Today in History 09/21/17

Engraving depicting American army officer Benedict Arnold handing papers to British officer John Andre during the American Revolutionary War (© Stock Montage/Getty Images)(1780) Benedict Arnold plots to betray US Continental Army
General Benedict Arnold is dissatisfied with how his US Continental Army career has progressed and today meets with his ostensible enemy, British Major John André, to handover of his command, West Point, to the redcoats. His plot later exposed, Arnold’s name will become a byword for treason or betrayal.
Benedict Arnold was a general during the American Revolutionary War, who fought for the American Continental Army, and later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fortifications at West Point, New York, overlooking the cliffs at the Hudson River, and planned to surrender them to British forces. This plan was exposed in September 1780. He was commissioned into the British Army as a brigadier general.
Born: Jan 14, 1741 · Norwich, CT
Died: Jun 14, 1801 · London, England
Spouse: Peggy Shippen (m. 1779 – 1804) · Margaret Mansfield (m. 1767 – 1775)
Buried: St Mary’s Church, Battersea
Children: Lt.-Gen. James Robertson Arnold (Son) · John Sage Arnold (Son) · Capt. William Fitch Arnold (Son) · Sophia Matilda Phipps (Daughter) · Henry Arnold (Son) · Lt. Richard Arnold (Son) · Lt.-Col. George Arnold (Son) · Lt. Edward Shippen Arnold (Son) · Captain Benedict Arnold, VI (Son) · Mary Arnold (Daughter)
Parents: Hannah Arnold (Mother)
Highlights
  • 1776: Arnold was promoted to brigadier general for his role in reaching Quebec, and he maintained an ineffectual siege of the city until he was replaced by Major General David Wooster in April 1776.

  • 1776: General Washington assigned Arnold to the defense of Rhode Island, following the British seizure of Newport in December 1776, where the militia were too poorly equipped to even consider an attack on the British.

  • 1779: Peggy and Arnold married on April 8, 1779.

  • 1780: In July 1780, he was awarded command of West Point.

  • 1780: On August 3, 1780, Arnold obtained command of West Point.

  • 1801: He died after four days of delirium on June 14, 1801, at the age of 60.

wiki/Benedict_Arnold
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