Samuel Swett
Who was the Commander at Bunker Hill?
With Remarks on Frothingham's History of the Battle
"Who was the Commander at Bunker Hill?" by Samuel Swett is a historical account written during the mid-19th century. This work examines the command situation during the pivotal Battle of Bunker Hill, focusing on the rivalry and claims of two prominent figures, General Israel Putnam and Colonel William Prescott, in relation to who led the American forces. The book is set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War and addresses the details and implications of military leadership in that historic conflict. In this book, Swett engages in a detailed analysis of the assertions made about the command structure of the American troops during the battle. He critiques a previous historian, Mr. Frothingham, for suggesting that Putnam was merely a volunteer and not the commanding officer. Swett argues vigorously for Putnam’s leadership role during the battle, presenting testimonies and accounts to validate his claims that Putnam was effectively in charge, especially in terms of the troops' logistics and battlefield conduct. Through extensive examination of historical documents and accounts from various military figures involved, Swett aims to clarify the often muddled historical narrative surrounding the battle and establish Putnam's rightful place in its leadership.