Major General Benedict Arnold

Major General Benedict Arnold
– Connecticut Historical Society and Connecticut History Online

Benedict Arnold (1741-1801)

Once lauded for heroism, Norwich-born Benedict Arnold earned infamy as a traitor during the American Revolutionary War by leaving liberty’s cause to side with the British. As a young man, Arnold settled in New Haven and established himself as a merchant-sea captain in the West Indies’ and Canadian trades. By 1774, he served as a captain in the New Haven militia. During the war he played a role in capturing Fort Ticonderoga, building a navy for the Continental forces, and governing Philadelphia. Charges of corruption hounded him throughout. Ultimately, he cast his lot with the British and in 1781 led the burning of New London. After the war Arnold fled to England, where he died.

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Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold Turns and Burns New London

September 6, 1781 was a brutal and terrifying day for Connecticut citizens living on both sides of New London harbor, along the Thames River. …[more]

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Places

“New Haven Museum,” 2017. Link.

Documents

Lyman, Daniel. “A Sketch of New London & Groton with the Attacks Made on Forts Trumbull & Griswold by the British Troops Under the Command of Brigr. Genl. Arnold, Sept. 6th. 1781.” 1781. Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. Link.
Connecticut Digital Archive. “Benedict Arnold Collection,” n.d. Link.
National Archives. “Benedict Arnold’s Oath of Allegiance, May 1778,” 2016. Link.
“Fort-Griswold.” Faden Collection, 1781. University of Connecticut Libraries, Map and Geographic Information Center - MAGIC. Link.
New York Public Library Digital Gallery. “One of Benedict Arnold’s Treason Letters in Cyper,” 2016. Link.

Books

Martin, James Kirby. Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered. New York, NY: New York University Press, 1997.
Randall, Willard Sterne. Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor. New York: Morrow, 1990.
Lehman, Eric D. Homegrown Terror: Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2015.
Arnold, Isaac Newton. The Life of Benedict Arnold; His Patriotism and His Treason. Chicago, IL: Jansen, McClurg & Company, 1880. Link.
Flexner, James Thomas. The Traitor and the Spy: Benedict Arnold and John André. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, 1975.
Wallace, Willard Mosher. Traitorous Hero; the Life and Fortunes of Benedict Arnold. New York, NY: Harper, 1954.