TRUTH about Benedict Arnold - Forgotten History

Every American knows the name Benedict Arnold. Most think they know the full story but do they? His name is synonymous with high treason and treachery. But very few people know the real story behind the man, what he accomplished, what his fellow leaders felt about him, what his men thought of him and why he did what he did. Written and Hosted by Colin D. Heaton. Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production.
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About us: Host/Military Historian/Film Consultant/US Army and USMC Veteran - Colin Heaton
Screenwriter/Director/Producer/US Marine Corps Veteran - Michael Droberg
Editor - Alexander Keane
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allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #forgottenhistorychannel

Sources:
Arnold, Benedict (September 25, 1780). "Letter, Benedict Arnold to George Washington pleading for mercy for his wife". Library of Congress (George Washington Papers).
Smithsonian Magazine
USNI.org
Murphy, Jim (2007). The Real Benedict Arnold. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-395-77609-4. OCLC 85018164
Brandt, Clare (1994). The Man in the Mirror: A Life of Benedict Arnold. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-679-40106-7.
Flexner, James Thomas (1953). The Traitor and the Spy: Benedict Arnold and John André. New York: Harcourt Brace. OCLC 426158.
Lomask, Milton (October 1967). "Benedict Arnold: The Aftermath of Treason". American Heritage Magazine.
Martin, James Kirby (1997). Benedict Arnold: Revolutionary Hero (An American Warrior Reconsidered). New York University Press. ISBN 0-8147-5560-7.
Vital Records of Norwich, 1659–1848. Norwich, CT: Hartford: Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut. 1913. p. 153. OCLC 1850353. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
Showman, Richard, ed. (1983). The Papers of General Nathanael Greene. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-1557-8.
Randall, Willard Sterne (1990). Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor. William Morrow and Inc. ISBN 1-55710-034-9.

[aetius]

There’s definitely a timeline in which this guy would have been an American hero. Congress and his peers did him dirty, which contributed to him changing sides. Guy took 3 wounds to the same leg for the country to not pay him or his soldiers. On top of that he was refused multiple promotions over lesser accomplished men.

[nickyruso]

Colin I’m a Jamaican living in the UK and you have made me fall in love with history, absolutely love your videos. Please keep them coming 👍🏾

[tomtaylor]

I grew up hiking and canoeing in Upstate New York. Even today this is difficult terrain to navigate and the flies and mosquitoes are the worst. In the 1700s this would have been old growth forests totally dense .Total respect

[theimperialist]

Another insightful video detailing what the schools don't purposefully teach.

[Roadglide]

The first time I heard anything other that he was a traitor was in college. I fortunately had a history professor who from the start informed some students that they would be offended and would most likely walk out and he was right. He taught history not feelings.

[darkwing]

Now I Benedict Arnold as both a traitor and a fallen hero. I had no clue that Arnold was such a military asset to the Continental Army. I had no clue that he was so brave on the battlefield when he fought for the Patriots. I had no clue that he took a bullet in his leg fighting for the Patriots. I had no clue that he sold his own sold assets to pay the soldiers he led in battle. Thanks for sharing some of his redeeming qualities. Keep up the great work Forgotten History.

[coltharpc]

Benedict Arnold was passed over for promotion several times by men who he thought was lesser than him. Benedict may have been a great solider and showed even greater courage; however, he did not have great political skills to capitalize his success. Several men took credit for his victories because they were more vocal and persuasive than him.

His betrayal was also encouraged by his wife telling him would receive well deserved recognition to serve England. Ongoing financial debts, being ignored for his achievements and family issues at home drove him into arms of the British. I always thought Arnold as a tragedy and how a loyal man could be driven to desperation.

[THEScottCampbell]

Your exposing the truth about REAL history instead of the lies and distortions we have been fed are a great service to Civilization. Thank you so much for your great work.

[stevenward]

Thank you, Colin, for setting the record straight concerning Benedict Arnold. The politics then and still better than what we have at the moment, yet, still, his treatment by those who, for some reason, failed to see his true assets as a commander, weren't fair to him. It's sad that he had to choose the direction he did in the end, but I would not justify such an excuse his act of treason. Washington had been the only general who favoured him, and I'm sure that he was heartbroken over the consequences. Perhaps if General Washington would have put him under his command, things would have turned out differently.

[GGleIsACrp]

Basically, push a man too far, don't be surprised he makes unreasonable decisions.

[TheWookFlu]

Best way to make my hour morning commute. Love catching a Colin Heaton FH

[APPE]

To twice have amassed a fortune only to pay his men and be refused payment by congress on multiple occasions? I can see why he changed the colour of his jacket and obviously the British could see the value in Arnold.

[melissavancleave]

Well what a mess! I love learning more context from this channel. Thank you.

[stevensrpmusic]

So many things I wasn’t taught in school or college! Thanks Colin

[meatloaf]

Benedict Arnold’s wife allegedly had a major influence on Arnold’s switching sides. She was supposedly a staunch loyalist and pressed Arnold to turn to support the English crown. “Happy wife, happy life”. Any married man knows the power a woman can hold over a man.

[gwebocelestron]

I'm a descendant of Benedict Arnold. Let me tell you, telling peoole to go to hell runs in the family. Heard my dad say it hundreds of times. I've said it too. My dad - Vietnam, me - Desert Storm, my son - Iraqi Freedom. All US Army and all three of us wound up saying "go to hell" and got out. My son, so proud of him. He originally was going to join the Marines. At induction before swearing in he read his contract and discovered they screwed it up. He told them, "If you can't even get my contract right, why the hell would I join your organization" and he walked out and joined the Army instead.

[thrumylenns]

I'm a local from the area that Benedict Arnold came from. My son when he was a little boy when we would go walking near the cemetery in Norwich Town would ask to bring flowers to Hannah Arnold where she is buried. Now I go to the grocery store across the street from the school that Benedict Arnold studied in before his father's alcoholism stopped him from being able to study. Benedict Arnold used to have to go and drag his drunken father home from the Leffingwell Inn. He had a very dynamic story that is overlooked in history but his contribution to the revolutionary war was just as important as many other of the founding fathers.

[REBELSCL]

I was a double major in both political science and history while in college. My final paper for my history degree, (they called it a 5 Star paper… kind of an undergraduate thesis) was on Benedict Arnold. While not a defense of his actions, I pointed out every major item that you include in this video. Arnold was driven to bankruptcy to pay his troops, and there was no justifiable reason why the Continental Congress did not reimburse him. He was truly the victor of Saratoga… Believe it or not, I’m actually a resident of Richmond Virginia which he took great pains to destroy…He deserves a better understanding by the American people…. Thank you for your excellent video…

[DavidECoy]

Unfortunately our history isn’t being forgotten, it’s being rewritten to better fit the narratives of today. Thanks for teaching the truth about our history weather good or bad.

[travishendrix]

We were taught that Arnold was a sell out and a traitor.
The facts show otherwise.
A brave and fearless leader who lead from the front.
Only to be ridiculed and targeted.
A feeling of shame comes up for me.
Thanks for another fine video sir.