Benedict Arnold Essay Research Paper The Dark

Benedict Arnold Essay, Research Paper

The Dark Eagle refers to the hero of Saratoga, Benedict Arnold, who went from highly regarded hero, to the most hated man in the Colonies in a matter of days. In the book: Benedict Arnold: The Dark Eagle, Brian Richard Boylan, analyzes the historical figure not critically, but objectively. He examines the forces that possibly could have driven Benedict Arnold to turn his back on the country that he fought for so dearly. Boylan also points out that the man who Arnold did most of his negotiations with, Major General John Andr , was strikingly similar to Arnold, and that the two men were brought together under one woman, Miss Peggy Shippen. Throughout this book, Boylan suggests that the reader should view Arnold without the general stereotype of him being a traitor. That way you can see the man Benedict Arnold truly was, and read of the reasons that he lost his love for the Colonial army, and its government.

The Battle of Saratoga was a major battle in the American Revolution; it helped persuade the French into signing a Treaty with the United States that helped turn the tides on the British. Major General Horatio Gates was the commander of the Army of the North. His English counterpart was General John Burgoyne. The open-field battle style considerable favored the British troops of Burgoyne. The American s had their backs against the wall; they were almost out of options, until their savior literally rode in on horseback. This man was General Benedict Arnold. He rode in from Freeman s Farm where Gates, Arnold s superior, had taken his authority away because of Arnold s insubordination . Arnold thought nothing of Major Gates orders to stay at Freeman s Farm and rode off with no sign of slowing. No Man will keep me in my tent this day!

Arnold said.

Unlike Gates, Benedict Arnold liked to lead and command his men on the front lines. Arnold personally led the charge on Breymann s redoubt during the Battle of Saratoga, however Arnold was wounded during the final assault in his left knee. While the American troops surrounded and captured Breymann s forces, Arnold laid in pain on the battlefield. Gates took the credit for the victory at Saratoga and didn t mention Arnold in his reenactment to General Washington. This made Arnold question the respectability of the American forces.

The events of the two years previous to Saratoga were very influential to Benedict Arnold. During that time Benedict Arnold and George Washington were planning a double-pronged attack and invasion of Canada, this would be accomplished by taking out Montreal and Quebec. The idea was that the British commander in Canada, Sir Guy Carleton, could only defend one of the cities during a simultaneous attack, which would leave an unprotected city to fall to the Americans. Montreal would have to be sieged by moving northward through Lake Champlain, then into the waters of the St. Lawrence River opposite Montreal. The route toward Quebec was far more complex. A force would have to be guided along the raging Kennebec River, into the highland mountains of Maine, over three lakes to the Dead River, then onto the Chaudi re River, and on into the St. Lawrence River opposite Quebec. During Washington s meetings with Arnold, he was examined Benedict very carefully, and he liked what he saw. In Washington s mind there wasn t a better man for the job than Arnold, to lead the charge into Quebec. Arnold was given independent command from Washington to lead troops through Maine and

attack Quebec. The other man that would complete the two-punch attack on Canada was General Richard Montgomery, who would lead his troops to capture Montreal and then ultimately to Quebec to assist Arnold. While Montgomery s advancement toward Montreal was taking place, Arnold was en route to Quebec. Arnold s men were constantly flirting with disaster. All sorts of problems plagued Arnold s men; from contaminated food and water, which led to sickness and death, to the winter months that brought snow and cold, which in turn produced frostbite. Hunger and fatigue was another problem that the troops had to overcome, for this, Arnold went ahead of his troops to find food. Arnold sent back a herd of cattle, which the troops greatly appreciated. On Nov. 13, 1775 Montgomery captured Montreal. Montgomery s successful troops joined Arnold s on December 2, 1775. He brought 300 men and, most importantly, a large supply of British winter clothing to comfort Arnold s cold troops.

The troops were united under the two generals and together they would lead the siege on Quebec. The attack was set for December 31, 1775. During the march on Quebec Montgomery, Arnold, and their men were attacked not only with musket fire, but also with cannonshot. Arnold knew that if was to be successful in defeating the British, stationed in Quebec, he would have to destroy the cannon that was set-up on the barricade ahead of them. Almost to the barricade, Arnold got shot with a piece of a bullet in his left leg. Injured, he encouraged his men to finish the attack and take the city. Unfortunately despite all their efforts, Arnold and Montgomery were defeated. However,

from January to May of 1776, Arnold led a series of charges on Quebec and eventually besieged the city.

Arnold had many conflicts with Congress in his lifetime. He continually battled with members that did not like him for vari