This story is an excerpt from my book, A Stroll Through American History.
Fort Ticonderoga
The story begins on May 10, 1775 at Fort Ticonderoga, in northern New York.
British Fort Ticonderoga was attacked by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen. It was a minor conflict but it was the first American offensive victory of the Revolutionary War
But the fort was very important to the American cause because Fort Ticonderoga had artillery, thousands of muskets, and a large cache of ammunition; all desperately needed by General Washington and the Continental Army.
Battle of Quebec, December 31, 1775
Benedict Arnold played a heroic role during the American Revolution. Arnold was wounded in the leg in the Battle of Quebec and he later helped delay a British invasion of New York in late 1776.
Battle of Saratoga, New York, October 7, 1777
Arnold was ordered to serve under General Horatio Gates.
Generals Arnold and Gates were far from friendly with each other. The two men strongly disliked each other and often argued.
After the Battle of Freeman’s Farm (First Saratoga), Gates relieved Arnold of his command.
During the Battle of Bemis Heights (Saratoga), Arnold disobeyed Gates’ order and led the assault which was paramount in the American victory.
Arnold’s leg was, again, severely wounded during the attack.
General Benedict Arnold had been the outstanding leader at Saratoga.
George Washington both liked and trusted Benedict Arnold. Washington called Arnold his “fighting general.”
Arnold, who had the same leg injured at both Quebec and Saratoga was no longer capable of military field command.
Had Arnold died of his wounds suffered at Saratoga, he would have gone down in history as a great American hero.
Arnold’s heroics make it difficult to comprehend his later act of treachery.
This story is an excerpt from my book, A Stroll Through American History.
