Edwardsville Spectator

GENERAL PUTNAM.

During the French war, when General Amherst was marching through the country to Canada, the army coming to one of the lakes, which they were obliged to pass, found the French had an armed vessel of 12 guns upon it.—He was in great distress,—his boats were no match for her, and she alone was capable of sinking his whole army in that situation. While he was pondering on what should be done, Putnam comes to him and says, "General, that ship must be taken." "Aye," says Amherst, "I would give the world she was taken." "I'll take her," says Putnam. Amherst smiled, and asked how. "Give me some wedges and beetle, and a few men of my own choice." Amherst could not conceive how an armed vessel was to be taken by four or five men, a beetle and wedges: however, he granted Putnam's request. When night came, Putnam with his materials and men, went in a boat under the vessel's stern, and in an instant drove in the wedges behind the rudder, in the little cavity between the rudder and ship, and left her. In the morning, the sails were seen fluttering about; she was adrift in the middle of the lake, and being presently blown ashore, was easily taken.—N. Y. American.