Benedict Arnold

Part 4:
The Traitor Who Saved America

Prelude to Saratoga

by J. Michael Flynn, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Part 3: The Battle of Valcour Island
Part 2: Invasion of Canada
Part 1: Early Activities

The American Revolution July 13th, 1776 – October 16th, 1777

From July 1776 until October 1777 the American Revolution was in crisis. The Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed that the colonies "are and of right ought to be free and independent states," launched the fledgling nation among celebration for advocates of independence. Still some were sober even in the midst of the jubilation. John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, summarized it best when moments before he signed the document he commented to the delegates, "Gentlemen, we are about to brave the storm in a skiff made of paper."

No sooner had the ink dried on Hancock's bold signature than the new nation found itself in peril of being threatened to be split asunder by simultaneous British invasions of 17,000 troops southwards from Canada and another 34,000 assembled in the New York City and Long Island area.

Summer and autumn 1776 were bloody and disastrous for the Americans. Action first flared at the end of August at Flatbush, in Brooklyn on Long Island with an American defeat. This was followed by successive American defeats at Brooklyn Heights, Kip's Bay, Harlem Heights, and White Plains. The Continental Army collapsed in front of the British onslaught as they drove into New York City.

Threatening Pincers

Meanwhile, on both sides of the Canadian border preparations for the British invasion of New York continued as American forces scrambled to defend. Through subterfuge and propaganda, Benedict Arnold, the American general who was charged with halting the British invasion achieved a delay of that clash until late in the fall.

The northern front finally erupted into battle in early October. Arnold, in a daring operation launched a fleet of puny vessels, against the British. The operation succeeded strategically where it failed it tactically. Despite having annihilated the American resistance against him, the British commander ordered his force into winter quarters in Canada due to the lateness of the season. Benedict Arnold had derailed the northern invasion at least until the spring of 1777.

Unfortunately for Arnold, word of the destruction of his "fleet" was seen by many in Congress as just one more in the long string of defeats that year on Long Island and Manhattan Island. British operations there had forced the American army to low states of morale and manpower. On November 16, 1776 Manhattan's Fort Washington fell, followed by Fort Lee on the other side of the Hudson River in New Jersey four days later. The surrender of twenty-six hundred Continental soldiers was serious, but nothing compared to the loss of the irreplaceable supplies and munitions taken with the forts. Major General George Washington fell back with his remaining force of five thousand soldiers to Pennsylvania while the Continental Congress fled from Philadelphia in anticipation of the British occupation.

By January 1, 1777, when many American soldiers' enlistments expired, Washington was left with only fifteen hundred men. The mood of the revolution was accurately summarized by pamphleteer Thomas Paine in the first sentence of his widely circulated The Crisis — "These are the times that try men's souls."

Arnold's Frustrations

Among those whose soul's were sorely tried, his almost to the breaking point was Benedict Arnold. From the war's opening, Arnold had been involved in every significant northern action, achieving most of the successes and softening the impact of defeat, to the point where his opponents referred to him as the "American Hannibal." Yet in the swirling political climate of the day men with far less experience and achievement had continuously been promoted before him. Arnold craved recognition and in its absence he was increasingly disillusioned and embittered.

After his actions at Valcour Island (see Cry "Havoc!" #24) Arnold and the survivors fled to Fort Ticonderoga. When it was evident the British had called off the invasion and had returned to Canada for the winter, Arnold and Major General Horatio Gates, then led reinforcements south to support Washington.

At a meeting with Washington in Pennsylvania, Arnold expressed his growing concern for both his lack of recognition and his lack of promotion by the Continental Congress. Washington, a firm supporter of Arnold, recognized and agreed that his subordinate had not received proper recognition. Patience he counseled Arnold, Congress was sure to promote him with the next batch of general officers about to be created. There is little question that Arnold was head and shoulders above many of the military commanders to this pint in the Revolution. But he also had a way of making enemies and becoming entangled in charges and counter charges.

His 1776 summer battles involved legal matters, not tactical warfare. He was being taken to court for the plundering of Montreal's stores. Major arguments ensued where Arnold accused another officer, Hazen, of not taking control, and as a result, he had to. The arguments between to the two were hot and heavy and Hazen eventually insisted to be court-martialed in order to clear his name. The court took the brunt of Arnold's anger and they demanded an apology which, Arnold, of course, refused to do. Instead, he challenged them. The court demanded his arrest.

The task of ending the quarrel fell to Gates who knew a man of Arnold's ability and acumen was needed in the North. . Arnold was exonerated. He was soon in charge of a small fleet of ships and ordered to Ticonderoga where he conducted the successful Valcour Island campaign.

Once again Arnold found that their were critics willing to point fingers and pass blame. The Americans lost ten of their fifteen ships and Arnold was blamed. While not a victory, the battle showed the British the stamina and tenacity the Americans had. A point lost on the Congress. Winter was no less trying for Arnold. Some of his old Army nemesis' rose up once more to bring charges against him and instead of making war, the young brigadier spent his time in courts answering inquiries, spending most of the winter defending himself.

Arnold accepted Washington's arguments and agreed to give Congress more time. Washington then shared with Arnold his concerns that the British were planning an invasion of New England and offered Arnold a temporary command in New England. Arnold accepted.

Command in New England

Quickly reaching his new command, Arnold found himself for once greeted as a hero by the New Englanders who quickly answered his call for more troop. By January 13, 1777 Arnold was able to send 6,000 recruits to Washington's tattered army. Arnold also paid out from his personal funds one thousand pounds to form a new regiment. Then on February 19,1777, Arnold found himself slapped in the face again.

Promotion Denied

On that day Congress announced five promotions to Major General, and Arnold was not the list. The remainder were junior to Arnold in service and clearly so in achievements and experience. Incensed, humiliated, disgusted and denigrated, Arnold fussed, fumed and raged – a pressure cooker ready to explode. His was not the only temper aflame. Washington's ire was up as well. Not only had he not been consulted on the promotions, but the commanding general of the Continental Army was informed of the promotions not by Congress, but by reading about them in the newspapers. Washington began his own investigation and told Arnold he would get to the bottom of the matter.

It was simple case of politics and states rights taking priority in the midst of a war. Congress had passed the "Baltimore Resolution" the same day it voted on the promotions. The resolution linked the ratio of troops in service from each state to the number of general officers from that state. Since Connecticut already had their quota with two general officers, Arnold was passed over.

Robbed of his due by political machinations, Arnold refused to sit still for it. Washington tried to calm his friend while beseeching Congress to reconsider its decision. He was not completely successful at either task. In the meantime Arnold was busy as well. In a flurry of letters to Gates and Major General Philip Schuyler, Arnold unsuccessfully demanded a court of inquiry in Congress as to why he was not promoted. He then attempted to be assigned to the northern army or be made naval commander in Boston. When all his efforts had come to naught Arnold returned to his home in New Haven, determined to resign his commission.

The Battle of Danbury

Ironically it was the British who came to his aid. On April 26 Arnold was alerted that a force of fifteen hundred British regulars and Tories had landed at Compo Beach in Westport, Connecticut. The enemy had marched north to Danbury, where the Redcoats burned many homes and community buildings. On their way back to the sea, the troops passed through Ridgefield where General Arnold and General David Wooster, leading local militia, attacked.

During the action on Main Street in Ridgefield, the citizen-soldiers started to break and run. In desperation, Arnold brandished his sword and rode back and forth, trying to form a rear guard to protect his fleeing column. Suddenly Arnold's horse collapsed. Hit by nine musket balls, the tortured animal, thrashing in death throes, had his rider pinned to the ground. An enemy soldier climbing off the ledge, rushed forward with bayoneted musket in hand. Supposedly he shouted, "Surrender! You are my prisoner!"

"Not yet," was Arnold's alleged reply as he deftly retrieved a pistol from his saddle holster, took aim, and leveled his adversary with one shot. Freeing himself from the flailing horse, Arnold hobbled off toward a nearby swamp, with enemy musket balls flying all around him. His hairbreadth escape was a testament to what England's Annual Register of 1777 called his "usual intrepidity."

Near where the battle involving Arnold took place, a century-old plaque marks the burial ground of "eight patriots who were laid in these grounds companioned by 16 British soldiers, living their enemies, dying their guests." Arnold, recovering a few hours later once again intercepted the landing force within sight of its ships. It took a Royal Marine relief force to finally drive off Arnold's militia. A British officer on the scene conceded only that Arnold, like Wooster before him, had "opposed us with more obstinacy than skill," a statement of begrudging respect.

Major General At Last

Hearing of the battle and its outcome – the closest thing the Americans had experienced to a victory in a year, Congress promoted Arnold to a Major General on May 2, 1777. However Congress did not see fit to make his date of rank retroactive to February — which meant Arnold was junior in rank to the five recently promoted major generals. It was a slight (or oversight) that the touchy Arnold demanded be corrected. He was also upset about the failure of Congress to repay him for his expenses.

From May until July Arnold besieged Congress with petitions. He testified before the Congress's Board of War on the unjustness of this action. Congress tried to be affable but would not budge. Receiving no satisfaction, Benedict Arnold delivered his letter of resignation from the American Army to Congress on July 11, 1777.

Threat Along the Northern Frontier

Again British actions interfered with Arnold's plans. On the same day as his resignation arrived, a courier from Washington shocked Congress with news of a new threat to the young republic. British Major General John Burgoyne had massed an 8000 man invasion force, equipped with over a hundred pieces of artillery, on the Canadian border, and now they were moving south, rolling back all opposition. Already Fort Ticonderoga, the bastion of the gateway to the Hudson River and Albany had already fallen, as had Fort Independence. The British were on the move and the Americans were on the run.

The situation was critical. At Albany, ninety miles south of the action the only organized force available for defense was composed of nine hundred militia. The threat was real. If the British reached Albany and joined with the thirty thousand man army occupying Manhattan Island Britain would control the Hudson River, the most important communication and trade route in the colonies and effectively separate New England from the rest of the fledgling nations. It would be only a matter of time before the rebellion burnt out like a fire divided. Washington's dispatch also made it clear where he thought the answer lay and whom the safety of the nation depended:

If General Arnold has settled his affairs and can be spared from Philadelphia, I would recommend him for the business that he should immediately set out for the northern department. He is active, judicious and brave, and an officer in whom the militia will repose the greatest confidence. Besides this, he is well acquainted with that country and with the routes and most important passes and defiles in it. I do not think he can render more signal services, or be more usefully employed at this time, than in this way. I am persuaded his presence and activity will animate the militia greatly, and spur them on to becoming conduct. I could wish him to be engaged in a more agreeable service, to be with better troops, but circumstances call for his exertions in this way, and I have no doubt of his adding much to the honors he has already acquired.

Congress, although they knew of Arnold's letter of resignation, rationalized that since it had not formally been recorded it could be ignored. Congress forwarded to Arnold Washington's request for his services and ordered Arnold to immediately report to Schuyler the Northern Department Commander. Still angry, Arnold felt that the opportunity was too great and the circumstances too important to ignore, so he put his resignation on hold and immediately departed. But he had no intention of forgiving Congress for the slights they had foisted on him.

When Arnold arrived at Fort Edwards to report to General Schuyler on July 24, 1777 he found approximately 3000 men, about half Continental regulars and half militia. At the same time Schuyler and Gates were embroiled in their own conflict over control of the army. On August 3, 1777 Schuyler learned of a new threat to his west. British Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Ledger (temporary Brigadier General) had attacked Fort Stanwix (later renamed Fort Schuyler). The Fort, located in the Mohawk River Valley, was only one hundred and twenty miles west of Albany. St. Ledger's army, composed of nine hundred Indians (Native Americans) and six hundred soldiers and Tories, planned to take the fort and march to Albany to join with Burgoyne.

Relief of Fort Stanwix

A local militia force was ambushed attempting the relief of the fort on August 6, 1777 and appealed to Schuyler for help. Arnold volunteered to lead the relief and left Fort Edwards on August 13, 1777 with 900 volunteers. En route to Fort Stanwix, was Arnold was rebuffed in every desperate attempt to enlist reserves for the expedition. At a council of war on August 20, 1777, Arnold was outvoted by his own officers who rejected his plan to launch a direct assault on St. Ledger's column because the Americans were outnumbered.

A desperate Arnold came up with a new plan. If he didn't have adequate forces to lift the siege, Arnold decided he would use guile instead. He knew half of St. Ledger's force were Indians (Native Americans). If these Indians could be driven off St. Ledger forces could be beaten. To do this the Americans needed to convince the Indians that "Dark Eagle," (as Benedict Arnold was known to them), was approaching with a very large relief force. Now all Arnold needed to find was someone who could go to the enemy camp and who the Indians would believe. It so happened a "half-wit" Tory named Hon-Yost Schuyler had all the qualifications.

The Hon-Yost Maneuver

Hon-Yost would volunteer because he was already sentenced to hang as a traitor and would be granted a pardon if he did. He would do it because his mother told him to. He would do it because if he failed Arnold would hang his hostage brother. Hon-Yost was also known to the Indians with St. Ledger. They believed he was protected by the "Great Spirit." And since he was known Tory, why would he lie?

As part of the ruse Arnold had his men shoot bullet holes in Hon-Yost's coat to corroborate his story that he had escaped from the rebels. Accompanying him across the line were two other Indians to the rebels. Their purpose was to insure Hon-Yost fulfilled his mission and to back up his story.

Hon-Yost went in and met with the leaders of the tribe, no doubt embellishing his tale of escape from the Americans. When asked how many men Arnold was leading Hon-Yost pointed to the leaves of the trees and said "that many!" The Indians took him at his word. Since their traditions of warfare did not include being massacred by an overwhelmingly superior force they simply decided to return to Canada while first looting all the British supplies and rum for the trip.

St. Ledger's Tories then panicked, abandoned all equipment and departed. At this point St. Ledger realizing he was beaten, abandoned the battlefield.

With St. Ledger's threat for the west eliminated, Arnold returned to the Northern Headquarters to assist in repulsing Burgoyne's invasion. Significant events had occurred in his absence. Congress in its ultimate wisdom had relieved Schuyler replacing him with General Gates in August. And storm clouds were gathering at a little New York town called Saratoga.

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