BENEDICT ARNOLD.
"At last I see my way to a position. They said I was a ne'er-do-well.
We shall see!"
The speaker, a fine, handsome-looking man, paced the floor of a small
room in Cambridge.
It was one week after the battle of Lexington.
He was restless; every muscle in his body seemed to quiver with
excitement.
Anyone looking at him would prefer him as a friend rather than an
enemy, for there was that in his face which betokened strong passion.
He was ambitious. For the gratification of that ambition he would
sacrifice anything, even honor.
He had been brought up as a merchant, and had splendid opportunities in
his native Colony of Connecticut for success, but he was restless, and
wanted a fame greater than he could obtain as a merchant.
He had suggested the formation of a company of militia, to be called
the "Governor's Guards," and had also hinted that they should rival the
royal guards of England in appearance and attire.
The governor was pleased with the suggestion, for he loved display, and
commissioned Benedict Arnold to put into effect his suggestion, and to
take the rank of captain.
Arnold cared less for the career of a merchant than ever.
He designed a uniform which should outshine even the famous Life Guards
of London in splendor.
Buckling on a sword, he would pose before a mirror and salute his own
reflected image in the glass.
Gathering around him a number of well-connected young men, men of good
figure and tall in stature, he proceeded to impress upon them his own
importance, and made them believe that all the honor of their position
depended upon his favor.
Arnold was a favorite, and so the young men of New Haven accepted his
authority and became the willing followers of Capt. Arnold.
The governor threw a wet blanket on his scheme when he told him that if
the guards wanted uniforms they must purchase them, for the funds of
the colony could not be used for such a purpose.
Arnold had to moderate his gorgeousness and accept a much plainer
uniform for his guards.
The company was formed, and drill commenced. The young captain showed
that he knew more about the manual of arms than he did of mercantile
practices.
The militia grumbled at the harshness of the discipline, but a few
words from their captain won them over.
When the war commenced Arnold was a strong royalist, or tory.
He wanted the guards to be recognized by England as a part of the royal
forces. In fancy he saw himself driving the "rebels" into the sound
and being sent for to London to receive the thanks of the king in
person; he imagined himself promoted to the rank of general, and
perhaps made life governor of one of the colonies.
But the airy castles he built fell to the ground when he was bluntly
told that the king could do without his "guards," and that when there
was need of soldiers the king could provide them.
From that moment Arnold resolved on throwing in his lot with the very
men he had asked permission to shoot down. He became a "rebel."
When the news of the battle of Lexington reached New Haven he clapped
his hands and became more excited than he had ever known himself to be.
He called his guards together, and in an impassioned speech bade them
be ready to march against the English, and win freedom for their native
land and honor and renown for themselves.
He denounced the king.
He ridiculed the parliament.
The tories were treated to such an outburst of eloquent denunciation
that, had any of them heard him, they would have trembled.
"Guards! soldiers of the nation! I salute you. To you is intrusted a
banner which must ever be kept in the front of the battle. Some of us
may fall, but, if we do, our names shall be writ on our country's
history in imperishable letters. To those who survive no honor will be
begrudged, no reward will be too ample for a proud country to bestow.
"We shall meet the foe. We shall cross swords with the hirelings of a
tyrant. Our arms will be triumphant, for justice is with us, and God
will bless our swords. To-morrow we march to Massachusetts, to join
our brothers there, and all the world shall ring with the doings of the
Governor's Guards of Connecticut."
He fired his men with enthusiasm, and they were ready to follow him to
death, if need be.
Arrived at Cambridge, he was received warmly, but so was John Stark and
his New Hampshire militia, and equally well did he find the men of
Massachusetts greet Nathaniel Greene and his militia from Rhode Island.
Arnold had expected a greater enthusiasm. In his heart he had fancied
himself appointed general of the army of the Provincials, and therefore
he was hurt when he learned that he was only one among many.
"The king insulted me," he said, as he paced the floor, "the tories did
not care for me, and now these Provincials treat me as if I were one of
them, instead of being---- Well, what is it, Eli?"
Sergt. Eli Forest, of the Governor's Guards, entered the room.
"Captain, I have just heard that one Ethan Allen has undertaken to
capture Ticonderoga, for which our governor has offered a thousand
dollars for expenses."
"Well?"
"Would it not be well for us to join with Col. Allen----"
"Eh?"
"Do not think me rash, captain, but you have given me permission to
speak as I think."
"So I have, Eli, and for the sake of our old college days and the good
times we shared, you can always speak your mind to me."
"Then, captain, I thought that this man, Allen, knew nothing of
fighting save a sheriff's posse, and you could become the general and
lead the men to Ticonderoga and then to Crown Point, and who knows, you
might drive the English back into Canada, and, joining with the French,
compel England to sue for peace, and you could name your own terms."
"Talk, talk, talk! How easy it is to talk, Eli, but how different is
action. Go; when I have thought over your suggestion I will let you
know my decision."
Eli Forest had the most implicit confidence in Benedict Arnold. As
boys they had gone to the same school, and when they left school they
entered college and graduated at the same time. During all those years
Eli had always looked upon Arnold as a superior being. When the men
were enrolled as guards Eli felt that the height of his ambition was
reached, for, with Arnold as captain, the guards would rival any
military body in the country.
Arnold was as fond of his friend as he could be of anyone; he gave him
greater freedom of speech, and listened to him when others would have
been treated very cavalierly.
When Benedict Arnold was alone he showed by every line on his face how
pleased he was with the suggestion made by his old-time friend.
"It is the opportunity of my life. What does Ethan Allen know about
war? He is a country farmer, and can fight a sheriff's posse, and
perhaps a few soldiers in his mountains; but to take Ticonderoga? Bah!
He will fail unless I help him, and then the glory shall be mine."
Arnold walked quickly up and down the floor, his hands clinched, his
face lighted up with ambitious fire.
"Yes, the glory shall be mine," he continued, "and once let me have
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and then---- Ah! what then?"
He crossed to the window and looked out.
John Stark was marching past at the head of his sturdy New Hampshire
boys, and the people cheered.
"If I hold Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains I can dictate my own
terms. I shall hold the key to the situation. Canada can be mine, and
Massachusetts will be glad to make terms with me. If I fail to make
good terms with the colonies I can go to England and say: 'You will be
driven out of America unless I say stay, and I shall not say that
unless you give me----' Well, what now?"
The orderly entered and told Arnold that he was wanted at the
headquarters of the Provincial army at once.
"Tell the council that I--will not---- I mean I will not delay."
Once more alone, he showed his restlessness.
"They order me--me!--Capt. Benedict Arnold! Well, let me join Allen
and his Green Mountain Boys, and I shall do the ordering, or my star
has dimmed its luster."
One hour later he called together his guards and told them that they
were to be ready to march at a moment's notice.
"A soldier's first lesson is that of obedience," he said to them, "and
I am going to try you in many ways. In the expedition we are about to
undertake I shall only be of the same rank as yourselves. Obey whoever
may be your commander, but be ready to accept me as your leader at any
time."
Eli, on behalf of the guards, promised that whatever Arnold might order
it would be their pleasure to obey.
"Sergt. Eli Forest, stand forward."
Eli obeyed and saluted.
"Lieut. Percival has obtained leave of absence. He will join the army
in Cambridge when that leave expires. The grade of lieutenant is an
important one, and I appoint you, Eli Forest, first lieutenant of the
Governor's Guards."
Eli thanked his chief for the new honor, and Arnold had bound him still
closer to him.