the British to surrender the strategic fortress.
TRY REENACTING!
Do you want to fire a musket, help crew a cannon, or just enjoy an evening around the fire?
Our Units are excited to host folks who want to try out the hobby.
They will supply the necessary gear and clothing for you (and your family) to join us for a weekend reenacting the American Revolution!
What are you in for? Read our “What Re-enacting with the NWTA Looks Like.”