Despite his popularity and battlefield prowess, Benedict Arnold eventually broke bad. These charges were then referred to Congress, and Arnold asked for an immediate court-martial to clear himself. Unable to find a new military or. He led the British army in battle against the soldiers whom he had once commanded, after which his name became, and has remained, synonymous with treason and betrayal in the United States.[2]. He also began to insist on a face-to-face meeting, and suggested to Arnold that he pursue another high-level command. [3] Arnold was buried at St. Mary's Church in Battersea, England. Arnold died in London at the age of 60. However, his betrayal overshadowed his accomplishments in the wars he fought and won. [54] Such schemes were not uncommon among American officers, but Arnold's schemes were sometimes frustrated by powerful local politicians such as Joseph Reed, who eventually amassed enough evidence to publicly air charges against him. Arnold reopened the secret channels with the British, informing them of Schuyler's proposals and including Schuyler's assessment of conditions at West Point. [55], Arnold lived extravagantly in Philadelphia and was a prominent figure on the social scene. Jul 4, 2020, 05:04 AM EDT | Updated Jul 4, 2020. While en route to West Point, Arnold renewed an acquaintance with Joshua Hett Smith, who had spied for both sides and who owned a house near the western bank of the Hudson about 15 miles south of West Point. Arnold resented this affront, and only Washingtons personal persuasion kept him from resigning. His ventures met with mixed success. [43], Arnold arrived in Schuyler's camp at Fort Edward, New York, on July 24. In 1764, he formed a partnership with Adam Babcock, another young New Haven merchant. [89] Eventually, a meeting was set for September 11 near Dobb's Ferry. A figure climbed down from the larger sloop, into the boat and quietly made his way up the Hudson River. Later Arnold revealed to the British that he expected to receive the command of American forces at West Point, New York, and agreed to surrender that garrison to them for 20,000. The British withdrew from Philadelphia in June 1778, and Washington appointed Arnold military commander of the city. Name: Ethan Allen; Birth . Benedict Arnold, despite his bravery on the battlefield, eventually switched sides and became the most infamous traitor in American history. In his martial success, he became the target of jealous mediocrities. [87], Once Arnold established himself at West Point, he began systematically weakening its defenses and military strength. S T I L L W A T E R, N.Y., June 14, 2001 -- Benedict Arnold, America's most infamous. [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. The Hudson River Chain today 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. [84], Arnold next wrote a series of letters to Clinton, even before he might have expected a response to the July 7 letter. Answer (1 of 2): In the United States, Benedict Arnold has the dubious distinction of being one of the primary figures responsible for the Revolutionary War's losing cause. Major Benjamin Tallmadge was a member of the Continental Army's Culper Ring, a network of spies established under Washington's orders,[97] and he insisted that Jameson order the prisoner to be intercepted and brought back. He arrived before Quebec City in November, after a difficult passage in which 300 men turned back and another 200 died en route. While there, he disentangled himself from a lawsuit over an unpaid debt that Peggy had been fighting while he was away, paying 900[b] to settle a 12,000[b] loan that he had taken while living in Philadelphia. In the House of Commons, Edmund Burke expressed the hope that the government would not put Arnold "at the head of a part of a British army" lest "the sentiments of true honour, which every British officer [holds] dearer than life, should be afflicted". In May 1775, Arnold's forces eventually clashed with the British at Fort Ticonderoga - nestled along the shores of Lake . It was General Arnold. It is what happened after 1775 that began to wear him down and bring on his disillusionment. Things Trump will never be. Besides, I would argue that even if the British d. Some historians suggested an Arnold liaison in New Brunswick, but Canadian historian Barry Wilson noted the weakness of this traditional account. [73] By October 1779, the negotiations had ground to a halt. Arnold immediately hastened to the shore and ordered bargemen to row him downriver to where HMS Vulture was anchored, fleeing on it to New York City. The prisoner was dressed in miltary uniform. Arnold had three sons with Margaret Mansfield:[150][151]. [a][133] Historical markers in Danvers, Massachusetts, and Newburyport, MA commemorate Arnold's 1775 expedition to Quebec. 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. We largely don't even know who he is. Unable to obtain a regular commission in the British army, he later pursued various business ventures, including land speculation in Canada. [citation needed]. Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. 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. Arnold was planning to surrender the fort there to British forces, but the plot was discovered in September 1780, whereupon he fled to the British lines. A pharmacist by trade, the 34-year-old Arnold joined the rebellion in 1775. Benedict Arnold, (born January 14, 1741, Norwich, Connecticut [U.S.]died June 14, 1801, London, England), patriot officer who served the cause of the American Revolution until 1779, when he shifted his allegiance to the British. In the United States, the name of Benedict Arnold is synonymous with treason. [120] The family left Saint John to return to London in December 1791. 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. Benedict Arnold passed away on 3 March 1849. "Since the fall of Lucifer," General Nathanial Greene judged, "nothing has equaled the fall of Arnold." Yet Arnold's accomplishments for the patriot cause were extraordinary. Benedict Arnold led the attack at the British Fort of Ticonderoga. "[144] The victory monument at Saratoga has four niches, three of which are occupied by statues of Generals Gates, Schuyler, and Morgan. After his leg healed, Benedict Arnold was named Military Governor of Philadelphia. According to W. D. Wetherell, he was: [A]mong the hardest human beings to understand in American history. [66] Biographer Nathaniel Philbrick argues: Peggy Shippen did have a significant role in the plot. Mo talks with author Nathaniel Philbrick about the now . But despite all the financial and political reasons he had for his betrayal, it's possible it was actually about love. [81], Early in April, Philip Schuyler had approached Arnold with the possibility of giving him the command at West Point. At the age of sixteen, Arnold enlisted in a militia and served in the French and Indian War in upstate New York . He helped organize militia forces on British-held islands, receiving praise from the landowners for his efforts on their behalf. To raise money, he violated several state and military regulations, arousing the suspicions and, finally, the denunciations of Pennsylvanias supreme executive council. Historians have identified many possible factors contributing to Arnold's treason, while some debate their relative importance. Background. Benjamin Franklin wrote that "Judas sold only one man, Arnold three millions", and Alexander Scammell described his actions as "black as hell". John Andr was executed for spying. 2. Wallace, Willard M. "Benedict Arnold: Traitorous Patriot." [114] His reputation also came under criticism in the British press, especially when compared to Major Andr who was celebrated for his patriotism. 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. By. [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. Arnold's Family Life Was Messy By The Time He Was 20. He received a colonel's commission in the Continental Army for this expedition and left Cambridge in September 1775 with 1,100 men. He sent an Indian messenger into the camp of British Brigadier General Barry St. Leger with news that the approaching force was much larger and closer than it actually was; this convinced St. Leger's Indian allies to abandon him, forcing him to give up the effort. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Only action by Arnold's superior at Ticonderoga prevented his own arrest on countercharges leveled by Hazen. 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. Peggy Shippen had barely turned eighteen when in June of 1778, following the evacuation of Philadelphia by a British army, Major General Benedict . As a young man, Arnold. He then took the letter back to Connecticut, suspicious of Arnold's actions, where he delivered it to the head of the Connecticut militia. [25] On the night of January 28, 1767, he and members of his crew roughed up a man suspected of attempting to inform authorities of Arnold's smuggling. He later said in his own defense that he was loyal to his true beliefs, yet he lied at the same time by insisting that Peggy was totally innocent and ignorant of his plans. 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. Omissions? 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. [b][6] He led British forces in the Raid of Richmond and nearby areas, and they burned much of New London, Connecticut, to the ground and slaughtered surrendering forces after the Battle of Groton Heightsjust a few miles downriver from the town where he had grown up. However, Arnold was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and, for a time, was a distinguished war hero who simply became . Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Arnold escaped; Andr was hanged. The fourth niche is pointedly empty. 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. At a prearranged rendezvous point on the shoreline his contact arrived just after midnight. Answer (1 of 54): Go up to most British people and ask who Benedict Arnold was, and you will get a resounding "who?" back. He began to drink heavily, and . General Parsons laid it aside, seeing a letter written as a coded business discussion. "[102], The British gave Arnold a brigadier general's commission with an annual income of several hundred pounds, but they paid him only 6,315 plus an annual pension of 360[b] for his defection because his plot had failed. Nor was it named after Pope Benedict XIII, the leader of the Catholic Church from 1724 to 1730 (or any of the 15 other popes who took the name Benedict). 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). Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. His action at Ridgefield, coupled with the death of Wooster due to wounds sustained in the action, resulted in his promotion to major general, although his seniority was not restored over those who had been promoted before him. This long after he lived, it would probably be impossible to know whether Benedict Arnold liked or disliked any particular food. However, the deaths of his siblings two years later may have contributed to a decline in the family fortunes, since his father took up drinking. For his services he was restored to his proper relative rank. Arnold mingled with Loyalist sympathizers in Philadelphia and married into a Loyalist family when he wedded Peggy Shippen. [22] In a strange twist of fate, "the second most hated British . Excited by the prospects, Clinton informed his superiors of his intelligence coup, but failed to respond to Arnold's July 7 letter. Working as a spy, Armistead gained the trust of General Cornwallis and Benedict Arnold,. "Arnold, Benedict (17411801)". Wilson believes that the explanation most consistent with the available documentation is that Sage was either the result of a liaison before Arnold left England or that he was Arnold's grandson by one of his older children. Benedict Arnold Is America's Most Famous Traitor. [30] The household was dominated by Arnold's sister Hannah, even while Margaret was alive. As the park's Facebook page explains, the hero's name was left off the monument for a reason. Arnold never received all of the 20,000 pounds he was promised by the British for becoming a traitor. He followed up that action with a bold raid on Fort Saint-Jean on the Richelieu River north of Lake Champlain. Benedict Arnold's name might be the first that comes to mind when we think of treason not just because he was a traitor, but because he was such an unlikely one. He led a force of more than 1,700 men which burned most of New London to the ground on September 4, causing damage estimated at $500,000. [12] In 1757 when he was 16, he did enlist in the Connecticut militia, which marched off toward Albany, New York, and Lake George. Arnold received a commission as a brigadier general in the British Army, an annual pension of 360,[b] and a lump sum of over 6,000. Before anyone spouts off about me being a 'libtard' I am a conservative. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. 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. The British promised 20,000[b] for the capture of West Point, a major American stronghold; Washington greatly admired Arnold and gave him command of that fort in July 1780. 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". He was extremely unpopular there and returned to London permanently in 1791, where he died ten years later. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Benedict died of natural causes, maybe a fever. [26], On February 22, 1767, Arnold married Margaret Mansfield, daughter of Samuel Mansfield, the sheriff of New Haven and a fellow member in the local Masonic Lodge. 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. In 1763, he repaid money that he had borrowed from the Lathrops,[17] repurchased the family homestead that his father had sold when deeply in debt, and re-sold it a year later for a substantial profit. In the winter of 1782, he and Peggy moved to London, England. The first man was a British major named John Andre. As a teenager, Arnold's family faced financial hardship. "[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. Unable to obtain a regular commission in the British army after the war, Arnold pursued various business ventures like land speculation and privateering before permanently settling in London. Meanwhile, in April 1779, Arnold married Margaret (Peggy) Shippen, a young woman of loyalist sympathies. Arnold wrote out passes for Andr so that he would be able to pass through the lines, and he also gave him plans for West Point. In that era, people ate most of the common foods without. AD 1781, when the British, under the command of the Traitor Benedict Arnold, burnt the towns of New London and Groton and spread desolation and woe throughout the region. His chaplain Rev. . In a July 11 letter, he complained that the British did not appear to trust him, and threatened to break off negotiations unless progress was made. [55], Andr conferred with Clinton, who gave him broad authority to pursue Arnold's offer. Shutterstock Though one might guess that the dish was named for Benedict Arnold, the most famous traitor of the American Revolution, it was not. See the fact file below for more information on . 5. [11], In 1755, Arnold was attracted by the sound of a drummer and attempted to enlist in the provincial militia for service in the French and Indian War, but his mother refused permission. 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. On August 25, Peggy finally delivered to him Clinton's agreement to the terms. He could not cope with failure and disgrace. Thereafter his name became an epithet for traitor in the United States. They bought three trading ships, using the profits from the sale of his homestead, and established a lucrative West Indies trade. [13] A commonly accepted story that he deserted from militia service in 1758[14] is based on uncertain documentary evidence.[15]. 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. [8] His siblings were, in order of birth: Benedict (17381739), Hannah (17421803), Mary (17451753), Absolom (17471750), and Elizabeth (17491755). [37] He also had disagreements with John Brown and James Easton, two lower-level officers with political connections that resulted in ongoing suggestions of improprieties on his part. Benedict's exploits and continuous wins caught the eye of George Washington, who . Lee Moran. It is impossible to say when 37-year-old Benedict Arnold first met 18-year-old Peggy Shippen, but we do know that on September 25, 1778, he wrote her a love lettermuch of it an exact copy of . 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. On December 8, 1781, Arnold and his family left New York for England. 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. betrayal. [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 Cumberbatch doesn't count; he's British.) 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. [103] The anti-war Whigs had gained the upper hand in Parliament, and Germain was forced to resign, with the government of Lord North falling not long after. [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. That autumn he was appointed by Gen. George Washington to command an expedition to capture Quebec. 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. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut and named after his His mother was Hannah Waterman King, a rich widow. [139] However, not all depictions of Arnold were so negative. Through his maternal grandmother, Arnold was a descendant of John Lothropp, an ancestor of six presidents. [88], On August 30, Arnold sent a letter accepting Clinton's terms and proposing a meeting to Andr through yet another intermediary: William Heron, a member of the Connecticut Assembly whom he thought he could trust. [68] Stansbury ignored instructions from Arnold to involve no one else in the plot, and he crossed the British lines and went to see Jonathan Odell in New York. [62], Arnold had been badly wounded twice in battle and had lost his business in Connecticut, which made him profoundly bitter. He then went to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and suggested to George Washington a second expedition to attack Quebec City via a wilderness route through Maine. [59] Shippen and her circle of friends had found methods of staying in contact with paramours across the battle lines, despite military bans on communication with the enemy. Benedict Arnold was born on Jan. 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. With the permission of his master, Armistead enlisted in the Revolutionary War under General Lafayette. Arnold's letters continued to detail Washington's troop movements and provide information about French reinforcements that were being organized. The two-story edifice occupied a lot on the west side of Market between East Main and Division Streets. [36] However, an acrimonious dispute with Moses Hazen, commander of the 2nd Canadian Regiment, boiled into Hazen's court martial at Ticonderoga during the summer of 1776. He started as an apprentice 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. 4. The other leg ached constantly, and he walked only with a cane. [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. The Portrayal of Benedict Arnold in American History", Military career of Benedict Arnold, 17751776, Military career of Benedict Arnold, 17771779, A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army, "The Crypt Center Church on the Green New Haven, CT", 10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0200008, "Independence National Historical Park: History of the President's House", "The Culper Spy Ring American Revolution", "Loyal American Regiment Historical Treks", "Native Norwich Is Ignoring Benedict Arnold", "Benedict Arnold: The Aftermath Of Treason", Saratoga National Historical Park Tour Stop 7, "In Commemoration of Arnold's Expedition to Quebec", "Letter: Some recognize Gen. Arnold as true hero of the Revolutionary War", "By Brigadier-General Arnold, A proclamation to the officers and soldiers of the Continental army who have the real interest of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no longer the tools and dupes of Congress, or France [Signed]", "Netflix's America: The Motion Picture fails at just about everything", "Netflix's 'America: The Motion Picture' knows who its audience is. [128], Arnold left a small estate, reduced in size by his debts, which Peggy undertook to clear. [132], Early biographers attempted to describe Arnold's entire life in terms of treacherous or morally questionable behavior. Intelligence coup, but failed to respond to Arnold 's treason, while some debate their relative.! Author Nathaniel Philbrick about the now the first man was a prominent on. Continuous wins caught the eye of George Washington, who gave him broad authority to pursue Arnold superior... 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