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| Benedict Arnold photo from Google Images |
Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut on January 14, 1741. His parents, Benedict and Hannah Arnold had 6 children, but only two survived to adulthood: himself, and his sister Hannah. When Benedict Arnold was 15 years old, he left his home and joined the Connecticut Army where they went to Albany and Lake George to fight off the French invasion. But he soon abandoned the army in fear of discipline and returned home.
Arnold became an apprentice at an apothecary and in 1752, he left to create his own apothecary and also a book store. He also got involved with trade, and sometimes even commanded his own ship. He traded in the West Indies and Canada.
On February 22, 1767, Benedict Arnold married Margaret Mansfield. They had 3 sons named Benedict, Richard, and Henry. Unfortunately, Margaret died on June 19, 1775.
Upon hearing the news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Arnold marched off to get involved in the action with his troops. He requested permission to capture Fort Ticonderoga, which was approved by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. However, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys met up with Arnold and his troops. Despite Arnold having the permission to capture Fort Ticonderoga, Ethan Allen would not relinquish his command. Arnold then had to follow under the command of Ethan Allen to a successful capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Although they were successful, Arnold received little credit for the victory.
After a fight between Arnold, Ethan Allen, and Colonel Easton that resulted in Allen and Easton both leaving, Benedict Arnold tried to start with his own plans for his troops to invade Canada. But the Massachusetts Committee put Arnold under the command of Colonel Benjamin Hinman. Arnold's troops were dismissed only to be recruited by someone who Arnold was not very friendly with AT ALL.... Colonel Easton.
But all was not lost for Benedict Arnold. The plans for invading Canada were still in effect, and George Washington proposed Arnold to the Continental Congress. Benedict Arnold was given the rank of a Colonel and he started putting forth his plans for the invasion.
Arnold led his men through rough terrain to Canada. They endured snow, rain, hunger, but he ended up getting himself and his troops to the Saint Lawrence with 600 men. Arnold tried to take Quebec, but a rainstorm prevented them from moving, and an intercepted letter allowed the British to bring in more reinforcements. So Arnold waited for Colonel Montgomery and his men. On December 31, 1775, the battle started, but both Arnold and Montgomery were wounded. (This was Arnold's first of two wounds in his left leg.) Daniel Morgan was then forced to take over and they ended up trapped, but Arnold would not give up. He continued to give orders from his sickbed. Although the expedition failed, Washington gave Arnold high praise, and he received the rank of a Brigadier General.
In the winter of 1776, Benedict Arnold saw many junior officers receive promotions of Brigadier Generals above him, while he was left behind. Arnold became upset over this as well as Washington. George Washington tried to figure out why this had happened, but he was not very successful. So Benedict Arnold went to Philadelphia himself to find out for himself. Along the way, he came upon an attack where he successfully defeated the British after they had burned Danbury. He was then appointed Major General, but without seniority.
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| Benedict Arnold Photo from Google Images |
Washington then had recommended Arnold to aid Schuyler in Ticonderoga. It was there that Arnold successfully took Fort Schuyler by faking the British out by saying hundreds of thousands of American troops were marching to the fort. He arrived at Fort Schuyler with less than 1,000 men to an abandoned fort.
Then Arnold was under the command of General Gates. There, they were engaged in a battle: The Battle of Saratoga. There, during the critical moment of the battle on October 7, 1777, Arnold led his troops without orders in multiple outstanding charges that broke the British lines, and forced the British to retreat. The Americans had won the Battle of Saratoga. This battle also ensured an alliance with the French, thanks to Benedict Arnold. (General Gates was nowhere on the field) But at the end of this battle, Arnold was again wounded in his left leg and was taken to Albany. He remained there until spring due to his wound. His left leg ended up being 2 inches shorter than the other, and he walked with a permanent limp for the rest of his life. On January 28, 1778, Arnold received a commission restoring his original seniority from Congress.
And here is where it seems to go downhill. Because Arnold was too lame, Washington gave him the command of Philadelphia. The British had just evacuated from there, so there was a strong loyalist population still there. Arnold shared the same views as the loyalists in regards of not being very pleased with the alliance with the French. Soon, he married Margaret "Peggy" Shippen, a loyalist. Within the next 2 years, Arnold associated himself with many loyalists.... which really can never be any good for a patriot general.
Washington had offered Arnold the highest rank underneath himself, but it was too late. The American Cause was at a downfall- the French had hardly helped yet, our southern army was destroyed, our money became worthless, our army was hardly an army anymore and an average of 100 men a month left for the British side, and people were starting to give up hope. Benedict Arnold, having been involved with loyalists for some time now, seeing the state of our army, and reflecting on all the times he was unaccreidited, etc. had a change of heart. He made up his mind, and began bargaining with the British.
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| Benedict Arnold and John Andre passing letters Photo from Google Images |
(Now, Peggy Arnold had a bit to do with this too, despite what Benedict Arnold might say if you go to Colonial Williamsburg. But that is another story for another day.)
The plan was as follows, Benedict Arnold was to surrender West Point, giving the British access to the Hudson River that would allow them to cut off the north from the south, ultimately ending the war. In return, Arnold was to receive 20,000 pounds. But the plan failed when John Andre (who was involved with the plan being a courier between Arnold and Clinton) was captured. Arnold then fled to the British ship "The Vulture" where he received the rank as a brigadier general, pay, land in Canada, and pensions for himself and his family.
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| Scott Green protrays Benedict Arnold at Colonial Williamsburg |
That is Benedict Arnold's story. Without him and his noble efforts while he was a patriot general, the story of our American Revolution would be different. Unfortunately, he left our side for the British and the word "traitor" and "Benedict Arnold" became synonyms. If he did not go to the British side, he would have went down in history as one of the best generals in our American Revolution. After all, he was the one that won the key Battle of Saratoga. It is important to know Benedict Arnold's story, even though he was a traitor. You almost can't blame him for doing what he did, but then again, a traitor is a traitor, right? Regardless of what you think, it is important to know Benedict Arnold's story, as well as all viewpoints to any war.
Benedict Arnold was indeed a Patriot and a Loyalist; a Hero and a Traitor.
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