When the war commenced Arnold was a strong royalist, or tory.
He wanted the guards to be recognized by England as a part of the royal forces. In fancy he saw himself driving the "rebels" into the sound and being sent for to London to receive the thanks of the king in person; he imagined himself promoted to the rank of general, and perhaps made life governor of one of the colonies.
But the airy castles he built fell to the ground when he was bluntly told that the king could do without his "guards," and that when there was need of soldiers the king could provide them.
From that moment Arnold resolved on throwing in his lot with the very men he had asked permission to shoot down. He became a "rebel."
When the news of the battle of Lexington reached New Haven he clapped his hands and became more excited than he had ever known himself to be.
He called his guards together, and in an impassioned speech bade them be ready to march against the English, and win freedom for their native land and honor and renown for themselves.
He denounced the king.
He ridiculed the parliament.
The tories were treated to such an outburst of eloquent denunciation that, had any of them heard him, they would have trembled.
"Guards! soldiers of the nation! I salute you. To you is intrusted a banner which must ever be kept in the front of the battle. Some of us may fall, but, if we do, our names shall be writ on our country's history in imperishable letters. To those who survive no honor will be begrudged, no reward will be too ample for a proud country to bestow.