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1 Every child in America grows up knowing the name of Major General Benedict Arnold. The legacy that his name carries with it today is no more than that of arrogance, pomposity, and, of course, treason; however, the suggestion that Arnold deserves few, if any at all, of these horrible character accusations can be justified when looking at the facts concerning his treachery without bias. Although he was one of the greatest American generals during most of the war for independence, Congress refused to acknowledge Arnold’s heroism by rejecting him of well deserved promotions. This neglect of Arnold has continued for two centuries, as exemplified by the fact that children today are taught his name as a synonym for traitor. In reality, the great American country itself has committed treason against Arnold by overshadowing his achievements in the war with apparent abomination, and this is evident in the one and only monument that is dedicated to him. The “Boot Monument” was erected at Freeman’s Farm, the place where Arnold fought so valiantly during the Battle of Saratoga. Due to the manipulation of Arnold’s character by the American government, the monument fails to state his name and recognizes only his wounded left leg, which is

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This was my Benedict Arnold term paper for my AP US class. Feel free to use it for research. All facts are credible and cited. The central thesis of the paper is that Arnold's legacy has been manipulated overtime into what has become one of scorn, hate, and of course treason. However, the reasons for his treasons when looked at without bias can validate the fact that he was indeed a traitor, but he had justifiable reasons for becoming one. Read my paper to find out why and feel free to email me with questions or feedback! Thanks and enjoy

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Every child in America grows up knowing the name of Major General Benedict Arnold.

The legacy that his name carries with it today is no more than that of arrogance, pomposity, and,

of course, treason; however, the suggestion that Arnold deserves few, if any at all, of these

horrible character accusations can be justified when looking at the facts concerning his treachery

without bias. Although he was one of the greatest American generals during most of the war for

independence, Congress refused to acknowledge Arnold’s heroism by rejecting him of well

deserved promotions. This neglect of Arnold has continued for two centuries, as exemplified by

the fact that children today are taught his name as a synonym for traitor. In reality, the great

American country itself has committed treason against Arnold by overshadowing his

achievements in the war with apparent abomination, and this is evident in the one and only

monument that is dedicated to him. The “Boot Monument” was erected at Freeman’s Farm, the

place where Arnold fought so valiantly during the Battle of Saratoga. Due to the manipulation of

Arnold’s character by the American government, the monument fails to state his name and

recognizes only his wounded left leg, which is considered by many to be the only part of Arnold

that was sacrificed for America, hence the name “Boot Monument”.1 Although Arnold was

indeed a traitor to the American Revolution, his motives for treason came about as a result of a

relentless disregard from Congress. Due to the sheer magnitude of his brilliant contributions to

the cause for independence, his name should be admired by Americans today rather than be

taken in vain.

Arnold’s personality is vital to understanding his reasons for deserting the American

Revolution. Arnold was a man of considerable honor, a trait which followed him from the time

of his father’s arrest for alcoholism up until his death. When his father was detained, according

to historian Jim Murphy, Arnold “harbored feelings of indignation toward those Norwichites

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who looked at him sanctimoniously . . . as if they were measuring his worth by the failures of his

namesake.” Thus, Arnold devoted himself for the rest of his life “to returning the Arnold name

to its once lustrous heights,” and was determined to “confront anyone, however high or low in

birth, who questioned his honor, reputation, or family name.”2 Arnold’s search to retain the

honor of his family name began when he sought to join a group called the Freemasons.

The Freemasons set high standards for their applicants, yet were open to any man despite

of his financial standpoint, religious affiliation, or profession. The reason Arnold was so

intrigued by this club was perhaps due to one certain requirement necessary for an applicant.

Historian Jim Murphy states, “From the first to the last . . . the first condition to be fulfilled is to

have a reputation of unsullied honor and probity.”3 Perhaps Arnold felt that joining this group

would give his name newfound respect that would in turn overshadow the dishonor his father

had bestowed upon the family name, for “Freemasons tended to be prosperous, well educated

and articulate, and membership gave Arnold . . . automatic entree to the highest levels of

business and society in Connecticut and throughout the thirteen colonies . . .” Although the

Freemasons have denied for generations his membership and have even gone to such drastic

measures like drawing lines through his name on meeting logs, Arnold was able to gain a subtle

confidence in himself as well as a sense of belonging by joining this prestigious group.4

Although this diminished as the revolution persisted, he retained confidence in himself. This

confidence has embellished into arrogance throughout the course of American history due to

manipulation of Arnold’s character.

Although honor was the primary motive behind many of Arnold’s actions, money played

a key role in how he led his life. Arnold viewed money in a different light than many, for he saw

wealth as the pathway to self respect rather than just financial stability. For Arnold, money had

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great significance in terms of his reputation, and he felt that it would bring him a long lasting

legacy of honor.5 His desire to become wealthy played a small but important role in his treason,

for the British compensated him with a £10,000 bonus if he would agree to change loyalties.

Arnold asked for an even larger bonus and was given £6,000 more as well as £350 of expense

money and a steady salary.6 Evidently, Arnold’s treason was indeed partly based on a desire for

personal gain; however, wealth was only the icing on the cake in terms of Arnold’s treachery.

In order to better understand how Arnold was neglected by America, it is important to

emphasize his life as a military leader. His first major action as a military leader was the capture

of Fort Ticonderoga, a British stronghold.7 By 1775, Arnold had organized and been voted

captain of the militia in his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. He was now a devoted

revolutionary and fully supportive of the cause for independence.8 Arnold began to raise troops

in Stockbridge, Connecticut when he learned that a man named Colonel Ethan Allen was raising

an unauthorized militia, the Green Mountain Boys, to accomplish the task of taking over Fort

Ticonderoga. Arnold met up with Allen and his troops to determine who would be in charge of

the mission, and “Arnold arrogantly told Allen that he, Benedict Arnold . . . was the supreme

commander of the expedition.” Allen became incredibly angry, so he and Arnold argued until

they resolved to jointly command the army.9 Arnold’s men and Allen’s Green Mountain Boys

then marched to Lake Champlain to capture the unsuspecting fort. Early in the morning of May

10, 1775, they entered the dormant fort and requested its surrender. Captain William Delaplace

surrendered Ticonderoga as well as 44 soldiers within ten minutes of the request. There was no

bloodshed.10

This so-called battle was an excellent beginning for Arnold’s military career in the war;

however, he was given no credit for the capture of Ticonderoga. This was because Allen wrote

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two deceitful reports to Congress concerning his account of what happened at the battle. In these

reports, Allen stated, “I took the fortress of Ticonderoga.” He barely mentioned Arnold, who

should have been given equal recognition, if not more due to his civilized manner of treating the

fort after the battle, while Allen and his men took advantage of the situation by looting and

partying. Allen also praised unworthy men like Lieutenant-Colonel John Brown and Colonel

James Easton, who were second in command of the army and did not deserve credit over Arnold.

Sadly, Congress believed Allen after Arnold dispatched a letter to it stating the true nature of

what happened at the battle. In Arnold’s letter, he explained that he was stripped of command of

the fort because he tried to stop the “anarchy” and “plundering and destroying of private

property” by Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. Congress felt Allen’s account was more

credible because he was more popular than the “political amateur” Arnold, so they transparently

refused to give Arnold any credit for the victory. For the first time of many to come, Arnold was

ignored and mistreated by the newly created American Congress.11 As a result of this

misunderstanding, he was put second in command of Lake Champlain to Colonel Benjamin

Hinman, a demotion which he did not deserve. Arnold said he would resign due to this

mistreatment by his country as long as it was done “honorably” so that “a proper person might be

appointed” at Fort Ticonderoga. “I resign my commission . . . not being able to hold it with

honor.” However, Arnold did not have any intention of abandoning the war, so he ended up

revoking his resignation in order to continue with the military.12

The next major event in Arnold’s service to America was the battle for Quebec. This

occurred in 1775 after a poorly executed 46 day long march through the unexplored wilderness

of Maine, starting at Fort Western and ending in Quebec.13 The expedition was comprised of

742 soldiers in all (one of whom was the future controversial politician and vice president Aaron

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Burr), a very large number for Arnold to command in such harsh conditions. However, Arnold

was paid a hefty sum of £1,000, and due to his driving desire for wealth, he accepted the job

whole heartedly.14

The march proved to be strenuous and difficult for Arnold, and it ended up going twenty

six days past his prediction of being a twenty day journey.15 This was due to the Maine territory

being very difficult to navigate, for it was made up of rough, winding rivers and unexplored

forests. Arnold maintained an optimistic attitude, however, and his men finally made it to

Montreal after the arduous journey. Arnold then pushed on to Quebec in order to meet General

Richard Montgomery and initiate a two pronged attack against the city.16

The attack was an extraordinary failure. Arnold, while waiting for a cannon to be

prepared, had his left leg shattered by a musket ball. Though he was badly wounded and was

taken to the field hospital, he tried to continue giving orders until he fell completely into shock.

A soldier named Private Henry recalled that Arnold “called to the troops in a cheering voice . . .

urging us forward.” General Montgomery fared worse than Arnold, however, for his head was

taken off by cannon fire after trying to initiate a charge.17 The attack was a disaster, and as a

result the British killed or wounded sixty men and took 425 prisoners.18 Surprisingly, this battle

gave Arnold a new sense of fame in the American Congress, for he finally obtained respect as a

military hero due to his brilliance and heroism on the battlefield. For this, he was given a well

deserved military promotion from colonel to brigadier general. Equally important in the long

term was that Arnold gained admiration from General George Washington, who would from this

point on put his full trust in him as both a friend and a general all the way up until his treason.19

Things were finally starting to look better for Arnold, which is ironic in that the most respect he

ever gained was from a battle in which he failed miserably.

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Despite the catastrophe at Quebec, Arnold and the Americans were still determined to

conquer Canada. In command now of the American forces at Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga

was Major General Horatio Gates, a man who was aware of Arnold’s capabilities as a military

officer due to his previous battles. Gates soon gave Arnold the job of assembling and

commanding a naval fleet on Lake Champlain, meaning Arnold would be in command of a

number of important forts including the previously captured Fort Ticonderoga. Now an admiral,

Arnold had the defensive task of opposing a potent British fleet, which was under command of

the British leader of Quebec, Sir Guy Carleton.20

Arnold proved to be very able in defending Lake Champlain. Although he lacked ships

to guard the lake and had a plethora of inexperienced seamen, he still remained sanguine and

proud of his so called “fleet.”21 The tenacity of Arnold’s leadership allowed the lake to remain

in American hands. Perhaps the most significant event on Lake Champlain where Arnold

showed his exemplary military tactics was at the battle at Valcour Island. Arnold’s fleet was

overpowered by Carleton’s and was in danger of surrender, so in the dead of night Arnold

escaped to Crown Point with his entire fleet while the British were asleep. When the fog lifted

early in the morning to reveal the vacant body of water, Carleton and his men were astonished.22

The furious British leader was not able to pursue Arnold, who had succeeded in his tactical

retreat from Carleton’s belligerent navy. The genius of Arnold’s strategy allowed his navy to

reach Fort Ticonderoga, where Horatio Gates “praised him lavishly” for his heroic tactics in

evading the superior British fleet and saving many American lives. Lake Champlain was lost,

but Arnold’s strategy was praised by the British, who felt that their pursuit of him was a major

failure because the Americans were still in control of Fort Ticonderoga.23 Admiral Alfred

Thayer Mahan, a naval science expert, sums up Arnold’s heroism by saying that the “little navy

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on Lake Champlain [was] handled with the indomitable courage of the traitor, Benedict

Arnold.”24 Arnold, once again, was a military hero; however, this was not to last.

From this point on, Arnold’s glory began diminishing. Those who he trusted were

beginning to turn on him, including Horatio Gates. Gates was angry about the notoriety Arnold

achieved from the battle at Lake Champlain, and was also resentful towards Arnold’s growing

friendship with George Washington. As a result of his envy, Gates presented a petition to

Congress that was written by one of Arnold’s enemies named John Brown, who was given more

credit than Arnold at Ticonderoga. Brown’s petition “listed thirteen alleged crimes committed

by Arnold and urged Congress to arrest and court-martial him.” Also, American Brigadier

General William Maxwell condemned Arnold as “our evil genius to the north who had foolishly

gotten the American fleet destroyed.” This accusation was completely false, and Maxwell even

furthered his accusations by saying that Arnold was bragging that he would take St. John’s and

that Arnold was a coward because his fleet was larger than the British, and therefore he should

not have retreated. Maxwell’s comments were echoed in Congress by Colonel David Waterbury,

who said Arnold was a retreating coward. Brigadier General James Wilkinson, who was an aide

to Arnold during the efforts on Lake Champlain, now supported Gates over Arnold. He said that

Arnold’s retreat at Lake Champlain occurred due to an “excess of rashness and folly.” These,

however, were all lies that were intended to debase and humiliate Arnold. Furthermore, due to

the fact that he had proven himself as a great general, this could be considered treason from his

own fellow patriots against him as a person. Sadly, these lies were believed in Congress due to

Arnold’s lack of representation and support in the assembly. Arnold’s valor on Lake Champlain

was now transformed into a “dangerous, useless, self aggrandizing glory hunt.”25

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A further setback to Arnold’s career came by a series of unexpected promotions in

Congress. At this time, Arnold was still an admiral, and he was a top choice for promotion in the

eyes of many such as George Washington. Washington seized an opportunity to promote

Arnold, so in January of 1777 he asked Congress to appoint more officers due to the losses on

the American side. Washington felt Arnold had proved himself as a “superior commander on

both the land and water and should have been promoted to major general,” yet Arnold, once

again, was denied by Congress. Congress accepted General Washington’s proposal for new

officers, but failed to promote Arnold.26 Instead, Congress favored five less senior officers.

These were William Alexander of New Jersey (otherwise known as Lord Sterling), Arthur St.

Clair, Thomas Mifflin, Adam Stephen, and Benjamin Lincoln. These newly appointed officers

were mediocre and exhibited none of the brilliance Arnold had already displayed as a leader.27

When Washington asked Congress why Arnold was not promoted, they replied by saying that

there were already two major generals from Connecticut.28 Arnold then submitted his

resignation, again. He believed that this ignorance from Congress was “a very civil way of

requesting my resignation, as I am unqualified for the office I hold . . . . With equal pleasure I

resign it when I can no longer serve my country with honor.”29 Arnold’s honor was compromised

once again by Congress, and he saw resignation as the only way to preserve his name. Having

no tolerance for the injustice of Congress, Arnold decided to go to Philadelphia to carry out an

investigation of the false accusations about him.30

Arnold was, in a sense, provoked to Philadelphia by the infamous John Brown, who had

become his most bitter enemy. Brown had written a pamphlet against Arnold’s abilities as a

leader and morality as a man. Brown justified his lies by saying “money is this man’s god, and

to get enough of it he would sacrifice his country.” It was indeed true Arnold had a driving

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desire for money, but it was very irrational at this point to say he would go to such drastic

measures of committing treason to obtain personal wealth. When Arnold had arrived in

Philadelphia, he quickly took action against Brown and those who had put his name to shame in

Congress. Those supporting Arnold included John Adams and Richard Henry Lee, the great

uncle of legendary Confederate General Robert E. Lee. With the support of these two influential

individuals, Arnold was able to gain reluctant agreement from Congress to promote him to major

general. In Brown’s report, however, it was also brought up that Arnold was using military

money allotted for the Canadian expedition for his own personal benefit. As writes Willard M.

Wallace, “It was a simple thing for his enemies and detractors in Congress to assert or insinuate

that he had mulcted the government of a great deal of this money.” Most of Arnold’s accusers

were oblivious to his necessity for supplies during his expeditions through the harsh Maine

terrain before the battle at Quebec.31 Arnold was degraded once again by Congress, when in

truth he should have been praised for being one of the most successful military leaders at that

point of time.

Although Arnold had been promoted, he was beginning to feel doubts about the cause to

which he devoted and sacrificed so much of himself. The last major battles in which Arnold

fought valiantly for America were the Battles of Saratoga in 1777, which were the key turning

points of the war. Unfortunately for Arnold, he was given command of the army with Horatio

Gates, whom he disagreed with on almost everything.32 For example, the attack that Arnold

envisioned was an aggressive, offensive assault that utilized the force of the Northern Army on

General John Burgoyne’s British army; however, Gates preferred a defensive holding strategy

that he hoped would provoke an attack on the American entrenchments.33 Gates realized Arnold

would propose his idea of a forceful assault at every military staff meeting, so in order to silence

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him he refused to invite him to any military strategy meetings. Gates’ refusal to allow him to

attend these meetings outraged Arnold, for he again felt that his fellow soldiers were

disrespecting his command. Also at this time, James Wilkinson, a friend of Gates who had

previously betrayed Arnold, again publicly denounced Arnold and questioned his loyalty, when

truthfully “Wilkinson was one of the true scoundrels of the Revolution, turning on just about

everyone he worked with to advance his own career.”34

The Battle of Saratoga was actually comprised of two battles. The first battle, known as

Freeman’s Farm, took place on September 19, 1777. Arnold and Gates together fought the

opposing forces led by General Burgoyne; however, the true heat of the battle was taking place

in the American camp where Arnold and Gates continually quarreled with each other.35 During

the battle, Gates refused to utilize Arnold’s offensive military tactics. Arnold reluctantly

performed his duties as general by following Gates’ orders; however, when Arnold caught a

glimpse of victory at a certain point in the battle, he realized that he could finish it only if Gates

supplied him with new reinforcements. Arnold’s request for troops was denied, leading him to

gallop off on his horse into battle crying, “By God, I will soon put an end to it!” Wilkinson

subdued him and forced a furious Arnold back to camp. The consequence of this was large, for

Burgoyne was able to gain possession of the battlefield. If Arnold was able to make use of his

aggressive strategy, the second battle, Bemis Heights, might not have been necessary.36

The Battle at Bemis Heights occurred on October 7, 1777.37 Arnold, who was not

allowed any authority to fight or command troops in this battle, viewed the fight rather as a

spectator, anxiously pacing back and forth without a word. At a certain point when the British

forces had become extremely weak, Arnold could no longer contain himself. To Gates’s horror,

Arnold galloped onto the field like a madman, believed by many to be either drunk or opium

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induced.38 “He may do some rash thing,” cried the outraged Gates.39 However, stunned by

Arnold’s charge, the retreating British fired in his direction for the last time as “a musket ball

ripped into his left leg” and his bullet-stricken horse fell beneath him, causing him to land on and

fracture his already wounded leg.40 This was the same leg which had been injured in the battle of

Quebec.

After the victorious battle, Gates refused to show any sympathy for Arnold’s wound.

Instead of thanking him for his courage, he once again denounced Arnold by saying that he

“neither rendered service, nor deserved credit that day.” These deceitful words created a parallel

between Gates and Ethan Allen in terms of neglecting Arnold’s leadership in battle, and sadly,

Gates became known as the “Hero of Saratoga” although he never even set foot on the

battlefield. Once again, Arnold had to suffer humiliation, along with an agonizing leg wound.41

From this point on, Arnold would lose all faith in the American government, for he had shown

outstanding bravery on the battlefield to the best of his ability and sacrificed his leg in order to

preserve an honor that was not and would never be recognized by America.

During Arnold’s recuperation, he began to lose all of his devotion to the American cause

and “wondered what good it would do to replace one unfair government with another.” His

wound made him bitter, but for good reason. It was a wound that served no purpose in terms of

honor, both personal and national.42 George Washington once again felt sympathy for Arnold,

and in order to be supportive he gave him the position of military commander of Philadelphia.

Although this normally would have pleased Arnold, the only happiness he found in these

difficult times was from his new wife, Peggy Shippen. It was she who had contact with the

prominent British soldier Major John André, to whom Arnold wrote his first letter concerning his

treason.43

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Arnold was unpopular in his new position as military commander in Philadelphia.

Indeed, Arnold had already flirted with treason, but he was reprimanded by a number of people

in the city for reasons that were tremendously detrimental to Arnold’s character.44 As written by

historian James Kirby Martin, “. . . Arnold convinced himself that ingratitude was everywhere as

he carried out his duties in Pennsylvania” and was so irate that he showed “emblems of a

potential military dictator.”45 Several extremist patriots and anti-militarists in Philadelphia

banded together against Arnold, forming a list of many charges against his so called misuse of

military authority in the colony. This list included things along the lines of Arnold shutting

down stores so that military officers were not able to purchase goods, yet he would still privately

purchase goods from them for his own benefit. Other accusations were that he appointed

unqualified men to the militia, allowed wagons of the state to be used for transportation of

private property, and refused to explain the importance of wagon transactions.46 Arnold was

given a military hearing in Pennsylvania in 1780 where he was declared guilty of “dereliction of

duty,” and was even reprimanded by his one and only trusted friend, George Washington. As

written by James Kirby Martin, “Washington’s reprimand stood as the ultimate proof for Arnold

that thanklessness was all he could expect to receive from the Revolution, despite his

monumental labors and sacrifices.”47

Arnold now was all alone in America, and the only one who could console him was his

wife. Although it is unknown exactly when Arnold decided to commit treason, in May of 1779

Arnold met with a Loyalist named Joseph Stansbury to discuss political issues. According to

Stansbury, Arnold ranted against the American government and offered himself to the British

cause. Stansbury gave word of this to Major John André, who was in excited disbelief over the

idea that one of the most famous American generals was committing treason. André then sent a

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letter of welcome to Arnold containing information that would be helpful in his service to

Britain. Arnold was now officially a traitor.48

The first thing André asked Arnold to do was to obtain command at the American

defense site of West Point, a military base which was vital to British control in order to win the

war. When Arnold asked Washington if he could be in charge of West Point, he had no doubts

that he would not attain the requested position. Instead, however, Washington offered Arnold an

even higher promotion as divisional commander. This was the most honorable command post

Arnold had ever been offered and was “precisely the sort of position he had hoped to have

throughout his entire military career.” Sadly, this honorable promotion had come too late, for

Arnold had already switched sides. He rejected the offer to a stunned Washington, once again

asking only to be put in charge of West Point. His request this time was granted.49

When Arnold had control of West Point, he immediately began collecting data of the

fortress’s weaknesses. In August of 1780, the British offered Arnold the large sum of £20,000 to

turn over West Point.50 However, disaster struck when André was captured carrying the plans

for the surrender of West Point, which included Arnold’s name.51 Arnold was notified of the

capture while waiting to eat breakfast with General Washington, so he fled from the scene.

When Washington was informed of Arnold’s traitorous act, he said, “Arnold has betrayed me.

Whom can we trust now?”52

Major John André was hanged on October 2, 1780, and although he was British,

everybody was sad to see him hang, for he was respected by both British and Americans alike

due to his young, charming aura.53 Although the plot to take West Point was a disaster, the

British still accepted Arnold into military service. The British harbored mixed feelings for

Arnold, because while some hated him due to belief that he was to blame for André’s capture,

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others felt his treason was so “cold-blooded that even they would not fully accept it.” Arnold

was paid £6,000 along with £350 in expense money and a number of other bonuses. Thus,

Arnold achieved the money he desired, but along with it came an unexpected bitterness due to

abhorrence from everyone surrounding him. Now Washington’s greatest ambition was to find

Arnold and hang him, which meant Arnold’s only true friend had now become one of many

sworn enemies.54 The British did not trust Arnold enough to appoint him to high rank, and they

made him consult with two subordinate lieutenant colonels before attempting a strategic move on

the battlefield. Humiliated by both the Americans and the British, he resigned his post and in

1781 set sail for the country which had sacrificed so much to defeat.55 The only support he had

from then until his dying days came from his wife, who herself was overcoming depression due

to the events which both she and her husband had to endure.56 Arnold lived the rest of his life

angry and bitter until his death on June 12, 1801.57 Unbeknownst to him, by trying to reinstate

honor to the name that his father had originally degraded when he was arrested for drunkenness,

he actually achieved the exact opposite in the eyes of America, which at this time had already

inscribed his infamous name in the nation’s history forever.

The negative legacy Arnold left in America is revealed in Major General John Watts de

Peyster’s “Boot Monument” at Freeman’s Farm, where Arnold sacrificed the health of his leg for

the country he fought so dearly for. “The leg was the only part of Arnold not to later turn traitor

and since it was sacrificed in winning the Battle of Saratoga, it should be commemorated and not

Arnold.”58 The depressing story of Benedict Arnold’s treason has completely overshadowed the

heroism he showed on the battlefields of the American Revolution, and today Americans still

neglect his remarkable contributions to the birth of their country. As writes historian Jim

Murphy, “A variety of enemies on the American side had insulted and abused him, while others

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had denied him the credit due to his military skills . . . . Congress had, again and again, insulted

his sense of honor by denying him advancement,” and thus, due to this severe neglect from a

country in which he fought so hard for, Arnold’s name should not be thought of as synonymous

with traitor.59 Rather than having his entire legacy defined from one treasonous act, he should be

commended and given the proper recognition he deserves due to the magnitude of his positive

contributions to the American cause for independence.

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Endnotes

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1 James Kirby Martin, Benedict Arnold Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered (New York: New York University Press, 1997), 432.

2 Martin, 30-32.

3 Jim Murphy, The Real Benedict Arnold (New York: Clarion Books, 2007), 26.

4 Clare Brandt, The Man in the Mirror: A Life of Benedict Arnold (New York: Random House, 1994), 12.

5 Brandt, 10.

6 Clifford Lindsey Alderman, The Dark Eagle: The Story of Benedict Arnold (New York, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1976), 117.

7 Brandt, 22.

8 Murphy, 46.

9 Alderman, 31-32.

10 Murphy, 52-53.

11 Murphy, 58-59.

12 Murphy, 59, 62.

13 Willard M. Wallace, Traitorous Hero: The Life and Fortunes of Benedict Arnold (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1954), 72.

14 Alderman, 40.

15 Wallace, 72.

16 Alderman 38-39.

17 Murphy, 86-88.

18 Alderman, 64.

19 Murphy, 92.

20 Alderman, 70.

21 Murphy, 103.

22 Martin, 280.

23 Murphy, 112-113.

24 Alderman, 77.

25 Murphy, 117-119.26 Murphy, 121.

27 Wallace, 124.

28 Murphy, 122.

29 Wallace, 125.

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30 Wallace, 127.

31 Wallace, 130-132.

32 Murphy, 146.

33 Wallace, 146.

34 Murphy, 146-148.

35 Alderman, 90-92.

36 Wallace, 147-149.

37 Alderman, 94.

38 Wallace, 155.

39 Alderman, 96.

40 Martin, 399-400.

41 Martin, 401-402.

42 Murphy, 169.

43 Martin, 426-428.

44 Wallace, 180.

45 Martin, 427.

46 Wallace, 180-181.

47 Martin, 428.

48 Murphy, 187-189.

49 Murphy, 197-199.

50 Murphy, 200-202.

51 Murphy. 211.

52 Murphy, 213-214.

53 Alderman, 115.

54 Alderman, 116-118.55

Alderman, 119-121.

56 Brandt, 264.

57 Alderman, 126.

58 Murphy, 3-4.

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59 Murphy, 191.