Boot Monument

Boot Monument

Monument to Benedict Arnold's injured foot at Saratoga National Historical Park
43°0′30.2″N 73°38′21.7″W / 43.008389°N 73.639361°W / 43.008389; -73.639361
Location	Saratoga National Historical Park[1]
Designer	George Edwin Bissell[2][3]
Dedicated to	Benedict Arnold, although it does not mention his name[1]

The Boot Monument is an American Revolutionary War memorial located in Saratoga National Historical Park, New York. Erected in 1887 by John Watts de Peyster, it commemorates Major General Benedict Arnold's service at the Battles of Saratoga in the Continental Army, but does not mention him on the monument because Arnold betrayed the Continental Army for the British Army. Instead, it commemorates Arnold as the "most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army". The monument was sculpted by George Edwin Bissell.

While fighting at the Battle of Bemis Heights, Arnold was severely wounded after being shot in his leg. His horse, who was shot as well, fell on Arnold's leg and shattered it. After this, Arnold continued to grow more bitter towards the Continental Army when he was passed over for promotion, lost his business, and was court-martialed for abusing his power as military commander of Philadelphia. He later attempted to help the British capture the fortification of West Point but was discovered and fled to the British army.