Benedict Arnold in an early American Revolutionary War win scenario

DTF955Baseballfan

Read a couple threads which discussed how, if America wins at Brandywine within two weeks of winning at Saratoga, it could prevent the British from taking Philadelphia and demoralize them enough that, after being unable to find a good victory in 1778, the British would just grant American independence. As one poster noted in one of those threads, they would see the US as a second rate European nation akin to perhaps the dutch. Not on their level but definitely not just a bunch of hicks either.

But, Benedict Arnold was still a valuable member of the United States military then. So, what does he do if he ends up on The Winning Side before he has a chance to turn traitor?

He doesn't seem to have been quite like James Wilkinson, who actively spied for the spanish. Rather, he seems to have been more someone who felt he deserved some honor and when he didn't get it, he's stormed off in a rage and vowed revenge. Potentially a toxic teammate, but not any worse than a typical clubhouse cancer, to use a modern sports phrase, unless the right chance came along.

So, what does he do? Just quit the military and discussed? Maybe take a position in the west so he does not have to be around antagonizing those in the east? He would probably be able to do some good if sent out to Illinois or Indiana to deal with the natives and help settlers.

Or, maybe he would not even need to be given that. Perhaps he would just retire and be remembered as someone who fought valiantly and was wounded at Saratoga but who just didn't always get along with the top brass.

Or, might he have gotten a place in the post Revolutionary War army and remained a leader of it?
 

DTF955Baseballfan

Funny thought I just had:

Arnold was put down partly due to one man puffing himself and his resume up during the Battle of Saratoga, something Congress would later realize and reverse, apologizing to Arnold and rewarding him; Arnold just thought they were having sympathy for his injuries, though.

That man was James Wilkinson.

Wilkinson was later forced to resign his commission, but in this timeline, he might well never get back into the Continental Army and therefore never go to Kentucky in the first place; however, needing money, he might well continue to insult Arnold, and Arnold, being a very jealous man, might eventually insult him back, leading to a duel.

Who do you root for in that one? :) (I wonder who would be more likely to win, too - both were probably about the same level as marksmen, and neither seems the kind to fire intot he air on purpose. How did they decide who shot first in those?) (Edit: Just found it wascsupposed to be simultaneously, though sometimes lots were drawn.)
 
Last edited:
Odinson

Odinson

If the Americans win independence before Arnold turns traitor, Arnold goes on to be one of the Continental Army's most prominent officers. I'm sure Arnold would be pushed towards political office in the wake of the revolution. However, Arnold would probably make a poor politician in terms of effectiveness because he would likely spend much of his time attacking his fellow congressmen for not agreeing with him. Arnold probably wouldn't be as good at compromising in the political sphere, and would take political disagreements personally.
 

farmerted555

Odinson said:
If the Americans win independence before Arnold turns traitor, Arnold goes on to be one of the Continental Army's most prominent officers. I'm sure Arnold would be pushed towards political office in the wake of the revolution. However, Arnold would probably make a poor politician in terms of effectiveness because he would likely spend much of his time attacking his fellow congressmen for not agreeing with him. Arnold probably wouldn't be as good at compromising in the political sphere, and would take political disagreements personally.
Click to expand...
That's assuming he'd even go into politics in the first place.
 

Anarch King of Dipsodes

Odinson said:
If the Americans win independence before Arnold turns traitor, Arnold goes on to be one of the Continental Army's most prominent officers. I'm sure Arnold would be pushed towards political office in the wake of the revolution. However, Arnold would probably make a poor politician in terms of effectiveness because he would likely spend much of his time attacking his fellow congressmen for not agreeing with him. Arnold probably wouldn't be as good at compromising in the political sphere, and would take political disagreements personally.
Click to expand...
One thing that isn't widely realized is just how vindictive Federal-era politics was (especially in NY, where many duels were fought in 1790-1804). So Arnold wouldn't be that much of an outlier.

And quarrelsomeness did not keep John Randolph of Roanoke from success in politics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top
Top