You may think it was odd that parents would name their newborn . [70] This initial letter opened a discussion on the types of assistance and intelligence that Arnold might provide, and included instructions for how to communicate in the future. Benjamin Franklin wrote that "Judas sold only one man, Arnold three millions", and Alexander Scammell described his actions as "black as hell". Benedict's exploits and continuous wins caught the eye of George Washington, who . Washington Irving used it as part of an argument against dismemberment of the union in his 1857 Life of George Washington, pointing out that the unity of New England and the southern states which led to independence was made possible in part by holding West Point. [128], Arnold left a small estate, reduced in size by his debts, which Peggy undertook to clear. [a][133] Historical markers in Danvers, Massachusetts, and Newburyport, MA commemorate Arnold's 1775 expedition to Quebec. It just doesn't respect it", "Letter, Benedict Arnold to George Washington pleading for mercy for his wife", "Benedict Arnold: The Aftermath of Treason", "Saratoga National Historical Park Activities", "Saratoga National Historical Park Tour Stop 7", links to primary sources about Benedict Arnold before and after his treason, Arnold, Benedict (17411801), army officer | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, African Americans in the Revolutionary War, Intelligence in the American Revolutionary War, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benedict_Arnold&oldid=1139478021, 18th-century American non-fiction writers, American expatriates in the United Kingdom, British Army personnel of the American Revolutionary War, British people of the French Revolutionary Wars, British spies during the American Revolution, Businesspeople from New Haven, Connecticut, Connecticut militiamen in the American Revolution, Continental Army officers from Connecticut, Continental Army personnel who were court-martialed, Military personnel from Norwich, Connecticut, People of Connecticut in the French and Indian War, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2019, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2020, All articles with broken links to citations, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Benedict Arnold (17681795) (Captain, British Army in Jamaica), Henry Arnold (17721826) (Lieutenant, American Legion cavalry), Edward Shippen Arnold (17801813) (Lieutenant, British Army in India; see, James Robertson Arnold (17811854) (Lieutenant General, Royal Engineers), George Arnold (17871828) (Lieutenant Colonel, 2nd (or 7th) Bengal Cavalry). Before his name became synonymous with treason, Benedict Arnold was a bonafide hero of the American Revolutionary War. Needed repairs were never ordered on the chain across the Hudson. Clinton was concerned that Washington's army and the French fleet would join in Rhode Island, and he again fixed on West Point as a strategic point to capture. Benedict Arnold's name has become infamous for his treacherous acts regarding the fort at West Point, which he was in command of, and his very name has even become a synonym for either treason or betrayal. [142] His descendants are spread across Canada, most of all those of John Sage, who adopted the Arnold surname. He then went to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and suggested to George Washington a second expedition to attack Quebec City via a wilderness route through Maine. One colonel wrote to Clinton concerning Arnold: "There are many officers who must wish some other general in command. The prisoner seemed suprised to see the gallows, but walked calmy toward it. [121], In July 1792, Arnold fought a bloodless duel with the Earl of Lauderdale after the Earl impugned his honor in the House of Lords. attended Canterbury for a while, but when the family's money was lost in some bad business dealings, he had to leave school. [13] A commonly accepted story that he deserted from militia service in 1758[14] is based on uncertain documentary evidence.[15]. He started as an apprentice His father was a successful businessman and young Benedict had a comfortable childhood. At a prearranged rendezvous point on the shoreline his contact arrived just after midnight. [67], Early in May 1779, Arnold met with Philadelphia merchant Joseph Stansbury[c] who then "went secretly to New York with a tender of [Arnold's] services to Sir Henry Clinton". In May 1775, Arnold's forces eventually clashed with the British at Fort Ticonderoga - nestled along the shores of Lake . Arnold said that it would have been better had it been in the chest instead of the leg. Lee Moran. He marched with 700 men by way of the Maine wilderness, a remarkable feat of woodsmanship and endurance, and, reinforced by Gen. Richard Montgomery, attacked the well-fortified city. [127] His funeral procession boasted "seven mourning coaches and four state carriages";[103] the funeral was without military honors. Arnold had the power to act, to defy the stresses of business and the dangers of the battlefield; but Peggy had the power to endure. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Neither side knew for some days that the other was in agreement with that offer, due to difficulties in getting the messages across the lines. Peggy Shippen had barely turned eighteen when in June of 1778, following the evacuation of Philadelphia by a British army, Major General Benedict . He would be an apprentice in the mercantile trade for seven years. Arnold returned to England in 1791, but he left to spend several years privateering in the West Indies before permanently settling in London. Washington refused his offer to resign, and wrote to members of Congress in an attempt to correct this, noting that "two or three other very good officers" might be lost if they persisted in making politically motivated promotions. Meanwhile, in April 1779, Arnold married Margaret (Peggy) Shippen, a young woman of loyalist sympathies. He knew that he was distrusted and disliked by senior military officers on both sides. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut and named after his His mother was Hannah Waterman King, a rich widow. In the later part of the conflict, Arnold was commissioned as a brigadier general in the British Army, and placed in command of the American Legion. Arnold resented this affront, and only Washingtons personal persuasion kept him from resigning. Benedict Arnold was an enthusiastic patriot who believed passionately in the cause of American liberty. Understand why Benedict Arnold spied for the British during the American Revolutionary War. Arnold arrived in New Brunswick in December 1785, so Sage's mother could not have been from there. He also began to insist on a face-to-face meeting, and suggested to Arnold that he pursue another high-level command. [104] He justified his actions in an open letter titled "To the Inhabitants of America", published in newspapers in October 1780. [109] They also attacked and captured Fort Griswold across the river in Groton, Connecticut, slaughtering the Americans after they surrendered following the Battle of Groton Heightsand all these deeds were done just a few miles down the Thames River from Norwich, where Arnold grew up. [42] Amid negotiations over that issue, Arnold wrote out a letter of resignation on July 11, the same day that word arrived in Philadelphia that Fort Ticonderoga had fallen to the British. When his British contact, Maj. John Andr, was captured by the Americans, Arnold escaped on a British ship, leaving Andr to be hanged as a spy. Benedict Arnold was named brigadier general by the British government and sent on raids to . He was again severely wounded in the left leg late in the fighting. [62], Wetherell says that the shortest explanation for his treason is that he "married the wrong person". Some historians suggested an Arnold liaison in New Brunswick, but Canadian historian Barry Wilson noted the weakness of this traditional account. Arnold was promoted to brigadier general for his role in reaching Quebec, and he maintained an ineffectual siege of the city until he was replaced by Major General David Wooster in April 1776. Apparently, Arnold also had self-confidence issues and his new wife Peggy wasn't helping the situation. [133] George Canning Hill authored a series of moralistic biographies in the mid-19th century and began his 1865 biography of Arnold: "Benedict, the Traitor, was born". Arnold became a shrewd and prosperous trader in New Haven while also joining the local militia in 1774 and being named its captain soon thereafter. A pharmacist by trade, the 34-year-old Arnold joined the rebellion in 1775. [111] He renewed that request when he learned of the surrender, which Clinton then granted. Promoted to the rank of brigadier general, Arnold constructed a flotilla on Lake Champlain and inflicted severe losses on a greatly superior enemy fleet near Valcour Island, New York (October 11, 1776). Benedict Arnold Is America's Most Famous Traitor. Arnold's letters continued to detail Washington's troop movements and provide information about French reinforcements that were being organized. "[32], Arnold began the war as a captain in the Connecticut militia, a position to which he was elected in March 1775. [62], Arnold had been badly wounded twice in battle and had lost his business in Connecticut, which made him profoundly bitter. The Hudson River Chain today Four days later, Arnold sent a ciphered letter with similar content into New York through the services of the wife of a prisoner of war. Arnold reopened the secret channels with the British, informing them of Schuyler's proposals and including Schuyler's assessment of conditions at West Point. Jameson reluctantly recalled the lieutenant who had been delivering Andr into Arnold's custody, but he then sent the same lieutenant as a messenger to notify Arnold of Andr's arrest. "[144] The victory monument at Saratoga has four niches, three of which are occupied by statues of Generals Gates, Schuyler, and Morgan. Arnold and Wemyss faced similar situations but created different legaciesWemyss "served with distinction during the war" but became a footnote in history; Arnold lost the respect of people on all sides of the Revolution and his name became synonymously linked to treason. His chaplain Rev. Arnold's early life consisted of study at some of the Continent's best private schools. In real life: Arnold left for England in late 1781, before the official surrender, in an unsuccessful bid to persuade the Crown to keep the war going in America. He helped organize militia forces on British-held islands, receiving praise from the landowners for his efforts on their behalf. Benedict Arnold High School Gallery Official Name Benedict Arnold High School Location Details Universe Earth-Twelve Country United States of America First Appearance Adventures of Bob Hope #95 ( November, 1965) Contents 1 History 2 Residents 2.1 Students and Alumni 2.2 Faculty 3 Notes 4 See Also History This article is a stub. Benedict Arnold was a patriot officer who served the cause of the American Revolution until 1779, when he shifted his allegiance to the British. The arched, double-door main entrance provided a stately, picturesque quality to the home. [86], Arnold's command at West Point also gave him authority over the entire American-controlled Hudson River, from Albany down to the British lines outside New York City. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Colony of Connecticut, British America. He returned to the army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in May 1778 to the applause of men who had served under him at Saratoga. [146] There are also historical markers bearing his name at Wyman Lake Rest Area on US-201 north of Moscow, Maine, on the western bank of Lake Champlain, New York, and two in Skowhegan, Maine.[147]. [citation needed], He then continued on to Philadelphia where he met with members of Congress about his rank. He traveled extensively in the course of his business throughout New England and from Quebec to the West Indies, often in command of one of his own ships. [85], On August 3, 1780, Arnold obtained command of West Point. He also faced financial ruin, falling 16,000[b] in debt with creditors spreading rumors of his insolvency, to the point where he took legal action against them. The Portrayal of Benedict Arnold in American History", Shy, John. The sacrifice of Andr made Arnold odious to loyalists, and his reputation was further tarnished among his former neighbours when he led a raid on New London, Connecticut, in September 1781. His ventures met with mixed success. [21] However, it is unknown whether this encounter actually happened or not. On June 16, Arnold inspected West Point while on his way home to Connecticut to take care of personal business, and he sent a highly detailed report through the secret channel. [118] The family moved to Saint John in 1787, where Arnold created an uproar with a series of bad business deals and petty lawsuits. How did Benedict Arnold betray the Continental Army to the British? The absent name is Benedict Arnold, a name now synonymous with "traitor." Many Americans understand why his name has been erased from the chapel of the garrison he once commanded. He dared not tell me his name. He was a war hero who persistently fought for America's independence. [128][d], Benedict Arnold's name became synonymous with "traitor" soon after his betrayal became public, and biblical themes were often invoked. He began to drink heavily, and . As the park's Facebook page explains, the hero's name was left off the monument for a reason. "No," he replied, and after a few moments of silence, noticing my surprise, he added, "I am perhaps the only American who cannot give you letters for his own country all the relations I had there are now broken I must never return to the States." He followed up that action with a bold raid on Fort Saint-Jean on the Richelieu River north of Lake Champlain. General Parsons laid it aside, seeing a letter written as a coded business discussion. [114] His reputation also came under criticism in the British press, especially when compared to Major Andr who was celebrated for his patriotism. Yet as every elementary school student knows, Benedict reneged on his original commitment and defected to England. [123], In January 1801, Arnold's health began to decline. After trying and failing to hand the fort at West Point over to the British, he joined the Royal Army and took . However, his actions at Saint-Jean and Valcour Island played a notable role in delaying the British advance against Ticonderoga until 1777. Background. [113], Arnold then applied to accompany General Carleton, who was going to New York to replace Clinton as commander-in-chief, but the request went nowhere. [45] He then distinguished himself in both Battles of Saratoga, even though General Gates removed him from field command after the first battle, following a series of escalating disagreements and disputes that culminated in a shouting match. Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. Two months later he repelled a British attack on Danbury, Connecticut, and was made a major general, but his seniority was not restored and Arnold felt his honour impugned. Arnold's childhood was marred by tragedy; by age 20, he was an orphan struggling to make his way in the world as an apothecary. [149] The faculty club at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton has a Benedict Arnold Room in which letters written by Arnold hang on the walls. He then presented the attack of Fort Ticonderoga. In 1764, he formed a partnership with Adam Babcock, another young New Haven merchant. Wikipedia Sign up to our newsletter. [10] His apprenticeship with the Lathrops lasted seven years. American, then British officer after defecting during the US Revolutionary War (17401801), For other people named Benedict Arnold, see, Raids in Virginia and Connecticut colonies, Arnold's birth records indicate that he was born January 3, 1740 (, One British pound in 1776 would be worth about 160 in 2019. [108], On his return to New York in June, Arnold made a variety of proposals for attacks on economic targets to force the Americans to end the war. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. He had requested to resign multiple times after being refused promotions and, from December 1779 to January 1780, was court-martialed because of multiple charges of misconduct. Arnold's friend, George Washington, was heartbroken over the news, but was forced to deal with the treacherous act. Donald Trump has taken over from Benedict Arnold as "America's number one traitor," according to a group of veterans seeking to vote the president out of office this November. Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. 8. At critical moments Arnold inspired the Patriots with his grit and determination and earned the admiration of George Washington. He grew resentful of several rival and younger generals who had been promoted ahead of him and given honors which he thought he deserved. After formal inquiries, he was usually acquitted, but Congress investigated his finances and determined that he was indebted to Congress, and that he had borrowed money heavily to maintain a lavish lifestyle. On the morning of September 22, from their position at Teller's Point, two American rebels, John "Jack" Peterson and Moses Sherwood, under the command of Col. James Livingston fired on HMS Vulture, the ship that was intended to carry Andr back to New York. After Benedict Arnold betrayed the Continental Army, his British contact, Major John Andr, was captured by the Americans and hanged as a spy while Arnold escaped on a British ship. In 1776, he deployed defensive and delay tactics at the Battle of Valcour Island in Lake Champlain that gave American forces time to prepare New York's defenses. [145], There are plaques on the grounds of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, commemorating all of the generals who served in the Revolution. [101] From the ship, he wrote a letter to Washington[102] requesting that Peggy be given safe passage to her family in Philadelphiawhich Washington granted. On August 13, Schuyler dispatched him with a force of 900 to relieve the siege of Fort Stanwix, where he succeeded in a ruse to lift the siege. His company marched northeast the following month to assist in the siege of Boston that followed the Battles of Lexington and Concord. General Washington gave him a light reprimand, but it merely heightened Arnold's sense of betrayal; nonetheless, he had already opened negotiations with the British before his court martial even began. Benedict Arnold betrayed the Continental Army to the British when he made secret overtures to British headquarters in May 1779 and, a year later, informed the British of a proposed American invasion of Canada. Washington refused his resignation and ordered him north to assist with the defense there. On July 12, he wrote again, making explicit the offer to surrender West Point, although his price rose to 20,000[b] (in addition to indemnification for his losses), with a 1,000[b] down payment to be delivered with the response. 1:38. She was a close friend of British major John Andr and kept in contact with him when he became head of the British espionage system in New York. [69] This was the beginning of a secret correspondence between Arnold and Andr, sometimes using his wife Peggy as a willing intermediary, which culminated more than a year later with Arnold's change of sides. [12] In 1757 when he was 16, he did enlist in the Connecticut militia, which marched off toward Albany, New York, and Lake George. When and where was Benedict Arnold born? Benedict Arnold was born in 1741 to a prominent Connecticut family. He later revealed that he expected to obtain the command of West Point, New York, and asked the British for 20,000 for betraying this post. Arnold benefited from his relationship with Mansfield, who became a partner in his business and used his position as sheriff to shield him from creditors. From there, he was ordered to Vermont where he met with Ethan Allen. Though the location was used for training cadets in engineering starting in 1794, it officially became the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802. This was the last straw. Among others, he shared the name with his father and. betrayal. Troops were liberally distributed within Arnold's command area (but only minimally at West Point itself) or furnished to Washington on request. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 4. For a time, he was a successful businessman, but after yellow fever took the lives of three of the Arnold children, the patriarch was devastated. At the age of sixteen, Arnold enlisted in a militia and served in the French and Indian War in upstate New York . What does it mean to call someone a Benedict Arnold? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. They had no reason to suspect that Gen. Benedict Arnold, the new commander of the post, would be less than a gracious host. At first, he asked for indemnification of his losses and 10,000,[b] an amount that the Continental Congress had given Charles Lee for his services in the Continental Army. Arnold was rebuffed by Congress and by local authorities in requests for security details for himself and his in-laws. [11], Arnold was very close to his mother, who died in 1759. On August 25, Peggy finally delivered to him Clinton's agreement to the terms. On May 9, Franklin introduced Stansbury to Major Andr, who had just been named the British spy chief. As early as 1778, there were signs that Arnold was unhappy with his situation and pessimistic about the country's future. [113] Other attempts all failed to gain positions within the government or the British East India Company over the next few years, and he was forced to subsist on the reduced pay of non-wartime service. Before anyone spouts off about me being a 'libtard' I am a conservative. Letters were to be passed through the women's circle that Peggy Arnold was a part of, but only Peggy would be aware that some letters contained instructions that were to be passed on to Andr, written in both code and invisible ink, using Stansbury as the courier. But You Probably Don't Know His Whole Story Illustration showing Major General Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) rallying the American troops. He was extremely unpopular there and returned to London permanently in 1791, where he died ten years later. William Fitch Arnold (17941846) (Captain, Benedict Arnold, played by Curtis Caravaggio, is a one-time character in the episode "The Capture of Benedict Arnold" in the 2016-18 TV series, Courtwright, Julie. 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