Putnam Leaves His Plow for Battle

At the beginning of the American Revolution, Israel Putnam reportedly left his plow in the field (when he learned about the battle of Lexington) and traveled to Cambridge (covering one hundred miles in eight hours).

He offered to help the Patriot's cause and, as a major general, was a key commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He became chief commander of Patriot forces in New York until General Washington, the Commander-in-Chief, arrived in that colony.

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