Attempted Mutiny

The tempers of the much deprived troops festered during the month of December. Lack of adequate clothing and food, harsh weather conditions, and continued absence of any wages, brought to a head the attempted mutiny on the morning of December 30^th at Huntington's camp. The troops had decided to march to Hartford to demonstrate their grievances before the sitting Connecticut legislature.

Upon hearing of the uprising, Putnam rode to Huntington's camp and addressed the troops. Putnam's biographer David Humphreys account is as follows:

"My brave lads, wither are you going? Do you intend to desert your officers, and to invite the enemy to follow you into the country? Who's cause have you been fighting and suffering so long in --- is it not your own? Have you no property, no parents, wives or children? You have behaved like men so far - all the world is full of your praises - and prosperity will stand astonished at your deeds; but not if you spoil all at last. Don't you consider how much the country is distressed by the war, and that your officers have not been better paid than yourselves? But we all expect better times, and that the country will do us ample justice. Let us stand by one another, then, and fight it out like brave soldiers. Think what a shame it would be for Connecticut men to run away from their officers. (Humphreys l8l8:157-58)

Humphreys then states that the men shouldered their arms and marched back to their parades 'with promptitude and apparent good humour'. Putnam had de-fused the mutiny.

Office of Public Archaeology, Boston University - 1991