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Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Arnold was appointed a colonel in the Massachusetts's militia in 1775Events February 9 American Revolutionary War: British Parliament declares Massachusetts in rebellion March 23 American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech " give me liberty or give me death" in Williamsburg, Virginia. April 14 American Re. He and Ethan AllenThis article is about an American Revolutionary. For the armsmaker of the same name see: Ethan Allen (armsmaker). Ethan Allen ( January 10, (O. January 21, (N. 1738 1789) was a guerilla leader in Vermont (at the time, a lightly populated region known prio captured Fort TiconderogaFort Ticonderoga is a large 18th century fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access to the north end of Lake George in the state of New York, USA. The fort controlled both commonly used trade rout, gaining needed supplies and cannons that were later used in the Siege of BostonThe Siege of Boston ( April 19, 1775 March 17, 1776) was the opening phase of the active American Revolutionary War. As a siege it was only partially successful, but it played an important role in the creation of a real Continental Army and promoting the. In 1775Events February 9 American Revolutionary War: British Parliament declares Massachusetts in rebellion March 23 American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech " give me liberty or give me death" in Williamsburg, Virginia. April 14 American Re Arnold also led an expeditionary force from Boston to QuebecQuebec ( In Detail) ( In Detail) National Motto: Je me souviens (I remember CapitalLargest city Quebec City Montreal Area Total % fresh water 2nd largest(1st lgst prov. 1 542 056 km² 11,5% Population Total (2004) Density Ranked 2nd 7 509 928 5,43/km² Admi and participated in an unsuccessful attack in the Battle of QuebecThe Battle of Quebec was an attempt on December 31, 1775 by American revolutionaries to capture the Canadian city of Quebec and enlist Canadian support for the Revolutionary War. Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery were two of the American commanders i.

Arnold was eventually promoted to the rank of brigadier general and in 1776This article is about the year 1776. For the musical, see 1776 (musical Events January 10 Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense March 17 American Revolutionary War: British forces evacuate Boston, Massachusetts after George Washington places artillery overl oversaw the construction of America's first gunships on Lake Champlain, in the town of Whitehall, NY. This earned Whitehall the nickname "Birthplace of the U.S. Navy" and under Arnold's leadership and cunning the new flotilla defeated a vastly superior British enemy fleet near Valcour Island, NY on October 11, 1776.

In 1777, Arnold was passed over by the Continental Congress for a promotion to a major generalship. Although he had no command of his own, he played a vital role in defeating the British at the Battle of Saratoga. He was wounded while rallying troops, and nearly lost his leg as a result.

He was a friend of George Washington and a superior strategist who was well-liked by his men. Nevertheless, his political enemies caused him to be court-martialed several times, notably on June 1 1779. Arnold was a principled man who felt that the Revolutionary War should be a dispute purely between Britain and her colonies without intervention from France. When General Washington and the Continental Congress made an alliance with France against Britain, he disagreed strongly and began to pass information to British forces. Arnold's Loyalist wife, Peggy Shippen, acted as his agent. Through his wife, Arnold corresponded with British Major John André, (a past suitor).

In 1780, he negotiated with British General Henry Clinton to hand over the American fort at West Point, New York to the British for 20,000 sterling (about $1,000,000 today). His plans were discovered when his courier, British Major John André, was captured with incriminating documents. The capture of John André was considered so significant that a special award, known as the Fidelity Medallion, was created by the Continental Congress for those who had participated in John André's capture.

Learning of André's capture, Arnold escaped and joined the British forces. He was appointed Brigadier General in the British Army and engaged Continental forces on a few occasions, but was mostly an insignificant factor in the rest of the war. His one moment of significance occurred on January 5, 1781 when Richmond, Virginia was burned by British naval forces led by Arnold. As for Arnold's wife Peggy, she feigned innocence in the whole affair and with George Washington's permission, was sent to Philadelphia by carriage. However, Arnold's two aides-de-camp at West Point, Richard Varick and David Franks, fell under suspicion for complicity. Both were subsequently cleared and continued to serve the American cause.

Within the United States, the name of Benedict Arnold is a synonym for "traitor." Outside the United States, however, he is thought of in more neutral terms. In Canada and the United Kingdom he is regarded as a traitor who became a patriot, while Americans consider him to have done the reverse. Arnold explained his actions in an open letter titled " To the Inhabitants of America". In a letter to his former friend Washington, he stated, "love to my country actuates my present conduct, however it may appear inconsistent to the world, who very seldom judge right of any man's actions".

Arnold is buried in the crypt of St. Mary's Church Battersea, London, in the uniform of a Continental soldier.