Benedict Arnold III

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

[avideditor7]

Benedict Arnold did NOT attack Quebec City on December 31st 1775 in a blinding snow storm - He attacked Montreal ! Richard Montgomery was mortally wounded in what we call today Old Montreal - in a section of Old Montreal we call- American Town. Guess why it's called that (??) Benedict Arnold retreated to the West Island to Fort Senneville. He then burned the fort and retreated across the ice to the small town of Ste. Lazare where he fought the English and Mohawk indians and lost many more men.

[woodbineRed]

According to Ward's "War of the Revolution", Montreal surrendered to Montgomery's army on Nov. 13, 1775, and Montgomery was killed during the attack on Quebec City, Dec. 31 1775. Arnold was knocked out of that battle early on, wounded just below the knee.

[pbrick6301]

Arnold was ready to force Canada's surrender. Washington forbade it. Arnold is wrongfully portrayed as a coward. He was in reality trying to escape the motives of Washington which were injurious to those who rivalled his power and influence.

[DeanCU]

@avideditor7 Actually Arnold did attack Quebec city in 1775, there is a whole book written about it by the great author Kenneth Roberts detailing Arnold's travels from Arundel Maine across the state in the middle of winter and barely making it to the city where he still managed to attack but lost. Read the book its great American literature. Book is called Arundel. Your history is a little skewed.

[Robert46514]

A book i been reading about Benedict Arnold, says there is not a statue of him so why dont dont we make him one now? Mabe have him shown hanging from a rope by the neck!!! If it was not for that crazzy Benedict Arnold, Gen. Gorge Washington whould have had no idea what to do. Benedict Arnold is the only reson there is a Amarica today.

[patgarrett5755]

@woodbineRed the only part of him that was truly American

[rodthepimp]

@woodbineRed YOU ARE WRONG SIR

[imperatorcaesar100]

I think if the united states kept the city of Montreal, and the british did not sign the Quebec Act then Montreal, would be an american city.

[RobinLayne1]

Was it that battle in which he gave orders from a stretcher after his injury, or was it the Battle of Bemis Heights? Or perhaps both?

[avideditor7]

I am not familiar with Mr. Ward's book, but anyone who has ever been to Quebec City, as well as the then by all accounts being well understood, Quebec City was and still is, a walled in and impenetrable fortress. It was considered suicide by any commander to attempt an attack of Quebec City in the dead of winter. This was the primary reason why Montreal was chosen instead, because it is situated on an Island totally surrounded by water, and easily blockaded in Spring without common battlements.