[ChicagoRepublican]

Benedict Arnold was a better soldier and commander than a lot of patriotic American fighters. His fighting at Saratoga and Fort Stanwicks was heroic. Also after his failed assault on Quebec, Arnold stopped the British at the Battle of Valcour Isle, which saved American forces from a complete disaster.

[pepsionice]

When you actually look at Benedict Arnold...after his great episodes at both Saratoga and Fort Stanwick...he deserved Generals rank. But the congress would not authorize it because they felt his state already had their allotment of generals (2) and they refused to promote him to the rank of General. All of the various in-fighting in congress didn't help his case either. And toward the end...his marriage to a pro-British 'lady', the hopeless campaigns that the Americans suffered through after Stanwick, and almost no action by Washington...led him to believe the war could not be won by the Americans. If the British stayed long-term, they would eventually wear the Americans out and money support would be dissolved at some point. He was proven wrong because of massive French support (troops, ships, money) and one great tactical campaign that Washington won. Oh, and I should mention that the King's court and the British Parliament decided, against the King of course, that the war was not winnable.

Arnold was one of the three best military minds in the American army...hands down. And he actually rode in battle with his men...something that was rare then, and is rare today. I will give him that credit. Wesley Clark does not match up to Arnolds capabilities.