Arnold commanded the army only until May 20, when Lord Cornwallis arrived with the southern army and took over. As a teenager, Arnold's family faced financial hardship. This plan very nearly succeeded, but Arnold changed living quarters prior to sailing for Virginia in December and thus avoided capture. Understand why Benedict Arnold spied for the British during the American Revolutionary War. In the winter of 1782, he and Peggy moved to London, England. [103] Legend has it that, when he was on his deathbed, he said, "Let me die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. [8] His siblings were, in order of birth: Benedict (17381739), Hannah (17421803), Mary (17451753), Absolom (17471750), and Elizabeth (17491755). [10] His apprenticeship with the Lathrops lasted seven years. General George Washington had given him his fullest trust and had placed him in command of West Point in New York. For several years before he . For additional information about Arnold's amazing career as a Continental officer, consult James Kirby Martin, Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered (New York, 1997). [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. In that era, people ate most of the common foods without. He returned to the army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in May 1778 to the applause of men who had served under him at Saratoga. [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. He received a colonel's commission in the Continental Army for this expedition and left Cambridge in September 1775 with 1,100 men. [33], The Second Continental Congress authorized an invasion of Quebec, in part on the urging of Arnoldbut he was passed over for command of the expedition. His company marched northeast the following month to assist in the siege of Boston that followed the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Benedict Arnold was born in 1741 to a prominent Connecticut family. He began to drink heavily, and . [11], Arnold was very close to his mother, who died in 1759. Benedict Arnold's reasons for betraying America were extraordinarily complex. Unable to find a new military or. 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. [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. His mother came from a wealthy family, but his alcoholic father squandered their estate. [127] His funeral procession boasted "seven mourning coaches and four state carriages";[103] the funeral was without military honors. [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. Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticutthe fifth person in his family to be named Benedict Arnold. Though Trump has checked off the betray the USA box quite well. Interview with Philbrick in Michael Dolan, "Hero And Villain,", Julie Courtwright, "Whom Can We Trust Now? Benedict Arnold was born a British subject, the second of six children of his father Benedict Arnold III (16831761) and Hannah Waterman King in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. The September 21 meeting with British Major John Andre was a disaster for both men. 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. 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. "Arnold, Benedict (17411801)". May God forgive me for ever having put on another,"[125] but this story may be apocryphal. 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. Clinton refused this suggestion; after a military tribunal, Andr was hanged at Tappan, New York, on October 2. The combined assault (December 31, 1775) failed, Montgomery was killed, and Arnold was severely wounded. 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. Clinton was uninterested in most of his aggressive ideas, but finally authorized him to raid the port of New London, Connecticut. Arnold's name had become synonymous with the word traitor. His father's alcoholism and ill health kept him from training Arnold in the family mercantile business, but his mother's family connections secured an apprenticeship for him with her cousins Daniel and Joshua Lathrop, who operated a successful apothecary and general merchandise trade in Norwich. "[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. 3 January 1740][1][a] June 14, 1801) was an American-born military officer who served during the Revolutionary War. Benedict Arnold served in the Connecticut militia and participated in the Siege of Boston. Thereafter his name became an epithet for traitor in the United States. [91][92] This action did little damage besides giving the captain, Andrew Sutherland, a splinter in his nosebut the splinter prompted the Vulture to retreat,[93] forcing Andr to return to New York overland. Arnold returned to England in 1791, but he left to spend several years privateering in the West Indies before permanently settling in London. On November 10, 1778, General Nathanael Greene wrote to General John Cadwalader, "I am told General Arnold is become very unpopular among you oweing to his associateing too much with the Tories. [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. The British withdrew from Philadelphia in June 1778, and Washington appointed Arnold military commander of the city. 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. Samuel Spring carried him to the makeshift hospital at the Htel Dieu. Benjamin Franklin wrote that "Judas sold only one man, Arnold three millions", and Alexander Scammell described his actions as "black as hell". 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 Jan. 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. Bettmann / Corbis "You have five. A historical marker in Danvers, Massachusetts commemorates Benedict Arnold's 1775 expedition to Quebec Bayley Seton Hospital in the Clifton section of Staten Island was named in part for Richard Bayley, father of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Together, they won the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga, America's first victory in the Revolutionary War. Again he tried to resign, but in July he accepted a government order to help stem the British advance into upper New York. 1:38. I used the widely accepted 1910 translation by the sinologist Lionel Giles, available in various . Arnold escaped; Andr was hanged. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Benedict Arnold was an enthusiastic patriot who believed passionately in the cause of American liberty. See the fact file below for more information on . Arnold said that it would have been better had it been in the chest instead of the leg. Some theatrical treatments of the 19th century explored his duplicity, seeking to understand rather than demonize it. A colonial resident by birth, Arnold made his living as a merchant before joining the American military to defend against the British. One critic said that he was a "mean mercenary, who, having adopted a cause for the sake of plunder, quits it when convicted of that charge". Arnold resented this affront, and only Washingtons personal persuasion kept him from resigning. He had established a decent relationship with George Washington, as well as Philip Schuyler and Horatio Gates, both of whom had command of the army's Northern Department during 1775 and 1776. In his martial success, he became the target of jealous mediocrities. [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". This meeting was thwarted when British gunboats in the river fired on his boat, not being informed of his impending arrival. [95] They found the papers exposing the plot to capture West Point and passed them on to their superiors,[96] but Andr convinced the unsuspecting Colonel John Jameson, to whom he was delivered, to send him back to Arnold at West Pointbut he never reached West Point. [83], Andr returned victorious from the Siege of Charleston on June 18, and both he and Clinton were immediately caught up in this news. 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. His father was a successful businessman and young Benedict had a comfortable childhood. 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. He led a small contingent of militia attempting to stop or slow the British return to the coast in the Battle of Ridgefield, and was again wounded in his left leg. [112], In London, Arnold aligned himself with the Tories, advising Germain and King George III to renew the fight against the Americans. He had his leg crudely set, rather than allowing it to be amputated, leaving it 2 inches (5cm) shorter than the right. 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. Arnold and his men went towards Boston. 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, despite his bravery on the battlefield, eventually switched sides and became the most infamous traitor in American history. Background. [148] He was buried at St Mary's Church, Battersea, England which has a commemorative stained glass window. 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. Born in 1867 in Hanley, Staffordshire (part of the famous 'Potteries' and now a district of Stoke-on-Trent), Enoch Arnold Bennett was named after his father, a solicitor. In 1775, when the war began, he was a merchant operating ships in the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of 1781 Arnold went to England. [85], On August 3, 1780, Arnold obtained command of West Point. 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. 5. [114] His reputation also came under criticism in the British press, especially when compared to Major Andr who was celebrated for his patriotism. His ventures met with mixed success. The house where Arnold lived at 62 Gloucester Place in central London bears a plaque describing him as an "American Patriot". [110], Even before Cornwallis's surrender in October, Arnold had requested permission from Clinton to go to England to give Lord George Germain his thoughts on the war in person. 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. The French had besieged Fort William Henry in northeastern New York, and their Indian allies had committed atrocities after their victory. He arrived before Quebec City in November, after a difficult passage in which 300 men turned back and another 200 died en route. [16] He was hardworking and successful, and was able to rapidly expand his business. Following the deaths of three of his. He was well received by King George III and the Tories but frowned upon by the Whigs and most Army officers. Among others, he shared the name with his father and. Benedict Arnold passed away on 3 March 1849. [128], Arnold left a small estate, reduced in size by his debts, which Peggy undertook to clear. [128][d], Benedict Arnold's name became synonymous with "traitor" soon after his betrayal became public, and biblical themes were often invoked. [143], The Boot Monument at Saratoga National Historical Park pays tribute to Arnold but does not mention his name. 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. Washington refused his resignation and ordered him north to assist with the defense there. Some could even argue that, patriotism aside, it might have seemed insane for him not to turn traitor. Far fewer know . Washington also infiltrated men into New York City in an attempt to capture Arnold. 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. They had no reason to suspect that Gen. Benedict Arnold, the new commander of the post, would be less than a gracious host. [22], The Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765 severely curtailed mercantile trade in the colonies. What does it mean to call someone a Benedict Arnold? Only action by Arnold's superior at Ticonderoga prevented his own arrest on countercharges leveled by Hazen. Phillips led further raids across Virginia, including a defeat of Baron von Steuben at Petersburg, but he died of fever on May 12, 1781. His difficult time in New Brunswick led historians to summarize it as full of "controversy, resentment, and legal entanglements" and to conclude that he was disliked by both Americans and Loyalists living there. 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). [80] Many of these documents had been lost during the retreat from Quebec. Interesting Facts About Benedict Arnold. [49][citation not found], Arnold spent several months recovering from his injuries. Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. 3. With Benedict Arnold, he led the Green Mountain Boys to capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775. [98], Arnold learned of Andr's capture the morning of September 24 while waiting for Washington, with whom he was going to have breakfast at his headquarters in British Col. Beverley Robinson's former summer house on the east bank of the Hudson. S T I L L W A T E R, N.Y., June 14, 2001 -- Benedict Arnold, America's most infamous. The fort was finally captured by the British in 1759. Benedict Arnold began the Revolutionary War as a militia captain. These letters were delivered by Samuel Wallis, another Philadelphia businessman who spied for the British, rather than by Stansbury. [111] He renewed that request when he learned of the surrender, which Clinton then granted. in George Athan Billias, ed., This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 10:05. Peggy came from a loyalist family in Philadelphia; she had many ties to the British. It is what happened after 1775 that began to wear him down and bring on his disillusionment. 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). Andr then drafted instructions to Stansbury and Arnold. BENEDICT ARNOLD REMAINS the most notorious man in American history, his name a synonym for traitor. How did Benedict Arnold betray the Continental Army to the British? The most famous of these occurred on May 10, 1775, when Ethan Allen and his band of Green Mountain Boys, accompanied by Benedict Arnold, who held a commission from . However, his betrayal overshadowed his accomplishments in the wars he fought and won. 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. [99][100] Upon receiving Jameson's message, however, he learned that Jameson had sent Washington the papers which Andr was carrying. [62], Arnold had been badly wounded twice in battle and had lost his business in Connecticut, which made him profoundly bitter. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut and named after his His mother was Hannah Waterman King, a rich widow. After the war, he petitioned to have Vermont become a state. Through his maternal grandmother, Arnold was a descendant of John Lothropp, an ancestor of six presidents. He organized the militia response, along with David Wooster and Connecticut militia General Gold Selleck Silliman. Arnold died in London at the age of 60. 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. For his services he was restored to his proper relative rank. [46] During the fighting in the second battle, Arnold disobeyed Gates' orders and took to the battlefield to lead attacks on the British defenses. He performed operations that provided the Americans with relief during the Siege of Fort Stanwix, and key actions during the pivotal 1777 Battles of Saratoga, in which he sustained leg injuries that put him out of combat career for several years. It was invoked again as sectional conflicts increased in the years before the American Civil War. [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". [76] Several members on the panel of judges were ill-disposed toward Arnold over actions and disputes earlier in the war, yet Arnold was cleared of all but two minor charges on January 26, 1780. [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. "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." Historians have identified many possible factors contributing to Arnold's treason, while some debate their relative importance. He proposed an action to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to seize Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, which he knew was poorly defended. During this time, Arnold brought his sister Hannah to New Haven and established her in his apothecary to manage the business in his absence. Arnold's early life consisted of study at some of the Continent's best private schools. After organizing an assemblage of volunteers, he seized munitions from the New Haven arsenal and led his group northward to fight the British. [60] Some of this communication was effected through the services of Joseph Stansbury, a Philadelphia merchant.[61]. 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]. [113] George Johnstone turned him down for a position in the East India Company and explained: "Although I am satisfied with the purity of your conduct, the generality do not think so. [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 also peppered Washington with complaints about the lack of supplies, writing, "Everything is wanting. 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