In Quebec City, in what is known as Vieux-Québec, there is a commemorative plaque on a building. It marks the emplacement where one American colonel received a metal souvenir from one of the local riflemen. Ironically enough, there is now a metal toy soldier version of this man available only a few hundred meters away from that spot. That piece is the JJ-SGEN-02 - Major General Benedict Arnold by John Jenkins Designs sold at the Toy Soldiers Club store.

When America proclaimed its independence in 1775, one of the top priority for the rebels was to block as much as possible the arrival of any British reinforcements. This meant that every major port was to be secured as soon as possible. One of the key locations in this quest was Québec City. Therefore, an expedition to take this place and every major city in the province was assembled under the commandment of the major general Richard Montgomery. Among the high ranking officers accompanying him was the colonel Benedict Arnold. Unfortunately for the Americans, things went beyond poorly. After a failed siege, on the night of December 31st 1775, during a snowstorm, the Americans attacked the city in the goal to renew their contract. (The contracts from the American army were expiring on January 1st 1776, but a clause automatically renewed them if the soldiers were engaged in a situation of combat at the moment of expiring.) During the assault, Montgomery was killed and Arnold was shot in the leg when leading an assault in the harbor district.

The plaque marking the location where Colonel Benedict Arnold was wounded.

After the failed Invasion of Quebec and despite many disagreements with his peers, Benedict Arnold was promoted to the rank of Major General and put in charge of the Hudson river defense. The summit of his career was during the 1777 Battle of Saratoga, where he participated in one of the most decisive battles of the American War of Independence. During this battle more than 6000 British soldiers capitulated, marking a turning point in the conflict. It’s also during this battle that Benedict Arnold got his leg that was previously wounded at Quebec City shot again. The healing of this injury would leave his leg 5 cm shorter than the other.

Major General Benedict Arnold and his 2nd Massachusetts Regiment from the Battle of Saratoga collection by John Jenkins Designs.

Benedict Arnold would later betray his newly formed nation by planning to sell the fort under his command for £20,000 and the rank of brigadier general in the British Army. But the plot was uncovered before taking place and he joined the British Army with £6000 and his brigadier general rank. However the British Army to never fully trust him as such is the life for traitors. He would later have to exile himself to England where he eventually went back to his pre-war trading occupations.

The figure made by John Jenkins depicts Benedict Arnold as he was during the Battle of Saratoga. His sword raised in the air and his shouting mouth give him a fierce look. His horse is particularly well sculpted and suggests a certain speed by the tail floating mid air. It’s easy to imagine this version of Arnold running along the back of his infantry line while shouting orders. If you ignore the shady behaviors of this man and his attitude to switch camp faster than what a mercenary would do, it’s one of the best looking toy soldiers from the whole Battle of Saratoga collection!

A better view of the figure.

So, despite being one of the most infamous actors of the American War of Independence for both American and British, the JJ-SGEN-02 - Major General Benedict Arnold by John Jenkins Designs surely has its place in the world of toy soldiers. Now, next time you visit Quebec City, just make sure to take a moment to visit the place where he got shot in the leg… for the first time.