Alexander Scammell Executes A Spy

Updated 6/23/21

Alexander Scammell carried out the execution of Major John Andre.

“I shall very reluctantly part with Colo. Scammell, as he has constantly performed his duty to my entire approbation and to the satisfaction of the Army…”  

-George Washington, November 28, 1780

The Battle of Fort William and Mary

After several years as a schoolteacher, Alexander Scammell left Massachusetts for Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Scammell became an expert surveyor, specializing in the locating of timber for the British Navy to make ships from. During this time, hostilities with the Mother Country arose.

Alexander followed his mentor, John Sullivan, into action during the often-overlooked Battle of Fort William and Mary. Occurring before Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Fort William and Mary was a raid performed by colonists outside Portsmouth in a successful effort to collect gunpowder from their British overlords.

Adjutant General

Scammell served in most of the notable early battles of the Revolutionary War, including the Invasion of Canada and the Battles of Brooklyn, Trenton, Princeton and Saratoga.

During the Continental Army’s encampment at Valley Forge, General Washington chose Scammell to replace Timothy Pickering as Adjutant General.

As Adjutant General, Alexander was the Continental Army’s chief administrative officer. If the army was a business, Scammell was CEO.

Executioner

We all know that Benedict Arnold was the Great American Traitor.

What is often forgotten is that Arnold escaped capture. His British co-conspirator, however, got away.

Major John Andre was one of those charming men that everyone seemed to get along with. When he was found guilty as a spy, even the most battle harden American Generals were sad that he had to be hung.

The man assigned by General Washington to carry out his execution?

Alexander Scammell.

On the morning of Andre’s hanging, Scammell wrote him a letter which reads, in full:

“Sr

His Excellency Genl Washington has fix’d the Hour at 12 o Clock this Day. I am Sr Yr Most Obedt Servt

A. Scammell A.Gl”

Unfortunately, hanging such a beloved man, enemy or not, stuck with Scammell and just six weeks later he requested to be relived of his position.

He insisted on rejoining his men in the field and was replaced by Edward Hand.

Decoy

In recognition of his service, Alexander was given a division of men to lead. These soldiers became known as Scammell’s Light Infantry.

When Washington began moving the Continental Army to Yorktown, Scammell’s Light Infantry was given the responsibility of distracting the main body of the British Army encamped on the island of Manhattan. This was accomplished accordingly, and the Redcoats did not know of the American movements until it was too late.

Yorktown

When the Brits went to attack New London, Connecticut in an effort to bring Washington back, Scammell brought his men south to catch up with their Commander.

In the early days of the Siege of Yorktown, Scammell was separated from his men during a scouting mission. He ran into a group of British soldiers who shot and captured him.

Suffering from a severe wound, Alexander was released by his captors to seek treatment from the Americans. This was of no use and Scammell passed away on October 6, 1781.

His country would win the war just thirteen days later.

To read about lesser known Founder who were at (but survived) Yorktown, check out my articles on Caleb Gibbs and Tench Tilghman.

If you’d like to learn more about Yorktown, pick up a copy of ‘In the Hurricane’s Eye’ which is very good. It can be found through the affiliate link below.

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