There are many moments in history that capture the imagination. There are several historical figures that are larger then life. In terms of property management Providence Rhode Island has several historical characters that almost changed Providence property management. Benedict Arnold is one of them. His acts nearly turned the fight for independence in favor of the British. His name is synonymous with being a traitor, but the actual story is filled with accounts of a complex man. He was a brilliant military leader before he became a traitor and it can be argued that it is because of Arnold that the Colonies defeated England.

Arnold was involved in the first successful campaign of the colonial war. Fort Ticonderoga in up state New York was held by the British. Benedict Arnold asked for and received permission for his militia to attempt to take the fort. They met up with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys with plans for the same thing. Arnold believed it was his destiny to lead both companies in battle and his plan should be followed. The Ethan Allens militia refused to be under Arnolds command. Allen and Arnold worked out a plan that granted for the two commanders to lead an assault on the fort. The campaign for Fort Ticonderoga was about as dramatic as melting ice. Attempting to get the troops across the river in the earlier hours, Arnold and Allen were fighting the coming light of dawn. Arnold and Allen decided to attack with only 83 men. They marched right up to the Fort, suggested the British should surrender and the battle was over without a shot.

It was during the battle of Saratoga that Arnold may have saved the Colonies. Arnold was a decisive and assertive leader. He believed in taking risks and reaching for an advantage. At Saratoga, Arnold wanted an aggressive approach, but was held back by the more conservative General Gates. Later Arnold found out that Gates failed to mention the contribution Benedict made to the first battle of Saratoga. Arnold commanded the left flank where great casualties were given to the British. Benedict Arnold refused to go unrewarded or unacknowledged. {In the ensuing confrontation|During the confronation between Gates and Arnold,|Gates relieved Benedict Arnold of his command. The second battle of Saratoga was well underway when Arnold mounted a horse and charged into battle, in open defiance of General Gates. Gates had officers go after Arnold with the instruction to get him off the battle field. Before that could happen, Arnold was breaking the British line and capturing a part of their defenses. Arnold suffered a major injury as the battle wound down. After about ten days the British gave up the battle of Saratoga. It was this colonial victory that convinced the French to enter the fray and was instrumental in winning the war.

After five months of convalescence, Arnold was appointed the Military Governorship of Philadelphia. Arnold had been restored to his seniority and, despite the fact that others were advanced before him, was finally promoted. The congress began to suspect that Arnold was taking advantage of his position and they had investigated him several times already. While he was in Philadelphia Arnold began his secret correspondence with the British. For a huge amount of sterling, 100,000 pounds, and a position as Brigadier General, Arnold was going to turn West Point over to the British.

Arnold’s plan was thwarted when his messenger was apprehended with detailed correspondence in his boots. Arnold fled to the British and tried to explain his behavior in an open letter. After many years, despised in the new nation, un-trusted in Britain, Benedict Arnold perished alone and poor. He was both the champion that saved the colonies and the villain that almost brought them down.

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