Benedict Arnold was a patriot during the American Revolution
(1775–83). Although he fought heroically for the American cause and
earned the rank of brigadier general, he is most remembered for his acts
of treason.
Early life
Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1741. His parents,
Benedict and Hannah King Arnold, were well established, and young
Arnold had a good education. The household was strict and religious,
and he was a bit rebellious against the constraints of home. He twice ran
away from home to join a militia fighting in the French and Indian War
(1754–63).
In 1762, Arnold’s parents died. He moved to New Haven,
Connecticut, where he became a druggist and bookseller. He was quite
successful and began another business trading between Quebec, Canada,
and the West Indies. In February 1767, he married into a prominent
family from New Haven. He and his wife, Margaret Mansfield, would
have three sons between 1768 and 1772.
Military career
Arnold became a captain in the Connecticut militia in 1775 and participated in the siege of Boston. It was the beginning of a notable army career. When his wife died while he was on a mission, Arnold devoted
himself entirely to the Revolutionary cause. He served with distinction
and earned the rank of major general.
Arnold’s military career was plagued with inadequate recognition for
his performance and accusations of misconduct. He prepared his resignation several times, but the personal pleas of General George
Washington (1732–1799) prevented him from actually resigning. The
American cause had many victories as a result of his bold and determined
leadership.
Change of sides
In May 1778, Arnold was assigned to be the commander at Philadelphia
after the British evacuation from that city. He met and fell in love with
a socialite, Margaret Shippen. Over time they would have four sons and
one daughter.
In attempting to entertain and live as an aristocrat, Arnold fell
deeply into debt. Soon after his marriage, Arnold began the treasonous
relationship with the British for which he is so well remembered. It is assumed that a combination of his need for money and resentment of the authorities responsible for his difficult career motivated him to sell military information to the British.
In 1780, Arnold obtained a command at West Point. This was a
strategically important military base, and Arnold offered to turn the fort
over to the British for a financial reward. The plot was foiled when his
contact, Major John André (1750–1780), was caught on September 20
with incriminating documents. André was executed, but Arnold managed to flee to the British in New York. He was received into the British
Army and given the rank of brigadier general of provincial troops. He
continued to fight in the war, though now opposite his countrymen.
End of life
In 1781, Arnold sailed with his family to England. His personality and
reputation for treason made him quite unpopular in England. Although
he attempted to continue military service and a number of business ventures, he had little success. He failed as well to gain sufficient recognition
and compensation for the services he rendered to the British during the
war. It proved to be difficult to establish himself socially as well as economically in the new country. The time until his death in London in
1801 was unhappy.