Aside from the founders, one of the most notable figures of the Revolutionary War was Benedict Arnold. While his name is associated with betraying the revolutionary cause he once embraced, the story of Arnold’s road to treason is less well known.

Born in 1741, Benedict Arnold was one of six children from a prominent Connecticut family. Arnold’s father settled in Norwich, squandered much of the family estate in poor business deals and became an alcoholic. Benedict was described as handsome, charismatic and energetic. He was supremely confident in his abilities, outspoken and aggressive — quick to give and take offense. Hard-working and highly intelligent, Arnold became a successful merchant who spent time at sea, acquiring maritime skills that would prove useful during the Revolutionary War.

Historian James Martin writes that up until Arnold’s act of betrayal in September 1780, George Washington enthusiastically supported his “fighting general.” It’s not hard to understand why.

In May 1775, the combined forces of Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen captured Fort Ticonderoga near the south end of Lake Champlain.

In September 1775, Washington sent Arnold to attack Quebec City in the hope of bringing that French speaking province into the war — the 14th colony — against England. It was a grueling campaign as Arnold’s men, mostly volunteers from New England, made their way through the Maine wilderness then endured a brutal Canadian winter. The mission ultimately failed, but Arnold — who suffered the first of two debilitating leg wounds — performed heroically.

Historian Nathaniel Philbrick writes Arnold possessed that rare military talent of “almost instantly assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy” and responding accordingly.

In one of the first naval battles of the war, October 1776, Arnold put his seafaring knowledge to use at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain. Although he lost 11 ships and approximately 200 men, Arnold’s defensive strategy prevented the British from controlling the waterways from Canada to New York City, giving Washington much needed time (about a year) to strengthen his forces.

Ignoring Arnold’s record of military valor and achievements, in February 1777 the Continental Congress passed him over for promotion to major general. Martin notes the five men promoted to that rank were mediocre at best, with two likely incompetent. Promotion to senior military ranks was largely contingent on an informal quota system with each colony allotted so many positions — as well as the number of friends and/or enemies one had in the Continental Congress. In April of that year, after repelling a major British attack on Danbury, Connecticut, Arnold was promoted to major general, but by then lacked the seniority of those promoted in February.

Arnold was a major figure in the Battle of Saratoga (actually two battles, Sept. 19 and Oct. 7) in the fall of 1777. Although removed from command by General Horatio Gates at the second battle, he disobeyed Gates and performed brilliantly, leading a successful attack on British defenses. According to one observer, Arnold rode across the battlefield “more like a madman than a cool and discreet officer…at full gallop back and forth.”

Arnold suffered his second serious leg wound at Saratoga as a musket ball passed through the same leg as his Quebec wound, killing his mount, the horse falling on him when it collapsed. Pinned to the ground, Arnold exhorted his troops to “Rush on!”

A comrade came upon his fallen commanding officer and asked if he was badly wounded. Arnold replied: “In the same leg, I wish it had passed through my heart.” If Arnold had been killed at Saratoga he would have been a hero of the revolution, likely second only to George Washington as the foremost military leader in the war for independence.

The Continental Congress cast a medal of Horatio Gates as “the hero of Saratoga” although he remained in the rear while Arnold, General Philip Schuyler and others led the attacks. Arnold’s leadership and bravery were largely ignored, and he would spend four months in Albany recovering from his badly wounded leg. Arnold adamantly resisted having the limb amputated, and after multiple surgeries it was two inches shorter than his good leg. He would limp for the rest of his life.

In March 1778, Arnold wrote to Washington wishing him well in his “arduous task” of “seeing peace and happiness restored to your country on the most permanent basis.” Philbrick notes that Arnold had begun to separate himself from the revolutionary cause — an endeavor in which he was losing faith.

In June 1778, while Arnold was still recuperating from his Saratoga wound, Washington made him the military governor of Philadelphia, the British army having departed after occupying that city for nine months.

The road to Arnold’s treason ran through Philadelphia.

— — —

George J. Bryjak lives in Bloomingdale and is retired after 24 years of teaching sociology at the University of San Diego. A list of sources will accompany the second part of this commentary online.