Major General Israel Putnam

Robert Ernest Hubbard is a retired professor from Albertus Magnus College and an adjunct faculty member in the college’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program. Webmaster of websites on General Israel Putnam and on entertainer Phil Silvers, he lives in Connecticut.

“Hubbard reintroduces US readers to one of the first heroes of the American Revolution.... This masterfully researched account is a solid contribution to American Revolutionary historiography as well as to the histories of Connecticut, New England, and the French and Indian War...highly recommended”—Choice; “the first full-length biography of Putnam in more than a century...impressively well written, organized, and presented”—The Midwest Book Review.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroductionOne: The New England FarmerThe Bamboo Cane • Salem Witch Trials and the Putnam Family • Growing Up in Massachusetts • The Connecticut Farm • The WolfTwo: French and Indian WarWar Breaks Out • The Durkee Incident • Putnam Saves Robert Rogers’ Life • Boat Attack on Lake George • Mission to Take a French Prisoner • Rescue of Captain Little • The MassacreFort William Henry • South Bay • Saving the Magazine • Failed British Attack on Fort Ticonderoga • The Three Choices • “Rogers always sent, but Putnam led his men to action” • A Prisoner • Jemima Howe, the CaptiveThree: Between the WarsExpedition to the West Indies • Pontiac’s War • Death of Hannah • Marriage to Deborah • Putnam’s Appearance and Temperament • Tavern Owner • Preparation for War • 1773 Mississippi ExpeditionFour: Bloodiest Battle of the RevolutionEvents Leading to the Battle • The Battle of Bunker Hill • Organization of an Army • Siege of BostonFive: Battles in New YorkBritish Arrival at New York • Battle of Long Island • Retreat from Long Island • Battle of Kip’s Bay • Battle of Harlem Heights • Battle of White PlainsSix: War in the NorthProtection of Philadelphia • Battle of Princeton • Disease and Punishment • Hudson Highlands • Deborah Putnam Taken Ill • Deborah Putnam’s Passing • The Recruiter • Cousin Rufus Putnam • Winter Encampment at Redding • The Horseneck EscapeSeven: Putnam’s Last YearsThe Last Command • After the War • Putnam’s DeathEight: The LegacyPeople in Putnam’s World • Putnam Remembered • ConclusionChapter NotesBibliographyIndex