Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741. He was a general in the Continental Army who defected towards the British side during the American Revolutionary War. In the Continental Army he became well known for successful campaigns, but slowly he became dissatisfied. It began with what he felt was too little recognition for his participation during the raid of Fort Ticonderoga. Five years after Ticonderoga in 1780 he conspired with the British to take control of the fort at West Point in New York. Luckily Benedict’s plan failed. If successful in the raid, the British would have split the colonies in half with their control over the Hudson River. Benedict avoided immediate capture by the Continental Army. After his escape he joined the British Army and after some time became a general. In America his name is synonymous with traitor.

Thanks to Iain C. for his comments on the show!

I have changed the name of the mp3 file so it will more easily read in the small ipod window.

HP09_072805.mp3

Links:

A Letter to the Inhabitants of America

Green Mountain Boys

Committee of Safety

Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold (Unforgettable Americans)

Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered

Dark Eagle : A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution

Benedict Arnold: Misunderstood Hero?

Benedict Arnold: A Traitor in Our Midst