70

I LEFT TAPPAN before John André’s death. It is, as I said at the beginning, a terrible thing to see a man hang.

John André was buried in a grave near the gallows in Tappan, New York. Some years later, his remains were taken to England and were reinterred in London’s Westminster Abbey. It was in a section known as the Hero’s Corner.

I do not believe he was a hero, for he and his army waged a terrible war against my countrymen—including my beloved brother. How many perished in New York prisons? Shortly after the war, this notice appeared everywhere.

To all Printers of Public news-papers

Tell it to the whole World, and let

It be published in every News Paper

throughout America, Europe, Asia, and

Africa, to the everlasting disgrace and

Infamy of the British King’s Commanders

At New-York, That during the late War,

it is said ELEVEN THOUSAND SIX

HUNDRED and FORTY-FOUR American

Prisoners, have suffered death by their inhuman,

Cruel, savage and barbarous usage on board

the filthy and malignant BRITISH PRISON

SHIP called the JERSEY, lying at New York.

Britons tremble lest the vengeance of Heaven

Fall on your life, for the blood of these

Unfortunate victims!

An AMERICAN

And this was just the Jersey. Not the Good Intent or other hulks. Not the sugarhouses. Not the churches used as prisons. What had my father said about the British: “Are they not our kinsmen and a civilized people?”

How deceived we were!

In 1824, some time after John André was laid to his final rest in England, I crossed the ocean and visited the abbey. Kneeling, I placed on his grave the faded blue ribbon he once gave me. For I knew two things: that I had caused his hanging death and that I adored him.

You see, I no longer wish to be at war with myself.

Dear Reader:

My story is done, but I remain your most humble servant,

Sophia Calderwood