Description
Benedict Arnold was a merchant before joining the militia and later the Continental Army. He served at Ticonderoga, the Battle of Valcour Island and the Saratoga Campaign. Discouraged with the war Benedict Arnold initiated contact with the British sending them coded messages on troop movements and in 1780 schemed to surrender the fort at West Point. He escaped and joined the British Army.
In 1755 the French started construction of Fort Carillon. Four years later they abandoned the fort and blew up the powder magazine when British forces laid siege. The British rebuilt the fort and renamed it Fort Ticonderoga. In 1775 Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain Boys captured the fort. It was the first victory of the Revolutionary War.
Benedict Arnold was made a Brigadier General in the British Army and led forces against the Colonials in Virginia. When Cornwallis arrived at Yorktown he sent Arnold to raid Connecticut. After Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, both he and Arnold sailed to England. Arnold was disrespected by the English who accused him of putting money before loyalty, the same charges that had been made against him by the Colonials.
The Revolutionary War was fought from 1775 to 1783. It began as a revolt of the colonies against what they believed was unfair taxation. While it started as a conflict between Great Britain and the thirteen American colonies, it soon became a global conflict. France actively sided with the colonies, and the French naval fleet was instrumental in defeating the British at Yorktown. Holland supplied the colonies weapons, while Spain supplied funding and diverted British forces by fighting on a second front and winning back Spanish forts in Florida that they lost during the Seven Years War. No independent country sided with Great Britain, but Britain employed German mercenaries, known as Hessians.
This Benedict Arnold history mug is part of our American Revolutionary War series which includes many of the notable figures who played major roles during this conflict.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia-tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
