Database: Benedict Arnold (Newspaper)

Benedict Arnold – Loyal to the Crown!

Surprising his Rebel colleagues, Gen. Benedict Arnold has made a brave attempt to bring an end to continued hostilities. Having obtained command of the Fort of West Point, Gen Arnold met secretly with Maj. John André, an intelligence officer of the King. It is difficult to obtain the true nature of the agreement they had in an affair of such emotion, but appears that they concluded upon a transfer of some funds to Arnold in exchange for West Point itself. Many have pointed to these funds as evidence that Arnold was interested in coarse gain, yet a man of such valor can hardly be suspected of such motives! Rather, it appears that Arnold was made aware of the pecuniary embarrassment he would suffer once his commission as a Rebel officer was lost, and merely took practical steps to protect himself and his wife from penury.

Indeed, Gen. Arnold’s wife, Peggy, appears to have played an active part in his loyalist turn. Several reports have surfaced indicating that it was she who first contacted Maj. André as she had known him for some years.

Sadly for the Crown, the plan unraveled. After meeting with Arnold, Maj. André cleverly disguised as citizen Mr. John Anderson, was captured by the Rebels. They discovered various papers on him leading to his arrest. Owing to being dressed as a civilian when captured, this man who took such risks for his King was therefore hanged as a spy. Rest he in peace.

Happily, Arnold was warned in time and was able to effect an escape. We are told that he has been awarded a commission in the British Army and we await to hear greater exploits of him in future!