01/25/2022
ON THIS DAY, JANUARY 14, 1741: BENEDICT ARNOLD BORN
Major-General-turned-traitor, Benedict Arnold, was born on this day, January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut.
Arnold fought with distinction and, as a result, reached the rank of Major General.
Arnold’s service to the Continental Army was superb and his involvement in the 1775 capture of Fort Ticonderoga, his efforts at the Battle of Valcour Island in Lake Champlain that gave American forces time to prepare New York's defenses, his performance at the Battle of Ridgefield, in Connecticut, that ultimately prompted his promotion to major general, his operations at the Siege of Fort Stanwix and his actions during the 1777 Battles of Saratoga…during which he suffered significant leg injuries.
Arnold married into a loyalist family when he wedded Peggy Shippen, a close friend of British Major John André.
General Washington gave Arnold command of West Point, a major American stronghold, and Arnold betrayed his nation by providing plans, to Major John André, to capture the fort.
Arnold’s betrayal was discovered when Patriot militia captured Major André and found him in possession of Arnold’s plans. Arnold escaped and received a position as Brigadier General in the British Army which included a payment of £6,000 and an annual pension of £360. Major John André was hanged.
