Portrait of Benedict Arnold (2)
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The PlotAfter his decision to switch his loyalties, Benedict Arnold concocted a plan to help give the British an advantage. Arnold, under the continental army, was in charge at the continental fort, West Point (3). West Point was located on the Hudson River in New York. Arnold decided to wait to reveal his switching of loyalties to the continental army. Arnold secretly contacted the British New York General Henry Clinton (4). In these correspondences, Arnold was arranging to hand over all of West Point and its men to the British army (5). To solidify his loyalty, Arnold was to meet with British Major John Andre to create a contract and receive his monetary reward (6).
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Map of High Point (7)
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Discovering ArnoldThe New York City spy group, The Culper Ring, uncovered the "treasonous correspondence" between Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre (8). As a result of their discovery, Andre and Arnold were ambushed at their meeting place (9). Andre was caught and killed while Arnold fled to the safety of the British lines (10). Without the Culper Ring's discovery of Arnold, the British would have taken the crucial American fort, West Point, and had a large advantage against the continental army.
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1. History.com Staff, "Benedict Arnold," A&E Networks ( Accessed April 28, 2016), http://www.history.com/.
2. John Trumbull, and H. B. Hall. Portrait of Benedict Arnold. Engraving. U.S. National Archives
3. History.com Staff. "Benedict Arnold."
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. "Sketch of West Point." Map. 1783. Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
8. A&E Television Network, LCC, "The Culper Spy Ring."
9. History.com Staff. "Benedict Arnold."
10. Ibid.
2. John Trumbull, and H. B. Hall. Portrait of Benedict Arnold. Engraving. U.S. National Archives
3. History.com Staff. "Benedict Arnold."
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. "Sketch of West Point." Map. 1783. Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
8. A&E Television Network, LCC, "The Culper Spy Ring."
9. History.com Staff. "Benedict Arnold."
10. Ibid.