"Thus was a great and mighty battle fought and won.

A battle fought with the British far away.

A battle fought with hunger, want, cold, and banishment from home.

A battle fought in the wilderness, where most of the world's greatest battles are fought."[3] [Footnote 3: From an historical address by Prof.George A.Parker, of Hartford, Conn., on the occasion of the visit of the famous Putnam Phalanx to Putnam Park and Camp, June 17, 1903.] This episode of the winter camp of 1778-'79 forms a fitting prelude to another feat performed by Old Put, this time a physical one, which, while not so worthy of renown, perhaps, as the great moral victory he achieved over his men, has brought him greater fame.

Both taken together absolutely refute the insinuations of his enemies, to the effect that he had suffered a decline of mental, moral, or physical force.