From Hero to Traitor: Unraveling the Story of Benedict Arnold at Fort Griswold
Hey everyone! Dan Blanchard here from Travel in Time, and today we’re delving into a fascinating, yet tragic, chapter of American history right here in the New London/Groton area of Connecticut, at Fort Griswold. This place holds the story of a man once celebrated, then utterly despised: the infamous Benedict Arnold.
The Meteoric Rise of a Revolutionary Hero
Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecticut. When he joined the army, he quickly distinguished himself through his bravery and intelligence. He was so courageous and successful that he became George Washington’s “right-hand man,” one of his best generals. His early career was marked by significant victories:
- He captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British, considered the best military in the world.
- He secured cannons from Ticonderoga for Washington, which helped scare the British out of Boston.
- He was the hero of the Connecticut Battle of Ridgefield.
He was the turning point hero of the Battle of Saratoga, which led to French involvement in the war.
- He very nearly won the Quebec battle before British reinforcements arrived. If he had taken the Quebec Fort, there would have been little chance of the British ever getting him out.
This guy was doing everything right, on track for an incredibly promising future.
The Path to Betrayal
So, what went wrong? Arnold’s downfall began when he married Peggy, a loyalist. Peggy began whispering in his ear, convincing him that the Americans didn’t truly appreciate him. He had been passed over for several promotions, which greatly angered him, and he started to believe that the British would honor him more.
Adding to his woes, Arnold found himself deeply in debt, owing a lot of money. With encouragement from his wife, her friends, and her family, he began secret communications with the British. He was offered a substantial amount of money to work with them. He eventually accepted a position at West Point, which he intentionally weakened to allow for a British attack. His plot was discovered, devastating Washington. Arnold fled to the British side and put on that red lobsterback coat, symbolizing him now a bottom feeder.
Ironically, after joining the British, they demoted him, giving him a one-star brigadier general position instead of the two-star major general position he held with the Americans. It makes one wonder what Peggy thought then, after convincing him the British would respect him more.
The Invasion of His Homeland: Fort Griswold and the Massacre
Things were about to get much worse, particularly for the people of Connecticut. Arnold used his knowledge of the Connecticut invasion signals to fire off a cannon from his ship to fool people into believing there was no invasion while he invaded his home area, the Groton/New London region. Before the attack on Fort Griswold, he took out Fort Trumbull down the road and burned New London to the ground.
The most horrific event unfolded at Fort Griswold. After Colonel Ledyard surrendered, the British drove his own sword through him. What followed was a massacre, where all the colonist soldiers at the fort were killed after surrendering. This brutal act solidified the hatred of the Connecticut people for Benedict Arnold; they forever called him “the traitor” and despised him for it.
After this, nothing truly good ever came for Benedict Arnold. He had thrown away a brilliant future by spying for and working with the British.
Crucial Leadership Lessons from Benedict Arnold’s Downfall
The story of Benedict Arnold, while a historical tragedy, offers several valuable leadership lessons:
- Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely: Be very careful who you marry or who has your ear and is whispering advice.
- Avoid Debt: Good leaders try not to go into debt, as it can make you vulnerable and susceptible to doing things you otherwise wouldn’t.
- Resilience Over Abandonment: While you might give everything and it may not always be appreciated, a good leader finds a way to keep going instead of “jumping ship” and joining the other side.
- The Government’s Role in Appreciation: It’s important to recognize that Arnold wasn’t 100% at fault. The government did underappreciate him and passed him over for promotions, sometimes on purpose, due to some people disliking him.
- Appreciate Your “Stars”: If you have talented individuals (“stars”) working for you, you absolutely must show them appreciation. Whether in government, military, or business, if you don’t show your people, especially your best ones, that they are valued, they will leave. Losing your stars is something you definitely want to avoid.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this mix of travel, history, and leadership lessons. If you haven’t visited, consider coming down to the New London/Groton area to experience Fort Griswold firsthand.
This is Dan Blanchard from the Travel in Time Show, encouraging you to check out this Connecticut historical gem
Thanks for joining me on today’s Travel in Time journey, where travel, history, and leadership intertwine with me, Dan Blanchard. See you soon.
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*Watch Dan’s YouTube video about this blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaFPA96CT1Q
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