| Citation |
CJ-B.781.042
18 Oct 1781:11,12,13,21,22 (295)
The Life and Character of General Arnold extracted from the
new History of the American Revolution.
. . . [in fourth column, within description of Arnold's
personal characteristics:] His manner was that of a
gentleman's while he was silent; but his conversation
betrayed a vulgar education. His pronunciation was
improper, and he seldom connected a sentence of grammar
together. He was a stranger to books, and made but a
trifling figure upon the most ordinary subjects of
conversation. His talents in every thing were moderate,
except to that species of business to which he had devoted
the greatest part of his life. In making a bargain, no
abilities or ties of nature ever over came him. As an
officer, his capacity qualified him only for the command of
a company. In order to do justice to his character as a
soldier, it will be necessary to introduce a distinction
between courage and bravery. The first is seated in the
mind, and is equally the offspring of principle and
reflection. The second is seated in the blood, and is
excited by exercise, by music, and by spirituous liquors.
By habit it may be so far improved as to produce the effects
of courage. It exists in the soldiery of all armies, and it
is sometimes found in the worst characters that ever
disgraced human nature. General Arnold was destitute of
courage, but possessed the highest degree of bravery. There
are authentic documents to prove that he was drunk at the
time he received his wound in attacking Gen. Burgoyne's
lines. . .
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