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Every American has heard the name Benedict Arnold. Most of
us think we know the story, but do we? His name could practically be a synonym
for betrayal, yet the man behind the treachery is more than just a villain. Who
was he really? What drove him into making such infamous choices? Let's hear the
story of Benedict Arnold, the hero-turned-traitor whose life is as much tragedy
as a cautionary tale.
Every American has heard the name Benedict Arnold. Most of
us think we know the story, but do we? His name could practically be a synonym
for betrayal, yet the man behind the treachery is more than just a villain. Who
was he really? What drove him into making such infamous choices? Let's hear the
story of Benedict Arnold, the hero-turned-traitor whose life is as much tragedy
as a cautionary tale.
- Early Years: A Child of Tragedy
- Early Years: A Child of Tragedy
Photo credit:americanaristocracy.com
Photo credit:americanaristocracy.com
Benedict Arnold IV was born in Norwich,
Connecticut, to Benedict Arnold III and Hannah Waterman King on January 14,
1741. His childhood was marked by tragedy; he was one of six siblings born, and
only he and his sister Hannah saw their childhood through to its end. The rest
fell into yellow fever. His family's fortunes were further marred by his
father's alcoholism as it siphoned their wealth and reputation.
Young Benedict had little option to grow up fast. He was
apprenticed to an apothecary, and joining at 16, he sought adventure in the
French and Indian War. Although his military stay at that time was short, the
fire just lit a rub in him. By the year 1767, he had turned into an
accomplished business executive and a family man with a wife, Margaret
Mansfield, and three children. Moreover, loss waited for him again in the year
1775 when Margaret died.
When tensions with Britain
boiled over, Arnold's talents rose to the fore. One of the first to join the
Continental Army, he received a captain's commission. He immediately
distinguished himself at Lexington and Concord and then combined with Ethan
Allen and the Green Mountain Boys in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. This
victory gave the revolutionaries a key strategic advantage early in the war.
But boldness brought consequences for Arnold. After disputes over command at
Ticonderoga, he submitted his resignation in a huff. The men stayed loyal to
him-the surest sign of his leadership. Soon enough, George Washington himself
called on Arnold, appreciative of his skill and strategic mind. Arnold's
daring-to-be-great proposal to invade Canada won approval, and he led the men
on a harrowing march through the Maine wilderness toward Quebec.
That would be an ambitious, albeit disastrous, campaign:
the forces of Arnold began to be decimated by harsh conditions, desertions, and
casualties. But he fought on, a blizzard, to lead desperate attacks on Quebec.
In that battle, Arnold was shot in the leg, but his bravery earned him a
promotion to brigadier general.
The Turning Point
Arnold was a fighter, but the political
machinations of Congress left him bitter. Time after time, less experienced
officers were promoted over him, often due to political reasons rather than
merit. He poured his own money into supporting his troops, leaving them in
financial ruin. Yet Congress ignored his sacrifices and refused to reimburse
him.
In 1777, it all came to a boil. Arnold fell out with his
commander, General Horatio Gates, at the Battle of Saratoga. Gates, a
politician in uniform, sat Arnold down, but that didn't prevent Arnold from
acting. In defiance of orders, Arnold conducted a brilliant charge that broke
the British lines. The battle might have turned out differently had it not been
for his leadership, which compelled the surrender of British General John
Burgoyne. Saratoga became the turning point of the Revolution, convincing France
to enter the war on the American side.
And yet, Gates declared victory. Arnold was severely injured in the same leg a
second time and was left steaming. His bravery was beyond question, but his
recognition remained further out of reach.
Arnold was a fighter, but the political machinations of Congress left him bitter. Time after time, less experienced officers were promoted over him, often due to political reasons rather than merit. He poured his own money into supporting his troops, leaving them in financial ruin. Yet Congress ignored his sacrifices and refused to reimburse him.
In 1777, it all came to a boil. Arnold fell out with his commander, General Horatio Gates, at the Battle of Saratoga. Gates, a politician in uniform, sat Arnold down, but that didn't prevent Arnold from acting. In defiance of orders, Arnold conducted a brilliant charge that broke the British lines. The battle might have turned out differently had it not been for his leadership, which compelled the surrender of British General John Burgoyne. Saratoga became the turning point of the Revolution, convincing France to enter the war on the American side.
And yet, Gates declared victory. Arnold was severely injured in the same leg a second time and was left steaming. His bravery was beyond question, but his recognition remained further out of reach.
Love, Lavish Living, and Treachery
As governor of Philadelphia in 1778, Arnold's
fortunes seemed at last to have taken a turn for the better. The marriage to
the young socialite Peggy Shippen, from a wealthy loyalist family, inaugurated
a life of spectacularly reckless spending. Their outlay was greater than their
income, and Arnold was duly suspected of profiteering. Charges of corruption
were leveled; most had no substance, but the lasting harm was done to his
reputation nonetheless.
Feeling his country had betrayed him, and that his sacrifices were not
appreciated, Arnold reached a fateful decision. In 1779, he opened secret
negotiations with the British, using Peggy as a go-between. For cash and a
commission in the British Army, Arnold agreed to turn over the strategic
American bastion of West Point.
The plot unraveled when British Major John André was
captured with incriminating documents. Arnold escaped to British lines,
narrowly avoiding capture. André wasn't so fortunate-he was hanged as a spy.
Arnold's betrayal sent shockwaves through the nation, and his name became
synonymous with treason.
The Final Chapter
Arnold's new life with the British was not exactly
glorious: for all he had been commissioned a brigadier general, his fellow
officers distrusted him and his campaigns against the American forces were
brutal and thoroughly ineffective. He led raids in Virginia and Connecticut,
including the burning of New London, but only sealed his reputation as a
traitor.
Love, Lavish Living, and Treachery
As governor of Philadelphia in 1778, Arnold's
fortunes seemed at last to have taken a turn for the better. The marriage to
the young socialite Peggy Shippen, from a wealthy loyalist family, inaugurated
a life of spectacularly reckless spending. Their outlay was greater than their
income, and Arnold was duly suspected of profiteering. Charges of corruption
were leveled; most had no substance, but the lasting harm was done to his
reputation nonetheless.
Feeling his country had betrayed him, and that his sacrifices were not
appreciated, Arnold reached a fateful decision. In 1779, he opened secret
negotiations with the British, using Peggy as a go-between. For cash and a
commission in the British Army, Arnold agreed to turn over the strategic
American bastion of West Point.
The plot unraveled when British Major John André was
captured with incriminating documents. Arnold escaped to British lines,
narrowly avoiding capture. André wasn't so fortunate-he was hanged as a spy.
Arnold's betrayal sent shockwaves through the nation, and his name became
synonymous with treason.
The Final Chapter
Arnold's new life with the British was not exactly
glorious: for all he had been commissioned a brigadier general, his fellow
officers distrusted him and his campaigns against the American forces were
brutal and thoroughly ineffective. He led raids in Virginia and Connecticut,
including the burning of New London, but only sealed his reputation as a
traitor.
After the war, Arnold settled in London with Peggy and
their children. All of his endeavors at business ventures went sour, and he
spent the remainder of his life in comparative obscurity. On June 14, 1801,
Arnold died at 60, plagued by health issues and a sense of unfulfilled
ambition.
Legacy: Hero or Villain.?
The story of Benedict Arnold is one of
contradictions. Indeed, he was a brilliant military leader; his victories saved
the American cause at points when it looked very dim. Yet it was his sense of
injustice and his bitterness that turned him to betray the very ideals he once
fought for.
Arnold's life serves to show how complex human nature can be: heroes fall, and
villains have their reasons. His name could forever be associated with treason,
but his contributions should not be lost to the Revolution.
This man was a bundle of paradoxes: patriot and traitor, hero and villain.
Probably, that is what makes his story so fascinating.
Legacy: Hero or Villain.?
The story of Benedict Arnold is one of
contradictions. Indeed, he was a brilliant military leader; his victories saved
the American cause at points when it looked very dim. Yet it was his sense of
injustice and his bitterness that turned him to betray the very ideals he once
fought for.
Arnold's life serves to show how complex human nature can be: heroes fall, and
villains have their reasons. His name could forever be associated with treason,
but his contributions should not be lost to the Revolution.
This man was a bundle of paradoxes: patriot and traitor, hero and villain.
Probably, that is what makes his story so fascinating.