Litchfield enquirer., 1864-03-31

1 ANECDorE OF PUTNAN.-The following an- ecdo.e Was related by an old soldier who serv ed under the worthy General Putnam, aud t presents one of the very few instances in which 1 this shrewd hero brought u joke upon himself. | He was at times suspicious of the fidelity of his soldiers, and hence, 10 test their taithtal- ness, he would sometimes approach those who were on guard. and if he coult! tlatter or fright en them to let him pass, he would afterwards bring them to punishment for their delinquent cy.
 One cold night in December, one of his soldiers, who was seldom outdone. was station- ed on guard in an open field some one or two hundred rods from tho encampment, Being aware of the Generals experiments, he had re- solved that no man should pass him that night alive. Whil, walking round his limits, to pro tect himself against the action ol the frost his 1 attention was arrested by all approaching horseulan, whom he instantly recognized to he the General.
 1 Halt and give the oountersign, shouted ! the soldier. as Putnam advanced 1 Iile Gonora! did not Eoeln inclined to hearA en 10 ttis man sata and the soldier raised his 1 gun.
 Halt UT you arg d dead man.
 The Gensr:.! pat spurs b his horse. as if de. :arroiue,i to pass but vivid fash from the so.ie.'s cun couyinoed him that thore was se- 1 tiousness in the matter Fortunately the piece ! i!;.se iss fire i; but the General concluded, at. ter a s!ii! stronger invitation to halt, that his l persona! safety dtpend'd ca little moder'l- i .:on, a..i hence he caine to Il pause nearly op- ppsi;e the soldier.
 suppose you k;ow whom you are lstaia im2 ?' sud the GencraI, h:uE,atly. i CAtainy General and hope yoa will | h,, f,a i sign
 Tine OeHesaI sneerinsly answered, and made ! ai4 atteulpt to proceed
 Bat stop and dismoupt ]! said the soldier, tlacing the muzz;o of the piece within two feet 0: the Generals head.
 This was case of dire necessity, and the General would gladly have given tho counter sign had he not unwittingly forgotten it. At- ter finding there was no better way, he relue- ,aully iismounted, and his horse was secured Now havs the goodness to keep your stand ing continued tho victorious soldier; II you l take one step in any direction, l will give yoa specinun of my shooting ability A short time passed in silence. The frost was very familiar with the Generals whiskers, nose and chin, and he soon found employment in snappi:.g his fingers aud rubbing his ears His indignation gradually increased until 1t was beyond control.
 Let me go.' he at length exclaimed, in tho magnitude othis rage, or by Inpitar you wlli stand at the whipping post tomorrow. If should escape the whippng-post you will miss the object of your visit cooiiy re- piled his captor !,
 But let me 90 now, and all shall be well with you
 No;my conscience will smite me for viola ting strict military law.
 Then suffer me to walk withih your limits, for am freezing 10 death
 No, you might dodge of in the dark, and that would increase my logging Now my brave man, don't bs craeiI you have acted the part of hero now, let me go, and you shall be rewarded My conscience will not allow me to be brie- ed while in my eountry's service 1 Again the Generals auger returned. 1 1 shall go r he exclaimed with emphasis, cautiously raising one of his lialf-frozen feet ! One step, and you are dead man replied i the soldier, presenting his gun. The General, finding these threats and en- treaties were alike in vain, applied himself to circulating the blood by hand through hls freezing extremities. The moments wore away, and after long time the relief appeared. | The proud victor now resigned his post, con. ducted in his prisoner, and delivered him ac- 1 cording to the rules of war. Early in the following morning the daring soldier was summoned to the Generals pres ence, who, after giving him severe reprehen- sion, sternly asked; .,
 Would you actually have shot me- you v'l- lain 2
 Yes was the simple, sober reply .
 The General was satisfied, and rewarded hia accordingly.
 "I have tried,' said John Newton, ito make crooked things straight, till have made tbese knuckles sore, and now l must leave it to the Lord.'
 In India, frost. ice, and cold weather are unknown A child who was born there, on coming to this country, when the ground was covered with snow, exclaimed, Look, Fath- CT! Tbe Lord since we left home has painted the earth white A certain poor.house in Westminster, Eng |, ,. .h, L,r4 h nl,no of many ;pfanta An