Almost Heroes

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The more I read about Benedict Arnold, the more I wish this guy had died from his wounds immediately after Saratoga. At least then, he'd be remembered as one of the great heroes of the American Revolution and not the turncoat scorned equally by colonists and Britons alike.

I had no idea until recently that the Battle of Valcour Island was probably the most critical battle in the Revolution before Saratoga. Had Arnold not thwarted the British there, it's very possible the northern and southern colonies would've been split into 2 and war for independence crushed.

Arnold was one of the best fighting commanders that the 13 Colonies had and it's revolting as fuck to find out that he sold out his brethren for money (and most likely his Loyalist wife's influence). I can sorta see why he turned traitor because stuff like Joseph Reed's witch hunt, Gates taking all the credit for Saratoga, and other mitigating factors poisoned his mind. If he didn't let that shit get to him and been a little more patient, Arnold would've been highly esteemed and probably even voted as a future President.