Benedict Arnold

History portrays people by their actions and in turn judges them accordingly. This is how we come to think of some historical figures as heroes and others as villains. Their actions in the face of their circumstances define how we think of them. What their motivations are or how they came to the decisions that they choose are sometimes never given the proper prospective. It has been said that history is written by the victors, so depending on who is doing the writing this version of history also paints our assessment of these heroes and villains.
Sometimes the deeds that make one man a villain are given more weight than deeds that might deem the same man a hero. That is what happened to Benedict Arnold, his actions during the American Revolutionary War ensured victory for the American forces. But his acts of heroism have since been overshadowed by his final act of betrayal.
When we think of the American Revolutionary War we have a tendency to immediately think of George Washington and the struggle against the tyranny of the British. But besides Washington do we ever think of the other men who served with valor. We know the names of several members of the Second Continental Congress; because they went on to sign the United States Constitution.
But what of the other soldiers who also fought against the British? What of Nathaniel Green or Henry Knox, who fought alongside Washington at Boston and served the entire eight years of the war? Or what of Joseph Plum Martin, an enlisted man whose diaries are the best historical documents concerning the life of the average soldier in the Continental Army? If these names seem unfamiliar it is because they are rarely mentioned in our history textbooks. These men are never given their proper credit for their service to this country.
Another name that may spring to mind when we think of the revolution is that of Benedict Arnold. Our textbooks make sure we know of his involvement in the Continental Army. His betrayal of the Continental Army to the British army has long been scorned by Americans. His name has become for all intents and purposes equated with the word traitor in American history. But what the text books fail to mention is that his involvement with the Continental Army prior to his actions at West Point was one of daring and patriotism.
For us to truly understand Arnold’s true place in American history we must first understand the reasoning behind the decision for going to war against England. Also we need to understand how his deeds on the battlefields not only helped the colonists cause but also helped to ensure victory for the fledgling nation. It is by considering these two factors that we are able to put into full context the reasons for Arnold’s betrayal.
The intent of the colonists when taking up arms against England was not originally one of independence for the colonies, but rather as political protests against what many felt were unfair policies by Parliament. Since the first colony was set up on American shores there had been little involvement by England in the daily affairs of the colonies.
That all changed with the French-Indian War. During that war the English sent troops to fight for and protect the colonists. Even though the English won the war, it left the country almost bankrupt. In an effort to address this issue it was decided to tax the colonies to repay England’s war debt. These taxes and laws made many in the colonies angry. The majority of the colonist’s felt that they were being treated unfairly by Parliament.
In retaliation for these taxes, many Americans began to become involve in protests and boycotts against these new tax laws. However each new protest by the colonists bought about a new set of laws from Parliament. This cycle continued until finally on April 19, 1775 events spiraled out of control in Massachusetts at the towns of Lexington and Concord.
The British forces in Massachusetts were ordered to capture and destroy military supplies that were being stored by the local militia at Concord. The colonists were alerted to this and moved the majority of the supplies to safety. The British entered Lexington at sunrise and were met by the Lexington minutemen, who stood in ranks on the village common watching them. At some point during this confrontation a shot was fired, which side actually fired the shot has never been discerned. Each side thinking the other side was responsible for the shooting began to shoot at the other. The local militia was outnumbered and soon fell back.
Meanwhile at Concord word had begun to reach the local militiamen but they were unsure of what had actually happened at Lexington. At first the militia surrendered Concord to the British. Retreating to a hill a mile north of Concord where they were able to watch the British troops. Seeing smoke from town and only a few companies of British below them it was decided to march back into town. Two British companies from the 4th and 10th regiment of the foot held this position, but they as the colonists came toward them, they marched in retreat down towards the bridge.
At some point during the confusion a shot was fired. Depositions from both sides give credit to the British Army for this shot, which was most likely a warning shot. Two other British regulars immediately began shooting; they may have thought the order to fire had been issued. It was at this time that the militiamen began to return fire. Four of the eight British at the bridge were wounded by the volley of musketry coming from the colonists. The British found themselves trapped in a situation where they were both outnumbered and outmaneuvered. Leaderless, terrified at the superior numbers of the enemy, their spirit broken, they abandoned their wounded, and fled to the safety of Concord. These two battles are considered to be the first two major engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Even after the battles at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775, there were members of the Second Continental Congress who hoped to resolve their issues with England peacefully. To this end they sent, what has become known as, the Olive Branch Petition to King George III on July 5, 1775. This petition appealed to King George III to redress colonial grievances in order to avoid further bloodshed. The delegates insisted that their motives were to stop “the further effusion of blood” and to avert “the impending calamities that threaten the British Empire”. They delegates expressed their continuing loyalty to the king, and implored him essentially to agree to a cease-fire until the colonial problems with “Mother Country” could be amicably settled. The petition also asked that the colonies be allowed to negotiate trade and tax regulations with Parliament. When King George III finally received this petition on August 14, 1775 he refused to read it.
In August, 1775, 4 months after the events at Lexington and Concord, Thomas Jefferson, who would go on to write the Declaration of Independence, wrote to a friend that he was still “looking with fondness towards reconciliation with Great Britain... I ...would rather be in dependence on Great Britain, properly limited, than on any nation on earth, or on no nation.” This sentiment was shared by the majority of the colonists and it would be over a year of hostilities before the Congress would sign the Declaration of Independence.
It was in this climate that Benedict Arnold first entered into the war. Upon hearing of the battles at Lexington and Concord, Arnold, who was in charge of the New Haven militia, gathered his men and decided to depart the following morning to go to Massachusetts. However the town leaders had voted not to offer military support until the events of Lexington and Concord became clear. This meant that if Arnold wanted to arm his men he would have to challenge the authority of the town leaders to gain admittance to the local armory. Eventually the town leaders backed down and Arnold and his men were soon on their way to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
At Cambridge Arnold requested permission of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to capture Fort Ticonderoga, where a large supply of cannon and powder, much needed by the fledgling army which had little in ways of supplies, was being stored. Along the way to the fort he ran into another Ethan Allen, a militiaman from Connecticut who also had the same idea about raiding Fort Ticonderoga.
Arnold, who was actually commissioned by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety wished to be in command of Allen’s Green Mountain Boys. However, the Green Mountain Boys were furious of the prospect of Arnold taking charge. For whatever reasons, Allen agreed to “issue further orders jointly” with Arnold. It was a compromise in name only since Allen or his Green Mountain Boys did not intend to listen to Arnold.
Finally on May 10, 1775, Arnold along with Allen and 40 of his Green Mountain Boys entered the fort through a breach in the wall. There were only 22 British soldiers stationed there, all of who were unaware that war had broken out. The Fort was taken without a single shot being fired. The problem that arose after the capture of Fort Ticonderoga was that of who should be in command. Both Arnold and Allen felt that they should be put in charge but neither was willing to back down. Arnold had been sent by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety and thus was officially in charge but Allen was more adept at the games of politics and almost immediately sent a messenger to the Provincial Congress, who were in charge of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. Meanwhile, Arnold followed protocol and sent his own report to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. Since Allen’s messenger had circumvented the committee, by the time Arnold’s account of the events arrived, the Provincial Congress had already given command of Fort Ticonderoga to Allen. Because of this doubts about Arnold’s character would be raised throughout his career.
The taking of Fort Ticonderoga by Arnold and Allen not only angered the King, but it also would lead to evacuation of Boston by the British. Since the spring of 1775, British forces controlled the city of Boston. It was strategically unsound for the Continental Army to allow the British to retain control of Boston. But the Continental army only had a limited amount of powder and ammunition. To alleviate this problem General George Washington decided to sneak in the fifty-nine cannons taken from Fort Ticonderoga and position his troops on the top of Dorchester Heights, an elevated area overlooking Boston. Henry Knox would, using oxen, drag the cannons over three hundred kilometers of American backcountry in the middle of the winter to be used in this counter offensive. Gen. Washington had his men begin building fortifications, which would latter be hauled along with the fifty-nine cannons to Dorchester Heights on March 4, 1776. On March, 2 1776 the Continental Army began to bombard the city of Boston. The British returned fire almost immediately. However, little damage was done by the exchange. The bombardment continued through to March 4. Washington planned on using the noise of the bombardment to conceal his army’s true motives and on the evening of March 4 began to send his men up the Heights. Overnight the Continental Army set up there fortifications and cannon so that when the British awoke on March 5 they discovered the cannons looking down on them. Even though the British tried to fire on the Heights, their cannons could not be elevated sufficiently to hit a target at such height.
It had been Washington’s hope that General William Howe would either flee or try to take the hill. He knew that the elevated area gave the colonists the advantage and hoped that Howe would flee instead. And so on March 17, 1776 British forces evacuated Boston and headed to New York. Whether you credit Arnold or Allen for capturing Fort Ticonderoga, the evacuation of Boston would never have happened without the cannons from the fort. And without the cannons Washington would not have been able to force the British out of Boston so easily giving the colonist’s their first victory in the revolution.
During the summer of 1776, the British under the command of General John Burgoyne began a campaign to take control of the Hudson River Valley in up-state New York. By controlling the Hudson River Valley, England hoped to divide the American colonies of New England from those in the South and Mid-Atlantic and potentially terminate the revolution.
But more importantly, roads were almost nonexistent at this time and water transport through the valley was the only viable way to transport troops and supplies. The British needed to have control of Lake Champlain in order to bring their troops and supplies down from Canada. However, Lake Champlain was protected by strongholds at Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga as well as by many ships which had been commandeered by American forces. Though the American ships were lightly armed they still made the transportation of British troops and supplies impossible.
Both sides understood the importance of this region and began work on building fleets; the British at St. Johns in Quebec and the Americans at the other end of the lake in Skenesborough. Arnold, who was at Crown Point after the failed invasion of Quebec, was put in charge of the building of the American navy. By the beginning of hostilities on October 11, 1776 the British fleet consisted of 30 vessels while the Americans had half that number.
Arnold, who had come from a seafaring family, decided to force the British to attack his fleet at a narrow, rocky body of water between the coast and Valcour Island, where the British fleet would have difficulty bringing its superior firepower to bear. By sun set on October 11, most of the American ships were damaged or sinking. Arnold understood that his fleet would be unable to defeat the British fleet and decided to withdraw. He managed to sneak the remainder of his fleet past the British during the night and headed for Crown Point at the south end of the lake.
The British realizing Arnold’s plan pursued him under the forces of Colonel Guy Carleton. By October 13, the British had captured or destroyed the remainder of the Arnold’s fleet. Although the British had cleared the lake of American ships, establishing naval control, snow was already falling. Between the fortifications of Fort Ticonderoga along with Arnold’s defense of Lake Champlain, convinced Carleton that an assault on the fort so late in the season would be unwise. Carleton had no choice but to retire his army for the winter.
This pause in battle not only made it possible for the northern army to send three thousand men to aid Washington’s army, thus enabling Washington to strike his blows at Trenton and Princeton in the winter of 1776, it also gave the northern army a chance to prepare for the spring time when British Forces would return in an attempt to capture Fort Ticonderoga.
Though Arnold had originally received accolades for his defense at Lake Champlain, by the spring of 1777 several negative commentaries of events had reached Congress. Arnold without an influential patron in Congress had no means of defending himself against the many personal assaults. And so Congress went and promoted five brigadier generals of junior rank to major generalships instead of Arnold. Though this action of Congress angered Arnold he behaved very well and expressed his willingness to serve under the men who had until recently been his juniors. Gen. Washington submitted a letter to Congress commending Arnold for his service, however Congress still refused to promote Arnold and so in July 1777, Arnold resigned from the Continental Army.
During this time the colonies were thrown into dismay over the news that British forces under the command of General John Burgoyne had recaptured Fort Ticonderoga. Once again the British advanced down the Hudson River trying to cut off the colonies. At Gen. Washington’s request Arnold joined once again with the Northern Army, this time as a volunteer. Arnold devised a strategy that dispersed the British army coming down through the Mohawk River Valley. Even though Arnold’s actions were commended, Congress voted not to reinstate Arnold’s commission.
During the summer of 1777, Arnold found himself under the leadership of General Horatio Gates. It did not take long before the two men suffered a difference of opinion in tactical stance at the Battle of Freeman’s Farm. Arnold, who believed that the British would attack the American left flank, wished to press his forces against the British lines and asked Gates on several occasions to send reinforcements. Gates, however, held back and refused to send in reinforcements, wishing to remain cautious. After Arnolds third request for reinforcements, Gates finally issued an order to remove Arnold from the battle.
The British took the farm but at a cost of 600 casualties. The Continental army suffered only 300 casualties and more troops arrived daily. Because of this Burgoyne decided to wait for reinforcements instead of pressing the attack. The two weeks following the battle tested the morale Burgoyne’s troops. By early October Burgoyne had still heard no word from his expectant reinforcements and knew he would have to act soon.
Meanwhile back at the northern army camp the resentment between Gates and Arnold exploded into open hostility. Gates reported to Congress what had transpired at Freeman’s Farm. While the field commanders and men all gave Arnold credit for their success—Arnold was the one commanding the troops in the field while Gates sat in his tent — Gates did not even mention Arnold’s name. This led to a dispute between the two which ended with Gates relieving Arnold of his command.
And it is here that we find Arnold’s most important contribution to the American cause. While Arnold had been ordered not to fight by Gates, he requested permission to leave for Philadelphia, with the intention to join and assist Gen. Washington. Gates granted the request, but only to go to Congress.
Instead of leaving Arnold remained in his tent. Arnold knew that a battle was soon to take place and did not wish to leave when action would soon be at hand. As the battle began Arnold appeared on the field, on no one’s authority but his own. He took command of a regiment of the Connecticut militia under the command of Colonel John Latimore. Arnold charged forward in front of his men, brandishing his sword and shouting to the troops to press the advantage. The sight of Arnold invigorated the troops and they rallied around him. In two severe assaults, Arnold (Martin 1997)line. Arnold, backed by Daniel Morgan and his riflemen, continued to surge his troops forward causing the British line to collapse.
It was Arnold’s actions, more than any other officer there that led to the American success at Saratoga. Ten days later, Gen. Burgoyne conceded defeat—and as a direct result of this victory by the colonists, France formally entered the war on the side of America several months later. Though Arnold did have his seniority restored by Congress after Saratoga, an injury to his left leg, which he sustained near the end of the battle, had left him crippled and unable to serve in the field.
Arnold refused to have his leg amputated and spent the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge recovering from his injury. After the British withdrew from Philadelphia he was appointed military commander of the city by Gen. Washington. During the next two years Arnold would associate closely with local loyalists. He was strongly opposed to the Franco-American alliance, because of his experiences during the French-Indian war. It is ironic because it was his victory at Saratoga that convinced the French to join with the Americans in their war.
While in Philadelphia Arnold lived extravagantly, throwing himself into the social life of the Philadelphian elites—most of whom were still loyal to England. He was known for hosting grand parties, which upset many of the local colonists. On March 26, 1779 he met Peggy Shippen, a loyalist who had been courted by John Andre during the British occupation of Philadelphia. On April 8, 1779 Arnold and Peggy were married. Due to her social position, Arnold began living beyond his means, and soon fell deeply into debt.
These troubles weighed heavily upon Arnold until he decided to resign his commission. He planned on obtaining a grant of land in central New York and settle it with some of his old soldiers. He wanted to just end his days in rural seclusion. His request was favorably entertained by the New York legislature, but a long list of charges were brought against him for malfeasance. The charges against Arnold were filed by the Pennsylvania civil authorities at the instigation of Joseph Reed, a man politically connected to the Continental Congress, whom Arnold had stripped of command at Ticonderoga.
The charges of which Arnold was accused of were investigated by a committee of the Pennsylvanian Congress, and on all of those charges that would affect Arnold’s integrity he was acquitted. He was found guilty on only two charges: the first, of having once used some public wagons, which were standing idle, for saving private property in danger from the enemy. And the second of improperly issuing a pass to a ship. Both charges were thought too trivial and the committee recommended an unqualified verdict of acquittal. Considering himself vindicated Arnold resigned his command of Philadelphia.
However, Reed claimed that further evidence was forthcoming; the matter was referred to another committee, which shirked the responsibility fearing it might offend Pennsylvania, and instead handed the affair over to a court-martial. Arnold clamored for a speedy trial, but Reed successfully delayed the trial by several months under the pretense of collecting evidence.
On January, 26, 1780, the court-martial rendered its verdict, which agreed in every particular with that of the first; but for the two trivial charges proved against Arnold, it was decided that he should receive a reprimand from the commander-in-chief. Gen. Washington, who considered Arnold the victim of persecution, gave him a slight reprimand. He than offered Arnold the highest command, under Washington himself, in the northern army for the next campaign. Instead of accepting the command Arnold persuaded Washington to give him command of West Point.
What is known is that Arnold at some point during his court-martial began corresponding with British intelligence. Henry Clinton said that Arnold had offered his services “without any overtures from me”. Maybe it was the fact that throughout Arnold’s career credit for his achievements was constantly stolen by his fellow officers. Maybe his wife suggested the idea to him. Or maybe it was just for the money. No evidence exists today that may suggest who proposed the treachery that would lead to Arnold’s downfall. But ultimately the responsibility must lie with Arnold for his decision.
Americans tend to romanticize the American Revolutionary War, the belief that the founding fathers simply wanted to create a democratic form of government that allowed for justice and liberty for all. But the truth is that the original intent for going to war with England was one about politics. After the war, Congress put into effect the Articles of Confederation which is a completely different government than the one outlined in the Constitution, which was not officially adopted until almost twenty years after the American Revolutionary War.
Arnold was one of those patriots who believed that the American colonies should be allowed to govern themselves, but still be a part of the British Empire. Besides being offered a commission in the British army and a considerable sum of money, Arnold was also offered a seat at the negotiation of the treaty at the end of the war. He did not trust the members of Congress to represent the interests of the people or that Congress would be able to achieve peace with the British.
It was these factors that led Arnold to believe that by betraying the Continental Army he could accomplish what years of fighting had not. By handing West Point over to British forces Arnold believed he would “accomplish an event of decisive importance, and to prevent, as much as possible in the execution of it, the effusion of blood”. Even though his reasons may have seemed reasonable history paints Benedict Arnold as having the blackest of hearts.
We should be taught about his betrayal, but we should also learn of his exploits that helped to make our country what it is today. His involvement at the Battle of Saratoga helped lead the Americans to their first decisive victory against the British. This victory convinced the French that the Continental Army was indeed capable of winning against the British and so they openly entered into the war on the American side. This was the turning point of the war; it was here that the British began their descent into defeat.
While the history books tend to leave out Arnold’s contributions to his nation, his service and sacrifice has not been entirely forgotten. At Saratoga, a monument stands in memorial of Arnold, but there is no mention of his name on the engraving. The inscription reads: “In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental army, who was desperately wounded on this spot, winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General”.
Also at West Point, the United States Military Academy, there is another memorial to Arnold. Again it does not bear his name, but rather, it only bears a rank, “Major General”, and a date, “born 1740”. That such a plaque exits at all is tribute to the undeniable contribution that Benedict Arnold made toward the cause of American independence, contributions that have been overshadowed by his betrayal.
Benedict Arnold is possibly one of the most paradoxical figures in American history. While there is no doubt as to his treason, neither can there be any doubt as to his crucial role in winning the American Revolution. Without the victory at Saratoga, the French would never have come to the aid of the fledging country. It was this alliance that tipped the balance of power and helped to ensure American victory.
The story of Benedict Arnold is one of, both, honor and treachery. It is not as simple as our history textbooks make it out to be. For one to truly understand Arnold’s place in American history one must first look at all of his accomplishments. Because Benedict Arnold was much more than his betrayal, he was an American patriot.

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[ 2 ]. Albert Martin, The Story of the American Revolution (New York: Atheneum, 1988) 100.
[ 3 ]. Martin, Story, 50-2
[ 4 ]. Martin, Story, 53-56
[ 5 ]. Second Continental Congress, Olive Branch Petition, John Dickerson, 1775.
[ 6 ]. David McCullough, 1776 (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005), 10.
[ 7 ]. Carl van Doren, Secret History of the American Revolution: An Account of the Conspiracy of Benedict Arnold and Numerous Others drawn from the Secret Service Papers of the British Headquarters in North America now for the first time examined and made public (New York: Viking Press, 1941), 7.
[ 8 ]. James Kirby Martin, Benedict Arnold: Revolutionary Hero; An American Warrior Reconsidered (New York: New York University Press, 1997) 62-63
[ 9 ]. James L. Nelson, Benedict Arnold’s Navy: The Ragtag Fleet that Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain but Won the American Revolution (Camden: McGraw Hill, 2006) 25-29.
[ 10 ]. Martin, Revolutionary Hero, 70-84.
[ 11 ]. McCullough, 1776, 85-106.
[ 12 ]. Nelson, Benedict Arnold’s Navy, 235-41
[ 13 ]. Martin, Revolutionary Hero, 269-84
[ 14 ]. Martin, Revolutionary Hero, 287-89
[ 15 ]. Richard M. Ketchum, Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary Warm (New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1997) 345.
[ 16 ]. Ketchum, Saratoga, 375-6
[ 17 ]. Thomas Anburey, With Burgoyne from Quebec: an account of the life at
Quebec and of the famous battle at Saratoga. First Published in 1789 as Volume One of Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America, by Thomas Anburey, ed. Sydney Jackman (Toronto: Macmillan of Canada, 1963) 180-81.
[ 18 ]. Ketchum, Saratoga, 385-7
[ 19 ]. Martin, Revolutionary Hero, 389
[ 20 ]. Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, Proceedings of the supreme executive council of the state of Pennsylvania in the case of Major General Arnold (Philadelphia: Printed by Hall and Sellers, 1779).
[ 21 ]. Van Doren, Secret History, 194.
[ 22 ]. Willard M. Wallace, Traitorous Hero: The Life & Fortunes of Benedict Arnold (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1954) 265.
[ 23 ]. Jim Murphy, The Real Benedict Arnold (New York: Clarion Books, 2007) 3.