“The Black Eagle”; refers to the hero of Saratoga, Benedict Arnold, who went from being a much-loved hero to the most hated man in the colonies in a matter of days. In the book Benedict Arnold: The Dark Eagle, Brian Richard Boylan analyzes the historical figure not critically, but objectively. It examines the forces that might have caused Benedict Arnold to turn his back on the country he fought so hard to protect. Boylan also points out that the man with whom Arnold conducted most of his negotiations, Major General John André, bore a striking resemblance to Arnold and that the two men were united under one woman, Miss Peggy Shippen. Throughout this book, Boylan suggests that the reader see Arnold without the general stereotype that he is a traitor. This way you can see the man Benedict Arnold really was and read the reasons why he lost his love for the colonial army and its government. The Battle of Saratoga was a major battle of the American Revolution; this helped persuade the French to sign a treaty with the United States which helped turn the tide against the British. Major General Horatio Gates was the commander of the Northern Army. His English counterpart was General John Burgoyne. The open field style of battle greatly favored Burgoyne's British troops. The Americans had their backs to the wall; they were almost out of options, until their savior literally arrived on horseback. This man was General Benedict Arnold. He arrived from Freeman's Farm where Gates, Arnold's superior, had withdrawn his authority due to Arnold's "insubordination." Arnold thought nothing of Major Gates' orders to stay at Freeman's Farm and left without any signs of slowing down. “No one will keep me in my tent today!” » ; Arnold said. Unlike Gates, Benedict Arnold enjoyed leading and commanding his men on the front lines. Arnold personally led the charge on Breymann's Redoubt during the Battle of Saratoga, but Arnold was wounded during the final assault in the left knee. As American troops surrounded and captured Breymann's forces, Arnold suffered on the battlefield. Gates took credit for ending the middle of paper's suffering. He was buried in the crypt of St Mary's in Battersea. Benedict Arnold was considered a military genius; he was able to bring his troops from near defeat to victory. He was highly appreciated not only by his friends, but also by his adversaries. Arnold was probably the only man respected by both the British and Americans before 1779. Benedict Arnold was one of the best generals who served in the American army. But in 1779 and 1780 he was considered the most controversial figure in the colonies. Today, some people consider Arnold one of the most evil men of all time; others view him as a generally good man who just took a wrong turn that tainted his entire career. The majority of Americans consider him a traitor to the American public and its trust. If the British had won the war, he would be despised even more than he is today. However, if Benedict Arnold had died, in the prime of his life, on the battlefield of Saratoga, he would be viewed much differently around the world, perhaps as the greatest general who ever lived..