Benedict Arnold | The Hero of Saratoga

Lindsay Graham (0:00)

Hello, American Scandal listeners. The live show I've been telling you about for a few weeks has a new date, October 23rd at the Plaza Theater in Garland, Texas. This is My Days That Made America Tour, a thrilling evening of history, storytelling and music with me and a band live on stage. So if you're in the North Texas area or anywhere close, be sure to come out and see me live. And more shows will be announced soon. For information on tickets and upcoming dates, go to americanhistorylive.com.

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American Scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events. Some elements, including dialogue, might be invented, but everything is based on historical research.

It's the morning of September 25th, 1780, in Garrison, New York. Peggy Arnold sits at her bedroom window, gently rocking her infant son against her shoulder. She parts the curtain and looks across the fields to the glittering waters of the Hudson River. Below her, the house is stirring to life. Peggy can hear servants crossing the floorboards, stoking fires and laying out breakfast. They're preparing for an important visitor. Later this morning, the most powerful man in the Continental Army is expected in Garrison, Commander-in-Chief George Washington.

He's coming to visit West Point, the fortress on the other side of the Hudson. After nearly five years of war against the British, West Point is the single most important fortification in the American Rebellion, and it's under the command of Peggy's husband, Benedict Arnold. But over the familiar rhythms of the household staff, there's suddenly a new and more urgent noise. Boots moving quickly up the stairs. Peggy turns as her husband rushes in.

Arnold presses the door shut behind him, his face drained of color. Peggy frowns. What's wrong? John Andre has been captured. What? He was stopped by militiamen near Terrytown. They know he's a British officer. How? I don't know. I don't know. He was so close to the British lines, too. You told me everything was going to plan. It was. Can he be traced back to us? He had papers, plans at West Point. They were written in my hand. Oh dear God. You'll be hanged. Arnold marches back and forth, incapable of standing still. HMS Vulture may still be on the river. If I leave now, I may be able to reach her. Once on the board, the British will protect me.

Peggy stands, still holding their baby. And we will come with you. Arnold shakes his head. There's no time. You cannot mean to leave us here. If we flee together, we condemn us both.

Arnold reaches out and strokes the back of his son's head. And what would become of him then? No, you must stay. But Washington will be here at any moment. What am I to say to him? That I was urgently called to West Point. Tell him I'll return before dinner. And when he finds out the truth, say that I lied to you too, that you knew nothing of what I planned. He'll believe you. What if he does not? Arnold takes his wife's hand. He will. And I must go.

Peggy nods but doesn't release her grip. We shall see each other again. I'm sure of it. All right then. Go now and leave Washington to me.

Benedict Arnold hurries out of the room and leaves his wife Peggy and their son behind. Any minute now, George Washington will walk into the house expecting to find the commander of West Point. Peggy will have to cover for Arnold to give him time to escape. But it's not just his future that's at risk. If Peggy is to have any hope of protecting herself and her infant son, she'll have to put on the performance of a lifetime.

SPEAKER_3 (3:58)

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SPEAKER_4 (4:28)

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Lindsay Graham (4:55)

From Audible Originals, I'm Lindsay Graham and this is American Scandal.

Benedict Arnold occupies a singular place in the American imagination. Calling someone a Benedict Arnold is a grave accusation. His name has become synonymous with traitor, but his story is much more complicated than the single act of betrayal that made him so notorious. Before Benedict Arnold became the most infamous traitor in American history, he had been one of its greatest heroes. In 1777, two years into the war, the Revolution hung by a thread. The British controlled New York City, the most important harbor in North America. Their armies had captured several other major cities, and the Hudson River Valley was in their sights. If the British seized this region, they would be able to split New England from the rest of the colonies and cut out the political and military heart of the Revolution. By isolating it, the British hoped they could crush the rebellion and end the war. But Benedict Arnold stood in their path. His bravery and brilliance in battle should have secured his place among the great heroes of early American history. Instead, Arnold would come to believe his sacrifices had been repaid with humiliation and financial ruin. And when he concluded that he would never receive the recognition he deserved, he decided to take revenge against the country he'd fought to create. This is episode one, The Hero of Saratoga.