Joint Meeting of the Col. Edward Jessup Branch UEL
Leeds & Grenville Branch OGS
Nov. 8, 2004
7:30 p.m.
Brockville Tabernacle
(formerly Shrine Club Hall)
2811 2nd Concession Rd., Brockville, ON
Guest Speaker: Barry K. Wilson
Photo by Fraser Carr
Author of "Benedict Arnold"
Journalist for 30 years, is currently a national correspondent for the Western Producer, a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, a frequent contributor to CBC Radio and author of many books.
Approximately 55 members and friends enjoyed this very enlightening talk on Benedict Arnold.
"Benedict Arnold"
A Traitor in Our Midst
Benedict Arnold was one of the greatest American soldiers who ever lived. He was a complex man of great leadership ability, business sense and determination. Benedict was very briefly a UEL but soon gave that up when he learned it was much to his advantage to apply for land as a soldier.
It was 229 years ago that Benedict brought his men to Quebec through 320 miles of extreme wilderness, hurricane weather, and starvation where they had to eat their moccasins, candles, bark, etc., to survive. In spite of everything, he held the troop together. To make things worse, Robert Enos defected and took most of the food and medical supplies with him. Benedict became known as "The Hannibal of North America". He spent most of his own money to feed his troops. After reaching Quebec, he took the title of Brigadier General.
The once "well to do man" was now reduced to poverty and one of the possible reasons he became a traitor and turned to the British was that they offered him money.
Benedict was wounded at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. A monument of his boot was erected there without his name.
Arnold later lived in St. John, New Brunswick, where for 6 years he commanded an international trading network before he returned to London, England in 1791. He died , heavily in debt, in the year 1801.
Benedict's wife sold the assets to pay off all the debts.
The mysterious John Sage Arnold is buried in the Leheigh Cemetery near Frankville, Ontario. He died at the age of 45. He miraculously appeared in Benedict's will. No one knew who he was but one theory is that he was the son of Benedict and the family maid. He was included and brought up as a son in the Arnold family. John Sage is the ancestor of all the Arnolds in Eastern Ontario.
Benedict Arnold's military coat still hangs in a Saskatchewan farmhouse.
by Ann Carr
Left click on the thumbnail prints.
Photos by Fraser Carr
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