244 years ago today

[zipper]

On October 11, 1776, 244 years ago today, the American fleet and the British fleet engaged in the largest Naval engagement, they had, to date. The Americans lay in wait for the British to sail by Valcour Island. Benedict Arnold and the fleet did delayed/stop the British campain of cutting off New England from the colonies as Winter would soon freeze their fleet in enemy waters.

 

[Ronnie]

So Benny was a hero before he became a traitor? I don’t even recall what he did that was treasonous. History can be so cruel. I wonder if the British held him in high esteem for switching sides?

 

[zipper]

So Benny was a hero before he became a traitor? I don’t even recall what he did that was treasonous. History can be so cruel. I wonder if the British held him in high esteem for switching sides?

Yes, he was. He "turncoated" because he thought he deserved more money/property for his actions during the Revolution. Even though he stopped the British, they would not try it again until 1814, he lost the naval presence on the lake. FACT...Skenesborough aka Whitehall NY is the birthplace of the US Navy, at the Southern tip of the Lake. Skenesborough (Whitehall, NY) -- A Site on a Revolutionary War Road Trip So Washington did not want to give him much.

 

[TimW451]

It was an unfortunate end for Benedict. If he hadn’t turncoated he probably wouldve been the second most famous hero of the time after Washington.

 

[mwalker4]

No one likes a traitor. Americans hated him, British didn't trust or like him much either. Story for most traitors.

 

[zipper]

A local article describing the battle.

Then Again: Benedict Arnold's strategic retreat from the Battle of Valcour Island

The British attempted to seize forts at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence in an effort to control Lake Champlain, key to their plan to cut New England off from the rest of the former colonies.

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