Putnam's Revolutionary War Winter Encampment:: The History and Archaeology of Putnam Memorial State Park

by Daniel Cruson

Overview

Putnam State Park, Connecticut's first state park, was the site of Revolutionary War general Israel Putnam's last command. In the winter of 1778-79, three thousand troops of the Continental army built and lived in "the city," a winter encampment in the valleys of northern Redding. Historian Daniel Cruson describes in fascinating archaeological detail the construction of the camp and the soldiers' daily struggle to survive. Mutiny, execution, skirmishes and the heroism of Putnam himself are revealed in this compelling history. The story of Putnam State Park doesn't end when Continental troops marched out to engage the British; Cruson takes readers from the creation of the park itself to the present day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609492311
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	08/11/2011
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Daniel Cruson is a retired high school teacher who designed and taught courses in anthropology and local history. His abiding interest in these fields has led him to do extensive research and writing on the history of the towns of central Fairfield County, including Easton, Redding and Newtown, as well as conducting several archaeological investigations in these towns in an attempt to learn more about the lifestyles of their past citizens. He has investigated deeply the subjects of rural slavery, vintage photography, early Connecticut architecture, colonial and post-colonial road building and early cemeteries and their grave markers. Mr. Cruson has been a member of the historical society in Newtown, where he lives, for forty years, having served as its president for five years. He was also a charter member of the Easton Historical Society and served a number of years on its board of trustees and as vice-president. Mr. Cruson is active with the Heritage Preservation Trust of Newtown, Society of American Archeology and the Archaeological Society of Connecticut, for which he is currently serving as president. He is also the town historian for Newtown and served as the chairman of the Newtown Tercentennial Commission in 2005. He has published several books.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Acknowledgements 11

Chapter 1 The Process of Winter Camping 13

Chapter 2 Building a Winter Camp 23

Chapter 3 Living in a Winter Camp 47

Chapter 4 The History of a Winter Encampment 67

Chapter 5 The Troops March Out: The Fate of a Winter Encampment 87

Chapter 6 The Founding and Development of a State Park in Connecticut 107

Appendix I The Other Half of the Park 133

Appendix II The Military Hospital at Danbury 135

Appendix III The Prehistory of Putnam Park 139

Appendix IV The Legend of Philip's Cave 141

Notes 143

Bibliography 151

Index 155

About the Author 159