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Story
March 27, 1923
Yorkville Enquirer
York, York County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
During the American Revolution, Israel Putnam offends a fellow officer and agrees to a duel without seconds. He arrives armed with a musket, fires at his opponent, and threatens him, causing the officer to flee in fear.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
DUEL INDEFINITELY PUT OFF
Israel Putnam's Method of Conducting it Somewhat Disconcerting.
Old Israel Putnam had his own ideas about dueling, although it was regarded in his day as more or less a part of a gentleman's code of honor.
It once happened that Putnam unintentionally offended a brother officer in the Continental army. The dispute arose at a wine table, and the officer demanded instant reparation. Putnam, being a little excited, expressed his willingness to accommodate him with a fight, and it was stipulated that the duel should take place on the following morning, and that they should fight without seconds. At the appointed time the officer went to the dueling ground with swords and pistols. Putnam was there before him on the field and had taken a stand at the opposite end, musket in hand. Catching sight of his opponent he leveled his musket and fired. The astonished officer ran toward Putnam, who was deliberately reloading his piece. "What are you about?" he demanded. "Is this the conduct of an American officer and a man of honor?"
"What am I about?" inquired Putnam. "A pretty question to ask a man whom you intend to murder; I'm about to kill you; and if you don't beat a retreat in less time than it would take old Heath to hang a Tory you are a gone dog?" He rammed home the charge in his musket and threw the piece to his shoulder; whereat the would-be duelist took to his heels and fled for his life.
Israel Putnam's Method of Conducting it Somewhat Disconcerting.
Old Israel Putnam had his own ideas about dueling, although it was regarded in his day as more or less a part of a gentleman's code of honor.
It once happened that Putnam unintentionally offended a brother officer in the Continental army. The dispute arose at a wine table, and the officer demanded instant reparation. Putnam, being a little excited, expressed his willingness to accommodate him with a fight, and it was stipulated that the duel should take place on the following morning, and that they should fight without seconds. At the appointed time the officer went to the dueling ground with swords and pistols. Putnam was there before him on the field and had taken a stand at the opposite end, musket in hand. Catching sight of his opponent he leveled his musket and fired. The astonished officer ran toward Putnam, who was deliberately reloading his piece. "What are you about?" he demanded. "Is this the conduct of an American officer and a man of honor?"
"What am I about?" inquired Putnam. "A pretty question to ask a man whom you intend to murder; I'm about to kill you; and if you don't beat a retreat in less time than it would take old Heath to hang a Tory you are a gone dog?" He rammed home the charge in his musket and threw the piece to his shoulder; whereat the would-be duelist took to his heels and fled for his life.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Duel
Israel Putnam
Continental Army
Musket
Honor Code
What entities or persons were involved?
Israel Putnam
Brother Officer
Where did it happen?
Dueling Ground
Story Details
Key Persons
Israel Putnam
Brother Officer
Location
Dueling Ground
Story Details
Putnam offends an officer at a wine table and agrees to a duel without seconds the next morning. He arrives with a musket, fires upon seeing the officer, reloads, and threatens him, prompting the officer to flee.