Israel Putnam

"What would you know about victory? I killed a she-wolf in her den, armed with only a knife. I escaped the Caughnawaga Indians who sought to burn me alive. And, I was the sole survivor of a shipwreck at the Battle of Havana. So you'll excuse me if I choose not to follow your advice."

―Israel Putnam speaking to a Continental Army officer at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

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.

Around the time of the battle, Putnam came into contact with the Assassin Connor, who assisted him by assassinating Putnam's British counterpart, John Pitcairn, who led the Regulars at Bunker Hill.

A year later, Putnam was present in New York during an attempted assassination of George Washington, which was also foiled by the Assassins, where he declared Connor a hero.

Biography

Early life

The Putnam family originated from the town of Salem, Massachusetts, which became famous for the witch trials in which 20 innocent people were accused of witchcraft and executed. The Putnams were responsible for the conviction of Rebecca Nurse, whose family had a rivalry with them.

At a young age, Israel Putnam moved to Connecticut to take up farming. Following this, he joined the colonial militia during the French and Indian War, and earned a reputation for bravery and inspiring the soldiers around him. Putnam is also credited to have killed the last wolf in Connecticut in 1742. It is said he crawled into its den with a musket, a torch, and a rope tied around his feet so that he could be pulled out.

In 1758, Putnam was captured by a group of Kanien'kehá:ka in the village of Caughnawaga, but he was rescued just before his execution. Several years later, in 1762, he was shipwrecked in Cuba during the Battle of Havana. During his time in Cuba, Putnam 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

"The enemy advances and you tremble. They've better numbers, you say. Better weapons. Better training. But I do not fear, and neither should you. For what they have in material, they lack in conviction and care. But not us. We have discipline. We have order. And most importantly, we have passion. We believe!"

―Israel Putnam's speech before the battle.

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 set out to assassinate Pitcairn, after being called by Putnam "as mad as a march hare".

Putnam calling off the soldiers

Traversing the battlefield and entering Pitcairn's camp, Connor succeeded in killing the major; however, the Patriots were outnumbered and Putnam was forced to retreat, granting the British a Pyrrhic victory.

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.

The Assassin later escaped execution and killed the true conspirator, Thomas Hickey, before he could strike Washington. When surrounded by armed guards after eliminating Hickey, Putnam arrived to vouch for Connor's innocence, proclaiming him a hero to the Patriot cause.

Later life

"Washington had high hopes for Putnam as a leader, and he was named Washington's second-in-command in New York. Unfortunately, Putnam was a good soldier but a poor tactician. The battle at Long Island was a rout. Putnam fared no better at his next post guarding forts on the Hudson River."

―Israel Putnam's database entry.

After helping prevent the assassination of Washington, Putnam's career began to decline. After being named Washington's second-in-command in New York, Putnam was routed in the Battle of Long Island. Later, he was nearly captured after losing the Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery.

After these two devastating losses, Putnam requested to be reassigned to recruitment, and Washington agreed. Then, in December of 1779, Putnam suffered a paralyzing stroke, which ended his military career. He died eleven years later, in 1790.

Alternate timeline

"I've done such horrible deeds. ... it's the scepter, but ... that's no excuse. Every man holds evil deep within. The Apple just brought it out."

―Israel Putnam's dying words in the alternate reality.

In an alternate reality where Washington ruled America as a tyrant king with an Apple of Eden, Putnam served as his right-hand man with Benedict Arnold. Under the Apple's influence, Putnam became corrupted, brutal and cruel. While at Washington's palace, Kaniehtí:io infiltrated the throne room and stole the King's scepter which contained the Apple. Putnam and his men chased after her, and Putnam was able to fire a shot from his musket, knocking away the scepter from Kaniehtí:io as she made her escape.

Putnam along with King Washington

Putnam was present during the burning of Kanatahséton, riding at Washington's side. Washington expressed doubts about his resolve and powers, but he was assured by both his generals when they reaffirmed their loyalty. Putnam gave the order to destroy the village and kill all of the villagers.

For the next five months, Putnam ruled over Frontier in Washington's name alongside Arnold, and was the commanding officer of the encampment at Valley Forge. Putnam went to visit Arnold at Fort Duquesne, but was secretly followed by Ratonhnhaké:ton, who soon after infiltrated the fort and assassinated Arnold. Catching him off guard, Putnam approached Ratonhnhaké:ton from behind and knocked him unconscious with his pistol.

Putnam traveled to Boston and presented the captive Ratonhnhaké:ton to King Washington as a gift, to which Washington decided to sentence Ratonhnhaké:ton to death by beheading along with a group of random civilians. Washington soon began to question Benjamin Franklin's loyalty and conviction, hence he allowed Putnam full control over Boston and ordered him to deal with the rebellion. After Franklin's defection, Putnam lured the rebels to Boston Neck. The rebel troops were shot down, and Putnam personally killed Samuel Adams, beating him to death with his pistol, while also chopping off the fingers of Kanen'tó:kon's left hand with his own stone tomahawk.

Putnam holding Kanen'tó:kon hostage

Ratonhnhaké:ton and Franklin later attempted to flee Boston with a crew on board the Aquila. Putnam arrived at the port, holding Kanen'tó:kon hostage, and ordered Ratonhnhaké:ton to surrender. Using his animal powers, Ratonhnhaké:ton attacked and wounded Putnam. While dying, Putnam came to his senses, realizing that he had been corrupted by the Apple's power, and with his last words expressed regret for the atrocities he had committed.

Personality and traits

"How dare you sneak up on me like that! Why don't you just go off there and just help this camp retreat! Don't ever do that again you hear me! God Damnit."

―Israel Putnam to Connor.

Connor listening to Putnam at Bunker Hill

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 however, 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, treated other officers as soldiers and was pessimistic regarding the war, believing to have lost the Battle of Bunker Hill before it truly began.

Trivia

• A bronze statue was erected in Redding, Connecticut to commemorate Putnam's famous escape from the British in 1777.
• In Assassin's Creed: Rogue, a group of British soldiers could be heard narrating Putnam's survival due to the intervention of the French officer, to which some expressed doubt or disbelief that the incident had occurred.
• Coincidentally, Putnam died at the age of 72, alongside Rodrigo Borgia and Maria Auditore da Firenze. 72 is a recurring and important number in the Assassin's Creed series.

Gallery

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  Assassin's Creed: Memories art of Putnam
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  Memories art of Putnam
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  Putnam meeting Connor
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  Putnam and Connor at Bunker Hill
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  Putnam smoking a cigar
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  Putnam with Connor in New York

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
  • The Tyranny of King Washington
• Assassin's Creed: Memories
• Assassin's Creed: Rogue (mentioned only)