Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 1941)
Time Softens the Harsh Verdict of His Contemporaries on an American Military Genius Who Was Born Just 200 Years Ago HIGH TIDE IN THE CAREER OF A MILITARY GENIUS—Benedict Arnold leads the successful attack on the Hessian redoubt at the Battle of Saratoga, October 7, 1777, By ELMO SCOTT WATSON (Released by Western Newspaper Union.) ON THE battlefield of Saratoga in New York stands a monument that is unique. One side of the simple marble slab is adorned with a column, in bold relief, in the shape of a cannon. Carved at its top are a wreath, an epaulet and—a boot! But there is no word engraved there to indicate why anyone should erect a monument to a boot. Walk around to the other side of the monument and you will read on the smooth face of the stone these words: Erected by JOHN WATTS de PEYSTER Brev: Maj: Gen: S.N.Y. 2nd. V. Pres’t Saratoga Mon’t Ass’t’n In Memory of tbe "most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army" who was desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of BCRGOYNE’S "GREAT (WESTERN) REDOUBT” 7th. October 1777, winning for his countrymen the Decisive Battle of the American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General If, as this inscription says, the monument was erected in memo ry of the “most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army" who won for his countrymen "the De cisive Battle of the American Revolution,” then why isn’t his name mentioned? The answer is, of course, that if it were, this would become a monument to treason, also. For the name which would be engraved here would be “Benedict Arnold” and, for a century and a half, that has been synonymous with “treason.” As for the boot, it is a replica of the one worn by Arnold on his left leg which was wounded at Quebec and at Saratoga. The story back of this unusual monu ment is this: In 1877 when the Saratoga Mon ument association was organized to erect a monument on the site of battle which was the "Turning Point of the Revolution,” it planned a monument with four niches. In three were to be stat ues of Generals Horatio Gates, Philip Schuyler and Daniel Mor gan of the American army, but the fourth was left vacant—a si lent memorial to one of the heroes of Saratoga who later turned traitor to the Patriot cause. But General de Peyster, one of the vice presidents of the battle monument association, was not satisfied with this negative ges ture. He believed that even though Arnold had been a traitor, there should be some recognition of his services at Saratoga. Even though he could not honor Arnold by name, or the whole of him In a statue, he could honor Ar nold's leg which had received two bullets in the cause of liberty. So he commissioned George Ed win Bissell, a noted American sculptor, to carve the memorial to Arnold and it was set up in 1877. At that time the land on which it stood was private prop erty and could be reached only by a footpath across a swamp Consequently, few visitors to the battlefield ever saw it. In 1929 this land was taken over by the state of New York and Incorporat ed in the memorial park which includes approximately 1,700 of the 3.400 acres over which the British and American armies fought so desperately in 1777. Today the Saratoga battlefield is one of the best-known "shrines of American liberty," visited an nually by thousands. The Arnold memorial, "touching in its sim plicity and symbolism" (as ft. L. Duffus of the New York Times has phrased it) is one of the chief points of interest on the battlefield and many Americans who see it are now inclined to think some what differently of Benedict Ar nold than to associate his name always with the word “traitor” as they learned from their school book histories to do. In fact, the passage of time has softened the harsh verdict which his contemporaries passed upon this man who was born just 200 years ago (January 14, 1741). Through the perspective of a cen tury and a half Americans are beginning to see more clearly the real tragedy that was the life of Benedict Arnold, and they are learning to share Washington’s emotion—sadness that a brilliant career should end so darkly— rather than hatred for a man who, with good reason for being disap BENEDICT ARNOLD pointed and embittered, betrayed his trust. Without seeking in any way to excuse his treason, they can more readily understand why he acted as he did and they can recognize the fact that not even his one great act of faithlessness can obscure his greatness as a military genius. Arnold proved that he was a great soldier many a time before that fatal day in 1780 when his plot to hand the stronghold of West Point over to the British was foiled. At the outbreak of the Revolution he led a company of militia from his native state of Connecticut to Cambridge to join Washington’s army. But, tiring of the inactivity of the siege of Bos ton, he obtained permission to en list men for an expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. This resulted in his first frus tration, For another spirit as bold as himself—Ethan Allen with his Green Mountain Boys from Vermont—was aheud of him. So Arnold took purt in the capture of Ticonderoga as a simple volunteer with Allen hut he did lead un ex pedition which pushed forward and captured St. John's. How ever, when a committee came from Massachusetts, it was not to praise him for his feat but to in quire into his conduct. Disgusted at this, Arnold resigned from the service and returned to his home. This inauspicious start to his military career was prophetic of tha suspicion and Jealousy that was to pursue him from tiiat time forward For Benedict Arnold al ways hsd enemies and hta hot temper, his arrogance and his im patience with less impulsive men were responsible for most of them. They prevented his winning the recognition due him for one of the most brilliant exploits soon aft erwards. That was his epic march to aid Gen. Richard Mont gomery in the attack on Quebec late in 1775. Though the expedi tion was a failure, Arnold succeed ed in bringing the remnants of his command back by way of Lake Champlain, beat off an attack by a British fleet and, although he had to beach his boats and burn them, he saved his army. “Surely a more active, a more spirited and sensible officer fills no department of the army” was Washington’s praise of Arnold aft er this exploit. But it did not save him from the machinations of his enemies, who spread false reports about him. So when congress, in February, 1777, promoted five brigadier generals to major gen erals, Arnold’s name was omitted from the list. That fall he was sent to aid Gen. Philip Schuyler in resisting Burgoyne’s invasion. Then Gen. Horatio Gates replaced Schuyler as commander of the army of the north and the two armies came to grips at Saratoga on September 19. Arnold, commanding the left wing, distinguished himself while Gates was showing all the inepti tude that characterized his whole career. There was a furious quar rel between the two generals which ended in Arnold’s sending his resignation to Washington. He was replaced by General Lincoln but remained with the army. On October 7 came the final great battle at Saratoga and when the tide seemed to be running against the Americans Arnold could no longer remain sulking in his tent. Mounting his horse, he rushed into the battle “with the fury and impetuosity of a tiger,” led his men in a successful as sault on the Hessian camp, and went down with a bullet through his leg. This was the turning point of the battle. Although Gates and his friends tried to disparage Arnold’s great contribution to that victory, con gress made him a major-general, Washington presented him with a “pair of elegant pistols” and he was named commander of the American forces in Philadelphia. Then the hatred of his enemies began to dog him again. Eight charges of personal and official misconduct were brought against him and although he was virtual ly acquitted by a court martial, he was sentenced to be repri manded by Washington, who car ried out the distasteful duty as considerately as possible. But this was the last straw for the embittered, disappointed man. Soon afterwards followed his ap pointment as commander at West Point, his plotting with the British to hand that post over to them, the exposure of the plot, the capture of Maj. John Andre, adjutant general of the British army and Arnold's fellow-conspirator, and Arnold's flight to the British. After the war was over Arnold went to London to live. Although the king received him graciously he found thut the English had lit tle admiration cr liking for the “American traitor." When he walked the streets, he was always conscious of their sneers as much us he was of the undisguised hos tility of Americans in the British capital. Later he engaged in trading in the West Indies, then lived for « time in St. John. New Brunswick, where many Ameri can Loyalists had settled. Bui they had little more use for him than the English and eventually he went back to Lmilon, where he died June 14. IM|, a broken heat t <*<|, poverty sti.rkrn nil i an Glittering Neckwear Will Adapt Basic Dress to All Occasions By CHERIE NICHOLAS YOUR simple “basic dress”—the dress that invites glamorous ac cessory touches—will scarcely know itself when it gets all "dolled up” with the new and “scrumptious” neckwear that makes glitter its theme. One of the most flattering fashions that was ever developed has de scended in a very deluge of sparkle and gleam and radiant loveliness. Collars and cuffs and bibs and plas trons and countless other delec table items are made resplendent with glittering bead embroidery and jewel-work and other magic touches that lend a festive air. See for yourself what a treat the various neckwear displays about j town hold in store for you. The grandest thing aboA these sparkling eye-catchers is the practical solu tion they offer to this bugaboo of a 1 midseason problem that always bobs up this time of the year—that of “keeping up appearance” with a wardrobe of winter leftovers until spring comes along with its quota of “new clothes.” The answer is found in the basic dress glorified with glittery neckwear and acces sory “fixings” which will freshen up and prettify even the most prosaic garb. For a touch of elegance on an aft ernoon dress nothing could be love | lier than a beautiful Venise lace plastron gleaming with pearls (to the left above in the illustration). The stems and flowers of the floral patterned lace are delicately out lined with tiny pearls. A new and exquisite accessory for your simple basic dress! You will find it par ticularly flattering with pearl ear rings and bracelet Before you tour the neckwear sec tions. note the new vogue for deli cately tinted pink lace. The acces sory items mate of it loon as if they had been created in fairyland. They are exquisitely lovely, sprinkled over with wee beads that seem to dance all over the lace in a very ecstasy of glitter. You really should have jet-em broidered neckwear down on your memorandum. A little bengaline collar for a dress with high round neck, using jet beads in floral mo tifs in delicate tracery as pictured to the right will give your after noon dress just enough of a festive look to tune to a “don’t dress up” bid to luncheon or bridge party. You’ll love this bit of delightsome feminine frippery with jet embroid ered on flesh pink, new champagne or white bengaline. It is a small item to be sure yet it will give a touch of elegance to any basic dress. Try it and see! And jet is ‘‘the rage” you knew. Girls of teen-age or more or less, here’s a very special message for you—see it pictured in the inset be low. Your tailored pinafore dress (ever so smart this season) can be changed into a dressy afternoon frock just like that! And it’s a charming lace guimpe that “turns the trick.” It’s made of fine Alen con type lace with a double lace edging on the short sleeves and little pointed collar. Venise lace motifs are used for contrasts in the collar and little front inset Pearl earrings and a three-strand necklace and bracelet are charming accessories to this dressed-up pinafore—makes it an adorable “date” dress! (Released by Western Newspaper Union.) Lace Trims Velvet That quaint and lovely custom of trimming with black lace has been revived. Our grwidmamas and an cestral aunts used to glory in black lace edging to finish off most every thing, especially their “stand-alone” silks and their velvets. Young girls looked bewitching in full-skirted plaid silks with wasp-waisted bod ices all furbdowcd with lace ruf flings headed with bands of narrow black velvet ribbon. And now mod ern fashion is reviving that quaint custom. To such an extent has the edged-with-black-lace vogue been revived, that n< t only formal eve ning gowns but smart daytime black crepe frocks have their necklines, sleeves and pockets edged with nar row lace A most fascinating adap tation of the iace-trim theme is ' shown in the fc’.ack velvet evening f gown pictured. You will find touches of black lace ever so flattering and well worth tryi i| out. Multiple * olorn A costume with two if not mure color* it the rule this season. Skirts, blou*< > kud jackets in different tone* are shown together, while « two* color dress will be topped with • Contra*ting cost Air Travelers Go In Flying Colors Air-minded to the Anger tips is the forecast by leading designers for the chic American of 1941. She’ll wear Aagship red on her Anger tips, a shade that keeps pilots ‘‘on the beam” in any weather, or she will daunt the new skyhigh which is a high-styled pink with enlivening vio let undertones. These colors will also be translat ed in fabrics and accessories, for as all fashion-wise women know pres ent vogue calls for accessories and Anger tips to “match up” in color. And here's something that’s “news," the chic American air-trav eler who takes along a formal costume for party wear in cities she visits is including a most intriguing and decidedly original item, namely, evening slippers, made of a new transparent plastic that shows oif highly colored toe tips. Tucked away for the nights she “lands” is a collapsible Aagship red hat having a mesh-scarf crown that can be worn separately or with a high-Aung brim that is detachable and Tollable so that it won’t take up much space in packing. Basqucd Bodices Continue Popular Because of their almost univer sal becomingness basque bodices, pointed in front and usually longer than waist length, remain a favor ite season-after-season style. For daytime or evening they top skirts that are Bounced or gathered, or at least carry a suggestion of fullness. For evening, the peasant effect is frequently emphasized. For exam ple, a dress of pale pink mousseline, shown by a West coast designer, has a pink and silver, corselet Heed about the waist The corselet is curved Into a point at the front to match the outline of the basque bod ice top. For street wear, this basque style is usually shown in materials that drape well, such as velvet Cordu I roy, or wool ehallis. Here's a Change From Old Stand-Bys: Cereal Cookies; So Tasty, Low in Cost P\ID you ever hear of a "cerealia?" No, it’s not a breakfast food. It's the festival that the ancient Romans staged every year in honor of Ceres, God dess of the Grains. You can have a cerealia of your own; a Cookie Cerealia, for when it comes to turning out those batches of cook ies, there’s nothing that adds so much taste and variety at such a low cost as the well-known morn ing cereal. Nice part about making cereal cookies is that the cereal is al ready cooked and tested in the manufacturer’s ovens. All you need do is mix it in according to directions. But nicer still are the gorgeous-tasting delicacies that you can produce from just ordi nary, every-day corn flakes and the like. Sort of a change from the old stand-bys, the sand-tarts and ginger snaps. Even the names of these cookies sound good: Bran Butterscotch Cookies, New Zealand Corn Flake Kisses, Mincemeat Hermits, Pep pies, and Peanut Butter Maca roons. Happily, none of these tail for expensive ingredients. Bran Butterscotch Cookies. 1 cup butter 1 cup all-bran 2 cups brown sugar 3 cups flour 1 egg 2 teaspoons baking powder Cream butter; add sugar gradu ally and beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Stir in all-bran. Sift flour with baking powder and work into first mix ture, a small amount at a time. Knead and shape into rolls about IVz inches in diameter; wrap in waxed paper, covering ends so that dough will not dry out. Store in refrigerator until firm. Cut into thin slices and bake on ungreased cookie sheet in moderately hot oven (425 degrees F.) about 10 minutes. Yield: 7Vfe dozen cookies (2 inches in diameter). Note: One tablespoon water or milk may be added to dough if it is difficult to shape into rolls. New Zealand Corn Flake Kisses. cup butter 1 teaspoon baking 1 cup sugar powder 1 egg Si teaspoon salt V/t cups flour 1 cup finely cut dates Si cup com Sake crumbs Cream butter and sugar thor oughly; add egg and beat until fluffy. Sift flour with baking pow der and salt; add to first mixture along with dates. Mix well. Roll one teaspoon of mixture in corn flake crumbs and flatten down on greased cookie sheet. Bake in slow oven (325 degrees F.) about 20 minutes. Remove from pan while warm. Yield: 3 dozen cookies (1% inches in diameter). Mincemeat Hermits. la cup butter 114 teaspoons cinna 114 cups sugar mon 2 eggs 1 teaspoon cloves 14 cup milk 14 teaspoon mace *« cup all-bran 14 teaspoon nutmeg 314 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking 1 cup mincemeat powder Blend butter and sugar thor oughly; add egg and beat well. Add milk and all-bran. Sift flour with remaining dry ingredients and add to first mixture; mix well and chill. Roll dough to about % inch thickness on lightly floured board and cut into rounds. Place teaspoonful of mincemeat on one round, cover with second and press edges together. Bake on greased baking sheet in moderate ly hot oven (400 degrees F ) for about 12 minutes. Yield: 45 cookies (2% inches in diameter). Peppies. cup shortening 4 cup* flour 1 cup sugar Va teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 teaspoon soda 1 cup molasses 1 teaspoon ginger 1 cup vitamin- 1 teaspoon cinnamon enriched wheat ti'cnp sour cream flakes Blend shortening and sugar thoroughly. Add well beaten eggs, molasses and wheat flakes. Sift flour with salt, soda and spices; add alternately to first mixture with cream. Chill thoroughly. Roll to %-inch thickness; cut and bake on greased baking sheet in mod erate oven (375 degrees F.) about 20 minutes. Yield: 2*4 dozen cookies (2^4 inches in diameter). Orange and Lemon Cookies. (Makes about 5 dozen cookies) 1 cup sugar 3*i cups flour (sifted) V* cup orange juice 2 teaspoons baking V* cup lemon juice powder 1 teaspoon lemon Va teaspoon salt peel (grated) Va cup butter (melt 1 teaspoon orange ed) peel (grated) Mix sugar and fruit juices well. Add grated peel, dry ingredients and melted butter. Stir well. Doug should be firm enough to roll. Roll very thin and cut with fancy cut ter in various shapes. Bake on a greased sheet in a moderately hot oven (375 degrees) for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned on the edges. More flavor in every taste! More vitamins and minerals in every glass! Year-round sunshine, fertile soils and scientific care put a wealth of “extras” in California Navel Oranges. They’re seedless! Easy to peel and slice or section for salads and desserts. Ideal to eat out of hand! Those trademarked “Sur.kist” on the skin are the finest produced by 14,000 cooperating growers. Be*: for Juice-and Every use! Buy a quantity for economy. mi, ctiuomu mm an>w*n Htm-IlmLU Bore"'' B.my CBS St.tUnt-t.lS ru. K3T- Mott., Wml., m.