Benedict Arnold is notorious as a traitor in the American Revolution. After fighting with distinction on the American side and being promoted to major general, things started going less well. He was injured at Saratoga (1777), passed over for promotion, saw others steal his credit, and fought legal battles with Congress over money. Congress also ignored his advice. (Tell me about it.)
Benedict Arnold in 1776, when considered loyal to the American side.
He switched sides. Secretly. He was in command of West Point and plotted to turn it over to the British. The plot was discovered when a British conspirator was captured with relevant documents. Pursued by George Washington, Arnold escaped to a British warship.
The British made him a brigadier general, and gave him a reward, salary, and pension. He led British troops in Virginia and Connecticut.
But oops, he hadn’t switched to the winning side.
In England, he was surprised to find many British despised him. King George III liked him fine, and the Tories were generally polite, but the Whigs hated him. People said nasty things in public places. It rankled.
Image of Benedict Arnold, made in 1900. Nose has gotten bigger.
At one point, Arnold was chatting with the King when Lord Balcarres, 6th Earl of Crawford and a general himself, waltzed in. “Oh hey,” said King George, approximately, “Balcarres, old bean, do you know Arnold?”
“What, Sire!” said Balcarres, backing away, “the traitor Arnold?” (This according to Pistols at Ten Paces, by William Oliver Stevens.)
Arnold was insulted for some reason. He challenged Balcarres to a duel. Balcarres accepted. On the dueling field Arnold shot and missed. Balcarres walked away. Arnold called, “Why don’t you fire, my lord?”
“Sir, I leave you to the executioner.” Burn.
Arnold also dueled in 1792, over a remark in the House of Lords. The Earl of Lauderdale, arguing against an appointment for the Duke of Richmond, referenced the fact that Richmond’s views had changed. Once liberal, he’d become a conservative. Lauderdale cried, “If apostasy can justify promotion, the Duke of Richmond is the most fit person in England for this command—General Arnold alone excepted!”
Sensation! Publication! Everyone present immediately tweeted about it – no, but it was published, and when Richmond read it, he sent seconds to challenge Lauderdale to a duel.
Gambetta-Fourtou duel, 1879. Standing sideways you present a smaller target. But a bullet is more likely to hit something vital to your continued existence.
Lauderdale didn’t want to fight. Though he viewed Richmond as an apostate, Lauderdale liked him. He sent word that “the expressions… applied solely to the Duke of Richmond’s public conduct, and that he meant nothing in any respect personal to his Grace’s private character.” (See Aristocratic Vice by Donna T. Andrew.)
Not much of an apology – ‘You’re only a shifty swine in public! That’s all I meant!’ – but Richmond accepted it. Pals again.
No sooner had Richmond’s seconds clattered down Lauderdale’s steps, carrying gifts of brandy and flowers for the Duke, than Arnold’s second clattered up with another challenge.
Benedict Arnold and the Devil welcome Jefferson Davis to Hell.
Lauderdale made another flimsy apology to Arnold. Paraphrase: ‘It’s just your public persona that makes me hurl! Nothing against you – I didn’t even realize you were still alive!’
Arnold wanted a better apology or a fight. Rather than grovel, Lauderdale accepted the challenge.
When Lauderdale’s second gave the signal, Arnold fired and missed (likely deliberately). Lauderdale didn’t shoot. He lowered his pistol.
“I have no enmity toward General Arnold, and did not intend to wound his feelings,” he said.
“That is not a sufficient apology!” said Arnold. (True. “I didn’t mean anything by it,” doesn’t fly.)
“Very well. If the General is not satisfied, he is welcome to shoot again.” (Very insulting.)
“Unless Lord Lauderdale fires, I will insult him with such language as will compel him to fire!” said Arnold.
Treason never to be forgot.
Lauderdale put down his gun. “General, I hereby retract in full. I did not mean to asperse your character and I am sorry for what I said.” (Good apology!) Everybody shook hands and went out for pie. (Pie added by me because I am hungry right now.)
Arnold apparently got a flicker of approval for telling Lauderdale to shoot, but it didn’t really change people’s opinion of him. It’s one thing to change sides. It’s another thing to sell out the first side and the soldiers alongside whom you fought. A thing called treason.
