The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-08-27
'PUTNAM'S EXPLOIT.

recorded OF Israel Putnam, n OF the
bravest men and most successful soldiers
that ever drew a sword in defense Of their
country. From his youth he was noted
for his intrepidity and fearlessness, as well
as that indomitable will which In after
years SO characterized and distinguished
him and made him one Of the best gen
erals of the age.
His ingenuity as well as his utter fear
~lessness in times OF extreme danger was
often put to the severest test. On one oc-
casion it became necessary for General
Amherst, then commanding tho expedition
for tho reduction of Montreal during the
Trench and Indian war, on his way up the
st. Lawrence, to dislodgc the garrison at
Oswegatchie, a small settlement on Isle
Royal in tho possession Of the French.
The entrance to this place was guarded by
two armed ships Of 10 guns each, who
kept possession Of the stream, thereby rem
dering it extremely difficult if not impos-
sible for the army to proceed, as a broad
side from either or acting in conccr sfould
demolish completely their whole fcet of
transportation boats.
Amherst was deeply annoyed and dis
concerted. He must either abandon his
boats altogether and proceed by land, and
SO leave al enemy in his rear, or else de-
wise some plan which, If successful, would
rid him of their presence. While he was
rejecting what course to pursue to accom-
plish their capture or destruction, Put
nam, who was then q lieutenant colonel
in the provincial forces, walked up to
where the general was standing, glass III
hand, surveying uneasily the vessels which
lay quietly riding at anchor, and, respect
f-11~ 41~11gx+. ~ 1A% 1n ras1 ff(ta,Ar,I 81
that ship yonder," pointing to the largest,
smust be taken"
faye" replied the commander. 81
would to God she We're captured If they
do not withdraw them-which I do not
think they are Inclined to do, judging from
the aspect Of things-they will form a Sc
rious obstacle to all my well laid plans and
completely Illustrate Them"
IF you will give me your permission,
sir, . replied the provincial, II will put
her out Of your way in the twinkling of
an eye"
'How will you proceed?'' asked Am
herst, smiling incredulously. II cannot
for the life of mo see how you will suc-
cecd."
IF you will provide mo with some
wedges, a mallet and a few picked mon
from my rangers 4 Will tHke ucE VI per
ish in the attempt"
Amherst was astonished Hero was a
man who, with no arms but q beetle and
wedges, together with three or four men,,
could capture a fully armed, well manned
vessel which had thwarted and nonplused
a whole army Well might he have been
astonished; but, seeing the provincial col
onel was In earnest, and knowing some
H. -e - s.-.x-s&r ,-I 3.~xol IrfrpL
mination to succeed in whatever he under
took, he gave the required authority, fur
nished the articles necessary for the haz-
ardous undertaking and waited with min
gled curiosity and incredulousness for the
result.
All being in readiness, Putnam waited
for night. 1t came, and, to his satisfac-
ton, was as dark as Erebus. 1t was noised
about the camp that a movement was on
foot TO capture or destroy the vessels which
stood, scarcely discernible in the fast gath
ering gloom, like two grim sentinels
watching with jealous eyes the broad
stream and guarding it from all intruders.
A numbered officers, including Amherst
himself, gathered around to see the daring
provincial off on his p~erilous expedition.
Tho general was extremely anxious for the
SACCcsS u bLc oUidtetSS4ls diblouSh IS 0iA
not have much faith in it. He was igno-
rant as to the plan in which it was to be
ACCOMPLISHED, for Putnam had not dis
closed to him the secret. He advised him
to be cautious and not rush rashly into
danger.
s.Trust me for that, general" gayly re-
sponded the provincial colonel and then
amid the we'll wishes of his brother officers
he pushed of.
Silently, with mufaed oars, the little
band, with their intrepid leader at the
helm, rowed on. The darkness was intense,
and not an object could have been seen OF
the distance of a few yards. They skirted
the shore for a short distance and then
struck boldly for the opposite shore.
Once tho royvers ran against a floating
log, and the impetus given by the shock
almost knocked them overheard, but they
recovered their balance, and after learning
the cause they rowed on again in silence.
Putnam gave his commands in a low
tone, and not a sound was heard but the
deep, hurried breathing of the men as they
bent energetically to the oars and the rip
ping sound. of the waves against the PROV
of the boat as it glided swiftly onward.
With his eagle eye piercing the gloom
eIictu, liz TIT <clSth CAV oAC attA ue1ii
of the French vessel looming up through
the inky darkness. Giving the order to
ssrest on their oars, = followed immediate
ly by "back water, " the little boat bearing
its determined, resolute crew glided under
the vessels stern, and Putnam, deserving
the helm, grasped the chains Of the ships
rudder and made fast. Listening intent
ly, the low, measured tramp of the sen
tinel was distinctly heard pacing the deck,
and his ''Qui viyeS" as a fellow sentinel
approached him were the only sounds that
were heard, and the little band breathed
more freely as they learned that they were
undiscovered
They then firmly but noiselessly drove
the wedge between the rudder n the
~sternpost, SO as to render the ruddcr COM
pletely un~manageable. They then eau
tiously, stealthily effected their escape.
The sequel to this daring attempt was
that the man-of-war, deprived Of her helm,
was left at the mercy of the winds and
waves and was soon driven ashore, where
she struck her colors. Her companion soon
followed her example, seeing her fate, and
thus this victory was won without the
firing of a gun on either side, and the
army were enabled by this gallant exploit
of Putnam to cross over in safety and re-
luce the fortress, which they did without
loss Of a man.-Hesperian.
-----A
sheep without Wool.
~ ~ri,a;,aI 1-;nd ~ raaaf rnnc11mad