The new england quarterlymartin discloses a new and entirely credible benedict arnold. Benedict arnold was born a british subject, the second of six children of benedict arnold 16831761 and hannah waterman king in norwich, connecticut colony on january 14, 1741. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. An analysis of the nearfatal wound suffered by benedict. Plan of battlefield of saratoga, and views of john neilsons house which served as headquarters for enoch poor and benedict arnold from south, east and inside unknown to either side at saratoga, general lincoln and colonel john brown had staged an attack against the british position at fort ticonderoga. Arnold was an early hero of the american revolution. During the american revolution, general arnold served with distinction at ticonderoga, quebec city and saratoga. Benedict arnold researching the american revolution. Nofi, strategy page an exceptionally detailed narrative, following events day by day and, as the action intensifies, hour by hour. The notorious benedict arnold by steve sheinkin the same author who wrote bomb is a kids book about the rise and fall of americas most notorious traitor, benedict arnold. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution the american revolution series book cover may vary paperback may 9, 2017. General benedict arnold at the battles of saratoga.
There are two benedict arnolds of the american revolution. Benedict arnold was an americanborn senior officer of the british army who commanded the. Earlier that fall howe had sailed from new york to chesapeake bay, and once ashore he had defeated washingtons forces at brandywine creek on september 11 and occupied the. Saratoga national historical park, stillwater, new york benedict arnold monument with no name upon it photo measures 6.
Both a biography and an extended meditation on the ironies of the revolution, benedict arnold, revolutionary hero is in many ways a remarkable example of the historians craft. What drove benedict arnold to give up the patriot cause and turn. The book more or less ends at the battle of saratoga. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. Military career of benedict arnold, 17771779 wikipedia. Before he was a traitor, benedict arnold was an american hero, and the new york state military museum now owns a mural that commemorates arnold s heroic moment at the battle of saratoga in 1777. What the letter holds is a firsthand, historically unbiased account of the conversations, command decisions and field actions of general horatio gates and general benedict arnold during the ongoing 1777 battle of saratoga. The boot monument is an american revolutionary war memorial located in saratoga national historical park, new york. Arnold was wounded in this canadian campaign in the same leg which would be shattered by a german bullet two years later at saratoga.
The tragedy of benedict arnold paperback northshire bookstore. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Jan 25, 20 at saratoga, benedict arnold wounded his leg while leading the decisive charge that captured an important enemy position. For a variety of reasons, the only british force that got close to the target was general john burgoynes army of 7,500 men, which had advanced south from canada. Malcolms the tragedy of benedict arnold does show that arnolds hunger for recognition and refusal to compromise embroiled him in conflicts that weakened his commitment to independence. Benedict arnold, 17411801, american revolutionary general and traitor, b. All any of us know about benedict arnold is that he was a traitor to our country. The memorial carries no name, but its understood that it honors major general benedict arnold who fought at the battles of saratoga for the continental army. Saratoga springs author reaches young readers with benedict.
He then distinguished himself in both battles of saratoga, even though general gates removed him from field. Author nathaniel philbrick talks about who benedict arnold really was and his new book, valiant ambition. Arnold ended the campaign season of 1777 with a victory over general burgoynes army at saratoga. Brigadier general benedict arnold yorktown battlefield part. Dec 28, 2017 the notorious benedict arnold by steve sheinkin. Benedict arnold v january 14, 1741 june 14, 1801 was a general during the american revolutionary war. Arnold s wife, margaret, was a loyalist and would not have objected to his plans.
This indispensable alliance with france can be traced back to the delaying actions on lake champlain in 1776 and the stunning victory over the british at saratoga in 1777, and these military successes can be traced back to one man benedict arnold. Think of it rather as a swashbuckling adventure novel. This book is an excellent read of the story of benedict arnold and the author wrote it in a narrative form that feels like a novel. Benedict arnolds hair to be displayed at upstate fort he. Thereafter his name became an epithet for traitor in the united states upon the outbreak of hostilities at lexington, massachusetts april 1775, arnold. Ironically, it was arnoldthe american general and the hero of saratogawho sealed the french alliance that helped guarantee independence for the country he had betrayed. Arnold went on to fight with some distinction at the battle of saratoga. Major general benedict arnold was the american revolutionary wars most infamous traitor. Benedict arnold fought heroically in that battle, but he is best known as the traitor he later became. Aside from the popularity arnold gained during these early years of the revolutionary crisis among his fellow soldiers, he failed to gain any great sense of notoriety from the general public or the continental congress. Jul 06, 2018 despite arnold s perseverance and leadership during the march and attack on quebec and his epic victories at the battles of ticonderoga and saratoga, historians like jared sparks, author of one of the first arnold biographies written in 1835, contributed greatly to national opinion. Arnold was promoted to major general in 1777 and given command of the city of philadelphia. Charges of misconduct again surfaced while he commanded philadelphia not the least of which was his marriage to a known loyalist, peggy shippen.
An early supporter of the revolution, he proved to be a resourceful and energetic officer. As a youth he served for a time in the colonial militia in the french and indian wars. His books cover the gamut from vikings to piracy in colonial america, the naval action of. Willard sterne randall has written a tremendously well researched, compelling and balanced book that details benedict arnold s accomplishments and failures during americas fight for independence.
The tragedy of benedict arnold paperback northshire. Arnold and gates argue at first battle of saratoga history. It commemorates major general benedict arnold s service at the battles of saratoga in the continental army, but does not name him. Benedict arnold saved the american revolution the saratoga blog. He was named after his greatgrandfather benedict arnold, an early governor of the colony of rhode island, and his brother benedict iv, who died in infancy. Saratoga springs author reaches young readers with benedict arnold account steve sheinkins book, the notorious benedict arnold. Nov 27, 2018 the memorial carries no name, but its understood that it honors major general benedict arnold who fought at the battles of saratoga for the continental army. Mar 03, 2020 with accurate accounts of the capture of groton fort, the massacre that followed, and the sacking and burning of new london, september 6, 1781, by the british forces under the command of the traitor benedict arnold by rufus avery and stephen hempstead, eye witnesses of the same.
Jul 30, 2018 illustration showing major general benedict arnold 1741 1801 rallying the american troops and performing heroically during the battle of saratoga, during the american revolutionary war, oct. Ironically, it was arnold the american general and the hero of saratoga who sealed the french alliance that helped guarantee independence for the country he had betrayed. The military career of benedict arnold from 1777 to 1779 was marked by two important events in his career. Benedict was born the second of six children to benedict arnold iii 16831761 and hannah waterman king in norwich, connecticut, on january 14, 1741. He later become one of americas most notorious traitors for trying to. After reading this book i, as a criminal lawyer, would have loved to defend him from this charge. Stripped of command and left in camp to drink his sorrows away, benedict arnold fumed and ranted in frustration until his aggressive nature took over and caused the deposed general to ride his horse onto the field of battle just in time to lead the final assault against burgoynes redoubts and. Mar 20, 2020 benedict arnold was an american revolutionary war general best known for his defection from the continental army to the british side of the conflict in 1780. Mainly because after that infamous battle, arnolds decent into treason began to pick up steam.
A nonfiction book study will bring the american revolution to life for your students. Newsela the battle of saratoga and the case of benedict. At the time of the battles of saratoga, benedict arnold had already established a reputation of bravery and being in the thick of any action. Historic painting honoring heroic benedict arnold finds. Stanley made benedict arnold come to life for people in the infamous generals hometown. Historic painting honoring heroic benedict arnold finds new. Malcolms the tragedy of benedict arnold does show that arnold s hunger for recognition and refusal to compromise embroiled him in conflicts that weakened his commitment to independence. In the fall of 1777, british grand strategy called for a coordinated threepronged offensive by three separate armies that would converge on albany, new york. Sheinkins account of arnold s life has received high acclaim, having won the 2012 young adult library services association award. Nov 14, 20 boot monument at saratoga national battlefield commemorating the wounded foot of benedict arnold.
List of books and articles about benedict arnold online. He began the war in the continental army but later defected to the british army. Benedict arnold reportedly asked to a captured captain from the colonial army, as quoted in the picturesque hudson 1915 by clifton johnson. Tipping point at saratoga is an excellent account of the battle that arguably insured american independence by encouraging french intervention, and worth a read by anyone with an interest in the revolutionary war. General arnold led much of the first battle at freemans farm, but bickering with general gates led to his being relieved of command. Sheinkins account of arnold s life has received high acclaim, having won the 2012 young adult library services association award for excellence in nonfiction and. General george washington had given him his fullest trust.
Benedict arnold 17411801 was an early american hero of the. History books, encyclopedias and even childrens books recount benedict arnold s betrayal of the revolution. Benedict arnold simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Benedict arnold, the american general during the revolutionary war who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word traitor, was born on january 14, 1741 arnold, who was raised. Most dont know why he betrayed his country when he fought for it so hard. Arnold was almost singlehandedly responsible for the american invasion of canada, which, due to his prowess as a strategist, commander and soldier. He is best known for his defection from the continental army to the british side of the conflict in 1780. By midseptember, burgoynes force reached the northern outskirts of. Although badly wounded, arnold led a reckless charge during the second battle of freemans. Why benedict arnold was an american hero and still a traitor hilarious helmet history duration. Jim nelson is the author of seventeen works of maritime fiction and history, including the critically acclaimed benedict arnold s navy. The latest reevaluation is also the most sympathetic. At saratoga, benedict arnold did not receive the respect from general horatio gates which one would expect to be accorded to an officer who had fought so bravely in the first years of the american revolution. There was his dramatic victory against the british at saratoga in 1777 and his troubled childhood in a prerevolutionary america beset with class.
George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution, explores four years of the revolutionary war, from 1776 through 1780, with a focus on george washington, benedict arnold, and the many lesser personalities that surrounded them, offering a new perspective on the people and events that. Picture benedict arnold as the reckless, antiauthority hero who gets himself into a lot of tough situations but always manages to get the bad guy in the end. General burgoyne, the british general who planned to crush the american rebellion, and the american general benedict arnold, who commanded the troops at the battles of saratoga, will become more than. The battle of saratoga was a turning point in the american revolution. In july 1777, arnold was assigned to the continental armys northern department, where he played pivotal roles in bringing about the failure of british brigadier barry st. Before benedict arnold was a traitor, he was a loyal american, and nowhere was he more effective than at the battle of saratoga general arnold led much of the first battle at freemans farm, but bickering with general gates led to his being relieved of command between battles. He took fort ticonderoga very early in the war, captured a british warship and renamed it the enterprise, won the battle of saratoga although gates took credit for it and was badly injured. His capture with ethan allen of fort ticonderoga, the epic march up the kennebec river to quebec and the naval engagement at valcour island were already legendary in the new country. Since 1780 up to the present day, the story of benedict arnold is still being debated. His aggressive actions during the two battles of saratoga were the key elements in what would prove to be the turning point of the war, as the rousing rebel victory induced france to formally ally with the americans, ensuring their success. Arnold was one of the most aggressive officers in the continental army. Horatio gates and benedict arnold, and on october 17, 1777, at saratoga, he was forced to surrender his army. Oct 02, 2015 why benedict arnold was an american hero and still a traitor hilarious helmet history duration. Benedict arnold, born january 14, 1741, norwich, connecticut u.
This particular book focuses on the hero arnold just look at the title of the book and does a fine job. French huguenots, apollos rivoire and deborah hitchborn, made their way to boston, massachusetts, after being determined to leave france. The ghosts of saratoga, a historical fiction novel by ossont and dampf, is recommended for young adult readers interested in american history. However, his plot was foiled, and arnold, the hero of the early battles of ticonderoga and saratoga, became the. Most people are only familiar with the traitor arnold rather then the hero arnold. Philadelphia and the fate of general benedict arnold.
However, it was benedict arnold who precipitated the defeat of gen. Stanley told the story over and over, he became fascinated with arnold in high school when researching the heroes of the american revolution. Dean snows book 1777 offers a splendid account of the saratoga campaign. Arnold was our american tragic hero who rose to the top only to be pulled down by the treachery of politics and the weakness of conviction. Jul, 2018 the tragedy of benedict arnold benefits from russell leas collection of arnolds war correspondence, published in 2008, and a relatively recent discovery of a cache of primary sources. Treason in the us and what we get wrong on benedict arnold time. Benedict arnold papers, relating to the major john andres apprehension, 1780. Arnold was especially resentful, she notes, of the ill treatment he felt he had received from civilian politicians. Benedict arnold 17411801 was an early american hero of the revolutionary war 177583 who later became one of the most infamous traitors in u. Legers siege of fort stanwix and the american success in the battles of saratoga, which. In the years since, the name benedict arnold has become virtually synonymous with traitor. Before benedict arnold was a traitor, he was a loyal american, and nowhere was he more effective than at the battle of saratoga.
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