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 historical marker and monument 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. Marker is in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker 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. Marker is in this post office area: Stillwater NY 12170, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battlefield Hero? Backstabbing Traitor? Both? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canadian Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); Moment of Victory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Fortified Camp
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Saratoga National Historical Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on July 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
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
2. Back of Monument
The back of the monument features a boot atop a cannon topped with the epaulet of a Major General .
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 June 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 7,187 times since then and 80 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.
