Andre Captured

Paul Manship's bronze relief Andre Captured is one of several the sculptor created to commemorate episodes from the Revolutionary War (see also 1966.47.141, 1966.47.144, 1966.47.145 and 1966.47.136). Manship's papers indicate that these reliefs were designed for a projected "Hall of History," but research has not revealed where or when that project was to appear. The mounted figure represents Major John Andre, an English soldier of Huguenot descent who conspired with Benedict Arnold to surrender the fort at West Point to the British. Andre was captured by three colonial militiamen who found incriminating papers tucked in his boot. Andre was hanged as a spy on October 2, 1780.