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Birth of Benedict
Benedict Arnold was born the second-oldest of his siblings, his parents being Benedict Arnold III and Hannah Waterman King. He was the fourth-surviving member of his family and was named after his great-grandfather, who was an early governer for the Colony of Rhode Island. -
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Childhood
At the age of 10, Arnold started to attend private school, believing to one day attend Yale College. Two years later, however, after the death of two of his siblings, his father took up drinking, leaving a decline in money. He was close to his mother before she died in 1759, and later his father, in 1761 (due to drinking and poor health). The only siblings to survive were Hannah and Benedict. -
Margaret Mansfield
Arnold marries Margaret Mansfield -
Military
Benedict joins the military after the death of his wife in 1775, leaving his three children. This is also when the American Revolution starts. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Arnold is the leader of a successful attack on Fort Ticonderoga, which he did alongside a small force of Green Mountain Boys, Ethan Allen being the leader. Fort Ticonderoga was orginally named Fort Carillon by the French settlers who built it, but was eventually renamed due to the overtake by the British. -
Battle of Quebec
Benedict Arnold, after spending months traveling to Quebec, loses the battle for Quebec, getting his leg injured in the process. During the journey, food was scarce, men were dying, and the battle was one of the first major losses for the American Continental Army to the British defenders of Quebec City. -
Battle of Valcour Island
Arnold continued on with his journey, leading a fleet of weak ships to the British in the Battle of Valcour Island, which was located on Lake Champlain. Although the Americans lost, it did help to stall the British's plans to reach the upper Hudson Valley. Arnold retreated during the war, due to the lack of ships and men. He escaped during the night. -
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Battle of Saratoga
Due to conflicts with the opposing side (specifically John Andre), Benedict was given a bad rap and was contemplating resignation, having broken his leg as well. Washington said otherwise, making him win another war, the Battle of Saratoga. December 18, 1777 was a day of Thanksgiving declared by Washington due to the victory. -
Peggy Shippen
Arnold marries Peggy Shippen, who was just 18 at the time. He was 38. The reason why Peggy married him was because of her familiarity to both sides of the war. It is also has been said that she faked hysteria while hosting a party for Washington that allowed them to assume that she had nothing to do with her husband's betrayal. -
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The End of the Traitor
After permanently moving to London in 1791, Arnold tries multiple business ventures but with no success, due to his reputation as a traitor of America. He then died on June 14, 1801 due to a health decline at the age of 60. He was buried next to his wife after she died three years later. Benedict Arnold remains one of the notorious traitors in U.S. history. There is even a monument of his boot where the Battle of Saratoga was held, "but nowhere does it mention the name Benedict Arnold." -
Turn to the British
Arnold decides to attempt to end the war by siding with the British, telling them what the Americans' activities were so they would be prepared. This meant that the British had to win to avoid getting executed by his own men for his betrayal. He surrenders West Point to the British while communicating with John Andre, a British officer of high ranking. -
Arnold's Plot is Revealed
Benedict's plan is later revealed by four militiamen of the American Continental Army. This would later lead to John Andre's death. -
John Andre's Death
John Andre then gets executed (hanged) by the Americans, due to his connections with Benedict. His last words were: "You all bear me witness that I meet my fate as a brave man."