Benedict Arnold: Traitor or Hero?

People often talk about how “evil” Benedict Arnold was, how his name was often associated with the word “Traitor”. Then we hear how he was: brilliant, victorious leader, very successful, credited battle hero, and the list goes on. But do we really know if Benedict Arnold was as bad as his reputation proceed? Was Benedict Arnold a Traitor or a Hero?

There has been six Benedict Arnolds including the traitor of the United States of America. The first Benedict Arnold sailed from New England to New Port, Rode Island, the second became a barrel maker, the second became the colonies House Deputies several times, the fourth was a barrel maker, the fifth died as an infant, and the sixth was born on January 14, 1741, one of the coldest January in the Northeast and was not expected to live through the bitter cold winter. His parents were Benedict Arnold and Hannah Arnold (wife of Absalom King).

As Benedict Arnold grew he was a “Dare Devil” said a local resident in 1751. There is a well know story about Benedict Arnold from when he was waiting in line at a local mill waiting to have his corn ground into cornmeal. He grew very interested in the wheel outside the mill and jumped on it and rode it then he became submerged for a few seconds and then reappeared and this was the start of Arnold’s adventurous life.

Later, Benedict Arnold was sent to get a better education at Canterbury Boarding School and wrote to his mother often. In August 1753, Benedict Arnold’s sisters were stricken with the Yellow Fever during the Yellow Fever epidemic .When his mother wrote to him she wrote, “ For three or four days past we have look on Mary as one just stepping off the banks of time and to all appearances, Hannah just behind. Prepare for the worst. Wha...

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...ive him enough of it he would sacrifice his country.” The British accepted Benedict Arnold’s offer; Benedict Arnold knew he would be hung by the neck until dead for ‘Espionage’ and left his family.

In 1781 Arnold Served in the Royal Army and led the attack on Virginia and destroyed the Virginian Fleet. Soon after Benedict Arnold when into went into exile until 1801 in October where he starred down the Gallows with each step, a step closer to death.

Benedict Arnold’s life was very hard from an early age. The question still remains though, was Benedict Arnold a hero based on his heroic actions or a traitor based on his treachery act?

Works Cited

“Benedict Arnold” Benedict Arnold www.history.navy.mil

“Benedict Arnold “Benedict Arnold www.ushistory.org

Sheinkin, Steve. The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A Story of Adventure, Heroism, and Treachery (Book)