Stationed in Rhode Island.--Superseded in his Rank by
Congress.--Complains of Injustice and ill Treatment.--His Bravery in the
Affair of Danbury.--Commands at Philadelphia.
General Carleton took possession of Crown Point, and for a few days
menaced Ticonderoga; but, being convinced of his inability so late in
the season to accomplish his main purpose of penetrating to Albany, he
retired with his fleet and army down the Lake to seek winter-quarters in
Canada. It was no longer necessary to keep up a formidable force in the
northern department, and a large part of the troops was ordered from
Ticonderoga to reinforce General Washington in Jersey, then retreating
before a victorious enemy. Arnold was in this division, and he joined
Washington's camp on the west side of the Delaware, a week preceding
the memorable battle of Trenton. A letter had already been despatched to
him, which had missed him in his route, containing directions to proceed
immediately to Rhode Island, and, in conjunction with General Spencer,
who commanded on that station, to rally the New England militia, and be
prepared to resist the enemy, then hovering on the coast with a large
number of ships.
He remained three days with the Commander-in-chief, and hastened to
Providence, the headquarters of the eastern army. The British landed and
took possession of Newport. The winter was passed by Spencer and Arnold
in forming plans, and making preparations, to attack the garrison
on Rhode Island; but these were all defeated by the impossibility of
procuring troops sufficient for such an enterprise. Arnold spent some
time in Boston, for the purpose of consulting with the principal persons
of Massachusetts on this project, and of engaging the legislature of
that State to call out an adequate force of the militia to secure its
success. The attempt failed. All the States of New England were equally
interested in driving the enemy from this new lodgment within their
borders, all were equally disposed to do it; but the exhaustion of the
last campaign could not be repaired in a moment, nor was the ardor of
the people at so high a pitch as to induce them in the depth of winter
to seek an enemy, contented to remain on an island, and from whom no
immediate danger was apprehended. It is moreover to be kept in mind,
that every effort was now making to fill up the Continental regiments,
and reinforce the dwindled army under Washington at Morristown, as well
as to prepare for the expected invasion from the north in the spring.
While Arnold was engaged in this service, an incident happened, which
made him begin to talk of the ingratitude of his country, and which had
an important bearing on his future destiny. In February, 1777, Congress
appointed five new major-generals, without including him in the list,
all of whom were his juniors in rank, and one of them, General Lincoln,
was promoted from the militia. It may well be imagined what effect this
tacit censure and public slight would have on a person so sensitive to
military glory, and whose reputation and prospects rested on that basis
alone. He was totally unprepared for such a testimony of the sense of
Congress, and his astonishment was not less than his indignation; but he
had the self-command to conceal his emotions, and to demean himself with
more moderation, than might have been expected. Washington was surprised
and concerned, as he feared the ill effects, which such a practice might
have upon the officers, knowing the extreme jealousy with which military
men regard the subject of rank and promotion, and considering this
feeling as essential to the vital interests of the army. He wrote
to Arnold a soothing letter, begging him to take no hasty steps, and
expressing his conviction that there was some mistake, which would
in due time be rectified. He added assurances of his own endeavors to
promote what he deemed in this case the claim of justice as well as of
policy.
Arnold replied in a subdued tone, but not without symptoms of strong
feeling. "Congress undoubtedly have a right," said he, "of promoting
those, whom, from their abilities and their long and arduous services,
they esteem most deserving. Their promoting junior officers to the
rank of major-generals, I view as a very civil way of requesting my
resignation, as unqualified for the office I hold. My commission was
conferred unsolicited, and received with pleasure only as a means of
serving my country. With equal pleasure I resign it, when I can no
longer serve my country with honor. The person, who, void of the nice
feelings of honor, will tamely condescend to give up his right, and
retain a commission at the expense of his reputation, I hold as a
disgrace to the army and unworthy of the glorious cause in which we
are engaged. When I entered the service of my country, my character was
unimpeached. I have sacrificed my interest, ease, and happiness in her
cause. It is rather a misfortune than a fault, that my exertions have
not been crowned with success. I am conscious of the rectitude of my
intentions. In justice, therefore, to my own character, and for the
satisfaction of my friends, I must request a court of inquiry into my
conduct; and, though I sensibly feel the ingratitude of my countrymen,
yet every personal 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." No man certainly could
talk in a more patriotic strain, and perhaps it is not too great a tax
upon our faith to believe, that he was at this time as sincere as
most patriots, who are reduced to the extremity of enumerating their
disinterested sacrifices and services, as a vindication of their
character, and a proof that the public have done them wrong.
General Washington was prompt to render the aid he had promised. He
wrote to some of his friends in Congress on the subject, and requested
General Greene, who was then at Philadelphia, to make particular
inquiries. The avowed reason was, that the members from each State
insisted upon having general officers proportioned to the number
of troops furnished by it, and, as Connecticut had already two
major-generals, there was no vacancy for another. "I confess," said
General Washington, "this is a strange mode of reasoning, but it may
show you that the promotion, which was due to your seniority, was not
overlooked for want of merit in you." To the request for a court of
inquiry he replied, that, as no specific charge had been alleged, he did
not see on what ground such a court could be instituted; and, as public
bodies were not responsible for their acts, all the satisfaction which
an individual could obtain, if overlooked, was a consciousness that he
did not deserve such treatment for his honest exertions.
This was kind and friendly, and might have afforded consolation to
a philosopher; but Arnold had never been imbued with those maxims of
wisdom which teach humility, nor learned the useful art of self-control
to such an extent as to resist the impulse of a craving ambition, or
endure the corrodings of wounded pride. He was well aware, also, that
the ostensible motives of the majority of Congress were not the real
ones; and this fact pressed upon him the unwelcome conviction, that his
enemies were more numerous and active than he had ever imagined. Looking
for the support of his reputation to the splendor of his military fame,
and the prevailing power of popular applause over the opinions of all
ranks of society, he had never prepared himself for such an expression
of public sentiment, and his chagrin was in proportion to his
disappointment.
At length he resolved to visit head-quarters, and obtain permission
to proceed in person to Philadelphia, and demand of Congress an
investigation into his conduct. On his journey from Providence, he
happened to be in Connecticut at the time when the British expedition,
consisting of two thousand troops, under Governor Tryon, landed at
Compo, near Fairfield, penetrated the country, and burnt the town of
Danbury, with the public stores at that place. Generals Silliman and
Wooster had succeeded in collecting suddenly about six hundred men, of
whom one hundred were Continental troops, and the others militia, and
pushed forward in pursuit of the enemy. Arnold joined them at a short
distance from Reading, and they all marched to Bethel, about four miles
from Danbury, where they arrived in the middle of the night, and learned
that the town was destroyed, and the British preparing to retire. They
halted at Bethel to refresh the troops till morning, and then separated
their party into two divisions. At daylight two hundred men under
General Wooster marched to harass the enemy in their rear. Arnold and
Silliman headed the other division, amounting to four hundred, and took
a different route, with the design of intercepting their retreat. It was
at first uncertain whether Governor Tryon would go to the North River,
and embark in the vessels then lying near Tarrytown, or return to the
ships, which he had left in the Sound. All doubts were soon removed,
however, by intelligence of his being in full march towards Compo.
General Wooster overtook the enemy's rear guard, and commenced a
spirited attack. It was repelled by discharges of artillery and
musketry, which seemed at first to stagger his men, unaccustomed to
scenes of battle. He had placed himself in their front, to encourage
them forward, and had just called out, "Come on, my boys; never mind
such random shot," when he received a wound in his side, which proved
mortal. He fell from his horse, and was carried back to Danbury where he
died.
By eleven o'clock in the morning, Arnold's division had reached
Ridgefield, having been augmented on the way to about five hundred men.
He took a position at the northern extremity of the village, and erected
a barricade of carts, logs, and earth across the road by which the
British were to pass. The post was well chosen, the road was narrow, his
right flank was covered by a house and barn, and his left by a ledge of
rocks. At three o'clock the enemy appeared, marching in a solid
column, and they commenced a heavy fire as they advanced towards the
breast-work. It was briskly returned. For nearly a quarter of an hour
the action was warm, and the Americans maintained their ground by
the aid of their barricade against four times their number, until the
British column began to extend itself, and to stretch around their
flanks. This was a signal for a retreat. Arnold was the last man that
remained behind. While alone in this situation, a platoon of British
troops, who had clambered up the rocks on the left flank, discharged
their muskets at him. His horse dropped lifeless, and when it was
perceived that the rider did not fall, one of the soldiers rushed
forward with a fixed bayonet intending to run him through. Arnold sat
unmoved on his struggling horse, watched the soldier's approach till
he was near enough to make sure his aim, then drew a pistol from the
holsters and shot him dead. Seizing this critical opportunity, he sprang
upon his feet and escaped unharmed. So remarkable an exhibition of
cool and steady courage, in a moment of extreme danger, has rarely been
witnessed.
He rallied his men, and continued to annoy the enemy in their progress.
Being reinforced the next day, he hung upon their flanks and rear
throughout the whole march to their ships, attacking them at every
assailable point. In a skirmish near Compo, just before the British
embarked, the horse which he rode was shot through the neck, and on all
occasions he exposed himself with his accustomed intrepidity.
The news of these exploits passed quickly to Congress, and without
delay Arnold was promoted to the rank of major-general. But, with
an inconsistency not easily accounted for, his relative rank was not
restored, and he was still left by the date of his commission below the
five major-generals, who had been raised over him. If his merit as
an officer now required his advancement, notwithstanding the former
objections, it would seem to have been a proper act of magnanimity to
place him where the reproach upon his military honor would be removed,
and his sense of justice satisfied. To degrade and promote at the same
time was a singular mode of bestowing reward, or expressing approbation.
Arnold regarded it in that light, and was by no means at ease with his
new appointment thus grudgingly conferred, or rather extorted by the
fresh laurels he had won on the field of battle.
General Washington, sensible of the delicacy of his situation, and
valuing highly his services, hastened to make the best amends in his
power for the neglect of Congress, by appointing him to the command on
the North River, which, at that juncture was as honorable a post as
any officer in the army could hold. He declined the offer, however, and
obtained the consent of the Commander-in-chief to go to Philadelphia,
and prosecute his first design of applying in person to Congress for
an examination into his conduct. He soon discovered, what he before
had sufficient reason to apprehend, that the unfavorable reports of
his behavior at Montreal and Ticonderoga, added to a conviction of the
inherent defects of his private character, which every body was ready to
acknowledge, were the prevailing causes of the disrepute in which he was
held by a majority of that body. These stern patriots, regarding virtue
as essential to true honor, did not consider great examples of valor,
resource, and energy, even in arousing and sustaining the military ardor
of a country, as an adequate counterpoise to a dereliction of principle
and a compromising integrity. How far a judicious policy and pure
patriotism were combined on this occasion, or to what extent party zeal
contributed to warp the judgment, we need not now inquire. It is enough
to know, that impressions were fixed and their influence was felt. To
remove the former and weaken the latter was the task, which Arnold set
himself to perform.
His complaints were loud, and expressed with a show of sensibility,
which from any other man might seem to be sincere. "I am exceedingly
unhappy," said he, in writing to Congress, "to find, that, after having
made every sacrifice of fortune, ease, and domestic happiness to serve
my country, I am publicly impeached (in particular by Lieutenant-Colonel
Brown) of a catalogue of crimes, which, if true, ought to subject me to
disgrace, infamy, and the just resentment of my countrymen. Conscious of
the rectitude of my intentions, however I may have erred in judgment, I
must request the favor of Congress to point out some mode, by which my
conduct and that of my accusers may be inquired into, and justice done
to the innocent and injured." This letter was referred to the Board
of War. As a proof, that the poison of party was then rankling in the
national councils, and that it was not inoperative in this affair, we
may cite a letter written by Richard Henry Lee, on the day that the
above complaint, or petition, was presented. "One plan," he observes,
"now in frequent use, is to assassinate the characters of the friends
of America, in every place and by every means; at this moment they are
reading in Congress a bold and audacious attempt of this kind against
the brave General Arnold."
After examining all the papers in their possession, and holding a
conference with General Arnold, and with Mr. Carroll (one of the
commissioners from Congress at Montreal when the former commanded
there), the Board of War reported, that they were entirely satisfied as
to the character and conduct of General Arnold, which, in the language
of the Board, had been "so cruelly and groundlessly aspersed." The
report was confirmed by Congress; yet, strange as it may appear, his
rank was not restored, nor was any resolution adopted on that head;
and he was thus left with all his griefs bearing as heavily upon him
as before; and indeed more so, since their burden was increased by this
unexpected but convincing proof of the deep-rooted hostility of his
opponents, and of their being influenced by motives, which he had not
anticipated. His disappointment was the greater at this moment, as
Congress had two days before complimented him with the gift of a horse,
properly caparisoned, being a token of their approbation of his recent
gallant conduct against the enemy. It was no wonder, that this giving
with one hand and taking away with the other, exciting hope and
defeating expectation with the same breath, should worry and disgust a
man, who had a right to look for consistency if not for favor. This duty
Congress owed to themselves, for the sake of their own dignity; and
they certainly owed it to every officer, whom they deemed worthy of a
commission in the army.
Another circumstance now occurred, which involved the case in new
difficulties. General Arnold presented his accounts to Congress, and
requested an examination of them by a committee. For the want of proper
regulations in the various military departments at the beginning of
the war, the business of purchases, payments, and other money concerns,
rested mainly with the commanders of detachments. This system prevailed
in the Canada expedition as a matter of necessity. By the peculiarity of
his situation, from the time he left Cambridge until the evacuation
of Canada, Arnold was compelled on many occasions to act in the triple
capacity of commander, commissary, and paymaster. Hence his accounts
were voluminous and extremely complicated, and in many parts without
vouchers or proper certificates. This irregularity was to be expected
from the nature of the case; but it was soon discovered, that he had
introduced a series of extravagant charges in his own favor, some of
them dubious in their character, and others manifestly unreasonable,
even if the items could be proved, which in the aggregate swelled his
personal claims upon the government to an enormous amount.
As there was no pretence of his having carried his own money into the
service in any considerable quantity, and as his credit was not of a
kind to command large resources upon his individual responsibility, the
inquiry very naturally arose, how he could in the space of a few months,
while discharging an active and arduous military duty, accumulate
property to such an amount, as appeared in the balance of his accounts.
In short, every one perceived, that there was a fallacy, a deception, or
an impudent attempt to overreach and defraud the public. His enemies in
Congress gained new strength to their cause by these developements,
and his friends were vexed at the hard task they had undertaken, of
vindicating and sustaining a man, whose merits as an officer were of the
highest order, and whose services they deemed invaluable to the country,
but who, by the deplorable perversion of his moral qualities, was using
the ascendency he had acquired as a means of robbing that very public,
which, under the guise of a hypocritical patriotism, he pretended to
serve from disinterested motives, and at a great sacrifice.
While the committee were engaged in examining the accounts, Arnold was
appointed to the command of the army then convening in the neighborhood
of Philadelphia, and awaiting the movements of General Howe, who, it was
supposed, would open the campaign by a renewal of his attempt to cross
the Delaware, and march into Pennsylvania. When this officer made a
demonstration from Brunswic towards Washington's encampment, with a view
of bringing that cautious commander to a general action, it was thought
his design was against Philadelphia, and Arnold was sent forward by
Congress to take post on the Delaware above Trenton, to examine the
passes, secure the boats, and cooperate with General Washington in
opposing the enemy's advance. This duty he discharged with his usual
promptness and energy, and, when the British general retired to
Brunswic, he returned to his head-quarters at Philadelphia.
Meantime his accounts lingered in the hands of the Committee, who had
delayed making a report, and seemed not inclined to hasten it; nor
had any notice been taken of his reiterated demands to have his rank
adjusted. His impetuous temper could not brook this neglect, and his
patience was exhausted. He wrote a letter to Congress, tendering a
resignation of his commission, declaring at the same time, that he was
driven to this step only by a sense of the injustice he had suffered,
and professing an ardent love of his country, and his readiness to risk
his life in its cause; but, he added, "honor is a sacrifice no man
ought to make; as I received, so I wish to transmit it inviolate to
posterity." Just at this crisis came the intelligence of the disasters
on the northern frontiers, the unexpected evacuation of Ticonderoga, and
the approach of the formidable army under Burgoyne; and it so happened,
that, on the same day that the above letter of resignation was
communicated to Congress, they received a letter from General
Washington, recommending that General Arnold should be immediately sent
to join the northern army. "He is active, judicious, and brave," said
Washington, "and an officer in whom the militia will repose great
confidence."
Flattered by this preference, and looking forward to a scene of action
in which he always delighted, he did not hesitate to comply with the
order, and suspend his demand of permission to resign, adding only, that
he should leave it with Congress, and made no doubt they would listen to
it when the service now before him should be accomplished. He went still
farther and volunteered an act of magnanimity, which certainly must
extort praise, if it cannot win esteem. General St. Clair was in the
northern army, and he was one of the five major-generals, who had been
promoted over Arnold. With his keen sensibilities on this subject, it
might be presumed that he would insist on his rights, and refuse to
be commanded by an officer thus situated; but he generously waved
all considerations of that kind, declaring that he would do his duty
faithfully in the rank he then held, and trust to the justice of his
claims for a future reparation. This pacific overture, it is true, was
owing in no small degree to the solicitude of Washington, whom he
knew to be his sincere friend, and whose judgment was compromised in
recommending him to this appointment.