Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19

gent orders that Washington could re
strain him from carrying the attack
the main body. But Washington Goa,
not remain in Harlem and had to retres
to White Plains. He had 20 give N
Fort Washington and Fort Lee and the
to retreat into the Jerseys. Putnam va
placed in command at Philadelphia, an
busted himself in throwing up defense
for that city. for the British fleet wa
expected there. Those we're dismal day
for the patriot army The first ray
sunshine came that Christmas mornin
wien Washington fell upon the Hessian
N Trenton and then stirred Cornwalli
with the affair at Princeton.
Washington then sent him TO TAX
command in the hudson Highlands. TIL
was a position OF too much responsibility
for the forest ranger. To the northwar
Burgoyne was coming down from Can
ada: to the southwark the whole Births
force, under Howe and Clinton. was a.
sembled for an expedition. Putnam w
sure that il was to ascend the iudso
and to join Bursoyne, and was fearfL
Of the result. He urged Washington l.
send him reinforcements. Washington
cslmer. cooler. clear minded, believe
that Philadelphia or Boston was Hove
objective. When Howe finally departe
for Philadelphia Washington raced scros
New Jersey TO meet him. ordering Put
nam meanwhile to detach various resi-
ments to support the main army Put
nam did not think he had enough me
for himself and hesitated.
When Sir Henry Clinton came W IN
Hudson Putnam defended Fort Mont
gomery and Fort Clinton TO the best o
his ability. keeping the British busy an
doing really excellent work. Even ate
the surrender OF Burgoyne. when II wa
evident that the British plan for piercin.
New York ard cutting the colonies II
twain had failed. Putnam did not sem
reinforcements to Washington. II wa
only when Alexander Hamilton. the aid
de-camp OF the -in-chief, wen
to Putnam and peremptorily ordered him
threatening him with court-martial, tina
he obeyed. Putnam had his own plai
and thought ii was a good one. He be
lieved that with few men he could max
a dash down the Hudson to New yorl
city and capture that stronghold. Tha
would be glorious and something spectac
ular, but unfortunately New York wa
not worth a two-cent piece TO the Ameri
can army so long as the British feet wa
on the waters. Putnam would have ha,
to evacuste the city within ten DAYS. Tina
did not make any difference to the stub
born old fighter. He would have mad
the attempt just for the moral effect
Washington, patient. kindly, considerate
fully aware OF all Putnam's shortcomings
did not complain. He pointed out to hin
repeatedly how vain were his projects
The trouble that arose from this matte
finally led Putnam to ask for court
inquiry. and also for leave Of absence
His wife, who had accompanied him ~
his campaigns, had died i'm camp. and h.
was heartbroken. He was relieved OF o.
blame for the loss OF Forts Mo5tgomer.
and Clifton, and was asked to employ IN
leave by recruiting in Connecticut. w.
was so wonderfully successful at th
that Washington wished him to continue
but the old man persisted in his reoues
for active service. and was sent back q
the Hudson highlands again. The follow
ing winter the British began troublin
the Connecticut country, and Putnam
was sent thither. II was then that N
met with the famous adventure by whics
he is best known to the American peo
ple his escape from the British by hi
wild ride down Breakneck hill, neaJ
Greenwich, Conn.
Putnam was shaving in the house OF
Capt Hobby when force OF about
thousand British approached. Putnam
did not have over $50 men nearby. VIII
the Iather still on his face he rushed GU
and Jumped on his horse and hurried III,
men to a bit of rising ground to give bat
tie to the British. The provincials heh
the English for a while: but had 10 CIV
way. Putnam started for reinforce
ments. and was pursued by a party %
british officers Putnam weighed some
thing like two hundred pounds. and wa
past sixty years OF age. Along m
frozen highway he raced: close behint
him clattered the British. firing at hin
now and then. Nearer and nearer the,
drew 1t was only a question or mo
ments before they would capture him.
The mad chase had lasted but q Iltth
more than n fourth or h'Ie IT,. -.
nam reached a turn in the road that les
down a steep deciivity. Putnam turne'
his horse from the highway and dasne'
straight down toward the precipice- ~
forced his horse over the brow ana Gov
the rocky height The British were
his heels and had difficulty in refining II
their horses at the verge. None Dare
follow Putnam. They sat In their sac
dies astonished at the generals rockies
feat How a horse and rider ever man
aped TO gain the bottom of that cliff aliv
is a mystery, but Putnam did II IN !
known today as puts hill when la
fayette was in America In lsZ4-isso II
stopped at Greenwich Tor several houn
in order to visit the spot where futneh
made his famous escape.
The following year he was stricken
with paralysis, the whole Of his left sid
being affected. But even paralysis cou!'
not hold the old man captive. After
time he improved SO much that he Wa
able to be lifted to the back of horse
Once in the saddle he was the gal'an
figure Of old. Throughout the CLOSING
days of the revolution he was instra
mental i'm supplying more recruits TO IT,
army than any other man in the CO
onies He was eager to return to aciEi
service and twice he applied to Wash
ington for a command. He had becom
the senior major general of the arm,
after the treason of Lee. He had serve
in four wars and had been fighting 10
more than quarter of century. bu
he was not content. IL was out OF th'
question of course, to give him com
mand but several times he journeye'
from Connecticut to the headquarters -
the army, and when he arrived there Wa
always a grand review in his honor.
No officer was more beloved than Oh
PUT He was the idol of the common
soldier. He typified the undaunted spiri
of the young republic. Nothing could
chill his ardor. He was a warrior with
ont fear. With peace there came tran
nujllity into the life OF Putnam. Baci
al Pomfret he led q quiet. easy existence
and there. in 1870, he died in his seventy
third year.
Copyright. 1910. by Richard spillane5