[90], Arnold and Andr finally met on September 21 at the Joshua Hett Smith House. He later revealed that he expected to obtain the command of West Point, New York, and asked the British for 20,000 for betraying this post. But despite all the financial and political reasons he had for his betrayal, it's possible it was actually about love. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In April of 1775, after learning about the conflicts at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, Arnold organized his men in preparation for a march to Cambridge to aid in the fight against the British . [30] The household was dominated by Arnold's sister Hannah, even while Margaret was alive. 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". [42] Amid negotiations over that issue, Arnold wrote out a letter of resignation on July 11, the same day that word arrived in Philadelphia that Fort Ticonderoga had fallen to the British. 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. [48] However, he interpreted the manner in which they did so as an act of sympathy for his wounds, and not an apology or recognition that they were righting a wrong. Benedict Arnold was born to a prominent businessman in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. Before it could be carried out, however, minutemen captured John Andr and informed General George Washingtonof the plot. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It was invoked again as sectional conflicts increased in the years before the American Civil War. 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). [1] Early in May he made secret overtures to British headquarters, and a year later he informed the British of a proposed American invasion of Canada. His father's alcoholism worsened after her death, and the youth took on the responsibility of supporting his father and younger sister. Or was it a kind of extreme midlife crisis, swerving from radical political beliefs to reactionary ones, a change accelerated by his marriage to the very young, very pretty, very Tory Peggy Shippen? Arnold was aware of his reputation in his home country, and French statesman Talleyrand described meeting him in Falmouth, Cornwall in 1794: The innkeeper at whose place I had my meals informed me that one of his lodgers was an American general. Arnold's role in the war was controversial, with some supporting his actions and others supporting the Patriots. Arnold's letters continued to detail Washington's troop movements and provide information about French reinforcements that were being organized. 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. [87], Once Arnold established himself at West Point, he began systematically weakening its defenses and military strength. [40] In February 1777, he learned that he had been passed over by Congress for promotion to major general. Peggy came from a loyalist family in Philadelphia; she had many ties to the British. [114] His reputation also came under criticism in the British press, especially when compared to Major Andr who was celebrated for his patriotism. These charges were then referred to Congress, and Arnold asked for an immediate court-martial to clear himself. Arnold purchased large tracts of land in the Maugerville area, and acquired city lots in Saint John and Fredericton. [111] He renewed that request when he learned of the surrender, which Clinton then granted. [134] Social historian Brian Carso notes that, as the 19th century progressed, the story of Arnold's betrayal was portrayed with near-mythical proportions as a part of the national history. On May 9, Franklin introduced Stansbury to Major Andr, who had just been named the British spy chief. Wikipedia Sign up to our newsletter. [113], Arnold then applied to accompany General Carleton, who was going to New York to replace Clinton as commander-in-chief, but the request went nowhere. 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. The combined assault (December 31, 1775) failed, Montgomery was killed, and Arnold was severely wounded. The other leg ached constantly, and he walked only with a cane. Their friendship became the foundation for the treason for which Peggy's. An epidemic of yellow fever ravaged Arnold's family in the 1750s, however, claiming three of his . Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. As early as 1778, there were signs that Arnold was unhappy with his situation and pessimistic about the country's future. How did Benedict Arnold betray the Continental Army to the British? When and where was Benedict Arnold born? In 1764, he formed a partnership with Adam Babcock, another young New Haven merchant. [94], Andr was captured near Tarrytown, New York, on Saturday, September 23, by three Westchester militiamen. [55], Andr conferred with Clinton, who gave him broad authority to pursue Arnold's offer. BENEDICT ARNOLD REMAINS the most notorious man in American history, his name a synonym for traitor. Historians have identified many possible factors contributing to Arnold's treason, while some debate their relative importance. [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. One month after taking command, Arnold slipped the plans to British Major John Andr in exchange for 20,000 pounds of sterling, the equivalent of more than $4 million today. 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. attended Canterbury for a while, but when the family's money was lost in some bad business dealings, he had to leave school. Washington Irving used it as part of an argument against dismemberment of the union in his 1857 Life of George Washington, pointing out that the unity of New England and the southern states which led to independence was made possible in part by holding West Point. Interview with Philbrick in Michael Dolan, "Hero And Villain,", Julie Courtwright, "Whom Can We Trust Now? For several years before he . [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. They issued him a colonel's commission on May 3, 1775, and he immediately rode off to Castleton in the disputed New Hampshire Grants (Vermont) in time to participate with Ethan Allen and his men in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. [140], Canadian historians have treated Arnold as a relatively minor figure. His physicians diagnosed him as having dropsy, and a visit to the countryside only temporarily improved his condition. 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). Following the deaths of three of his. [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. He was a general that preferred to lead in the front then the back, always riding his horse into battle alongside his men. Stansbury's testimony before a British commission erroneously placed his meeting with Arnold in June. [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. Benedict Arnold He won a victory at Fort Stanwix (now Rome) in August 1777 and commanded advance battalions at the Battle of Saratoga that autumn, fighting brilliantly until seriously wounded. He proposed an action to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to seize Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, which he knew was poorly defended. 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. [10] His apprenticeship with the Lathrops lasted seven years. In 1780, when "The Capture of Benedict Arnold" episode takes place, Rittenhouse in real life was treasurer of Pennsylvania. [62], Wetherell says that the shortest explanation for his treason is that he "married the wrong person". The September 21 meeting with British Major John Andre was a disaster for both men. [38], General Washington assigned Arnold to the defense of Rhode Island following the British seizure of Newport in December 1776, where the militia were too poorly equipped to even consider an attack on the British. "[144] The victory monument at Saratoga has four niches, three of which are occupied by statues of Generals Gates, Schuyler, and Morgan. Benedict Arnold was born in 1741 to a prominent Connecticut family. 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. Through the early morning hours of Sept. 22, 1780 the two plotted. [99][100] Upon receiving Jameson's message, however, he learned that Jameson had sent Washington the papers which Andr was carrying. They bought three trading ships, using the profits from the sale of his homestead, and established a lucrative West Indies trade. (Benedict Cumberbatch doesn't count; he's British.) Saint Benedict once lived in a hermit cave. Mo talks with author Nathaniel Philbrick about the now . This was the last straw. Thereafter his name became an epithet for traitor in the United States. [83], Andr returned victorious from the Siege of Charleston on June 18, and both he and Clinton were immediately caught up in this news. His father was also called Benedict Arnold and his mother's name was Hannah Waterman King. After Arnold was forced to drop out of private school for lack of money, he entered into an apprenticeship with Daniel and Joshua Lathrop, two of his mother's cousins. A Connecticut militia force arrived at Ticonderoga in June; Arnold had a dispute with its commander over control of the fort, and resigned his Massachusetts commission. Various translations of Sun Tzu's The Art of War have been published over the past century. He traveled extensively in the course of his business throughout New England and from Quebec to the West Indies, often in command of one of his own ships. [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. Arnold and Wemyss faced similar situations but created different legaciesWemyss "served with distinction during the war" but became a footnote in history; Arnold lost the respect of people on all sides of the Revolution and his name became synonymously linked to treason. "No one has betrayed those in uniform like Donald Trump ," said the voiceover in the latest ad . [47] Burgoyne surrendered ten days after the second battle on October 17, 1777. From psychological wounds received in his Connecticut childhood when his alcoholic father squandered the family's fortunes? 3 January 1740][1][a] June 14, 1801) was an American-born military officer who served during the Revolutionary War. 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. In an ironic twist, Heron went into New York unaware of the significance of the letter and offered his own services to the British as a spy. 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. Wallace, Willard M. "Benedict Arnold: Traitorous Patriot." Did he become a traitor because of all the injustice he suffered, real and imagined, at the hands of the Continental Congress and his jealous fellow generals? Arnold was made a brigadier general in the British army. The fourth niche is pointedly empty. Through his maternal grandmother, Arnold was a descendant of John Lothropp, an ancestor of six presidents. [70] This initial letter opened a discussion on the types of assistance and intelligence that Arnold might provide, and included instructions for how to communicate in the future. [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. [13] A commonly accepted story that he deserted from militia service in 1758[14] is based on uncertain documentary evidence.[15]. Arnold reopened the secret channels with the British, informing them of Schuyler's proposals and including Schuyler's assessment of conditions at West Point. We largely don't even know who he is. At a prearranged rendezvous point on the shoreline his contact arrived just after midnight. [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. 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. Congress restored Arnold's command seniority in response to his valor at Saratoga. But You Probably Don't Know His Whole Story Illustration showing Major General Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) rallying the American troops. 8. The America. [107], The pursuing American army included the Marquis de Lafayette, who was under orders from Washington to hang Arnold summarily if he was captured. However, Arnold was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and, for a time, was a distinguished war hero who simply became . 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]. From there, he was ordered to Vermont where he met with Ethan Allen. Arnold established himself in business in 1762 as a pharmacist and bookseller in New Haven, Connecticut, with the help of the Lathrops. The band played a funeral march. Later,. 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. 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. [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. . Donald Trump has taken over from Benedict Arnold as "America's number one traitor," according to a group of veterans seeking to vote the president out of office this November. Benedict Arnold is an epithet for traitor in the United States; calling a person a Benedict Arnold implies that they are a traitor. The prisoner seemed suprised to see the gallows, but walked calmy toward it. He also peppered Washington with complaints about the lack of supplies, writing, "Everything is wanting. betrayal. [citation needed]. In exchange for cash and a commission in the British army, Major General Arnold promised to betray his cause and hand over the American fort at West Point. [146] There are also historical markers bearing his name at Wyman Lake Rest Area on US-201 north of Moscow, Maine, on the western bank of Lake Champlain, New York, and two in Skowhegan, Maine.[147]. [123], In January 1801, Arnold's health began to decline. 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. A figure climbed down from the larger sloop, into the boat and quietly made his way up the Hudson River. He returned to the army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in May 1778 to the applause of men who had served under him at Saratoga. In the winter of 1782, he and Peggy moved to London, England. The Hudson River Chain today She was the conduit for information to the British. However, his betrayal overshadowed his accomplishments in the wars he fought and won. 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