Israel Putnam

From Bill Bennett's American Patriot's Almanac:

Connecticut Patriot Israel Putnam, born January 7, 1718, was a successful farmer and tavern keeper at the outset of the Revolutionary War. He had already seen more than his share of fighting. During the French and Indian War, he had been captured by Indians and would have been burned alive if a French officer had not intervened at the last minute. He took part in campaigns against Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal, and in 1762 survived a shipwreck off Cuba during a mission against Havana.

On April 20, 1775, Putnam and his son Daniel were plowing in a field in Brooklyn, Connecticut, when a messenger galloped into the village with news that the British had fired on the American militia at Lexington, Massachusetts. At once Putnam mounted a horse to spread the alarm in neighboring towns and consult with local leaders. Then came news of fighting at Concord, and a call for “every man who is fit and willing” to come to their countrymen’s aid.

Without stopping to rest or even change the checkered farmer’s frock he’d been wearing when he left his plow, Putnam rode through the night to Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Boston, to join colonial soldiers there. By the time he reached his destination, he’d ridden 100 miles in 18 hours.

Two months later, Putnam commanded troops at Bunker’s Hill (Breed’s Hill), where he reportedly told his men, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” Like the ancient Roman Cincinnatus, who also left his plow standing in a field when called to duty, Putnam never hesitated when his country needed him.

A monument to Israel Putnam at Brooklyn, Connecticut, reads: “Patriot, remember the heritages received from your forefathers and predecessors. Protect and perpetuate them for future generations of your countrymen.”

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