The Untold Story: The Life And Legacy Of Benedict Arnold That Will Leave You Speechless

When one thinks of the American Revolution, names like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson come to mind. However, there is one name that stands out and yet, is often forgotten – Benedict Arnold. The tale of Benedict Arnold is a captivating one, filled with intrigue, bravery, and betrayal.

Early Life and Revolutionary Beginnings

Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. Raised in a humble background, he developed a strong determination and ambition to rise above his circumstances. At the age of 15, he started working at a local apothecary store, where he displayed exceptional business acumen.

With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Arnold's allegiances shifted. Initially a staunch supporter of the revolution, his success as a military leader earned him the respect of his compatriots. The Battle of Saratoga in 1777 showcased his strategic brilliance, where his troop’s victory is widely considered a turning point in the war.

The Patriot Traitor: The Life and Legacy of Benedict Arnold

by Charles River Editors(Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	1165 KB
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The Dark Turn

However, the tale of Benedict Arnold takes a dark turn, as greed and perceived slights began to corrupt his soul. In 1780, Arnold made a fateful decision that would forever tarnish his name. He made contact with the British and offered to hand over the strategic fortress at West Point in exchange for a substantial sum of money and a commission in the British Army.

The conspiracy was exposed, and Arnold narrowly escaped capture. The tree, now known as Arnold's Oak, that he was planning to use as a signal to surrender to the British still stands as a symbol of his treason.

The Aftermath and Legacy

After betraying his comrades, Arnold served as a British general during the last years of the war. Despite his military prowess, he was never fully trusted by the British, and his achievements were overshadowed by his notorious reputation.

Following the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold moved to England, where he lived until his death in 1801. The legacy he left behind is one of a complex and deeply flawed individual. His name became synonymous with traitor, and his actions continue to be a subject of debate among historians.

Reevaluating Benedict Arnold

While Benedict Arnold's actions were undoubtedly treasonous, it is important to examine the factors that led to his downfall. Many believe that Arnold's decision was driven by a combination of financial hardship, resentment towards his superiors, and wounded pride.

Although history has painted him as a villain, it must not be forgotten that Benedict Arnold was once a hero of the revolution. His contributions to the patriot cause cannot be denied, and it is with a combination of fascination and disappointment that historians revisit his story.

Lessons from the Past

The life and legacy of Benedict Arnold serve as a reminder that even the most celebrated individuals can succumb to the temptations of power and personal gain. It is a cautionary tale that echoes throughout history - a stark reminder of the complexity of human nature, and the fragility of loyalty.

As we reflect on the life and legacy of Benedict Arnold, let us learn from his mistakes and strive to uphold the ideals of integrity and loyalty that are the cornerstones of a just society.

The Patriot Traitor: The Life and Legacy of Benedict Arnold

by Charles River Editors(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1165 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	48 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

*Explains Arnold's achievements for the Americans, his treason, and how he has been remembered.
*Includes pictures of Arnold and important people, places, and events in his life.
*Includes a Table of Contents.

“Neglected by Congress below, distressed with the small-pox; want of Generals and discipline in our Army, which may rather be called a great rabble, our credit and reputation lost, and great part of the country; and a powerful foreign enemy advancing upon us, are so many difficulties we cannot surmount them.” – Benedict Arnold

On October 7, 1777, Benedict Arnold rode out against orders and led an American assault against British forces led by General John Burgoyne in one of the climactic battles of the Revolution at Saratoga, the ultimate turning point of the war. Near the end of the most important American victory of the Revolution, Arnold’s leg was shattered by a volley that also hit his horse, which fell on the leg as well.

Arnold would later remark that he wish the shot had hit him in the chest. If it had, Benedict Arnold would be remembered as one of America’s greatest war heroes, and probably second only to George Washington among the generals of the Revolution. In fact, when Arnold was injured at the height of his success in October 1777, he had been the most successful leader of American forces during the war. Arnold had been instrumental in the seizure of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, he constructed the first makeshift American navy to defend Lake Champlain and delay British campaigning in 1776, and he was the principal leader at Saratoga in 1777. Even his unsuccessful campaign to Quebec in the winter of 1775 is remembered primarily for the amazing logistical feats undertaken by Arnold and his men to even reach the target.

History has accorded Arnold his fair share of credit for the fighting he participated in from 1775-1777. The problem is his contemporaries did not. Arnold was better on the field than any other American general in those years, but his mercurial personality rubbed some the wrong way, and other self-promoting generals, from Ethan Allen to Horatio Gates, credited themselves with success at Arnold’s expense. Meanwhile, the Second Continental Congress frequently if inadvertently slighted Arnold, failing to duly promote him in a timely fashion and failing to pay him four years of back pay even as he spent his own private fortune training, equipping, and feeding his army and navy. Historian William Sterne Randall estimates Congress shorted Arnold out of the equivalent of $275,000.

Today, of course, all of that has been overshadowed by Arnold’s treacherous plot to turn over West Point to the British in 1780. The infamous plot came about while Arnold convalesced as the military governor in Philadelphia, where he met and married the Tory-affiliated Peggy Shippen. Arnold grew more concerned about the patriot cause, and combined with the perceived insults, exposure to Loyalist leanings, and another Congressional rebuke for living extravagantly in Philadelphia, Arnold decided to secretly offer his services to the British.

As every American knows, Arnold’s plot was uncovered, and he barely escaped to the British side, where he was just as distrusted and nearly as despised. Though he would serve as a brigadier-general for the British through the end of the war, his personal fortune and reputation were permanently tarnished. The man who could have been one of his country’s greatest heroes became its most despised traitor.

The Patriot Traitor: The Life and Legacy of Benedict Arnold chronicles Arnold’s life and military career, but it also humanizes the man and offers an objective look at Arnold’s treachery and plot in an effort to separate fact from legend. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events in his life, you will learn about Arnold like you never have before, in no time at all.