The Fall of Benedict Arnold

American Revolution
Written By Tom Hand

In June 1778, Major General Benedict Arnold, the new military commander of Philadelphia, moved into the lavish Penn mansion and began to use his position to make extra money. The following year, Joseph Reed, a powerful Pennsylvania politician who had taken a great dislike to Arnold, accused him of several illegal activities. While most charges were frivolous and dismissed, two were referred to General Washington.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, explores how Benedict Arnold went from a battlefield legend to a bitter man ready to turn on his country, and why he still matters today.

Images courtesy of Brown University Library, Library Company of Philadelphia, New York Public Library, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, Penn Libraries, Mount Vernon, Wikipedia. 

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In June 1780, Benedict and Peggy Arnold asked two old acquaintances who were congressmen from New York, Robert Livingston and Phillip Schuyler, to request that General George Washington give Arnold the command of Fortress West Point. Unaware of Arnold’s true motives and wanting to help their friend, both congressmen complied. Arnold was now certain West Point would soon be his to give away.

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The Benedict Arnold who was named military commander of the Philadelphia region in 1778 was not the same man whose battlefield exploits had made him an early American legend. When Arnold had led his contingent of New Haven militiamen to the siege of Boston in April 1775, he was a wealthy, incredibly athletic man intent on helping the United States gain its independence.

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General John Burgoyne had captured Fort Ticonderoga on July 6 and was advancing south. General George Washington requested that Congress send his most trusted field commander, Benedict Arnold to stop Burgoyne. Washington informed Congress that without Arnold “the most disagreeable consequences may be apprehended.”

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Tom Hand
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Benedict Arnold’s Betrayal Begins
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The Hero of Saratoga