Benedict Arnold, Branded a Traitor September 21, 1780

What happened this day in history? Benedict Arnold commit's the crime of treason against America. Benedict Arnold was a patriot, came from a very respected family but turned against his fellow man and his country.

Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, one of six children, in Connecticut. His parents, Benedict Arnold III and Hannah Waterman King, were very-respected New England residents going back several generation. His father apprenticed him to an apothecary trade, which was a respected career. Arnold enlisted at the age of 15 in the Connecticut military at the out break of the French and Indian War but he never saw battle. After the war he established himself as a druggist with dealings in shipping trade, which came to a stand still with the out break of the Revolutionary War.

In 1767, Arnold married Margaret Mansfield, which she gave Arnold three sons.

A group of 65 men that called them selves Governor's Second Company of Connecticut Guard was formed and Benedict Arnold was there captain. Arnold trained the men in preparation of the war. In April, 1775 Arnold lead him men on a march to Massachusetts to join the war.

Arnold, with the title of Colonel of the Massachusetts militia, at the side of Ethan Allen, took Fort Ticonderoga, which help George Washington's men stand the long siege of Boston. In 1775. Arnold was promoted to brigadier general after the assault on British Quebec, which was unsuccessful but he was forced to retreat by British reinforcements.

In 1777 at the Battle of Ridgefield, Arnold received the rank of major general. In the summer and fall of 1777, during the Saratoga campaigns in New York. Arnolds battlefield leadership brought the Americans the victory they needed. And the eye of George Washington. But, during these campaigns, Arnold made enemies of his own fellow man. Five of these enemies were promoted, which were all lower rank than Arnold and he resented this.

In 1778, Arnold was given commander of Philadelphia and he married his second wife, Margaret Shippen. There life style was the of the Philadelphia loyalist, which mean money and lots of it, brought Arnold and his wife deeper in debt.. In 1780, Arnold was the commander of West Point and this was the turning point of becoming an American traitor. Arnold still held the resentment that he wasn't promoted as fast as he thought he should.

During a 16 month correspondence to a British commander in chief, Sir Henry Clinton, Arnold agreed to surrender West Point to the British in return he was to receive a royal commission within the British army and a large sum of money. During the transfer of letters between Arnold and Maj. Andre; the plot was exposed. Maj. Andre was captured and executed, Arnold fled to the British side.

Arnold was granted the brigadier general for the British and 1,600 men. He lead raids on the James River to Richmond, which he captured, then to Petersburg. In 1781 his attention was turned to New London, Connecticut where he raided families home that he new and burned 150 buildings plus massacred the American militia at Fort Griswold.

Arnold moved his family to England and reported on the conduct of the war but because of his military conduct and the outcome of the war, the British discontinued his military career with the British army. The British along with the Americans branded Benedict Arnold a traitor and for his actions he was only given less than one-third of the money he was told to receive. Benedict Arnold died in London, June 14, 1801, at the age of 60. Benedict Arnold was reported to of said "Let me die in this old uniform (Colonial) in which I fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever having put on another." The house that Benedict Arnold lived in in London still stands today. There is a plaque , which describes Arnold as an American Patriot. His wife joined him in death three years later.

The British never trusted him, the Canadians never trusted him and for certain the Americans never trusted him. He died an unknown man! If you would like to read more about Benedict Arnold please refer to history.com and wikipedia.org