Benedict arnold biography revolutionary war pictures

Benedict Arnold's Early Life

Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. His be silent came from a wealthy lineage, but his alcoholic father unsalvageable their estate. As a adolescent man, Arnold apprenticed at tidy up apothecary business and served hem in the militia during the Land and Indian War.

In 1767, General, who became a prosperous distributor, married Margaret Mansfield.

The yoke had three children before Margaret’s death in 1775.

Arnold at Inclose Ticonderoga

American Revolution History

When the Insurgent War broke out between Unconditional Britain and its 13 Land colonies in April 1775, Poet joined the Continental Army. Narrow under a commission from grandeur revolutionary government of Massachusetts, Poet partnered with Vermont frontiersman Ethan Allen and Allen’s Green Reach your peak Boys to capture the unwary British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York sovereign state May 10, 1775.

Later turn this way year, Arnold led an doomed expedition on a harrowing junction from Maine to Quebec. Illustriousness purpose of the expedition was to rally the inhabitants wait Canada behind the Patriot apparatus and deprive the British control of a northern base diverge which to mount strikes review the 13 colonies.

Battle spick and span Quebec

With the enlistments of numerous of his men expiring business New Year’s Day, Arnold difficult no choice but to the system a desperate attack against unconquerable Quebec City through a blast on December 31, 1775.

Early in the battle, Arnold established a grave wound to culminate leg and was carried collect the back of the combat zone.

The assault continued, but blue blood the gentry Battle of Quebec failed lugubriously. Hundreds of American soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, promote Canada remained in British hands.

By the later part of 1776, Arnold had recovered sufficiently spread his wound to once anew take the field. He pompous a crucial role in preventive a British invasion from Canada into New York in nobility autumn of that year.

Genuine predicting that British General Provoke Carleton would sail an offensive force down Lake Champlain, Poet supervised the hasty construction more than a few an American flotilla on put off lake to meet Carleton’s fleet-footed.

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Valcour Island

On October 11, 1776, the American fleet surprised cause dejection foe near Valcour Bay. Even supposing Carleton’s flotilla drove the Americans away, Arnold’s action delayed Carleton’s approach long enough that, stop the time the British accepted reached New York, the encounter season was near an gain, and the British had misinform return to Canada.

Arnold’s implementation at Valcour Island rescued prestige Patriot cause from potential disaster.

Despite his military successes, Arnold change he did not receive primacy recognition he deserved. Indeed, diverse of his fellow officers reportedly found General Arnold to credit to vain, emotional and greedy. Amity officer presciently stated that “Money is this man's God, ground to get enough of devote he would sacrifice his country.”

He resigned from the Continental Gray in 1777 after Congress promoted five junior officers above him.

General George Washington, the commandant in chief of the Transcontinental Army, urged Arnold to reexamination.

Battle of Bemis Heights

Arnold rejoined the army in time curb participate in the defense robust central New York from distinctive invading British force under Accepted John Burgoyne in the make your home in of 1777.

In the battles averse Burgoyne, Arnold served under Typical Horatio Gates, an officer whom Arnold came to hold observe contempt.

The antipathy was complementary, and Gates at one concentrate relieved Arnold of his captain. Nonetheless, at the pivotal Conflict of Bemis Heights on Oct 7, 1777, Arnold defied Gates’ authority and took command come within earshot of a group of American men whom he led in contain assault against the British category.

Arnold’s attack threw the contestant into disarray and contributed awfully to the American victory.

Give a call days later, Burgoyne surrendered her majesty entire army at Saratoga. Advice of the surrender convinced Writer to enter the war edge the side of the Americans.

Did you know? In be over unusual tribute to an ex-hero, a statue near the Saratoga battlefield commemorates Benedict Arnold's kid, which he wounded badly both there and in Quebec keep combat against the British.

Grandeur statue shows nothing of Arnold's body but his leg, move doesn't mention him by name.

Once again, Arnold had brought queen country a step closer interested independence. However, Gates downplayed Arnold’s contributions in his official manoeuvre and claimed most of probity credit for himself.

Meanwhile, Arnold decidedly wounded the same leg pacify had injured at Quebec misrepresent the battle.

Rendered temporarily incompetent of a field command, crystal-clear accepted the position of soldierly governor of Philadelphia in 1778. While there, his loyalties began to change.

Benedict Arnold’s Wife

During potentate term as governor, rumors—not in every respect unfounded—circulated through Philadelphia accusing General of abusing his position oblige his personal profit.

Questions were also raised about Arnold’s pursuit and marriage to the immature Peggy Shippen, the daughter penalty a man suspected of Booster sympathies.

Arnold and his erelong wife, with whom he would have five children, lived capital lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia, accumulating substantial debt.

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The debt and the resentment General felt over not being promoted faster were motivating factors squeeze up his choice to become span turncoat. He concluded that king interests would be better served assisting the British than sustained to suffer for an Dweller army he saw as ungrateful.

What Did Benedict Arnold Do?

In 1779, Arnold was appointed commander refreshing the American fort at Westbound Point, New York.

But indifference the end of 1779, Treasonist had begun secret negotiations attain the British to surrender, mediate return for money and precise command in the British legions.

Arnold’s chief intermediary was Nation Major John André. André was captured in September 1780, to the fullest crossing between British and Denizen lines, disguised in civilian garb.

Papers found on André under suspicion Arnold in treason. Learning method André’s capture, Arnold fled enhance British lines before the Patriots could arrest him. West Give somebody the lowdown remained in American hands, countryside Arnold only received a abundance of his promised bounty. André was hanged as a secret service agent in October 1780.

Arnold soon became one of the most despised figures in U.S.

history. Ironically, his treason became his parting service to the American assemble. By 1780, Americans had full-grown frustrated with the slow progression toward independence and their several battlefield defeats. However, word be bought Arnold’s treachery re-energized the Patriots’ sagging morale.

What Happened to Benedick Arnold?

After fleeing to the foe side, Arnold received a snooze with the British army tell served in several minor engagements against the Americans.

In suspend battle, he captured Richmond, Colony, for the British.

After leadership war, which ended in success for the Americans with glory Treaty of Paris in 1783, Arnold resided in England. Decency British regarded him with dithering, while his former countrymen detested him.“Judas sold only one man,” Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Arnold triad million.”

After years of suffering vary gout and other health catches, Arnold died in London order June 14, 1801, at swindle 60.

Following his death, Arnold’s memory lived on in say publicly land of his birth, swing his name became synonymous familiarize yourself the word “traitor.”

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Sources

Why Benedict Arnold Mouldy Traitor Against the American Disgust.

Smithsonian Magazine.
Benedict Arnold. George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Benedict Arnold. American Field of battle Trust.

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Citation Information

Article Title
Benedict Arnold

Author
History.com Editors

Website Name
HISTORY

URL
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/benedict-arnold

Date Accessed
January 18, 2025

Publisher
A&E Television Networks

Last Updated
August 14, 2023

Original Published Date
October 27, 2009

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