Putnam was one of those favored beings, and was not born to be killed in battle." Another incident related of Captain Putnam shows his acute penetration and acquaintance with Indian ways and wiles.

It was in his second campaign, when, after returning home for the winter, he had re-enlisted and was again amid the scenes of his former adventures.

He was stationed at Fort Edward, the region immediately around which was infested with savages bent on securing as many scalps as possible with the least exposure.

The sentinels on posts without the fort were in the greatest danger, and there was one outpost in particular which had lost so many of its sentries that at last no man could be found to accept a station there voluntarily.

One after another they had disappeared, as completely as though the earth had opened and swallowed them.