The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-21
Anaconda NeDs.

rible but just. In the sense in which
Satan has been called the hero of Par
adise Lost, he was one of the heroes
of the revolutionary war. One great
crime obliterated the memory OF years
of hard and patriotic service. A CEN
fury has gone by since his abortive
conspiracy, and there is, / think. a
disposition to be less relentless, 1 may
say more just to his memory"
Arnold was charged with bad con-
duct as an officer in 1879. by the council
of Pennsylvania. and he at once re-
quested congress to direct a court-mar-
tial TO inquire into his conduct A con-
gressional committee examined into
the matter and exonerated him, but
recommended that some of the charges
be referred to a court-martial. Wash
ington ordered the court to meet on
the 1st of May 1879, but the Pennsyl-
vania authorities succeeded in having
1t postponed until Dec. 10. Arnold had
resigned his command when congress
had exonerated him, and he was mean
time smarting under the vexatious de-
lay in his trial. When the court met
ne conducted his own defense. He sup
ported himself with a cane. for he was
still a cripple from the two wounds in
his leg received at Saratoga and Que
bee. On Jan. rs the court rendered its
decision, finding him not guilty of all
the eight charges against him, except
the charge of using government wag-
ons for his personal business, which
the court considered Improper" For
this he was sentenced to a reprimand
from General Washington. The SEN
tence implied guilt, and to Arnold's
high strung nature this was a terrible
and fatal blow.
Washington publicly reprimanded
him In the most generous manner.
couched in the softest terms, but Ar
mold felt that he was disgraced. and a
wound was made which would never
heal. His conspiracy with Andre and
his treason followed. He entered the
service of the English king, and from
that time on to the end, his life was a
round of failure, disgrace and misery.
lie became the victim of a terrible ner-
vous disease, and sleep fed from him.
On the 14th of June, 1901, in his Goth
let which broke his leg at Quebec
pierced his heart the nation would
have had another hero.
Arnold accepted the commission OF
King George in 1880. He was then 80
years old, and the father of four chill
dren. He planned an expedition
against Virginia, and within two
months otter he returned to New York
he had obtained command of several
ships and body of 1000 men. He
sailed from New York Sept 90 He
was scarcely at sea when a gale struck
the fleet and scattered it. The boats
were lost to one another for 10 days.
but on Dec. 80 came together near the
capes of Chesapeake bay, with the ex-
ceptfon of one armed vessel which did
not find the fleet until several days
later.
With his usual impatience. Arnold
did not wait the return of this boat
but pushed on up the James river. He
anchored near jamestown, Jan. 3. The
Following day he went ashore at West
over. and, with 800 troops, marched in
TO Richmond, and took possession of
the city, making his headquarters at
the old City Tavern, on Main street.
Before he fired the town he sent a pro-
posal 70 Governor jefferson that he
would spare the buildings IL his ships
would be allowed to carry off what TO-
bacco and stores he desired This offer
the governor quickly declined. and on
Jan. Arnold's men applied the torch.
All of the main public buildings were
destroyed, and such private property
as Arnold considered necessary to his
plan of conquest.
Leaving Richmond. he destroyed the
magazines and foundries at Westham.
and then proceeded down the river TO
Portsmouth, where he went into canp
for the winter