USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 19
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Putnam left his duties at Cambridge for a brief season, to advise with the Government upon military affairs. It was agreed that one- fourth part of the Colony militia should be immediately enlisted and equipped for the safety and defence of the Colony, and be distributed into companies of one hundred men each, formed into six regiments. David Wooster was appointed major-general of this force ; Joseph Spencer, brigadier-general : Israel Putnam, second brigadier-general. Under this regulation. the Windham County soldiers were mostly enrolled in the Third Regiment. Israel Putnam, colonel ; Experience
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Storrs, lieutenant-colonel : John Durkee, Norwich, major. The com- panies were thus constituted :-
1. Israel Putnam, captain; Jonathan Kingsley, Scotland, first lieutenant; Thomas Grosvenor, Pomfret, second lieutenant; Elijah Loomis, ensign.
2. Experience Storrs, captain; James Dana, Ashford, first lieutenant ; Ebenezer Gray, Windham, second lieutenant; Isaac Farwell, ensign.
3. John Durkee, captain; Joshna Huntington, first Hientenant; Jacobus Delbret, second lieutenant; Samnel Bingham, ensign-all of Norwich.
4. Obediah Johnson, captain : Ephraim Lyon, first lieutenant ; Wells Clift, second lieutenant ; Isaac Hide, Jr., ensign; Lieut. Clift, of Windham ; others of Canterbury.
5. Thomas Knowlton, captain ; Reuben Marcy, first lieutenant ; Jolm Keyes, second lieutenant ; Daniel Allen, Jr., ensign-all of Ashford.
6. James Clark, captain; Daniel Tilden, first lieutenant; Andrew Fitch, second lieutenant, Thomas Bell, ensign-all of Lebanon.
7. Ephraim Manning, captain; Stephen Lyon, first lieutenant ; Asa Morris, second lieutenant ; William Frizzell, eusign-all of Woodstock.
8. Joseph Elliott, captain ; Benoni Cutler, first lieutenant; Daniel Waters, second lieutenant ; Comfort Day, ensign-all of Killingly.
9. Ebenezer Mosely, captain; Stephen Brown, first lieutenant; Melatinh Bingham, second lieutenant; Nathaniel Wales, ensign-Brown of Pomfret, the other officers and men from Windham.
10. Israel Putnam, Jr., captain ; Samuel Robinson, Jr., first lieutenant ; Amos Avery, second lieutenant ; Caleb Stanley, ensign-all of Brooklyn.
Daniel Tyler, Jr., who had married a daughter of General Putnam, served as his adjutant. Dr. John Spalding of Canterbury, was appointed surgeon of this regiment, taking the place of Dr. Hunting- ton of Ashford, who had followed the company to camp. Pennel Cheney and Elijah Adams served as surgeon's mates. Its commissary was Captain Stephen Keyes of Pomfret. Its chaplain, Abiel Leonard, the eloquent and patriotie pastor of Woodstock's First Church. The society could not bring itself to vote consent to sneh a sacrifice "but by its silence manifested its resignation to said appointment." Many who had gone out at the first alarm were mustered into this regiment without returning home. Lient .- Colonel Storrs was "put out," after the usual military fashion, by the appointment of Commissary Keyes, and sighed for Major Durkee's promotion, but was none the less eager in forwarding regimental equipment when released from Legislative duties. At the opening of the May session of the Assembly he was' again present, though many of its elected members were with the army at Cambridge. Windham County had sent the following deputies :-
Windham .- Colonel Jedidiah Elderkin, Ebenezer Devotion.
Lebanon .- Colonel William Williams, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.
Mansfield .- Lieutenant-Colonel Experience Storrs, Nathaniel Atwood.
Woodstock .- Captains Elisha Child, Samuel MeClellan.
Coventry .- Captain Ebenezer Kingsbury, Jeremiah Ripley.
Canterbury .- David Paine, Eliashib Adains.
Killingly .- Stephen Crosby, Eleazer Warren.
Pomfret .- General Israel Putnam. Dr. Elisha Lord.
Ashford .- Captains Benjamin Sumner, Ichabod Ward.
Plainfield. - Captain James Bradford, William Robinson.
Voluntown .- Major James Gordon, Robert Hunter.
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An Act for regulating and ordering the troops that were or should be raised for defence of the Colony was now considered and adopted -its preamble setting forth the causes compelling such action. A number of gentlemen were appointed to assist the governor when the Assembly was not in session, direct the marches and actions of the soldiers enlisted for the defence of the Colony, and supply them with everything needful, as a committee of safety. Eliphalet Dyer, Nathan- iel Wales, Jr., William Williams and Joshua Elderkin were active and prominent members of this committee. Hezekiah Bissell, also of Windham, was one of the commissaries appointed by the Assembly to supply necessary public stores and provisions. The Embargo for- bidding the transportation of sundry vital necessities ont of the Colony was continued until August. Bounties were offered for the manufacture of fire-arms and saltpetre, now greatly needed. Captain Jabez Huntington of Windham, was given charge of all the powder belonging to Windham County.
Lient .- Colonel Storrs having orders for the captains of his regiment to be in readiness to march as fast as possible returned to Mansfield, May 15, and devoted himself with great energy to enlisting men, and procur- ing their outfit. Blankets and arms were impressed for the use of the soldiers. Saturday, 27th, "the company met and received their ammu- nition to be ready for their march on Monday next, May 29. Met this morning at 9 o'clock, attended prayers and sermon delivered by [Rev.] Mr. Salter. After sermon the company marched off for Cambridge. 30th. Set out this morning and overtook ye company at Kendall's, at Ashford. They appeared to be in high spirits. Tarried at Dudley." The Norwich company and others from Windham County were in advance of Colonel Storrs. June 2, he left all under care of Lient. Gray and proceeded with Lieut. Dana to report at headquarters (at Inman's Farm, now Cambridgeport) to General Putnam, and on the following day marched in with probably the greater part of the regi- ment. " Met General Putnam on ye road, came to ye house of Mr. Fairweather where we make our quarters. After dinner went up to headquarters to show ourselves to ye General. He recommended our being immediately provided for action. 4. Lord's day. Heard Mr. Leonard, our chaplain, on ye Common." A few other Windham County soldiers may have enlisted in the Sixth Regiment, Samuel H. Parsons, colonel ; John Tyler, lientenant-colonel : but the great majority of her men were in this Third Regiment under Putnam's immediate care and authority, occupying a most responsible and prominent position as part of the central division of the gathering army.
While these absent ones were busily occupied with drill, discipline and preparations for expected service, friends at home were equally
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alert and active. Farms and domestic labors were to be carried on as usual and an army to be raised and supported. Scarce a household that had not some concern with fitting out men and sending supplies to them. All private interests seemed to be laid aside and every thought and energy devoted to the great popular canse. Large bodies of men passing over the great thoroughfares of travel needed care and accommodation. Many new taverns were opened in the different towns. Pomfret citizens joined with Abel Clarke in representing to the Assembly,
" That the present marching of troops and increase of travel by his house, and the necessity he is under of providing for them excites him to pray for leave to keep a tavern in said Pomfret, where he dwells on the country road from Windham to Boston, in the parish of Abington, directly opposite the dwelling-house of Ephraim Ingalls, who keeps a lavern thereat, and for many years has done to the good acceptance of people, yet in this day he cannot provide for the great numbers passing and repassing on said road, and judges it necessary that he [the petitioner] should, too. May 15, 1775."
This petition was promptly granted and leave given also to Moses Branch, of Plainfield, and petitioners from other towns to offer every possible accommodation to these countless travelers. Efforts were also made in Windham County to supply the lack of military munitions. Hezekiah Huntington of Windham, had arranged to enter the army as major, but seeing the miserable condition of the guns and muskets supplied to the soldiers he threw up his commission, and with the permission and encouragement of the Government, opened a shop at Willimantic for their repair and mannfacture. In the same vicinity John Brown was successfully carrying on the preparation of saltpetre. Nathan Frink was projecting a similar establishment in Pomfret. Even predestined divines like Samuel Nott and Moses C. Welch, preparing to promulgate the Gospel of peace, were experiment- ing in saltpetre and destructive ingredients. Colonel Elderkin and Nathaniel Wales, Jr., with all their civil and military engrossments, were arranging for the construction of a powder-mill. All these busy brains and hands were working for the army. Constant communica- tion was kept up with the camp at Cambridge. Aged Jesses and fresh yonng Davids were going down every week to take things to their sons and brethren and see how they fared. As yet all was bright, cheerful and hopeful. The visitors marveled at the number of soldiers collected, their parades and mandenvers, and were too unused to war to discern their lack of discipline and equipments. Windham County was in high favor at headquarters. Putnam was "the hero of the day," assigned by popular verdict to the first place among Ameri- can officers ; Knowlton's courage and military aptitude were already recognized, and his company esteemed one of the best in the service,
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and the eloquent and patriotic " performances " of Chaplain Leonard excited general admiration.
Reports of successful skirmishes and demonstrations, followed by that of the battle of Bunker Hill, incited the Windham patriots to stronger hope and more ardent enthusiasm, and their grief for their slain was almost swallowed up in their exultation that their own sons and brethren. plain farmers and civilians. could withstand and put to flight the trained and tried soldiers of Great Britain. Of the two hundred Connecticut men detailed under Captain Knowlton for special service, on Bunker Hill, on the evening of June 16, 1775. Putnam's regiment furnished one hundred and twenty, drafted from the first, second, fourth and fifth companies, under Lientenants Dana. Grosvenor, Keyes, and probably Hyde .* "One subaltern, one sergeant and thirty privates " were also drafted from Captain Chester's company, second regiment, and probably a similar number from Captain Coit's company. These were the men who toiled all night and early morn upon Pres- cott's redoubt. banked with wet grass the famous rail fence, and, aided by " Hampshire boys " under Stark, and Connecticut reinforcements led by Captains Chester, Clark, Coit and Major Durkee, drove back from it again and again with great slanghter the serried columns of the advancing British, and saved the retreating garrison from capture or annihilation-" all efforts insufficient to compel them to retreat till the main body had left the hill." A most honorable share in the glory of this most momentous battle was won by Windham County. Her Put- nam, the chief projector of the movement, chief in command upon the hill during the day, labored with all his heart and energies against unsurmountable obstacles to reinforce Prescott and maintain their perilous position, and even those who would rob him of his laurels allow that " no service was more brilliant than that of the Connecticut troops whom he was authorized to command." Many incidents of the fight were carried home to Windham County. Josiah Cleveland of Canterbury kept guard through the night while the men were digging entrenchments, and heard the unsuspicious sentinels on the opposite shore sing out their illusory " All's well." Tough old " Bijah Fuller," from Windham, Dana's orderly sergeant, helped Gridley draw the lines of the fortification on Breed's Hill, and wrought with equal skill and strength in fitting up the impromptu line of fence and wall devised to complete the line of defence, and repel an unexpected flank movement. Knowlton, with coat off, walked to and fro before this
* There is some doubt as to the leader of the men in Company Four. Can- terbury men are known to have been engaged throughout the action. Ephraim Lyon declined to serve as first lieutenant, and it is probable that Isaac Hyde had been promoted second lieutenant and led the detachment.
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unique and ingenions breastwork, as much at ease as if in his own hay-field, cheering his men, loading and discharging his own faithful musket till it was bent double by a stroke from a cannon ball. Lientenant Dana, second in command, was the first to detect and give notice of the enemy's flank movement, and the first to fire upon the advancing army, "death" being threatened to any man who fired before him. Lientenant Grosvenor fired with the same precision and deliberation that he was accustomed to exercise in shooting a fox, and saw a man fall at each discharge of his rifle. Lieut. Keyes, Sergeant Abijah Fuller, Corporal Joel Webb, and other old campaigners were equally cool, deliberate and effective. "Boys," said Putnam to these old friends, as he rode past them, "Do you remember my orders at Ticonderoga?" " You told us not to fire till we could see the whites of the enemy's eyes." " Well, I give the same order now," and most literally was it obeyed. Fresh companies coming up at the close of the fight were amazed at the audacity of these fire-hardened vete- rans. Timothy Cleveland of Canterbury had the breech of his gun- stock shot off when in full retreat, and exclaiming " the darned British shall have no part of my gun," ran back in face of the advancing foe, and bore it off in triumph. Regardless of balls whistling around him, Putnam stood by a deserted field-piece urging the retreating troops to make one more stand, until the enemy's bayonets were almost upon him. Robert Hale, a sauey Ashford boy, discharged an artillery-piece in the very teeth of the foe, and escaped unscathed. Abiel Bugbee, also of Ashford, was one who held his ground to the very last of the fight, throwing stones when his ammunition was expended. A raw Killingly reeruit met a Windham friend immediately after the action, -" You look tired, Mr. Pettingill," he exclaimed. "Just hold my gun while I take a chaw of tobacco," was the reply. The smoking gun- stock and begrimed face told the rest of the story. Daniel Strong, of Lebanon, sent to the hill with Surgeon Spaulding's medical chest, finding officers and men in great need of drink, with no means of obtaining any, took meat casks and filled them with water, and dealt it out to such as were almost famished with thirst, till his wagon was struck by a cannon ball. Colonel Storrs relates in his diary his own experience :-
"June 17th. At sunrise this morning a fire began from ye ships, but mode- rate. About 10, went down to General Putnam's post, who has the command. Some shot whistled around us. Tarried a spell. and returned to hive my company in readiness to relieve them. One killed and one wounded when [ came away. About 2 o'clock there was a brisk eannonade from ye ships, on ye batteries or entrenchment. At - orders came to turn out immediately, and that the regulars were landing at sundry places. Went to headquarters for our regimental -. Received orders to repair with our regiment to No. 1 and defend it. No enemy appearing, orders soon came that our people at ye
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intrenchment were retreating. and for us to secure ye retreat. Immediately marched for their relief. The regulars did not come off from Bunker's Hill, but have taken possession of the intrenchment, and our people make a stand on Winter Hill. and we immediately went to entrenching. Flung up by morning an intrenchment about 100 feet square, done principally by our regi- ment under Putnam's direction."
And there Putnam was found on the next morning, Sunday, June 18, by his young son. Daniel. "dashing about among the workmen. throwing up intrenchments, and often placing a sod with his own hands. He wore the same clothes he had on when I left him, thirty- eight hours before, and affirmed he had never put them off or washed himself since." Colonel Storrs reports the loss of two of his men. Matthew Cummins and Phillip Johnston, killed at the breastwork. and seven wounded, none he hoped mortally. Ichabod Sabin, William Cheney, Pomfret, Benjamin Rush, Samuel Mosely,* Ashford, were reported among the slain or missing, and five or six other men from Putnam's regiment were killed or taken prisoners. Lieutenant Grosve- nor was wounded in the hand and obliged to retire from the field. Dana was struck down by a blow on the breast from a hit rail, which disabled him for several days. Many of the privates were wounded slightly, but the loss was very slight in comparison with that suffered by Massachusetts. The gratitude with which waiting friends at home received the tidings of the escape of those exposed to such great peril, and the anxious solicitude which followed the men in camp and battle are best shown in a mother's letter. written by the sister of Colonel Dyer to her son, Lieut. Ebenezer Gray, in Camp at Cambridge :-
" JULY 31, A. D 1775.
Dear Child :- I, this morning heard by Mr. Trumbull, who passed through town in haste last evening, that you are preparing to meet the enemy, or to drive them from their new intrenchments. I could not hear it without some emotion of soul, although I firmly believe God is able to deliver and will deliver us out of the hands of these unnatural enemies in his own time. Our cause is just I don't doubt, and God in his holy and righteous providence has called you there to defend our just rights and privileges. I would commit you into the hands of a just and merciful God, who alone is able to defend you. Confessing my utter unworthiness of the least mercy, would trust in unmerited mercy through Jesus Christ for all that strength, courage and fortitude that you stand in need of in the business he is calling you to. Trust in the Lord and be of good courage ; the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him; upon them that hope in his mercy. Confess your sins daily before the Lord. and forsake every evil way; walk in all the commandments of the Lord. Be careful to set a good example before those that are under you, especially in observing the Sabbath. The surest way of conquering our enemies is to turn from every evil way, and seek the Lord with all our hearts with confession of our sins. I am more afraid of our sins than of all the forces of our enemy. As to profane swearing, which is very common in camps. I always thought you were not inclined to, and I trust you will take all possible care to prevent it in those that fall under your care.
* Son of Rev. Samuel Mosely, Canada Parish.
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I think we have abundant reason to praise the name of the Lord for his wonderful assistance and deliverances our people have experienced at one time and another, especially at Bunker's Hill. Well, may we say, 'Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when such a number of troops rose up and surrounded our people, then they had swallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled against us.' These merciful assurances of God for us ought to encourage us to call upon God, and strengthen our faith in Him. That you may put your trust in God, and go on with courage and fortitude to whatever work or business you may be called to, is the sincere prayer of your Loving Mother, LYDIA GRAY."
The signal valor displayed by the few provincials who confronted the dreaded Regulars at Bunker Hill, excited the most rapturous admiration and enthusiasm throughout the Colonies. Putnam's dis- tinguished services in the whole affair were warmly recognized and applauded, and rewarded by immediate promotion to the position of Fourth Major-General of the American Army. This appointment though naturally distasteful to senior officers in Connecticut, gave great satisfaction to the general public. Silas Deane writes from Philadelphia-" The cry is here, Connecticut forever, universally applauded conduct of our Governor, and the brave intrepidity of old General Putnam and his troops. His appointment gave uni-
versal satisfaction. Better lose four Spencers than half a Putnam, on whom by every account the whole army has depended since the Lexington battle. Putnam's merit rung through the con- tinent : his fame still increases. Every day justifies the unaminous applause of the continent. Let it be remembered he had every vote of the Congress, and his health has been the second or third at almost all our tables." The General Assembly of Connecticut testified their sense of the superior merit of General Putnam. The public press echoed his praises. " A friend to Truth," writing from Water- town, declares :-
" It is needless to expatiate on the character and bravery of Major-General Putnam, whose capacity to form and execute great designs is known through Europe, and whose undaunted courage and martial abilities strike terror through all the hosts of Midianites, and have raised him to an incredible height in the esteem and friendship of his American brethren. It is sufficient to say that he seems to be inspired by God Almighty with a military genius, and formed to work wonders in the sight of those uncircumcised Philistines at Boston and Bunker Hill, who attempted to defy the armies of the living God."
The services of Knowlton and Dana were also highly commended. and rewarded as soon as practicable by promotion. the former becoming major, the latter captain. A gold-laced hat. a sash and gold breast-plate were presented to Major Knowlton by a Boston admirer in recogni- tion of " his behavior in the battle."
After Washington assumed command. July 3, Putnam had charge of the central division of the army with headquarters at the Inman house, Cambridge. The reading of the manifesto issned by Congress,
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setting forth the reasons for taking up arms was made the occasion of a grand patriotic demonstration, July 18. Putnam's division was paraded in full force upon Prospect Hill, and after hearing the declara- tion read with great pathos and solemnity by Chaplain Leonard, each soldier responded thrice with deep and fervent "Amen." At the instant a signal was fired, and General Washington stepped forward from headquarters, holding in his hand a new and beautiful standard sent by Connecticut to Putnam's regiment. Captain Dana was ordered to receive and display the flag but warned that in so doing he must not let the colors fall, as that would be deemed ominous of the fall of America. The great six-foot captain, who could face a hostile army without flinching, shrank like a child from this display and fain would have declined the honor, but Putnam cheered him on by a friendly clap on the shoulder, and " Cuth it, Dana! You look like a white man : take the colors and clear away :" whereupon Captain Dana advanced and received the flag from Washington's aide, and carried it three times around the interior circle of the parade, amid the raptorons applause of the delighted soldiers. It was one of six flags ordered by Con- necticut for her first six regiments. The ground of this was scarlet. " An appeal to Heaven " was inscribed in golden letters on one side ; Connectieut's armorial seal upon the other-three detached vines and the trustful legend, Qui transtulit sustinet. The presentation and display were followed by an animated, pathetie and highly patriotic address by Mr. Leonard, closing with a pertinent prayer. " The whole was conducted with the utmost decency, good order and regularity and to universal acceptance of all present."
No noteworthy event occurred for several succeeding months. The Continental Army maintained its position, and gradually extended its lines about Boston, but was unable to indulge in offensive operations. Men, money and munitions were lacking. Commissary Trumbull writes to Colonel Dyer, Sept. 23, "that no one has power to draw on Philadelphia, and begs him to procure him a hundred pounds, lawful money, to pay Mr. Traey, who has advanced money for Arnold's expe- dition, and to relieve him of the additional trouble of having his heart dunned out of him, and be for weeks unable to pay for a bushel of potatoes." Putnam cried in vain for powder. Knowlton brought his stalwart soldiers into more rigid military discipline, serving as " a sort of voluntary body-gnard to the Commander in-chief," with whom he was an especial favorite. Leonard was not only ready to officinte on all public occasions but labored effectually to promote the moral and religious interests of his soldiers. " A prayer composed for the benefit of the soldiers in the American Army, to assist them in their private devo- tions," prepared by Mr. Leonard, is believed to have been the first
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