Near Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both?
Saratoga National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
1. Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both? Marker
Near this very spot, a musket ball crashed into the leg of General Benedict Arnold as he led a charge to the rear of the fortified camp. He had been shot "through his Ankle, which broke the Bone." The wound left him injured for life. After eight months of healing, George Washington named Arnold military governor of Philadelphia to stabilize the city after the British ended their occupation in 1778.
A worse candidate for that job would have been hard to find. Arnold's resentment of perceived mistreatment boiled into a rage against the United States. He secretly sought British support and shared military intelligence. Exposed as a traitor at West Point in 1780, Arnold escaped.
Arnold's very name came to mean traitor to generations of Americans. The "Boot Monument" here celebrates his role in winning the Battles of Saratoga. But it never mentions his name.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 43° 0.507′ N, 73° 38.375′ W. Marker was near Stillwater, New York
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both? (here, next to this marker); Blessed be God for his goodness this day (here, next to this marker); Benedict Arnold Boot Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Weakest Links at the Weakest Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Overrun! (within shouting distance of this marker); Skilled Regiments for Lease (within shouting distance of this marker); We are in strong position which the rebels dare not attack. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Final Assault (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.
Other markers no longer nearby. Arnolds Assault (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The Canadian Cabins (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed);
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
2. Benedict Arnold Marker
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 29, 2022
3. Arnold Marker and the Boot Monument
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, June 18, 2023
4. Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both? Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 1,281 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on March 6, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 4. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Scott J. Payne of Deposit, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
