John Champe

While little is known of John Champe’s early life in Loudoun County, Virginia, one can derive from his life that he is an underappreciated American hero of the Revolutionary War. His superior General Henry Lee described him in his memoir as “rather above common size- full of bone muscle.”[1]

Champe was a valuable soldier in that he knew the Virginia terrain well and thus provided an advantage to the Patriot cause as the war moved South. When Benedict Arnold betrayed the Americans in 1780, Champe was hand selected by George Washington to lead an espionage counter attack.[2]

The initial Patriot plan was for Champe to gain Arnold’s trust by enlisting in the British Army in New Jersey, make Arnold believe that he too had betrayed the American cause, and swiftly capture him.[3] In making his way up to the New York City region, Champe was nearly captured himself but was so charismatic and confident he was able to talk himself out of trouble.[4]

Champe analyzed the region quickly and sent a plan via messenger to General Lee in Virginia, to capture Arnold via an alley by his quarters in the city.[5] Champe had to quickly pivot when his British unit was moved to Virginia, forcing him to stay in the British Army for several months undercover.

[6] This dedication, to live a convincing and sustained lie while surrounded by the enemy, is laudable and surprising.

After he managed to escape the British Army, Champe was dismissed from service. Washington knew that if he and his unit were captured by the British they would all be hanged, and so despite his bravery Champe was now a liability on the battlefield.

Champe retired along with wife and seven children in Aldie, VA. In his retirement, he served as the doorkeeper and sergeant-at-arms for meetings of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1783.[7]