Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-06-18
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New York long The British force from
Boston had gone to Halifax to recruit,
and with achievements from England
the combined body entered New York
harbor and encampcd on Staten Island.
II was the biggest fleet that New York
had ever seen There were SO sail in
the armada. Then came the battle Of
Long Island. In this Howe outgen-
craled and Outmaneuvercd the Ameri
cans in every way. IL may have been
the fault Of Washington. II may have
been the fault of Putnam and IL may
have been the fault Of Sullivan that the
British fanked the Americans and put
them to route. The best authorities
are inclined to believe that most OF the
fault was Putnam's, At any rate the
Americans We're beaten and had to re-
treat across the East river and pre-
pare to evacuate Manhattan island, II
Gen Howe had not been the most
dilatory of men he could have captured
the whole American force before 1t got
away from Brooklyn, and later could
have captured Putnam and about one
third of the American army on the
lower end of Manhattan Island
Howe had crossed over To Kip's bay
and after skrmish near Thirty-fourth
street and the East river ne proceeded
leisurly to the Murray Hin district,
up near where the Waldorf Astoria Is
today. There he stopped at the Muir
ray mansion and accepted the hospital
ity of Mr.. and Mrs. George Murray
the parents OF Lindley Murray. the
famous grammarian. Down at the low
CT end OF the island Putnam was busy
getting all the American troops and
patriot families ready for departure,
all that was necessary for Howe TO
coop up one third OF the American
force was TO throw a line of troops
across the island. But Just then he
0 10
and drinking the Murray wine and APP
parently did not think Of II. SO Put
nam escaped with his beaten army to
the Heights Of Harlem IL is a strange
thing the parents of the man so long
famous as Americas greatest gram
mariaus should have been the means
OF saving the American soldiers who
had the least respect for the rules OF
grammar or organized methods Of
spelling.
Whatever may have been Putnams
sins of omission In the battle of Long
Island, he had none to account for in
the battle Of Harlem Heights. There
he was under the direction OF wash
ington and had the sort Of fighting he
had been accustomed to in the French
and Indian wars. He drove back the
advance guard OF the British. and II
was only by the most urgent orders
that Washington could restrain him
body. But Washington could not re-
main in Harlem and had to retreat TO
White Plains. He had to give up Fort
Washington and Fort Lee and then 10
retreat into the Jerseys Putnam was
placed in command at Philadelphia,
and busted himself in throwing up de
lenses for that city, for the British
fleet was expected there. Those were
dismal days for the patriot army. The
first ray Of sunshine came that Christ
mas morning, when Washington fell
upon the Hessians at Trenton and then
stirred CORVALLIS with the affair at
Princeton.
The trouble that arose from this
matter FINELY led Putnam TO ask for a
court OF inquiry and also FOR "A leave Of
absence. His wife, who had accom- |
panied him on his campaigns, had died |
In camp and he was heartbrcken. He |
was relieved of all blame for the loss |
OF Forts Montgomery and Clinton and |
was asked 10 employ his leave by re- |
Cruiting in Connecticut lie was so |
" wonderfully successful at this that |
Washington wished him to continue, !
but the old man persisted i'm his re- |
quest for active service, and was sent |
back to- the Hudson highlands again. |
The follQwing winter the British be- /
gan troubling the Connecticut country 1
and Putnam was sent thither. IL was |
then that he met with the famous adj
' fll uIt uN WHICH ne ~ htst known TO .
the American people, his escape from \
the British by his wild ride down
Breakneck Hin, near Greenwich Conn.
Putnam was shaving in the house OF /
a Capt. Hobby when a force OF about |
4 thousand British approached. Put
nam did not have over $50 mon near 4
by. With the lather still on his face he l
-ushed out and jumped on his horse
md hurried his men to a bit OF rising !
ground to give battle TO the British.
rhe Provincials held the English for
while. but had TO give way. Putnam
started for endorsements and was
pursued 10y "A party OF British officers.
Putnam weighed something Ike 200 |
pounds and was past 60 years OF age.
Along the frozen highway he raced;
lose behind him clattered the British.
iring at him now and then. Nearer |
md nearer they drew. II was only a
question Of moments before they would |
apture MIN. The mad chase had last
ID but little more than a fourth Of |
mile when Putnam reached a turn \
n the road that led down steep de-
'liNtty. Putnam turned his horse from |
he highway and dashed straight down
oward the precipice. He forced his