As a Norwegian and a Friend to the American People, in Todayβs Gift from NorwayForTRUMP.com I offer this Tribute on one of the most infuriating and painful Chapters in the entire History of the American War of Independence.
And this Chapter is perhaps not as Black & White as many tell the Storyβ¦β¦ And the 94 Minute Cinematic Documentary you are about to watch, explains this Man’s Courage, Psychology and Ultimate Betrayal in Glorious Detail and Reenactments!
The Treason of General Benedict Arnold β And what we can learn from it Today.
Were it not for his Betrayal and Treason β Benedict Arnold would in all Likelihood have been the most Celebrated and Venerated General of the War of Independence β After Commander, General George Washington. And The United States Military Academy (USMA) would not have been strategically located overlooking a U-bend in the Tidal River Hudson at a Place named West Point, but rather a Place known around the World as Fort Arnold, est. 1780.
On the other hand, had the British won, the Traitor would in all likelihood have been known as The Right Honourable Viscount, Sir Benedict Arnold, or maybe even the Earl, Sir Arnold.
But Benedict Arnolds prickly Ego had betrayed his Friend and Commander, General Washington before Washington could make up for a Reprimand he was forced, politically, to give General Arnold β in order to secure the Vital Wagon Train Transport that would save his Army. When Arnold suddenly turned down Washington’s Generous Offer of a Central Field Command and instead asked, or insisted rather, for an Administrative Position at the Fort bearing his Name, Washington found this rather strange. Shortly after, Major AndrΓ©, a British Spy was caught behind Continental Lines carrying a Map so detailed, it could only have been drawn up by one Person: βThe Commander of Fort Arnold, General Benedict Arnold himself. When Arnold heard his contact had been caught by a Continental Patrol, he hastily made it across British Lines just in time. This stab in the Back was felt keenly by George Washington, who naturally also took it as a Dishonorable, Personal Betrayal.
Treason against a Just and Nobel Cause like American Independence feels particularly infuriating. However, there were a couple of extenuating Circumstances, like a Stellar Record as a Field Commander and his newlywed Wife, the Ravenous Beauty, Peggy nee Shippen. His brilliant Maneuvers at Ticonderoga, and the Glory thereof had literally been stolen from him. But instead of repeating the Success, despite a serious wound he had sustained at that Engagement, Arnold became obsessed with the robbery of his Honor and Glory. And Peggy Shippen had been in love with, and kept in close Contact with, yes β you guessed it: βThe British Major and Spymaster, John AndrΓ©. She played a Central Role in Arnold’s Treason, and it is very likely that she, in fact β was the very Architect of it. And we can only speculate about her Motives for doing so, but two Motives stand out fairly clearly:
Rekindling her Relationship with AndrΓ© behind British Lines,
and her Loyalist Allegiance with the British.
The Early Promise Of Patriotism
Before the Shadow of Treason darkened his Legacy, Benedict Arnold stood as a Beacon of Revolutionary Zeal. Born into one of the most prominent Families in Norwich, Connecticut, Arnold’s early Life was marked by both Privilege and Tragedy. The Collapse of his Family’s Fortune due to his Father’s Alcoholism instilled in young Arnold a burning Desire to restore the Arnold Name to its former Glory. This relentless Pursuit of Honor would drive his every Action throughout his turbulent Career.
When the Fires of Revolution ignited in the American Colonies, Arnold emerged as one of the most ardent and effective Patriots. He organized and financed his own Militia Company, leading them to Boston after the first Shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. His first legendary Feat came with the daring Capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775, where Arnold and Ethan Allen seized the Fort and its invaluable Artillery. These Cannons would later prove crucial in forcing the British to evacuate Boston, securing a vital early Victory for the Patriot Cause.
The Wilderness Triumph And Valcor Island Valor
Arnold’s most extraordinary Achievement came with his audacious Expedition through the untamed Wilderness of Maine to Quebec. Leading approximately 1,100 Men through nearly 350 Miles of inhospitable Terrain, Arnold faced unimaginable Hardships. His Men endured Starvation, freezing Temperatures, and raging Rivers before finally reaching their Destination. Though the ultimate Assault on Quebec failed, Arnold’s Leadership during this grueling March earned him the Moniker βThe American Hannibalβ from both his Comrades and the British Enemy.
Perhaps Arnold’s most brilliant Military Contribution came at the Battle of Valcor Island on Lake Champlain in October 1776. Outnumbered and outgunned by a superior British Fleet, Arnold constructed a makeshift American Navy with meager Resources. Through tactical Genius and raw Courage, Arnold engaged the British in a bloody Naval Battle that lasted six hours. Though he lost most of his Ships, Arnold managed to escape under the Cover of Darkness and, in a stunning Maneuver, evaded the British to reach Safety. His actions delayed the British Invasion from Canada for a full Year, providing the fledgling American Army with precious Time to regroup and prepare for the Challenges ahead.
Saratoga’s Glory And Bitter Disappointment
The Zenith of Arnold’s Patriot Career came during the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in September and October of 1777. Despite being stripped of Field Command by the jealous General Horatio Gates, Arnold could not remain on the sidelines when the Fate of the Revolution hung in the Balance. Disobeying Orders, Arnold rallied the American Troops and led a ferocious Counterattack against the British Lines.
In a display of unparalleled Courage, Arnold led from the Front, inspiring his Men with his Personal Bravery. He was severely wounded in the same Leg that had been injured at Quebec, but not before his Actions had turned the Tide of Battle. The American Victory at Saratoga proved to be the turning Point of the Revolutionary War, convincing France to enter the Conflict on the American Side. Yet it was Gates who received the Glory, while Arnold lay in a Hospital Bed, his Sacrifices largely unrecognized by the Continental Congress and its Political Leaders.
The Road To Betrayal
In the Aftermath of Saratoga, Arnold’s growing Disillusionment with the Revolutionary Cause began to fester. Despite his extraordinary Contributions to the War Effort, he found himself repeatedly passed over for Promotion, slandered by Political Rivals, and Financially Ruined by the Congress he had served so faithfully. His Appointment as Military Governor of Philadelphia placed him in the midst of political Intrigue and Corruption that further embittered him against the very Cause he had once championed with such Fervor.
It was in Philadelphia that Arnold met and married Peggy Shippen, a young Woman from a prominent Family with Loyalist Sympathies. Through her Connections to British Officers, including Major John AndrΓ©, Arnold began his secret Correspondence with the Enemy. The combination of his personal Grievances, financial Desperation, and Peggy’s Influence gradually led Arnold down The Dark Path of Betrayal.
The Legacy Of A Tragic American
The story of Benedict Arnold represents one of History’s greatest Tragedies β a Man of Extraordinary Talent and Courage whose Invaluable Contributions to American Independence were ultimately overshadowed by his Infamous Act of Treason. His brilliant Victory at Saratoga alone secured America’s Alliance with France, a Critical Factor in the Ultimate Success of the Revolution. Yet today, his Name remains synonymous with Betrayal, while his Heroic Deeds are largely forgotten by the American People he once served so valiantly.
As we reflect on this Painful Chapter in American History during the 250th Anniversary of America’s Birth, we must remember that the Path to Liberty was paved far from only Glorious Victories but also with Profound Disappointments and Personal Failures. Arnold’s Story serves as a timeless Reminder that even the greatest among Americans can fall Prey to Resentment, Pride, and the Corrosive Effects of Perceived Injustice.
The empty Plaque at West Point and the Boot-shaped Monument at Saratoga stand as silent Testaments to the complex Legacy of Benedict Arnold β the brilliant General who helped secure American Independence, yet whose Name is forever linked to its darkest Betrayal. His Story challenges us to remember that History is rarely as simple as Black and White, and that even in the noblest Causes, human Nature can lead to the most tragic of Outcomes.
Please enjoy this Fantastic Cinematic Documentary about General Benedict Arnold.
π³π΄ From Norway With Love & Happy 250! πΊπΈ
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