The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-17
GEN.PUTNAM AT HORSE NECK
ARE THE PICTURES IN TIE SCHOOL
hooks An ILLUSORYp
DID the General Ride Down the stone steps |
Waving his Trusty Sword In Defiance = |
The Event to be Celebrated, at ANY Rate.

Did tho General Ride Down the stone step.
Waving his Trusty Sword In Defiance =
The Event to he Celebrated, at Any Rate
GREENWICH, Conn, Feb. 16.-We are to
have a Centennial celebration here In ton
days 1t will be a hundred years since Old Put
was credited with dashing on horseback down
the stalrcased precipico at Horse Neck. II 1t is
true that no did so. 1t is big thing and worthy
OF Centennial celebration. Tho story. how
ever, seems to have sprung from the patriotic
imaginations Of our Revolutionary sires. One
portion Of Gen. Washington's orders. on going
into winter quarters in 1878. reads as follows:
The remaining three brigades composed Of the New
Hampshire and Connecticut troops and Hazons regi.
ment will be posted in the vicinity OF Danbury Tor the
protection Of the country lying along the SOUND cover
our magazines lying Connecticut River ami to aid the
Highlands on any serious movement Of the enemy
that way.
Gen. Putnam was assigned to command these
forces. and also Sheldon's cavalry. at Durham
Popular history says that in the lattor part Of
February Gov Tryon. with 1900 troopers ad-
vanced against Greenwich. Putnam CHANGED
to be visiting his picket near by. at Horse Neck.
church stood on the brow Of tho HILL A flight
Of stone stops formed the dizzy stairway by
which tho villagers ascendcd to worship. Put
nam on finding that he was being surrounded.
'iNNiNh AAt llNhft " lIoNlut lot lUtlf bNlety
by retiring to n swamp. inaccessible to horse.
and secured his own by plungng down the
precipicc at full trot. Nearly a hundred stone
steps led from tho ledge to the road below Tho
dragoons, who were only a swords longth from
Putnam stopped short at tho verge oi tho stair
way. They dared not follow. and before they
could gain the valley by going round tho brow
Of the HILL In tho ordinary road. he was far
enough beyond their reach"
Other historians say that the number Of steps
was exactly seventy; and they adj that Putnam
received volley from tho bafned dragons.
one bullet passing through his hat IN conso-
quence Of which Gov. Tryon sent him as n
present complete new suit Of clothes" 4
Wood engraving depicts this thrilling sccnc.
lulnam horse is EallOping down n stairway
9i granite slabs. zach seemingly about IA foot
arrow. The steed has just reached the seven-
teenth step from the top. and his rider holding
the rein loosely in his left hand. waves his
and backward nj his chagrined pursuers who
pour In upon him wholly Intellectual volley.
one hograuher suggests that %. the road on
INC hlll turnci to the north. and bent again
with sharp angle toward tho south. having
been dug along the steep in such n manner rs
safe" and that Gen. Putnam could win Ris
course in such zigzag direction ms enabled his
horse T. keep his feet He comedies that the
story oi tho seventy stone steps is n sheer fab
rication." and that the worshippers had only
being unable 20 ascend the hill in its original
state. gathered collection Of stones, and placed
them at convenient distances to aid them in
But the trouble with such efforts to make tho
great historic ride possible and tolernhly safe
Is that IL becomes less worth contennialiy cole
hratinS. History does not record that there was
aud somewhat hasty retreat Of tho patriots so
that II the ride itself be robbed OF its illusion.
What what is there leit 10 c.9mmemorats2 Besides.
the story the rest of II shows n tendency to