From September 19th until October 9th the most significant battles in the north were fought within the American Northern Army Command. Trouble had been brewing between Arnold and Gates almost from the second Arnold arrived. As long as Burgoyne's army posed a threat these animosities merely stewed. After the Battle of Freeman's Farm, Gates, who had never left the protection of the fortifications, claimed credit for the success in a dispatch to Congress failing to acknowledge or mention Arnold's or Morgan's contribution. The ill-worded dispatch caused the hatred between the two men had to burst into flame. Once again, the Americans would become their own worst enemies. Arnold lost his temper and burst into Gates' quarters, then proceeded to admonish his General in front of the staff. Arnold publicly demanded Gates issue him a pass to General Washington and Congress so that he could rectify the injustice. It quickly got nasty. Gates, in response, brought up the question of Arnold's resignation not acted on by Congress, was Arnold at this time even a General? Gates' final response, fueled by anger, was to relieve Arnold of his command. Both men acted like children, and now, when Gates needed Arnold most he foolishly removed the general of his command. Arnold, for his part, seemed to have problems realizing he was NOT the commander. Always quick to anger and feel slighted by Gates (who he blamed for Schuyler being fired), Arnold's behavior was far from exemplary. On the eve of battle the best American general had let his ego get in the way of what promised to be a major victory. Battle of Saratoga Simon Fraser We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us Why Build a Road Through the Wilderness? Ticonderoga's Fatal Flaw Three British Generals Battle of Saratoga Jumbo Map (very slow: 349K) More Benedict Arnold Part 1: Early Activities Part 2: Invasion of Canada Part 3: The Battle of Valcour Island Part 4: Prelude to Saratoga Part 5: Battle of Saratoga Back to Cry Havoc #28 Table of Contents Back to Cry Havoc List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 by David W. Tschanz. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com