Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) was an American officer in the Revolutionary War who betrayed military secrets to the British and plotted to surrender an army base to the enemy. He changed sides partly for money, partly in revenge for being reprimanded and partly, perhaps, because of the influence of his second wife, who had no sympathy for the rebellion.
Before war broke out between the Americans and the British, Arnold had served in the French and Indian wars and become a druggist and bookseller as well as being active in the West Indian trade. He was an early hero of the revolution, taking part as a captain in the Connecticut militia in Ethan Allen’s successful attack on Fort Ticonderoga, New York State, in 1775. The following year he was wounded at Quebec and promoted to brigadier-general in recognition of his brave leadership. After other acts of valour, which resulted in his being crippled, he was appointed military commander of Philadelphia in 1778.
He enjoyed the city’s social life but his extravagance and association with loyalist members of the community disgusted the patriots and aroused their suspicions. He was accused of misusing public property and authority of personal profit and was awaiting court martial when he married Margaret Shippen, 18-year-old daughter of a Loyalist. Even before the court martial was held Arnold offered his services to the British forces as an Informer? When in December, 1779, he was found guilty of two minor offences and reprimanded gently by George Washington; he again entered with his wife into treasonable correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander-in-chief. He sent news of the proposed invasion of Canada and later offered £20,000-to surrender the strategic military base at West Point on the Hudson River where he expected to be appointed commander.
Clinton agreed and sent his aide, Major John Andre, to meet him under a flag of truce on the night of September 21, 1780. Returning overland in disguise, Andre was captured and incriminating papers were found in his boot. Arnold escaped along the Hudson to the British Army, but Andre was hanged as a spy.
Arnold received £6,315 for his treason and was made a brigadier-general of provincial troops on the side of the British. After carrying out raids in Virginia and Connecticut, he sailed in 1781 for England where he was treated with scorn and distrust, and ostracized by society. He died an embittered man in London in 1801. His wife survived him by only three years.
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