[55], Arnold lived extravagantly in Philadelphia and was a prominent figure on the social scene. 0:00. [77] Arnold worked over the next few months to publicize this fact; however, Washington published a formal rebuke of his behavior in early April, just one week after he had congratulated Arnold on the birth of his son Edward Shippen Arnold on March 19:[78], The Commander-in-Chief would have been much happier in an occasion of bestowing commendations on an officer who had rendered such distinguished services to his country as Major General Arnold; but in the present case, a sense of duty and a regard to candor oblige him to declare that he considers his conduct [in the convicted actions] as imprudent and improper. [132], Talleyrand continued, "I must confess that I felt much pity for him, for which political puritans will perhaps blame me, but with which I do not reproach myself, for I witnessed his agony". His difficult time in New Brunswick led historians to summarize it as full of "controversy, resentment, and legal entanglements" and to conclude that he was disliked by both Americans and Loyalists living there. [139] However, not all depictions of Arnold were so negative. [3] Arnold was buried at St. Mary's Church in Battersea, England. Arnold said that it would have been better had it been in the chest instead of the leg. Historians have several theories about why Arnold became a traitor: greed; mounting debt; resentment of other officers; a hatred of the Continental Congress; and a desire for the colonies to remain under British rule. A colonial resident by birth, Arnold made his living as a merchant before joining the American military to defend against the British. One month after taking command, Arnold slipped the plans to British Major John Andr in exchange for 20,000 pounds of sterling, the equivalent of more than $4 million today. [98], Arnold learned of Andr's capture the morning of September 24 while waiting for Washington, with whom he was going to have breakfast at his headquarters in British Col. Beverley Robinson's former summer house on the east bank of the Hudson. [27] Their son Benedict was born the following year[28] and was followed by brothers Richard in 1769 and Henry in 1772. [87], Once Arnold established himself at West Point, he began systematically weakening its defenses and military strength. Arnold's early life consisted of study at some of the Continent's best private schools. "[32], Arnold began the war as a captain in the Connecticut militia, a position to which he was elected in March 1775. Benedict Arnold was a patriot officer who served the cause of the American Revolution until 1779, when he shifted his allegiance to the British. He died after four days of delirium on June 14, 1801, at the age of 60. [52] Historian John Shy states: Arnold began planning to capitalize financially on the change in power in Philadelphia, even before the Americans reoccupied their city. 2. He later said in his own defense that he was loyal to his true beliefs, yet he lied at the same time by insisting that Peggy was totally innocent and ignorant of his plans. After Arnold was wounded in 1777, George Washington named him military governor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, recently abandoned by the British. Soon after Ticonderoga, Arnold brought his men on a dangerous trek through the . [46] During the fighting in the second battle, Arnold disobeyed Gates' orders and took to the battlefield to lead attacks on the British defenses. Some theatrical treatments of the 19th century explored his duplicity, seeking to understand rather than demonize it. He had requested to resign multiple times after being refused promotions and, from December 1779 to January 1780, was court-martialed because of multiple charges of misconduct. Clinton was uninterested in most of his aggressive ideas, but finally authorized him to raid the port of New London, Connecticut. After the usual exchange of greetings I ventured to request from him some letters of introduction to his friends in America. He won a victory at Fort Stanwix (now Rome) in August 1777 and commanded advance battalions at the Battle of Saratoga that autumn, fighting brilliantly until seriously wounded. Washington Irving used it as part of an argument against dismemberment of the union in his 1857 Life of George Washington, pointing out that the unity of New England and the southern states which led to independence was made possible in part by holding West Point. [54] Such schemes were not uncommon among American officers, but Arnold's schemes were sometimes frustrated by powerful local politicians such as Joseph Reed, who eventually amassed enough evidence to publicly air charges against him. Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticutthe fifth person in his family to be named Benedict Arnold. In 1764, he formed a partnership with Adam Babcock, another young New Haven merchant. [66] Biographer Nathaniel Philbrick argues: Peggy Shippen did have a significant role in the plot. With the permission of his master, Armistead enlisted in the Revolutionary War under General Lafayette. She was the conduit for information to the British. In a July 11 letter, he complained that the British did not appear to trust him, and threatened to break off negotiations unless progress was made. In May 1775, Arnold's forces eventually clashed with the British at Fort Ticonderoga - nestled along the shores of Lake . His father was a successful businessman and young Benedict had a comfortable childhood. [67], Early in May 1779, Arnold met with Philadelphia merchant Joseph Stansbury[c] who then "went secretly to New York with a tender of [Arnold's] services to Sir Henry Clinton". The prisoner seemed suprised to see the gallows, but walked calmy toward it. [23] The Stamp Act prompted Arnold to join the chorus of voices in opposition, and also led to his joining the Sons of Liberty, a secret organization which advocated resistance to those and other restrictive Parliamentary measures. But You Probably Don't Know His Whole Story Illustration showing Major General Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) rallying the American troops. The Portrayal of Benedict Arnold in American History", Military career of Benedict Arnold, 17751776, Military career of Benedict Arnold, 17771779, A Proclamation to the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army, "The Crypt Center Church on the Green New Haven, CT", 10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0200008, "Independence National Historical Park: History of the President's House", "The Culper Spy Ring American Revolution", "Loyal American Regiment Historical Treks", "Native Norwich Is Ignoring Benedict Arnold", "Benedict Arnold: The Aftermath Of Treason", Saratoga National Historical Park Tour Stop 7, "In Commemoration of Arnold's Expedition to Quebec", "Letter: Some recognize Gen. Arnold as true hero of the Revolutionary War", "By Brigadier-General Arnold, A proclamation to the officers and soldiers of the Continental army who have the real interest of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no longer the tools and dupes of Congress, or France [Signed]", "Netflix's America: The Motion Picture fails at just about everything", "Netflix's 'America: The Motion Picture' knows who its audience is. After trying and failing to hand the fort at West Point over to the British, he joined the Royal Army and took . [103] Legend has it that, when he was on his deathbed, he said, "Let me die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. He then took the letter back to Connecticut, suspicious of Arnold's actions, where he delivered it to the head of the Connecticut militia. [41], Arnold was on his way to Philadelphia to discuss his future when he was alerted that a British force was marching toward a supply depot in Danbury, Connecticut. Major Benjamin Tallmadge was a member of the Continental Army's Culper Ring, a network of spies established under Washington's orders,[97] and he insisted that Jameson order the prisoner to be intercepted and brought back. They issued him a colonel's commission on May 3, 1775, and he immediately rode off to Castleton in the disputed New Hampshire Grants (Vermont) in time to participate with Ethan Allen and his men in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Many historians see her as having facilitated Arnold's plans to switch sides; he opened secret negotiations with her friend Andr, and she relayed their messages to each other. In December 1780, Arnold was given command of British forces sent to raid Virginia. Their friendship became the foundation for the treason for which Peggy's. Promoted to the rank of brigadier general, Arnold constructed a flotilla on Lake Champlain and inflicted severe losses on a greatly superior enemy fleet near Valcour Island, New York (October 11, 1776). [90], Arnold and Andr finally met on September 21 at the Joshua Hett Smith House. Benedict Arnold, (born January 14, 1741, Norwich, Connecticut [U.S.]died June 14, 1801, London, England), patriot officer who served the cause of the American Revolution until 1779, when he shifted his allegiance to the British. He was on his way home from Ticonderoga when he learned that his wife had died earlier in June. Arnold never received all of the 20,000 pounds he was promised by the British for becoming a traitor. [11], In 1755, Arnold was attracted by the sound of a drummer and attempted to enlist in the provincial militia for service in the French and Indian War, but his mother refused permission. Benedict Arnold's name has become infamous for his treacherous acts regarding the fort at West Point, which he was in command of, and his very name has even become a synonym for either treason or betrayal. Nor was it named after Pope Benedict XIII, the leader of the Catholic Church from 1724 to 1730 (or any of the 15 other popes who took the name Benedict). [63][64], Arnold had an extremely ambitious and jealous personality. Benedict Arnold was named brigadier general by the British government and sent on raids to . Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. general, has a name that's become synonymous with deceit and. The absent name is Benedict Arnold, a name now synonymous with "traitor." Many Americans understand why his name has been erased from the chapel of the garrison he once commanded. He performed operations that provided the Americans with relief during the Siege of Fort Stanwix, and key actions during the pivotal 1777 Battles of Saratoga, in which he sustained leg injuries that put him out of combat career for several years. [6][103] Among his bequests were considerable gifts to one John Sage, perhaps an illegitimate son or grandson. By early July, he was back in Philadelphia, where he wrote another secret message to Clinton on July 7 which implied that his appointment to West Point was assured and that he might even provide a "drawing of the works by which you might take [West Point] without loss". [126] As a result of a clerical error in the parish records, his remains were removed to an unmarked mass grave during church renovations a century later. Benedict Arnold was born on Jan. 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut. May God forgive me for ever having put on another,"[125] but this story may be apocryphal. Andr had spies and informers keeping track of Arnold to verify his movements. On June 16, Arnold inspected West Point while on his way home to Connecticut to take care of personal business, and he sent a highly detailed report through the secret channel. He did, however, investigate its extent, and suggested that he was willing to exchange Andr for Arnold during negotiations with Clinton concerning Andr's fate. On the morning of September 22, from their position at Teller's Point, two American rebels, John "Jack" Peterson and Moses Sherwood, under the command of Col. James Livingston fired on HMS Vulture, the ship that was intended to carry Andr back to New York. He was also convicted of two minor charges of using his authority to make a profit. He fought with distinction for the American Continental Army and rose to the rank of major general before defecting to the British side of the conflict in 1780. Arnold wrote out passes for Andr so that he would be able to pass through the lines, and he also gave him plans for West Point. In the winter of 1782, he and Peggy moved to London, England. Peggy Shippen had barely turned eighteen when in June of 1778, following the evacuation of Philadelphia by a British army, Major General Benedict . (Benedict Cumberbatch doesn't count; he's British.) Early in May he made secret overtures to British headquarters, and a year later he informed the British of a proposed American invasion of Canada. To raise money, he violated several state and military regulations, arousing the suspicions and, finally, the denunciations of Pennsylvanias supreme executive council. Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. Following the deaths of three of his. [73] By October 1779, the negotiations had ground to a halt. By Joyce Lee Malcolm. However, his betrayal overshadowed his accomplishments in the wars he fought and won. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [110], Even before Cornwallis's surrender in October, Arnold had requested permission from Clinton to go to England to give Lord George Germain his thoughts on the war in person. His father was arrested on several occasions for public drunkenness, was refused communion by his church, and died in 1761. His performance in the Battle of Ridgefield in Connecticut prompted his promotion to major general. Sage's gravestone indicates that he was born on April 14, 14, 1786, a date roughly confirmed by Arnold's will, which stated that Sage was 14 when Arnold wrote it in 1800. After his leg healed, Benedict Arnold was named Military Governor of Philadelphia. She exerted powerful influence on her husband, who is said to have been his own man but who actually was swayed by his staff and certainly by his wife. [29] She is buried in the crypt of the Center Church on New Haven Green. 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