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DAR Program on "The Enigma of Benedict Arnold"
The Roger Sherman Chapter, DAR hosts a slide program by Robert Berthelson entitled "The Enigma of Benedict Arnold, Connecticut's Traitorous Hero" on Tuesday, November 12 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 107 Kent Rd. (Route 7) in New Milford. Mr. Berthelson, a photographer with a lifelong interest in American history, has presented programs to over 1,000 audiences in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, including historical societies, libraries, civic groups, schools, retirement communities, health care centers and other organizations.
When Benedict Arnold attempted, unsuccessfully, to turn the American garrison at West Point over to the British high command in September 1780, he so destroyed his reputation that his name has become synonymous with treason. We find it hard to believe that this same man was responsible, along with Ethan Alien, for the daring capture of the British-held fortress at Ticonderoga, NY in May of 1775 or that he had led the desperate, ill-fated expedition to capture Quebec in December that same year.
Using his experience as a sea captain in the West Indies trade, Arnold devised a plan to build a small fleet on Lake Champlain and successfully stopped a British invasion from Canada in the fall of 1776. When 2,000 British troops invaded Westport, CT and marched to Danbury in 1777, intent on destroying military stores, Arnold attempted to prevent them from returning to their boats with a small force of militia.
The battle at Saratoga, NY in the fall of 1777 is referred to as one of the great decisive victories in world history. The part played by Arnold in the events leading up to the battle and his personal leadership in the battle itself cannot be denied. The British plan called for two large forces from Canada to attack Albany, joining another force coming up the Hudson River. The force under General Barry St. Ledger was stopped when Arnold spread false rumors among St. Ledger's Indians, causing them to panic and disperse. Saratoga was fought in two battles: one on September 19 at Freeman's Farm in which Arnold frustrated a British attempt to turn the American lines; and on October 7 when Arnold, without orders, executed several daring charges, broke through the British lines and put them to flight while receiving a severe leg wound. The credit for this great victory is due chiefly to Benedict Arnold.
Unfortunately, Arnold had several political enemies in the army and in Congress and he was passed over for promotion several times. He was court-martialed on several charges for which he was acquitted. While in command at Philadelphia he was persuaded to enter into negotiations with the British and he so tarnished his name that a monument to his wounded leg on the Saratoga battlefield does not identify him.
Prior to the slide program on Benedict Arnold by Mr. Berthelson, the Roger Sherman Chapter, DAR will present the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award to a New Milford High School senior at 11:30 a.m. The chapter’s business meeting and a catered luncheon will also precede the slide program. This free event is open to the public; for more info call 860-354-5521.
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