Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-27
WAS PUTNAM A TRAIrORs
Evidence Tending to show He Was
in Correspondence With British,

u" correspondence with british.
To the Editor Of the New York sun:
sir'-In the Sun OF June 18th there IS
an article IN which General Dearborn is
quoted as saying, at a dinner party that
General Israel Putnam should have been
shot for cowardice at Bunker's Breed's)
Hi!F; and, as a comment on his state
ment, it is added: ne Is only fair TO say
that the judicial historian does not agree
with General Dearborn"
This statement, perhaps. needs n little
modification The late Henry y Dawson,
long the editor of the Historical. Maya
zine, historian of-repute, the editor OF
the last and best edition OF the Federal,st,
and the author. moreover, OF a number OF
Weli-knowE historical ana authoritative
works on the American Revolution. told
me shortly a0f0!o his death that careful
investigation had convinced him that the
behavior Of Putnam at Bunker Hill was
the result OF his being at that time In
correspondence with General Gage. then
comman Ter of the British forces at
Boston, where he Wes besleged by wash
ingtOn, with Viuw or 'cntualy coming
over 20 the British. The action Of Gene
ral Putnam on that occasion could not.
Of course, be attributed 10 coWa dice. as
that general was personally as brave IS
@ lion. fully showing this quality repeat
eddy during the Old French and Indian
war. But General Dearborn when COM
menting upon Putnam's conduct at
Bunker Hin IN not bringing up his re-
serves 20 the front not knowing or this
treacherous correspondence, ascrbed it,,
very naturally. 10 a lack Of courage.
In confederation Of Mr.. Dawson's state
ment to me I here give two extracts
from authorities well known. The nrat
is (and 1 beg the readers OF this letter
10 note them from the History OF New
York City During the Revolutionary
War" by Judge Jones a jurist at that
day hsli In high esteem. which history
has beeen ably edited By my friend. Ed
ward r. Go Lancey. whose name Is
synonym OF faith Judge Jones writes:
Putnam IS an I'D, illiterate farmer Of
Pomfret, Conn. Re Is resolute. bold. and
enterprisiug I'm 1Tl5 he offered his SER
vices 20 General Gage. the commanders
in-chlef in America. If he could have a.
provincial regiment. The proposal was
rejected. How prudent the rejection OF
such an offer az such "a time ! leave 10
tho decision Of all true royaiists and
lovers OF their country"
Again, 10 the same purport, the journal
or Captain John MOntresaor, comrade
al Putnam IN tho French war published
as one of tho New York Historical
Collections OF lSD. states as among the
causes OF the apparent failures thus far
Of the British cause these two facts,
among others which I will not take up
your space 10 mention:
/. Taking post az Boston, a mere libel
on common sense. being commanded all
round. a mere target for the enemy.
p Not purchasing the rebel generals.
Lven Israel Putnam. Of Connecticut.
.. On
knowledge for 81 per day or S., New
York currency. The following rebel
generals might have been obtained az e
stu meleur marchais--ylz.. Lasker. the
shoemaker, OF New York; Heard General
Heard, the tavern keeper, OF Wood
bridge
Now. taken IN connection with the
above. when il g. recalled that Putnams
conduct at the battle OF Long Island was
exceedingly queer. 20 say the least. II
indeed, not pus.llanimous, and when,
moreover, Il is remembered tnat after
that battle, instead OF uphcldinS wash
ington and Greene and doing all he could
10 maintain the esprit de corps OF the
army. be- il q most dc. sful manner, pro-
phesieI Chat Clinton would al once adj
vance upon Albany. and finally that.
when the American General George Clin-
ton wac attacked by Sir Henry linton
az Fort Montgomery. on the HUDSON.
Putnam, at Peckskill. instead OF at one
sending troops to- the succor OF Clinton
(at hts repeated roqUcsts) lay on his oars
and allowed the forts % be capturei-tne
only inference possible is that he not only
was lukewarm. but that almost &c tho
very end Of the contest he had In view
his finally being bought ~ the British
Government
II is very sad TO have our IDEAS OF our
old Revolutionary heroes brought under
the ken OF the ic0noclast. SIN. In view
OF the statements OF Dearborn, Jones.
Montressor. and Dawson. what other
conclusion can we arrive at?
In view OF the near approach Of the an
nversary OF the Battle OF Bunker HUI.
the above facts may be OF interest.
WILLIAM l. STONE
Mount Vernon. June H. 1897.