Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold V (Januar 14, 1741-Juin 14, 1801) wis a general durin the American Revolutionary War.  He began the war in the Continental Airmy but later defected tae the British Airmy.  While he wis still a general on the American side, he obtained command o the fort at Wast Point, New York, an plotted unsuccessfully tae surrender it tae the Breetish. Efter the plot wis exposed in September 1780, he entered the Breetish Airmy as a brigadier general.

Born in Connecticut, he wis a merchant operating ships on the Atlantic Ocean when the war broke oot in 1775.  Efter joinin the growin airmy ootside Boston, he distinguished himsel throu acts o cunnin an bravery.  His actions includit the Capture o Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, successfu defensive an delayin tactics despite losin the Battle o Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776, the Battle o Ridgefield, Connecticut (efter which he wis promotit tae major general), operations in relief o the Siege o Fort Stanwix, an key actions durin the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777, in which he suffered leg injuries that endit his combat career for several years.

In spite o his successes, Arnold wis passed ower for promotion bi the Continental Congress while ither officers claimed credit for some o his accomplishments.Martin (1997)  Adversaries in military an poleetical circles brocht charges o corruption or ither malfeasance, but he wis acquittit in maist formal inquiries.  Congress investigatit his accoonts, an foond that he awed it money efter he haed spent much o his awn money on the war effort.  Frustratit an bitter, Arnold decidit tae chynge sides in 1779, an opened secret negotiations wi the Breetish.  In Julie 1780, he sought an obtained command o Wast Point in order tae surrender it tae the Breetish.  Arnold's scheme wis exposed when American forces captured Breetish Major John André carryin papers that revealed the plot.  Upon learnin o André's capture, Arnold fled doun the Hudson River tae the Breetish sloop-o-war Vulture, narrowly avoidin capture bi the forces o George Washington, who haed been alertit tae the plot.

Arnold received a commission as a brigadier general in the Breetish Airmy, an annual pension o £360, an a lump sum o ower £6,000. He led Breetish forces on raids in Virginia, an against New Lunnon an Groton, Connecticut, afore the war effectively endit wi the American victory at Yorktown.  In the winter o 1782, Arnold moved tae Lunnon wi his seicont wife, Margaret "Peggy" Shippen Arnold.  He wis well received bi Keeng George III an the Tories but frouned upon bi the Whigs.  In 1787, he entered intae mercantile business wi his sons Richard an Henry in Saunt John, New Brunswick, but returned tae Lunnon tae settle permanently in 1791, whaur he dee'd ten years later.

Because o the wey he changed sides his name quickly became a byword in the Unitit States for traison or betrayal.Rogets (2008)  His conflictin legacy is recalled in the ambiguous naitur o some o the memorials that hae been placed in his honour.
References

External links

Some details from ushistory.org
Biographical sketch by a contemporary, reflecting American sentiment towards Arnold
Benedict Arnold's Portraits 
usahistory site includes details on Arnold's escape 
Resort located on Arnold's trail to Quebec City 
The original proclamation accusing Benedict Arnold of High Treason  frae the Pennsylvania Archives
Virtual Tour of burial site - Stained glass
1894 NY Times article
Benedict Arnold Letters 
Arnold's Treason frae Thrilling Incidents in American History


Category:American Revolution spies
Category:Breetish Airmy generals
Category:Breetish Airmy personnel o the American Revolutionary War
Category:Breetish spies
Category:Connecticut colonial fowk
Category:Continental Airmy generals
Category:Continental Airmy officers frae Connecticut
Category:Duellists
Category:Fowk frae Norwich, Connecticut
Category:American defectors
Category:Daiths frae edema
Category:Buirials in Ingland
Category:1741 births
Category:1801 daiths