Outlander: The True Story Behind Benedict Arnold's Easter Egg

After Ticonderoga, Arnold was promoted and now under the command of Colonel Benjamin Hinman, who commanded the reinforcements sent to the fort. Arnold resigned and returned home to Connecticut. Two of Hinman’s subordinates also began spreading rumors about Arnold’s negative behavior, which diminished his popularity among senior executives.

After capturing Fort Ticonderoga, he approached the Continental Congress with a plan to invade Quebec. Arnold also believed that the colony was poorly defended. He was handed over to lead the initial attack on the British defenses, but was later assigned to the troops attacking Quebec from the forests of Western Maine. Arnold successfully captured Montreal in November 1775, but failed to capture Quebec City. He was wounded in the leg but continued to work in the field to support his troops. Jamie’s future commander Daniel Morgan and his archers were also involved in the siege.

Arnold spent most of 1776 participating in various battles in Canada, and also played a huge role in the defeat of General Tryon’s forces in Rhode Island and Connecticut. While he gained a reputation for bravery, he also made enemies, as Arnold believed that the very people responsible for his sidelining were undermining his ability to become a major general. He also visited his family and sought treatment for his wounds.

The “Practical Guide for First Time Travelers” series includes Battle of Freeman’s Farm. Outlander’s the title card calls it the first battle of Saratoga, which is correct. It depicts Jamie and the rest of Morgan’s archers destroying a British force in the open. Arnold’s role in the battle was not mentioned, which may be a deliberate allusion to the conflicting historical accounts of his actions. One of Arnold’s biographers claims Arnold led his men to attack the British fortifications before Gates ordered him to stop while others claim he was engaged in combat.

Claire meets Arnold in “Turning Points”, before the Second Battle of Saratoga (also known as the Battle of Bemis Heights) and before the Americans attack the British troops. She is surprised by his gentlemanly demeanor, as he is not the villain and traitor that everyone in the 20th century knows him to be.

During the second battle, Arnold led troops that attacked the right flank of the British forces. Historians also disagree on whether Arnold took the initiative himself, which would indicate a motivation of defiance, or whether General Gates placed him on the right flank. A letter from an eyewitness was discovered in 2016 shows that Arnold’s desire to mingle with the British forces was officially sanctioned. Much of what was documented about Arnold’s actions during Saratoga was after Claire mentioned the future betrayal to Jamie.