Why He Did It

In 1775 he marched his company of militia to Boston at the first alarm, then led the expedition that nearly took Canada. In 1776 he built a battle fleet on Lake Champlain that saved the Revolution. In 1777 he led the charge that turned the tide at Saratoga. In 1780 he tried to sell George Washington and West Point to the British and, failing that, fought savagely on the British side. He was Benedict Arnold, and he went to his grave believing himself the true hero of the American Revolution. Willard Sterne Randall tells why.