General Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, CT in 1741. One of the most famous men to serve in the Revolution, he began his career as a enlisted man in New York, and then became a druggist. He was also a success as a merchant, and had his own ships sailing to Canada and the Caribbean. His knowledge of the sea, and Canada would prove useful to him in the future.
He married Margaret Mansfield in 1767, and had three sons over a five years span. His wife died in June of 1775.
As a Captain of Militia in 1774, his company went to Cambridge, MA, and in Boston, he was appointed Colonel of Militia. In May 1775, Ethan Allen and Arnold took Ft. Ticonderoga, which would later lead to his being asked to command the American forces in the Lake Champlain area.
He later led a march to Quebec, where he received the first shot in his left leg. His later action at Valcour Island with the young American fleet have often caused him to be called the "father of the American navy."
At odds with Congress, and unhappy with his promotions, he distinguished himself at the Battles of Saratoga. On October 7, 1777, Arnold was shot again in his left leg, and as a result had a limp for the rest of his days. (A monument to Arnold's leg is to be found at Saratoga battlefield).
Congress officially thanked Arnold, along with Generals Gates and Lincoln for the great defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga. Thanks in part to his friend, George Washington, his rank was now adjusted to Major General, as of February 17, 1777, giving him the seniority he so wanted and deserved.
Unable to command, due to his leg, he was sent to Philadelphia, where he married Peggy Shippen, a 19 year old girl of British sympathies, and later had four sons.
He would become best known as the traitor who would have given West Point to the British. This was a well fortified American stronghold along the Hudson River in New York. Its capture would have been a great blow to the Americans. Although he was unable to deliver this prize to the British, he was rewarded by them with a commission as a Brigadier General in the British Army, a pension, funds for lost property and command of deserters and Tories.
The reasons for his change of sides has been, and will be the subject of much speculation, conversation and endless books. It has been said that had Benedict Arnold died at the Battles of Saratoga, he would be considered as one of America's greatest heroes. He died in England in June 1801.