Who is not thrilled with the poem of Sheridan's ride--turning a panic-stricken army, and snatching victory from defeat; and here, near a century before, Putnam rode after a deserting army and brought them back to victory ...

a victory over themselves." These remarks refer to the defection of the Connecticut troops, that winter, who, half starved and half frozen in their narrow quarters, "badly fed, badly clothed, and worse paid," resolved to march to Hartford, lay their grievances before the General Assembly, and demand redress at the point of the bayonet.
"Word having been brought to General Putnam," says Major Humphreys, who was present, "that the second brigade was under arms for this purpose, he mounted his horse, galloped to the cantonment, and thus addressed them: 'My brave lads, whither are you going?
Do you intend to desert your officers, and to invite the enemy to follow you into the country?
Whose 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 praise--and posterity 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 any better paid than yourselves?
But we all expect better times, and that the country will do us ample justice.

Let us all stand together, then, and fight it out like brave soldiers.

Think what a shame it would be for Connecticut men to run away from their officers!'" The gallant general's rude eloquence prevailed, the men saw their error, were indeed ashamed of it; they listened with attention, presented arms, as their beloved commander rode along the line to the din of the drums, and about-faced for camp, which they did not desert again during the winter.