Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: wildbill

I think it was one factor. A big one. He was also severly wounded at Saratoga and that wound took him out of active duty and got him appointed as military governor of PA. That was a mistake...he met and fell in love with a beautiful young tory and got a severe reprimand from Washington for how he conducted his office...even though Washington felt sympathetic to Arnold’s side. Taken all together you can see how Arnold would fall.


23 posted on 07/07/2010 5:26:05 AM PDT by pgkdan (I Miss Ronald Reagan!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies ]


To: pgkdan

Chinese proverb: A journey of 1000 li begins with one step.

Arnold’s entire career might have been changed had Gates not hogged the limelight over Saratoga.

But I agree there could have been other contributing factors—promises of preference or money, a perception that the war was lost, etc.

I’m not persuaded that his love life was a primary cause since he couldn’t tell her of his change of allegiance without jeopardizing his life and of course there was the question about how she would react to his dishonorable acts in a era when a man’s honor and reputation were all important.


24 posted on 07/07/2010 5:48:09 AM PDT by wildbill (You're just jealous because the Voices talk only to me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson