Benedict+Arnold's+Treason+at+West+Point


 * Benedict Arnold's Treason at West Point **

On June 25, 1780 [|Benedict Arnold]wrote a letter, carried by [|John Andre], that offered to surrender West Point, [|New York] to the British for 20,000 pounds. [|George Washington] had left Arnold in charge of [|West Point]'s forces. This offer was not accepted until August due to delays. His letter was encoded so what it contained couldn't be read. Andre set off with the partridge to New York.



Arnold was previously known as a hero of the Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the war. As the battle was under way, he was commanded to sit by and watch. He could no longer stand it and road into battle with no authority at all. He valiantly road in to help the [|Continental Army]smash a hole in the British lines. Some historians believe that Arnold was not rewarded and revered as a hero of the war, therefor became angry and sought revenge. His felt he did not receive the appropriate amount of credit for the winning of the battle. He was even shot in the leg, shattering his thigh. His decided to help the British by writing a letter describing his offer to help the British by surrendering [|West Point] in return for safe passage for him and his [|family]. He would later be appointed as governor of some British territories in the [|Caribbean]. Previous to this plot, Arnold had also given the British the locations of supply storage's and strong forces of troops.

Benedict Arnold managed to escape with his family. However, John Andre was executed by hanging shortly after being found with Arnold's plans. Andre was stopped by a patrol lead by Captain Boyd while he was making his way to New York. He was interested in finding what "Important business" brought him out there. Upon search of his person the plans were discovered in his boot and Andre was detained.



West Point was Arnold's selection to be surrendered for its prime location and many military supply storage's. He applied for a position as commander of the base and immediately after receiving the title, he gave the plan to surrender it. If the message was not confiscated by accident, Britain might have still had a chance to win the war.

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