Today in History: John André & Benedict Arnold

Treason of Arnold Arnold persuades Andre to conceal the papers in his boot
Today in History–October 2–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War officers Major John André and Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. On this day in 1780 André, a British intelligence officer, was hanged as a spy after being caught with papers concerning Arnold’s treasonous dealings. Only a short time before, the Continental army general had agreed to surrender West Point to the British in exchange for 20,000 pounds. Although he avoided Major André’s ignoble fate and served in the British Army, General Arnold was shunned by British officers as a traitor and, to this day, the term is used synonymously with his name. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover related resources.

John André correspondence

John André books & other texts 1809-1903

John André song sheets

John André image set

Proclamation of Brigadier-General Benedict Arnold October 20, 1780

Benedict Arnold correspondence

George Washington correspondence with Congress concerning Benedict Arnold September-October, 1780

Attack and defeat of the American fleet under Benedict Arnold by the Kings fleet October, 1776 map

The Treason Of Benedict Arnold” Harper’s new monthly magazine Volume 3, Issue 16, September 1851

Benedict ArnoldHarper’s new monthly magazine Volume 23, Issue 138, November, 1861

Books & other texts about Benedict Arnold 1850-1888

Benedict Arnold image set

American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World streaming webcast

Today in History: United States Military Academy at West Point

More Revolutionary War primary source collections & teaching resources