The life of Israel Putnam, major-general in the Army of the American Revolution

Preface

There are three sources to which the writer of biography may repair, for materials to accomplish his work. The first is an intimate personal acquaintance with his subject, derived from long intercourse, and a daily participation in the scenes which it is his purpose to describe. The next is, a detailed narrative of incidents and events, taken down from the lips of his subject, giving to his delineations the spirit and authenticity of an autobiography. The third is found in the testimony of neighbors and acquaintances, corroborated by contemporaneous history, correspondence, &c. When the veracity and honesty of the party are unimpeachable, there is no source so reliable as that which is here placed second in the list. No person can possibly be so well acquainted with the acts of another as himself. And when, to the proper appreciation of these acts, it is necessary to know something of the motives and purposes from which they sprung, and the feelings with which they were accompanied, this is the only source to which we can look. And when to this is added an intimate personal acquaintance of a compiler of approved integrity and faithfulness, it affords the highest species of evidence in favor of his narrative, which can possibly be desired. Of this nature is the evidence in favor of the prin-

IV PREFACE.

cipal incidents in the life of General Putnam. His original biographer. Colonel David Humphreys, was intimately associated with him, having served as Aide-de-cam]) in his staff, during a portion of the Revolutionary War. He had many parts of the narrative direct from the lips of the General. That he was competent to discharge w^ell the duties of a biographer — that he was entitled to the confidence of his readers — will not be questioned by any who have honestly consulted the history of the times, and weighed the opinions of those who knew him best.

When General Putnam's health failed, in 1779, and he was compelled to retire from the service, Colonel Humphreys serve(i, for a short time, as Aid to General Greene ; after which he became a member of General Washington's family, and served him as Aide-de-camp ^ during the remainder of his military career. That he occupied a very high place in the esteem of ^' the Father of his country," and of others eminent in the councils of the nation, is abundantly manifest in the correspondence of Washington.

Among a multitude of letters which might be referred to, an extract from one only will be given. It was addressed to Colonel Humphreys in Europe, under date of the 25th of July, 1785. General Washington, apparently in reply to a suggestion from Humphreys, that he (Washington) should apply himself to preparing commentaries upon the Revolutionary War, says : '' In a former letter, I informed you, my dear Humphreys, that if I had talents for it, I had no leisure to turn my thoughts to commentaries. * * * I should be pleased indeed to see you undertake this

PREFACE.

business. You?' abilities as a writer,, your discernment respecting the principles which led to the decision by arms, your personal knowledge of many facts as they occurred in the progress of the war, your disposition to justice, candor, and impartiality, and your diligence in investigating truth, all combining, fit you, when joined with the vigor of life, for this task* I should, with great pleasure, not only give you the perusal of all my papers, but any oral information of circumstances, which cannot be obtained from these, that my memory will furnish ; and I can with great truth add, that my house would not only be at your service, during the period of your preparing this work, but ( I say it without an unmeaning compliment) I should be exceedingly happy if you would make it your home. You might have an apartment to yourself, in which you could command your own time. You would be considered and treated as one of the family, and meet with that cordial reception and entertainment, which are characteristic of the sincerest friendship."

Colonel Humphreys returned home in May, 1786 ; after which he was often at Mount Vernon, a member of Washington's family. It was there that he wrote the Life of General Putnam, in 1788, under the eye of Washington, and with the best possible means of knowing that great man's opinion of the subject of his work. The work was written for the Society of Cincinnati, of Connecticut, and by them, and under their sanction, presented to the world. This Society was composed of surviving officers of the Revolution, the compeers of Putnam, and the sharers and eye-witnesses of his heroic and daring achievements.

VI PREFACE.

In addition to the testimony of Colonel Humphreys, we have that of a large number of the cotemporaries of General Putnam. Numerous letters, written at the time when, and on the spot where, the several prominent events occurred, as well as the verbal testimony of the few aged witnesses who yet remain among us, confirm, and more than confirm, the narrative of his original biographer. It would appear that Putnam had not been disposed to estimate his own services very highly, or to present in any very strong colors his own acts of heroism ; since Colonel Humphreys, who gathered much of his material from personal conversations with his subject, is far more modest and unpretending, in many of his statements, than authentic documents, furnished both by friends and by foes of that period, would warrant.

In bestowing the above high commendation on Colonel Humphreys, it is not intended to hold him up as infallible ; but only to say, that, with respect to the general truthfulness and fidelity of his sketches, and the degree of reliance to be placed upon his narrative, though there may be some slight errors and misconceptions, the testimony is unquestionable, and the character of the witness above suspicion.

The present compilation is, of course, indebted to the original memoir, for its main outline, and principal incidents. It will be seen, however, to have deviated from it, in some points, upon a careful comparison of authorities ; while large additions have been made from other authentic sources.

Brooklyih L. /., Oct., 1846.

In the preparation of this work, the following authorities have been consulted. There are some discrepancies among them, in relation to several points of considerable importance. Without attempting to account for these discrepancies, I have endeavored as far as possible to reconcile them, by a rigid and laborious comparison of each with all the rest, and by an impartial consideration of the amount of responsibility attached to each. How far I have succeeded in doing justice to all, and to my subject, it must be for others to decide.

The Life of General Putnam. By Colonel David Humphreys. With

Notes and Additions. Boston. ]8l8.

The Life of Israel Putnam. By Oliver W. B. Peabody. Sparks'

American Biography, Vol. vii.

Memoirs of the American Revolution, &c. By William Moultrie.

New York. 1802.

History of the American Revolution. By Bernard Hubley. Northumberland, Penn. 1805.

History of the Origin, Progress and Termination of the American

War. By C. Stedman. London. 1799.

Annals of the American Revolution, &;c. By Jedediah Morse, D.D.

Hartford. 1824.

History of the American Revolution, By Paul Allen. Botta's American Independence.

History of the Rise, Progress and Establishment of the Independence

of the U. S. A. By William Gordon, D. D. New York."^ 1789. Pemberton's Historical Journal of the American War. Thatcher's do.

Holmes' Annals of America. Second edition. Cambridge. 1829. Sandford's United States and Aborigines. Phil. 1819. Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War in America. By Alexander

Gordon, First and Second Series. 1822 and 1828, Marshall's Life of Wasliington. Second Edition. 3 vols. Phil.

1832.

Ramsay's Life of Washington.

Sparks' do. do, Boston. 1839.

Writings of Washington. 12 vols. Edited by Dr. Sparks. 1829. Rogers' Biographical Dictionary. Phil. 1829. Gorton's do. do, London,

(viii)

American Portrait Gallery,

History of Massachusetts, Ay Alden Bradford, Boston. 1829.

History of Connecticut. By J, Trumbull,

History of the Battle of Bunker Hill. With a plan. By S, Swell.

Third Edition, With Notes.

Life of Aaron Burr. By Matthew L, Davis, American Archives — consisting of a collection of authentic records,

state papers, debates, letters, and other notices of public aifairs;

&c., &c. Prepared and published under the authority of an Act of

Congress, Fourth Series, in six quarto vols, Almon's Impartial Remembrancer. London. 1775, et seq. Mante's History of the French War. London. 1772. Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North America, for 1757,

1758, 1759 and 1760. By John Knox. London. 17G9, Journals of Major Robert Rogers, &c, London, 1765. Also numerous pamphlets, MS, Orderly Book, &c.

Chapter I. Early Life And Youthful Adventures Of Putnam

His ancestry — His birth — The old homestead — His earlylife — Deiiciency of the means of education — Early development of character — The bird's nest — Hazardous exploit — Coolness and intrepidity in danger — Singular escape — Perseverance in pursuit of an object — The prize secured — His activity, industry, and wit — His first visit to Boston — Insulted in the street — His able defence — Slavery — Anecdote ofCudge — The sequel. 21

CHAPTER II. Putnam's marriage and settlement in Connecticut

His marriage — Removes to Pomfret — His prosperity as a farmer — His operations as a wool-grower — Ravages in his sheep-folds — The veteran she-wolf— Her annual visits to Pomfret — Her extensive operations there — Combination against her — The pursuit — Tracked home to her den — Attempts to smoke her out — Putnam descends into the cave — Description of the passage — His sudden exit — Returns with his gun — Despatches his enem.y — Returns the third time and drags her out — Triumphant procession — Reception in the village — Exaggerated versions of the story. - - - 33

Chapter III

the FRENCH WAR. PUTNAM'S FIRST CAMPAIGN.

Mr. Putnam's general popularity — Receives a Captain's commission under General Lyman — His company — Generally

X TABLE OF CONTENTS.

employed as rangers and scouts — Nature and difficulty of that service — Inauspicious commencement of the war — Sir William Johnson's successful expedition — Its object and plan — Fortifications — Position of the French at Tinconderoga- They attempt to arrest the English works — Dieskau marches upon Fort Edward — Changes his course towards Lake George — Encounters Colonel Williams — The battle — Hendricks, the Mohawk chiefs Williams and Hendricks slain — The retreat — The assault upon Johnson's camp — Re^ pelled — Dieskau a prisoner — The pursuit — Captain McGinnes— Joseph Brant — Fort William Henry built — Captain Rogers — His Journal — Its omissions — His character and subsequent history — Goes on a scout with Putnam — Rogers in imminent danger — Rescued by Putnam — Army in winter quarters — Putnam returns to his family. - - - 43

Chapter IV

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1756. PUTNAM'S SERVICES AS A RANGER

Putnam re-appointed — Plan of the campaign — Montcalm's success at Oswego and Fort George — The English put upon the defensive — The active services of the Rangers — Adventure of Putnam and Durkee at " The Ovens " — Arrangement of the French camp — The scouts within the lines — Fired upon — Their narrow escape — Their lodgings — Canteen sprung a leak — Baggage train plundered at Half- Way Brook — Putnam and Rogers sent in pursuit of the plunderers — Successful encounter with the boats — Pursued in their turn — Rencontre with a superior force at Sabbath-day Point •» — The enemy defeated and dispersed — Another adventure — Putnam sent out to take a prisoner — Cowardly conduct of his men — Defeated in his object — His escape — His ultimate success — Importance of this kind of service — Putnam's peculiar fitness for it. - 55

Chapter V. The Campaign Of 1757

Putnam promoted to be a Major — Inefficiency of the British Generals — Hopes of the colonies — Lord Loudoan suddenly disconcerted — General Webb visits Fort William Henry —

TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI

Putnam reconnoitres the enemy — An attack on the lort threatened — Webb returns to Port Edward — Sends a reinforcement to Fort William Henry — Summons from Montcalm to surrender — Timid policy of Webb — The fortress capitulates — Shameful massacre by the Indians — Putnam visits the scene of carnage — Unexpected assault upon Captain Little and his fatigue party — Relieved by Major Putnam- Disobedience — Fire in the barracks — Putnam's heroic and successful exertions in subduing the flames — Narrow escape of the garrison. 67

Chapter VI

CAMPAIGN OF 1758. ABERCROMBIE'S ASSAULT UPON TICON- DEROGA.

Mr. Pitt Prime Minister of England — Lord Loudoun superseded by General Abercrombie — Putnam on a reconnoitering expedition — Constructs a small parapet at South Bay — Shoots a buck — Starts an enemy — Molang and his party — Their stealthy advance — Suddenly arrested — A sharp conflict in the dark — The enemy defeated in an attempt to turn Putnam's flank — Immense loss of the French — Putnam orders a retreat — Unexpected meeting with a party of friends — A reinforcement — Ticonderoga — An expedition under General Abercrombie against the French — Skirmish with advanced guard — Death of Lord Howe — His high reputation—His death speedily avenged — Putnam's kindness to the wounded — A new encampment— The assault — The retreat — Major Putnam's activity — General Abercrombie responsible for the disastrous issue of the expedition. - - 81

Chapter VII

CAMPAIGN OF 1758 CONTINUED. MAJOR PUTNAM A PRISONER.

Putnam's perilous escape down the rapids of the Hudson — Superstitious notion of the Indians — Putnam and Rogers pursuing a party of French Rangers — Lying in wait at South Bay and Wood Creek— Discovered — Rogers' incautious sport— Molang in ambush — Our Rangers threading the forest — Putnam in the van— The ambush springs upon him

Xll TABLE OF CONTENTS.

— He is made a prisoner by an Indian — His perilous position during the fight — The French retreat, taking Putnam with them — His cruel treatment — Severely wounded in the cheek — About to be burned alive —Rescued by Molang — Comparative humanity of his captor — His ludicrous confinement at night — Arrival at Ticonderoga — Carried to Montreal — Kindness of Col. Schuyler — He contrives to have Putnam included in a cartel of exchange — The return — Story of Mrs. Howe. 93

Chapter VIII

The campaign of 1759 and 1760. expedition against the west india islands.

British successes in 1759 — Putnam promoted to a Lieutenant- Colonelcy — Large and vigorous plans of General Amherst — The army in three divisions proceeds to Montreal — Putnam Avith the General in-chief on Lake Ontario — Two French vessels captured in the St. Lawrence — Fort Oswegatchie capitulates — The three divisions of the army meet before Montreal — Surrender of that Fortress, and of all the French posts in Canada — Conquest of Martinique, and all the Caribbees — Expedition against Havana — Putnam in command of the Connecticut regiment — Wrecked on the coast of Cuba — Putnam's good management and discipline — Opportune arrival at Havana — The harbor and fortifications — The Moro carried by storm — The capitulation — Peace in Europe — Improving prospects of the Colonies. - 105

Chapter IX. The Pontiac War

Results of the late contest between England and France— Condition, character, and hopes of the Indians — Pontiac, the Otoway chief— His first successes and plan of Union — Movements of General Amherst— Captain Dalyell ordered to Detroit — His bold sortie from the fort — His glorious death — Putnam, now a Colonel, accompanies Col. Bradstreet to Detroit — Supplies thrown into the fortress — Pontiac, overawed by the superior numbers of his enemy, proposes con-

TABLE OF CONTENTS. Xlll

ditions of peace — Colonel Putnam's letter from the camp — Enlarged views and bravery of Pontiac — Review of Colonel Putnam's military career — His high reputation as an officer — Retires to his farm — Honorable testimonials of public confidence — Domestic affliction. - - - - - 115

Chapter X. Causes Of The Revolution

The Navigation Acts— Writs of Assistance — Stamp Act — Resistance in the colonies — Activity and zeal of Colonel Putnam — Stamp officers compelled to resign — Case of Mr, Ingersol — His public resignation at "Weathersfield — Putnam's interview with the Governor — Prevalence of the same spirit — Results — Stamp Act repealed — A season of tranquillity — Putnam opens a public house — General Lyman's mission to England — Obtains a grant of land on the Mississippi — Proceeds with Putnam and othens to locate it — Forms an establishment at Natchez — Putnam returns to take part in the agitations of the country. --.-_. 127

Chapter XI. Agitations Preceding The War Of Independence

Duties on glass, paper, tea, &c.— Board of trade— Resistance — Associations to suspend commercial intercourse with Enggland — Other measures — Brief view of the difficult position of the colonies — Resolution of leading men — The part taken by Colonel Putnam — His conferences with British officers — His opinion of the result of a war — His confidence in American women — Committees of correspondence — An alarm — Putnam's letter — Defence of his course. - - 137

Chapter XII. First Act In The Drama Of The Revolution

Condition of the colonies — Preparations for war — Pitcairn's and Smith's secret expedition to Concord — Skirmish at Lexington — Stores destroyed at Concord — American yeomanry roused — Difficult retreat of the British — In danger of being 2

XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS.

cut off — Reinforced by Lord Percy — Closely pursued, and severely handled by the Americans — Narrow escape of Major Pitcairn — His pistols — The alarm — Putnam at his plough — ^Flies to Cambridge — Boston invested — Organization of the army — Putnam's position — General Ward — American officers tempted with bribes — General Gage's treatment of the Bostonians — Fortifications round Boston— Hazardous exploit — Skirmish at Noddle Island— Exchange of prisoners. _._.-

Chapter XIII. The Battle Of Bunker Hill

An intrenchment ordered on Bunker Hill — Divisions in the Council respecting this measure — The detachment — The Peninsula of Charlestown — Detachment pauses at the foot of the Hill — A discussion — Breed's Hill selected for a redoubt — Colonel Gridley— Description of the redoubt — Industry and spirit of the men— Surprise of the British — Severe cannenade — Preparations for a battle — Putnam goes to Cambridge for reinforcements — General Ward's opinion — Putnam's position — His desire to fortify on Bunker Hill— Landing of the British — " The Breastwork"— The rail fence — Accessions to the American force — Warren, Pomeroy, Stark, Reed, &;c. — Putnam's activity — Terrible slaughter among the British — They retreat — Captain Callender — British compelled to retreat again and again — Burning of Charlestown — Putnam's reception of the incendiaries — Arrival of Captain Foster with a wagon-load of powder — Heavy loss of the British — Storming the redoubt — The retreat- Putnam bringing up the rear — Intrenchment on Prospect and Winter Hills. 161

Chapter XIV

ARRIVAL OF WASHINGTON AT CAMBRIDGE. ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMV. FORTIFICATIONS.

Position of the colonies — Congress assumes command of the army — Washington appointed commander-in-chief— Arrives at Cambridge— Subordinate appointments— Putnam aMajor-

TABLE OF CONTENTS, XV

General — Jealousies — How reconciled — Putnam's hign reputation — Courts of inquiry — The British fortifying Bunker Hill — Organization of the American camp — Washington's regard for Putnam — His opinion of him — New fortifications — Putnam's activity — Rev. Mr. Harvey — Anecdotes — " Declaration" of Congress, how received by the army — Incidents at Cobble-Hill — Major Knowlton's sortie upon Charlestown neck — Scene in the Boston theatre — Peculiar character of the continental army — Influence and arduous duties of the officers. 185

Chapter XV. Boston Evacuated By The British

General Lee ordered to New York — Volimteers raised in Connecticut — Washington's desire for an attack on Boston — Genera] Thomas takes possession of the Heights of Dorchester — Lord Percy attempts to dislodge him — A severe storm interrupts his movements — Intended attack on Boston by General Putnam — The council of war — Nook's Hill fortified —General Gage suddenly evacuates Boston — Putnam takes possession — Wooden sentries on Bunker Hill. - 201

Chapter XVI. Putnam In Command At New York

General Putnam ordered to New York — His instructions — His Head Gluarters — His family — Loyalists, or Tories in New York — Martial law — Police of the city— Intercourse with the enemy forbidden — Fortified posts in the vicinity — Washington's arrival at New York — Goes to meet Congress at Philadelphia — Instructions to General Putnam — Letter from Philadelphia — Fire ships ordered to be built — General Howe's arrival at Staten Island — His plans and hopes — His army — Arrival of the British fleet — Declaration of Independence — Its reception by the American army. - - 207

Chapter XVII

THE BRITISH FLEET AND ARMY AT STATEN ISLAND. PUTNAM'S CONTRIVANCES TO ANNOY THEM.

Comparative force of the English and Americans — Two fri-

XVI TABLE OF CONTENTS.

gates pass up the North River— Confined to Tappan Sea- Conflict with the American galleys — CJievaux-de-frise — Described by General Putnam — Its ill success — The fire-ships alike unsuccessful— Bushnell's American Turtle— The expedition of Abijah Shipman. - 233

Chapter XVIII. The Battle Of Brooklyn, And Retreat From Long Island

Fortifications on Long Island— General Sullivan in command, in consequence of the illness of General Greene — Landing of the British at the Narrows — Sullivan reinforced — Putnam sent to take the command — His orders — Relative position of the armies — General Clinton seizes one of the passes through the hills — General Grant makes a feint in the opposite direction — General Stirling detached to meet him — De Heister advances towards Bedford — Clinton gains the rear of Sullivan, while De Heister attacks him in front — Sullivan, in an attempt to retreat, is taken prisoner — Stirling, attempting to regain the lines, is met by Cornwallis — Engages him, to cover the retreat of his division — Is made prisoner — The greater part of his division escapes — Loss of the Americans — Washington in the camp, a witaess of the battle — The difficulty of his position — Comments upon the Battle— Masterly retreat. ------ 233

Chapter XIX. Retreat Of The Continental Army From New York

Extension of the British lines on Long Island — Preparations to attack New York — Washington prepares to abandon the city — Overruled by his council — Division of the army — Putnam cornmanding the rear division in the city — A second council advises its abandonment — Sir Henry Clinton lands at Kip's Bay — Dastardly conduct of the American soldiers — Imminent exposure of Washington — He establishes his Head-Q.uarters on the Heights of Haerlem — Putnam, with his division, commences his retreat — His extraordinary exertions — Stratagem to detain the enemy — Mrs. Murray — Narrow escape of the division — General Howe's position

TABLE OF CONTENTS. XVll

— The American posts — Successful skirmish with the enemy — Colonel Knowlton slain — Major Leitch mortallywounded — Character of Knowlton — Happy effect of this little success. 249

Chapter XX. Loss Of Fort Washington, And Retreat Through New Jersey

An attack expected— Annoying the enemy— Plunderers — Howe attempts to gain the rear of the American army — Lands at Frog's Point — Advances towards New Rochelle — The American lines— Skirmishes of Colonels Haslet and Hand— General McDougall's post at Chatterton's Hill— Assaulted and carried — Putnam marches to reinforce him, but arrives too late — Washington retires to North Castle— Howe turns towards New York— Fort Independence evacuated — Putnam ordered into New Jersey — Loss of Fort Washington— Corn wallis crosses the North River — Retreat of the American army, step by step, to the Delaware — Discouraging prospects — Firmness of Washington, and good conduct of Putnam. ---___-_ 26

Chapter XXI. Putnam's Command At Philadelphia And Princeton

Designs of General Howe upon Philadelphia— Putnam ordered to defend it — Washington's views of the importance of that place — Putnam's general orders — Conference with Congress — His arduous labors — Battles of Trenton and Princeton — Part intended to be assigned to Putnam— Washington's correspondence — Ordered to Crosswicks — Stationed at Princeton — Smallness of his force — Captain McPherson — Severity and unwise policy of the British — Humanity of Putnam — His success in protecting the country from lawless plunderers — General Dickinson's successful skirmish with a foraging party — Success of Colonel Gurney and Major Davis — Major Stockton surprised and taken by Colonel Nelson — Severe treatment of Major Stockton — The Skinners, Cow-boys, and Yagers — Gallant conduct of Major

XVlll TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Smith at Bound Brook— Reinforcement of the British army — Putnam ordered to keep a good look out towards Philadelphia — Little vexations — Results of his winter operations in New Jersey — Aaron Burr. ----- 271

CHAPTER XXTI.

PUTNAM'S COMMAND IN THE HIGHLANDS.

Importance of the Highlands — Destruction of American stores at Peekskill and Danbury — Good conduct of McDougall, Arnold and Wooster — Generals Greene and Knox examine the posts in the Highlands, and advise a mode of defence — General Putnam put in command at Peekskill, with directions to carry out that plan — Obstructions in the river — Arduous labors and exposures of Putnam — Washington's opinion of his character — Desires him to surprise the enemy's post at King's Bridge — Abandons the project, and removes his camp" to Middlebrook — Putnam's force greatly reduced to reinforce the main army — Reduced still further, to support General Schuyler, on the north — Doubtful movements of the enemy — Marches and countermarches of the Americans — First anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — Evacuation of Ticonderoga, and advance of Burgoyne — American force concentrated in the Highlands — Howe's clumsy attempt to deceive Washington — T'he latter withdraws his force again into New Jersey — Orders and countermands — Edmund Palmer, the spy, in Putnam's camp. - - 287

Chapter XXIII

COMMAND IN THE HIGHLANDS CONTINUED. LOSS OF FORTS MONTGOMERY AND CLINTON.

Extent of Putnam's command — Relative position of the torts — Plans an attempt on the posts of the eneni}^ — His force greatly reduced— Sir Henry Clinton in New Jersey— Detachments lor the main army delayed — Peremptory order to hasten their march— Militia of little service— Sir Henry Clinton in Haverstraw Bay — Favored by circumstances — Lands at Tarrytown — at Verplanck's Point— at Stony Point — covered by a dense fog — Diverts General Putnam from

TABLE OF CONTENTS. XIX

his main object— Gains the rear of Forts Montgomery and Clinton — His advance resisted — Severe action — Gallant assault — Putnam orders a reinforcement — Works carried — Escape of part of the garrison — Putnam retires to Fishkill — Frigates burnt — British advance, burning villages and houses — Hearing of the surrender of Burgoyne, they return again to New York — Death of Mrs. Putnam — Peekskill retaken — Comments upon the late disasters. - _ _ 303

CHAPTER XIV.

DISSATISFACTION WITH PUTNAM'S COMMAND IN NEW YORK.

Putnam reinforced from the northern army — Projected enterprise against New York — Colonel Meigs's successful scout — Movements on the Delaware — Hamilton commissioned to obtain reinforcements from Gates — Visits Putnam at Fishkill — Returns to New Windsor — His Letters — Severe animadversions upon Putnam — Comments upon those letters — Contrasted with those of Washington — Prejudices of the people of New York — Their origin — Washington's action, language, and feeling with reference to them — Governor Clinton requested to take the command in the Highlands — Explanation of the language of Washington on that occasion — Dickinson's enterprise on Staten Island — Putnam's diversion towards King's Bridge — Takes post at New Rochelle — Successful enterprises against parties ol the enemy — Fires General Delancy's house — Takes Colonel Delancy prisoner — Descent upon Long Island —Success of General Parsons — Colonel Webb a prisoner, - - - 323

Chapter XXV

NEW FORTIFICATIONS IN THE HIGHLANDS. PUTNAM DISPLACED FROM THE COMMAND.

Condition of the defences in the Highlands — West Point selected as the principal post — Radiere prefers Fort Clinton — Putnam consults the Legislature of New York — To whom is the credit of this selection due 1 — Works commenced in January — Wretched state of the army — Putnam's letter on that point, and the obstructions in the river — He goes to .

XX TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Connecticut — The Court of Inquiry into the causes of the loss of Forts Montgomery and Clinton Putnam superseded by General McDougall — Decision of the Court, exonerating Putnam from all blame — Ordered to Connecticut, to raise recruits — Takes command of the right wing — Stationed at Danbury — Gluells a mutiny — Perilous adventure at Horseneck — Operations on the North River — Putnam in command at the Clove — Wayne's success at Stony Point — Putnam's command near West Point — His name given to the principal fort — Results of the campaign. . - - 339

Chapter XXVI. Retirement And Last Days Of The Hero

Putnam visits his family in Connecticut — Sets out on his return to the army — Is struck with paralysis, and retires — His interest in public aflairs — Correspondence with Washington — His efforts to promote temperance — His abhorrence of duelling — His mode of accepting challenges — His peaceful enjoyment of the evening of life — Public and private estimation of his character — Testimony of Drs. D wight and Whitney — A Christian's death — Funeral honors — Epitaph. 357

Appendix

Number I, — Major Rogers. - 369

" II.— The Battle of Bunker HiU. - - - - 375 " III. — Prejudices of the People of New York against