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Show SPURS WORN BY GEN. PUTNAM. Relics of Revolutionary Hero Owned by Massachusetts Man. Among the choicest revolutionary relics In tho country arc the spurs worn by Israel Putnam when, according accord-ing to the story, ho dashed down tho 'steps at Horso Neck, pursued by tho British. In tho winter of 1778, as the narrative narra-tive runs, Gen. Putnnm was delegated to visit Horso Neck, Conn., now called call-ed Greenwich. The British general, y t Tryon, had been rnvaglng towns and villngos nlong tho sound, and at length, 1,500 strong, descended upon 'Putnam, with his llttlo force of 150 men and two Iron pieces. Putnam drew up his men, with their field pieces, on high ground near . 1 ' "1 tho meeting house, whore they for a tlmo ropulsed tho enemy. Provoked and mortified thnt so Insignificant In-significant a band could keep back his superior numbers. Gen. Tryon ordered or-dered a party of horsemen to charge tho Americans. Putnnm directed his men to a swamp, saying, "Hun. my lads, I will tako caro of myself." Wailing until tho British swords almost reached him, ho struck spurs into his horse, nnd. to tho nmmpmnnt of tho I1UT- suors, (lashed down the seventy-five or 100 stone steps leading from tho mooting house. No ono dared follow him. Uninjured, though a ball had plorced his hat, Putnam rode to Stamford. Stam-ford. Tho spurs havo como down through tho descendants of Putnam. They aro ,of brass, very heavy, and old fnsh-loncd. fnsh-loncd. They are now In the possession posses-sion ot a Wcstflcld (Mass.) man. |
