In December, he led a force of British troops into Virginia, capturing Richmond and laying waste to the countryside. Rev War Biography. Benedict Arnold. Title Major General. Date of Birth - Death January 14, - June 14, Related Biographies. View All Related Resources. On October 11, , the American fleet surprised its foe near Valcour Bay. Despite his heroic service, Arnold felt he did not receive the recognition he deserved.
He resigned from the Continental Army in after Congress promoted five junior officers above him. General George Washington , the commander in chief of the Continental Army, urged Arnold to reconsider. Arnold rejoined the army in time to participate in the defense of central New York from an invading British force under General John Burgoyne in the fall of In the battles against Burgoyne, Arnold served under General Horatio Gates , an officer whom Arnold came to hold in contempt.
The antipathy was mutual, and Gates at one point relieved Arnold of his command. Ten days later, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army at Saratoga. News of the surrender convinced France to enter the war on the side of the Americans.
Once again, Arnold had brought his country a step closer to independence. Meanwhile, Arnold seriously wounded the same leg he had injured at Quebec in the battle.
Rendered temporarily incapable of a field command, he accepted the position of military governor of Philadelphia in While there, his loyalties began to change. During his term as governor, rumors, not entirely unfounded, circulated through Philadelphia accusing Arnold of abusing his position for his personal profit.
Arnold and his second wife, with whom he would have five children, lived a lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia, accumulating substantial debt. The debt and the resentment Arnold felt over not being promoted faster were motivating factors in his choice to become a turncoat. He concluded that his interests would be better served assisting the British than continuing to suffer for an American army he saw as ungrateful.
By the end of , Arnold had begun secret negotiations with the British to surrender the American fort at West Point, New York, in return for money and a command in the British army.
West Point remained in American hands, and Arnold only received a portion of his promised bounty. Arnold soon became one of the most reviled figures in U.
Ironically, his treason became his final service to the American cause. By , Americans had grown frustrated with the slow progress toward independence and their numerous battlefield defeats. After fleeing to the enemy side, Arnold received a commission with the British army and served in several minor engagements against the Americans.
On September 21, , Revolutionary War hero Benedict Arnold turned his back on his country in a secret meeting with a top British official. Historians have several theories about why Arnold became a traitor: greed; mounting debt; resentment of other officers; a hatred of the Continental Congress; and a desire for the colonies to remain under British rule.
Arnold was descended from a Rhode Island founding family. The major general led and served with honor at Ticonderoga, Quebec and Saratoga. But Arnold often fought with other officers and Congress. Arnold was wounded seriously at Saratoga, and Washington put Arnold in charge of the city of Philadelphia after the British ended their occupation.
Andre was a top aide to British commander Sir Henry Clinton.
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