Arnold didn't die a heroic death, or even a cowardly death. Especially galling was a long feud with the civil authorities in Philadelphia which led to his court-martial. The fourth niche is pointedly empty. [38], General Washington assigned Arnold to the defense of Rhode Island following the British seizure of Newport in December 1776, where the militia were too poorly equipped to even consider an attack on the British. 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. The first major biography of his life was The Life and Treason of Benedict Arnold, published in 1832 by historian Jared Sparks; it was particularly harsh in showing how Arnold's treacherous character was formed out of childhood experiences. Wallace, Willard M. "Benedict Arnold: Traitorous Patriot." [a][133] Historical markers in Danvers, Massachusetts, and Newburyport, MA commemorate Arnold's 1775 expedition to Quebec. [6] With the outbreak of the French Revolution, Arnold outfitted a privateer, while continuing to do business in the West Indies, even though the hostilities increased the risk. [9], Arnold's father was a successful businessman, and the family moved in the upper levels of Norwich society. [24] Arnold initially took no part in any public demonstrations but, like many merchants, continued to do business openly in defiance of the Parliamentary Acts, which legally amounted to smuggling. He proposed an action to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to seize Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, which he knew was poorly defended. [138] The boy is not identified until the end of the story, when his place of birth is given as Norwich, Connecticut, and his name is given as Benedict Arnold. You may think it was odd that parents would name their newborn . [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". Jul 4, 2020, 05:04 AM EDT | Updated Jul 4, 2020. 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 the brash war herohe helped take Fort Ticonderoga and led troops. 1:38. He also began to insist on a face-to-face meeting, and suggested to Arnold that he pursue another high-level command. [143], The Boot Monument at Saratoga National Historical Park pays tribute to Arnold but does not mention his name. [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. The house where Arnold lived at 62 Gloucester Place in central London bears a plaque describing him as an "American Patriot". Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. Arnold mingled with Loyalist sympathizers in Philadelphia and married into a Loyalist family when he wedded Peggy Shippen. He was a general that preferred to lead in the front then the back, always riding his horse into battle alongside his men. [123], In January 1801, Arnold's health began to decline. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-Arnold, American Battlefield Trust - Biography of Benedict Arnold, Dictionary of Canadian Biography - Biography of Benedict Arnold, The Washington Library Center for Digital History - Biography of Benedict Arnold, United States History - Biography of Benedict Arnold, Benedict Arnold - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Benedict Arnold - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Benedict Arnold: meeting with Maj. John Andr. At the end of 1781 Arnold went to England. Some theatrical treatments of the 19th century explored his duplicity, seeking to understand rather than demonize it. His mother came from a wealthy family, but his alcoholic father squandered their estate. [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. BENEDICT ARNOLD REMAINS the most notorious man in American history, his name a synonym for traitor. During this time, Arnold brought his sister Hannah to New Haven and established her in his apothecary to manage the business in his absence. The Arnold residence attained the reputation as one of early Amsterdam's finer homes. [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. Despite his popularity and battlefield prowess, Benedict Arnold eventually broke bad. When the British took control of Philadelphia in 1777, Peggy met John Andr, a charming, well-educated British officer. The crowd of hundreds of people was quiet. The Portrayal of Benedict Arnold in American History", Shy, John. May God forgive me for ever having put on another,"[125] but this story may be apocryphal. 3 January 1740][1][a] June 14, 1801) was an American-born military officer who served during the Revolutionary War. Through his maternal grandmother, Arnold was a descendant of John Lothropp, an ancestor of six presidents. Early in May he made secret overtures to British headquarters, and a year later he informed the British of a proposed American invasion of Canada. Upon the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington, Massachusetts (April 1775), Arnold volunteered for service and participated with Ethan Allen in the successful colonial attack on British-held Fort Ticonderoga, New York, the following month. He wrote that he was "very much shocked" and wondered "good God, are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their liberties, or are they all turned philosophers, that they don't take immediate vengeance on such miscreants? [117] After her first voyage, Arnold returned to London in 1786 to bring his family to Saint John. This long after he lived, it would probably be impossible to know whether Benedict Arnold liked or disliked any particular food. 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. [29] She is buried in the crypt of the Center Church on New Haven Green. He was again severely wounded in the left leg late in the fighting. [13] A commonly accepted story that he deserted from militia service in 1758[14] is based on uncertain documentary evidence.[15]. Word of the siege's disastrous outcome led the company to turn around, and Arnold served for only 13 days. [128], Arnold left a small estate, reduced in size by his debts, which Peggy undertook to clear. Benedict Arnold, shown on the left concealing his plans in John Andr's boot, has become synonymous with treason but before he betrayed America, he saved it. attended Canterbury for a while, but when the family's money was lost in some bad business dealings, he had to leave school. [30] The household was dominated by Arnold's sister Hannah, even while Margaret was alive. A colonial resident by birth, Arnold made his living as a merchant before joining the American military to defend against the British. In that era, people ate most of the common foods without. This plan very nearly succeeded, but Arnold changed living quarters prior to sailing for Virginia in December and thus avoided capture. He would be an apprentice in the mercantile trade for seven years. 10 interesting facts about st benedict. One month after taking command, Arnold slipped the plans to British Major John Andr in exchange for 20,000 pounds of sterling, the equivalent of more than $4 million today. He also provided information on a proposed French-American invasion of Quebec that was to go up the Connecticut River (Arnold did not know that this proposed invasion was a ruse intended to divert British resources). [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. He returned a hero, but his rash courage and impatient energy had aroused the enmity of several officers. When American leaders discovered the plot, Arnold fled. She couldand did. [84], Arnold next wrote a series of letters to Clinton, even before he might have expected a response to the July 7 letter. [137] A moralistic children's tale entitled "The Cruel Boy" was widely circulated in the 19th century. Stansbury's testimony before a British commission erroneously placed his meeting with Arnold in June. In April of 1775, after learning about the conflicts at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, Arnold organized his men in preparation for a march to Cambridge to aid in the fight against the British . Clinton was uninterested in most of his aggressive ideas, but finally authorized him to raid the port of New London, Connecticut. Before anyone spouts off about me being a 'libtard' I am a conservative. His company marched northeast the following month to assist in the siege of Boston that followed the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He started as an apprentice His chaplain Rev. Before his name became synonymous with treason, Benedict Arnold was a bonafide hero of the American Revolutionary War. See the fact file below for more information on . "[65] A few days later, Arnold wrote to Greene and lamented over the "deplorable" and "horrid" situation of the country at that particular moment, citing the depreciating currency, disaffection of the army, and internal fighting in Congress, while predicting "impending ruin" if things did not change soon. Andr then drafted instructions to Stansbury and Arnold. His father was a successful businessman and young Arnold was educated in private schools. Again he tried to resign, but in July he accepted a government order to help stem the British advance into upper New York. He died, age 60, and was buried in London. 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). 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. From there, he was ordered to Vermont where he met with Ethan Allen. After the war, he petitioned to have Vermont become a state. During the Revolutionary War, West Point was known as Fort Arnold, but after Benedict Arnold's betrayal, it became known as Fort Clinton. Arnold purchased large tracts of land in the Maugerville area, and acquired city lots in Saint John and Fredericton. They had no reason to suspect that Gen. Benedict Arnold, the new commander of the post, would be less than a gracious host. Interview with Philbrick in Michael Dolan, "Hero And Villain,", Julie Courtwright, "Whom Can We Trust Now? 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. Mo talks with author Nathaniel Philbrick about the now . However, his betrayal overshadowed his accomplishments in the wars he fought and won. However, British casualties were high; nearly one quarter of the force was killed or wounded, and Clinton declared that he could ill afford any more such victories. The second was Benedict Arnold. He then directed the construction of a fleet to defend Lake Champlain, which was overmatched and defeated in the October 1776 Battle of Valcour Island. Their friendship became the foundation for the treason for which Peggy's. Benedict's exploits and continuous wins caught the eye of George Washington, who . Wikipedia Sign up to our newsletter. [136], Fictional invocations of Benedict Arnold's name carry strongly negative overtones. Understand why Benedict Arnold spied for the British during the American Revolutionary War. He was imprisoned by French authorities on Guadeloupe amid accusations of spying for the British, and narrowly eluded hanging by escaping to the blockading British fleet after bribing his guards. Only action by Arnold's superior at Ticonderoga prevented his own arrest on countercharges leveled by Hazen. [18] On one of his voyages, he fought a duel in Honduras with a British sea captain who had called him a "damned Yankee, destitute of good manners or those of a gentleman". Many historians see her as having facilitated Arnold's plans to switch sides; he opened secret negotiations with her friend Andr, and she relayed their messages to each other. He could not cope with failure and disgrace. A pharmacist by trade, the 34-year-old Arnold joined the rebellion in 1775. Despite Arnold's defection to the British, he was a fierce patriot for . Troops were liberally distributed within Arnold's command area (but only minimally at West Point itself) or furnished to Washington on request. [48] However, he interpreted the manner in which they did so as an act of sympathy for his wounds, and not an apology or recognition that they were righting a wrong. Arnold repeatedly claimed that he was being passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress, and that other officers were being given credit for some of his accomplishments. [27] Their son Benedict was born the following year[28] and was followed by brothers Richard in 1769 and Henry in 1772. Arnold never received all of the 20,000 pounds he was promised by the British for becoming a traitor. July 27] 1742 - June 19, 1786) was an American military officer and planter who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.He emerged from the war with a reputation as one of George Washington's most talented and dependable officers, and is known for his successful command in the Southern theater of the conflict. As a teenager, Arnold's family faced financial hardship. Brown was particularly vicious, publishing a handbill which claimed of Arnold, "Money is this man's God, and to get enough of it he would sacrifice his country". Benedict Arnold began the Revolutionary War as a militia captain. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Colony of Connecticut, British America. On August 25, Peggy finally delivered to him Clinton's agreement to the terms. Arnold arrived in New Brunswick in December 1785, so Sage's mother could not have been from there. By the time that he was 14, there was no money for private education. Thereupon I expressed the desire of seeing that gentleman, and, shortly after, I was introduced to him. On May 9, Franklin introduced Stansbury to Major Andr, who had just been named the British spy chief. 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. At the age of sixteen, Arnold enlisted in a militia and served in the French and Indian War in upstate New York . Apparently, Arnold also had self-confidence issues and his new wife Peggy wasn't helping the situation. [62], Wetherell says that the shortest explanation for his treason is that he "married the wrong person". According to W. D. Wetherell, he was: [A]mong the hardest human beings to understand in American history. [10] His apprenticeship with the Lathrops lasted seven years. Later he became infamous for being a traitor, fighting for the British. 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. 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. Though Trump has checked off the betray the USA box quite well. 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. [71], By July 1779, Arnold was providing the British with troop locations and strengths, as well as the locations of supply depots, all the while negotiating over compensation. He did, however, investigate its extent, and suggested that he was willing to exchange Andr for Arnold during negotiations with Clinton concerning Andr's fate. 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