Finally! The Story of Benedict Arnold!
The History Twins podcast is currently covering “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War.
In this episode the focus is on General Benedict Arnold, American Commander of West Point, as well as his wife Peggy Shippen, whose family was loyal to the Crown. Together they conspired with Major Andre to betray the American side.
Before his defection, General Benedict Arnold was said to be one of the best, if not the best, battlefield commanders in the America’s Continental Army during the early years of the Revolutionary War.
On multiple occasions, Arnold sustained several battle wounds, and one leg was slightly longer than another. He had a limp and walked with a cane. He led The Battle of Saratoga, which persuaded the French to join the American Revolution, and received little to no recognition for his heroism and exploits.
As Arnold healed from The Battle of Saratoga, Washington appointed him as Military Governor of Philadelphia after the British evacuated the city.
He met and courted the beautiful Peggy Shippen, a socialite from a Loyalist family. Some believe that she had been courted by British Major John Andre when the British had occupied Philadelphia.
After overcoming Peggy Shippen’s father’s resistance to the match, Benedict and Peggy married. As Arnold healed, he lobbied with George Washington to place him in charge of West Point.
On September 20, 1780, Benedict Arnold met British Major John Andre in Haverstraw, NY to hand over the plans to West Point, and their lives were forever changed.
Only in the 1930’s was it discovered that Peggy Shippen passed encrypted notes between Benedict Arnold and John Andre.
The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance.
You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers.
Links:
10 Facts About Benedict Arnold and Peggy Shippen
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-benedict-arnold-and-peggy-shippen
Major John Andre designing costume for Peggy Shippen:
https://silkandsass1776.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/operation-meschianza-pt-2-the-dress-deets/
General Benedict Arnold Bio
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/george-washington-benedict-arnold/benedict-arnold/
Benedict Arnold Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold
Peggy Shippen Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Shippen
Peggy Shippen Involvement – Women History Blog
https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2011/04/peggy-shippen-arnold.html
History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2E8y3Wj_W_Q7BSlhA9TaCg
HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm
https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins
Carla and Keyes Blog:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com
Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List:
https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join
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