Sixty-three witnesses – soldiers from multiple regiments, statesmen, and officers – left accounts of Israel Putnam's conduct at Bunker Hill. Below are their testimonies, including men from Dearborn's own unit who contradict his allegations directly.
The following accounts are among the most detailed and significant. Click to expand each testimony.
"While he was at the rail fence, and just before the battle commenced, he saw Gen. Putnam on horseback very near him, and distinctly heard him say, 'Men, you know you are all marksmen; you can take a squirrel from the tallest tree; don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes.'"
"Immediately after the first retreat of the British, Gen. Putnam rode up and said, 'Men, you have done well, but next time you will do better, aim at the officers.'"
"Just as Mr. Johnson left his place at the rail fence, which was about half a gunshot from the redoubt, Gen. Putnam rode up, his horse covered with foam, and said something, he does not distinctly know what, and rode off. The balls were flying as thick as peas."
Significance: Johnson was a 19-year-old private not under Putnam's direct command – an objective witness. His testimony confirms Putnam on horseback (contradicting Dearborn), giving the famous order at the rail fence, and actively riding between positions under heavy fire.
"After the enemy were repulsed from the left and centre where he was, the firing continued brisk on the right, to which he rode quickly; the smoke and dust clearing off, the first thing he saw was Small, standing alone, close to the breastwork, deserted by his men. An American drew up his piece to level at him; Putnam prevented him, and hallooed aloud to those near who were preparing to fire: 'Don't fire, he's a friend of mine.' He was obeyed, and Small, thanking him, escaped."
Significance: A British officer confirmed Putnam was in the thick of the fighting – so close to the enemy lines that he could recognize and save a British officer's life. Colonel Small later sent presents and formal acknowledgments to Putnam. This testimony alone demolishes the claim that Putnam hid 600 yards from the action.
"Gen. Putnam rode up on his old white horse, and said to Lieut. Whitmore... 'Draw off your men here (pointing to the rail fence,) and man the rail fence; the enemy are flanking us fast.' I was an eye-witness of this."
"Gen. Putnam was not in the fort during the engagement; he was riding to and fro in all parts of the line, encouraging the men, pressing them forward, and giving orders to the officers. He did not stop long in any one place. I saw him several times during the battle."
"When we were retreating, he rode up to us with his tent and tent-poles on his horse, and asked why we were retreating. He said, we had been wishing to have the enemy come out, and now we had retreated, and had left the tools for them to fortify with; that we ought to be ashamed of such conduct."
Significance: Noyes describes Putnam as a mobile battlefield commander – not stationary on Bunker Hill as Dearborn claimed, but riding continuously between positions, redirecting units, and attempting to rally the retreat. His emphatic "I was an eye-witness of this" underscores the firsthand nature of this account.
Saw Putnam on a horse – "covered with lather produced by constant, feverish exertion" – and stated Putnam was "as brave as any man" in the battle.
Significance: Pierce served in Dearborn's own regiment. His testimony contradicts both of Dearborn's central claims: that no officer was mounted (Pierce saw Putnam on horseback) and that Putnam hid from the fighting (Pierce called him "as brave as any man"). When your own regimental comrade testifies against your account, the credibility of that account is fundamentally undermined.
"I well remember of seeing Gen. Putnam at the breastwork during the battle. I repeatedly saw him during the action walking upon the breastwork and animating the men to exert themselves."
"General Putnam came to one of the pieces, near which I stood, and furiously inquired where our officers were? On being told our cartridges were too big, and that the pieces could not be loaded, he swore, and said they could be loaded, taking a cartridge, he broke it open, and loaded the pieces with a ladle, which was discharged; and assisted us in loading two or three times in that manner."
Significance: Runnels describes Putnam literally walking on the breastwork – the most exposed position possible – and personally loading cannons when the artillery crew's officers had abandoned them. This is not the behavior of a man hiding 600 yards from the fighting.
"Gen. Putnam was present directing the retreat, riding backward and forward between us and the British, and appeared cool and deliberate, frequently speaking to the men. Continued with us till we were out of the reach of small arms."
"I now perfectly remember, that I then expected every moment to see Gen. Putnam shot from his horse. I knew Gen. Putnam perfectly, was in the army with him in the French war, and 5 years in the revolutionary war."
Significance: Lyman had known Putnam for years – through the French and Indian War and five years of revolutionary service. He is not mistaking someone else for Putnam. His testimony of expecting "every moment to see Gen. Putnam shot from his horse" while Putnam rode between the retreating Americans and the advancing British is among the most vivid accounts we have.
"Saw Gen. Putnam there with his sword drawn, encouraging and animating the troops. My father was going off with a wounded man, Gen. Putnam stopped him, pricking his arm with his sword, and told him not a soldier should leave the ground."
"I saw Gen. Putnam in the hottest of the fight, calling on the men to stand their ground; I am sure he was at the same post when the enemy scaled the walls of the redoubt."
Significance: Bassett places Putnam at the redoubt itself – the primary fortification on Breed's Hill – "in the hottest of the fight" and still present "when the enemy scaled the walls." This directly contradicts Dearborn's claim that Putnam remained on Bunker Hill throughout.
"Soon after the arrival of General Washington as commander in chief of the American forces at Cambridge, in July 1775 – Court martials were ordered to be holden for the trials of different officers, who were supposed to have misbehaved in the important action on Breed's Hill on the seventeenth of June; at all of which I acted as judge advocate. In the inquiry, which these trials occasioned, I never heard any insinuation against the conduct of General Putnam."
Significance: Tudor presided over the official investigations into officer misconduct at Bunker Hill – investigations held just weeks after the battle while memories were fresh. No one – not a single officer or soldier – made any complaint against Putnam. Dearborn's allegations came 43 years later.
"This I do say without reserve, I never heard the least insinuation of dissatisfaction with the character of Gen. Putnam during his whole life."
Significance: Adams was intimately involved in the Continental Congress that appointed Putnam as Major General. His unequivocal statement that he never heard "the least insinuation" against Putnam's character carries enormous weight from a man who was at the center of revolutionary decision-making.
"Halted at neck by Gen. Putnam and ordered to march in profound silence; Gen. Putnam was at a consultation of officers on Bunker Hill. Advanced to front; suppose he led us to Breed's Hill. Saw him soon after arriving there. He ordered out a guard to the shore; returned at daylight; found Putnam and others directing the works."
"Before fire of muskets began, Putnam ordered us to lie down, and not to fire till we saw their buttons. An old soldier wanted to go off, he said, for water. Gen. Putnam told him, he depended on him as one of his best soldiers; he persisted, and Gen. Putnam ran his sword through or into his arm and made him return to his duty."
Significance: Cleveland's testimony spans the entire timeline – from the night march to Breed's Hill through the battle itself. He places Putnam at the front directing works, ordering the famous command to hold fire, and enforcing discipline with characteristic severity. Cleveland fired 43 cartridges himself, suggesting sustained close combat.
All 63 sworn testimonies, organized by regiment. Every witness describes the same events: Putnam on horseback, under fire, giving orders, loading cannons, and rallying troops.
The most damaging evidence to Dearborn's case comes from his own men.
| # | Witness | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin Pierce | Saw Putnam on horse; "as brave as any man" |
Saw Putnam on a horse "covered with lather produced by constant, feverish exertion" and stated Putnam was "as brave as any man" in the battle. Pierce served in the same regiment as Dearborn – the very man who later accused Putnam of cowardice. |
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| 2 | Abel Parker | Saw Putnam at redoubt during fighting |
| # | Witness | Position | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Governor Brooks | Governor | Putnam at cannon during retreat |
"Gen. Putnam, on the retreat, remained in the rear by a cannon, with a sergeant, the only man he could persuade to stand by him, till the enemy were just upon them with their bayonets, when the sergeant was shot down and he was compelled to retire." |
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| 4 | Judge Grosvenor | Judge | "Most active officer"; supervised redoubt |
"Under the immediate superintendence of Gen. Putnam, ground was broken and a redoubt formed. The next day Gen. Putnam was extremely active and directed principally the operations. The Gen. inspired confidence by his example; of the officers the most active were Putnam, Prescott, and Knowlton." |
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| 5 | Judge Advocate Tudor | Judge Advocate | No insinuation against Putnam at courts-martial |
"In the inquiry which those trials occasioned, I never heard any insinuation against the conduct of Gen. Putnam." |
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| 6 | President John Adams | President | Never heard dissatisfaction with Putnam |
"This I do say without reserve, I never heard the least insinuation of dissatisfaction with the character of Gen. Putnam during his whole life." |
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| 7 | Thomas Cooke, Esq. | Mass. Congress | "Thoughtless of personal danger"; universal praise |
"Saw Gen. Putnam, who did all that man could do to get on the men to Breed's Hill; he appeared firm, resolute, thoughtless of personal danger; his praise was in the mouth of every one at that time, he never heard a disrespectful word against him." |
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| # | Witness | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Reuben Kemp | Putnam gave firing orders; "constantly passing" along lines |
"Gen. Putnam seemed to have the ordering of things. He charged the men not to fire till the enemy came close to the works, and to take good aim and make every shot kill a man. A few pieces were discharged before the order, Gen. Putnam passed along the lines quickly and threatened to stab any one who fired without order. At this time Gen. Putnam was constantly passing backward and forward from right to left." |
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| 9 | Richard Gilchrist | Saw Putnam several times encouraging men |
"Putnam rode up as we went – 'Stark, the enemy have landed and formed.' I saw Gen. Putnam several times on foot encouraging the men." |
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| 10 | Israel Hunt | Putnam brought field-piece to rail fence |
"Gen. Putnam and Capt. Ford brought an iron field-piece to the rail fence, and fired it a number of times." |
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| 11 | Samuel Bassett | Putnam came "on the gallop" urging men forward |
"In about 15 minutes, Gen. Putnam came on the gallop, and said, "up, my brave boys, for God's sake! we drive them."" |
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| 12 | Ebenezer Bean | Testimony recorded |
"At the Redoubt, about 12. Gen. Putnam was there and very active, was urging the men on, giving orders, riding from one end of the line to the other as far as I could observe, and continued active through the action; in my opinion fought with great bravery." |
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| # | Witness | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Abner Allen | Putnam on horseback; "as much exposed as any man" |
"I was at the rail fence, and do know that Gen. Putnam was in the engagement. I saw him on horseback urging the men to fight with great earnestness; he was as much exposed as any man engaged." |
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| 14 | Josiah Hill | "As much exposed as any body in the battle" |
"I know that Gen. Putnam was in the battle, took part in the engagement, and was as much exposed as any body in the battle." |
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| 15 | General Keys | Saw Putnam "very active" near field-pieces |
"Saw Putnam after the repulse of the enemy near the field-pieces deserted by Callender, as I was going towards the Redoubt, very active, found our troops giving way and immediately retreated." |
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| 16 | Abiel Bugbee | Putnam riding within 10 rods of enemy |
"Posted on left of the line behind rail fence; Gen. Putnam was riding backward and forward encouraging the men during the fight; when we retreated, Gen. Putnam was on horseback within ten rods of the enemy, and ordered us to take some tools as we retreated." |
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| 17 | John Dexter | Putnam appeared "unintimidated" under fire |
"Knew him well; saw him on the hill the night before the action; heard him tell the officers they must exert themselves, for the British would fire as soon as light appeared. Saw him there again in the morning. One of the centinels jumped from his post on the fort; he ordered another to be placed there who was not a coward. The fire from the British was very severe, the Gen. appeared unintimidated, as if they had not fired a gun." |
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| 18 | Alexander Davidson | Putnam placed cannons; "animating the men" |
"Putnam ordered our company to carry the cannon, deserted by Callender, to the rail fence; he accompanied the pieces himself, saw to the placing them and until they commenced firing them. I well recollect his expression at the second firing of one of the pieces, it was loaded with cannister and seemed to make a lane through them." |
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| 19 | James Clark | Saw Putnam 4 times; managing retreat |
"Commanded 100 men, arrived at rail fence ten minutes after the action began, and before Charlestown was burnt. On the retreat saw Gen. Putnam for the fourth time that day, actively engaged in managing the retreat. Whenever I saw him on Bunker Hill, he appeared like a good soldier, firm, composed, vigilant, active, undaunted, in the discharge of the important duties of his station." |
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| 20 | Joshua Yeomans | Putnam loaded cannon himself; fired at officers |
"I saw Gen. Putnam split a field-piece in the fort; he could not get the ball into the piece. He went to his saddle-bags and took a canvas bag of musket balls, loaded the cannon, and fired it at a number of officers who were consulting under a row of trees. I then went to rail fence; there saw Gen. Putnam riding along the whole line and crying out, "stick to your posts, men, and do your duty;" he was greatly exposed." |
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| 21 | Isaac Bassett | Sword drawn in "hottest of the fight" |
"Was at the redoubt and breastwork just as the action commenced; saw Gen. Putnam there with his sword drawn, encouraging and animating the troops. My father was going off with a wounded man, Gen. Putnam stopped him, pricking his arm with his sword, and told him not a soldier should leave the ground. I saw Gen. Putnam in the hottest of the fight, calling on the men to stand their ground; I am sure he was at the same post when the enemy scaled the walls of the redoubt." |
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| 22 | Josiah Cleveland | Led night march; enforced discipline with sword |
"Halted at neck by Gen. Putnam and ordered to march in profound silence; Gen. Putnam was at a consultation of officers on Bunker Hill. He ordered out a guard to the shore; I went; returned at daylight; found Putnam and others directing the works. Before fire of muskets began, Putnam ordered us to lie down, and not to fire till we saw their buttons." "An old soldier wanted to go off, he said, for water. Gen. Putnam told him, he depended on him as one of his best soldiers; he persisted, and Gen. Putnam ran his sword through or into his arm and made him return to his duty. Fired 40 cartridges, borrowed 3 more." |
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| 23 | Francis Davidson | Putnam ordered men to lie down until British in range |
"We were ordered to lie down till the enemy were near enough to be within good gun shot; this order was given by Gen. Putnam, who was near us at the time." |
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| 24 | Ebenezer Bancroft | Lines "marked out by Putnam" |
"Have seen him often in the midst of danger; his courage could not be doubted, nor his character impeached. Was at the laying out of the works on Breed's Hill, the lines were marked out by Putnam. A party of Connecticut men under the direction of Gen. Putnam formed the rail breastwork, and lined it." "I believe that Col. Prescott and some of his officers informed some southern gentlemen, that in time of the action Putnam placed himself on the top of the hill where he could see the whole of the action." |
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| 25 | Job Spafford | "Seemed to have the chief command" |
"We went to the rail fence. Gen. Putnam was employed in different places; the first time I remember distinctly to have seen him was about the time the retreat was ordered. He ordered us to retreat, by speaking, and by motion of his sword. He seemed to have the chief command on the hill and where we were." |
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| 26 | Aaron Smith | "Never heard he was chargeable with misconduct" |
"I assisted in preparing the intrenchment at the rail fence, under Putnam's orders; and was, during the whole battle, at that place. Putnam was active, so far as I saw, in discharge of his duty. He appeared to me to have, and I always understood he had, the command of the troops." |
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| # | Witness | Regiment | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Simeon Noyes | Little's | Putnam on white horse; "to and fro" giving orders |
"Gen. Putnam rode up on his old white horse, and said to Lieut. Whitmore, "Draw off your men here (pointing to the rail fence,) and man the rail fence; the enemy are flanking us fast."" "Gen. Putnam was not in the fort during the engagement; he was riding to and fro in all parts of the line, encouraging the men, pressing them forward, and giving orders to the officers. He did not stop long in any one place." "When we were retreating, he rode up to us with his tent and tent-poles on his horse, and asked why we were retreating. He said, we had been wishing to have the enemy come out, and now we had retreated, and had left the tools for them to fortify with; – that we ought to be ashamed of such conduct. But our officers thought he was too fiery, and refused to go back as he wished." |
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| 28 | Colonel Wade | Little's | "Only officer on horseback"; rallied retreat |
"I saw Putnam, while we were engaged with the enemy, riding down Bunker Hill toward the rail fence. He was the only officer I saw on horseback. He seemed busily engaged bringing on troops." "On the retreat, I saw Putnam on Bunker Hill; he tried to stop our troops to throw up works there. He said, "make a halt here, my lads, and we can stop them yet."" |
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| 29 | Col. Joseph Whitmore | Little's | Personal exchange with Putnam during retreat |
"He knew Gen. Putnam perfectly well; he was well acquainted with him in the old French war; he saw Gen. Putnam on Breed's Hill when he went on with his company, and also on the retreat soon after he was wounded, on the side of the Hill." "Well knowing Gen. Putnam and the Gen. knowing him, he said, "General, shan't we rally again?" Gen. Putnam said, "Yes, as soon as we can, are you wounded?"" |
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| 30 | Major John Burnham | Little's | "Busily engaged giving directions" |
"When arrived near the rail fence, saw Gen. Putnam. He appeared busily engaged in giving directions to the troops as they came up. He ordered my Capt. to get to the fort if he could." |
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| 31 | Samuel Jones | Doolittle's | Horse "all of a lather"; encouraged troops |
"Was at the rail fence; saw Gen. Putnam and spoke with him, he encouraged us very much, and rode up and down behind us, his horse was all of a lather, and the battle was going on very hotly at the time." |
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| 32 | John Holden | Doolittle's | "Very actively engaged"; struck coward with sword |
"Early in the morning Putnam came to our Regt. stationed the night before near Prospect Hill, and ordered it on to the Hill by 9 o'clock. During the action I often saw Gen. Putnam come up to our Regt.; he appeared very actively engaged in the action. One of the Regt. got down behind a haycock; Gen. Putnam rode up and cried, "Gods curse him! run him through if he won't fight!" gave him one or two blows with his sword and drove him into the ranks." |
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| 33 | William Marden | Gerrish's | "Urging the men onwards to the charge" |
"On reaching the top of Bunker Hill, saw Gen. Putnam on horseback, riding backward and forward, urging the men onwards to the charge, and presently saw him ride down the hill toward the enemy." |
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| 34 | Philip Johnson | Perkins' Co. | Heard "whites of their eyes"; horse "covered with foam" |
| 35 | Major Elihu Lyman | Greenfield | Expected to see Putnam shot from horse |
"Gen. Putnam was present directing the retreat, riding backward and forward between us and the British, and appeared cool and deliberate. I now perfectly remember, that I then expected every moment to see Gen. Putnam shot from his horse. I knew Gen. Putnam perfectly, was in the army with him in the French war, and 5 years in the revolutionary war." |
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| 36 | Anderson Miner | Lyman's Co. | Putnam riding "undaunted" with drawn sword |
"Saw Gen. Putnam riding through the American ranks amidst showers of balls undaunted, with his sword drawn, exhorting the troops "in the name of God" to form and give the British one shot more, and then they might retreat." |
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| 37 | Captain John Barker | Pomfret | "Warmly praised the men for their bravery" |
"Knew Putnam perfectly. Between the first and second attacks he came on foot to about the centre of ours (Reed's N.H. Regt.), warmly praised the men for their bravery and encouraged them to fight well should the enemy come again." |
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| 38 | Philip Bagley | Frye's | "Very calm, encouraging look" under heavy fire |
"Saw Putnam pass up and down the line on horseback during the battle, encouraging the soldiers. The shot were very thick where he was; he had a very calm, encouraging look. Knew him because I had seen him at Cambridge." |
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| 39 | John Stevens | Frye's | "Threatened to kill some who fired too soon" |
"Was in the fort. Saw Putnam in the fort before small arms fired; told them, not to fire till they saw the white of their eyes. Threatened to kill some who fired too soon." |
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| 40 | Nathaniel Rice | East Sudbury | Putnam encouraging "to the utmost" |
"Was in the fort; fired a musket I took from the British at Concord 26 times. Saw Putnam riding round, encouraging the people to the utmost, before the battle and during the battle." |
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| 41 | Russell Dewey | Westfield | Putnam urging men with drawn sword |
"Went on just after action commenced; saw Gen. Putnam urging the men into the action with his drawn sword." |
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| 42 | Benjamin Bullard | Brewer's | Heard Putnam riding up and down |
"Was in fort; heard Putnam say, "Gods curse you," and saw him riding up and down; knew him in French war." |
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| 43 | Enos Lake | Reed's | Saw Putnam at rail fence |
"Went on just as battle began; fired all my cartridge; was at rail fence; saw Putnam behind me once." |
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| 44 | Benjamin Mann | Reed's | Saw Putnam toward redoubt |
"Was stationed at rail fence; was at dinner when the alarm was first given, and orders to march. In the latter part of the engagement I saw Gen. Putnam on my right, toward the redoubt." |
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| 45 | George Leach | Whitcomb's | Saw Putnam repeatedly directing men |
"Saw Putnam repeatedly during the march to the Hill, urging and directing the men where to station themselves. In the height of the action, saw Putnam again at the fence encouraging the men." |
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| 46 | David Brewer | Framingham | Putnam turned retreating troops back |
"Our Captain, afraid to go on, was marching off, when Putnam met us at the neck, and turned us back on to the hill." |
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| 47 | William Low | Gloucester | "As cool as ever man was"; carried rail himself |
"Putnam ordered us to carry off intrenching tools; our company went, followed him in Indian file down the Hill; the shot flew as thick as hailstone. Putnam was as cool as ever man was. News came the British were landing; Putnam then said it was too late, ordered every man to take a rail on his back, took one himself, went to the other rail fence, and we worked at doubling it. Fired 18 out of my 19 cartridges." |
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| 48 | William French | Dunstable | Saw Putnam "a number of times" |
"By order of Putnam and Pomroy, we carried tools to neck; heard British were coming; some slunk off, a number went on. I went to rail fence, and was there all the action. I saw Gen. Putnam a number of times." |
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| 49 | Thomas Davis | Holden | Putnam struck deserter with sword |
"Saw Gen. Putnam on Bunker Hill; he told a negro he would cut him down if he attempted to run; he tried to get past, and Putnam struck him down with his sword." |
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| 50 | A. Dickerson | Woodbridge's | Regiments "led on by Gen. Putnam" |
"This and Col. Brewer's Regt. were led on by Gen. Putnam as a reinforcement." |
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| 51 | Jesse Smith | Salem | At rail fence; fired 16 rounds |
"Was at rail fence; fired 16 rounds." |
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| 52 | Amos Foster | Tewksbury | Putnam ordered "fire low"; on horseback |
"While we were firing at the enemy, heard Putnam tell us, to fire low. He was on horseback. I was at the rail fence, near breastwork." |
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| 53 | Elijah Jourdan | Bucksfield | "Commander in chief" in fort during battle |
"I perfectly well remember that Gen. Putnam was in the said intrenchment very frequently during the engagement, giving orders as commander in chief. While we were waiting for the British to come up the Hill, orders were given to us not to fire till we could see the whites of their eyes; and this order, I was then told, came from Gen. Putnam." |
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| 54 | Ezra Runnels | Gridley's Art. | Putnam personally loaded cannons |
"I repeatedly saw him during the action walking upon the breastwork and animating the men to exert themselves." "General Putnam came to one of the pieces, near which I stood, and furiously inquired where our officers were? On being told our cartridges were too big, and that the pieces could not be loaded, he swore, and said they could be loaded, taking a cartridge, he broke it open, and loaded the pieces with a ladle." |
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| 55 | Colonel John Page | Atkinson | "Did not want courage" |
"Saw Gen. Putnam, before the action commenced, conducting cannon to the fort; saw him after the firing commenced. Well recollects he thought Putnam did not want courage." |
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| 56 | Joseph Trask | Gardner's | "Drive the men up, not let them flinch" |
"Gen. Putnam ordered us down to right of fort; rode back of our Regt. and said, "if any one offered to desert, run him through."" "Saw Putnam repeatedly at the fence during the action, encouraging the men and officers, calling out to the officers to drive the men up, and not let them flinch. Knew Putnam well; for some time one of his guard." |
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| 57 | Enoch Baldwin | Gardner's | Putnam rode "full gallop" with advice |
"Gen. Putnam rode up to the Col. full gallop, and advised him to let his men carry on some intrenching tools; and said, we should not have any more fighting, as the British had been beaten twice and had retreated the second time." |
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| 58 | William Dickson | Gardner's | Balls flew thick where Putnam was |
"The musket balls flew very thick where Putnam was, nearly or quite on top of Bunker Hill. He did not seem to mind it. The balls pierced a cartridge-box, a hat, and breech of a gun. Putnam had his sword in his hand, and hallooed to us to drive up." |
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| 59 | Captain Francis Green | Gardner's | Putnam tried to rally troops on retreat |
"The battle was nearly over when we arrived at the rail fence. On our retreat, saw Putnam on Bunker Hill; he was in danger from the balls flying there; he tried to stop us, and to make us take up intrenching tools, as I understood him to throw up a breastwork there." |
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| 60 | Deacon Millar | Gardner's | Ordered to carry intrenching tools |
"Did not see Gen. Putnam till he was half way up Bunker Hill, when he ordered them to carry on intrenching tools." |
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| 61 | Maj. Daniel Jackson | Foster's Art. | Kept written journal of battle |
| 62 | Rev. Army Chaplain | Chaplain | "Did all that man could do" |
Saw Putnam on a horse "covered with lather produced by constant, feverish exertion" and stated Putnam was "as brave as any man" in the battle. Pierce served in the same regiment as Dearborn – the very man who later accused Putnam of cowardice. |
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| # | Witness | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Colonel Small | British officer whose life Putnam saved during the battle; sent formal thanks |
"The first thing he saw was Small, standing alone, close to the breastwork, deserted by his men. An American drew up his piece to level at him; Putnam prevented him, and hallooed aloud to those near who were preparing to fire: "don't fire, he's a friend of mine." He was obeyed, and Small, thanking him, escaped." |
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Every witness describes the same events: Putnam on horseback, under fire, giving orders, loading cannons himself, stopping deserters with his sword, and rallying troops during the retreat. These 63 testimonies span multiple regiments, multiple positions on the battlefield, and the entire timeline of the battle – from the night march to the final retreat.
Against this, Dearborn offered the claim that he personally did not see Putnam. The sworn testimony of those who did see him cannot be dismissed by one man's failure to observe it.