Israel Putnam
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- "Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes!"
- ―Israel Putnam speaking to his men at the Battle of Bunker Hill.[src]
Israel Putnam (1718 – 1790) was an American general in the Continental Army who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.
Biography
Early life
Putnam was born in Massachusetts, but later moved to Connecticut to take up farming. Putnam joined the colonial militia during the French and Indian War, and earned a reputation for bravery and inspiring the soldiers around him.
In 1758, he was captured by a group of Kanien'kehá:ka, but rescued just before he was to be executed. Several years later in 1762, he was shipwrecked in Cuba, where he discovered cigars and introduced them to the colonies.
After the war ended, Putnam returned to Connecticut where he was a vocal opponent of the British tax policies. He also founded the Connecticut branch of the Sons of Liberty.
When he heard about the battles of Lexington and Concord, Putnam immediately signed up for the Continental Army and was named Brigadier General of the Connecticut forces.
Battle of Bunker Hill
During the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, Putnam was approached by the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, better known as Connor, who was looking for the British Army major and Templar John Pitcairn.
In order to flush Pitcairn out, Putnam tasked the young Assassin with disabling two British frigates which were bombarding the hill from the harbor. Once the frigates were disabled, Putnam rallied his troops by delivering an inspiring speech, and Connor then set out to assassinate Pitcairn.
Traversing the battle and entering Pitcairn's camp, Connor succeeded in killing the major, but nevertheless Putnam was outnumbered and forced to retreat, granting the British a Pyrrhic victory.
Vouching for Ratonhnhake:ton
A year later, Connor was captured by the Templars and falsely accused of plotting to assassinate General George Washington, a crime the Templars themselves were planning to commit.
He later escaped execution and killed the true conspirator, Thomas Hickey, before he could strike Washington. When surrounded by armed guards after murdering Hickey, Putnam arrived to vouch for Connor's innocence, proclaiming him a hero to the Patriot cause.
Later life and death
After helping prevent the assassination of Washington, Putnam's career began to decline. He lost the Battle of Long Island and was nearly captured after losing the Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery. Later, in December of 1779, Putnam suffered a paralyzing stroke, which ended his military career.[1] He died eleven years later, in 1790.[1]
Personality and characteristics
As a military officer, Putnam was strict and straightforward with his troops, admitting to them that the British had better weapons and training at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Before the battle, he roused his soldiers with an inspiring speech, but later admitted to Connor that it was all a lie.
In addition, Putnam was loud and unrestrained. He would constantly shout at soldiers over insignificant issues and was pessimistic regarding the war, believing to have lost the Battle of Bunker Hill before it truly began.
Trivia
- A bronze statue was created in Redding, Connecticut to commemorate Putnam's famous escape from the British in 1777.
Gallery
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Concept art of Israel Putnam.
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Putnam meeting Connor. -
Putnam and Connor talking. -
Putnam smoking a cigar.
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Putnam with Connor in New York.
References