Arnold (BENEDICT an American military)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

BENEDICT, an American military officer, born in Norwich, Conn., Jan. 14, 1741. He was settled in extensive business at New Haven when the War of Independence broke out. After the news of the battle of Lexington, he raised a body of volunteers, and received. a colonel's commission. After commanding, for a short time, a small fleet upon Lake Champlain, 1. he was with General Montgomery, charged with the difficult duty of leading a force of 1,100 men across the wilds of the country to Quebec, to stir up rebellion there, and displace the British garrison. In this unsuccessful attempt Montgomery was killed BENEDICT ARNOLD and Arnold severely wounded. After this, we find him in various important commands, but as often involved in quarrels with Congress and his fellow-officers. Washington valued him for his acts of daring, and would gladly have overlooked his faults; but Congress and his brother-officers regarded him with dislike, and sought every possible means to humble and annoy him. After many disputes about the honor that was due to him for his services, he was invested with the government of Philadelphia. There his imprudence was most marked and he was court-martialed and reprimanded. Arnold felt humiliated, and decided to desert to the enemy, opening communication with Sir Henry Clinton, British commander. Major André was sent by Sir Henry to negotiate with Arnold, and they had an interview near West Point, which fortress Arnold had offered to surrender to the enemy. On his way to the British camp, however, the young officer fell into the hands of the Americans, and the whole plot was of course discovered. The news of André's capture reached Arnold just in time to enable him to make his escape and reach the British camp in safety. There he retained his rank of brigadier-general, and fought with as much daring against the cause of American independence. Afterward he served in Nova Scotia and the West Indies, and at last settled in London, England, where he died June 14, 1801.