Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor

American Revolutionary General and Traitor, these are titles that Benedict Arnold has

held in history books for centuries. Though he was considered one of the best war commanders

in U.S. History, it is the title of traitor that he is best known for. Arnold successfully led soldiers

at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Though he received great respect for commanding soldiers in

other battles, it was the Battle of Saratoga that won him great praise from Commander in Chief,

George Washington.

Because Washington had such high regard for Arnold, he wrote Congress a letter of

recommendation to promote Benedict Arnold from General to Major General. Instead of Arnold

being pleased with this gesture, he declined the promotion of Major General … at first. Arnold

felt slighted by Congress for promoting General Gates, who had somehow taken credit for the

victory at Saratoga.

Congress never paid Arnold while in battle and he was forced to pay his troops with his

own money. They withheld his back-pay and reimbursement. Due to Arnold’s leg injury at

Saratoga, he had become crippled, impoverished, bankrupt and his business in shambles.

Because of these misfortunes, Arnold felt that nothing could make him want to wear the

Continental Army uniform ever again. That is, until he saw Washington’s strong belief that God

was with them and the cause. The cause being the miracle that thirteen separate states would one

day become a nation. Arnold then accepts Washington’s promotion.

Washington named him Military Governor of Philadelphia and Arnold’s first assignment

was to watch Congressman Joseph Reed from Pennsylvania. Reed was on a mission to punish

every loyalist that remained in Philadelphia. Society at this time was made of three sides, the
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Patriots, the Loyalists and the Neutralist. Arnold intervened on the attacks made on loyalist by

patriot townspeople. This assignment would prove to be Arnold’s demise in the sense that his

battle with Reed would lead to several attacks against Arnold, both legally and physically. Reed

ran the local newspaper and published articles that attacked Arnold’s character and soon charges

of malfeasance were filed against him. Arnold was using his military office for private gain. He

demanded a court martial and was found “not guilty” but was still reprimanded by Washington.

At the heart of all this drama was a loyalist woman named Peggy Shipman, whom Arnold

fell madly in love with and married. This led to the townspeople rioting at his home. Congress

refused to send any troops to protect him and his family. Then, at the urging of Reed, congress

removed him from being military governor and went as far as to send him a bill for the wagons

he had made use of while in his military position and refused to give him his back pay. Arnold

was personally hurt by the treatment he had received from congress.

This left Arnold vulnerable to his wife’s beliefs – her loyalist beliefs. Even though

Arnold made it known to his wife that he would never betray his country, all her talk finally

wore him down. Peggy was able to talk him into switching sides. He succumbed to her advice,

with the belief that Britain would make him a king of some sort in the new loyalist colonies.

With his mind made up, Arnold met with Washington to discuss his disappointment over

the reprimand that was ruled against him. Washington explained that his hands were pretty

much tied to that decision, but he still wanted to offer Arnold command of the entire left wing of

the main army. This position would put him second in command, with only Washington over

him. Arnold was excited over the offer, but Peggy convinced him to turn it down and instead ask

for command of West Point. Though Washington was deeply disappointed, he did not refuse his

request.
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Peggy convinced Arnold to lose faith in everything he believed in: the Revolution, his

country, and even, George Washington. Arnold agreed to turn over West Point to the British for

compensation. Arnold was not only offering up West Point, but as a bonus, he was giving up

Washington as well. The plan almost worked if not for British Major John Andre’ being

captured with the discriminating documents given to him by Arnold. Arnold was notified by

messenger that Andre’ had been captured and Washington was on his way to West Point.

Arnold knew the plot was soon to be uncovered and he made his escape to a British ship close

by.

This film portrays the events of what led to Benedict Arnold’s betrayal. The film covered

all the facts, that yes, he was indeed a traitor but also a hero. It revealed the close friendship he

had with George Washington that I didn’t know existed. The costumes, scenery and ideas were

point on with the war, politics and attitudes of the late 18th century. The hardships the

Continental Army suffered for their belief in the cause were enormous. Thousands were lost to

starvation and thousands simply froze to death.

I really enjoyed this complex and tragic history lesson. I will search for other films that

cover Benedict Arnold as I think this one did focus a little too much on the love affair between

him and Peggy Shipman. Most importantly, it made me realize that if the U.S. had lost West

Point, we would have remained under British rule. For how long … who is to know?