The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-08-18
General Putnam Defended,
CONTINUED FROM OUR LAST.
Judge .Advocate Tudor's Certificate


as commander in chief Of the American forces at
Cambridge, in July. l775, Tin less than three
weeks after the battle,) Court Martials were or
dered to be holden for the trial different officers,
who were supposed to hare misbehaved in the
important action on Breeds Hill, on the 18th of
June. la the inquiry which those trials occa-
stoned, never heard any insinuation against the
conduct ofGen. Putnam, who appeared to have
been there without any command, for there was
no authorized commander. Col. Prescott appear
ed tie have been the chief; and according to my
bestrecollection after forty three years, the whole
business appeared to have been conducted
without order or regular command. Each man
fought for himself, loaded and fred az he could,
and took care to waste no powder, which was >
scarce article at the time"
We are all agreed, that there was no regu-
lar army or legal authority, but how could il
happen, that not surmse was made by the
New Hampshire officers against Putnam, nor
an insinuation either by the accusers or accu-
sed against him?
Washington was the man who selected
Putnam nearly year alter the battle of Bun
ker hill, 10 defend New York against the
whole forces Of The enemy that he believed
had gone there. In other words, he trusted
this man, whom Captain Dearborn brands as
coward, with the salvation and hopes of the
whole nation. His instructions on this occa-
sion are before the public. In these he gives
Putnam the command OF Heath's and SulIi-
vans divisions, and says -
g That your long service ard experience, will
better than my particular directions at this dis
lance, point out to you the works most proper to
be first raised, and your perseverance,, actaoity and
seal will lead you to exert every nerve to disap-
point the enemy's designs
: GEO. WASHlNGTONn
$ Head Quarters, Cambridge,
10Th March, 1716.p
Here is abundant proof that nine months az
ter the battle OF Bunker bill, Washington had
full confidence in the superior talents, actiYi-
ty, and zeal of man whom Dearborn repre-
sents as inactsvs and coaCardly at that inpor-
tant battle.
We now add the testimony of The Yenera-
Bile President Adams, 10 letter TO Gen. Put :
mans son and it's difficult to say to whom
it does the most honor, to the memory Of Put
nam, or to the iluslrious witness Of his mer-
| it.
/" Quincy, June 5, 1913.
DANIEL PUTSAM, Esq.
g Dear Sri received yesterday your
kind letter of the 23d Of May, with copy Of
your letter To- President Monroe, Of the same
month. Neither myself nor my family have been
ale TO read either tcith dry eyes. They are let
tiers that would do honor 10 the pen Of Plsny
You ask whether any dissatisfaction existed III
the public mind against Gen. Putnam, in conse-
quence Of his conduct on the 18th Of June, l775
was in Philadelphia, from the 9Th of May,
through the summer of 1875, and can testify to
nothing which passed at Charlestown on die
18th OF June. But this do say, actthom reserue,
that never heard the least insinuaton of dissat-
islaction with The conduct Of Gen. Putnam,
through has aVlaole lsfs and had the characters
| of Generals Greene, Knox, La Fayette, or even
Generals Warren, Montgomery, or Mercer been
| called In question, it would not have surprised
me more There must have been some great
misunderstanding in this affair. | seem to see
intutively or 10 feel ansttnctlgely the truth Of
! Major Small's testimony but it would require
sheet of paper to relate what | hare a. memory
relative to Major Small and Gen. Warren.
8 must conclude with assurance ofthe pro-
foundest respect for the nlestory Of your father,
and the sincerest esteemi Tor yourself, &c.
ssJOHN ADAMs.n
What President Adams alludes TO, as q
Major Small, we are not able 10 say, but We
conjecture that he knew bin well, and hls
intimacy with Warren and from Small )
character, and that intimacy, be feels aasttf'c
tively that his story to Trumbull ssas strictly
true.
Capt John Barker, wasa private IN Coi.
Reeds regiment, (another Mem HGmPshare
one and The only one that Gen. Dearborn cd