ARNOLD, BENEDICT, an American military officer, born in Norwich, Conn., Jan. 14, 1741. He was settled in exten sive business at New Haven when the War of Independence broke out. After the news of the battle of Lexington, he raised a body of volunteers, and received a colonel's commission. After command ing, for a short time, a small fleet upon Lake Champlain, he was with General Montgomery, charged with the difficult duty of leading a force of 1,100 men across the wilds of the country to quebec, to stir up rebellion there, and displace the British garrison. In this un successful attempt Montgomery was killed and Arnold severely wounded. After this, we find him in various important commands, but as often involved in quar rels with Congress and his fellow-officers. Washington valued him for his acts of daring, and would gladly have over looked his faults; but Congress and his brother-officers regarded him with dis like, and sought every possible means to humble and annoy him. After many dis putes about the honor that was due to him for his services, he was invested with the government of Philadelphia. There
his imprudence was most marked and he was court-martialed and reprimanded. Arnold felt humiliated, and decided to desert to the enemy, opening communi cation with Sir Henry Clinton, British commander. Major Andre was sent by Sir Henry to negotiate with Arnold, and they had an interview near West Point, which fortress Arnold had offered to sur render to the enemy. On his way to the British camp, however, the young officer fell into the hands of the Ameri cans, and the whole plot was of course discovered. The news of Andre's capture reached Arnold just in time to enable him to make his escape and reach the British camp in safety. There he re tained his rank of brigadier-general, and fought with as much daring against the cause of American independence. After ward he served in Nova Scotia and the West Indies, and at last settled in Lon don, England, where he died June 14, 1801.