National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-21
A STORY OF GEN. PUTNAM.

The eventful career of the sturdy, lion
hearted Israel Putnam has ever been the
especial theme of historical interest to the
American school-boy; and the romantic and
unusual interests that color it are not likely
TO pass from his memory after attaining the
years and sentiments of manhood. 1t Is
doubtful, indeed, whether the whole record
Of American history, colonial, revolution
ary, or federal, can produce character,
who, in the quality of rugged, indomltable
courage. is entitled to be named with "Old
Put" With him this quality appears to
have been an instinct, even to the point ot
recklessness and the audacious affairs Of
the VOLTS den, the powder-magazne, and
the ride at Horscncck, seem to have oc-
cured merely from the ordinary exercise OF
this am3zing quality by the man who, as
hi, tombstone truly declares, "dared to
lead where any dared to follow In other
words, his lofty heroism was no exception
al or erratic display it pervaded his whole
nature and stood forth at once upon an
adequate call to duty.
He was born, as is well known, in Massa-
chusctts, but removed to Connecticut early
in life, in which latter State much OF his
military service and several of his most
conspicuous acts of daring were performed
Western New York was settled during
the early part of the present century, IN
great part by emigration from Connecticut
Many of the pioneers Of the Genesee and
Niagara are still to be seen among us,
whte-hared, and feeble in body, but en-
oyng with solid satisfaction the subStan-
tial fruits of their early industry and hard
ships. Going back only one generation
from them, VIC find ourselves in the goodly
company of the continentas and reyolu
tionary patriots, with Putnam, Stark,
Warren and the rest and very many are
the "reminiscences of this initial period in
our national history which might be gath
erod from the lips of these aged men as
they received them from their fathers, of
which written history has no knowledge.
lately met one of these pioneers, ven
cradle and intelligent farmer OF nearly four
score years, who was brought by his father
from Connecticut to his new home in the
Holland Purchase" so called in his child
hood. The father was soldier in the
Revolution, and had served under General
Putnam in his own State. The incidents
and general rccollections of his campaigns,
as he had related them to his son, in the
spirit of the veteran who delights to
shoulder his crutch, and show how fields we're
won,''
were deeply interesting; and none more so
than those relating to Putnam and his eX-
PLOTS.
"My father knew him WELL" said my in
iormant, "and always spoke of him as the
oravest man in the war. He never could
mention his name without his eyes kim
ding and his cheek flushing with excite
ment; and he loved TO talk about Putnam
and his exploits above anything else.
From these incidents propose to sub
init to the reader, in brief, the most inter
esting o. the anecdotes Of Putnam that
received from the source referred to. 1t
IS SO perfectly characteristic of the man,
as history paints him, and the way which
~ comes to me is so perfectly satisfactory,
mat l have no hesitation in expressing my
entlre confidence in its truth. 1t will be
observed that the Indian adventure which
lorms the groundwork of the story bears
considerable resemblance to one of Put
uams adventures which is minutely de-
'1lled IN the histories, and which in one
pace lind succinctly stated as follows:
Inc same year 175s), when returning
70 Fort Edward from an expedition TO