13. The Danger to West Point
The Patriots were aware of the threat posed by British control of the Hudson River. So they built strong fortifications on bluffs overlooking the Hudson upstream from New York City, at West Point. That choked off the river to enemy navigation. Capturing West Point thus became a Holy Grail for the British. In 1780, British Army Major Andre entered into communications with American General Benedict Arnold, who commanded West Point. The go-between was Arnold’s wife, Peggy Shippen, a Philadelphia socialite from a Loyalist family, with whom Andre was rumored to have had a romantic affair during the British occupation of that city.
Arnold agreed to turncoat and betray West Point to the British in exchange for £20,000 – about $4 million in 2020 US dollars. Spymaster and would-be traitor met secretly in September, 1780. Arnold gave Andre the plans for West Point, along with civilian clothes and a passport to get him through American lines. Andre aroused suspicions, however, and was detained by an American patrol. On him were found the incriminating documents.