On June 14, 1801, Revolutionary War general and traitor Benedict Arnold died in London. Arnold became involved in local politics while a New Haven merchant-sea captain trading in horses and livestock with the West Indies and Canada. In late 1774, Arnold joined the New Haven Militia and as news of conflict with the British at Lexington reached Connecticut, he seized powder and shot from New Haven’s powder house and led his men, without orders, to Boston. In the middle of the Revolutionary War Arnold changed sides, abandoning the Americans’ fight for independence in return for military rank and financial reward from the British Army. Prior to his treason, Arnold compiled an impressive string of accomplishments on behalf of the Revolutionaries’ cause.
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