Stillwater in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Benedict Arnold Boot Monument
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008
1. Boot Monument Marker
The "most brilliant soldier" that the monument refers to is Benedict Arnold. His name appears nowhere on the monument. This is the only war memorial in the United States that does not contain the name of the person it honors.
John Watts de Peyster
Brev. Maj. Gen. S.N.Y.
2nd V. Pres’t Saratoga Mon’t Ass’t’n
In memory of
the “most brilliant soldier” of the
Continental Army,
who was desperately wounded
on this spot, the sally port of
Burgoynes “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
Erected 1887 by Saratoga Monument Association.
Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1777.
Location. 43° 0.504′ N, 73° 38.357′ W. Monument is in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. It is on Park Tour Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Saratoga National Historical Park along the tour road at stop 7. Touch for map. Monument is in this post office area: Stillwater NY 12170, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial monument is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: A different marker also named Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both? (within shouting distance of this marker); “Blessed be God for his goodness this day” (within shouting distance of this marker); The Weakest Links at the Weakest Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Overrun!
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Arnold’s Assault (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Canadian Cabins (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Moment of Victory (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Breymann Redoubt (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); A Fortified Camp (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Saratoga National Historical Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on July 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008
2. Back of Monument
The back of the monument features a boot atop a cannon topped with the epaulet of a Major General .
2. Benedict Arnold. A biography of Benedict Arnold from the American Revolution website. (Submitted on July 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. Boot Monument. Wikipedia entry. Excerpt: “Though apocryphal, a story that has circulated in various versions states: When Benedict Arnold was leading the forces of the King against his former compatriots in Virginia, among his prisoners was a certain plucky and witty officer, who, in answer to Arnold’s question, ‘What will the Americans do with me if they catch me?’ replied, ‘They will cut off the leg which was wounded when you were fighting so gloriously for the cause of liberty, and bury it with the honors of war, and hang the rest of your body on a gibbet.’ ” (Submitted on November 12, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 13, 2008
3. Saratoga Marker
Up to the point where he received his leg wound at Saratoga, Benedict Arnold was considered one of America's top generals. The leg wound ended Arnold's service as a field commander, and he ultimately turned coat and joined the British against America.
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, June 18, 2023
4. Benedict Arnold Boot Monument
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, June 18, 2023
5. Benedict Arnold Boot Monument
Photographed by Scott J. Payne, June 18, 2023
6. Benedict Arnold Boot Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 9,530 times since then and 186 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Scott J. Payne of Deposit, New York.
