Benedict Arnold: Tragic Hero

Much has been written about Benedict Arnold over the years, and recently movies. Mostly they had been unflattering, so much so, that “Benedict Arnold” is synonymous with treachery and betrayal, much as “Judas Iscariot” was to the generations before Arnold’s plan to surrender West Point during the American Revolution.


With revisionist trends in history which seem to tear down our heroes in the pursuit of “truth” the investigation into Arnold’s actions do not justify them, but explains and offers a more balanced view. After two hundred and more years after his death a more complete Benedict Arnold emerges, one that was a hero, a tragic hero that on the outset, loved and fought fiercely for his country.

Born in 1741 to what would be considered well to do family, the family fortunes changed rapidly over the years, with poor business practices, his father’s drinking, and eventually the passing of both parents. The reversal of fortunes over time left Arnold with his own drive for personal wealth and financial security. He had apprenticed as an apothecary to a family member, taking time away from the business to fight in the French and Indian War. Eventually he purchased wares in Europe and opened his own shop in New Haven.

With the Crown restricting trade and increasing taxation Arnold earned extra income through smuggling. This would foreshadow the practices he would be accused of during the revolution.

He entered the fight for independence as a captain when he heard of the battles of Lexington and Concord. Eager for battle, he proposed an attack on Fort Ticonderoga. On his march he encountered Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, a group of rough, free booting rangers. As a commissioned soldier Arnold felt Allen should be subordinate to him, but had no way to enforce it, the rangers simply went about as they liked including celebrating the taking of the fort with the British stock of rum.

During the invasion of Canada Arnold showed his determination as well as his temper, especially when feeling slighted. He and Ethan Allen once more could not work well together, but they cobbled together a navy of small gun boats to challenge the British on Lake Champlain, these were to be the first naval engagement between the rebels and the Crown.

During this fighting, Colonel Easton, serving under Arnold had returned to Massachusetts, diminishing Arnold's contributions, while trying to highlight his own. Eventually Arnold's temper would force him to challenge Easton to a duel, which the other refused. With the violence pending, Allen and Easton left and Arnold was ordered to serve under another commander. Arnold refused, resigning his commission and writing Congress over the affronts.

Arnold had also attempted to regain his expenses from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, which only paid him a fraction of what he was owed. During the Revolution, soldiers, officers especially, paid out of pocket, even outfitting their men. Arnold was not rich but affluent, and he wanted to stay that way, he would go to Congress to recoup the rest of the amount. This constant struggle to receive his monies as well as addressing congress with grievances was a pattern Arnold would continue throughout the war.

Awarding Connecticut the lion's share of the plunder from Fort Ticonderoga over Arnold's Massachusetts further incensed the soldier. The above is an example of events through out Arnold's career. Benedict Arnold lived for glory and recognition; he was a brilliant warrior and wished to be recognized as such. He vied against many others that also chased such accolades but he lacked others' political savvy.

One ally Arnold had been George Washington. The General proposed Arnold to the Continental Congress to join the expedition into Canada under General Schuyler. Schuyler gave Arnold free rein and the soldier conducted an incredible march into Quebec; earning him accolades as a Hannibal for the Revolution. Weather, desertions, and lack of supplies plagued Arnold, but he held his company together to reach the St. Lawrence. December 1775 saw battle and small pox decimating Arnold's troops. Arnold took a bullet to the leg, shouting orders even when he was laid up wounded. Montreal could not be held, the battle was lost, but for his efforts he was made Brigadier General.

The Battle of Saratoga in the fall of 1777 once more showed Benedict Arnold's importance as a leader of men and a general that was vital to the revolution. Arnold was under the command of Horatio Gates. Arnold was eager for battle but Gates held him back, actually relieving him of his command for insubordination. The battle was engaged and Arnold, tiring of sitting it out took his horse and led a body of men into the center of the British forces, causing a collapse that allowed the American forces to capitalize to victory. During this battle Arnold had his mount shot out from under him, reinjuring the leg that was wounded in Canada.

The result of the American victory convinced France to throw its full support behind the fledgling nation. Horatio Gates, who had been hesitant and arguable an overly cautious if not out and out bad general, took credit for what was really Arnold's victory. Gates was vying to take Washington's position as Commander and Chief of the Army, and went so far as to send his reports directly to Congress rather than to Washington as commander of the army.

Benedict Arnold was now crippled, joining Washington at Valley Forge for the infamous winter, his seniority restored by Congress though the damage had been done and the stage set. Washington appointed Arnold as commandant of Philadelphia after the British abandoned it. It was there that Arnold met his second wife Peggy Shippen.

Shippen, twenty years Arnold's junior, came from an affluent family, giving Arnold the status he craved, but his income could not afford it. He engaged in inappropriate shipping practices, using his position as commandant. He was court-maritaled on the charges, and was convicted of improperly using government property and speculation. It should be noted that, like today, it was an atmosphere of "do as I say not as I do" Congress members were speculators in their own fight for freedom, back room deals for supplies and bankrolling their own privateers which put them at odds with the fledgling Navy. The attacks on Arnold were politically motivated, as much as Arnold had few supporters. The attacks were likely aimed at Washington as well as Arnold's friend and ally.

Benedict Arnold would war with Congress, defending his good name, seeking redress for financial losses, and protesting the slights he was given in promotion and responsibility. Time and again he was hailed a hero but those junior to him would be promoted over him, many because of patronage within Congress.

Arnold, through his wife, a Tory from her time with the occupying British in Philadelphia offered to turn coat to them. The prize was West Point, and some speculate, Washington himself. The price: 10,000 pounds and a commission as a provincial Brigadier General. During the negotiations Major John Andre served as the go between (a friend of Peggy Shippen and possibly former lover) Andre was captured and a missive between Arnold and General Clinton was discovered. Andre was tried and hanged as a spy. Arnold escaped down river on the British sloop Vulture. It is speculated that Arnold actually offered to trade himself to win Andre's freedom.

Arnold would not be entrusted by the British with anything important; he served in command during a couple of raid like battles in Virginia. He would attempt to serve his new country as well as restart his shipping business, but he had earned the reputation of being untrustworthy, having betrayed one country might he not do so again? He died in London in 1801.

Benedict Arnold was a great general, brilliant leader of men, and a patriot. Had he the patronage that men like Gates enjoyed, or the charisma and wealth of Washington his story might have been different.

He was also a tragic hero. Arnold had personality flaws that led to his downfall. He could not control his temper; he took slight easily, making him a political sitting duck. He did not have the resources or networks that Washington had to keep him informed or whisper in the right ear in Congress. He had the patronage of Washington, but the General was trying to win a nation. He also had the misfortune of marrying into a moneyed Tory family. Had he not married Peggy Shippen, he might have taken the battle-command offered to him by Washington instead of West Point.

Benedict Arnold was the tragic hero of fiction, but on the stage of History. He was the dark mirror of George Washington. Washington was of the South, Arnold the North, both men were moneyed, yet Washington was able to magnanimously serve his country without pay, where Arnold struggled to receive recompense. Both men were seekers of glory and adventure, yet Washington was understated, almost humble in his pursuit. Both had a love of their fledgling country, Washington was able to stay the course and Arnold fell.

A clever writer would have been fortunate to write such characters! Through the lens of history, as a person might read a novel, we see the speeding freight train that is Benedict Arnold's hurtling career. We see time and again he is looked over, abused, and ignored. He suffers indignities despite his valiant efforts in the cause of freedom. One could see what was coming for Arnold and wish they could look away because of the tragedy unfolding. The reader knows Arnold is doomed, they see what is driving him to his end, through his own choices he is damned, yet one could almost sympathize with him.

What glory might he have known then? Would his name be revered with the other great generals like Greene? Or would his debts and temper have led him to obscurity instead of infamy? Is it better to be a villain than to be forgotten? But such is the speculation of fiction. What we have is history. Arnold was an unfortunate man who made a fateful decision that resonates to this day.

The American War for Independence: Pulp Fiction?

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze


I am reading a book right now called Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer. It occurs to me that The Revolutionary War is a pulp story that even the best writers could not imagine: one that if written as fiction today would have been rejected by publishers as simply trite with too many coincidences to aid the heroes. But it happened; we are a nation today because of unbelievable circumstances combined with determined men and women that stayed the course to make independence happen.
Anyone who knows me knows my passion for this period and those that created this nation. But this is not a blog on history or politics and none of this information is new, Joseph Ellis and many others have written numerous volumes on the Revolution. I was just thinking of what to post it occurred to me that I need to write pulp adventures set in the Revolution. This is actually not a new idea; there are several novelists who have written fantasy and romance in this era. I could compile quite a list.
Let's take the figures that are most prominent: Washington and Franklin.
George Washington: Commander and Chief of the Continental Army, first President of the United States, and pulp action hero. No? Many have called him America's First Action Hero long before me. Think of the man's life, Louis L'amour could have written this character! He was the right man at the right time, with the right experience and skill set to see this war through.
George Washington was a big man, standing at about 6'4", immensely strong, active, and sat a horse as if he were a centaur. As a young man (seventeen years old) he was a surveyor in the wilds Virginia. At twenty-two with the Virginia militia he fought in the Seven Years War, taking in French strength in the Ohio frontier. He took command of troops that had been routed through the inept leadership of General Edward Braddock. He had two horses shot out from under him and afterward found four bullet holes in his uniform coat, but had come through without a scratch!
After his brother's death he inherited wealth and land, securing his position in society with his marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis, adding her wealth and land to his own holdings. He was a brilliant business man, cunning in his political dealings, and had the uncanny ability to lead men. During the war he showed time and again, despite interference from Congress, he knew that the war would be won by wearing down the stronger, larger British army. He knew too that he needed victories, such as Trenton when his forces crossed the Delaware on that fateful Christmas.
Like true pulp fiction, a convergence of events aided Washington's victory as well as ramped up the tension which left success in doubt; from the mud and wet that bogged down Washington, to the storm that hit as he was trying to cross the Delaware trying to hamper his attack, putting the pre-dawn timing in question. This storm aided Washington because the weather kept the Hessians from posting the sentries that would have been on duty. As well as the British continental style of battle called "Winter Quarters". Howe having a mistress in New York helped hamper pursuit of Washington's army as well, but that is another story.
The battles that immediately followed were just as harrowing, from the Battle of Assunpink Creek to Princeton where Washington fought with guile to beat General Cornwallis. These battles were turning points of the American Revolution, giving Congress the confidence they lacked in Washington since the losses in New York. It also made the French take notice, helping bring that nation to the aid of the rebels.
Like a true action hero Washington laid down command (taking no pay while acting as Commander in Chief) when the war was over, refusing to lead an officer backed coup to set himself up as king. He was then asked twice to sit as President of the United States.

Ben Franklin was the cerebral hero of the pulps. In many tales of fiction he is mad inventor, a wizard, and spy. Reality is just as pulpish. He was an inventor, author, politician, ambassador, schemer, and sage. From his early printing days to creating the first public libraries and volunteer fire departments, he was always thinking. His greatest pulp adventures occurred when he was overseas in London then France. At first he fought hard to preserve America's ties to England, a warm fraternal affection should exist, but as time passed he saw that "an island cannot rule a continent". In France he used cunning and guile to persuade the French to give aid, money, and eventually troops to America. So great was his presence in that country that he was idolized like a rock star, including the sales of memorabilia. He was there to sign the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It seemed that Ben Franklin, almost through happenstance was present at ever major turning point that began the history of the United States.
Both Franklin and Washington had events in their lives that were the "calls to adventure" that drew them into giving their full fledged support to independence, when initially neither man were looking to break from England.
For Washington it seemed matters of honor, pride, and finance drove him to the new adventure. I think too, a drive to be a part of history. During this period the British military model had it own aristocracy; as a colonial, Washington, no matter his wealth, could not be a part of it. The most he could hope for was a commission in the militia, which would be subordinate to British officers, of even inferior rank. This left a bitter taste of second-class citizenship in the American aristocrat's mouth. Second were the taxes being levied by England to pay for the Seven Year's War, as an importer of finery and merchant, he was plagued by the unfair tax practice. And lastly, Washington saw himself as a military man. When he would order his clothes from England, he would order them in sizes that were actually too small for his robust frame because he was "outsized" to how a gentleman should be built. But his military uniforms, those were tailored to fit.
For Franklin his initial drive was to preserve the ties that bound America to England. He tried every diplomatic avenue, but the turning point for him was when he addressed Privy Council and was verbally humiliated. He had obtained letters of Governor Hutchinson's, proving that there was little serious consideration on England's part for peace. He left England and threw his efforts into the cause of Independence.
These two men were first among many, like Paul Revere, the Swamp Fox Francis Marion, even the vilified Benedict Arnold. They all were larger than life, living adventures that kept children wide eyed in the telling. These adventures were too wild for fiction.
History is rife with events and personages that create the stories that would otherwise be taken as heart stopping fiction, a lesson Jeff Shaara learned well when he wrote Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause, and has further followed the same formula with The American Civil War and both world wars. Pulp authors have looked to history for their inspiration for events and characters. Robert E. Howard and Arthur Conan Doyle are just two who did so to thrill and entertain.
So my suggestion is that you hit a wiki or better, the library, and read the real pulp fiction of our nation's founding and beyond.