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
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