Litchfield enquirer., 1870-10-13

 the General spent the interval in riding about through the camps, looking at the men and the quarters. He passed around among our tents accomBanied by the Colo nel and other officers, al mounted. per- fectly remember how Ae appeared as he rode along in front oflonr company and looked sharply at us. He was middIe-siz- ed, neither tall nor short, strongly built, with full, round face. horid complexion, and eyes as keen as a hawks. He wore his full uniform of a haior-general, and altogether made an imposing figure. I noticed also, the horsef that he rode. It was the same that afterwards carried him safely on his wonderful ride down the de clivity at Horse-neck-a powerful, strong limbed animal, black and handsome, and with mettlesome eye and action.
 Just as this horse and rider reached the the front of our company. the, orderly ser geant came to the name of Patterson on his roll, and called it aloud. The. atten- tion of the General was Instantly attracted. He reined in his horse
 !" Patterson !-Pattersonl he exclaimed. ?" Is there a man by that name in this company"
 "Yes, sir" answered the sergeant.
 Let nm step out nefe.
 Rufus took three pacess to the front, and the Generals eager, animated face changed its expression to something like disap- pointment.
 ' Humph-a young man," said he. "Did you have any relatives in the French war?" , t Yes, General" answered Rufus, speak ing fast between excitement and anxiety. '' My father aud grandfather were both in your company of Rangers lin Col. Lyman s regiment They have told me often about saving you from the Indians when"
 ''Are they alive? Where do they live? How can find them?" Putnam asked in breath, interrupting the story which none knew better than himself.
 "They are both alive, General, and live in that little house which you see wonder, with the roof rising above the top of the hiH."
 Both spurs went together in the sides of the black horse, and with a snort and a bound the animal was off at a mad gallop The distance from the camp to the home of the Pattersons was, as Ihave said, about half mile. The land ascended gradually toward the house, terminating in hill, on the further side of which the dwelling stood. It was mostly fresh-plowed soil, and three or more high stone fences cross ed 1t at right angles with 8 line drawn straight from the camp to tue house. The distance by the road was but trife fur ther; but the General never stopped to in- quire about that. He reached the first fence with his aids behind him. We heard him shout to the noble animal that carried him, and over he went at a flying leap. which drew cheer from every man that saw 1t. The aids pulled up and went around by the road. We watched the fear less horse and rider, and saw them rapidly clear the heavy ground, taking the inter- vening fences in the same style, and pres ently disappear from sight ssor the brow
 The interview of General Putnam with the Pattersons was afterward related to me by their housekeeper, who witnessed it. She heard quick rap on the door, and opening it, Saw Putnam, who Was un known to her. sitting on his horse.
 ''Are the Pattersons here?' he asked. Tell them both to come out here"
 "Heres an officer at the door wants to see you," the old woman called to the el- der of the two, who was sitting in the back room.
 "Let him come in here, then," gruffly replied the old man, who rightly regarded his years, his infirmities, and his good ser vice to his country, as entitled to conside- ration. eff he wants to see me worse than do him, he can come where l am."
 The General plainly heard the reply. ''The devil take your impudence!" he a@N -t. a.-
 "And you too." sturdily returned the other. .-..'......
 "Do you know who I amp" the General asked, emphasizing the inquiry with an oath. .ss
 No-and I don't care," responded old Paterson, with an expletive equally pro fane. s. e.sgE @
 ''Did you ever hear of Israel Putnam, you old rascal?" the General thundered, fast getting into rage. ...
 The old man had been sitting where he could not see the other; but, at the men, tlon of the name, he rose from his chair, and hobbled on his crutches out to the door. ir-
 "Putnam-Captain Putnam-General Putnam!' he eagerly exclaimed. |" Good Lord, is he the man I've been treating in this shabby way, at my own door?"
 While he was coming slowly forward, trying to see.the face of his visitor with his imperfect vision, Putnam recognized him, and dismounting with jump, threw his reins to one of the aids who just then rode up, and running into the house, caught the old soldier in his arms, crutches and all, and embraced him, while the old man wept tears of pride and pleasure. The younger Patterson soon came limping in, and he was the recipient of like hearty recognition by the bluff General.
 The next hour was passed by these three in pleasant, familiar intercourse, during which the rescue of Putnam from the say ages was thoroughly discussed, the Patter- sons readily forgetting for the while, that their visitor had any other title or dignity than that of their old Captain. He spoke in terms of the warmest gratitude of the inestimable service they had done him, and of his repeated and fruitless efforts to find them since that memorable escape; and, as Rufus afterwards told me, when he had gone, that his visit was worth ten years of good,s wholesome enjoyment to them. @ sa5
 '' suppose you haven't forgotten, Gen. eral, said old Patterson, rather grumbling- ly, "what a savage scolding you gave me for letting you sleep ten minutes too long, while we were escaping" ,s f,.
 Putnam roared with laughter. "Did I do that?" he asked. "Well, that was pret- ty hard; but you know my ways, of course. Obey orders, first, last, and always-that is my motto, you know. But did you feel as