Things You Didn’t Know About Benedict Arnold

His name has become synonymous with being a traitor.

Creative Commons: Marion Doss

If we were to do a word association exercise and were given the name, Benedict Arnold, our response would probably be “traitor.” Most of us probably know Benedict was an officer in the Revolutionary War who changed sides. And as the old knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade said, “He chose poorly.”

So, why did Arnold change sides? What was the English response to Arnold’s reversal? What was the outcome for Arnold? Did anybody ever say to him, “Hey Arnold!” We will address some of this stuff as we consider things you didn’t know about Benedict Arnold.

1: Before defecting, Arnold was given command of West Point by George Washington.

Arnold was planning to give up the fort to the British. Under Arnold’s command, the name of the fort was going to be changed to East Point.

2: After changing sides, Arnold was given command of the American Legion.

Seems like that should have been the British Legion.

3: Early in his career he was a very successful officer for the Continental Army, but complained other…