The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-06-13
Putnam in Northern New York.

Every schoolDoy is familiar With the
story of Putnam and the Wolf" The
hero Of Pomfret was jus. budding when
the exploit was performed; be appeared
in full flower when he was about forty
years Of age. . soldier in the provincial
military service. confronting French
and Indian warriors in the wild regions
around Lake George. and the head of
Lake Champlain.
Putnam was Major in 1856. aud
was stationed q. Fort Edwards, on the
Upper Hudson. He was always active
aud ready for any adventure that
promised excitement. Sometimes he
WAS scouting near the enemy, sometimes
he Was ioue!.y courier. treading the
dark forests and at other times he was
engaged in sharp encounters with the
foe. In the csin,p. or on the march, he
was slways dong some notable thing.
On one occa sion the barracks at Fort
Edward caught fire. They were not
more than dozen fee. from the gun
powder magazine. The snow lay deep
on the ground, for it was winter. Put
nam stationed on Rogers Island. in the
Hudson, opposite the fort, saw the
black smoke of the conhXgration. and
heard the cracking of the flames.
fastening across the narrow frozen
channel. he Wa. soon upon the roof of
the burning building, and calling lusti-
iy for water. A file OF soldiers passed
buckets. tul up to him from tn. river.
but the flames dstied his exertions.
The commandant at the fort Colonel
Haviland) seeing PutnAm's peril,
ordered mm to come doan, but the hero
would not leave the post Of danger un-
til the frame Of the burning building
began To totter beneath him Then he
descended. and placing himself between
the fire and the magazine, he RESUMED
the conflict with tho danger with great
vigor. 1t had devoured the barracks,
and had seized and destroyed the out
ward rlanks If the magazine, leaving
only q thin board petition between the
flames and the powder The danger Of
explosion was most imminent. The as
sisting file Of troops would have fed,
but. inspired by the courage Of Putnam,
they stood by MIN. handing him water,
until at length, ho won the victory, aud
saved the powder.
La that severe conflict with the fire
Putnam hands were severely burned.
and it was several weeks before he re-
covered from the effects of that combat.
just as be WAS preparing to resume bis
duties ON the island he offended q
naughty regular officer who looked
upon the provincisls with contempt
By asserting that the latter were a.
courageous IS the former. The dispute
ran high, and at length the scarlet
coated lieutenant asked scornfully:
Dare you fight duel with me."
"H-" - ~"y --'e'''""'." -~--"--a 'h.
provincial maj
Then challenge you" said the lieu
tenant: "choose your weapons"
Two kegs of powder-one for you
and one for me--ars the weapons l
choose" said Putnam. The time, to-
morrow morning at sunrise. the dis
tance ten PAGES The method, you to
sit on one keg and l on the otaer, and .
slow fuse attached to each TO be lighted;
and tho one who sits longest shall BE-
declared the virtos"
The lieutenant was annoyed. but was
compelled to accept the strange condi-
tions. Putnam was to furnish the kegs
of powder and the fuses. and at the ap-
pointed time the next morning they
we're at the designated places. The
CONTESTANTS seated themselves. and the
fire was applied to the fuses As it went
flashing along the lieutenant became
uneasy, and turned pale. while the ma
jor sat composed and smiling IN the
presence of threatened danger As the
IRE drew near the kegs. the lieutenant's
courage failed him, aud he arose and
aed. while his antagonist unappalled
remained seated until the fuse was ex-
haus,cd. The kegs were filled with
onions. The lieutenant almost died Of
chagrin.
Nine miles below Fort Edward. WAS
Pert Miller. Near 1t the Hudson is
broken into foaming rapids aud dan
gerous riffs, for the bottom is rocky
aud uneven. AT this place one Of Put
mans bold exploits occurred in the
Summer Of 1857. Unconscious OF dan
ger near. he had crossed the river 10 its
eastern shore. in . batesu. aud was
quietly fishing in the still water above
the rapids. when be was suddenly sur
prised bys party Of Indians who emer-
ged from the woods, Perceiving that
he could no, escape their bullets if he
attempted TO cross the river. and that
an effort to go down the rapids would
bs equally perilous, the alternative gave
him very little choice. In an instant.
however. he decided. aud turned the
prov Of his vessel directly down steam.
The savages were amaEed. for they had
never attempted 10 navigate the boiling
s,rram in their canoes They sent swift
bullets after the daring fugitive, bot
without effect. Down among the riffs.
aud rapids, ami whisling ediies, 1t shot,
aud over shelving roexs II tearfully =
plunged, bu, the hAtsau and the voy
sger reached the still water below un-
hurt. either by the rocks or the bullets
of the foe
pusnatn crossed 10 the western shore
aud reached Fort Miller. where he was
then stationed. in safety The Indians
n ho hal ~ wttn.Ss,-3 his ssCsiise convinced