Posted on 05/10/2012 6:54:38 PM PDT by Pharmboy
This undated sketch portrait of Gen. Benedict Arnold by an unknown artist was provided by the Library of Congress. While most Americans know Arnold as the man who betrayed his nation by trying to turn over the American fortifications at West Point to the British, then joining the redcoats when the plot was uncovered, his heroic actions at the Revolutionary War's Battles of Saratoga are detailed in a new exhibit opening Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Saratoga National Historical Park.
ALBANY, N.Y.—Benedict Arnold is a hero again, at least temporarily, at two upstate New York historic sites where his pre-treason exploits are being remembered.
Arnold's heroic actions in the Revolutionary War's Battles of Saratoga are detailed in a new exhibit opening Thursday at Saratoga National Historical Park, and his capture of British-held Fort Ticonderoga at the side of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys is being re-staged later this month in a rare nighttime re-enactment.
The Connecticut-born Arnold led American soldiers through Fort Ticonderoga's front gate in a pre-dawn raid on May 10, 1775, and he helped defeat the British at the Battles of Saratoga two years later. But most Americans know Arnold as the man who betrayed his nation by trying to turn over the American fortifications at West Point to the British, then joining the redcoats when the plot was uncovered.
"He was hated long before he became a traitor," said Eric Schnitzer, a park ranger at Saratoga National Historic Park in Stillwater, 20 miles north of Albany. "Some of the guys fighting with him thought he was a total and complete jerk. Other guys thought he was wonderful."
Count the Green Mountain Boys among the former. Angry at Arnold for his orders forbidding them from looting their British captives, the New Englanders
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
I took the photo from a non-AP site.
From what I recall, the leader of the Green Mountain Boys, Ethan Allen, claimed all the credit for himself, which was the initial act that put Arnold on his path to turn against the Revolution.
-PJ
Somewhat unrelated but if you’re ever at the corner of 66th and 3rd in NYC, look around. That’s the spot where Nathan Hale was hanged.
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list...
Somewhat unrelated but if you’re ever at the corner of 66th and 3rd in NYC, look around. That’s the spot where Nathan Hale was hanged.
I believe it’s 65th...the northwest corner. When I lived in Manhattan and was in the city on July 4, I always dropped flowers at the site. Thanks...
He’s still a traitor. It’s like having an exhibit of judas iscariot as a “great dude to go have a brew with”, which is trying to cover up/humanize for their eventual betrayal.
Good thing he was miserable before he died alongside the same limeys he helped..and was still ostracized as an outcast by those same limeys he helped.
Also visited Ft. Ticonderoga which was definitely worth a visit. Missed out on the nearby Ft. William Henry so will have to do that in the future.
There is a good movie about Benedict Arnold and George Washington starring Aidan Quinn and Kelsey Grammar. Excellent if you get a chance to view it.
-PJ
BTTT
“There is a good movie about Benedict Arnold and George Washington starring Aidan Quinn and Kelsey Grammar. Excellent if you get a chance to view it.”
***
Yeah, A&E network showed it many years ago. Kelsey Grammer was Washington. It was also within the same year or 2 that the same network produced “The CROSSING” (about Washington crossing Delaware on Christmas eve to save the Republic) with Jeff Daniels as one of the best GW played on screen, regardless of his Dumb & Dumber creds.
For the past several years, I worked at Fort Ticonderoga. It has a lot to offer. Don’t waste your time and money on Fort William Henry. You will be disappointed.
When I was an active member of the NY Revolutionary Roundtable, the author of a recent Arnold biography sent a letter to our group asking for modest funding to help with the upkeep on Arnold's grave in England.
We took a vote, and it was unanimous: our group would never give a ha'pence for the traitor.
I once had lunch at The Old 76 House in Tappan, NY, which was the colonial inn used as the prison and courthouse for the trial of Maj. John Andre, which led to the capture of Arnold.
I believe the inn is still in service as a restaurant.
-PJ
I would like to see Ft. William Henry just for the historic value but I will take your advice and skip it if it costs too much.
Arnold was ALMOST captured, but died in England, I believe. And thanks for the pic...excellent!
I preferred the Grammer-Quinn movie but I thought Daniels did a fairly good job.
I still don't think Hollywood has done the definitive George Washington, though, and am still waiting for it.
-PJ
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