The New York herald., 1879-02-10
PUTNAM'S RIDE.

~ NAM RIDE.
PROPOSED CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF GEN
ERAL rUrNAM's ESCAPE FROM THE BRIr1sH-
HISTORICAL "REMINISCENCES.
GnEESwrcH Conn.,. Feb. 8, 1870
Long before this beautiful little town was made
famous by the presence Of William NJ Tweed and his
Americus Club it had . name in history as the
scene of General Putnams daring gallop or plunges
down the Horse Neck gorge to escape from party
of Hessians who were pursuing him. Students of
our Revolutionary history need not be told that Put
MANS ride occurred on February 49, 1779. though It
may be nows to others. Occurring 100 years
ago. 1t now comes forward as . centennial
event. aud the good people of Greenwich
propose to celebrate it in loyal ana patriotic
fashion. The projected arrangements arc in good
hands. the committee embracing some of the most
influential men of the place. The programme has
not bcen completed. but it will have interest
ing features. At sunrise salute of 100 guns will be
irod the bells being rung at the time. During
tho forenoon procession will be formed at the place
where the British first discovered. and tho
march will be taken up to Putram's Hill, distance
of nearly mile. President Hayes Generals Sher-
man. Hancock and Terry; Governor Hubbard. Gov
ernor Andrew aud staff; President Porter. of Yale.
and Rev. Dr. Leonard Bacon have been invited to ride
civic organizations. Besides the exercises Putnams
Hil there will be speeches, poems, &C.. at tho Con-
grcgational Church, followed by collation. at tho
Lennox House. The anniversary would be the 26th.
but that being Ash Wednesday the committee voted
to celebrate February %. Washington's Birthday,
thus noticing two historic events and giving botter
opportunity for attendance. The entire Connecticut
Legislature will probably be present. and the day
be marked by patriotic fervor.
pr
Visitors to Greenwich are invariably shown tho old
building known US Putnam's Headquarters, situated
on the old Boston turnpike about hree-quarters of
milo from the present railroad station. The build
ing has been modernized and added to until it has
stone roughly mortared together. story ana half
high, having two entrances one of which Is shaded
brick somewhat shocks the antiquarian but
doubt necessary The windows are very small. and
to render it habitable each contains twelve dmnu-
tive but heavily framed panes OF glass. There is but
one room in zach story, the on the ground floor
being about IL feet by 10. The addition it, which
ture is like q modern lodge. The front and sides
shingled In the old New England fashion, but
cardn1 10 local tradion Putnam stared hnrrisdy
to ride to Stamford. Not many rods distant lay the
cliff which shared. with adjacent pasturage lands.
THE SCENE OF PUTNAM's EXPLOIT.
The best published representation of "Puts Hirl.'
which which Tweed @ iivsd Is found on page ssi Of bar.
bours Historical Collections" There has been .
Putu6m'e
turnpike has been Strengthened and in doing this Il
was necessary to cut directly through the storied
ledge. Below the ledge the valley has been filled up
1T least thirty feet In the Line of the roadway. The
old roadway has been discontinued and fenced in.
From the Of the ledge to the old road below must
slant is within two or three rods. The stone does
not crop out to the surface and did not all tho dis.
cSs s
and perilous. On ono part of the cn stood the old
Epscopaan Church. which is represented In all pic.
off and kxuaa fnf sk
the stone steps. flight Of seventy led. The church
has long since crumbled away or was destroyed, but
to l7i0, and marks the site Of the edince 10 have
ridden from the brow of an almost abrupt precipico
asss ss d y
authorities agree that Putnam rode down obliquely
and came ont near the foot OF the steps and then
took tho turnpike to Stamford the Tories" mean
while firing at him from the height above ono bullet
passing through his hat. Rev. Mark Moad. who died
Mead-t6c latter Of whom stood ON his porch near
tho Meek" that memorable day-that he saw the
whole affair aud that Putnam rode. not down the
steps. but through tho glen. and. riding over the
ground. pointed ont with his whip the localities.
GENERAL PUrSAM's OWN ACCOUNT.
As mattor OF interest append General Putnam's
own story OF his achievement given in his report to
headquarters. 1t is as follows:-
m o..r 4, EsDD,ss, - March 2, i57s,
tho Seventeenth, Foryfourh and Fifty seventh British
from their lines Tor orss xssS on the sveSn Of
the tine. a % sn sis s Ss salt
thirty men ssut from advanced lines Horse
Neck who discovered the nc New Rochelle In ad
They retired before hem undiscovered far
& s:t %
sble msdo their good to Sawpits Portchcs
teri they took advantage Of commanding of
ground and made e stand hut tho superior force
Of the obliged them 70 retire to Byrum Bridge
and that had an opportunity OF reaching Horse
Mock In safety As was thero myscIf 10 the situation
OF Guards had the formed hill by the
rosdy to receive the they advanced
They briskly and discovered that the do
sign flank and themselves Of
aud therefore ordered parties out both nanks
" give information OF their
that might retire in In the meantime column
advanced by the main road where the remainder OF the
discarred some Gsld pieces which were there few
times ard hon small fire OF musketry but without
siderable effect. The superior Of the enomy
obliged small detachment abandon tho place
therefore directed the troops to retire and form
hill - little distance from Horse Neck. while l
collect body of miita and few Continental
troops which there. with which returned
datcy and found that the enemy after plundong tho In
abants of tho principal part Of their objects and destroy
return The officer commanding tho continental troops at
Horse Neck orders and went much fur
thor than intended that he could not with
them advantage however, ordered the few troops
that came from stanford To psrsue them thinking that
they have an opportunity TO pick up some srsggers
the enclosed list of prisoner cannot tell 20 which par
tcnar regiments they belonged Ono AMMUNITION aud ono
baggage wagon were taken.
The report goes TO givo the contents Of tho cap
urcd wagons and the list OF prisoners but nowhere
mentions that tho ride to stamford for reinforce