Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold is one of the most fascinating characters of the American Revolution. Before the war broke out, he had served as a drummer in the French and Indian War, and later worked as a pharmacist and bookseller in Connecticut. When the Revolution broke out, he was in the West Indies on a trading mission. He claimed that he was very surprised that there was a rebellion. When Arnold returned to the colonies, he was named captain in the Connecticut militia. Arnold and his men were involved in the siege of Boston, as well as Fort Ticonderoga. Arnold was later sent to Montreal, Canada, where he would serve as the military commander of the city. After leaving Canada he was assigned to fight in the Rhode Island and Saratoga Campaigns. It was at Saratoga where Arnold became famous for his military prowess. Instead of trying to attack a portion of the British army, he wanted to take the fight to them "head on." George Washington was on board with this, but not Horatio Gates. Gates refused to let Arnold preform this task, and refused to give him reinforcements. Instead Gates wanted Arnold to defend the "heights," or "high ground." Arnold did this, but also sent out men on reconnaissance missions. By the time the battle was over, the British had won. However, they did lose more then six hundred of their soldiers. Arnold felt that if he had been allowed to attack them head on, he could have won the battle for the Colonists. A few days after the battle, Arnold confronted Gates in his tent. Legend says that Arnold took his sword and slashed open the tent before entering. He claimed that Gates did not provide him with any reinforcements, and also failed to give he and his regiment credit in his report to Congress. Gates responded to this outburst, by firing Arnold. There would later be a second attack by the British at Saratoga, with Arnold involved in it, much to the chagrin of Gates. This time the Colonists were able to defeat the British. For his efforts, Gates was awarded a gold medal. Arnold was left with out credit yet again. By all accounts this was one of the reasons why Arnold chose to betray the Colonists. He felt like he was not being appreciated, and he felt very pessimistic about the Colonist's chances of winning the war. He became aquatinted with John Andre. Andre was a British secret intelligence officer. Arnold and Andre worked out a deal that the latter would provide the former with Colonial information for payment and an equal rank in the British Army. The information that Arnold gave Andre, contained American positions, movements, and also the anticipated arrival date of the French Navy. George Washington, being unaware of the activities Arnold was engaged in, gave him command at West Point. Arnold used this as an opportunity to take his plot to the next level. He demanded that the defenses be weakened. Arnold was paid 20,000 pounds for doing this. On September 23, 1780, just two days after meeting with Arnold, John Andre was captured at Tarrytown, New York by the American militia. He was found to be in possession of classified Colonial information. Arnold learned of Andre's capture the following day. Andre was later hanged for his role in the plot. Arnold eventually began to move all his assets to London. He also was given his captain commission in the British Army. His greatest accomplishment while serving in the British army, was the raiding and later burning of New London, Connecticut. While serving for the British, Washington gave orders to his army, that if Arnold is captured, he should be hanged. Arnold was never captured and took his wife and went in exile in London. He and his son Richard started a trading business, that primarily did business in the West Indies. He also fought a duel with the Earl of Lauderdale. No blood was shed in this duel. By all accounts the rest of Arnold's life was quiet. He eventually passed away on June 14, 1801 at his home in London. He was given an elaborate funeral, but there were no military honors. Benedict Arnold has gone down in history as one of the biggest traitors in American history. Luckily for the Colonists though, none of Arnold's actions ever came back to haunt them. The fact that he sold his homeland out to the British is simply unforgivable.

Painting depicting Benedict Arnold giving classified Colonial Army info to John Andre. He is instructing Andre to put the information in his boot, so it would be harder for anyone to find it.

Coded letter written by Arnold to Andre. 

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