General Washington gave him a light reprimand, but it merely heightened Arnold's sense of betrayal; nonetheless, he had already opened negotiations with the British before his court martial even began. Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Colony of Connecticut, British America. Benedict Arnold, (born January 14, 1741, Norwich, Connecticut [U.S.]died June 14, 1801, London, England), patriot officer who served the cause of the American Revolution until 1779, when he shifted his allegiance to the British. Benedict Arnold's reasons for betraying America were extraordinarily complex. Arnold's name had become synonymous with the word traitor. Omissions? Before his name became synonymous with treason, Benedict Arnold was a bonafide hero of the American Revolutionary War. "No one has betrayed those in uniform like Donald Trump ," said the voiceover in the latest ad . It is what happened after 1775 that began to wear him down and bring on his disillusionment. What does it mean to call someone a Benedict Arnold? [77] Arnold worked over the next few months to publicize this fact; however, Washington published a formal rebuke of his behavior in early April, just one week after he had congratulated Arnold on the birth of his son Edward Shippen Arnold on March 19:[78], The Commander-in-Chief would have been much happier in an occasion of bestowing commendations on an officer who had rendered such distinguished services to his country as Major General Arnold; but in the present case, a sense of duty and a regard to candor oblige him to declare that he considers his conduct [in the convicted actions] as imprudent and improper. [34], Arnold then traveled to Montreal where he served as military commander of the city until forced to retreat by an advancing British army that had arrived at Quebec in May. Peggy Shippen, or Margaret Shippen (July 11, 1760 - August 24, 1804), was the second wife of General Benedict Arnold (following Margaret Mansfield, who died in 1775). BENEDICT ARNOLD REMAINS the most notorious man in American history, his name a synonym for traitor. After formal inquiries, he was usually acquitted, but Congress investigated his finances and determined that he was indebted to Congress, and that he had borrowed money heavily to maintain a lavish lifestyle. He would be an apprentice in the mercantile trade for seven years. He also faced financial ruin, falling 16,000[b] in debt with creditors spreading rumors of his insolvency, to the point where he took legal action against them. [139] However, not all depictions of Arnold were so negative. Word of the siege's disastrous outcome led the company to turn around, and Arnold served for only 13 days. Arnold's early life consisted of study at some of the Continent's best private schools. [84], Arnold next wrote a series of letters to Clinton, even before he might have expected a response to the July 7 letter. [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. [142] His descendants are spread across Canada, most of all those of John Sage, who adopted the Arnold surname. Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. 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. [3] Arnold was buried at St. Mary's Church in Battersea, England. [46] During the fighting in the second battle, Arnold disobeyed Gates' orders and took to the battlefield to lead attacks on the British defenses. [6] With the outbreak of the French Revolution, Arnold outfitted a privateer, while continuing to do business in the West Indies, even though the hostilities increased the risk. Things Trump will never be. The sacrifice of Andr made Arnold odious to loyalists, and his reputation was further tarnished among his former neighbours when he led a raid on New London, Connecticut, in September 1781. Peggy Shippen had barely turned eighteen when in June of 1778, following the evacuation of Philadelphia by a British army, Major General Benedict . He returned to the army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in May 1778 to the applause of men who had served under him at Saratoga. British reinforcements arrived in late March led by William Phillips who served under Burgoyne at Saratoga. Before his betrayal Benedict Arnold was a legitimate hero and a competent officer. 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. Odell was a Loyalist working with William Franklin, the last colonial governor of New Jersey and the son of Benjamin Franklin. Arnold purchased large tracts of land in the Maugerville area, and acquired city lots in Saint John and Fredericton. [58] She married Arnold on April 8, 1779. [39] He took the opportunity to visit his children while near his home in New Haven, and he spent much of the winter socializing in Boston, where he unsuccessfully courted a young belle named Betsy Deblois. [111] He renewed that request when he learned of the surrender, which Clinton then granted. The two-story edifice occupied a lot on the west side of Market between East Main and Division Streets. Understand why Benedict Arnold spied for the British during the American Revolutionary War. 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. "[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. 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. He hoped that this work would earn him wider respect and a new command; instead, it earned him and his sons a land-grant of 15,000 acres (6,100ha) in Upper Canada,[122] near present-day Renfrew, Ontario. [47] Burgoyne surrendered ten days after the second battle on October 17, 1777. He was convicted of disorderly conduct and fined the relatively small amount of 50 shillings; publicity of the case and widespread sympathy for his views probably contributed to the light sentence. 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. Upon the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington, Massachusetts (April 1775), Arnold volunteered for service and participated with Ethan Allen in the successful colonial attack on British-held Fort Ticonderoga, New York, the following month. Some could even argue that, patriotism aside, it might have seemed insane for him not to turn traitor. His mother came from a wealthy family, but his alcoholic father squandered their estate. He was again severely wounded in the left leg late in the fighting. He sent an Indian messenger into the camp of British Brigadier General Barry St. Leger with news that the approaching force was much larger and closer than it actually was; this convinced St. Leger's Indian allies to abandon him, forcing him to give up the effort. He wrote that he was "very much shocked" and wondered "good God, are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their liberties, or are they all turned philosophers, that they don't take immediate vengeance on such miscreants? How did Benedict Arnold betray the Continental Army to the British? [87], Once Arnold established himself at West Point, he began systematically weakening its defenses and military strength. Benedict Arnold's name might be the first that comes to mind when we think of treason not just because he was a traitor, but because he was such an unlikely one. 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). He was enrolled in a private school in nearby Canterbury, Connecticut, when he was 10, with the expectation that he would eventually attend Yale College. 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. The America. This was the last straw. You may think it was odd that parents would name their newborn . [27] Margaret died on June 19, 1775, while Arnold was at Fort Ticonderoga following its capture. Working as a spy, Armistead gained the trust of General Cornwallis and Benedict Arnold,. Arnold commanded the army only until May 20, when Lord Cornwallis arrived with the southern army and took over. A figure climbed down from the larger sloop, into the boat and quietly made his way up the Hudson River. [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. He returned a hero, but his rash courage and impatient energy had aroused the enmity of several officers. Apparently, Arnold also had self-confidence issues and his new wife Peggy wasn't helping the situation. His father was also called Benedict Arnold and his mother's name was Hannah Waterman King. [citation needed]. When the British took control of Philadelphia in 1777, Peggy met John Andr, a charming, well-educated British officer. [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. Benedict Arnold passed away on 3 March 1849. [103] He had suffered from gout since 1775,[124] and the condition attacked his unwounded leg to the point where he was unable to go to sea. Historians have identified many possible factors contributing to Arnold's treason, while some debate their relative importance. In 1775, when the war began, he was a merchant operating ships in the Atlantic Ocean. Benedict Arnold began the Revolutionary War as a militia captain. 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. Meanwhile, in April 1779, Arnold married Margaret (Peggy) Shippen, a young woman of loyalist sympathies. Wikipedia Sign up to our newsletter. "[65] A few days later, Arnold wrote to Greene and lamented over the "deplorable" and "horrid" situation of the country at that particular moment, citing the depreciating currency, disaffection of the army, and internal fighting in Congress, while predicting "impending ruin" if things did not change soon. He then took the letter back to Connecticut, suspicious of Arnold's actions, where he delivered it to the head of the Connecticut militia. [12] In 1757 when he was 16, he did enlist in the Connecticut militia, which marched off toward Albany, New York, and Lake George. This monument was erected under the patronage of the State of Connecticut in the 55th year of the Independence of the U.S.A. in memory of the brave patriots massacred at Fort Griswold near this spot on the 6th of Sept. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [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. Saint Benedict once lived in a hermit cave. He marched with 700 men by way of the Maine wilderness, a remarkable feat of woodsmanship and endurance, and, reinforced by Gen. Richard Montgomery, attacked the well-fortified city. -Benedict Arnold, January, 1780. 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. Jul 4, 2020, 05:04 AM EDT | Updated Jul 4, 2020. Clinton was concerned that Washington's army and the French fleet would join in Rhode Island, and he again fixed on West Point as a strategic point to capture. He had his leg crudely set, rather than allowing it to be amputated, leaving it 2 inches (5cm) shorter than the right. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [116] Delivery of his first ship the Lord Sheffield was accompanied by accusations from the builder that Arnold had cheated him; Arnold claimed that he had merely deducted the contractually agreed amount when the ship was delivered late. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. An epidemic of yellow fever ravaged Arnold's family in the 1750s, however, claiming three of his . Despite Arnold's defection to the British, he was a fierce patriot for . [148] He was buried at St Mary's Church, Battersea, England which has a commemorative stained glass window. He organized the militia response, along with David Wooster and Connecticut militia General Gold Selleck Silliman. We largely don't even know who he is. [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. Peggy's Childhood Peggy was the daughter of Edward Shippen and born into a prominent Philadelphia family. Updates? [36] However, an acrimonious dispute with Moses Hazen, commander of the 2nd Canadian Regiment, boiled into Hazen's court martial at Ticonderoga during the summer of 1776. 0:00. "Since the fall of Lucifer," General Nathanial Greene judged, "nothing has equaled the fall of Arnold." Yet Arnold's accomplishments for the patriot cause were extraordinary. She couldand did. [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". He also peppered Washington with complaints about the lack of supplies, writing, "Everything is wanting. January 14, 1741, in Norwich Connecticut. He is also believed to have built the first U.S. telescope. [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. 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. As a teenager, Arnold's family faced financial hardship. Benedict Arnold was an enthusiastic patriot who believed passionately in the cause of American liberty. The Hudson River Chain today 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 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]. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. While en route to West Point, Arnold renewed an acquaintance with Joshua Hett Smith, who had spied for both sides and who owned a house near the western bank of the Hudson about 15 miles south of West Point. By. [55], Arnold lived extravagantly in Philadelphia and was a prominent figure on the social scene. After organizing an assemblage of volunteers, he seized munitions from the New Haven arsenal and led his group northward to fight the British. These charges were then referred to Congress, and Arnold asked for an immediate court-martial to clear himself. After the war, he petitioned to have Vermont become a state. Therefore, the answer to your question is no, we do not commemorate Benedict Arnold. , 1775, when Lord Cornwallis arrived with the southern army and took over June 19 1775. With William Franklin, the answer to your question is No, we do not commemorate Benedict Arnold was Loyalist... A competent officer Loyalist sympathies know who he is on January 14, 1741, in April,... 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