September 21, 1780: Benedict Arnold Negotiates Traitorous Deal
Major General Benedict Arnold. He had distinguished himself in the victory at Saratoga and the failed attempt to capture Quebec.
230 years ago on this day in 1780, during the American Revolution, American General Benedict Arnold meets with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over West Point to the British, in return for the promise of a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. The plot was foiled and Arnold, a former American hero, became synonymous with the word "traitor."
We now know Arnold thought that he had never been properly rewarded or acknowledged for his military success early in the Revolution. He began corresponding with British spies about the possibility of changing sides. Arnold negotiated his defection to the British and the subversion of West Point over several months.
West Point was important because the British already held control of New York City and believed that by taking the fortifications at West Point overlooking the Hudson they would control the vital waterway and effectively cut off our New England forces from the rest of the fledgling nation.
West Point. Not only a fortification overlooking the Hudson, there existed a ginormous iron chain American forces had strung across the river they could open to allow American shipping to pass.
British general Sir Henry Clinton offered Arnold £20,000 for delivering West Point and 3,000 troops. Arnold agreed and completed the scam by officially informing his boss General Washington that West Point was adequately prepared for an attack -- even though he was busy making sure that that it really wasn't.
British commanding general Sir Henry Clinton sealed the deal with Arnold
He even tried to set-up General Washington's capture as a bonus. His plan might have been successful but his message was delivered too late and Washington escaped. The West Point surrender was also foiled when an American Colonel ignored Arnold's order not to fire on an approaching British ship.
Arnold's defection was revealed to the Americans when British Major John André, acting as a messenger, was captured by American militia in the woods north of New York City. The notes revealing Arnold's traitorous agreement were stashed in Andre's boots and the militia men turned them in to American officials.
Capture of Major Andre. He was tried by a military tribunal and sentenced to hanging as a spy. Andre' begged Washington for execution by firing squad but Washington ordered hanging.
Unfortunately, the traitor avoided the noose when he and his wife Peggy, who fooled American officers into believing she had no involvement in the betrayal, escaped to New York City and the protection of the British forces garrisoned there. He was given command of some British forces which he led until the end of the war but the British never really trusted him.
There were even attempts to capture the turncoat Arnold while he commanded British troops. This Virginian almost pulled it off and is memorialized by a historical marker in his home state.
After the war, he and his wife Peggy naturally had to split for England where they lived out the rest of their miserable lives. The British didn't treat him very well after the war either. After prevailing in a libel action, he was awarded only a nominal amount because his reputation was already so trashed. He died in 1801 and was buried in England without military honor.
Peggy Arnold. She defined "big hair." Arnold stole her from her Loyalist husband.
