On this day in 1779, the court-martial of Benedict Arnold convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a relatively clean record in the early days of the American Revolution, Arnold was charged with malfeasance, misusing government wagons, the illegal buying and selling of goods and favoritism toward British Loyalists. Although his notorious betrayal was still many months away, Arnold's resentment over this order and perceived mistreatment by the American Army would fuel his traitorous decision to assist the British.
Thursday, June 1, 2006