Benedict Arnold Letters written to George Washington

Kennebec River, ME - 13 October 1775

The men in general not understanding bateaux, have been obliged to wade, and haul them more than half way up the river.

Point-aux-trembles, QC, CAN - 20 November 1775

It was judged prudent, in our situation, not to hazard a battle, but retire to this place, eight leagues from Quebec, which we did yesterday, and are waiting here with impatience the arrival of General Montgomery

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 5 December 1775

I continued at Point-aux-Trembles until the 3d instant, when, to my great joy, General Montgomery joined us, with artillery, and about three hundred men.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 14 January 1776

Our loss and repulse struck an amazing panic into both officers and men, and, had the enemy improved their advantage, our affairs here must have been entirely ruined.

Quebec City, QC, CAN - 27 February 1776

The enemy, to the number of about five hundred, have twice sallied out at Palace Gate, with design of seizing our field-pieces

Montreal, QC, CAN - 8 May 1776

I heartily congratulate you on the success of your arms against Boston, and am sorry it is not in my power to give you a more pleasing account of our affairs in this country, which wear no very favorable aspect at present.

Albany, NY - 25 June 1776

By this express you will receive advice from General Schuyler of our evacuating Canada, an event which I make no doubt (from our distressed situation) you have some time expected.

Providence, RI - 13 January 1777

There are, at this place and in the vicinity, about two thousand men, part of six thousand ordered from the New England States. The others are on their march, and expected in, a few days.

Providence, RI - 31 January 1777

By the best intelligence we have been able to procure of the enemy's force on Rhode Island, it consisted of about six thousand men; eleven regiments of British, and four of Hessians.

Providence, RI - 11 March 1777

The new levies of the Massachusetts Bay being all ordered to Ticonderoga, and those of Connecticut inoculated for the smallpox, deprives us of the aid of Continental troops, on whom we had placed our chief dependence.

Providence, RI - 26 March 1777

I was made very unhappy, a few days since, by hearing your Excellency was exceedingly ill with a fever.

Cornells Ferry, PA - 16 June 1777

As the militia can be but illy spared at this busy season, I wish to know, as early as possible, your Excellency's orders respecting them ; if you wish to have them in the Jerseys or on this side the Delaware.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 June 1778

Fifty volunteers have engaged to go with General Cadwalader, who this minute informs me he expects to collect a considerable number more in the morning

Philadelphia, PA - 5 May 1779

If your Excellency thinks me criminal, for Heaven's sake let me be immediately tried, and, if found guilty, executed. I want no favor ; I ask only for justice.

Philadelphia, PA - 6 March 1780

From the injury I have received in my leg, and the great stiffness in my ankle, my surgeons are of opinion it will not be prudent for me to take a command in the army for some time to come.

Robinsons House, NY - 6 August 1780

On my arrival at this post, I found every thing thrown into great confusion, by the troops removing from hence, and the militia coming in.

Robinsons House, NY - 8 August 1780

I wish your Excellency would be kind enough to order Mr. Erskine to send me a map of the country from this place to New York, particularly on the east side of the river, which would be very useful to me.

Dobbs Ferry, NY - 11 September 1780

I came here this morning, in order to establish signals, to be observed in case the enemy came up the river ; to give some directions respecting the guard-boats ; and to have a beacon fixed upon the mountain

Robinsons House, NY - 12 September 1780

The order, contained in the postscript of your Excellency's letter of the 7th, to send the eight bargemen of Colonel Putnam's regiment to join their regiment, I conceive to be on a supposition of their being idle at West Point.

Robinsons House, NY - 14 September 1780

I am, therefore, of opinion, that the Pennsylvania line, which I suppose to amount to twenty-five hundred or three thousand men, should hold themselves in readiness to march

Robinsons House, NY - 16 September 1780

My answers to the questions proposed by your Excellency to the Council of War I will do myself the honor to deliver in person.