Births on January 14

Benedict Arnold, American-British general (d. 1801)

Benedict Arnold: A Story of Valor and Infamy in the American Revolutionary War

Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. 3 January 1740] – 14 June 1801) remains one of the most paradoxical figures in American history. Initially celebrated as a brilliant and audacious military officer who served with exceptional distinction during the early years of the American Revolutionary War, his name ultimately became synonymous with treason and betrayal after his defection to the British side of the conflict in 1780.

Having earned the fullest trust of General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Arnold was entrusted with the command of West Point in New York, a strategically vital stronghold. However, driven by complex motivations, Arnold secretly plotted to surrender this critical fort to British forces. When his elaborate scheme was uncovered in September 1780, he narrowly escaped capture, fleeing to the British lines. Following his defection, Arnold was commissioned as a brigadier general in the British Army and placed in command of the American Legion, a Loyalist regiment. In a profound act of betrayal, he subsequently led British troops in battle against the very soldiers he had once commanded, forever cementing his place in history as America's most infamous traitor.

From Gallant Commander to Disgruntled Officer: Arnold's Early Contributions

Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Arnold began his career as a successful merchant operating a fleet of ships across the Atlantic Ocean. His pre-war life was marked by adventure and ambition, traits that would initially serve the American cause with great effectiveness. When the Revolutionary War commenced in 1775, Arnold quickly joined the burgeoning American forces gathered outside Boston, where his innate intelligence and remarkable bravery soon distinguished him.

• The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga (1775): One of his earliest and most significant actions was the joint expedition with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys to capture Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775. This strategic victory secured valuable artillery, including dozens of cannons, which were later transported to Boston and instrumental in forcing the British evacuation of the city.
• The Battle of Valcour Island (1776): Demonstrating his tactical genius on Lake Champlain, Arnold employed masterful defensive and delay tactics during the Battle of Valcour Island in October 1776. Though technically a defeat for his small fleet, his courageous stand inflicted significant damage on the superior British naval force and, crucially, delayed the British advance south from Canada, buying American forces vital time to prepare New York's defenses before winter set in.
• Promotion and Further Valor: His exceptional performance, particularly at the Battle of Ridgefield in Connecticut where he rallied American forces against a British raiding party, directly led to his promotion to major general. He further distinguished himself by providing critical relief during the Siege of Fort Stanwix in New York.
• Pivotal Role at Saratoga (1777): Arnold played a key, albeit controversial, role in the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in the autumn of 1777. Despite being relieved of his command by General Horatio Gates due to personal animosity and disputes over strategy, Arnold defiantly rode into the thick of battle during the decisive Battle of Bemis Heights (also known as the Second Battle of Saratoga or the Battle of Freeman's Farm). His inspiring leadership and courageous charges, particularly at the Breymann Redoubt, were instrumental in securing the American victory, which proved to be a major turning point in the war and convinced France to formally ally with the American cause. During these engagements, he suffered severe leg injuries that would plague him for the rest of his life and significantly curtailed his active combat career for several years.

The Path to Betrayal: Grievances and Financial Ruin

Despite his undeniable heroism and critical contributions, Arnold grew increasingly disillusioned with the Continental Congress and various political factions. He repeatedly voiced claims that he was being unfairly passed over for promotion, asserting that other officers, often with less battlefield experience or merit, were receiving credit for his accomplishments and being elevated above him. This perceived lack of recognition, coupled with a growing sense of personal grievance, fueled his resentment.

Adding to his mounting frustrations were serious charges of corruption and other alleged misconduct during his command in Philadelphia, a city with a significant Loyalist population. While formal inquiries into these accusations often resulted in his acquittal, a congressional investigation into his finances revealed a dire situation. Congress determined that he was significantly indebted to the government, having leveraged substantial loans and engaged in questionable business practices, partly to maintain a lavish lifestyle that he felt befitted his military rank and social aspirations. These financial pressures, combined with a profound sense of injustice and a growing contempt for what he perceived as the incompetence and ingratitude of the Continental Congress, created fertile ground for his ultimate betrayal.

The Treasonous Plot: West Point and Major John André

During his time as military commander in Philadelphia, Arnold began to mingle with prominent Loyalist sympathizers, a social circle that included Peggy Shippen, a charming young woman from a prominent Loyalist family whom he married in 1779. Peggy Shippen maintained a close friendship with British Major John André, the handsome and charismatic Adjutant General of the British Army in North America, who eventually became the head of British espionage in New York. Many historians contend that Peggy played a crucial, though debated, role in facilitating Arnold's transition to the British side, serving as an intermediary and relaying messages between Arnold and André. While her exact level of active participation remains a subject of historical debate, her influence and connections were undeniable.

Driven by a blend of grievances, financial desperation, and perhaps the allure of substantial financial reward, Arnold opened secret negotiations with André. The British, recognizing the immense strategic value of West Point, promised Arnold a staggering sum of £20,000 (an enormous fortune at the time) for its capture. General Washington, unaware of Arnold's duplicity and still holding him in high esteem, granted him command of the critical fort in July 1780. Arnold's treacherous scheme was to deliberately weaken the fort's defenses and strategically position its forces to facilitate an easy British takeover.

The plot was dramatically exposed in September 1780 when Patriot militia intercepted Major André near Tarrytown, New York, while he was returning from a secret meeting with Arnold. Disguised in civilian clothes and carrying incriminating papers detailing the plan – hidden in his boot – André was apprehended. Upon the discovery of the plot, Arnold managed a dramatic escape, riding quickly down to the Hudson River and boarding the British sloop-of-war HMS Vulture just moments before American forces could capture him. Major André, however, was not so fortunate; he was subsequently tried as a spy by a military tribunal, found guilty, and hanged on October 2, 1780, despite his pleas to be shot as a soldier.

Life After Betrayal: A New Allegiance and Enduring Infamy

For his defection and the attempted surrender of West Point, Benedict Arnold received a commission as a brigadier general in the British Army, an annual pension of £360, and a lump sum of over £6,000. He immediately became an active commander for the British, leading forces in several notable actions against his former countrymen.

• Raids in Virginia (1781): Arnold led British forces in devastating raids across Virginia, including the burning of Richmond, the state capital, and other key areas.
• Battle of Groton Heights and New London (1781): In September 1781, Arnold commanded British forces in an attack on his native Connecticut. Following the Battle of Groton Heights, British and Loyalist troops under his command burned much of New London to the ground and mercilessly slaughtered surrendering American forces at Fort Griswold, an act of extreme brutality that occurred just a few miles downriver from the town where he had grown up, further cementing his reputation for cruelty and betrayal in American memory.

In the winter of 1782, as the war drew to a close, Arnold and Peggy relocated to London, England. While he was well received by King George III and members of the Tory political party, who viewed him as a valuable asset against the American rebels, he faced significant disdain and ostracism from the Whig opposition and, perhaps more painfully, from most British Army officers who viewed him with suspicion and contempt for having betrayed his initial allegiance. Many British officers refused to serve alongside him.

Arnold attempted to rebuild his life and fortune, moving to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1787 to engage in a merchant business with his sons, Richard and Henry. However, his past continued to haunt him; he remained extremely unpopular and faced persistent social and business challenges. He returned to London permanently in 1791, where he died ten years later, largely a disgraced and isolated figure. Despite his early valor, Benedict Arnold's name is inextricably linked to the profound act of treason that marked his later years, a stain that time has never erased.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benedict Arnold

Why did Benedict Arnold betray the American cause?

Benedict Arnold's motivations for betrayal were complex. Key factors included deep-seated resentment over perceived slights and lack of recognition from the Continental Congress, constant disputes over promotions, accusations of corruption, and significant financial difficulties stemming from lavish spending and questionable business dealings. These grievances, coupled with the allure of a substantial payment from the British, contributed to his decision.

What was the strategic importance of West Point, the fort Arnold intended to surrender?

West Point was strategically vital to the American cause. Located on a bend in the Hudson River, it controlled access to the waterway, which was crucial for communication and transportation between the New England states and the rest of the colonies. Its capture by the British would have split the fledgling American nation in half, severely disrupting supply lines and potentially leading to a British victory.

What happened to Major John André after the plot was discovered?

Major John André, the British Adjutant General and Arnold's co-conspirator, was captured by Patriot militia while returning from a secret meeting with Arnold. Found in civilian clothes with incriminating documents in his boot, he was tried as a spy by a military tribunal convened by George Washington. Despite his pleas for a soldier's death, André was found guilty and hanged on October 2, 1780, serving as a stark warning against espionage.

How was Benedict Arnold received by the British after his defection?

Upon his defection, Benedict Arnold was initially welcomed by King George III and the Tory political party in Britain, who saw him as a propaganda coup and a valuable military asset. However, he was largely ostracized by the Whig opposition and, more significantly, by most British Army officers who viewed him with deep distrust and contempt for betraying his original allegiance. He never achieved the high command or respect he desired within the British military.