Benedict Arnold
No other American is remembered quite the same as Benedict Arnold.He was a brave soldier, a patriot- and a traitor. Benedict was born inNorwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. When he was 14 years old,Benedict ran away from home to fight in the French and Indian War, but hewas brought back by his mother, who apparently was driven insane later inher life. If I had a son like Benedict, I might have gone insane too!After his mother insisted that he return home, he ran away for a secondtime. After he was finished playing boy hero for awhile, he learned theapothecary (pharmacy) trade and then in 1762, he opened a book and drugstore in New Haven. Benedict was also involved with trade in the WestIndies. By 1774, he was one of the wealthiest citizens in New Haven.It's a good thing that he had money, because he was one of those peoplewho like to ride around in their Mercedes and wear expensive clothes, evenif he couldn't afford them. Benedict then got hooked up with thesheriff's daughter Margaret Mansfield, and they hit it off. They decidedto get married in 1774. But this marriage was short lived because thenext year Margaret caught a disease and died. When the Revolutionary War
Benedict led his troops to the siege of Boston and Valcour Islandand proved once again to be a bold and skilled officer. He fled to aBritish ship that took him down the Hudson River to New York City. Lifein Philadelphia was pleasant but very costly. He was one of General George Washington's most trusted officers. Before the final battle Arnold quarreled with his superior, GeneralHoratio Gates, and was relieved of his command. The British government granted him13,400 acres in Canada, but that land was of little use to him. Arnold learned this news in time for him to escape. He did this because he was still upset with the Continental Congress fornot giving him the promotions that he thought he deserved. In1777, Congress promoted five officers, who were junior to Benedict, tomajor general. This idea failed, but Benedict had already provenhis bravery. He was then commissioned as a colonel in the patriot forces. On September 21, Benedict met with Major John Andre ofthe British army to discuss and arrange the details. He did receive a delayed promotion to major general,but he was still angered that he was not promoted to a rank above thejunior officers promoted earlier. In 1780Benedict was given command of the fort at West Point in New York. Inhis last days Benedict was burdened down with debt and misery.
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