St Clair, Arthur

St. Clair, Arthur (1736-1818) General: Born in Scotland, St. Clair purchased a commission in the Royal Americans at the age of 21 and served in Canada, retiring from the military in 1762. He returned to military duty during the Revolutionary War, first as a colonel in the Pennsylvania militia, then appointed by Congress to the rank of colonel in the Continental Army. St. Clair's service in the Northern Department and at Trenton and Princeton earned him the rank of major general. As commander on Lake Champlain, he was responsible for the surrendering of Ticonderoga in July 1777, which tainted his reputation despite his exoneration in a military court. St. Clair later commanded troops of the Pennsylvania Line, presided over West Point, and served as an aide to General Washington. He was Governor of the Northwest Territory from 1787 to 1802. In 1791, a united Native American force dispersed St. Clair's military expedition along the Wabash River. This incident further tarnished his name as a military leader.