"Old Put" the patriot

The narrative traces the life of Israel Putnam from farm childhood and New England family roots through his frontier service and colonial campaigns. It follows his early experience as a partisan and scout during frontier and imperial wars, including captivity and a Caribbean expedition, his peacetime years as a tavern-keeper, and his elevation to provincial command. It describes his leadership at key Revolutionary War moments—notably at Bunker Hill and in the defense of the Hudson Highlands—his reputation for woodcraft and boldness, his close association with senior Continental leaders, and his final years as a disabled veteran returned to civilian life.