Benedict Arnold: 10 Reasons Why He’s Still a Fascinating Figure

Benedict Arnold: 10 Reasons Why He’s Still a Fascinating Figure

Born on 14^th January 1741, Benedict Arnold was an American-born military officer. He severed during the American Revolutionary War and also fought with distinction for American Continental Army. This is where he rose through the ranks to be a major general before he defected to the British in 1780.

Before he defected, General George Washington had trusted Benedict fully and had placed him in charge and command of West Point in New York. His major plan was to give the fort to the British forces. However, his plan was discovered in September 1780 which made him flee to the British lines.

His participation in the war never came to an end after he betrayed the US for the British. He was later commissioned as a brigadier general in the British Army. Benedict Arnold was placed in command of the American Legion.

The most astonishing part about Benedict is that he led the British army against the soldiers he had commanded initially. This led to his name being synonymous with treason and betrayal in the US. Even though he is majorly known for his betrayal, there are a lot of things to learn and know about Benedict Arnold.

Here are the 10 Reasons Why Benedict Arnold is Still a Fascinating Figure:

1. Benedict Arnold was a Successful Business Person

Thomas Hart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At the age of 16, Benedict enlisted in the Connecticut militia during the French and Indian War. However, he left the militia with some records stating that this happened in 1758. In 1762, Benedict Arnold made a major turn in his life as he became a successful businessman.

He became a pharmacist and bookseller in New Haven, Connecticut. This was with the help of the Lathrops. Benedict was hardworking and became successful as his business expanded gradually. Benedict paid off Lathrop money he had borrowed and repurchased his family home that his father had sold.

A year later, he sold the family house and made massive profits which he used later. Benedict formed a partnership with Adam Babcock in 1764 and bought three trading ships. They then established a lucrative West Indies trade.

2. He was involved in Smuggling by Defying Two Acts Curtail Mercantile Trade in Colonies

Benedict Arnold continued to become more successful in his business ventures as he used to go on business trips on one of their ships. However, he was later involved in smuggling by defying two acts which had curtailed mercantile trade in Colonies.

The two Acts that were curtailed were the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765. Benedict Arnold joined the other opposition in the Sons of Liberty group that advocated resistance against these measures. He initially didn’t take part in public demonstrations but continued to do business openly which was later termed as smuggling.

3. Arnold Began the Revolutionary War as Captain of the Connecticut Militia

Henry Bryan Hall, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Arnold started the Revolutionary War as captain in the Connecticut militia, a position he won in March 1775. The following month, his troop marched northeast to assist in the siege of Boston that followed the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He recommended to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety an action to seize Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, which he was well aware was weakly guarded.

4. Benedict Took Part in a Failed Attempt to Capture Canada

In May 1775, Arnold established a reputation for himself by collaborating with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys to conquer Fort Ticonderoga on the New York side of Lake Champlain. George Washington appointed him to command a military invasion of Quebec that autumn.

Many Americans felt, incorrectly, that their Canadian neighbours would be prepared to assist them in overthrowing the British. Brigadier General Richard Montgomery and his troops were dispatched to Montreal via the Champlain Valley. Meanwhile, Arnold (now a Colonel) was given leadership of a second force that would march north through Maine before attacking Quebec City.

Read Top 10 Facts about George Washington.

5. He Shattered His Leg During the Invasion of Quebec

New York Public Library, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

After the siege of Boston and Fort Ticonderoga, Benedict Arnold and his team got authorisation from the Second Continental Congress on the Invasion of Quebec. He was not given the role of command of the expedition which made him leave for Cambridge. At Cambridge, he suggested to George Washington to allow a second expedition via the wilderness route to invade Quebec.

Benedict Arnold was given the colonel’s commission in the Continental Army as they left Cambridge in September 1775. He left with one thousand, one hundred men for this mission. In November, Benedict arrived in Quebec City with fewer men as 300 turned back and 200 others had died.

Benedict’s remaining men joined the small army of Richard Montgomery for their assignment. On 31^st December during the assault of Quebec, Richard was murdered and Benedict got his leg shattered. He was carried by Rev. Samuel Spring to a makeshift hospital and was later promoted to brigadier general.

6. Benedict Arnold Got Badly Wounded Twice in Battle but Retained His Loyalty

Benedict Arnold was a very intelligent man who was honoured by his soldiers and troops. He got bad bodily harm during the wars and various invasions. His leg was first shattered in the Quebec invasion but was rescued. In the second invasion, his left leg was badly wounded again and left him a cripple. However, this did not affect his loyalty to the United States in the initial stages.

Also, read 15 Historical Facts about the French and Indian War.

7. He had an Extremely Ambitious & Jealous Personality

George S. Stuart, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arnold was a very ambitious and jealous person. He was well aware that top military leaders on both sides despised and distrusted him. Arnold considered Washington to be one of the few people who actually liked and admired him, but he believed Washington had betrayed him.

Arnold had been severely wounded twice in battle and had lost his Connecticut business, which had left him furious. He was angry at several competing and younger generals who were promoted ahead of him and granted honours he believed he deserved. A long feud with civil officials in Philadelphia, which resulted in his court-martial, was especially demeaning to him.

8. Benedict Switched Sides after Feeling Disrespected

Benedict Arnold was acquitted of all major accusations, but the ordeal left him furious and humiliated. The court-martials were only the most recent in a long line of perceived disrespect. Throughout his military career, Arnold felt undervalued by the Continental Congress, which seemed to disregard him when it came to promotions.

On a more fundamental level, he had become increasingly gloomy about the rebellion’s prospects. So, before the end of 1779, he exploited his new wife’s social circle to make contact with Clinton and British spy John André. Arnold made it clear in his correspondence that he had had enough of the colonies and was now eager to switch sides but for the right price.

9. He was In Command of West Point During His Plot to Switch Sides

Blauvelt, Charles F., 1824-1900, artist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Before he decided to switch sides after his woes of being undermined were not looked into, Benedict Arnold was ambitious in getting command of West Point. He was in touch with the British side as he promised to hand over West Point after obtaining command.

On 3^rd August 1780, Benedict’s plan went on perfectly as he obtained command of West Point. He then received a final offer of £20,000 from André.

10. Benedict Arnold Led British Army Against the Soldiers He Had Previously Commanded

After defecting to the British army, Benedict Arnold was tasked to command their armies against the US armies. This was an interesting warfare as Benedict Arnold commanded the British army against the US soldiers he had previously commanded. Some of his raids were not successful against the United States.

Benedict Arnold went down in history as a traitor to the United States and was not well received by the British because his plan failed. However, his legacy also outwits the negativity that has always been in his name.

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