Historical Society Program Preview—

The Tale Of John Andre’s Hollow Boot

One of the great mysteries of American Revolutionary history revolves around the famous story of the Benedict Arnold conspiracy with British spy John Andre to facilitate British capture of West Point.

The story of Andre’s capture and the discovery of the West Point plans in his boot is well known. The romance of Andre’s singular espionage effort, and his noble bearing and courage throughout his capture, trial, and execution, have made him a popular figure, in contrast to his co-conspirator Arnold, the epitome of treachery in the American world. But what if things had gone differently?

Newtown Historical Society will examine the possibilities in a program on Monday, April 12, at 7:30 pm. The free public event will be in the meeting room of Booth Library, 25 Main Street (Route 25).

Dennis Corcoran will present the slide program and examine the history of the events leading up to and surrounding the Arnold-Andre collaboration and its final outcome, with Arnold fleeing to Great Britain and Andre hanged as a spy. Mr Corcoran will also present a number of scenarios that might have occurred had things developed differently.

If Andre had escaped back to British lines, would West Point have fallen, giving complete mastery of the Hudson River to the British? Would the Revolutionary War have been prolonged and possibly even the outcome changed? These questions and several others will be explored by Mr Corcoran, who will be dressed in period costume.

Dennis Corcoran is a retired social studies teacher. He spent 28 years teaching in the Hendrick Hudson School District of Peekskill, N.Y. He became interested in the Arnold-Andre story when he noticed that students who were not inclined to pay much attention to the unfolding story of American history always seemed to be glued to the conspiracy.

Mr Corcoran did a great deal of research into Arnold’s meeting with Andre, the route and events of Andre’s attempt to get back to British lines, and his eventual capture, trial, and execution.

For further information call 426-5937.