During the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold began secret contact with Sir Henry Clinton on May 23, 1779, decided to desert the American Army, corresponded with Major Andre, and conspired to surrender General Washington and West Point. On August 23, 1780, Washington gave Arnold command of West Point, and Arnold weakened the fort’s defenses. On September 20, 1780, Andre sailed up the Hudson on the Vulture to meet Arnold. On September 21, 1780, John Jacob Peterson, identified as being of African descent, and Moses Sherwood of Van Cortlandt 3rd West Militia took the cannon to Croton Point and fired on the Vulture, causing it to abandon Andre. Andre then tried to escape through American territory by way of Peekskill, Yorktown, and Bedford, but on September 23, 1780, he was captured in Tarrytown with plans of West Point. On October 2, 1780, Andre was hanged as a spy in Tappan, New York. Peterson, who lived from 1746 to 1850, was buried in Bethel Cemetery in Croton, New York, and served in the 2nd New York Regiment, 3rd West Militia, and Van Renssalaer New York Regiment. Sherwood, who lived from 1761 to 1867, was buried in Sparta Cemetery in Ossining, New York, and served in the 2nd New York Regiment, 4th New York Regiment, and Hammonds New York Regiment.