<P> After the war, he returned to his farm in Brooklyn, Connecticut . Putnam publicly professed his Christian faith following the Seven Years' War in 1765, and joined the Congregational Church in his town . He was among those who objected to British taxation policies . For instance, around the time of the Stamp Act crisis in 1766, he was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly and was one of the founders of the state's chapter of the Sons of Liberty . In the fall of 1765, he threatened Thomas Fitch over this issue, the popularly elected Connecticut Governor . He said that Fitch's house "will be leveled with the dust in five minutes" if Fitch did not turn over the stamp tax paper to the Sons of Liberty . </P> <P> By the eve of the Revolution, Putnam had become a relatively prosperous farmer and tavern keeper, with more than a local reputation for his previous exploits . On April 20, 1775, while plowing one of his fields with his son, he received news of the Battle of Lexington and Concord that started the war the day before . He literally "came off the plow," leaving it in the field and riding 100 miles (160 km) in eight hours, reaching Cambridge the next day and offering his services to the patriot cause . Putnam was named major general, making him second in rank to General Artemas Ward in the Army of Observation, which preceded the founding of the Continental Army . </P> <P> He was one of the primary figures at the Battle of Bunker Hill, both in its planning and on the battlefield . During that battle, Putnam may have ordered William Prescott to tell his troops, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes ." (It is debated exactly who said these words first; they are attributed to a number of officers .) This command has since become one of the American Revolution's notable quotations . It was given to make the best use of the low ammunition stocks that the troops had . </P> <P> In the planning for the Battle of Bunker Hill Putnam was likely the one who argued in favor of also fortifying the adjacent hill, which later became known as "Breed's Hill ." This hill was closer to Boston, and from the hill cannons could fire on the British forces in Boston, forcing them to come out and attack the hill . The British soldiers were mowed down as they marched toward the American fortifications . However, the Americans ran out of powder, and were eventually forced to retreat . American casualties were 449, while British casualties were 1054 . By the standard of the day the Americans lost, since they gave up the ground . However, Continental Army Brigadier General Nathaniel Greene wrote to his brother that "I wish we could sell them another hill, at the same price ." </P>

Who said dont shoot until you see the white of their eyes
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