Research

Scope and Content Note

Most of the documents in this series were created by Major General Benedict Arnold to supply information to the British Army concerning the conditions, personnel, and ordnance of the American fortifications at West Point, New York. Types of information include disposition of troops and artillery pieces in case of alarm; reports of ordnance in the different forts, redoubts, and batteries; report of the condition of the various fortifications; and estimates of the number of men necessary to fortify the works and numbers actually present.

The series also includes passes signed by Arnold to permit Joshua H. Smith (the intermediary between Arnold and Major John Andre) and/or John Anderson (Andre) to pass through American lines at various points between West Point and New York City; a small document also taken from Andre, which appears to be a memorandum of addresses; and a note from Joshua H. Smith to his brother at Haverstraw written after Andre's capture.