Benedict Arnold was an American Revolutionary War commander who served in the American Continental Army before subsequently defecting to the British Army. He was first seen as a patriotic American, but after switching his allegiance to the British, he became known as a traitor. Prior to the war, he worked as a merchant on the Atlantic Ocean, operating ships. He volunteered for service and entered the army when the war broke out. He participated in the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the Battle of Valcour Island, and the Battle of Ridgefield, proving himself to be a courageous and valiant army man. During one of the bouts, he even sustained serious injuries that threatened to end his military career. During his early years in the military, Arnold was a loyal officer who gave his all for America. Despite his hard work and perseverance, he was passed up for advancement, and other officers claimed credit for some of his accomplishments. He eventually became enraged and switched sides, communicating with British espionage chief Major André. Still apparently fighting for America, he devised a plan to hand over West Point to the British, which was uncovered when American soldiers apprehended André, who was carrying papers revealing the conspiracy. He managed to avoid being apprehended by American forces and joined the British army.
Childhood and Adolescence
Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut Colony, British America, on January 14, 1741. His mother’s name was Hannah Waterman King, and his father’s name was Benedict Arnold. He was the couple’s second of six children.
Benedict grew up in a privileged household because his father was a successful businessman.
Several of Benedict’s siblings died early, and his father, unable to face the sadness, began drinking and became hooked on alcohol. His firm eventually failed, and the family’s riches plummeted.
Benedict couldn’t afford to go to college, so he worked as an apprentice at his mother’s cousins’ successful apothecary and general merchandise business. It took him seven years to complete his apprenticeship.
In 1759, he lost his mother, and his father’s alcoholism intensified. Benedict had to fend for himself and his lone surviving sibling. In 1761, his father died as well.
The Career of Benedict
With the support of relatives, Benedict Arnold established himself as a pharmacy and bookseller in New Haven, Connecticut. He became a successful trader as a result of his hard work and intelligence. In 1764, he formed a business partnership with Adam Babcock and began operating ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765, on the other hand, severely curtailed mercantile trade in the colonies.
As a result, he became a member of the Sons of Liberty, a clandestine group opposed to the execution of controversial legislative reforms.
The American Revolutionary War began in 1775. It was a war between the United Kingdom and 13 of its North American colonies, which had declared independence as the United States of America. Arnold enlisted in the American Continental Army as a volunteer.
In the victorious colonial raid on British-held Fort Ticonderoga, New York, he accompanied Ethan Allen. Then he took part in the raid on Fort Saint-Jean, north of Lake Champlain, on the Richelieu River.
General George Washington was so impressed by his bravery that he nominated him to lead an expedition to seize Quebec. He led a force of 700 men into the Maine wilderness to attack the well-defended city. The assault, however, was unsuccessful, and Arnold was seriously injured.
Following the British occupation of Newport in December 1776, he was appointed brigadier general and assigned by General Washington to defend Rhode Island.
Despite his valor as a brave soldier, Arnold made a number of enemies due to his impatience and reckless behavior. Five new major generalships were formed in February 1777, but Arnold was passed over in favor of his juniors for advancement. He was dissatisfied and considered resigning, but Washington persuaded him to stay.
Despite his sadness, Benedict Arnold continued to serve the Americans with zeal, repelling a British raid on Danbury in mid-1777. His seniority was not restored when he was promoted to major general. He gained a victory at Fort Stanwix and commanded forward battalions during the Battle of Saratoga over the next three months.
He battled courageously but was severely injured during the combat. He was then restored to his proper relative status as a result of this.
His injuries were significant, and he had to recuperate over a period of months. In June 1778, Arnold was appointed commander of Philadelphia. He made friends with loyalist sympathizer families and lived lavishly there.
In order to fund his extravagant lifestyle, he began to break many state and military restrictions, attracting the suspicions of Pennsylvania’s supreme executive council.
He was becoming increasingly disgruntled with the state of his country and was pulled to loyalist forces. In May 1779, he saw Major André, the British espionage chief who had recently been appointed. As a result, he established secret communications with British forces.
The secret of an upcoming American invasion of Canada was then divulged to the British by Arnold. He expected to be given command of West Point, New York and demanded £20,000 from the British for surrendering this position.
In August 1780, he was given command of West Point. Arnold began deliberately eroding the country’s defenses and military capabilities once he had placed himself in this position. André was taken by the Americans with some secret papers in September 1780, thwarting his treachery attempt.
In 1781, Arnold made a quick escape to England. He sought unsuccessfully to re-establish his military career in the British military and to obtain a position with the British East India Company. His final years were marred by illness and run-ins with the law.
Achievements & Awards
Major General Benedict Arnold’s role in the Continental Army at the Battles of Saratoga is commemorated by the Boot Monument, an American Revolutionary War memorial in Saratoga National Historical Park, New York.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1767, he married Margaret Mansfield, the daughter of New Haven’s sheriff, Samuel Mansfield. They had three boys together. In 1775, his wife died.
In 1779, he married Peggy Shippen, the daughter of a Loyalist sympathizer, Judge Edward Shippen. This union had seven offspring, five of whom reached adulthood.
During his final years, he was afflicted by illness. He had been suffering from gout since 1775 and later had dropsy. At the age of 60, he died on June 14, 1801.
Benedict Arnold is best known for defecting to the British Army during the American Revolutionary War, which he began as a Continental Army officer. He devised a plan to hand over the forts he commanded at West Point, New York, to the British. The plot was foiled, however, when one of his co-conspirators was apprehended.
Estimated Net worth
Unknown.