Benedict Arnold Research Paper

The book opens to a grim scene of a crowded field, filled with angry and shocked people, surrounding the gallows and looking at the road ahead as a band marched in playing a funeral march. Behind the band marched the broken and defeated Benedict Arnold, former general of the rebel army and traitor to the new country of The United States, in prison rags and shackles. The somber scene concludes with Arnold swallowing his saliva and marching onward towards his sure death. The story of Benedict Arnold begins 39 years earlier in the port town of Norwich, Connecticut. Benedict Arnold was born to a wealthy family in Norwich in one of the coldest winter months ever recorded. He was named after his dead brother of the same name and was some what of a rebel in his younger days. His parents sent him off to a respected boarding school where his real troubles began. In August of 1753 he received a letter from his mother, Hannah. It told of an awful outbreak of yellow fever in Norwich that is soon to claim the lives of his younger sisters Mary and Hannah. Two weeks later he received a follow up, in which his mother stated that Hannah was out of danger but his 8 year old sister, Mary, was dead. Soon after, Benedict's youngest sister, Elizabeth, died of yellow fever. As his pranks and tricks at school became increasingly violent, Benedict's father's shipping business was dying and his drinking problem got worse. Benedict

It is believed that Benedict Arnold was a great general in the revolutionary war. He fought beside George Washington in the continental army. When he was a general for the continental army he had a couple of successful raids and took over british forts. He was also promoted to colonel by Benjamin church. He was doing great during his time with the continental army and his comrades trusted him, and he was praised for his successful attacks. Even though, a couple of his companions did bully and mess with him, they still found him useful when it came to taking over british forts and achieving bountiful attacks towards the british. He even got hurt during an attack on the british. George Washington sent Arnold to attack Quebec where he hurt his knee. As a result, his attack in Quebec failed miserably. This really shows that Benedict arnold was trying his best to be great man and do what was right. After Arnold had done so many

He contributed many key parts to the success of the American independence and led the American army into some of their most important battles to give them independence. In most cases, “t​he situation was worse than they realized, and no one perceived this as clearly as Washington. Seeing things as they were, and not as he would wish them to be,

Benedict Arnold sacrificed a lot for the greater good of the American people. Arnold is not given recognition for all of the victories that he had been involved in and at a time during a promotion he gets passed up by low ranking, less talented, less dedicated men than himself. “Major General Horatio Gates took credit for the victory. As if that weren’t enough of an insult, Congress had promoted five officers-all Arnold’s juniors and most far less talented-over him. Even back then politics was part of the equation as Congress ignored Washington's consistent backing and praise for Arnold, whom he admired as a fierce soldier.” (Beck 105). Also, “Benedict Arnold was a hero before he turned traitor. And just how he turned is a complicated story. Arnold made his name in upstate New York, fighting for control of a chain of

General Washington was respected not just by the rank and file, but also by people in all parts of the colonies. Although he did not inspire his men to fanatical loyalty as Napoleon or Nelson, the troops under his command knew they could count upon his valor, military judgment, and fair justice always. (Morison, p. 314-5) Everyone, from the highest gentleman in Congress to the lowest private in the Army, could depend on George Washington's character at all times.

The reasons why he started talking to the British was that he was really irritated with the American government for not considering him as a significant person. The American government did not consider him as a statesman, and loyal was that they thought Arnold used the army for his personal needs. In addition, Arnold went to the British side because he was not getting sufficient money from the American government, and he had a lot of debt to pay. The British offered Benedict Arnold lot money, to him to join into the British forces. The British also assured that he will be in a high seat in the British, but the British never trusted him because the fact that he is working for the British army now, would not change the fact that he is American.

We must fight against the dreadful British. Patrick Henry wrote the “Speech in the Virginia Convention” to urge the colonists to fight for independence from Great Britain. Henry shows a great amount of strength and patriotism in his speech. This, along with other strategies, aids him in persuading the colonists. Patrick Henry’s influential, “Speech in the Virginia Convention” rightfully uses aristotelian appeals and rhetorical strategies to persuade the colonists to declare war against the British.

Two years later, Benedict had one of his greatest achievements. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning poin tof the American Revolution and with Benedict's aid he had helped make the victory possible. On September 19th, Arnold had persistantly asked his commanding officer,Horatio Gates,into sending a group of riflemen into the west woods around Freeman's farm. Gates had given Benedict his permission and Benedict eagarly sent out some of the best riflemen in that area. (General)

Yet in early spring at Valley Forge General Nathanel Greene was appointed quartermaster. Conditions for the members of the continental army greatly improved. Food was in abundance as well as clothing and soldiers took full advantage of it. While the American soldiers were very valiant, they lacked the discipline and skills of a true army. This soon changed will the arrival of Baron Von Stueben. Von Stueben quickly turned the continental army into a true “army.” Leaving Valley Forge Washington and his men had a renewed sense of patriotism. They were now a united army with the skills to defeat the British although they had suffered great losses they had made great achievements and were now truly an army. The winter of Valley Forge exemplified the true will of General George Washington and his troops. They were united and they were ready to fight for one cause life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Prior to the war Arnold became a captain in the Governor's Second Company of Guards. Eager for action, Arnold and his men marched off to Cambridge and asked for the commission of the Massachusetts committee of safety to capture Fort Ticonderoga. Along the way Arnold’s group met up with Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. Despite their differences the groups successfully captured the fort on May 10th by surprising the British Garrison. As the Green Mountain Boys raided the rum stores Arnold was in an argument about credit in capture of the fort. Arnold lost the argument and he received very little credit in the report to Congress.

Although Benedict Arnold was a traitor to America in the American Revolution, he was a somewhat valuable general. Benedict Arnold did retire from his position after the soldiers repeatedly complained about him. This happened because of his hot temper, impulsiveness, and impatience. With these not-so-great traits about him, it earned him many enemies that would accuse him of false actions.

Although we never fully discover the humanness of Arnold, one thing is for sure, “He invites fear rather than attraction when he claims to know things about her family and neighbors that he couldn’t possibly know.”(SparkNotes Editors)

Prior to the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold was a captain in the Governor's Second Company of Guards. When hearing about the battles of Lexington and Concord, Arnold and his men became eager for action. They marched off to Cambridge to ask for the commission of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to capture Fort Ticonderoga. Along the way, Arnold’s group met up with Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. Arnold and Allen disputed about who was in total command but Arnold’s attempt to take command was futile so he accompanied the Green Mountain Boys with Allen as leader. On May 10th, the two groups successfully captured the fort by surprising the British Garrison.

Revolutionary War. He led his forces to victory over the British. which made him a national hero.

On the same day the petition was sent out, Franklin finally decided to let the public know where he stood on this great political issue. Rather than giving a moving speech or making obviously rebellious actions, Benjamin chose to write a letter to a dear friend in England, William Strahan.