Known for his betrayal of the Continental Army, Benedict Arnold is best remembered for becoming a renegade during the Revolutionary War. But before switching sides, Benedict was a strong military leader and an excellent soldier. And on both sides of the war, Benedict won great victories. Through his patriotic and treacherous acts, Benedict Arnold helped shape the course of the American Revolution. In 1775, Benedict Arnold won his first victory: Fort Ticonderoga. The Battle of the Fort took place on May 10, 1775. Arnold and four hundred soldiers stood in front of the fort on Lake Champlain and awaited the return of reconnaissance units (CIA). When they returned, they told Benedict that the fort had only housed forty-nine British soldiers, a considerable number compared to Benedict's. But the scouts had also noted that there were only two boats that could transport Benedict and his soldiers, so only about a hundred men actually participated in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga (History Ticonderoga). Benedict still wanted to surprise the soldiers, so they attacked the south gate of Ticonderoga, where a single sentry was stationed. Benoît destroyed their entourage once they awoke from their sleep. The British troops obeyed and the fort was conquered without loss or fire (CIA). With the fort under Patriot control, the army gained a hundred desperately needed cannons (forty-three of which were transported and used by General Knox against the British at Boston) and passage from New York to Canada ( History Ticonderoga). which led Benedict to his next military excursion. On October 11, Arnold and 1,100 men left to assist General Philip Schuyler in Quebec. Their trip was riddled with...... middle of paper ......w.history.com/topics/capture-of-fort-ticonderoga>"Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. CIA, June 24, 2010. Web. December 16, 2013. “Infamous Benedict Arnold – Selling West Point.” » http://www.clements.umich.edu/. Cléments, nd Web. December 17>. 2013. Kennedy, Hickman. “American Revolution: Capture of Fort Ticonderoga”. About.com Military History. Np, and Web. December 17, 2013. “Spy Letters from the American Revolution – People.” www.clements.umich.edu. Cléments, nd Web. December 17. 2013. .