Brigadier Gen.l Arnold.
Engraved for the Universal Magazine.
[London, 1781.]
Engraving, 7¼ x 4½".
Brigadier General Benedict Arnold served in the American Army during the Revolution. He went on to flee America on the British vessel, Vulture, and became a colonel in the British Army. In 1780 Arnold successfully lobbied for command of West Point on the Hudson River. Working through André, he came to an agreement in August to surrender the post to the British. Meeting on September 21, Arnold and André sealed the deal. Departing the meeting, André was captured two days later as he returned to New York City. Learning of this on September 24, Arnold was forced to flee to HMS Vulture in the Hudson River as the plot was exposed. Remaining calm, Washington investigated the scope of betrayal and offered to exchange André for Arnold. This was refused and André was hung as a spy on October 2. Receiving a commission as a brigadier general in the British Army, Arnold campaigned against American forces in Virginia later that year and in 1781. In his last major action of the war, he won the Battle of Groton Heights in Connecticut in September 1781. Effectively viewed as a traitor by both sides, he did not receive another command when the war ended despite lengthy efforts. Returning to life as a merchant he lived in Britain and Canada before his death in London on June 14, 1801.
[Ref: 122] £45.00
[London, 1781.]
Engraving, 7¼ x 4½".
Brigadier General Benedict Arnold served in the American Army during the Revolution. He went on to flee America on the British vessel, Vulture, and became a colonel in the British Army. In 1780 Arnold successfully lobbied for command of West Point on the Hudson River. Working through André, he came to an agreement in August to surrender the post to the British. Meeting on September 21, Arnold and André sealed the deal. Departing the meeting, André was captured two days later as he returned to New York City. Learning of this on September 24, Arnold was forced to flee to HMS Vulture in the Hudson River as the plot was exposed. Remaining calm, Washington investigated the scope of betrayal and offered to exchange André for Arnold. This was refused and André was hung as a spy on October 2. Receiving a commission as a brigadier general in the British Army, Arnold campaigned against American forces in Virginia later that year and in 1781. In his last major action of the war, he won the Battle of Groton Heights in Connecticut in September 1781. Effectively viewed as a traitor by both sides, he did not receive another command when the war ended despite lengthy efforts. Returning to life as a merchant he lived in Britain and Canada before his death in London on June 14, 1801.
[Ref: 122] £45.00