1776

by David McCullough

At one time the two armies were passing each other less than a mile apart, only a stretch of woods dividing them. Another young officer who made the march, Captain David Humphreys, would later write of General Putnam: Having myself been a volunteer in his division and acting adjutant to the last regiment that left the city, I had frequent opportunities that day of beholding him, for the purpose of issuing orders, and encouraging the troops, flying on his horse covered with foam, wherever his presence was necessary. Without his extraordinary exertions. . . . it is probable the entire corps would have been cut to pieces. Putnam and his exhausted men marched into the main camp at Harlem after dark to rousing cheers. They had been given up for lost. When Knox turned up later, he, too, was greeted with shouts of welcome, even an embrace from the commander-in-chief.