Putnam

Putnam, Iseael (1718-90), an American general born in Massachusetts, saw much service against the French. In 1758 he was captured and tortured by the Indians, and was barely rescued from death. In 1762 he went on the Havannah expedition, and two years later to the relief of Detroit. In 1775 he commanded the forces of Connecticut against the British, and, having been made a major-general by Congress, soon after headed the American forces at Brooklyn. He subsequently commanded on the Hudson and elsewhere, and was celebrated for his personal courage. His cousin, Rufus Putnam (1738-1824), was a general of ability who was for a time surveyor-general. Another member of the family, George Palmee Putnam (1814-72), was the author of A Plea for International Copgright (1837).