1780 : Benedict Arnold commits treason
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."
Arnold was born into a well-respected family in Norwich, Connecticut,
on January 14, 1741. He apprenticed with an apothecary and was a
member of the militia during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). He
later became a successful trader and joined the Continental Army when
the Revolutionary War broke out between Great Britain and its 13
American colonies in 1775. When the war ended in 1883, the colonies
had won their independence from Britain and formed a new nation, the
United States.
During the war, Benedict Arnold proved himself a brave and skillful
leader, helping Ethan Allen's troops capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775
and then participating in the unsuccessful attack on British Quebec
later that year, which earned him a promotion to brigadier general.
Arnold distinguished himself in campaigns at Lake Champlain,
Ridgefield and Saratoga, and gained the support of George Washington.
However, Arnold had enemies within the military and in 1777, five men
of lesser rank were promoted over him. Over the course of the next few
years, Arnold married for a second time and he and his new wife lived
a lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia, accumulating substantial debt. The
debt and the resentment Arnold felt over not being promoted faster
were motivating factors in his choice to become a turncoat.
In 1780, Arnold was given command of West Point, an American fort on
the Hudson River in New York (and future home of the U.S. military
academy, established in 1802). Arnold contacted Sir Henry Clinton,
head of the British forces, and proposed handing over West Point and
his men. On September 21 of that year, Arnold met with Major John
Andre and made his traitorous pact. However, the conspiracy was
uncovered and Andre was captured and executed. Arnold, the former
American patriot, fled to the enemy side and went on to lead British
troops in Virginia and Connecticut. He later moved to England, though
he never received all of what he'd been promised by the British. He
died in London on June 14, 1801.
history.com/tdih.do
1792 : Monarchy abolished in France
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5362
1938 : The Great New England Hurricane
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=7027
1989 : Powell becomes Joint Chiefs' chairman
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5363
#########################################
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."
Arnold was born into a well-respected family in Norwich, Connecticut,
on January 14, 1741. He apprenticed with an apothecary and was a
member of the militia during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). He
later became a successful trader and joined the Continental Army when
the Revolutionary War broke out between Great Britain and its 13
American colonies in 1775. When the war ended in 1883, the colonies
had won their independence from Britain and formed a new nation, the
United States.
During the war, Benedict Arnold proved himself a brave and skillful
leader, helping Ethan Allen's troops capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775
and then participating in the unsuccessful attack on British Quebec
later that year, which earned him a promotion to brigadier general.
Arnold distinguished himself in campaigns at Lake Champlain,
Ridgefield and Saratoga, and gained the support of George Washington.
However, Arnold had enemies within the military and in 1777, five men
of lesser rank were promoted over him. Over the course of the next few
years, Arnold married for a second time and he and his new wife lived
a lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia, accumulating substantial debt. The
debt and the resentment Arnold felt over not being promoted faster
were motivating factors in his choice to become a turncoat.
In 1780, Arnold was given command of West Point, an American fort on
the Hudson River in New York (and future home of the U.S. military
academy, established in 1802). Arnold contacted Sir Henry Clinton,
head of the British forces, and proposed handing over West Point and
his men. On September 21 of that year, Arnold met with Major John
Andre and made his traitorous pact. However, the conspiracy was
uncovered and Andre was captured and executed. Arnold, the former
American patriot, fled to the enemy side and went on to lead British
troops in Virginia and Connecticut. He later moved to England, though
he never received all of what he'd been promised by the British. He
died in London on June 14, 1801.
history.com/tdih.do
1792 : Monarchy abolished in France
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5362
1938 : The Great New England Hurricane
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=7027
1989 : Powell becomes Joint Chiefs' chairman
history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=5363
#########################################
No comments:
Post a Comment