The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution

by L. Carroll Judson

When the war cry from Lexington reached his ears he left his plough in the furrow—mounted his horse—rode 100 miles in a single day to reach the scene of action—was soon created a Major General and carried more original thunder than any other man in the army. His voice could be heard above the roar of battle. He was in the sanguinary affair at Bunker's Hill and had charge of erecting the temporary fortifications. He was at the battle of Long island—superintended the fortifications at Philadelphia and in all his duties manifested an energy and skill that placed him high in the estimation of every patriot. In the spring of 1777 he was placed in command of the troops at the High Lands. A refugee Lieutenant was detected in his camp as a spy. Governor Tryon wrote him to at once liberate the officer or he would give him particular thunder. Old Put replied thus laconically.

"Sir—Nathan Palmer, a Lieutenant in your king's service, was taken in my camp as a spy—he was tried as a spy—he was condemned as a spy and he shall be hanged as a spy.

"P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged.

"Israel Putnam."

Gen Putnam was the founder of West Point. Whilst superintending the fortifications at that place he was disabled from further duty by an attack of paralysis. This did not impair his mental powers or disturb the equanimity and cheerfulness of his mind or prevent him from being a pleasant, amusing and interesting companion. He lived at Brookline Conn. in the enjoyment of the gratitude of a nation of freemen until the 29th of May 1790 when his soul left its tenement of clay and returned to its Creator. He was truly an honest man. On the 16th of June 1776 he spurned a princely bribe that was tendered to him by Sir William Howe.

PUTNAM RUFUS was born in Sutton, Mass. in 1738. At the age of 16 he commenced serving mother Britain in the French war and proved a gallant soldier. In the Continental army he was the principal engineer with the rank of Brigadier General. He was at the head of the Ohio Company for the purpose of settling the North West Territory. On the 7th of April 1788 he planted about forty emigrants at Marietta on the Ohio river. In 1789 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of that territory—in 1791 a Brig. General in the army of the United States under Gen. Wayne and in 1795 Surveyor General of the United States which office he held until towards the close of Jefferson's administration. He adorned all the virtues that dignify the man and crowned his life with a consistent course of primitive piety. He continued to reside at Marietta until the 4th of May 1824 when his happy spirit soared to realms of unending bliss beyond the skies.

RAMSAY DAVID was ushered into life at Lancaster, Pa. in 1749. He was thoroughly educated and became an eminent physician. After a brief residence in Cecil County, Md. he removed to Charleston, S. C. in 1773. He was an ardent patriot and was commissioned a surgeon in the Continental army. At the surrender of his adopted city he was among the prisoners who were sent to St. Augustine. In 1782 he was elected a member of Congress and confirmed there up to 1786 except one year. A part of that time he was President of that body. He became an able historian and has enriched our libraries with a history of the Revolution—of South Carolina—of America and a biography of Washington and several other interesting publications. He stood at the head of his profession in Charleston. In 1815 he was called into court to give evidence relative to an insane man who followed him in a rage and killed him on the street.

RANDOLPH EDMUND was a native of Virginia and an eminent member of the Bar. He aided largely in giving an impetus to the revolutionary ball and was among the boldest patriots who early resolved to cut the maternal cords that bound the American Colonies to mother Britain. He was a member of Congress in 1779—subsequently Governor of Virginia—Attorney-General of the United States and for a time Secretary under Washington whose confidence he lost in 1795 for reasons not on the record. He lived in the esteem of his friends until 1813 when he quietly retired to the spirit world.

RANDOLPH PEYTON was a native of Virginia and early engaged in the border wars. He was a good lawyer and Attorney-General under the crown as early as 1748. He became a prominent legislator and was among the first and boldest to expose and oppose British oppression. He was prudent but firm. He threw his whole soul into the cause of Liberty. In all the preliminary meetings of the Old Dominion he was a leading member and a perfect regulator among those whose zeal sometimes fed them beyond the orbit of sound discretion. He was President of the important Congress of 1774 and added to the dignity of the proceedings of that august assemblage of Sages. He was returned to Congress the next year but was detained as speaker in the legislature of his state until late in the session. On the 21st of October 1775 he attended a dinner party at the house of a friend and while there fell from his seat in a fit of apoplexy and expired in a few moments. His body was taken to Virginia and interred. Thus prematurely was extinguished one of the bright luminaries that illuminated the horizon and dawn of the Revolution. His loss was deeply deplored.

REED JOSEPH was born in New Jersey on the 27th of August 1741. He became a distinguished member of the Philadelphia Bar where he was pursuing a lucrative practice when he was called to aid in the emancipation of his country. He was a member of the committee of correspondence, President of the Provincial Convention and member of Congress. In 1775 he repaired to Cambridge where he was made an Aid and Secretary of Washington. In 1776 he was adjutant-general of the army and acted a brave and useful part at Trenton, Princeton and in every battle under Washington. During the campaign of 1777 he was constantly in the field. He had a horse killed under him at Monmouth, Brandywine and White Marsh but was preserved from a wound in the numerous hard fought battles at which he was present. The following answer to a proposition of bribery from the British Governor Johnstone is attributed to him and has been claimed for another. "I am not worth purchasing but such as I am the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to buy me." Nor was she rich enough to buy the humble soldiers who captured Andre. In 1778 Gen. Reed was elected President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania which station he held for three consecutive years and was very efficient in the work of infusing a proper spirit in the militia of his state. He filled every place he occupied with great zeal and ability. He was the man to be substantially useful wherever duty called him. He wore himself out in the service of his country and died in Philadelphia on the 5th of March 1785 in the very prime of life and when on the flood tide of an enduring fame.

REVERE PAUL was born in Massachusetts in 1735. It was he who carried the express from Gen. Warren to Messrs. Adams and Hancock the evening previous to the battle of Lexington. He was a colonel of militia and a devoted patriot. He was in the unfortunate Penobscot expedition in the summer of 1779. His was a life of purity and stern integrity. He died in Boston in 1818.

SARGENT WINTHROP was a native of Massachusetts and graduated at Harvard College in 1771. With all the circumstances of his life before him, the historian could present him to the admiring reader in a blaze of glory. Thousands of the noble actors on the stage of the Revolution have passed away without a place on the historic page. From the commencement to the close of the long and sanguinary struggle for Independence he was actively and honorably engaged in the military field. In 1786 he was appointed Surveyor of the North Western Territory and in 1787 Secretary of that government. He was adjutant-general of the army of Gen. St. Clair in his disastrous expedition against the Indians and of the army of Gen. Wayne when he conquered the same red men who had defeated St. Clair. He was subsequently Governor of Mississippi. In all the duties of public and private life he acquitted himself nobly and fulfilled the design of his creation. He died in 1820.