Court-Martial of Benedict Arnold

Background. After the British withdrew from Philadelphia in June 1778, Washington appointed Arnold military commander of the city. During the summer of 1778 he met Peggy Shippen, daughter of Judge Edward Shippen IV, a Loyalist sympathizer. By late 1778 Arnold had grown unpopular in the city, with Greene reporting that he was seen as associating too much with the Tories.

Charges and Demand for Trial. Arnold faced charges of profiteering, including malfeasance in his treatment of government property in Philadelphia. He demanded a court-martial to clear the charges, writing to Washington in May 1779 that, having become a cripple in his country's service, he little expected ungrateful returns. The court-martial began meeting on June 1, 1779.

Delays and Outcome. The proceedings were delayed until December 1779, reportedly because Clinton's capture of Stony Point, New York, threw the army into a flurry of activity. Arnold was frustrated and angry at Congress for its inaction. When the court finally convened, several judges were ill-disposed toward Arnold over earlier disputes, yet he was cleared of all but two minor charges on January 26, 1780.