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

abls nth ~ June. IL 10 plain and open faot, re-
Vealed In the common history OF those days, that
Putnam did not relish the careful, slow moving,
almost timid policy OF General Artemas Ward,
CommaDdeT-in-Chef OF the Massachusetts, troops.
He was restless under his excessive caution and
delay. He was for annoying the British az every
mind that the storm, after all. might blow over.
and tHat we ought not 10 irritate the British any
midst ni Of this general policy that, somehow the
scheme was originated and carried in the Com.
mittee OF SAFETY, 10 fortliy Bunker Hill All admit
that Putnam strongly advocated The scheme be-
fore the committee, and though it Is not ALSO
more than any other person, originated the plan
itself
Boston not lar IRON 10000 American TROOPS,
poorly armed ana poorly organized. While these
American forces were thus gathering the British
forces were also rapidly increasing In and around
the city. At the time OF the battle Of Lexington
the British troops a. ths point numbered about
10, 900 British soldiers In the city or its I'm
mediate vicinity. And they were picked regi:
had to send For some time before the battle OF
Bunker Hin rumors filed the air that the British
times the story ran that they intended to take
possession OF the high lands or Dorchester and
and sometimes the high lands OF Cnarlestown
were Thought TO be the object toward which
leaders In the American camp thought 1t wiser
and saier to anticipate this movement OF the
heights and iortiIyng them, Dr. Ellis, IN his re-
Gently published history OF the battle, says that
safety aGeneraI Ward and Joseph Warren. who
was chairman OF the Committee OF Safety,
ing on Bunker hil General Putnam was earnest
In mis- advocacy OF the measure.n The Committee
OF Safety, though divided in sentiment by q ma
jorlty said 'yes' TO plan which was so near
General Putnam's heart. General Ward votod
against 1t, and General Warren, chairman oil the
committee, voted against IT, but the plan was
WHO WAS coXMANDERf.
Aid now we wish to take up dennitcly the ques-
ton, Who was the chief COMMANDER at the battle
OF Bunker HlllS IL Is an OLD Question, but not
CO.. siderable spirit about quarter OF q century
ago. and 1t Is ana will be discussed more fully and
only TWO names in I'M dispute, Colonel wlism Pres
colt and General Israel Putnam. One OF the Bos
write quietly assumes that Rev. DR.. George 4.
Ellis, OF Boston, and Mr.. Richard rockingham, OF
ons ssys ~ the qSeso IN
Prescott, and that their conclusion wlll be &C
copied BY the american people as nn rs,u authority
show, even within the limits OF newspaper arti-
cle that the case Is qulte other wise, ana thst
NO one can nave any desire to take away from
brave Colonel Prescott one i0ta or tine honor that
really belongs to him, but II Boston or Massachu
sets shall insist on erecting monument to Pres
one of those exhibitions OF local pride in oppost-
tlon to the Truth Of history that VIII be little to
Prescott was the man sent ouT from Cambridge
on the night or June 10 with q thousand or twelve
!
Bunker HILL 1t was bold ana romantic move.
ment aad brought Prescotps name conspicuousy
before the people But this settles nothing as TO
the chief command next day. 1t Is a common fact
in military affairs That subordinate onieer Is
nus SET oswad 10
against rather than Tor Colonel Prescott as chief
commander. that ne was sent iorwara 10 90
he was not chief, Tor he was acting under Colonel
Grldley, the engineer some writer's Try 70 make
Hill that hight. But Mr.. rockingham and stan
dard writers generally admit tRat he Was there
ton as TO the point where the redouDt should
stand Mr.. rockingham says, "Ths veteran
Colonel Gridley ana Two generals, one OF whom
was General Putnam, took part In II" Y. E. the
consultation) The tact that putnam was there,
Cambridge leaving Prescott 10 superintcad the
men at their work all TINS AZ the very outset, Is
military evidence that Putnam was the superior
OF Prescott IN this whole business.
But That brief nl2 ht oil nard toll passes, and the
memorable day o. the oatte dAnna Putnam IS
there as colonel OF . Aassachusetts regiment. NO
one denies that Putnam was very active man
that day busy IN all directions, hurrylng to ana
lro en- bis white horse. Dack and lorta across the
Neck aud over every part OF the 1eid or course,
colt. II DO Is not Prescotts military superior Il
is simply because general from Connecticut
cbsset,s. But there vas no such confusion OF
military titles. A general from either OF the
General GENE IHS InSagn sas safes we're NOT yet
well compacted and organized, II never
would have been submitted 10 Tor = moment that
q captain or = colonel or general, II OF Massa-
chusetts appointment, should be regarded as
something higher and more aristocratic than men
The proof al the start therefore, is strong
Putnam was the commander, that only very ex-
primary and natural conclusion. Warren and
Pomeroy, with the rank OF geaerals Warren be-
command, but Putnam did not, ana, not doing so,
he was the commander BY all military law and
And we do well TO dwell moment on this point
OF ''walylng the right TO commando Mr.. FrOtning-
e5itnentiy to throw light on the general question
ROW before us. We quote from his recent work,
battIe o. B1nksr HUI, page %; lie IS describing
''Here, at the Neck, he left his horse and walked
up BuH M, aiiI, ynere one Of mis- stu
served on tnis day as surgeon, and thence down
the hill 20 the raIl fence. Here he met Putnam,
score these words. But Warren replied. Il am
here only as volunteer" &c.
HOLSTER, in his "History OF Connecticut has
set this scene IN It's more full and dramatic light
sne story Is gathered from some Of the old mar
ratIyes. But he embo1ies no items . facts be-
yond such as are allowed By those Massachusetts
writers, Wn0 claim Prescott as comma nder. War
rem, when he comes upon the nold, is represented
as meering Putnam near the lence and the fol.
lowing conversation ensues:-
DIALOGUE BETWEEN PUTNAM AND WARREN.
Warren; / wIsn you had left the day 10 us, as
ADVISED you. From appearances We SNAIL nave
sharp time oft but slnce you are here III receive
WARREN came only 40 volunteer. / know
nothing OF your dispositions Will not interfere
with them. Tell me where can be most useful.
PUTNAM pointing 10 the redoubp You will DC
covered there.
WARREE-Don't think / come here to seek
place OF safety; but tell me where the onset VIII
be the most furiousf
PUTNAM ta2sin pointing 10 the redousn-Taat
IS the enemy's object; PRESCOTT is there and Will
DO hts duty &C.
This In substance, az We have already said, is
given In Mr.. FTothngham's narrative ana Ia
many Massachusetts, histories. Bat now out or
Joint 1t rs with the theory that Prescott Is the
chief commander. this had been so. General
Warren, VINO knew all the facts and relations or
that day perfectly well would not frat have
stop TO talk to General Putnam on a point like
tnis but would have reported himself directly 10
Colonel Prescott. And certainly Putnam would
not have been guilty OF toe 1oly OF resiguing tRe
chief command TO warren when he had no SucA
command 70 resign. When General Warren met
Putnam ne evidently regarded Putnam - the
chief officer On the Eeid and hence this conyersa-
ton. Take another fact as recorded by Mr.. FrOth-