Benedict Arnold: Hero and Traitor of the American Revolution
After the creation of the Continental Army in 1775, Arnold would play an important role in the unsuccessful Battle of Quebec. From Arnold’s perspective, the failure was a lack of resources supplied by Congress. This failure embittered him and he would become continuously embittered with the Continental Congress and the Continental Army.
A colonel, Arnold was upset when he was on numerous occasions passed up for promotion to Brigadier General. From the beginning money and glory were important to Arnold, and he would never think that he had received enough of it.
Arnold’s most important victory for the Continental Army was in the Saratoga Campaign during the summer of 1777. A brash and fearless commander, he played crucial roles in a number of battles during the campaign, and ultimately defeated British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne at the 2nd Battle of Saratoga.
This campaign was crucial to the Continental cause. With its success in New York, the French decided to join forces with the Americans in their fight for independence, a crucial union without which the Revolution most likely would not have been a success. Appreciating the strong role that Arnold had played in the Saratoga campaign, the Continental Congress awarded him with the rank of Major General which he had long sought. However he was not given the seniority he thought he deserved, and even this promotion was seen as a slight by Arnold.
He would spend the next years in Philadelphia serving as military Governor, where Arnold would live a life of splendor. Wondering about his expenses he was court-martialed by the Continental Congress, another slight against Arnold. While in Philadelphia he would meet and marry 19 year old Peggy Shippen.
Benedict Arnold: Traitor
Although a brilliant leader in combat, it was his own fame and glory that Arnold always had in the forefront of his mind. Despite his victories he had failed to gain the position he thought due to him, and ultimately decided to turn to the British in order to achieve the recognition that he thought he deserved.
After continual requests from Arnold, early in 1780 Commander-in-Chief George Washington along with the Continental Congress decided to give him command of West Point. Although now West Point serves as the home of the United States Military Academy, during the American Revolution the fort was an important strategic position defending the Hudson River. Washington considered West Point to be of the utmost importance and it was a prestigious command for Arnold.
By the time he was awarded the command, however, Arnold had already begun secret communication with British General Sir Henry Clinton. These communications were made through courier Major John Andre, a former friend of Arnold’s wife.
The plan was this: Arnold would cede West Point to the British forces. This would give control of the Hudson River to the British and the Colonial Loyalists, a major achievement that could have had a serious impact on the war. In return, Arnold would be given �£ 20,000 sterling and be awarded the rank of Brigadier General in the British Army.
Unfortunately for Benedict Arnold, John Andre would be captured on one of his courier missions, and the plan would be revealed to the Continental Army. George Washington was outraged at the plot. Andre was hung for his crimes. Arnold, on the other hand, managed to escape to the British. Although he was unable to cede to them control of West Point, he was granted the rank of Brigadier and given �£6,000 sterling.
The British would never trust Arnold, however. Staying in America for some time, he was sent back to England to serve in other theaters on which England was fighting. However this would not last for long, and he would later travel to Canada. After failing in Canada, he would end his life back in London, dying in 1801 a pauper.
Benedict Arnold’s Legacy
Benedict Arnold’s name will forever be linked with traitor in the United States. His attempt to give over control of West Point to the British was certainly the worst act of treason during the Revolution and beyond.
Yet Benedict Arnold played a vital role in the fighting of the Revolution. His victories in the Saratoga Campaign were crucial in enlisting the aid of the French, without which the Revolution most likely would have been lost. One could argue that without Benedict Arnold, America would not have won the war.
In the end, his is a mixed legacy. His was a quest for fame and glory, yet he ended his life an unknown man, hated in his homeland unsuccessful in his new land, a pauper whose death passed by almost unnoticed in the world.
