The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-04

and resolutely counseled the occupation
of the heights of Charleston.
When the company of Prescott went
forth on the night Of the 10th ofJune, to
their gallant work, he was with them,
taking no active command, but assisting
where opportunity served. He was seen
in different parts ofthe field, but his chief
! exertions appear to have been expended
upon the fertilization of Bunker's Hill,
where he met the fugitives in their retreat
and conducted such Of them as would
obey him, says Bancroft, "to the nights
encampment."
Putnam was one of the Congressional
appointments, ten days before the battle,
when the rank of Major General was con-
ferred upon him. He continued to serve
at the siege of Boston, and when the thea
tire Corporations was changed by the de-
parture of the British to New York, was
placed by Washington, in l776, in com
mand in that city until his own arrival
He employed himself during this short
period, with several devices for the safe
ty of the harbor.
The abandonment of New York follow
ed, with the retreat to Westchester and
the passage through the Jerseys Put
nam was then, in January, l777, ordered
to Philadelphia to make provisions Tor
its defence. -,
In MAY he was put in command oil the
Highlands, to secure its defences, and to
observe, from the central position, the
movement of the enemy.
In the summer of this year, Sir Henry
Clinton at New York, sent mp the river
flag of truce, to claim one Edmund Pal
mer, who had been taken in the Amerl-
can camp as Lieutenant in the British
service. This drew forth from Putnam a
reply which has often been quoted;
HEADQUARTERS, 7 August, l777,
Edmund Palmer an officer in the
enemy's service, was taken as a spy lurk-
ing within our line; he has been tried
as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall
be executed as a spy, and the flag is Or
dered to depart Immediately.
ISRAEL PUTNAM.
P.S,-He has been accordingly eXecu-
ted.
In September portion of Putnam's
command being withdrawn by Washing
ton for the support of the army IN Fehn-
sylvania, by peremptory order II is sald'
put an end to a plan formed by Futllahl
for a separate attack on the enemy al
New York. Putnam seemed still to have
entertained some project in connection
with New York, which led him to with
hold troons called for bv the imperious
Necessities of Washington.
The neglect of these orders brought a
pointed letter from Hamilton, and an
equally significant rebuke from himself
He was stationed the following winter
at Danbury, when the famous descent OF
the precipice at Horse Neck occurred,
one of the latest marvels of Putnam's an
ecdotical career. While on visit to
one of his outposts at Horse Neck, Gov
ernor Tyron, of New York, advanced on
the place with 1900 men. Putnam had
only $50 men and two iron field pieces,
without horse or drag ropes. He however
planted his cannon on high ground near
the meeting house; and by several fires
succeeded in retarding the progress OF
the enemy, and continued to make oppo-
sition till he perceived the enemy's horse
supported by the infantry were about to
charge. General Putnam after ordering
the picket to provide for their safety by
retiring to swamp inaccessible to horse,
plunged down the precipice at the church
This is so steep as to have artificial stairs
composed of nearly 100 steps for the ac-
commodation of foot passengers. The
dragons stopped short, without ventur-
inc down the abrupt declivity, and before
thev got round the brow Of the hill, Put
nam was far enough beyond their reach,
Of the many balls fred at him, all missed
exceptone, which passed through his hat.
In the winter Ofl779 he visited his fam
ily in Connecticut, and as he was return
ing to the army at Morristown, he was
struck with paralysis. His right side was
enfeebled, and his active career ceased,
though he enjoyed the cheerful tranquil
pursuit of old age. His memory remained
unimpaired,
General Putnam died at Brooklyn,
Connecticut, May 80, 1870, IN his seventy
third year.