USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > North Brookfield > History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of old Quabaug, Indian and English occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783 > Part 45
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The historian Marshall's account, varies materially from this. He says, " Jackson's regiment of Massachusetts, led by Lieut .- Col. Brooks, turned the right of the encampment, and stormed the works." In this account no mention is made of Brig. Learned, who stormed at the same time with the other corps of the brigade, as well as Jackson's ; nor of the two regi- ments under Col. Putnam, who stormed in front, under much greater exposure than Jackson. Again, Marshall says, " Brooks maintained the ground he had gained ;" which is entirely contrary to the truth ; for, except the two regiments commanded by Col. Putnam, the troops which entered the works were in great disorder, so far as fell under his observa- tion ; nor did he see any of them formed in order for action, before he moved out with the fifth and sixth regiments, as above stated.
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GEN. RUFUS PUTNAM.
At page 288, of the 3d volume, is a note from the historian Gordon, who says that, " On the morning of the 11th of October, a report was spread in the American camp, and believed by the officers, that the main body of Burgoyne's army had marched away in the night for Fort Edward, leaving only a rear-guard in the camp, which was to march as soon as possible, leaving only their heavy baggage. On this, it was de- cided to advance, and attack the camp in half an hour ; and the officers repaired to their respective commands. Gen. Nixon's being the oldest brigade, crossed the creek first. Unknown to the Americans, Burgoyne had formed a line behind a parcel of brushwood, to support the park of artillery, where the attack was to be made. Gen. Glover was on the point of following Nixon ; just as he entered the water, he saw a British soldier making across, whom he called and examined." The soldier was a deserter, and communicated the important fact, that the whole British army was in their encampment. Nixon was immediately stopped, and the intelligence conveyed to Gen. Gates, who countermanded the order for the assault, and called back the troops, not without sustaining some loss from the British artillery.
Col. Putnam's account of this affair is as follows : "Nixon's brigade was put in motion, and marched in close column to the creek, just as the fog broke away, when the whole park of British artillery opened upon us, at not more than five hundred yards distance. Finding we were halted, I rode forward to the head of the brigade, to inquire why we stood there in that exposed situation. But Nixon was not to be found, and Col. Greaton, who commanded the leading regiment, said he had no orders. I then advised the crossing the creek, and covering the troops under the bank, which was done. I then, at the request of Col. Stephens, advanced with my regiment across the plain, and posted them under cover of the bank of an old stockade fort, while Stephens advanced with two field-pieces, to annoy the British, who were attempting to take away some baggage wagons standing about midway between us and the British battery. We remained in this situation about an hour, when I had orders to retreat, and found Nixon near the church, and after some debate, obtained leave to send a party and cut away the British boats, which lay above the mouth of the creek. Capt. Morse, Goodale, and Gates, with seventy or eighty volunteers, started on this service, and effected it without any loss." This plain statement puts the affair in a different position, and shows that but for the promptness and bravery of Putnam in this unexpected dilemma, the loss of Americans must have been much greater. The bold act of cutting loose Burgoyne's store- boats, in the face of his army, was of his suggesting, and accomplished chiefly through the fearless activity of Capt. Goodale, who was noted for daring exploits.
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SECOND PRECINCT-NORTH BROOKFIELD.
Kosciusko, the philanthropic and brave Polander, who volunteered his services in the cause of American freedom, was placed at the head of the engineering corps in Gates' army, and often consulted Col. Put- nam in planning the works of defence and offence, so necessary in the operations of hostile armies. He remained in the northern department until the surrender of Burgoyne, which took place a few days after the last adventure, on the 16th of October ; thus closing the career of this haughty Briton who fancied he could march his invincibles from Ticon- deroga to Albany, in defiance of all the efforts of "the rebels," the common name for the Americans, and there unite his triumphant col- umns with those of Sir Henry Clinton. This was the most glorious event that had yet attended the arms of the United States, and infused new life into the desponding portion of the community. They learned, by actual experience, that British regulars were not invincible, while their enemies were taught to respect a foe they had heretofore despised. After the cessation of hostilities in this quarter, Nixon's brigade, to which Col. Putnam belonged, went into winter quarters at Albany.
In January, 1778, he received a message from Gov. Clinton and Gen. Israel Putnam, requesting him to repair to West Point, and superintend the fortifications proposed to be erected at this American Gibraltar. He declined the offer, unless his regiment was allowed to go with him, except at the express orders of Gen. Washington. A French engineer had been sent by Congress, to plan and execute the works proposed to be erected ; but his views were not approved by Gov. Clinton and the general officers, as suited to what they deemed necessary, and hence arose the confusion and delay, noticed in Gen. Washington's letter to Congress, of the 13th of March, 1778.
In February he succeeded Col. Greaton in the command of the troops in the northern department, who went home on furlough. It seems that Congress, without consulting the commander-in-chief, had matured a plan for a winter campaign into Canada, which was now left in a manner defenceless. The chief duty of Col. Putnam was to forward provisions and military stores to Coos, on the Onion river, by which route the army of invasion was to pass, as early as the 20th of Feb- ruary. The sound mind of the Colonel at once perceived the fallacy and impossibility of the project. The country was covered with a deep snow, and the soldiers, as usual, only half clothed, and entirely unpre- pared for a winter campaign. This was always a serious difficulty during the whole war ; our armies were never decently clad, and the poverty of the country was seen in their tattered garments and shoeless feet. When men were required by Col. Hazelet, the quartermaster-general, to open a road, he had the firmness to refuse him, on account of the inclemency of the weather, and the destitute condition of his men.
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GEN. RUFUS PUTNAM.
About this time, the 10th or 12th of February, the Marquis Lafayette, who was to command the army of invasion, arrived at Albany, with the Baron de Kalb. After a careful inspection of the troops, he confirmed the views of Col. Putnam, and the expedition was abandoned ; and fortunate for the country was it that they did so, for this was not a war of offence, but of defence ; and whenever the Americans left their own soil, disaster and defeat followed their steps ; but so long as they confined their operations to justice and to right, the God of armies and of justice was on their side.
In March following, he was ordered with his regiment down to West Point, where his valuable services were required to lay out and superin- tend the construction of fortifications at that important place, and Gen. McDougal, who had been appointed to the command, arrived about the same time. Of all the foreign engineers who had been sought out and employed, not one had yet been found, with the sound judgment and practical skill of this untaught American. The strong mind and calm, considerate reflection of Putnam took in at once the commanding points of the positions to be fortified, and his practical skill soon accomplished what his genius had projected. He found the foreign engineers' main fort laid out on an extreme point next the river, and commanded by the adjacent high grounds. It was abandoned for this purpose, and a simple battery placed there to annoy the enemy's shipping, should they attempt to turn the point and force the boom placed a little higher up. As a defence against an attack by land, a chain of forts and redoubts was laid · out on the high ground, bordering the plain, which forms the point that gives name to the place. The principal fort was built by Putnam's own regiment, and named by Gen. McDougal, " Fort Putnam." It stands on an elevated rocky eminence, which commands both the plain and point. This rock slopes gradually on to the plain, on one side, while to the assailants it presents a mural front of fifty feet perpendicular. It was subsequently strengthened with additional works and made a very formidable place. These defences occupied him until June, when he joined the division of the army under Gen. Gates at Peekskill, and on the 24th of July united with the grand army under Gen. Washington, at White Plains. By his orders he reconnoitred the country about Fred- ericksburg, Quaker hill, etc., making plans and sketches for the use of the commander. On the 16th of September, the main army was broken into divisions and posted at different places. The division to which he was attached under Gen. Gates, marched to Danbury, Connecticut. While here he was directed by Gen. McDougal to examine the roads and passes from New Milford, leading eastward, which service he accom- plished, and made his report to him. Soon after this he received the following letter from Gen. Washington :
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SECOND PRECINCT- NORTH BROOKFIELD.
" Head Quarters, Oct. 9th, 1778.
Sir : I have perused your report of this day to Gen. McDougal. You will continue your examination of the different roads, &c., reconnoiter the most convenient halting places on each ; allowing the interval of one day's march from one to the other, and make report of the whole to me, that I may be enabled to regulate the different routes. The road toward Litchfield offers, from your account of it, to be worth attention, and Col. Hall should be directed to proceed on it accordingly.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
G. Washington. Col. Putnam."
In answer to this letter he made a lengthy and very particular report, exhibiting his tact and sound judgment in such services, for which he was naturally constituted.
Previous to making the final arrangements for winter quarters, he made a tour of reconnoisance with Gen. Greene, in the vicinity of the Hudson river. Late in December Nixon's brigade took up their winter station in the Highlands, on the road from Peekskill to Fishkill. Nixon left the brigade on furlough, and it was placed under Col. Putnam for the winter. Early in February the brigade was ordered to leave their quarters. Col. Putnam's regiment was directed to march to Croton river, and build a bridge across that stream, which was completed about the last of March, and was all extra service, for which no additional pay was given.
At this time he had a furlough to visit his family, where he had not been since December, 1777. This was an inconvenience under which the most useful officers labored ; they could not be spared from the service, while the less valuable procured leave of absence more readily. The families of many of the New England officers, high in command, were in poor circumstances, and required all the industry and foresight of their calculating wives to keep their families in comfortable circum- stances during their absence. Mrs. Putnam and the children, the oldest not more than twelve or fourteen years, lived on a small farm of fifty acres of rather sterile land ; while so poor and uncertain was the pay of the soldier, and in 1779, so depreciated in value, that had it not been for the assiduous application of the needle by this patriotic woman, her children would sometimes have been very poorly supplied with food. It was common in those days, which tried the souls of women as well as of men, for females in some of the best families, to make garments gratuitously for the soldiers sent from their vicinity, while many of them made also for their neighbors less skilled in the art, for which they received produce or continental paper in exchange. Mrs. Putnam was one of this class ; and let it be remembered to her honor and praise,
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GEN. RUFUS PUTNAM.
that she labored diligently with her hands, both at the distaff and needle, like the virtuous woman of old, for the support of her household, while he who should have been their provider was absent, devoting his time to the cause of freedom, and fighting the battles of his country. Many interesting anecdotes are yet remembered and related by the family, of the frugality and industry practised during this cruel war, for their support.
Toward the last of June, Col. Putnam returned to camp, and in a few days received the following order from Gen. Heath :
" Highlands, Danforth's House, June 29, 1779.
Sir : I am very desirous, if possible, to obtain the exact situation of the enemy on Verplank's Point, and of the vessels in the river. As you are well acquainted with the ground on both sides of the river, I would request that you would, to-morrow, reconnoiter the enemy with due pre- caution, and make such remarks as you may think proper. You will take a part, or the whole of your own light infantry company as a guard. Your knowledge of the country, and abilities, render particular instruc- tions unnecessary.
Yours, &c., WVm. Heath. Col. Putnam."
To execute this order, he had to march through the mountains about twenty miles, by an unfrequented route, and to prevent discovery, con- ceal his men in the woods. This duty was successfully performed ; but the report is mislaid. Soon after his return, he received the following note from his excellency, the commander-in-chief :
" Col. Putnam has permission to take as many men as he chooses, of his own regiment, or any other, for special service, and to pass all guards. G. Washington. July 9, 1779."
The " special service " here intended, was to reconnoitre the posts on Verplank's and Stony Points, previous to the meditated assault on those places. For this purpose, Col. Putnam left Constitution island, opposite to West Point, in the afternoon of the 10th, with fifty men, and landed at Continental village about sunset. Soon after dark, he proceeded, by a back road, to a point near the scene of his intended observations, and concealed his men, as before, in the woods. In a short time it began to rain, and continued all the next day, a part of which time they lay in a barn. On the 12th it was fair, but their ammunition was all wet, and he retired a little distance, to a deserted house, built a fire, and dried
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SECOND PRECINCT- NORTH BROOKFIELD.
their powder, which occupied nearly all day, leaving the party, had they been attacked, entirely defenceless. That evening he approached nearer the works, concealed his men, and commenced reconnoitring their con- dition. With one or two soldiers, who were familiar with the location, he continued his labor until near morning, creeping on his hands and knees, to avoid detection by the sentries, when very near the works. He ascertained the time of night by the aid of fire-flies, which are abundant at that season, and whose phosphorescent light enabled him to distinguish the hours on his watch. By the approach of early dawn, he had completed his observations, and returned undiscovered to camp, on the 13th. The following day, a full and very intelligent report of the service was made to Gen. Washington ; a copy of which is now among his manuscripts, and no doubt contributed greatly to the success of the attack on Stony Point, which immediately followed. In relation to the statement made by Marshall, that " two brigades under the command of Gen. McDougal, had been ordered to approach the enemy on the east side of the river, &c.," - he doubts whether such an order was ever given, for the reason, that McDougal commanded the post of West Point, and would not be allowed to leave so important a station. He further says, that when he waited on Gen. Washington, to make his report of the reconnoisance on the 14th, he told him that he had relin- quished the plan of an actual attack on Verplank's, simultaneously with that on Stony Point, but intended only to make a feint; and for that purpose had ordered Nixon's brigade to march, that day, to Continental village. He then instructed Col. Putnam to take as many men from the brigade as he thought proper, and make arrangements to be on the ground, ready to fire on the enemy at Verplank's, the moment he dis- covered that Wayne had begun his attack on Stony Point. At the same time, he told him that no one was aware of the intended attack, but those who were intrusted with its execution, and that but one of his own family was in the secret. From some error in the orders, Nixon's brigade did not march as expected; but on the evening of the 15th, Col. Putnam left Continental village, with Lieut. Col. Smith, and a de- tachment of men, for Verplank's, and made the feigned attack, by firing on the outer block-house and the guard stationed at the creek, which alarmed the garrison of Fort Fayette for their own safety, and prevented their turning their guns on the Americans in their attack on Stony Point. This was all that was intended to be done on that night. On the morn- ing of the 16th, he remained in full view of the enemy until eight or nine o'clock, and then returned to Continental village. In the course of that day, Nixon's and Patterson's brigades arrived at the village, but without field pieces, artillery men, axes, or tools. About ten o'clock at night, Gen. Howe arrived, and took the command. He called on Col. Putnam
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for information, who told him of the need of artillery, etc., to attack the block-house in advance of the main works, and that they could not cross the creek without rebuilding the bridge, which had been destroyed. On the 17th, two twelve pounders arrived ; but before any attack was made, the approach of a numerous body of the enemy, for the relief of the post, caused the Americans to retreat, and Fort Fayette remained in the hands of the British. Stony Point was also abandoned in a short time, and fell into their possession ; so that no advantage was gained, but the capture of six hundred prisoners, and the glory of the victory. It infused fresh spirits into the country, and convinced their enemies that no dan- ger was too great, or achievement too difficult for them to overcome.
In a short time after these events, Col. Putnam was appointed to the command of a regiment of light infantry, in the brigade of Gen. Wayne, composed of four regiments. This body of men was the élite of the army, and the officers selected by the advice of Gen. Wayne, composing as efficient a corps as the world ever saw. He continued in service this year, until the army had generally gone into winter quarters, and did not reach the station in the Highlands, where his regiment was cantoned, until January, 1780; marching through the ice and snow from near Newark, in New Jersey, being a very tedious and fatiguing journey. During 1779, he was ordered on extra service, to erect a battery on the ground of old Fort Montgomery, for the annoyance of the enemy's ships on the Hudson ; and again, in December, by order of Gen. Wayne, he reconnoitred the position of a British fleet at South Amboy, accompanied by eight dragoons, to learn the time of their sailing. This was promptly performed amidst the cold and inclemency of December weather, and he returned to camp by the way of New Brunswick. A number of letters from Gen. Wayne are on his file.
The latter part of the winter 1780, he had leave of absence to visit his family, and returned to camp in April.
During the campaign of 1780, no great battle was fought in the north- ern department. The events along the North river were mostly skir- mishes.
In September, the foul treason of Arnold took place, by which the enemy thought to obtain possession of this important post, in a more easy way than by hard fighting, but not half so honorable. A kind Provi- dence, which overlooked and directed the American affairs, caused this wicked plan to be discovered in time to prevent its execution ; and the country was thus saved from threatened ruin. Soon after this affair, Col. Putnam had leave of absence, and returned to camp early in December. On the 6th of July, 1781, the French army, which had been sent to aid us, formed a junction with the Americans near Dobb's Ferry, prepara- tory to marching for Virginia.
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SECOND PRECINCT- NORTH BROOKFIELD.
On the 21st of July, Col. Putnam was ordered by Gen. Heath to take the command of a detachment of three hundred light infantry, Col. Shel- don's legionary corps, with two companies of the New York levies, and one piece of light artillery, with which to cover that part of the country. On this duty he was continued until the last of October, and thus did not witness the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. While here em- ployed, he received the following letter from Gen. Waterbury, of Con- necticut :
" Horse Neck, September 13, 1781.
Sir : After my compliments, I would inform you that I have received orders from his excellency, Gov. Trumbull, to build some places of secu- rity for my troops to winter in, and, at the same time, to ask the favor of your assistance, in counseling with me where to build, etc."
This service he performed as requested. In November, he joined his regiment at West Point, and on the 14th of that month, received the following order from Gen. McDougal :
"Sir : Gen. McDougal requests you to repair to Stony and Verplank's Points, and examine minutely into their state in every respect. The sen- try boxes at those advanced works should be destroyed ; every building within cannon range of either of those posts, and any cover that would afford a lodgement for the enemy, must be taken down, and removed be- fore you leave the ground. You will please to have the garrisons paraded, and note every person, and the regiments they belong to, unfit for this service, &c."
This duty was faithfully performed, and was about the last of his mili- tary labors ; as after this period, hostilities, in a manner, closed between the two nations, in the northern states.
" Head Quarters, Newburg, Dec. 2, 1782.
Sir : I am informed you have had thoughts of retiring from service, upon the arrangement which is to take place on the Ist of January. But as there will be no opening for it, unless your reasons should be very urgent indeed ; and as there are some prospects which may perhaps make your continuing more eligible than was expected, I have thought proper to mention the circumstances, in expectation they might have some in- fluence in inducing you to remain in the army. Col. Shepherd having retired and Brig. Gen. Patterson being appointed to the command of the first brigade, you will of consequence be the second colonel in the line and have the command of a brigade, while the troops continue brigaded as at present. Besides I consider it expedient you should be acquainted, that the question is yet before Congress, whether there shall be two
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brigadiers appointed in the Massachusetts line. Should you continue you will be a candidate for this promotion. The secretary of war is of opinion the promotion will soon take place - whether it will or not, I am not able to determine, and, therefore, I would not flatter you too much with expectations, which it is not in my power to gratify - but if upon a view of these circumstances and prospects, the state of your affairs will permit you to continue in the present arrangement, (which must be completed immediately,) it will be very agreeable to
Sir, your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.
Col. Putnam."
On the receipt of this letter, and one from Gen. Potter, he repaired immediately to camp ; but being determined not to remain in a situation approaching disgrace, as some of his senior officers had done, when Congress neglected to promote them to actual vacancies, on his arrival he wrote a very interesting letter to Gen. Washington, explaining all his views and thanking him for the interest he took in his welfare, but is too lengthy for insertion here. On the 8th of January following, he was commissioned as a brigadier-general in the army of the United States, and then left without any excuse to leave the service until the declara- tion of peace, which happily took place on the 9th of April, 1783.
In June the Massachusetts line was reduced to two regiments, of which Gen. Patterson or the oldest officer took the command, and the officers and soldiers retired on furlough, and were finally discharged in November.
During his continuance in the army, he shared largely in the confi- dence of Gen. Washington, who continued his friendship during his political life, appointing him to various posts of honor and profit.
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