The History of~The American Revolution (Part 5: Benedict Arnold~From Hero to Traitor)

It was a rebellion like no other, not only did the American Revolution bring about a brand new nation that is not run by a Monarchy, but also to bring a new age in our world where Monarchs would begin to lose their luster.

This is Part 5 of this 6-Part wiki page series about The American Revolution. In this Part, we will take a bit of a detour and talk about a specific Continental General; Benedict Arnold.

## Benedict Arnold~From Hero to Traitor

Benedict Arnold has mysterious origins, he joined the Colonial Military at a very young age and was a commanding Major General during the American Revolution.

But perhaps he is best known for his treacherous actions against his own home country as even in America today when the word "traitor" comes up, Americans think of Benedict Arnold, though his actions for America didn't go amiss.

But before we get started, just a reminder that this wiki page will only cover Arnold during his military career.

Despite what some people say about Arnold (before his treacherous actions) like my Competitors at Biographics (a Youtube channel) Benedict Arnold did not fight in the French and Indian War as he would be too young to be a commanding officer.

Anyway, let's begin.

### Arnold's Battles

At the outset of the Revolution, Benedict Arnold would receive the rank of Major General when he was 34 years old. In the Spring of 1775, he was given the job to capture the British Fort of Ticonderoga.

Along the way, his forces would meet up with a Militia calling themselves the "Green Mountain Boys" (a militia that hailed from what would be the State of Vermont) led by a man named Ethan Allen who also wanted to take the Fort. This would lead to a long-standing debate of leadership between Arnold and Allen, eventually the 2 men put aside their differences and take the Fort together on the night of May 10, Arnold's and Allen's forces took the British inside the Fort by complete surprise and captured by the 2 men.

After capturing Fort Ticonderoga, Arnold's forces than began their campaign for British North America (modern-day Canada) in June, but Arnold wouldn't be given command for the first invasion. It wouldn't be until September when Arnold would be given the permission from George Washington to march over 1,000 men over the border of North Massachusetts (Modern-day Maine) and try to take Quebec City. On New Year's Eve of 1775, Arnold (along with Richard Montgomery) tried to invade Quebec City, but failed, and lead to Montgomery's death, and one of Arnold's legs would be shattered during the battle, also some of the men in the battle contracted Smallpox. Still Arnold would stay in Quebec City for a long siege, until he was eventually replaced by another Major General "David Wooster" in April of 1776, Arnold then traveled to Montreal and commanded the army there until he was forced to retreat by the Brits. During the Summer of 1776, Arnold was then ordered to defend Lake Champlain from the British, though his forces would be defeated in October of 1776 at the Battle of Valcour Island, but they delayed the British from re-taking Fort Ticonderoga until 1777.

Arnold then again was sent to New York State in the Summer of 1777 following the British re-capturing Fort Ticonderoga, and on August 13, he was ordered to help out the local militia at Fort Stanwix, he even sent a deceiving message to British general Barry St. Leger that the ACA force was larger than he expected, which in turn made the Native Americans fighting for St. Leger to abandon his cause.

Perhaps his biggest moment was during the huge battle of Saratoga. After a squabble with the other American general Horatio Gates and even told him to leave, Arnold disobeys him and lead an attack on General Burgoyne's forces which Arnold's left leg was injured again. Burgoyne would surrender October 17, 1777.

### His road to treachery

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when and how Benedict Arnold would begin his path to treachery. What is known however is that he was quite abrasive and often argued with his fellow commanders about how to approach an impending battle, he had made a lot of enemies as well as a lot of friends. After leading the militia in Connecticut, he traveled to Philadelphia to talk to the Continental Congress about his recent actions at Ridgefield which led to not just having his left leg injured (again) but also the death of Wooster. Though, Arnold would many times be passed over for a promotion by the Continental Congress and (ironically) was only the death of Wooster that he was promoted to Major General. He was also ready to give up as he written and signed a letter of resignation on July of 1777, but Washington would deny his request.

As the British (under the command of Henry Clinton) were given orders by their new commander to retreat from Philadelphia in the Summer of 1778, Arnold was then ordered by Washington to re-take the Capital city for the Continental Congress. While in Philadelphia, Arnold took the opportunity to take fame and glory for himself. He engaged himself in lewd business deals of the city as with taking a chunk of income from war-related supplies. He would even took a shine to a teenage girl named "Peggy Shippen" (she was 18 while Arnold was 37) who was a part of the "Philadelphia Elite" (a group of people who lived in Philadelphia in the 18th century who sympathized with the British). This would get him into a heap of trouble with local politicians (including with a man named "Joseph Reed")

Upon learning of Arnold's actions in Philadelphia, Washington wrote Arnold a letter, rebuking him, and calling Arnold's actions in Philadelphia "Imprudent and Improper".

### Turning Traitor

Now, it's still undetermined if this was the final nail in the coffin for Arnold's loyalty to his country, or it was his new wife Peggy Shippen who made him turn traitor. But what would Arnold do next will shake the young country to its very core.

In 1780, Washington put Arnold in charge of the American military Facility known as "West Point" in the Summer of that year. Arnold sent a letter to his British contact John Andre (who was a friend of Arnold's new wife) and even promised Arnold £ 20,000 (which is around $25,000). Arnold agreed to surrender the Military facility, and in turn gave his loyalty to the British. Arnold would lead the Brits to Richmond in January of 1781, burned the town of New London in Connecticut on September of the same year in the Battle of Gorton Heights.

Arnold's treachery would send ripples throughout America. Even Washington himself was shaken by this news. A man who had helped the USA through many battles and even Indirectly helped to secure an alliance with France, has decided to turn sides (whatever the reason may be).

In our final part of this 6-prt wiki page series (click here) We will talk about how the war would end, and securing the existence of a new nation. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.