The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-12

BY the same law Putnam was commander for ne
0Iq not waive his right
~ would be possible to pick out from the records
all pointing IN this one direction. We nave al
ready given several important proof textsi but let
I'd notice one or Two more little things, LOT utte
things III such matters IS these are often more
important and convincing than great ones Great
interpreted; but little things come In naturally
and as matter OF course. After the BATTLE on the
and Sergeant 6 samue Goodale i called 70 testify
IN she case OF Colonel Seanmons, VINO IL charged
En ssS Sns S Sess sssm
mons 10 General Putnam 70 know II his
Colonel sssmmonsl regiment regimen, Was wanted d,
Tor the very obvious reason that Putnam was
commander, for this was In the midst o. the gay
OF the bat 10. Colonel John Chester, OF Connect
cut ays:-"Just after dinner. on Saturday, 18th
ult., was walking out from my lodgings quite
gan to beat TO arms and bells rang, and great
noise IN Cambridge. Captain Putnam (son Of
i the matter says J Have you not heard
NO. Why, the regulars are landing in Charles
and march immediately to Bunker Hill TO oppose
the enemy.'n
When the New Hampshire troops were coming
on to the field in the afternoon, General Putnam
met them and turned aside some two hun
dred OF them to work on the second line
edly he also told the others when TO take their
station behind the fence. Many little incidents OF
this kind serve to snow clearly enough who the
general commander was. And now comes In
proof OF somewhat dinerent KIND On June 10,
two days after the battle Pusnam was raised by
the Con tinental Congress- from his rank of brig
adler general OF Connections troops, to that OF
fourth major general OF the Continental Army.
On noticing the date OF this appointment, and
forgetting the necessarily slow movements or that
age, IL seemed at first view though this rank was
promptly conferred, III honor OF his action at Bun
ker Hill. But 1t Is not likely that TITS news
could have been conveyed 10 Philadelphia between
Saturday ano Monday. The Congress acted upon
the merits OF the man, as they had been shown IN
the weeks preceding the battle and In his previous
warlike career We copy from the >, American can
under date OF june 10, 17Io. 1.-TWO major gene
rails, ARENAS Ward and Charles Lee, had been
chosen two days belore-June III
Congress then proceeded to eSoos. the two Remaining
CHOSEN STd major general and ispas Pu,ns Esq
was unanimously chosen fourth major general
Notice that the record says unanimously" in
the case of Putnam, as 1t does not OF the other.
And there is an important sequel to this action.
The four commissions thus issued two on this
day and tue two earlier) were intrusted to Wash
ington to take North, with certain discretionary
pr Saye IN s arSe
when Washington arrived at the camp 10 take
command IN July, l..S ne brought WITH MIN com
one OF whom was Putnam, and TO him alone did
he deliver his commission, the Others being with
held on account OF the great dissatisfaction at
tending these appointments
NOT FINALLY WITHHELD But WITHHELD AT THE
TINE.
Whether the Continental Congress knew any.
thing of the Battle OF Bunker Hill or not Wien
they UNANIMOUSLY cnOso III nam MAJOR general,
Washington knew oil about IL when no delivered
him the commission, and ne regarded him rs
nan who meriIed exceedingly well OF his country.
Prescott had also pei formed heroic and important
services, but he was not singled out as q marked
man Tor promotion. The public attention was not
turned to him IN any different way from wnat 10
was 10 Colonel STARK or New Haven, who had also
performed heroic sertic ices, though not in exactly
been selected the night before TO super
intend the building OF the redoubt his
But his Official action, regarded strictly in mill
tary point OF view, was no higher than that OF
Colonel Stark. He commanded regiment and
ration to get him out OF his official place into
quite different ore we do not very clearly see.
Having however, much more to say upon the
subject, shall continue II in another and conclud
ing communication. INCREASE N. TARBoX.