Comments on: 6 Generals Who Switched Sides Hoping for Reward

By: robin

robin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:10:15 +0000

Very interesting! You should also check out Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, who left Napoleon and actually became the king of Sweden.

By: Nerak

Nerak — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:16:26 +0000

I just wanted to comment that the “El Cid” statue photographed is in Balboa Park in my native San Diego. I recognized it right away since I’ve been past it many times in the past 29 years. :)

By: Matt L.

Matt L. — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:42:05 +0000

How about John C. Pemberton, one of the few northerners who decided to fight for the Confederacy? He tried to hold Vicksburg against US Grant, but surrendered on July 4, 1863. He might have hoped for reward, but got little or nothing out of it.

By: Anthea

Anthea — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:54:27 +0000

Great post! Very interesting…

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:16:01 +0000

Correction – he was promoted to major general after several key military actions, but he was still snubbed by congress for further advancement. The Brits basically appealed to his vanity, as well as a more comfortable salary and pension.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:08:05 +0000

I know a lot of people may ask ‘What about Benedict Arnold?’. He actually wasnt a general, which is a big part of the reason he switched sides. He was an exceptional Colonial officer, winning a key ‘naval’ battle on Lake Champlain, but he was snubbed repeatedly by congress and denied the rank of general. Plus his young wife had a taste for the finer things in life, which he could never afford even if we won (which seemed unlikely). So, he became the most famous American turncoat to date, and he was never fully embraced by Brits back in England.