a brief description about the traitor Benedict Arnold

1. The life of the traitor
Benedict Arnold
By Michael Bregar

2. Rough beginnings
Benedict Arnold IV was born in Norwich, Connecticut on January 14,
1741. He was the son to Benedict Arnold, a successful business man.
Young Benedict was given the best possible education in private schools.
His father began to drink more often following the death of three of his
children. Benedict Arnold fought in the French and Indian War but deserted
to see his mother on her deathbed. After his mother's death in 1759,
Benedict Arnold III drank even more and died later on in 1761.

3. Moving to New Haven and the
beginning of a military career
Benedict IV moved to New Haven to work as a pharmacist. In 1767, he
married Margaret Mansfield, the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven. His
wife bore him three sons.
In 1775, he captured Fort Ticonderoga and was told that his wife had died.
Benedict Arnold did many things during the War for Independence. He
captured Fort Ticonderoga, he fought in the Battle of Lake Champlain in
1776 and the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. In fact, he was George
Washington's favorite general. Washington made Benedict military
commander of Philadelphia.

4. Benedict becomes a traitor
In Philadelphia, 38 year-old Benedict met the
beautiful Peggy Shippen, the daughter of a well-
known Loyalist. He eventually married her and her
loyalist beliefs spread to him. Angered both by his
officers and the Continental Congress for not giving
him the respect and the riches he deserved, Benedict
decided to change coats. Using Peggy's connections,
he contacted British Major John Andre and sent vital
information to the British. On September 21, 1780,
Benedict and Andre worked on a plot to capture the
fort of West Point, the most vital position in the
colonies. Several days later Andre was captured and
the evidence of Benedict's treasonous acts was sent
to General Washington.
Benedict joined the British and openly fought on
their side, never being fully trusted by his fellow
British officers.
Benedict in his
British Uniform

5. The Death of Benedict Arnold
When the British surrendered
and hatred for Benedict Arnold
grew, Benedict left America to
spend the rest of his days with
his wife in England. Benedict
Arnold died on June 14, 1801.
His memory has been
decontaminated from many
monuments and even now his
name is synonymous to traitor
and many will never name their
child Benedict. He was a traitor
to the Americans and he was
traitor to the English. Benedict
was a traitor in the eyes of all.