"Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) was a successful military leader early in his career, but his treasonous relationship with the British in the American Revolution marks him as an infamous traitor to the American cause. Before the Revolution, he was a well-to-do merchant. At the start of the Revolution, Arnold suggested that he could capture Fort Ticonderoga in New York. Benjamin Church made him colonel, and Arnold raised a regiment and captured the fort on May 10, 1775. He returned home victoriously and joined General George Washington's Continental Army. Washington next gave him command of an expedition to attack Quebec. Their attack on Quebec failed, but Arnold and his men managed to sustain a blockade. During this time, Arnold seriously wounded his knee. For his heroism Congress promoted him to brigadier general on January 10, 1776.

"In 1776 Arnold repeatedly demonstrated his military prowess against British forces. Yet, Arnold threatened to resign when other brigadiers were promoted to major generals, but not him. At the encouragement of Washington, he again joined the army to stop the advance of General Burgoyne, Colonel Barry St. Leger, and Sir William Howe from the north. Arnold twice made two heroic attacks (once independently) against the British, leading to Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga on October 17, 1776. During these forays, he was shot in the same leg as before, giving him a serious limp thereafter. Arnold's successes conflicted with his superior, General Horatio Gates, and he was temporality removed from his command.

"In 1778 Washington appointed Arnold the military commander of Philadelphia after the British evacuated. In Philadelphia patriots accused him of using public wagons for private profit and for making money for himself after he closed all the shops down in Philadelphia. Patriots also accused him of being too friendly with loyalists. Arnold then faced a court martial for corruption and resigned his post on March 19, 1779. Soon after resigning, Arnold sold his services to the British.

"In May 1779 Arnold sent for Joseph Stansbury, who lived in Philadelphia and opposed armed resistance. Stansbury, with the help of Jonathan Odell, met with John André, the aide de camp of General Henry Clinton. In the following months, Arnold provided the British with a variety of military and political secrets. Arnold's treachery was revealed when André was captured on September 21. Arnold escaped to New York once the Americans discovered he was a spy. Arnold published a statement to encourage other Americans to join his cause. When this failed, he was made a British brigadier and sent on raids in Virginia. His successful attacks against forts in Virginia and New York permanently marked him as a traitor. After General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia in October 1781, Arnold and his family sailed back to England with Cornwallis. In Britain, he was not trusted with any military commands and failed as a merchant." Benedict Arnold died in London in 1801.

Although Benedict Arnold fought many battles in the American Revolution victoriously; he will mostly be remembered for his treachery as a traitor. It appears from historical documents that Arnold believed he was not sufficiently rewarded by his country nor respected by his fellow officers. He also wanted to maintain the high standard of living he afforded himself and his wife Peggy.

While the British had occupied Philadelphia, his beautiful and flirtatious wife Peggy enjoyed the attention of the British. Among her many admirers had been British major John André. It is believed that Peggy connected her husband Benedict Arnold with Major André. "Benedict Arnold wrote pages of U.S. military secrets and convinced John André to carry them back to British headquarters concealed in his boots." In response, André assured Arnold that if he helped the British, he would be richly rewarded.

André established a code by which he and Arnold could communicate, and they did so in the months to follow. However, André let Arnold know that he wanted something that would help the British to capture West Point, a military complex on the western shores of the Hudson River, and where approaching vessels could be sighted and where the Americans could command the Hudson River waterway.

Arnold sent André the reply he wanted. Arnold stated, in his own handwriting, that he would surrender West Point for a guaranteed payment of 10,000 pounds.


Decoded message from Benedict Arnold to André:
"The following Preliminaries be settled previous to cooperating. - / First, that S[ir]. Henry secure to me my property, valued at ten thou- / sand pounds Sterling, to be paid to me or my Heirs in case of / Loss; and, as soon as that happens [strike out] shall happen, ---- hundred / pounds per annum to be secured to me for life, in lieu of the / pay and emoluments I give up, for my Services as they shall / deserve - If I point out a plan of cooperation by which S[ir}. H[enry]. / shall possess himself of West Point, the Garrison, etc. etc. etc. twenty / thousand pounds Sterling I think will be a cheap purchase for / an object of so much importance. At the same time I request / thousand pounds to be paid my Agent - I expect a full / and explicit answer - The 20th I set off for West Point . . ."

With this arrangement in mind, Arnold tried to get command of the West Point complex. He often visited West Point, while continuing to send André confidential information. During discussions with General George Washington, Arnold convinced Washington to give him, Benedict Arnold, command of West Point.

On September 22, 1780 André and Arnold met in a private and secluded area. During this meeting that lasted for hours into the night, André's getaway ship, the Vulture, moved position due to the Americans firing on the ship. Arnold provided André and his escorts with passes, an expensive horse, and six pages of information about West Point. André placed secret papers in his boots.

On the morning of September 25, 1780, while having breakfast in his home, a messenger delivered a letter to Arnold. The letter stated that Major André had been captured. After a court hearing, André was condemned to death by hanging. On Monday, October 5, 1780, at noon, André was hung. He was 30 years of age.

As news about General Benedict Arnold spread throughout the country, patriots felt a renewed strength and purpose. Their country was attacked from within. Benedict Arnold, a distinguished Revolutionary War general, became a traitor. In answer to Arnold’s treacherous acts, Americans united in patriotic fervor and spirits soared in a "unity of purpose".

In 1780, Arnold led a British raid on New London, Connecticut. Arnold and his family fled to England in December, 1781. In England, Arnold tried repeatedly to secure a high military position with the British army. After many failed attempts, he turned to trade. Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801. Benedict Arnold is buried in England.

Location: Westchester County

Categories
American Revolution | American War of Independence