On his arrival at the gallows he was led to the wagon under it, raised himself into it, and said to those near by, " Gentlemen, I pray you to bear witness that I meet my fate as a brave man." He then took the noose from the hands of the hangman, removed his hat and snow-white neckcloth, pushed down the collar of his shirt, and, opening the noose, put it over his head and around his neck, drawing the knot close on the right side directly under his ear. He then took a handkerchief from his pocket and tied it over his eyes; taking another he handed it to the hangman, who pinioned his hands behind him. The wagon was then removed from under him, leaving him suspended, and he expired instantly. Dr. James Thacher, of the American army, a spectator, writing of the event in his Journal, says : tk The spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands." Andre's remains were interred within a few yards of the place of his execution, but in 1821 they were transferred to England and buried in that sacred resting place of her mighty dead in Westminster Abbey, near a monument erected to his memory. Major Andre was the pride of the British army, and the valued and confidential friend and aide of Sir Henry Clinton. He was but twenty-nine years of age, tall, well proportioned, genteel, graceful, and dignified; his countenance was mild, expressive, and prepossessing, indicating a man of superior attainments. In his profession he was ambitious, skillful, brave, and enterprising. His death was regretted even by his enemies, but there was nothing in the execution that was not consistent with the rules of war, and his sacrifice was necessary for the public safety. Washington, writing to the president of the continental congress from the Robinson house, September 2(3, 1780, says: " I don't know the party who took Andre, but it is said it consisted only of a few militiamen, who acted in such a manner upon the occasion as does them the highest honor and proves them to be men of great virtue.