The Notorious Benedict Arnold

André (1750-1780) is the second principal character in the story. Sheinkin emphasizes his importance by opening the book with a preview of his execution (without mentioning him by name) and by interweaving the narrative of Arnold's life with episodes from André's. André was born in London, England, and in 1771, he joined the British military, serving in North America. In 1778 he was promoted to major and then adjutant general under Gen. Henry Clinton. In 1780 he began negotiating with Benedict Arnold for the capture of West Point. 

Sheinkin presents André as a dashing and cultured man who loves books, theater, and music. After being captured as a prisoner of war in Pennsylvania, he eventually makes his way to Philadelphia where he thrives in the social scene there, organizing a theater company and meeting Arnold's future wife Peggy Shippen. André is also an extremely ambitious man, one who is determined to show the Americans that the British are their masters. He makes a rapid rise in the ranks of the British military, becoming chief of intelligence at the age of 28. This occasions envy among his colleagues, one of whom describes him as a “cringing, insidious sycophant” (224). Such personal animosity obligates Andre to solidify his position by “pull[ing] off something big” (224). 

Washington (1732-1799) first enters the narrative as Congress names him commander of the Continental Army in 1775. Washington has a close relationship with Arnold, and they frequently correspond. It begins when they meet shortly after Arnold's attack on Fort Ticonderoga and plan the raid into Canada. Later, when Arnold is troubled by Congress' passing him over for a promotion, Washington intervenes on his behalf and frequently councils him. He does similarly during Arnold's ordeal with Congress over his questionable trade deals, after which he reluctantly gives him a formal reprimand. Washington trusts Arnold and admires his military valor. It is Washington who discovers Arnold's duplicity when he visits West Point and he is duly shocked by it. 

At the same time, Washington comes across as a complex and conflicted individual. Although he is friends with Arnold, he is careful not to show undue favoritism toward him, especially where Congress is concerned. When John André is sentenced to death, Washington denies his request for an execution by firing squad instead of by hanging, fearing that granting it “might be seen as a sign of weakness” (292). Moreover, Washington sometimes has outbursts of anger, as when interrogating Joshua Hett Smith about his role in Arnold's plot, he threatens him with hanging unless he confesses (283). 

Peggy Shippen (1760-1804) was Benedict Arnold's second wife and had two children with him. She first appears in the narrative as an 18-year-old Philadelphia beauty who is befriended by John André during his stay in the city. She is pretty without vanity and has a serious and intellectual streak. Her father, a judge, has Loyalist sympathies, which put him under suspicion from the Pennsylvania authorities and cause him to fear for his life. On one occasion he and Peggy are forced to flee in hiding to the New Jersey countryside, but when the British take over Philadelphia they are able to return. 

Peggy is wooed by Arnold, who meets her at a party after taking command of Philadelphia as governor. They marry in April 1779. When Arnold's treason is on the verge of being discovered, he flees and leaves Peggy alone in their West Point home to meet an arriving George Washington. She then has what appears to be an emotional breakdown, which may or may not be feigned. After the war ends, she travels with Arnold to London to start a new life.

Gates (c.1728-1806) is a general in the American army whose decisive victory with Arnold in the Battle of Saratoga turns the tide of the war in the Americans' favor. After a tense rivalry with General Philip Schuyler, Gates wins command of the Northern Army. He and Arnold carry on a rivalry of their own based on differing views of how to win the impending Battle of Saratoga. He and Arnold together carry the victory in the battle, defeating British General John Burgoyne. Gates receives most of the credit and glory, however, including recognition from Congress in the form of a medal, which adds to Arnold's mounting resentment. Later, in August 1780, Gates leads a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Camden (South Carolina), losing to Lord Cornwallis. 

Allen (1738-1789) figures early on in the narrative as the leader of a militia, the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont, that volunteers in the first stages of the Revolutionary War. He and Arnold are rivals at first, but they eventually work out a compromise and join forces to attack Fort Ticonderoga. Sheinkin describes Allen as six foot six and a “master of spin” (43) who could even make crude roughhousing sound gallant. 

Smith (1736-1818) is a “local dandy and landowner” (248), a committed Patriot who unwittingly becomes a patsy in Arnold's treasonous plot. Arnold has him convey a “John Anderson” to shore near West Point and host him in his house with the pretext that Anderson will help the American cause. Little does Smith know that “Anderson” is really John Andréand that he has come to carry out Arnold's traitorous dealings with the British. After the plot is uncovered, Smith is arrested in his home and interrogated sternly by Washington, after which it becomes apparent that he was an unwitting accomplice of Arnold and was not aware of the latter's treasonous intent.