In 1755, Arnold tried to join the provincial militia to fight in the French and Indian War, but his mother did not let him. In 1757, when Arnold was sixteen, he did enlist in the militia, which marched to Albany and Lake George. When Arnold's commanders heard that the French had captured of Fort William Henry, they turned around. Arnold was in the military for 13 days Some say that Arnold deserted in 1758 but there is no proof.