Benedict Arnold VI

Aired in 1995, this A&E Biography recounts the life of American revolutionary war hero/traitor Benedict Arnold. One of the most ardent and courageous of the field commanders of the war, he gradually became disillusioned with the cause, and plotted to surrender West Point to the British in 1779.

Executive Producers: Graig Haffner, Donna E. Lusitana,
Producer: Eric H. Lindstrom
Segment Producer: Deborah M. Davis

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Benedict Arnold
• American Revolution
• Rev War
• George Washington
• Ticonderoga
• Burgoyne
• West Point
• Ethan Allen
• Peggy Shippen
• Saratoga
• John Andre

[woodbineRed]

Nowadays historians are skeptical about the "let me die in my old American uniform" story.

[Martin958]

@gamersandgeeksstop Not if his plan to give away West Point had worked he wouldn't.

[danning1]

@planetrockford No way. Complex and tragic man who was driven to make a terrible mistake that he lived to regret.

[planetrockford]

Money grabbing dog of war.

[gamersandgeeksstop]

@crocostimpy your right, he did more 4 america than harm

[danning1]

I wouldn't be surprised if he said that at the end of his life ("let me die in my old uniform...") because remember that the Brits didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for him either. Yes he got a lot of money for his attempt to turn over West Point to them, but nonetheless Arnold was shunned by most influential Brits while he was living in England after the war. He wanted prestigious jobs and posts (ex. working for the British East India Company) that were unceremoniously denied to him.

[Geniousmind1]

I totally agree with crocostimpy because it's true what he says, I mean yeah he did something really bad he commited treason but check this out, who betrayed him first? americans, because even when he did not have the permission to fight he did go and defend his country and fought for it and what did Americans do? they ignored his effort, that's why he did what he did, I'm not making up excuses but a human is a human and it hurts when nobody recognizes your effort and your work.

[rainrequiem]

well, I think it redeems him a little in our eyes, and it's hard to accept that our otherwise greatest war hero could do something like that without looking back once.

[crocostimpy]

Yeah, I always heard the opposite, that he never forgave the Americans for their shabby treatment of him and never regretting becoming british again. I think he should be remembered as the great patriotic hero that he was, and it's to our shame that he was treated so badly. Thanks very much for posting this.....

[doggreen]

thanks for sharing!