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Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) requires little introduction given his status as preeminent traitor and
“turncoat” in American history. He enlisted during the French & Indian War as a teenager, but he
served for less than two weeks after his company did an about face and marched their way home
after hearing about the fate of Fort William Henry. However, during the early part of the American
Revolutionary War, he proved himself a talented leader on the battlefield if a failure in political
relations, helped capture Fort Ticonderoga, led an attack on Fort St. Jean in Quebec, suffered a
severe injury during the Quebec campaign, was promoted to brigadier general, led the siege of the
city, and became military commander in Montreal. Arnold also oversaw the construction of a fleet
to fight the British on Lake Champlain but was defeated at the Battle of Valcour Island. In addition
to wearing a sword that could be used in combat to direct their troops as well as fight if necessary,
many officers carried pairs of pistols in pommel holsters during the Revolutionary War, and Arnold
notably pulled a pistol and shot a soldier who demanded his surrender after he was pinned under
his horse at the Battle of Ridgefield in 1777.
By this period, he had already made plenty of enemies within the Continental Army and Congress,
and he attempted to resign when he was not promoted to major general but was denied and
then was wounded in his leg again while leading the militia at the Battle of Ridgefield. After more
pleading with Congress, he received his promotion but then tendered a resignation letter again
shortly thereafter and was again turned down by Washington. He was instead sent to fight under
General Schuyler and tasked with aiding the besieged Fort Stanwix which he accomplished with
a clever trick. At the historic Battles of Saratoga, he was removed from field command by General
Gates, disobeyed orders and led an attack during which he was again wounded in the left leg, and
was rewarded by Congress with a reinstatement of his senior status, but he retained his grudges
even as he was placed in command of Philadelphia which he in turn used as an opportunity to
enrich himself and successfully sought the hand of the local Tory belle Peggy Shippen, formerly
courted by Major John Andre, the head of British intelligence operations in America.
With resentments with the Continental Congress, his fellow generals, and numerous members of
the American public, Arnold soon resolved to switch sides. He corresponded with Major Andre for
over a year, including passing hidden messages with intelligence. After a court martial for his work
to enrich himself in Philadelphia, Washington himself published word of his dissatisfaction with
Arnold’s scheming not realizing how much worse Arnold had already done. Congress also charged
him with mishandling funds during the Quebec campaign and charged him with repaying £1,000.
It all was too much for Arnold, so he resigned from his command of Philadelphia in April 1780.
Nonetheless, his prior successes netted him command opportunities, and he began a plot to turn
West Point over to the British for £20,000 and worked to dispose of his assets in America. By August,
Arnold took command at West Point, weakened its defenses, and continued to spy for the British.
His plot was exposed when Major Andre was captured with a pass from Arnold as well as plans for
the fort. Arnold fled to the HMS Vulture, and Andre was soon hung.
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