“Some people are more formed for dividing than uniting”

In the novel Valiant Ambition, historian Nathaniel Philbrick describes the key roles Benedict Arnold played in the outcome of the American Revolution, first as a patriot and then as a traitor.

Benedict Arnold’s contributions as a war hero, beloved by the nation, came during the early years of the Revolution. At the Battle of Valcour he used cunning strategy to battle the British fleet to a stalemate on Lake Champlain – even though he was commanding a much smaller and less capable US fleet.

Benedict Arnold

After that he was instrumental in helping the Americans capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British and then he rallied the Continental Army soldiers to a victory at the Battle of Saratoga – where he suffered a debilitating leg wound that hobbled him for the rest of his life.

By all accounts the fighting men who served under General Arnold showed great respect for his bravery, decisiveness and leadership skills – and George Washington himself considered Arnold one of his most effective military commandeers.

Benedict Arnold’s early victories in the Revolutionary War were important for three reasons: 1) they emboldened the new American colonies to believe that they could actually defeat the mighty British; 2) they encouraged Colonists who were on the fence about the war effort to choose the side of independence; and 3) they legitimized the American cause in the eyes of the world giving France the justification they were looking for to declare themselves an ally in the fight against the British.

After the Battle of Saratoga, George Washington assigned Benedict Arnold to the post of military overseer of Philadelphia so that he could recover from the injury suffered to his leg. Arnold felt that he had sacrificed much of his financial and physical well-being in service of his country and believed that he was entitled to take advantage of the power that came with his new commission to profit illegally from the many wartime deals that were being made in the city.

While serving in Philadelphia, Benedict Arnold also fell in love with the 18 year old daughter of a wealthy loyalist family and he was looking for schemes to make money so that he could convince her influential father that he was a worthy suitor. During this time of recuperation Arnold began to become bitter and disillusioned with the leaders responsible for the war effort as well as the lack of support from the American colonists.

He saw that the volunteer army was woefully understaffed and underfunded and that the Continental Congress was at the mercy of the States to supply Federal wartime needs. The Congress had no power to levy taxes and they would wage political battles with the States to try to convince them to provide the military with the recruits, arms, uniforms and food that were necessary to fight and win the war.

George Washington had to travel to Philadelphia more than once during the war to plead with Congress about the woeful condition of his army and to warn them about the immediate need for supplies that were necessary to continue the war cause. After one of these visits, Washington wrote to a friend:

“The greatest enemy to overcome is ourselves. Party disputes and personal quarrels are the great business of the day, whilst the momentous concerns of an empire are but secondary considerations and postponed from day to day, from week to week as if our affairs wore the most promising aspect”

Arnold saw all this and felt that while the states professed they wanted Independence, they were unwilling to pay for it or make any great sacrifices to achieve it. He began to think that if the States were not committed to supplying the army with the resources they needed to ultimately win the war then maybe it would be best for America to lose and remain a British colony.

Joseph Reed was President of Philadelphia’s Supreme Executive Council during Arnold’s time and he did not like Benjamin Arnold or the way that he was administering the city. In his position he had broad powers to investigate and prosecute individuals. He began a tireless crusade against Benedict Arnold that resulted in his indictment on corruption and malfeasance charges.

The harassment from Joseph Reed further alienated Benedict Arnold from the American cause and made him angry as he saw himself being passed over for promotion and saw others getting credit for his actions. Instead he was made to defend himself against the corruption charges at a Court Martial trial that was presided over by George Washington himself.

Prior to the scheduled Court Martial hearing, Benedict Arnold wrote a letter to Washington complaining about the ingratitude of his countrymen and warning George Washington that he could suffer a similar fate if he was not careful:

“I am heartily tired with my journey and almost so with human nature. I daily discover so much baseness and ingratitude among mankind that I almost blush at being the same species, and could quit the stage without regret was it not for some gentle generous souls in my life who still retain the lively impression of their Maker’s image, and who with smiles of benignity and goodness, make all happy around them”

 “Let me beg of you sir to consider that a set of artful unprincipled men in office may misinterpret the most innocent actions and by raising the public clamor against your Excellency place you in the same disagreeable position I am in. Having made every sacrifice of fortune and blood, and become a cripple in the service of my country, I little expected to receive the ungrateful returns I have received of my countrymen, but as Congress have stamped ingratitude as a a current coin I must take it. I wish your Excellency for your long and eminent services may not be paid of in the same coin”

Ultimately, Arnold was acquitted during the Court Martial proceedings; not because he was innocent but because there was not enough evidence to convict him on the charges. However, the experience hardened Arnold and it reinforced in his mind that the best course of action for him and the American people was to side with the British.

After being exonerated, General Washington assigned Benedict Arnold to be the commandeer in charge of the West Point fortresses on the Hudson River. It was there that Arnold began conspiring with British Major John Andre (a close friend of his new wife) on a plan to have the fortresses turned over to the enemy.

Andre and Arnold met secretly on the grounds of West Point, where Arnold delivered the blueprints for the fort’s defenses and discussed the timing and strategy for the British attack plan that would lead to the American surrender of the key fortress.

The plan may have been a success had it not been for the capture of John Andre by the Americans as he attempted to travel back to British occupied New York City. They discovered the maps to the West Point forts that were hidden in his boots which led to the revelation of Benedict Arnold’s treason against his country.

When Benedict Arnold learned that Andre had been captured he escaped in his boat down the Hudson River where he was given sanctuary on a British ship of war. George Washington wrote to the British General requesting that the British turn over Benedict Arnold in exchange for the release of Major Andre. When the British refused his offer to exchange prisoners, Washington had Major Andre hung as a spy.

Benedict Arnold went on to serve as a General in the British army and to settle with his family in London after the war. His name was despised in his home country – and even though he deserted the cause for independence to help the British, he was ultimately perceived as a dishonorable man by the British populace as well.

The irony is that Benedict Arnold’s traitorous actions shocked the young American nation and united them in a way that made them stronger and more committed to overcoming the petty political infighting between the Continental Congress and the states that had been hampering the war effort. Benedict Arnold helped to win the war for independence both with his early military victories before he defected and with his final acts as a traitor.

In the book it was noted that when speaking about the temperament of Joseph Reed and Benedict Arnold one of the members of the Continental Congress said “Some people are formed more for dividing than uniting”. I wonder if the fate of Benedict Arnold, and of this country, would have been different if Joseph Reed and Benedict Arnold had been formed with temperaments more formed for uniting. I believe there is a lesson in this story for all Americans today during this time of change where we will decide whether or not we are going to be a country that unites or divides.