Israel Putnam

The Whites of Their Eyes: The Life of Israel Putnam

November 26, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” remains one of the enduring, and most stirring, quotations of the Revolutionary War, and it was very likely uttered at the Battle of Bunker Hill by General Israel Putnam.

Putnam’s renown as a battlefield commander and his colorful military service far and wide are explored in The Whites of Their Eyes: The Life of Revolutionary Hero Israel Putnam from Rogers Rangers to Bunker Hill (Stackpole Books, 2023) by Michael E. Shay. [Read more…] about The Whites of Their Eyes: The Life of Israel Putnam

Israel Putnam: Veteran of the French & Indian, Revolution Wars

May 30, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A colorful figure of 18th-century America, Israel Putnam, “Old Put,” played a key role in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. In 1758, while serving with Rogers’ Rangers in New York, he barely escaped being burned alive by Mohawk warriors. He later commanded a force of 500 men who were shipwrecked off the coast of Cuba. He reportedly, and famously, gave the command “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” at the Battle of Bunker Hill. [Read more…] about Israel Putnam: Veteran of the French & Indian, Revolution Wars

Israel Putnam: Hero of the Revolution

January 7, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Robert Hubbard is set to speak on his book Major General Israel Putnam: Hero of the American Revolution, on January 24th at 6:30 pm at the The Fraunces Tavern Museum in the City of New York.

A colorful figure of 18th century America, Israel Putnam (1718-1790) was an important leader in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Hubbard’s lecture will include a discussion of Putnam’s role in the Battle of Brooklyn, the Landing at Kip’s Bay and the Battle of Harlem Heights. [Read more…] about Israel Putnam: Hero of the Revolution