The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-15
The Iron Son of '75.

Claud Sanders.
The Iron Son of rs.
Nothing connected with the general assem-
bly, of Connecticut of 1854 has given greater
pleasure than the appropriation of So, 900 for
the erection of monument to commemorate
the services of Putnam. The speech of John
Cotton Smith, in favor of the resolution, is one
of the most beautiful tributes that has ever been
worthy descendants Of the last governor under
foretime' Of the republic.
ut is pleasant sometimes to vary the dull
routine of Legislation by the introduction of
subject that scars above the party strlfes and
petty interests of the present, and carries US
back to the heroic age Of the republic. There
is no State in the Union, and | know not any
in the world says the American Gibbon, in
speaking Of Connecticut in whose history, If
l were citizen, could find more Of which to
be proud and less that could wish to blot 1t
is matter of congratulation that her annals are
I soon to be given to the world written by one of
her most talented sons, whose soul is full of her
glorious foretime, and who has devoted years
of toll to this labor of love- Most true, it is,
that ever since God first planted the three vines
in the wildernss, in every combat for either llber-
ty or honor, her sacred standard has waved in
triumph, in front of the battle, or been drenched
with the blood of the brave. From the storm
ing of the Pequod fort to the capture of Mexico,
no desperate foe has lived that ever stayed for
the honor of Connecticut valor Three times
had the gallant little republic, while yet in the
cradle, dared to provoke the wrath and brave
the power of the mighty monarch Of England
and as often as the danger of tyranny broken
the breast of her undaunted resolution. Tn
like her sister colonies no stamps were ever
sold within her borders. She threw them back
with scorn into the face of king and parliament.
Our State went into the revolution underpecu-
liar advantages. Her civil organizations of
townships, each one little compact self-sup-
porting democracy, a well trained citizen SOL
dierv accustomed to the use of arms, patri-
otic clergy laundering resistance from every
pulpit, no royal governor to eject, nor court IN
fuence to distract, all fitted her to await the
crisis, -
Firm as the rock Of the ocean that braves
A thousand wild waves OH the shores.
'sIn April ITS, before the revolution could
be generally regarded as an ascertained fact a
number of patriotic citizens of Connecticut as
sembled at Hartford, perceiyng the immense
) advantage that would accrue to the cause Of
) liberty from the capture and possession of the
). northern fortresses that commanded lake Cham
-Ticonderoga and Crown point-deter-
mined to seize them by surprise Of the British
garrisons,- The daring enterprise was commit
ted to Seth Warner and Ethan Ellen, both ma
tives of the county Of Litchfeld-it was con-
Quoted with characteristic energy and determi-
| nation, and the bold undertaking was most emf
nently successful. More than two hundred
cannons were captured, the same that were
afterwards dragged across the mountains to
Boston, drove lord Howe from the city, and
) thundered against the British lines during the
! whole course of the war Connecticut alone
projected and executed this most important
movement, and her treasury footed the bhls,ln
: the meanwhile the blood was shed at Lexington,
and its report stirred up her already excited peo-
pie as with the shock Of an earthquake. Put
nam left his plough in the furrow, the troops OF
eastern Connecticut poured after their gallant
hero. The battle of Bunker Hill soon followed
and opened the seven years drama with a blaze
of glory. No achievements of ancient or modern
story rivals in interest or results this memorable
conflict A few hundred provincial farmers, in
the ordinary costume Of their calling, without
cannon or bayonets, occupied small breast
work, erected by the unremltted toll Of the pre-
yious night On the left of the breastwork, ,and
on the open ground stretched beyond its point
to the waterside, are placed the men Of Con
necticut, under Clark of Lebanon, Chester of
Wethersfeld, Colt of New London and KnoWl-
ton Of Ashford. The eagle eye and lion heart
of Putnam is busy watching and experimenting
the whole. On came the flower OF the English
+ army, to the attack, moving slowly and steadily,
fin all the pomp and pride Of war, cheered by
the burst Of martial music, and the rolling
5 thunder of the cannon Allisquiet and still in
the ranks Of freedoms little phalanx, save the
Z clarion voice of Putnam ringing in their ears
t Don't FIRE until you can see the whltesof their
Il eyes
"A moment more and the foe had almost
t reached them. They thought to crush the little
] rebels without bloW-When at once they are
: met by sheet Of fire, and fall before the tenn
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