But he had regrets only for what he was prevented from doing; not for
what he had done. Having recovered somewhat, he entertained hopes--vain
hopes--of rejoining the army; but was finally convinced that his active
career was ended. Major Humphreys having visited him in May, 1780, by
his hand he sent a missive to Washington, informing him of his
condition, and ending with this pathetic postscript: "I am making a
great effort to use my hand to make the initials of my name for the
first time. "I.P."--Israel Putnam."
Washington replied in July, congratulating him on his improved state of
health, and four years later, after peace was declared between Great
Britain and the United States, he wrote a long and cordial letter, which
the old General regarded as one of his most precious treasures. The
opening paragraph shows Washington's real and lasting estimate of his
former comrade in adversity, and is as follows:
Your favor of the 20th of May I received with much pleasure. For I
can assure you that among the many worthy and meritorious officers
with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in service
throughout this war, and from whom I have had cheerful assistance
in the various and trying vicissitudes of a complicated contest,
the name of a Putnam is not forgotten; nor will it be but with
that stroke of time which shall obliterate from my mind the
remembrance of all those toils and fatigues through which we have
struggled for the preservation and establishment of the Rights,
Liberties, and Independence of our Country.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208