Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) was a general of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). He was considered one of the finest Patriot military officers during the early years of the conflict but defected to the British in 1780 after being repeatedly passed over for promotion. Today, the phrase 'Benedict Arnold' remains a colloquialism for 'traitor' in the U.S.
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Definition
Timeline
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14 Jan 1741 - 14 Jun 1801Life of Benedict Arnold, an American general of the American Revolution who defected to Britain.
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14 Jan 1741Benedict Arnold is born in Norwich, Connecticut. Prior to his defection in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War, Arnold was a hero of the Continental Army under George Washington.
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23 Sep 1780British Major John André is captured, exposing the treason of Benedict Arnold.
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5 Jan 1781General Benedict Arnold, having recently switched sides in the American Revolutionary War, leads a force of 1,600 British soldiers in an attack on Richmond, Virginia, destroying the city and cutting supply lines between the northern and southern colonies, dealing the Colonial Army a severe blow.
