Description:
Print image depicts Israel Putnam with billowing clouds of smoke in the background; he is shown leaning his arm on a canon; the other arms is cocked on his waist, he wears a military uniform with hat, gorget, sash, gloves, and sword, in the distance there are leaves and trees to the right and to the left are canons shooting. The print is trimmed to the edges and the inscription is missing: Inscription would read: ["ISRAEL PUTNAM Esqr./ MAJOR GENERAL of the Connecticut Forces, and COMMANDER in CHIEF at the Engagement/ on BUNCKER S HILL near BOSTON, 17 June 1775. / Published as the Act directs by C. Shepherd 9 Sept. 1775." Also to the left is the inscription, "J. WIlkinson pinxt."] Modern frame. Israel Putnam (1718-1790) was a farmer and tavern keeper in Connecticut. During the French and Indian War, he served with Robert Rogers and the fabled Rogers' Rangers. During the war he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Connecticut Militia. He served with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill at Charlestown where he is credited with the quote "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." He suffered a debilitating stroke in 1779, ending his military career.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2006.23.4 |
