Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/142

ARNOLD.ARNOLD. injury shall be buried in my zeal for the safety and happiness of my country, in whose cause I have repeatedly fought and bled, and am ready at all times to risk my life." In April, 1777, Tryon invaded Connecticut with two thousand troops. Arnold, who was visiting his family at New Haven, joined Generals Wooster and Silliman at Reading, and the following day marched to Ridgefield with four hundred men. More than a hundred volunteers flocked to the standard of this favorite commander, who threw up barricades, and with a force of five hundred offered gallant resistance to the British, who numbered two thousand. His horse fell, pierced by nine balls, and while entangled in the stirrups a soldier with fixed bayonet rushed up to him and cried, "Surrender; you are my prisoner!" "Not yet," said Arnold, and drawing a pistol shot him dead. Obtaining another horse, he rallied the scattered militia and followed the retreating enemy, they being enabled to reach their ship only after a strong party of marines came to their aid. Arnold's second horse was shot, and a bullet passed through his own collar. Congress could no longer withhold his promotion, and the new major-general was presented by that body with a horse "properly caparisoned," but his relative rank was not restored. General Washington offered him a command on the Hudson, which he declined, obtaining leave to go to Philadelphia and ask Congress for the restoration of his rank, and to vindicate himself from counter charges made against him by certain officers whom he had impeached for misconduct and neglect of duty. The matter was referred to the board of war, which exonerated him from these charges, declaring that his character had been "cruelly and groundlessly aspersed," and Congress confirmed its decision, but still did not restore his rank. Arnold sent in his resignation, declaring his love for his country and his readiness to die in her service, but adding: "Honor is a sacrifice no man ought to make; as I received, so I wish to transmit it to posterity." He rescinded his resignation on learning of threatened danger from Burgoyne's advance, and again took to the field to "do his duty faithfully in the rank he then held, and trust to the justice of his claims for a future reparation." He joined General Schuyler at Fort Edward. A division of the army was effected, and Arnold took command of one wing and prepared to move his forces down the Hudson, when news came to him that in spite of Washington's letters in his behalf and of his brilliant record of service, the question of his rank had been decided in Congress against him. Mortified and wounded, the proud soldier refrained from resigning by the persuasion of General Schuyler, who appealed to him on the ground of the "absolute necessity of his services." He led an expedition to relieve Fort Stanwix, then besieged by a force of British and Indians under St. Leger, accomplished his purpose by means of a brilliant stratagem, drove St. Leger back to the Lakes and raised the siege of Fort Stanwix. Schuyler was superseded by Gates, and on Sept. 19 occurred the first battle of Bemis Heights, in which Arnold commanded the left wing of the army, and rendered signal service in preventing Burgoyne from marching into Albany a victor. Differences arose at this time between Arnold and General Gates, and Arnold was deprived of his command at the second battle of Bemis Heights; nevertheless he rushed into the midst of the battle and led the Americans to victory, while Gates stayed within his tent. Arnold was shot in the thigh, being the only commissioned officer who received a wound. Congress sent him a vote of thanks, and restored him to his rank above the five major-generals, who had been appointed over him. His wound still rendering him incapable of active field service, he was assigned to the command of Philadelphia, where he had his headquarters in the Penn House. A pleasing trait of Arnold's character was exhibited at this time in his disinterested kindness and generosity to the children of his friend, General Warren, whose death at Bunker Hill had left them destitute. Arnold contributed liberally to their support until he had induced Congress to provide a proper maintenance for them. In March, 1779, he purchased "Mount Pleasant," a beautiful residence on the banks of the Schuylkill, and in 1779 married Peggy, daughter of Chief Justice Shippen, and by this marriage came into close connection with several distinguished Tory families. Early in his command at Philadelphia, Arnold's duty compelled him to execute an arbitrary and very unpopular military order, which made him the object of personal hostility. He became involved in controversies with President Reed and the Pennsylvania authorities. Charges were made against him and investigated by a committee of Congress, and on all those relating to his honesty he was acquitted; but two trivial charges of ignoring red-tape formalities were proved; the committee, however, disregarding these, recommended a verdict of unqualified acquittal. His enemies still pursued the matter, and a trial by court-martial was then ordered, and Arnold was sentenced to a reprimand from Washington. Washington discharged this unpleasant duty with all possible consideration, and accompanied his very mild reprimand with assurances of his continued esteem and favor; but no kindness of commander or friend could lessen the sting of a reprimand, which Arnold felt to be wholly undeserved. He spoke intemperately and bitterly against Congress; and the loyalists, eager