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General Benedict Arnold grows increasingly bitter over perceived slights, mounting financial debt, and a minor court-martial conviction, leading him and his wife Peggy to secretly negotiate the betrayal of the Continental Army with the British. Seeking a command that will allow him to cripple patriot defenses from within, Arnold maneuvers to secure leadership of the strategic fortress at West Point rather than active field command. After overcoming numerous communication hurdles, failed rendezvous attempts, and suspicious patriot officers, Arnold finally arranges a clandestine midnight mission to meet British spymaster Major John Andre and finalize the handover of the fort.
The host opens the episode, announces a live tour date, and promotes the show.
Benedict Arnold receives and reads George Washington’s reprimand, setting the stage for his discontent.
Peggy encourages Arnold to consider a new command, hinting at West Point as a solution to his financial woes.
Arnold meets with Washington, learns of the West Point command offer, and wrestles with the decision to accept or decline.
Arnold attempts a secret meeting with Major Andre on the Hudson but is ambushed by a British gunboat, forcing a retreat.
Arnold coordinates a clandestine meeting with Andre and Robinson at Joshua Het Smith’s house, preparing for the final betrayal.
Arnold’s plan culminates with the planned rendezvous, the looming threat of discovery, and a preview of the next episode’s stakes.
A Bitter Reprimandstory
Sitting by the fire in Philadelphia, Benedict Arnold receives George Washington's official reprimand following his court-martial for using government wagons and permits improperly, deepening his resentment toward the Continental Army.
Facing mounting debts and liquidating family property, Arnold demands twenty thousand pounds from the British for successfully delivering West Point, alongside a guaranteed annual pension.
Rejecting Field Commandinsight
When George Washington offers Arnold command of the army's left wing for an assault on New York, Arnold maneuvers behind the scenes to redirect himself to the fortress at West Point instead.
Undermining Fortificationsstrategy
Immediately upon taking command of West Point in August 1780, Arnold delays repairs, pulls logs from the river, and sends hundreds of soldiers away to gather firewood to weaken the stronghold.
The Fired Upon Bargestory
Arnold travels downriver to Dobbs Ferry for a meeting under a flag of truce, but a British gunboat opens fire on his barge because the crew was not informed of the rendezvous.
Reluctant Boatmenstory
Local tenant farmers recruited by Joshua Het Smith to ferry across the Hudson River try to back out of the dangerous night mission, forcing Arnold to threaten them and offer rum and flour.
“It's George Washington's official reprimand following Arnold's court martial earlier this year.”
“He has teams pull logs out of the river to clear the waterway.”
“Arnold is hosting a lunch for his fellow officers when a servant slips into the room and presents him with the letter.”
Benedict Arnold secures command of the Continental Army’s most important fortress and begins weakening it from within. But before he can deliver it to the British, he must arrange a dangerous, clandestine meeting that could alter the course of the Revolution. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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