Dearborn, at age 23, organized and led a local militia troop of 60 men from New Hampshire upon hearing the news of the battles at Lexington and Concord, and joined up with Colonel John Stark's 1st New Hampshire Regiment. They eventually arrived at Charlestown shortly after the British had begun firing their cannon at the American positions. General Putnam, second in command to Colonel William Prescott, and reportedly eager for battle, was already at Cambridge before the battle with 250 of his men from Connecticut. During this time, he received a private proposal from British Commanding General Howe that, if he would relinquish the rebel forces under his command, he would be made a Major-General in the British Army and be compensated for his effort. Putnam kept the matter private, but pointedly rejected the offer.