America's Hidden Stories (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 7 - Mrs. Benedict Arnold - full transcript

(Dramatic instrumental music)

Narrator: Benedict Arnold,

a man burned in
effigy to this day.

As America's greatest traitor.

(Fire crackling)

Philbrick: There was a snake
In the garden of Eden,

and it was Benedict Arnold.

Brumwell: A Judas who sold his
country for 70 pieces of silver.

Narrator: What drove
Washington's best general.

To treason most high?

(Metal scraping)



Arnold had it all,

fame, glory, and
a new bride said.

To be the most beautiful
woman in the colonies,

Peggy shippen Arnold.

Bachner: Not only has he
betrayed the country,

but he's betrayed this
wonderful young woman.

Narrator: But was Mrs.
Arnold's presumed innocence.

Part of an elaborate cover up?

Investigators are now
exposing a hidden conspiracy

to crush the
American revolution.

Malcolm: A lot of
people were reporting.

To the British right
from the beginning.

Narrator: With Peggy Arnold
at the center of it all.

Lewis: She made choices
that led many,



many people to see
her as a traitor.

Narrator: Did a teenage
girl help mastermind.

The greatest treachery
In American history?

Brumwell: In theory, she could
have been hanged as a spy.

(Dramatic instrumental music)

Narrator: History
may be more shocking.

Than we ever imagined.

Today, technology
forces the past.

To give up its secrets.

Newly declassified documents
turn history on its head,

and discoveries in
ancient archives reveal.

Startling stories we never knew.

(Gentle instrumental music)

(Horse hoof beats)

September 25, 1780,

urgent messages stream
toward a farmhouse.

Just south of west
point, New York.

The American revolution
rages into its fifth year,

but right now, general
George Washington.

And his senior aides,

including Alexander Hamilton,

are in a state of shock.

Before them are
captured documents

that reveal the most
notorious act of treason.

In American history,

a plot to sell out west point.

In upstate New York,
America's most important fort,

to the British.

Stunningly, the plot was hatched

by west point's commander
and the war's greatest hero,

general Benedict Arnold.

Bachner: I don't think most
of us have any idea.

Of what a towering figure
Benedict Arnold was,

hero of ticonderoga,
saratoga, valcour island.

Brumwell: The story of Arnold is
a classic tragic story.

Of the fall of a hero.

Philbrick: It's one of the
great mysteries.

What made Arnold do it?

I mean, here he had given
so much to this country.

Narrator: As Washington
and his aides.

Look for answers
in the farm house

that served as
Arnold's headquarters,

upstairs Arnold's young wife,

Margaret Peggy shippen Arnold.

Is convulsing in wild hysterics.

Bachner: She is apparently
not completely dressed.

They all hear this shriek,

and she apparently goes mad,

and she says, "are you
coming to kill my child?"

Philbrick: Hamilton in
particular was fascinated.

And incredibly sympathetic,

convinced that Peggy
had been as betrayed.

As any of them by
her own husband.

(Upbeat instrumental music)

Narrator: But was Mrs. Arnold.

Really as innocent
as she seemed?

Philbrick: Even though she
was a teenager,

she was clearly very
capable and very willful,

and so as a wife to Arnold,

she was someone
who was going not.

To be just a passive partner.

Narrator: Now a
team of investigators.

Is reexamining the
treacherous plot.

Brumwell: If you take Washington
and west point.

Earle: That would have been
the end of the revolution?

Narrator: And uncovering
evidence of spycraft.

Lewis: That's amazing.

Narrator: A cover
up dating to 1780.

And documents that may prove
a controversial charge.

Peggy Arnold was
working for the crown.

Brumwell: Doesn't mean that
they didn't once exist.

Malcolm: You can't prove
a counterfactual.

Brumwell: I think if you tried
this case to two juries,

you might get two
different jury verdicts.

Narrator: Was Peggy truly blind.

To her husband's deception?

Malcolm: I'm convinced that she
wasn't involved in that plot.

Narrator: Or was
the most diabolical act.

Of treason in American
history made possible.

By a teenage socialite?

Lewis: It's spy language.

Brumwell: I think such a
generous pension.

Was because of her involvement
In her husband's conspiracy.

(Whispering)

Narrator: Did Peggy
Arnold push her husband.

To betray the revolution?

Was she a knowing accomplice
and co-conspirator?

And in the most damning charge,

could the evidence even
show Peggy was part.

Of the shadowy British espionage.

Behind the plot to turn.

The greatest patriot general,

(metal scraping)

(Yelling)

Benedict Arnold?

Brumwell: If she had
been discovered,

she would have been
at physical risk.

In theory, she could have
been hanged as a spy.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: Who exactly
was Mrs. Benedict Arnold?

Bachner: The family that she was
born in, the shippen family,

was a prominent Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania family.

Narrator: The first
clues to Peggy's role.

In the treasonous
plot may be here.

In her native Philadelphia.

This colonial era
estate called woodford.

Preserves a glimpse
into Peggy's world.

(Birds chirping)

Historian Stephen brumwell.

And historic novelist
forrest bachner

are beginning an on the
ground investigation here.

In the 1770s, it was
home to the Franks,

a family closely
allied to the shippens.

Bachner: David Franks
worked, I believe,

with Peggy shippen's
grandfather,

who was out in the
west of Pennsylvania.

Narrator: Forrest first
came across Peggy Arnold.

As a child and sensed there
was much more to the story.

Bachner: It's just
riveting history.

It's part thriller.

It's part tragedy.

She is born into
this privileged life.

The revolution comes along.

It upends everything.

Narrator: Like forrest,
Stephen believes Peggy.

Has long been underestimated
by historians.

Brumwell: My first
impression of Peggy.

Was this towering, powdered
headdress, very ornate gown.

Not particularly
serious young woman.

Now as I looked more deeply,

I realized that she was a
far more complex character.

Duncan: One can imagine Rebecca
Franks coming down the stairs

to greet her guests in a
beautiful gown and invites...

Narrator: For woodford's
curator, Jeff Duncan,

the opulence of this
home underscores.

The ties that bind Peggy

and Philadelphia's wealthy
merchants to the British empire.

Duncan: For
Philadelphia merchants,

their economic lifeline
is the flow of products

and capital between
england and Philadelphia.

The war disrupts that.

It disrupts the flow of trade.

It disrupts their commercial
relationships with Europe,

and for many of them, their
loyalties are divided.

(Liquid pouring)

Narrator: The
American revolution

will put those
loyalties to the test.

Seething anger over taxes
and representation explodes

lnto war at Lexington and
Concord, Massachusetts in 1775.

In 1776 the colonies
break from britain.

With the declaration
of independence,

signed in Peggy's
hometown of Philadelphia,

(weapons firing)

But just a year later, in 1777,

the British route
Washington's army

at nearby brandywine
and occupy Philadelphia.

(Gentle instrumental music)

War weary British
officers turn the city

lnto a pleasure den of
balls and lavish parties.

Like a good British subject,

Peggy shippen partakes
In the festivities.

Bachner: This was the winter
of 1777 and 1778.

There are all these
young British officers.

In Philadelphia

there was a lot of
socializing going on,

and Peggy and a
number of her friends.

Were involved in that.

(Giggling)

Narrator: It is in this
heady time of merriment.

That beautiful Peggy
shippen first meets.

An ambitious young officer.

And future head of British
intelligence, John Andre.

Major Andre is an
accomplished artist.

And even draws this sketch
of a young Peggy shippen,

though he likely
exaggerates the size.

Of Peggy's enormous wig.

Brumwell: So perhaps this
could have been.

Where Andre first
met Peggy shippen?

Duncan: John Andre did do
some line drawings.

Of Peggy shippen,

and so it's quite possible that
he met shippen in this house

and perhaps even
in this very room.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: John Andre
would go on to play.

A key role turning
Benedict Arnold.

Bachner: Arnold,
Peggy, and Andre,

he's the third big
figure in this.

Here's this man who is genuinely
well liked, so capable.

Even George Washington
referred to him as gallant.

Narrator: Historians
have long speculated.

About Andre's relationship
with Peggy shippen.

While he was stationed
In Philadelphia.

Lewis: One can understand how
they could hit it off.

If Andre is this very
charming gentleman

and she's a very
charming young lady.

There are historians who
want to make them courting.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: If Andre
did court Peggy,

the most likely space for this.

In 18th century upper
class British society.

Was the dance floor.

Actors Lily kerrigan
and Adam lemos are.

In colonial williamsburg
to learn more

about Andre and
the shippen's world

with historian
cathleene hellier.

Hellier: Posture and how
our feet appear.

Are really important.

You need to know how to look
the part, walk the walk,

talk the talk.

If you are presenting
yourself as a gentile person,

you need to be actually able
to do all of these things.

Kerrigan: So I was hoping you
could tell us a little bit

about how much
dance is important.

For romantic relationships
In this time period.

Hellier: It is really important.

It gives you a
chance to hold hands,

flirt a little bit,

talk to each other
because we didn't have.

Private dating in
the 18th century.

This was your
chance to socialize.

Lemos: There's a lot
of speculation.

That John Andre and Peggy

had some sort of
romantic affair going on.

Is there any sort of conduct.

In that maybe they misstepped.

Or something that may have
been a little scandalous?

Hellier: I think there are a lot
of similarities to today.

You give it away in the same
kinds of ways, you know,

a little too
lingering of a glance,

a little too lingering
a holding of the hand.

Perhaps dancing with one another.

More often than the unspoken.

Or spoken rules of the
assembly would allow.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Many places said, "no
more than two dances"

"at a time with
the same person."

Lemos: That was a spoken rule?

Hellier: It was often a
written down rule,

which is interesting because
in the spa towns of britain,

they often had actual posted
rules of the assembly.

Some of them did indicate.

How often that you could
dance with one another,

what the dress code
was, that sort of thing.

Other places it was kind
of an unspoken rule,

that this is just
what we do locally,

so if you ignored those rules,

and then people
would begin to think,

"hm, a little more interest here."

"Than perhaps is common."

Kerrigan: And what would it
say about someone,

especially a young socialite,

if she didn't know how
to dance very well,

how would that affect
her social standing?

Hellier: It wasn't a good
reflection on her family.

Because they were
not providing her.

With the proper education,

and heaven forbid
that you just happen

to be naturally
awkward, you know,

because that was supposed
to be educated out of you,

that you were to appear as
if all of this were natural.

And graceful and just
part of who you were.

That was the goal.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: But to
historians like cathleene,

the dance floor is
more than mere fun.

For an ambitious 19th century
woman like Peggy shippen,

it offered one of the few
avenues to power and influence.

Hellier: It's not
just about dancing.

There's a power dynamic here.

In these politically charged
times of the war time,

this was even more important.

What could she get from
these relationships.

With British officers?

The person that she
ended up marrying,

what side were they
going to be on?

Who do you think is gonna win?

Narrator: The
revolution threatens.

Peggy's privileged life
as a British subject.

Did her relationship
with John Andre.

Give away what side
she had picked?

And if so, might
this be an early clue.

That foreshadows Peggy's role.

Helping turn the patriot's
greatest general,

Benedict Arnold?

Historians are now debating

whether an 18 year
old Philadelphia belle.

Is a central player
In the treachery.

Of the greatest patriot general,

Benedict Arnold.

As 1777 ends, Peggy shippen
dances the night away.

With John Andre,

the future head of
British intelligence,

in British occupied
Philadelphia,

(dramatic instrumental music)

But just 50 miles
outside the city,

the Americans suffer.

Washington's army is
starving at valley forge.

(Gun firing)

Two years of war
are taking a toll.

As the young nation struggles

both against the
British and itself.

Philbrick: When it comes to the
middle years of the revolution,

which were a time
when the revolution.

Was almost more of a civil war

than it was a war
against the British,

that the story of Benedict
Arnold's relationship.

With Washington is really
kind of the defining one.

Narrator: As Washington falters,

the hope and survival
of the revolution.

Seems to hinge on
one bold leader,

general Benedict Arnold.

Philbrick: Arnold was
one of these people.

With tremendous physical
courage, great ambition.

He had a reputation
for getting things done

at a time when not
many American officers

were getting
anything done at all.

(Upbeat instrumental music)

Narrator: Arnold first
makes his name in 1775.

Leading an expedition that
takes fort ticonderoga.

In upstate New York.

The captured Cannon help
patriot forces liberate Boston.

Brumwell: And he gradually
works his way up.

Within the continental army.

As someone who is seen
as a dynamic leader.

He's a fearless fighter

and someone who can
actually inspire men.

Narrator: Arnold's
exploits include a bold siege.

Of Quebec and command during
a critical naval battle.

On lake champlain,

but Arnold's greatest
moment would do no less.

Than turn the tide of the war.

(Yelling)

In the fall of 1777,

the Americans face a
large British force.

At saratoga, New York.

Disobeying orders,
Arnold rides to the front.

And leads the decisive charge
that overwhelms the British.

In the final throes
of the battle,

Arnold is shot in the leg,

a near fatal injury that
leaves him crippled.

Malcolm: I think Arnold
would have been one

of our greatest
heroes if he had died.

At saratoga leading
that winning charge.

Narrator: It is perhaps.

The most important American
victory of the war,

and by early 1778, convinces
a new ally to join the fight.

Brumwell: Because of saratoga,

the French entered the war.

It changed the whole
complexion of the conflict.

(Guns firing)

Narrator: For the British,

saratoga turns a
messy insurrection.

Into a costly world
war against France.

By June of 1778,

John Andre and the British
make a strategic retreat.

From the charms of Peggy
shippen's Philadelphia.

Patriot forces retake the city.

Washington, in a
show of gratitude.

To the wounded war hero,

awards military command of
Philadelphia to Benedict Arnold.

Brumwell: I think it was one of
the worst misjudgments.

Of Washington's entire career.

When Arnold was appointed
as military commandant,

he accepted a poisoned
chalice really.

Narrator: Washington
orders Arnold.

To declare amnesty to
suspected loyalists,

but Philadelphia's radical
leadership wanted vengeance.

Philbrick: He was appalled at
the radical political direction.

That Philadelphia and all
of Pennsylvania was going.

It was the most radical
government of all 13 states.

Narrator: Peggy and her family

were among those
in the crosshairs.

Sensing the shifting
political winds,

Peggy shrewdly takes a new Beau.

Lewis: She runs into this
American officer,

this dashing hero of saratoga,

Benedict Arnold, who is quite
a bit older than she is,

but has the same kind of
captivating personality.

That she probably has.

He attracted a lot of attention.

Narrator: For
Peggy and her family,

a union with the new
patriot commandant.

Is smart politics after
British occupation.

Philbrick: When Peggy met
Arnold, she was 18.

He was 36, a widower.

She and her sisters had come
under definite suspicion.

The winter before during
the British occupation.

They clearly enjoyed socializing.

With the handsome
British officers,

included the dashing John Andre,

and so a relationship
with American officer.

Would go a way to
perhaps reclaim.

Some of her credentials

when it came to the
radical American side

that was taking over
Philadelphia at that time.

Narrator: As Benedict Arnold
grows increasingly enchanted.

With Peggy and Philadelphia's
aristocratic upper class,

his relationship
with the radical

patriot political
leaders disintegrates.

Malcolm: There was a one
British newspaper

that gloated that now
that Arnold's a cripple,

the congress tosses
him into the fangs.

Of the Pennsylvania government.

The British knew
what a miserable.

And contentious group
that government was.

Narrator: Arnold
fumes at congress

for being passed
over for promotions.

Congress also owes Arnold
years of back pay and expenses.

The general, now living
lavishly but in increasing debt,

feels entitled to engage
in dubious profit schemes.

Philadelphia's
radical leaders seize.

On the opportunity
to go after Arnold.

The hero of saratoga
would endure.

Withering personal attacks
and even a court martial.

Brumwell: And this kind
of all builds.

Into a sense that once again,

his sacrifices are
not being recognized.

We start to see him becoming
lncreasingly disillusioned

with the whole political
worth of the patriot cause.

Narrator: Against this
backdrop of toxic politics,

increasing financial straits,
and growing disillusionment,

Benedict Arnold asks
Peggy shippen.

For her hand in marriage.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Lewis: They get married
In April of 1779.

A month later there
starts to be overtures.

From Benedict Arnold
to the British.

Narrator: A month
after his marriage,

Benedict Arnold reaches out
to British intelligence.

His handler turns
out to be a man

well known to Mrs.
Arnold, major John Andre.

Lewis: There's a reason
why Benedict Arnold.

Reaches out to John Andre,

and it has to be
Peggy shippen Arnold.

It has to be her
relationship with him.

(Whispering)

Narrator: Whatever Peggy
whispered in Benedict's ear.

Is lost to history,

but it's clear once married,

the arnolds head down
a road to high treason.

And hatch a plot to crush
the American revolution.

In one bold stroke
by handing over.

The most important patriot
fort to the British.

Brumwell: If west
point had fallen,

it would have been game
over for the cause.

Narrator: In
1779 Benedict Arnold.

Is a famed hero of the
American revolution,

but a month after marrying
18 year old Peggy shippen,

Arnold begins to plot treason.

Brumwell: As Benedict Arnold
becomes closer and closer.

With the British,

the whole question
arises of the extent.

To which Peggy was
actually involved,

whether she was some kind
of lady Macbeth type figure.

Narrator: Arnold's handler
In British intelligence.

Is John Andre,

a man rumored to be
Peggy's old flame,

a fact that opens the door
to a controversial theory.

Peggy is behind the plot
that's about to unfold.

(Gentle instrumental music)

The plan called
for Arnold to lobby.

For command of west point.

Once in control,
he would surrender.

The key American fort
to British troops.

Instead, Washington gives Arnold.

A more prestigious assignment,

a battle command in
Washington's own army.

Peggy didn't take the news well.

Lewis: Peggy Arnold is
informed that Benedict

will not be
receiving west point,

but will be going
back out in the field,

and this happens at a dinner.

She is shocked and stunned.

Because that's not how the
plan was supposed to go.

Narrator: Some
historians believe.

Peggy's response betrays
her knowledge of the plot.

Fatefully, Washington's
offer falls through.

In August, 1780, Arnold
wins command of west point.

The plot is on.

For Peggy, Benedict, and
the revolution itself,

the stakes could not
have been higher.

Earle: So this is our base map
for the revolutionary war.

Narrator: To fathom the impact.

Of losing west point to
the American war effort,

historian Stephen
brumwell is working.

With graphic artist
Edmund earle.

In 1780, the British
hold New York City.

The patriots control
the territory

to the north in
upstate New York.

West point is a bulwark
preventing a British breakout.

Earle: If Benedict Arnold
had helped the British.

Take over west point,

what would have happened
for the rest of the war?

Brumwell: I think it would have
had an immense strategic.

And also psychological impact.

There'd always been the notion

for the British
planners back in London.

That somehow if you
could gain control.

Of the Hudson,

you could split the rebel
colonies into two sections.

(Electronic beeping)

Narrator: By taking west point,

the British would split
the colonies in two

and cut off critical supply
lines feeding Washington's army.

Brumwell: You can see
why this area.

Was described by strategists,

most famously George Washington,

as the key to the continent.

If you could rupture
that supply line,

you're gonna have a dire impact

on the survival of
the continental army,

which is already on
very short rations.

In the summer of 1780.

Earle: So they are massively
reliant on the Hudson,

the continental army.

Narrator: To Stephen,

there is one more diabolical
aspect of this plot.

That demands consideration.

Brumwell: It was not only about
capturing west point,

but there's very strong evidence

that the plot also
envisaged the capture.

Of George Washington.

Narrator: Stephen
believes the plot is timed.

To go off during a
planned inspection.

Of west point by general
George Washington,

ensnaring both the
critical patriot fort.

And potentially an
even bigger prize

with the capture of
America's greatest leader.

Brumwell: If you take
Washington and west point...

Earle: That'd have been the
end of the revolution.

Brumwell: Well, it
would certainly.

Have been a crisis,
a real crisis,

and such a crises as there
hadn't been since 1776.

Narrator: To ground
truth the computer model.

And gain further insight
on the potential impact.

Of the treacherous plot,

Stephen and Edmund join an
underwater mapping expedition.

Led by geologist frank nitsche
of Columbia university.

To frank, the key to the
Hudson's strategic value.

Lies in its unique topography.

Nitsche: Because it was
carved out so deep,

we actually have plain sea level

150 miles up the
river to Albany.

Narrator: The
river's depth permits

a massive tidal surge to
flood the Hudson each day,

bringing with it a high
octane speed burst.

An 18th century
ship could travel

from New York City to
Albany on a single tide,

an unheard of pace for
pre-industrial river travel.

Earle: Well, looking
at the terrain,

what makes this so useful
as a transportation conduit?

Nitsche: Even today where they
have motorized boats,

they are using the
tides going up and down,

and it's basically
made New York City.

The big economic
hub it is today,

so it's actually
like a super highway.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: For British
and American forces,

controlling this super highway
became a deadly chess match.

The expedition now reaches
the stretch of river.

That is today the site

of America's preeminent
military academy, west point.

To understand what
made west point.

Such a formidable
tactical position,

frank's team will deploy
sonar mapping equipment.

Nitsche: So this is
one of the sonar systems

we used to map the
entire Hudson river.

Brumwell: So what exactly
does this allow you to do?

Nitsche: So it looks all
smooth on the surface,

but there's a whole
landscape underneath.

Earle: Really?

(Water splashing)

Narrator: The sonar reveals
something extraordinary.

About the waters running
along west point.

Nitsche: The different
colors are the depths,

and the deepest part
of the Hudson river.

Is right next here
to west point.

Brumwell: The deepest point
of the whole river?

Nitsche: Of the whole river.

Brumwell: Really?

Narrator: The water
depth here is over 200 feet,

the deepest point on the
entire 315 mile Hudson river.

The unique terrain also forms.

A 90 degree bend in the water.

It all adds up to make
this a key tactical point.

Brumwell: In terms of
building a fort,

if you've got a ship coming
upriver, a sailing ship,

that ship is gonna have to
tack to navigate that bend,

and in doing so, it's
gonna have to slow down,

which makes it very vulnerable.

Earle: Susceptible, right?

Brumwell: To any
kind of batteries,

gun batteries on shore.

Earle: So it's a bottleneck
for the river, right?

Narrator: The
expedition provides.

Ground truth evidence that
whoever controls west point.

Controls the Hudson,

and if British war
planners were right,

controlling the Hudson meant

controlling the
entire continent.

Stephen and Edmund's analysis

reveals the
conspiracy might well

have ended America's
struggle for independence.

If not for a twist of fate.

For more clues,

Stephen rejoins historical
novelist forrest bachner.

In upstate New York.

They're traveling to
the scene of the crime,

Arnold's headquarters
at Beverly farms.

Just south of west point.

The investigators are
meeting grace Kennedy.

Grace now owns the
site of the farmhouse.

Where Arnold's treason came
undone in September of 1780.

(Metal clanging)

By doing some
amateur archeology,

grace believes she's located
Arnold's headquarters.

Brumwell: Wow, so
it's pretty deep.

It's a lot deeper
than I was expecting,

and it goes right round
underneath as well.

Look at that.

Bachner: That's really some
beautiful work down there.

With that arch.

Woman: I know.

Narrator: The
team has unearthed.

A 17th century spring
well and basement,

sure signs of a
large farm house.

Brumwell: So really this
ls hard evidence.

That there was definitely
a building on this site,

and that is the Robinson house

where the final
act in the treason.

Of Benedict Arnold unfolded.

(Dramatic instrumental music)

Narrator: The plan kicks
off on September 20th, 1780.

A British sloop
sails up the Hudson.

Into patriot territory,

anchoring a few miles
south of west point.

In the dead of night,
major John Andre,

Peggy's former dance partner

and suspected
lover, comes ashore.

Awaiting him is Benedict Arnold.

Bachner: Arnold and Andre
met in the middle

of the night to
discuss the final plan.

Narrator: The
meeting should have set.

In motion the final
stages of the plot,

but something goes wrong.

(Cannon firing)

A patriot force detects
Andre's waiting ship.

And opens fire.

The British sloop
retreats downriver,

leaving Andre behind.

Bachner: Andre is stranded
behind American lines,

so Arnold goes back to
west point and Peggy,

and he leaves Andre.

With a man named
Joshua hell Smith.

To get him back to
the British lines.

Narrator: On the road,
disguised as a civilian,

Andre is stopped
by what he takes.

To be a loyalist force.

And outs himself as
a British officer,

but the soldiers turn
out to be patriots.

Andre is searched
and caught red handed

with detailed
plans to west point.

And other incriminating
documents.

Word of Andre's capture
ls immediately sent.

To both general Washington

and the local patriot
commander, Benedict Arnold.

Bachner: At this point, Arnold
knows that the plot's over.

He straps on his pistols,

and then he runs
out of the house.

Narrator: A few hours later,

Washington and his aides arrive

at Arnold's headquarters
for what had been intended.

To be a routine inspection.

Instead, they confront the
depth of Arnold's treachery.

Brumwell: This still leaves
us with the situation,

with, well, what about Peggy?

Bachner: What about Peggy?

(Screaming)

She erupts into a
very deep hysteria,

and this time she says
that the only person

who can take these
hot irons off her head.

Is George Washington.

Narrator: Peggy is delirious.

Her future uncertain.

In just a few short hours,

she watched her husband.

And father of her six month
old baby flee for his life

and received word her
suspected ex-lover, John Andre,

is under arrest and will
likely hang as a spy,

but these connections are
unknown to Washington.

He never bothers to
interrogate Peggy,

presuming her merely
a hysterical woman.

Washington even
grants Peggy a pass

to return to her
family in Philadelphia.

Narrator: This
18th century mansion.

In ho-ho-kus, New Jersey,

was a stop off for Peggy as
she fled to Philadelphia.

It's called the hermitage.

Bachner: Hey, Victoria,
I'm forrest bachner.

Narrator: Forrest and Stephen.

Are now meeting Victoria harty,

the home's director.

The historians hope
Victoria can fill in details.

On an incriminating report
of Peggy's stay here.

Just days after the
plot came unraveled.

During the war,
the home was owned.

By a famed intellect,
early feminist,

and suspected loyalist,
theodosia prevost.

Harty: Theodosia was married
to a British officer,

and Bergen county, where we are,

was a very contested area
during the American revolution.

What she does is she
starts playing politics,

so it becomes not only a
known spot for the British,

but also for the
American rebels as well.

Narrator: After her
first husband's death,

theodosia married Aaron burr,

the man who famously killed
Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

Burr would later report.

Peggy's fateful
meeting with theodosia.

Harty: So this is the room
where it happened.

It's the original
parlor of the hermitage.

That was built in the 1750s.

Bachner: Tell us the story.

Harty: Peggy stopped here
following Andre's capture.

Peggy confesses
everything to theodosia

about Arnold's
involvement in the plot,

about her own
involvement in the plot,

and how she's done
with the charade.

That she's been acting for
the past several years.

Narrator: According
to the report,

Peggy's hysterics
were pure theatrics,

an elaborate act
to avoid suspicion.

And cover up her involvement.

(Screaming)

Bachner: And what did she
say specifically.

Was her involvement?

Harty: She takes partial
credit for the letters.

Passed between Arnold and Andre,

for bringing Arnold
lnto the plot.

Narrator: If true, the
confession is extraordinary.

Peggy is a full co-conspirator.

She pushes the patriot
general to treason,

handing him to her contact.

In British intelligence,
John Andre,

and there's a shocking new
layer to the conspiracy.

Peggy is the conduit for Andre.

And Arnold's secret
communication.

Harty: She made a choice,

and her choice was to
remain loyal to the crown.

Narrator: For over a century,

historians ignore
the confession,

thinking it utterly unbelievable

that an 18th century
woman could help drive

a plot that nearly
ended the revolution,

but evidence brought to
light in the 20th century

tears down this
old view of Peggy.

Lewis: So this I think is an
absolutely crucial piece

of information in
trying to figure out

how Peggy had a
role in the treason.

Narrator: Historians
are now being forced.

To take seriously Peggy's
reported confession.

That she aided, abetted.

The most infamous traitor
In American history.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Benedict Arnold's plot
to sell west point.

To the British was as diabolical.

As it was sophisticated,

but was his teenage bride.

The secret traitor
behind the scenes?

New clues are emerging.

In a long unseen
archival treasure trove,

the papers of British
general sir Henry Clinton.

Clinton is commander in
chief of the British military.

During the American revolution.

Schopieray: Clinton was
something like.

A historian's dream

where he collected
every scrap of paper.

Lewis: Wow, that's amazing.

Once those Clinton
papers come out,

all of the history
of the treason.

And of Benedict Arnold's role,

and Peggy shippen Arnold's
role needs to be rethought.

Narrator: General Clinton's
papers were uncovered.

In the 1930s.

And are now held by the
university of Michigan.

Historians like
charlene boyer Lewis.

Are still teasing secrets from
this invaluable collection.

Charlene is meeting with
archivist Cheney schopieray.

Schopieray: The first manuscript
pulled is a letter.

Pertinent to Arnold's desire
to assist the British.

Lewis: And so this
is at the very beginning.

Of the correspondence here...

Schopieray: Quite right.

It says...

Narrator: Charlene
and Cheney are looking.

Over the crown Jewel
of the collection,

an extensive record
of communication.

Between Benedict Arnold

and the head of British
intelligence in New York,

major John Andre.

Schopieray: Rewards equal at
least to what such service.

Can be estimated
at will be given.

Lewis: So here you can
see they understand.

What Benedict Arnold wants.

And assuring him that he'll
get treated very well.

I think that is fascinating
that from the beginning,

Andre's making that clear.

This is gonna be a big deal.

Narrator: Along with
laying out the trail.

Of Arnold's treason,

the Clinton papers
expose the spycraft.

Used to pass covert messages.

One preferred method was
a secret number code.

Schopieray: It reads here, "you
will leave me a long book."

"Similar to yours."

The idea is that the
writer and the recipient.

Would both have the same
edition of the same book.

In this case, it's
Bailey's dictionary,

the 21st edition of 1775.

Narrator: Using
Bailey's dictionary,

the system employed
a numeric sequence.

That corresponded
to a page, a line,

and finally, the encoded word.

Lewis: So they would both
have that dictionary

and that addition and be
using the same page numbers.

To figure it out.

That's a classic way to do
codes during the revolution.

Narrator: Andre
also instructs Arnold.

In the use of an invisible ink.

To be written between the lines.

Of a seemingly mundane letter.

Schopieray: Another part of
the secret correspondence

ls the creation of a rather
unassuming letter, and then...

Lewis: Something to
make it look innocuous.

Schopieray: Right, and then
interlined in between the lines.

Would be written a secret
piece of correspondence.

In invisible ink, for example,

as is described here in writing,

to be discovered by a
process of f as fire

or a as acid as
developing agents.

In order to decode the letter.

Narrator: A letter designated f.

Told the recipient to
hold the page close.

To a flame to activate
the invisible ink.

If a, then an
application of acid.

Would reveal the secret writing.

Narrator: The
Clinton papers reveal.

The depth of Arnold's treachery,

but the papers contain
another shocking revelation.

Schopieray: And it reads,

"the lady might write
to me at the same time."

"With one of her intimates,"

"and she will guess who I mean,"

"the latter remaining
ignorant of interlining."

"And sending the letter."

Lewis: So here's a reference
to Peggy, right?

She's the lady, right, so...

Narrator: This
letter offers some.

Of the clearest evidence that
Peggy is behind the plot.

Arnold's point of contact,

major John Andre, was well known

and perhaps even
romantically linked to Peggy.

Now the Clinton
papers identify Peggy

as the lady passing Andre
and Arnold's coded messages.

Through her upper class social
network to avoid scrutiny.

Lewis: The way I read this is.

That Peggy's standing
very close nearby.

While Benedict is writing this,

which also means she knows
he's writing John Andre,

and so this I think.

Is an absolutely crucial
piece of information.

In trying to figure
out how Peggy.

Had a role in the treason.

Narrator: The
evidence may corroborate.

A shocking detail
In the reported.

Confession to theodosia:

Peggy is directing Arnold's
secret communication with Andre.

Lewis: Once the Clinton papers
were examined very carefully.

And read very thoroughly,

it becomes very clear that
Peggy was a part of the treason.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: After his capture,

John Andre is hanged as a spy.

He leaves behind no
final revelations.

On the role played by his
suspected ex-lover, Peggy,

in the plot to turn
Benedict Arnold.

To charlene, the
most vexing part.

Of the Peggy Arnold
saga is how much.

Of her story remains
In the shadows.

Like many powerful
women in history,

generations of
historians will ignore

or fail to fully
investigate Peggy's role.

Lewis: As Laurel Thatcher
ulrich said, right,

"well behaved women
seldom make history."

Why have scholars not
written about her,

where lots of scholars have
written about Benedict Arnold?

As I investigated that more,

I realized it's
because she's elusive,

and she's mysterious.

Narrator: Charlene has
identified another challenge.

To Peggy's story,

a suspicious gap in
the historic record.

Lewis: Part of the
frustration of trying.

To tell the story of
Peggy shippen Arnold

ls the absence of
sources written by her,

especially during
this time period.

There are a handful of
things before the revolution,

but then there's nothing.

There is an enormous gap.

Narrator: Charlene
has strong suspicions

this missing
evidence is destroyed.

As part of a concerted cover up.

By Peggy's powerful family.

(Fire crackling)

Lewis: I think the shippen's
needed to construct.

Their own story about Peggy,

and part of that was ensuring

that she looked
absolutely innocent,

absolutely guilt free,

and so I'm guessing that
the shippen response.

Was to get rid of all
of her correspondence.

Narrator: The Clinton
papers open the door.

Even wider to the possibility

that 18 year old
Peggy shippen Arnold.

Was at the center
of the whole plot,

and now, newly
uncovered evidence.

From London's royal archives

further strengthens
the case against Peggy.

Historians are now
making a final reckoning.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Benedict Arnold,

a man burned in effigy
for betraying his country,

but new evidence may
show the key player.

Behind the whole plot was
Arnold's teenage bride.

An expert round table is
now weighing the evidence.

The panel includes lawyer and
historic author Stephen case.

Case: All my life
whenever anybody.

Was disloyal about anything,

the cliche that was trotted out.

Was another Benedict Arnold.

Narrator: Historian
charlene boyer Lewis.

Lewis: But I certainly think
she is aware of it.

And absolutely involved.

Narrator: Arnold
biographer Joyce Lee Malcolm,

who believes Peggy's gotten
a raw deal from historians.

Malcolm: I think they had a good
time during the occupation,

but that doesn't mean
that they were loyalists.

Narrator: And historian
Stephen brumwell,

who's recently completed
an exhaustive investigation.

Into both British and
American archives.

Brumwell: I think it's
inconceivable in a way.

That she wasn't aware.

Lewis: I completely agree.

Narrator: To
answer the question.

Of whether Peggy Arnold
was the real traitor,

a spymaster who made her
husband a pawn in her scheme,

the panel first confronts
Peggy's confession.

To theodosia prevost.

The report came from
Aaron burr in the 1830s,

decades after the revolution.

To Joyce, burr is simply
not a trustworthy witness.

To what Peggy told theodosia.

Malcolm: I'm sorry.

It's just if you're gonna rely.

So much on burr's later, third
hand account of everything,

you need to substantiate.

That this is a person
who could be believed.

Washington didn't trust him.

He was on Washington's staff,

and Washington got
him outta there.

Because he found burr going
through his private papers.

Lewis: She's
incredibly intriguing.

Narrator: Charlene
believes burr's testimony.

Is bolstered by evidence she's
found in the Clinton papers.

Lewis: Why would Aaron burr lie?

I'm sure theodosia
prevost told Aaron burr.

A story about Peggy
shippen Arnold.

That make more sense
by the 20th century

when the Clinton
papers are revealed.

Case: I think if you tried
this case to a jury,

or to two juries, over
how much credibility.

To give to the burr memoirs,

you might get two
different jury verdicts.

Brumwell: If you combine those
with other documentation,

which has subsequently
come to light,

then I think it builds a
much, much stronger case.

Narrator: Stephen has
uncovered new evidence.

From the British crown archives
at kew garden in London.

That may clinch the
case against Peggy.

Brumwell: Here, we have signed
by king George III.

"Do hereby direct, authorize,

"and command that an
annuity or yearly pension

"of 500 pounds be
established and paid by you,

"unto Margaret Arnold,".

So this is 500 pounds.

This is a lot of money.

Narrator: In modern
terms, five hundred pounds

equals nearly a
six figure salary.

It's more than double
Benedict Arnold's pension.

Bruwell: So why is Peggy being
given a 500 pound salary?

Narrator: The reason for
Peggy's extraordinary pension.

May be hinted at in a letter.

Stephen found from a decade
after the war in 1792.

Brumwell: In this particular
letter we've got that,

Arnold's very distinctive
signature, b. Arnold.

Narrator: A cash
strapped Arnold.

Was appealing for
additional funds,

but Arnold uses language
that, to Stephen,

leaves little doubt to
Peggy's role in the treason.

Brumwell: "I beg leave
further to observe"

"that the pension
given to Mrs. Arnold.

"Cannot be considered as
any compensation to me,

"as it was expressly
given in consideration.

"Of the sufferings she endured,

"the hazards she wrung,".

So I just want to pick up on...

Lewis: The hazards part.

Brumwell: "The hazards
she wrung."

Once I was looking
at these documents,

I also looked at the
petition of Ann bates.

She was a loyalist spy.

When she makes her petition,

she mentions also this
phrase, of the hazards.

Lewis: So it's spy language.

Narrator: To Stephen,
Benedict's letter.

Is a smoking gun proving
Peggy's central role.

In the treason.

Brumwell: I think such a
generous pension.

Was a recognition of the
fact that she had herself.

Been at risk because
of her involvement.

In her husband's conspiracy.

Narrator: Taken together,

Peggy's reported confession
to theodosia prevost,

the suspicious language
in the Clinton papers,

the extraordinarily
generous pension.

Peggy received from the crown,

and what may have
been a telling slip.

By Benedict in writing of
the hazard's Peggy faced,

all add up to support the charge

that Peggy shippen
Arnold helped pull off.

The most infamous treason
In American history.

Lewis: She made choices
and choices

that led her down a
path that has led many,

many people to see
her as a traitor.

And perhaps as treasonous,

and so she chose to be a part
of that plot, absolutely.

Narrator: But yet, whether
through intentional cover up.

Or centuries of male historians
ignoring Peggy's story,

there remain gaps in
the historical record.

That leave a shadow of doubt
over Peggy's full guilt.

Malcolm: I think the fascination
with Peggy being implicated.

In the plot is that it's
sort of titillating,

the idea that somehow
this lovely young woman.

Enticed this veteran soldier
into betraying his country.

Philbrick: This is the
mystery of history.

You can have the same evidence,

and different people look at it.

And come to different
conclusions.

Narrator: Arnold would
complete his defection.

By going on to command
a loyalist brigade.

And lead bloody incursions
into Connecticut, Virginia,

and the carolinas,

cementing his legend as
America's greatest traitor.

By war's end, the arnolds
are exiled to London.

Lewis: Their life probably
didn't go as they planned.

They're still needing money.

Benedict Arnold dies
in 1801, not very old.

Peggy eventually
develops some tumors,

and then that's what
will kill her in 1804.

She's just around 40
years old when she dies.

Narrator: Peggy
remained faithful.

To her husband to the end,

but among her prized
possessions at her death.

Was a lock of major
John Andre's hair.

Philbrick: It's a sad story,
ultimately, a tragic story,

but once again, when you're
in the middle of the vortex

they found themselves in
the midst of the revolution,

you don't know
where it's headed,

and that's when people act as
best they can for themselves.

(Gentle instrumental music)

Narrator: The arnolds
are buried together.

In a crypt in London's
battersea neighborhood,

and both took many
secrets to the grave.

What is clear is that
the story book fable

of Benedict Arnold as a
lone Judas is simply false.

A teenage girl long
ignored by history

may very well have helped
Arnold to mastermind the plot,

and if she succeeded,

the United States might
well not exist today.