Yankee Doodle Angels of Mercy

I wanted to devote more time to this particular blog, but the computer gods hosed my operating system, which then imploded, causing me to spend about fifteen hours over three different days trying to get things back in order. Thus, my time has been consumed in less creative ways than I would like. On the positive side, I now have some very good friends in India...

Continental Nurse Corps?

One significant way women contributed to the Continental Army was through nursing. Female nurses were preferred over their male counterparts because every woman nursing meant one more man freed to fight. Women willing to care for the sick were in constant demand yet short supply throughout the war. A woman serving as a nurse received regular pay (which often turned out to be irregular or nonexistent), but the job carried many risks, including exposure to deadly diseases like smallpox, along with other viruses and infections. Nursing was one of the most challenging roles within the medical profession, leading many women around the camps to be bribed and coerced into the position. The promise of full rations and an allowance for volunteer nurses, or threats to withhold rations from women who refused to volunteer, often proved effective.

Shortly after the establishment of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates reported to Commander-in-Chief George Washington that “the sick suffered much for want of good female Nurses.” Gen. Washington then asked Congress for “a matron to supervise the nurses, bedding, etc.,” and for nurses “to attend the sick and obey the matron’s orders.”

General Horatio Gates recognized
 the need for nurses early in the war

In July 1775, a plan was presented to the Second Continental Congress that designated one nurse for every ten patients and stated “that a matron be allotted to every hundred sick or wounded.”

Second Continental Congress

Big Bucks

Congress allowed two dollars per month as a salary for these nurses, while matrons (women who supervised nurses and acted as liaisons to surgeons) received four dollars monthly. In 1776, Congress raised nurses’ pay to four dollars per month, and in 1777, to eight dollars, possibly to attract more women to nursing or to keep those who were dissatisfied with their jobs. 

Despite Congressional efforts to boost the number of female nurses for the army, a shortage persisted throughout the war. Regiments consistently sought women to care for their sick and wounded. Newspapers in Massachusetts and Virginia advertised requests for nurses to serve in the Continental Army. In July of 1776, Nathanael Greene wrote: "The sick Being Numerous in the Hospital And But few Women Nurses to be Had, the Regimental Surgeon must Report the Number Necessary for the sick of the Regt and the colonels are Requested to supply accordingly."

Nurse or Spy?

The demand for nurses was so high that commanders often overlooked suspicious circumstances to secure women for nursing roles. In April of 1777, General Israel Putnam questioned a woman named Elisabeth Brewer after she left British-occupied New Brunswick, New Jersey. Putnam wrote to Governor William Livingston that Brewer...

Israel Putnam

" . . . has an Inclination of entering the Hospital as a Nurse; in which employment she has been before

employ'd at this place, and the Surgeon giving her a good Character, I have that purpose to detain her here for that purpose—If you have any Objections and will let me know, I will send her Immediately to you."

Brewer was allowed to take up nursing duties with Putnam's units. The fact that she had come from a British-held town did not raise enough suspicion to stop a desperate army from utilizing her skills. However, Putnam should have investigated Brewer’s background more thoroughly, as she was found guilty of espionage in June 1777.

First Patriots

But for the most part, true patriot nurses answered the call. In July 1776, orders for the Pennsylvania battalions at Ticonderoga stated that one woman was chosen from each company to go to the hospital at Fort George to nurse the sick. The returns for the hospital in Albany in July 1777 list nine female nurses. In 1778, Washington ordered his regimental commanders to employ as many nurses as possible to assist regimental surgeons.

Nurses at Work

 In March 1780, an Albany hospital provided provisions for female nurses and their children, as well as for female and child patients. Nurses Rachel Clement (with two children) and Mary DeCamp (with one child) received two rations each, while Mrs. Perkins (with three children) and Sarah Lancaster (with one child) received one ration each. Nurses working there without children received one ration each.

Continental Nurse treating at the front line

In contrast to the skilled and highly educated professionals of today, Continental nurses' duties primarily focused on maintaining cleanliness for both the hospital and its patients. The "Rules and Directions for the better regulation of the military Hospital of the United States" outlined nurses' responsibilities. They were required to remain clean and sober, empty chamber pots as soon as possible after use, wash new patients, wash the hands and faces of existing patients, comb patients' hair daily, change linens, sweep the hospital, sprinkle the wards with vinegar (as a disinfectant) three to four times a day, and deliver deceased patients' belongings to the ward master. Nurses were prohibited from being absent without the permission of their supervising physicians, surgeons, or matrons.

These devoted women served tirelessly and without glory, status, or substantial compensation. Like nurses today, they cared for their patients with quiet and selfless dignity. These First Patriot nurses should be given all the accolades granted to their male counterparts. So this week—and every week—we should honor them above all...

Old Put

Old Put

The topic for this blog is People—the subject is Israel Putnam. Full disclosure: I was born in Putnam County, New York, and my other nom de plume is Kent Putnam (since I was born in the Town of Kent). However, the reason I chose Old Put as this week's subject is that a Yankee Doodle Spies Facebook friend recommended it. Simple as that!  

Israel Putnam

Israel Putnam isn't a name that immediately comes to mind when asked about military leaders of the American Revolution. Besides His Excellency, Lieutenant General George Washington, people more readily think of Nathaniel Greene, Henry Knox, Horatio Gates, and even Benedict Arnold. This is somewhat understandable since Putnam's notable achievements came early in the war, and age and health issues slowed him down and eventually stopped him when a stroke left him paralyzed.

A French and Indian War Hero

Born in Massachusetts, Putnam moved to Connecticut as a young man, where he became a landholder. When the French and Indian War erupted, he joined the renowned Rogers' Rangers, where he rose to the rank of Major. Putnam fought fiercely and participated in combat on Lake Champlain, then ranged as far north as Montreal, as far south as Cuba (where he is said to have brought the first Cuban tobacco seeds to Connecticut, sparking an industry), and as far west as Detroit. 

Putnam Joined Roger's Rangers

In an era when a 100-mile trip could be life-threatening, this was no small feat. His exploits during the French and Indian War became legendary in colonial America. His capture and brutal torture by the Indians particularly struck a chord at a time when such an incident was every frontier American's worst nightmare. Ironically, a French officer saved him from the worst abuses and death. Later, he was released but soon joined the British attack on Cuba, where he helped seize the famous Spanish fortress, El Moro.

The Siege of Boston

By the time of the American Revolution, Putnam was a wealthy landowner and businessman. However, when the fighting intensified around Boston in 1775, he left his comfortable farm and hurried east to offer his services, becoming second in command of the rebel forces outside Boston. His most notable achievement was at Bunker (Breed's Hill), where he was largely credited with the brave efforts that caused the British Army to suffer greater losses than it could afford.

Bunker Hill:  Old Put is on the far left

The Battle of New York

The following year, he was in New York, where he worked tirelessly to strengthen the city's defenses. When George Washington arrived with the main army, Old Put was given command of a division and the daunting task of defending western Long Island (today's Brooklyn). Unfortunately, he contracted a virus just as the British commander, Lord Howe, sent over 20,000 men against his small force. This is where we see him in The Patriot Spy. In a brief scene, Old Put has recovered from his illness and is offering advice to my fictional character, Jeremiah Creed.

Command on Long Island

Fighting on despite Ill Health

After the New York campaign, age and illness slowed him down, preventing him from taking on another major field command. However, later in the war, Putnam played a leading role commanding Continental and militia forces "in observation" from the North (now Hudson) River to western Connecticut. A large British force under New York Royal Governor Tryon invaded Connecticut in February 1779. The Loyalist and British troops devastated eastern Connecticut in a blitzkrieg-style attack, burning farms and towns while trying to root out rebels.

Governor Tryon

The famed Horseneck Escape 

While trying to block the British advance near Greenwich, Connecticut, Put's small observation force was caught off guard by an enemy column with cavalry leading the way. While shaving that cold morning, Putnam saw the approaching British column before his scouts did. Dropping his straight razor and drawing his sword, he leaped onto his horse and rallied his men, narrowly avoiding capture. 

Old Put's Ride

British dragoons and the notorious Delancey Tories galloped after the general as his men eluded them. After a long and desperate chase, he made a dramatic escape by riding his horse over a precipice and down a very steep, icy ravine. The surprised enemy halted at the edge and fired their pistols in vain at Old Put. Putnam waved his sword back with taunting words to the frustrated British, whose balls whizzed past him. One of the bullets is said to have pierced his military cap.