Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1847-10-01
From Headley's Washington and his Generals
Putnam.

! and Lexington, and the unframed militia
had chased British regulars in alright be.
fore them. Putnam was then quietly pur.
suing his occupations at home; and the
next day after The battle plain New
England farmer might be seen in the field
with his oxen and sled dragging stones to.
gether, mending his fence. The warm
April sun shown down upon his weather
beaten face, and all was calm and beauti-
ful as spring ever is. But suddenly man
was seen coming IN furious gallop along
the road, beating hurriedIy drum as he
rode = the call to arms which thrilled ey-
cry ear that heard it. Stopping to answer
no enquiries, he spurred on and reined up
! his painting and foam covered steed oppo.
site this piain-clad farmer, hurried across
the field, and stood breatbless with haste
| and excitement before him. IS The streets
| Of Lexington and Concord hare been soaked
IN blood, and The country is IN q blaze p
| Thus ran the fearful tale Putnams brow
| 81" Ooi ~ eio "iotil Ct TIC iCCIldI, anu
leaving his oxen where they stood, he
stayed not even to change his farmer s
apparel, or bid farewell to his family, but
| icaping on his swiftest horse was soon
seen tearing along the road to Boston
The first blood that was shed reused all
the lion within him, and those who saw
that rough form fly past, knew that wild
Xxx would soon be done. Arriving at
Cambridge in twenty -four hours, dis
lance of nearly a hundred miles, he i'm
mediately called a council of war, and
gave his stern voice for war to the last
| extremity. He then hurried to the As
seniDiy of Connecticut, to confer with it
on the best mode of carrying on HOSTILE
ties, and as soon as his business was done,
sped back to the army, with the commits
sion of brigadier- general in his hand
The forces kept pouring in from every
quarter-those from each state having an
officer of their own to command them,
while the movements of the whole were
conducted by a council Of war. Putnam,
from his long experience in military mat
tiers, and his known bravery and frmness
in battle, gradually assumed the general
control, until at length he was practically
commander-in- chief.
| BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL,
While the multitudinous army lay a.
round Boston, without any idea of discip-
line except to shoot straight, or any def
mite aim beyond the mere determination
to fight; the officers who commanded
them looking on things in clear light,
were divided as to the best course to pur-
sue. Putnam, with his usual promptness
and holiness, and Prescott, were for a
battle if they could get the militia behind
entertainments. They thought, and just
ly, that al engagement, unless peculiarly
disastrous to the Americans, would give
them confidence in themselves, and kindle
a spirit of resistance throughout the land.
The other officers were fearful of defeat,
and dreaded the result of one on the army
and country. The holder council of Put
nam and Prescott, however, prevailed.
The English, in the meantime, feeling
the restraint of their position, laid two
different plans 10 advance into the open
country, but were in both cases turned
back by the precautions of the Americans,
who were constantly informed of their
movements. At length. abandoning ev-
cry other project, General Gage directed
all his efforts to force a passage by the
peninsula and neck of Charlestown. This
| peninsula is little over a mile long, ex-
tending from east to west, washed on the
north by the Mystic and on the south by
Charles river, while a narrow channel
| separates it fir ON Boston on the east
The spot where this peninsula joins the
main land is ONLY about hundred wards
across. and is called the Neck. From
/ this spot rises Bunker's Hill, and a little
firther in towards Boston, Breeds Hill
/ L o prevent the egress of the British by
thus Neck, the plan of which they had
received from friends in Boston, the A
merican officers resolved 10 fortify Bun
| kerS Hill, which completely commanded
1t Col Prescott was ordered TO occupy
ttiis height with a thousand men, and in
ircuch himself strongly there. Having