New-York tribune., 1902-07-20

OF all the business OF the camp. that detailed
report may be made to the Governor annually.
One OF the present needs Of the camp is a FIRE
proof building in which to store and exhibit the
relics found from time 20 time about the grounds.
The present room used for that purpose is too
small to show the relics TO any advantage. and
there will, doubt, be many additions TO the col
lection in the future when the need OF room will
be felt even more than the present time. Plans
have been talked for a building such as would
meet all requirements, and If the commissioners
should be successful in securing an appropriation
large enough when the legislature holds its next
session a suitable building will be put up The
largest gathering at the camD this summer was
when nearly two hundred boys and girls from one
OF the Sunday schools Of Danbury spent the day
~ the place The visitors passed several hours
enjoyably in going about the historic spot of the
old camp. They visited the old cemetery in Out
ioog-ave where fl IS supposed soldiers were buried
who died IN the time the Continental troops
camped on the grounds The several graves there
have been marked by suitable memorial stones
fy - camp commission. The young visitors were
sis3 -.fuch Interested In the old hreplaces to be
zen in Putuam-ave Beginning near the monu-
rnent they stretch in long field, and are
On interesting sight. of these hreplaces have
been restored while others found TO be in excellent
prservation have not been touched. They stand
to-day Just they looked, in all PROFANITY,
when the soldiers broke camp. An unusuai sght
is a Revolutionary orchard, where the apple rees
are said 70 have been set out the year that the
camp was deserted ana consequently are over one
hundred years old. Some of the trees are growing
Of the old hreplaces
Another feature of the camp that furnished an
interesting study for the young visitors is the
room in the upper part of the pavilion where the
relics unearthed in different parts OF the grounds
shown. The collection includes cannon balls
bullets and grapeshot. military buttons, pewter
spoons, a copper mess kettle and other articles
Some curious things in a hundred years ago
are also exhibited.
General Israel Putnam proved himself to be not
only stern but brave commander, who man
aged the troops under him in manner that aston
ished those about him. When the call came for
volunteers he left the oxen with which he was
ploughing standing in the field and started out to
give his service his country. IT was during the
Revolutionary War in the winter Of 17s-79. that
General Putnam and the Continental troops were
stationed IN Redding. He was there In order TO
cover the country adjoining the Sound and to sup
port the garrison in case Of attack The troops
under Putnam consisted of General Foors Dri-
gade Of New-Hampshire, the two brigades OF Con-
necticut the CORDS OF infantry commanded py
Hazen, and that of cavalry commanded py sheioon.
The troops were all quartered by November a. but
the exact number OF men encamped on the GROUNDS
is not definitely known.
One thing certain, however is that IT was BIT
terIv cold winter and for want of food and sufficient
clothing 10 keep them warm the soldiers suffered
not little. To make matters siili worse they
received little or no pay. Their famlies' iett AT
home were also IN distress, and with all OF these
troubles 10 brood IL is not 10 DC "ohnefeu AT
that certain brigades grew mutiho"s anu 'ao' tsaoS
20 march 10 where Washington was 70 present thet
grievances before the General Assembly then In
session and ~ needs be redress at the point
os the bsyonet Word had been cent TO Scnerai
Putnam of the new troubles In store, and, ns gen.
orally was the case. he equal to the occasion
MQunting ons Of his fastest horses. aeuel1 IVY