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Child, David Lee : An Enquiry into the Conduct of General Putnam in Relation to the Battle of Bunker, or Breed's Hill: And Remarks upon Mr. S. Swett's Sketch of That Battle

Thomas G. Bangs, Boston, MA, 1819

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Possibly disbound. Inscribed in black ink in the upper-right corner of the title page by the author. Inscribed, "George Blake [some lettering cut off], from the author ["r" of "author" is cut off]." 5 1/4" x 8 1/2." Fifty-eight pages, complete. On title page: "Printed by Thomas G. Bangs." Pages very clean and intact. Occasional foxing. A small chip in upper-left corner corner and offsetting on last page. A small ink stain on title page. Slight chipping to spine. A Very Good copy. This pamphlet is part of the Dearborn-Putnam controversy which began in 1818 when Henry Dearborn (1751-1829), a colonel and major general of the Continental Army, criticized Israel Putnam, (1718-1790), also a major general of the Continental Army, of cowardice, incompetence, and failing to support retreating American soldiers during the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) in the American Revolutionary War. Dearborn's accusations, especially of a then-deceased, widely respected military hero, proved to be unpopular and were a significant factor in costing him his concurrent run for Massachusetts governor. Dearborn's claims were met with quick refutation, including from Putnam's son, Daniel, as well as supporting accounts. The accounts by military veterans who had fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill were split; some commended Dearborn while others vehemently defended Putnam. After about thirty years, the controversy subsided and the general public appeared to side with Putnam. However, there seems to be no consensus among historians to this day, in part due to all testimonies at the time being eyewitness accounts, many of which may have been unreliable given the hectic scene of the battle. David Lee Child (1794-1874) was an American journalist. In this pamphlet, Child makes a case in support of Dearborn's claims against Putnam. Child specifically opposes Colonel Samuel Swett's published accounts which supported the actions of Putnam. Among his recollections, Swett stated that Putnam was directly in the midst of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Child counters Swett's statements and upholds Dearborn's claim that Putnam did not directly partake in the battle.. Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Soft cover

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