2 NY sites recall Benedict Arnold's early heroics

AP via boston.com ^ | 5-10-12 | Chris Carola

[Pharmboy]

This undated sketch portrait of Gen. Benedict Arnold by an unknown artist was provided by the Library of Congress. While most Americans know Arnold as the man who betrayed his nation by trying to turn over the American fortifications at West Point to the British, then joining the redcoats when the plot was uncovered, his heroic actions at the Revolutionary War's Battles of Saratoga are detailed in a new exhibit opening Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Saratoga National Historical Park.

ALBANY, N.Y.—Benedict Arnold is a hero again, at least temporarily, at two upstate New York historic sites where his pre-treason exploits are being remembered.

Arnold's heroic actions in the Revolutionary War's Battles of Saratoga are detailed in a new exhibit opening Thursday at Saratoga National Historical Park, and his capture of British-held Fort Ticonderoga at the side of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys is being re-staged later this month in a rare nighttime re-enactment.

The Connecticut-born Arnold led American soldiers through Fort Ticonderoga's front gate in a pre-dawn raid on May 10, 1775, and he helped defeat the British at the Battles of Saratoga two years later. But most Americans know Arnold as the man who betrayed his nation by trying to turn over the American fortifications at West Point to the British, then joining the redcoats when the plot was uncovered.

"He was hated long before he became a traitor," said Eric Schnitzer, a park ranger at Saratoga National Historic Park in Stillwater, 20 miles north of Albany. "Some of the guys fighting with him thought he was a total and complete jerk. Other guys thought he was wonderful."

Count the Green Mountain Boys among the former. Angry at Arnold for his orders forbidding them from looting their British captives, the New Englanders

[2sheds]

It’s threads like this that made me join the RevWar ping list. Thank you everyone for the historical tidbits and please keep up the good work!

[C19fan]

The Old 76 House is still up and running. I grew up 5 miles from the place and would often drive by it.