Benedict Arnold (1741-1801) was an American general, who moved to the British side during an American War of Independence. He planned the delivery of the West Point fort to the British. After the plan was discovered in September 1780, he was enlisted in the British Army in the rank of Brigadier General. He is considered by many the best and most accomplished leader of the American Continental Army. Without Arnold for his cause, the American Revolution might have been lost, and after he shifted aside, his name became a synonym for betrayal in the United States. Born in Connecticut, Arnold was a merchant operating in the Atlantic Ocean when the war broke out in 1775. After entering the growing army on the outskirts of Boston, he distinguished himself by acts of cleverness and courage. His actions included the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, defensive tactics and dilatory maneuvers, although he lost the battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776, the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut (as a result of which he was promoted to Major General), Relief operations at the Fort Stanwix siege, and key actions at the crucial battle of Saratoga in 1777, in which he suffered leg wounds, which ended his combat career for several years.