Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1879 — Putnam’s Departure for Bunker Hill. [ARTICLE]

Putnam’s Departure for Bunker Hill.

Dr. Frederick A. Putnam, a grandnephew of Gen. Israel Putnam of Revolutionary fame, tells this story about the General, which has never before been made public: “ The General was about sitting down to dinner in my grandfather’s, his brother’s, house, when the first news reached him that the British had marched from Boston to attack the Americans. There was roast chicken smoking hot on the table when the pounding of a big drum was heard out of doors. All hurried out, and a darkey was seen oeming down the street crying, ‘ The British have left Boston to ’tack the Americans.’ Gen. Putnam’s horse, a big black fellow, that would let no one ride him but his master, was ordered to |he front of the

house. Putnam was urged to stay and eat his dinner, but he replied that he couldn’t wait, he was off for Boston. Then he grabbed one of the roast chickens from the table, pulled it apart by the legs, and mounted his horse, gnawing the bones as he rode off for Bunker Hill.”