THE ETHEL CARR PEACOCK 
 
 MEMORIAL COLLECTION 
 
 Matris amori monumentum 
 
 TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY 
 
 DURHAM, N. C. 
 1903 
 
 Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Dred Peacock 
 

 [ 
 
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 Digitized by 
 
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 the Internet Archive 
 in 2015 
 
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 https://archive.org/details/battlefieldsofre01rhoa 
 
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THE 
 
 OF 
 
 THl RE¥OLllTION. 
 
 COMPEISING 
 
 DESCRIPTIONa OF THE PRINCIPAL 
 
 BATTLES, SIEGES, AND OTHER EVENTS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 WAE OF INDEPENDENCE: 
 
 IKTEBSPEESED WITH 
 
 CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES. 
 BY THOMAS Y. RHOADS. 
 
 ♦rj 2. 6 <i> / 3 
 
 ^< PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 J. W. BRADLEY, 48 N. FOITRTH STREET. 
 1 860. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by 
 J. W. BRADLEY, 
 
 In the Clerk*s OflSce of the District Court of the United States, for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 phiiiAdelphia: 
 peinteo by eik9 & baibb^ 
 607 sansou stsbet. 
 
? 7 3, 3 3 
 M 7 if 
 P 
 
 The period of the War of Independence ia 
 justly considered the heroic age of American 
 History. It is the era to which every American 
 patriot looks back with a feeling of pride and 
 
 1* (J) 
 
 / 3 
 
fl PREFACE. 
 
 triumph. It was then that the national character 
 first took that form and consistency which has 
 ever since bound the Union together as with 
 bands of adamant. Every incident of that heroic 
 age possesses an interest for both old and young 
 among our people, which attaches to no other 
 period in our national annals. The men, and 
 the women too, of the Eevolution, have now nearly 
 all passed away ; but the memory of their 
 deeds is still affectionately cherished, and our 
 children, and our children's children, to the end 
 of time, will ever recur to them as examples of 
 patriotism and public virtue. 
 
 To aid in the preservation of the records of 
 this glorious time, and to contribute to the wide 
 dissemination of these bright examples, is the 
 object of this volume. Without attempting the 
 regularity and chronological sequence of history^ 
 the author has selected some of the mosi 
 briUiant and striking points in the history of the 
 Revolutionary War for illustration ; and has added 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 to these many striking and characteristic episodes, 
 which serve to exhibit the ^' Spirit of Seventy- 
 Six" and show '-the very body of the time, its 
 form and pressure." 
 
 The author trusts the utility of such an attempt 
 will be generally recognised, when it is 
 recollected how much the welfare of a nation 
 is promoted by the preservation of a true national 
 spirit, and how greatly the ties which unite 
 the wide spread communities of the Republic? 
 are strengthened by recalling to memory the 
 noble deeds of our common ancestors, the founders 
 of the glory and prosperity of our common country. 
 
 In embellishing this work, the publisher has 
 endeavored to impress the narratives upon the 
 mind of the reader, by inserting such engravings 
 as illustrated the most important events of the 
 Revolutionary War, as well as those episodes 
 which characterize the spirit of the age in 
 which it took place. The use of such embellish- 
 ments is an important aid to the memory. 
 
Viii PREFACE. 
 
 inasmuch as we remember much longer that 
 which we have seen pictured, than that which 
 we^ have merely read, or had related or described 
 to us without the assistance of pictorial 
 representations. 
 
PAGE. 
 
 The Sergeant axd the Indians 13 
 
 Burning of the Gaspee 21 
 
 . The Great Tea Riot . 26 
 
 The First Prater in Congress ...... 34 
 
 Battle of Lexington • . . ♦ , 40 
 
 Fight at Concord Bridge 48 
 
 (ix) 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 Capture of Ticonderoga . . 6S 
 
 Battle of Bunker's Hill 68 
 
 Attack on Quebec 86 
 
 Attack on Sullivan's Island 97 
 
 The Declaration of Independence 104 
 
 Firmness of Washington Ill 
 
 Capture of General Lee 116 
 
 Capture of General Prescott 119 
 
 General Prescott, Whipped 142 
 
 Battle of Trenton 146 
 
 Battle of Princeton 154 
 
 General La Fayette 164 
 
 Battle of Brandywine 170 
 
 Battle op Germantown . 177 
 
 Battle of Red Bank 185 
 
 Burgoyne's Invasion — Battle of Bennington . 188 
 Heroic Exploit of Peter Francisco .... 201 
 
 Andrew Jackson 206 
 
 Siege of Yorktown — Surrender of Cornwallis 215 
 
 George Rogers Clarke 222 
 
 Death of Captain Biddle 230 
 
 pA--Tnn^isM of Mother Bailey 237 
 
CONTEXTS. 
 
 The Dutchman and the Rake 24^ 
 
 Simon Kenton 257 
 
 The Murder or Miss M'Crea 268 
 
 Massacre at Wyoming 273 
 
 Treason of Arnold • . . . 280 
 
 Patriotism of Elizabeth Zane 291 
 
 Stony Point 296 
 
 John Paul Jones 303 
 
 Battle of King's Mountain 308 
 
 Burning of Colonel Crawford 316 
 
 Battle of tee Cowpens 324 
 
 Baron Steuben 329 
 
 Mrs. Bozarth g34 
 
STORIES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DEVOLUTION. ■ 
 
 CHE SERGEANT AND THE INDIAN; . 
 
 In the early part of the Revolutionary war, a sergeant 
 and twelve armed men, undertook to journey through the 
 wilderness, in the state of New Hampshire. Their route 
 was remote from any settlement, and they were under the 
 necessity of encamping over night in the woods. In the 
 early part of our struggles for Independence, the Indians 
 were numerous, and did not stand idle spectators to a con- 
 flict carried on with so much zeal and eagerness by the 
 whites. Some tribes were friendly to our cause, while 
 many on our borders took part with the enemy, and were 
 troublesome in their savage kind of warfare, as our people 
 
 2 (13) 
 
14 THE SERGEANT AND THE INDIANS. 
 
 often learnt from the woful experience of their midnight 
 depredations. The leader of the above mentioned party 
 was well acquainted with the different tribes ; and from 
 much intercourse with them previous to the war was not 
 ignorant of the idiom, physiognomy, and dress of each, and 
 at the commencement of hostilities, was informed for which 
 party they had raised the battle axe. 
 
 Nothing material had happened during the first day of 
 this excursion ; but early in the afternoon of the second, 
 they discovered from an eminence, a body of Indians ad- 
 vancing towards them, whose numbers exceeded their own. 
 As soon as the Americans were perceived by their red 
 brethr^^n, the latter made friendly signals, and the parties 
 approached in an amicable manner. The Indians ap- 
 peared to be much pleased to meet the sergeant and his 
 party, whom they observed they considered as their pro- 
 tectors ; said they belonged to a tribe who took the hatchet 
 in the cause of their country ; and were determined to do 
 all in their power to injure the common enemy. They shook 
 hands in friendship, and it was ' How d'ye do, pro ! how 
 d'ye do, pro P that being their pronunciation of the word 
 brother. When they had conversed with each ©ther for 
 some time, and exchanged mutual good wishes, they at 
 length separated and travelled in different directions. 
 
 After proceeding to the distance of one or more huJas, 
 
THE SERGEANT AND THE INDIANS. 17 
 
 the sergeant halted the' men, addressed them in the fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
 ' My brave companions, we must use the utmost caution, 
 or this night may be our last. Should we not make some 
 extraordinary exertion to defend ourselves, to-morrow's 
 sun may find us sleeping, never to wake. You are surpri- 
 sed, comrades, at my words, and your anxiety will not be 
 lessened, when I inform you, that we have just passed our 
 inveterate foe, who, under the mask of pretended friend- 
 ship you have witnessed, would lull us into fancied security, 
 and, by such means, in the unguarded moments of our mid- 
 night slumber, without resistance, seal our fate !" 
 
 The men, with astonishment, listened to this short ha- 
 rangue, and their surprise was greater, as not one of them 
 had entertained the suspicion, but that they had just encoun- 
 tered friends. They all immediately resolved to enter into 
 some scheme for their mutual preservation, and the destruc- 
 tion of their enemies, Bv the proposal of their leader, the 
 following plan was adopted: 
 
 The spot selected for their night's encampment, was 
 near a stream of water which served to cover their rear. 
 They felled a large tree, before which, on the approach 
 of night, a brilliant fire was lighted. Each individual cut 
 a log of wood, about the size of his body, rolled it nicely 
 into his blanket, placed his hat upon the extremity, and 
 
 2* 
 
18 THE SERGEANT AND THE INDIANS, 
 
 laid it before the fire, that the enemy might be deceived, 
 and mistake it for a m.an. 
 
 After the number equal to the sergeant's party wer 
 fitted out, and so artfully arranged as to appear like so 
 many men, the soldiers, with loaded muskets, placed them- 
 selves behind the fallen tree, by which time the shades of 
 evening began to close around. The fire was supplied 
 with fuel and kept burning brilliantly till late in the night, 
 * when it wat, sufi'ered to decline. The critical time was 
 now approaching when an attack might be expected from 
 the Indians ; but the sergeant's men rested in their place 
 of concealment with great anxiety till near midnight, not 
 perceiving any movement of the foe. 
 
 At length a tall Indian was discovered through the glim- 
 mering of the fire, (which was now getting low,) cautiously 
 moving towards them, making no noise, and apparently 
 using every means in his power to conceal himself from 
 any one about the camp. For a time, his actions showed 
 him to be suspicious that a guard might be stationed to watch 
 any unusual appearance, and give the alarm in case of 
 danger ; but all appearing quiet, he ventured forward 
 more boldly, and rested upon his toes, and was distinctly 
 seen to move his finger as he numbered each log of wood, 
 or what he considered human beings quietly enjoying r epose. 
 To satisfy himself mo^Q ^uUy as to the number, he counted 
 
THE SERGEANT AND THE INDIANS. 
 
 19 
 
 them over the second time, and cautiously retired. He was 
 succeeded by a second Indian, who went through the same 
 movements, and retired in the same manner. 
 
 Soon after, the whole party, sixteen in number, were 
 discovered, cautiously advancing, and eagerly eyeing their 
 supposed victims. The feelings of the Sergeant's men can 
 better be imagined than described, when they saw the 
 base and perfidious purpose of their enemies, who were now 
 so near, that the former could scarcely be restrained from 
 firing upon them. The plan, however, of the Sergeant 
 was to have his men remain silent, in their places of con- 
 cealment, till the guns of the foe were discharged, so that 
 their own fire might be more effectual and opposition less 
 formidable. 
 
 Their suspense was not of long duration. The Indians 
 in a body, cautiously approached till within a short dis- 
 tance ; they then halted, took deliberate aim, discharged 
 their pieces upon inanimate logs, gave the dreadful war- 
 whoop, and instantly rushed forward, with tomahawk and 
 scalping-knife in hand, to despatch the living, and obtain 
 the scalps of the dead. As soon as they were collected 
 in close order, more efiectually to execute this horrid inten- 
 tion, the party of the Sergeant, with unerring aim, dis- 
 charged their muskets upon the savages ; not one of 
 whom escaped destruction. 
 
20 THE SERGEANT AND THE INDIANS. 
 
 Thus were the perfidious intentions of the Indians, 
 (who, after seeming friendship, violated all their pacific 
 professions,) punished. Such treachery as was exhibited 
 in this instance, is a regular part of the Indian system ot 
 warfare. They value cunning in a warrior, as fully equa 
 in merit, to personal bravery. 
 
, BURNING OF THE GASPEE. 
 
 Before the actual commencement of hostilities between 
 the American colonists and the British, many incidents 
 transpired which served to show a spirit of patriotic re- 
 sistance to oppression among the people. One of the most 
 remarkable of these wa5 the burning of the Gaspee, a 
 British revenue cutter. 
 
 Lieutenant Doddington, who commanded that vessel, 
 had become very obnoxious to the inhabitants of Rhode 
 Island, by his extraordinary zeal in the execution of the 
 revenue laws. On the 9th of June, the Providence packet 
 
 (21) 
 
22 
 
 BURNING OF THE GASPEE. 
 
 was sailing into the harbor of Newport and Lieutenant 
 Poddington ordered the captain to lower his colors. This 
 the captain of the packet deemed repugnant to his patriotic 
 feelings, and the Gaspee fired at the packet to bring her 
 to ; the American, however, still persisted in holding on 
 her course, and by keeping in shoal water, dexterously 
 contrived to run the schooner aground in the chase. A3 
 the tide was upon the ebb, the Gaspee was set fast for 
 the night, and afforded a tempting opportunity for retalia- 
 tion ; and a number of fishermen, aided and encouraged 
 by some of the most respectable inhabitants of Providence, 
 being determined to rid themselves of so uncivil an in- 
 spector, in the middle of the night manned several boats, 
 and boarded the Gaspee.. The Lieutenant was wounded 
 in the affray ; but with every thing belonging to him, he 
 was carefully conveyed on shore, as were all his crew. 
 The vessel, with her stores, was then burnt ; and the party 
 returned unmolested to their homes. When the gover- 
 nor became acquainted with this event, he offered a re- 
 ward of five hundred pounds for the discovery of the of- 
 fenders and the royal pardon to those who would confess 
 their guilt. Commissioners were appointed also to inves- 
 tigate the offence, and bring the perpetrators to justice 
 but, after remaining some time in session, they reported 
 that they could obtain no evidence, and thus the affair ter- 
 
BURNING OF THE GASPEE. 
 
 25 
 
 minated a circumstance which forcibly illustrates the in- 
 violable brotherhood which then united the people against 
 the government. The same secrecy and fidelity was shown 
 by the people, in the measures which they took for pro- 
 viding and concealing ammunition and arms, as well as in 
 baffling the attempts of the government to discover the 
 persons concerned in the great tea riot. 
 
THE GREAT TEA RIOT. 
 
 The great question on which the Revolution turned was 
 taxation without representation in parliament. This the 
 colonists were determined to resist. The Stamp Act riots 
 showed the spirit of the people, and occasioned the with- 
 drawal of that obnoxious measure. The right to tax how- 
 ever was still maintained by the British government ; and 
 a tax was laid on tea. The colonists resisted hj refusing 
 to use tea. 
 (20) 
 
THE TEA RIOT. 29 
 
 The crisis now drew near when the Americans were to 
 decide whether they w^ould submit, to be taxed by the 
 British Parliament, or practically support their own prin- 
 ciples, and brave the most perilous consequences of their 
 inflexibility. One common sentiment seemed to be awa- 
 kened throughout the whole continent by the tidings of 
 the ministerial plan, which was universally reprobated aa 
 an attempt at once injurious and insulting, to bribe the 
 Americans to surrender their rights and bend their own 
 necks to the arbitrary power. A violent ferment was every 
 where excited : the corresponding committees and politi- 
 cal clubs exerted their utmost activity to rouse and unite 
 the people ; and as it was generally declared that as every 
 citizen owed to his country the duty at least of refraining 
 from being accessory to her subjugation, every man who 
 should countenance the present dangerous measure of the 
 British government should be deemed an enemy of Ame- 
 rica. Some of the popular leaders expressed doubts of 
 the prudence of actual resistance to a measure of so little 
 intrinsic importance ; and preferably urged that the peo- 
 ple should be restrained from violence till the occurrence 
 of an opportunity of rousing and directing their force 
 against some invasion of American liberty more momen- 
 tous and alarming. But to this suggestion it was reason- 
 ably and successfully replied, that such an opportunity 
 
 3* 
 
so 
 
 THE TEA RIOT. 
 
 might never occur again ; that Britain, warned by the 
 past, would avoid sudden and startling innovations ; that her 
 policy would be, — by multiplying posts and officers, and 
 either bestowing them on her partisans, or employing 
 them to corrupt her antagonists, — to increase her force 
 proportionally faster than the force of the patriotic party 
 would increase by the growth of the American population ; 
 that she had latterly sent out as her functionaries a num- 
 ber of young men who, marrying into provincial families 
 of influence and consideration, had weakened the force 
 of American opposition ; and that now was the time to 
 profit by the general irritation of the people and the 
 blunders which Britian had commenced, in order to preci- 
 pitate a collision which sooner or later was inevitable, and 
 to prevent a seeming accommodation of the quarrel which 
 would only expose the interests of America to additional 
 disadvantages. The East India Company, confident of 
 finding a market for their tea, reduced as it was now in 
 price, freighted several ships to America with this com- 
 modity, and appointed consignees to recive and dispose 
 of it. Some cargoes were sent to New York ; some to 
 Boston. The inhabitants of New York and Philadelphia 
 prevailed with the consignees to disclaim their functions, 
 and forced the ships to return with their cargoes to Lon- 
 don. The inhabitants of Charleston unladed the tea, and 
 deposited it in public cellars where it was guarded from 
 
THE TEA RIOT. ^ BX 
 
 use and finally perished.. At Boston tlie consignees, 
 Tvho were the near kinsmen of Governor Hutchison, at first 
 refused to resign their appointments ; and the vessels 
 containing the tea lay in the harbor watched by a strong 
 guard of the citizens, who from a numerous town-meeting, 
 despatched the most peremptory commands to the ship- 
 masters not to land their obnoxious cargoes. After much 
 delay, the consignees, alarmed by the increasing violence 
 of the people, solicited leave from the governor to resign, 
 but were encouraged by him to persist. They proposed 
 then to the people that the tea should be landed, and pre- 
 served in some public store or magazine ; but this com- 
 promise was indignantly rejected. At length the popu- 
 lar rage could be contamed no longer. From the symp- 
 toms of its dangerous fervour, the consignees fled in dis- 
 may to the castle ; while an assemblage of men dressed 
 and painted like Mohawk Indians, boarded the vessels 
 and threw the tea into the ocean. The conduct of the 
 East India company in assisting the policy of the British 
 government, strongly excited the displeasure of the 
 Americans, 
 
THE FIRST PEAYER IN CONGRESS. 
 
 The subjoined extract of a characteristic letter from 
 John Adams, describing a scene in the first Congress in 
 Philadelphia, in 1774, shows on what Power the mighty 
 men of old rested their cause. Mr. Adams thus wrote to a 
 friend at the time : 
 
 " When Congress met, Mr. Cushing made a motion 
 that it should be opened with prayer. It was opposed by 
 Mr. Jay, of New York, and Mr. Rutledge, of South Ca- 
 rolina, because we were so divided in religious sentiment 
 some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, 
 (32) 
 
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS. 35 
 
 some Presbyteriaas, and some Congregationalists, that 
 we could not join in the same act of worship. Mr. Sam- 
 uel Adams rose and said that he was no bigot, and could 
 bear a prayer from any good man of piety and virtue who 
 was at the same time a friend to his country. He was 
 stranger in Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr. Duche 
 (Dushay they pronounced it) deserved that character, and 
 therefore he moved that Mr. Duche, an Episcopal clergy- 
 man, might be desired to read prayers to the Congress to- 
 morrow morning. This motion was seconded, and passed 
 in the affirmative. Mr. Randolph, our President, waited 
 on Mr. Duche, and received for answer that if his health 
 would permit he certainly would. Accordingly, next 
 morning he appeared with his clerk, in his pontificals, 
 and read several prayers in the established form, and he 
 then read the collect for the seventh day of September, 
 which was the thirty-fifth psalm. You must remember, 
 this was the next morning after we had heard the rumour 
 of the horrible cannonade of Boston. It seems as if Hea- 
 ven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning. 
 
 " After this, Mr. Duche, unexpectedly to every-body, 
 struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the 
 bosom of every man present. I must confess I never 
 heard a better prayer pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, 
 Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fevour, such 
 
86 
 
 THE FIRST PRATER IN CONGRESS. 
 
 ardour, such correctness and pathos, and in language so 
 elegant and sublime, for America, for Congress, for the 
 province of the Massachusetts Bay, especially the town 
 of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon every body 
 here. I must beg you to read that Psalm. If there ia 
 any faith in the sortes Yirgilianse, or sortes Homericae, 
 or especially the sortes Biblicoe, it would be thought pro- 
 vidential." ^ . 
 
 Here was a scene worthy of the painter's art. It was 
 in Carpenter's Hall, Carpenter's Court, between Third 
 and Fourth streets, Philadelphia, a building which still 
 survives in its original condition, though now converted 
 into an auction mart, where the forty-four individuals 
 met to whom this service was read. 
 
 Washington was kneeling there, and Henry, and Ran- 
 dolph, and Rutledge, and Lee, and Jay ; and by their 
 side there stood, bowed down in deference, the Puritan 
 Patriots of New England, who at that moment had reason 
 to believe that an armed soldiery was wasting their hum- 
 ble households. It was believed that Boston had been bom- 
 barded and destroyed. They prayed fervently for " Ame- 
 rica, for the Congress, for the province of Massachusetts 
 Bay, and especially for the town of Boston:" and who 
 can realize the emotions with which they turned implor- 
 ingly to heaven for divine interposition and aid ? " It was 
 enough," says Mr. Adams," to melt a heart of stone. I 
 
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS. ' 39 
 
 saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, gra a, pacific 
 Quakers of Philadelphia." The practice of opening the 
 daily sessions of Congress with prayer, has continued to 
 the present time. 
 
BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 
 
 A CONSIDERABLE quantity of military stores liavin^^ 
 been deposited at Concord, eighteen miles from Boston, 
 General Gage, who commanded the British troops in that 
 city, determined to destroy them. In pursuance of his 
 design, he, on the evening of the 18th of April, 177f , 
 despatched a party of eight hundred^grenadiers andligl fc 
 infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, who crossed 
 Charles river from the foot of Boston Common to Phips s 
 farm in Cambridge, about eleven o'clock at night, aii 
 commenced a quick but silent march for Concord. Thou^ b 
 they attempted to preserve secresy, yet the friends t-f 
 (40) 
 
. THE BATTLE OE LEXINGTON , 41 
 
 liberty -were too vigilant not to notice ttieir departure, 
 and many messengers were immediately sent to alarm the 
 country. Of these, Colonel Revere, Mr. Dawes, and three 
 or four others of the most active, fell into the hands of a 
 party of British officers, who kept them as pri-soners for a 
 time, but, becoming alarmed at the firing of a party of 
 militia at drill near Lexington meeting-house, they took 
 the horses from their captives and rode off. The follow- 
 ing account of the battle is given by one of the most cele- 
 brated orators of New England. 
 
 " The Committee of Safety sat the preceding day 
 at West Cambridge ; and three of its respected members, 
 Gerry, Lee, and Orne, had retired to sleep, in the public 
 house, where the session of the committee was held. So 
 difficult was it, notwithstanding all that had passed, to re- 
 alize that a state of things could exist, between Englan I 
 and America, in which American citizens should be liable 
 to be torn from their beds by an armed force at midnight, 
 that the members of the Committee of Safety, though 
 forewarned of the approach of the British troops, did not 
 even think it necessary to retire from their lodgings. On 
 the contrary, they rose from their beds and went to their 
 windows to gaze on the unwonted sight, the midnight 
 march of the armies through the peaceful hamlets of New 
 England. Half the column had already passed, when a 
 flank guard was promptly detached to search the piLblic 
 
 4* 
 
42 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 
 
 house, no doubt in the design of arresting the members 
 of the Committee of Safety, who might be there. It was 
 only at this last critical moment, that Mr. Gerry and his 
 friends bethought themselves of flight, and without time 
 even to clothe themselves, escaped naked into the fields. 
 
 "By this time. Colonel Smith, who commanded the ex- 
 pedition, appears to have been alarmed at the indications 
 of a general rising throughout the country. The light 
 infantry companies were now detached and placed under 
 the command of Major Pitcairn, for the purpose of hast- 
 ening forward, to secure the bridges at Concord ; and thus 
 cut off the communication between this place, and the 
 towns north and west of it. Before these companies could 
 reach Lexington, the officers already mentioned, who had 
 arrested Colonel Revere, joined their advancing country- 
 men, and reported that five hundred men were drawn up 
 in Lexington, to resist the king's troops. On receiving 
 this exaggerated account, the British light infantry was 
 halted, to give time for the grenadiers to come up, that 
 the whole together might move forward to the work of 
 death. 
 
 " The company assembled on Lexington Green, which 
 the British officers, in their report, had swelled to five 
 hundred, consisted of sixty or seventy of the militia of the 
 place. Information had been received about nightfall, 
 both by private means and by communications from the 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 45- 
 
 Committee of Safety, that a strong party of officers had 
 heen seen on the road, directing their course toward Lex- 
 ington. In consequence of this intelligence, a body of 
 about thirty of the militia, well armed, assembled early 
 in the evening ; a guard of eight men under Colonel Wil- 
 liam Munroe, then a sergeant in the company, was sta- 
 tioned at the house of the Rev. Mr. Clark ; and tjiree men 
 were sent off to give the alarm at Concord. These three 
 men were, however, stopped on their way, as has been 
 mentioned, by the British officers, who had already passed 
 onward. One of their number, Elijah Sanderson, has 
 lately died at Salem at an advanced age. A little after 
 midnight, Messrs. Revere and Dawes arrived with the 
 certain information that a very large body of the royal 
 troops was in motion. The alarm was now generally 
 given to the inhabitants of Lexington, messengers were 
 sent down the road to ascertain the movements of the 
 troops, and the militia company under Captain John 
 Parker, appeared on the green to the number of one hun- 
 dred and thirty. The roll was duly called at this perilous 
 midnight muster, and soma answered to their names for 
 the last time on earth. The company was now ordered 
 to load with powder and ball, and awaited in anxious ex- 
 pectation the return of those who had been sent to recon- 
 noitre the enemy. One of them, in consequence of some 
 misinformation, returned and reported that there was no 
 
46 
 
 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 
 
 appearance of troops on the road from Boston. Undcf 
 this harassing uncertainty and contradiction, the militia 
 were dismissed to await the return of the other expresses, 
 and with orders to be in readiness at the beat of the drum. 
 One of these messengers was made prisoner by the Bri- 
 tish, whose march was so cautious, that they remained 
 undiscovered until within a mile and a half of Lexington 
 meeting-house, and time was scarce left for the last mes- 
 senger to return with the tidings of their approach. 
 
 The new alarm was now given ; the bell rings, alarm- 
 guns are fired, the drum beats to arms. Some of the 
 militia had gone home, when dismissed ; but the greater 
 part were in the neighboring houses, and instantly obeyed 
 the summons. Sixty or seventy appeared on the green 
 and were drawn up in double ranks. At this moment the 
 British column of eight hundred gleaming bayonets ap- 
 pears, headed by their mounted commanders, beating a 
 charge. To engage them with a handful of militia of 
 course was madness, — to fly at the sight of them they dis 
 dained. The British troops rush furiously on ; their com- 
 manders, with mingled threats and execrations, bid the 
 Americans lay down their arms and disperse, and their 
 own troops to fire. A moment's delay, as of compunc 
 tion, follows. The order with vehement imprecations is 
 repeated, and they fire. No one falls, and the band of 
 Belf-devoted heroes, most of whom never saw such a body 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 
 
 47 
 
 of troops before, stand firm in the front of an army, out- 
 numbering them ten to one. Another volley succeeds ; 
 the killed and wounded drop, and it was not until they 
 had returned the fire of the overwhelming >force that the 
 militia were driven from the field. A scattered fire 
 now succeeded on both sides, while the Americans re- 
 mained in sight ; and the British troops were then drawn 
 up on the green to fire a volley and give a shout in honor 
 of the victory. 
 
FIGHT AT CONCORD BRIDGE. 
 
 Elated with its success at Lexington, the British army 
 took up its march toward Concord. The intelligence of 
 the projected expedition had been communicated to this 
 town by Dr. Samuel Prescott ; and from Concord had 
 travelled on in every direction. The interval was employed 
 in removing a portion of the public stores to the neigh- 
 boring towns, while the aged and infirm, the women and 
 children, sought refuge in the neighboring woods. 
 
 About seven o'clock in the morning, the glittering arras 
 of the British columns were seen advancing on the Lin- 
 (48) 
 
THE FIGHT AT CONCORD BKTDQE. 
 
 49 
 
 coin road. A body of militia, from one hundred and fifty 
 to two hundred men, who had taken post for observation 
 on the heights above the entrance to the town, retire at 
 the approach of the army of the enemy, first to the hill a 
 little farther north, and then beyond the bridge. The 
 British troops press forward into the town, and are drawn 
 up in front of the court-house. Parties are then ordered 
 out to the various spots where the public stores and arms 
 were supposed to be deposited. Much had been removed 
 to places of safety, and something was saved by the prompt 
 and innocent artifices of individuals. The destruction of 
 property and arms was hasty and incomplete, and consid- 
 ered as the object of an enterprise of such fatal consequences 
 it stands in shocking contrast with the waste of blood by 
 which it was efi'ected. 
 
 It was the first care of the British commander to cut 
 off the approach of the Americans from the neighboring 
 towns, by destroying or occupying the bridges. A party 
 was immediately sent to the south bridge and tore it up. 
 A force of six companies, under Captains Parsons and 
 Lowrie were left to guard it, and three under Captain 
 Parsons proceeded to Colonel Barrett's house, in search 
 of provincial stores. 
 
 While they were engaged on that errand, the militia of 
 Concord, joined by their noble brethren from the neigh- 
 boring towns, gathered on the hill opposite the north 
 
60 THE FIGHT AT CONCORD BRIDGE. 
 
 bridge, under th-e command of Colonel Robinson and 
 Major Buttrick. The British companies at the bridge 
 were now apparently bewildered with the perils of their 
 situation, and began to tear up the planks of the bridge ; 
 not remembering that this would expose their own party 
 then at Colonel Barrett's, to certain and entire destruc- 
 tion. The Americans, on the other hand, resolved to keep 
 open the communication with the town, and perceiving 
 the attempt which was made to destroy the bridge, were 
 immediately put in motion, with orders not to give the 
 first fire. They drew near to the bridge, the Acton com- 
 pany in front, led on by the gallant Davis. Three alarm 
 guns were fired into the water, by the British, without 
 arresting the march of the citizens. The signal for a 
 general discharge is then made ; a British soldier steps 
 from the ranks, and fires at Major Buttrick. The ball 
 passed between his arm and his side, and slightly wounded 
 Mr. Luther Blanchard, who stood near him. A volley 
 instantly followed, and Captain Davis was shot through 
 the heart, gallantly marching at the head of the Acton 
 militia against the choice troops of the British line. A 
 private of his company, Mr. Hosmer, of Acton, also fell 
 at his side. 
 
 A general action now ensued, which terminated in the 
 retreat of the British party, after .the loss of several killed 
 and wounded, toward the centre of the town, followed by 
 
THE FIGHT AT COXCORD BRIDGE. ' 53 
 
 the brave band who had driven them from their post. The 
 advance party of British at Colonel Barrett's was thua 
 left to its fate ; and nothing would have been more easj' 
 than to effect its entire destruction. But the idea of & 
 declared war had yet scarcely forced itself, with all its 
 consequences, into the minds of our countrymen ; and 
 these advanced companies were allowed to return unmo- 
 lested to the main band. 
 
 It was now twelve hours since the first alarm had been 
 given, the evening before, of the meditated expedition. 
 The. swift watches of that eventful night, had scattered 
 the tidings far and wide ; and widely as they spread, the 
 people rose in their strength. The genius of America, on 
 this the morning of her emancipation, had sounded her 
 horn over the plains and upon the mountains ; and the 
 indignant yeomanry of the land, armed with the weapons 
 which had done service in their fathers' hands, poured to 
 the spot where this new and strange tragedy was acting. 
 The old New England drums, that had beat at Louisburg, 
 at Quebec, at Martinique, at the Havanna, were now 
 beating on all the roads to Concord. There were officers 
 in the British line that knew the sound ; they had heard 
 it, in the deadly breach, beneath the black, deep-throated 
 engines of the French and Spanish castles, and they knew 
 what followed, where that sound went before. 
 
 With the British it was a question no longer of pro- 
 5* 
 
54 THE FIGHT AT CONCORD BRIDGE. 
 
 tracted contest, nor even of halting long enough to rest 
 their exhausted troops, after a weary night's march, and 
 all the labor, confusion, and distress of the day's efforts. 
 The dead were hastily buried in the public square ; their 
 wounded placed in the vehicles which the town afforded ; 
 and a flight commenced, to which the annals of warfare 
 will hardly afford a parallel. On all the neighboring hills 
 were multitudes from the surrounding country, of the un- 
 armed and infirm, of women and of children, who had fled 
 from the terrors and perils of the plunder and conflagra- 
 tion of their own homes ; or were collected with fearful 
 curiosity, to mark the progress of this storm of war. 
 The panic fears of a calamitous flight, on the part of the 
 British, transformed this inoffensive, timid throng into a 
 threatening array of armed men ; and there was too much 
 reason for the misconception. Every height of ground 
 within reach of the line of march, was covered with the 
 indignant avengers of their slaughtered brethren. The 
 British light companies were sent out to great distances 
 as flanking parties ; but who was to flank the flankers ? 
 Every patch of trees, every rock, every stream of water, 
 every building, every stone wall, was lined, (I use the. 
 words of a British officer in the battle,) with an uninter- 
 mitted fire. Every cross road opened a new avenue to 
 the assailants. Through one of these the gallant Brooks 
 led up the minute-men of Reading. At another defile, 
 
THE FIGHT AT COXCOHD BKIDaB. 
 
 55 
 
 COLONEL BROOKS. 
 
 they were encountered by the Lexington militia under 
 Captain Parker, who, undismayed at the loss of more than 
 a tenth of their number in killed and wounded in the 
 morning, had returned to the conflict. 
 
 At first the contest was kept up by the British with all 
 the skill and valor of veteran troops. To a military eye 
 it was not an unequal contest. The commander was not, 
 or ought not to have been taken by surprise. Eight hun- 
 dred picked men, grenadiers and light infantry, from the 
 English army, were no doubt considered by General G-age 
 a very ample detachment to march eighteen or twenty 
 miles through an open country : an^i a very fair match 
 
56 
 
 THE FIGHT AT CONCORD BRIDGE. 
 
 for all the resistance which could be made by unprepared 
 husbandmen, without concert, discipline, or leaders. 
 
 With about ten times their number, the Grecian com- 
 mander had forced a march out of the wrecks of a field of 
 battle and defeat, through the barbarous nations of Asia, 
 for thirteen long months, from the plains of Babylon to 
 the Black Sea, through forests, defiles, and deserts, which 
 the foot of civilized man had never trod. It was the 
 American cause, — its holy foundation in truth and right, 
 its strength and life in the hearts of the people, that con- 
 verted what would naturally have been the undisturbed 
 march of a strong, well-provided army, into a rabble rout 
 of terror and death. It was this which sowed the fields 
 of our pacific villages with dragon's teeth ; which nerved 
 the arm of age ; called the ministers and servants of the 
 church into the hot fire ; and even filled with strange pas- 
 sion and manly strength, the heart and the arm of the 
 stripling. 
 
 A British historian, to paint the terrific aspect of things 
 that presented itself to his countrymen, declares that the 
 rebels swarmed upon the hills, as if they had dropped 
 from the clouds. Before the flying troops had reached 
 Lexington, their rout was entire. Some of the officers had 
 been made prisoners, some had been killed, and several 
 wounded, and among them the commander-in-chief. Colo- 
 nel Smith. The ordinary means of preserving discipline 
 
THE FIGHT AT COXCORD BRIDGE. 67 
 
 failed ; the wounded, in chaises and wagons, pressed to 
 the front and obstructed the road ; wherever the flanking 
 parties, from the nature of the ground, were forced to 
 come in, the line of march was crowded and broken ; the 
 ammunition began to fail ; and at length the entire body 
 was on a full run. " We attempted," says a British officer 
 already quoted, to stop the men and form them two deep, 
 but to no purpose ; the confusion rather increased than 
 lessened." 
 
 An English historian says, the British soldiers were 
 driven before the Americans like sheep ; till, by a last 
 desperate effort, the officers succeeded in forcing their way 
 to the front, " when they presented their swords and bayo- 
 nets against the breasts of their own men, and told them 
 if they advanced they should die." Upon this they began 
 to form, under what the same British officer pronounces a 
 "very hea\^ fire," which must soon have led to the de- 
 struction or captui'e of the whole corps. 
 
 At this critical moment a reinforcement arrived. Co- 
 lonel Smith had sent back a messenger from Lexington 
 to apprise General Gage of the check he had there re- 
 ceived, and of the alarm which was running through the 
 country. Three regiments of infantry and two divisions 
 of marines with two field-pieces, under the command of 
 Brigadier-General Lord Percy, were accordingly detached" 
 They marched out of Boston, through Roxbury and Cam- 
 
68 
 
 THE FIGHT AT CONCORD BRIDGE. 
 
 XORD PERCY. 
 
 bridge, and came up with the %ing party, in the hour of 
 their extreme peril. While their field-pieces kept the 
 Americans at bay, the reinforcement drew up in a hollow 
 square, into which, says the British historian, they received 
 the exhausted fugitives, who lay down on the ground, with 
 their tongues hanging from their mouths, like dogs after 
 a chase." 
 
 A half hour was given to rest ; the march was then re* 
 eumed ; and under cover of the field-pieces, every house in 
 Lexington, and on the road downwards, was plundered 
 and set on fire. Though the flames in most cases were 
 speedily extinguished, several houses were destroyed. 
 
THE FIGHT AT CONCORD BRIDGE. , 61 
 
 Notwithstanding ihe attention of a great part of the Ame- 
 ricans was thus drawn off, and although the British force 
 was now more than doubled, their retreat still wore the 
 aspect of a flight. The Americans filled the heights that 
 overhung the road, and at every defile the struggle was 
 sharp and bloody. 
 
 At West Cambridge, the gallant Warren, never distant 
 when danger was to be braved, appeared in the field, and 
 a musket-ball soon cut off a lock of hair from his temple. 
 General Heath was with him, nor does there appear till 
 this moment, to have been any effective command among 
 the American forces. 
 
 .| Below West Cambridge, the militia from Dorchester, 
 Roxbury, and Brookline came up. The British field- 
 pieces began to lose their terror. A sharp skirmish fol- 
 lowed, and many fell on both sides. Indignation and 
 outraged humanity struggled on the one hand, veteran 
 discipline and desperation on the other ; and the contest, 
 in more than one instance, was man to man, and bayonet 
 to bayonet. 
 
 The British officers had been compelled to descend from 
 their horses to escape the certain destruction which at- 
 tended their exposed situation. The wounded, to the 
 number of two hundred, now presented the most distress- 
 ing and constantly increasing obstruction to the progress 
 of the march. 
 
 6 
 
62 THE FIGHT AT CaXCORD BRIDGE. 
 
 Near one hundred brave men liad fallen in this disas- 
 trous flight ; a considerable number had been made pris- 
 oners ; a round or two of ammunition only remained ; and 
 it was not till late in the evening, nearly twenty-four 
 hours from the time when the first detachment was put in 
 motion, that the exhausted remnant reached the heights 
 of Charlestown. 
 
 The boats of the vessels of war were immediately em- 
 ployed to transport the wounded ; the remaining British 
 troops in Boston came over to Charlestown to protect 
 their weary countrymen during the night ; and before the 
 close of the next day the royal army was formally besieged 
 m Boston. 
 
BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 CAPTURE OY TICONDEROGA. 
 
 Soon after tlie battle of Lexington, the capture of Ti- 
 conderoga and Crown Point, two forts, that would be of 
 great importance to the Americans, was conceived by some 
 of the boldest inhabitants of Connocticut. Forty volun- 
 teers were raised, who proceeded from Connecticut to 
 Bennington, in the New Hampshire Grants, where they 
 w'ere to meet Colonel Ethan Allen. He soon joined them 
 with two hundred and thirty men at Castleton, and en- 
 tered readily into their design. They were quite unex- 
 pectedly joined by Colonel Benedict Arnold, who waa 
 
 (63) 
 
64 ' ; CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA. 
 
 bound upon the same errand. He was permitted to act 
 as an auxiliary to Allen, who acted as commander of the 
 party. They arrived on the shores of Lake Champlain, 
 opposite Ticonderoga on the 9th of May. 
 
 Allen and Arnold with eighty three men crossed and 
 entered the fort abreast. They found the whole garri- • 
 son with the exception of one sentinel asleep ; and his 
 piece missing fire, he made an attempt to escape into the 
 fort ; but he was pursued by the Americans, who, form- 
 ing themselves into a hollow square, gave three loud 
 huzzas, which instantly alarmed the sleeping garrison. 
 
 Some slight skirmishing ensued, when the commander, 
 De la Place, appeared, and was required to surrender the 
 fort. "By what authority ?" he asked in great surprise, 
 I demand it," replied Allen, " in the name of the Great 
 Jehovah and of the continental Congress !" This extra- 
 ordinary summons was instantly obeyed ; and the fort, 
 with its valuable stores and forty-nine prisoners, was sur- 
 rendered without delay. 
 
 Crown Point was captured by Colonel Seth Warren, 
 immediately after, together with the garrison, which con 
 sisted only of a Sergeant and twelve men. Arnold cap- 
 tured a British Sloop-of-war, lying off St. Johns, at the 
 Northern end of Lake Champlain, and now commenced a 
 brilliant though very brief career, which was soon clouded 
 
6* 
 
CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA. 67 
 
 by private vice, vanity and prodigality, and finally tar- 
 nished by public treachery and dishonor. 
 
 Thus the Americans, without losing a single man, ac- 
 quired by a bold decisive blow two important posts, a great 
 quantity of artillery and ammunition, and the command of 
 Lake George and Champlain. 
 
BATTLE OF BUNKEK'S HILL. 
 
 The traveller who visits Boston can scarcely fail to as- 
 sociate in his mind the field of battle where the early heroes 
 of the Bevolution first established the character of that 
 event, marked as it was by undaunted resolution, the off- 
 spring of a determined purpose. From the State-House 
 of Massachusetts, conspicuously seated on an eminence, 
 the eye ranges over Charlestown, a considerable place that 
 now adjoins Boston by a spacious bridge. The patriot will 
 (68) 
 
THE BATTLE OF BUXEER's HIIL. 69 
 
 scarcely content himself with a remote view of this impres- 
 Bive scene, designated bv a monument to the memory of 
 General TTarren, who fell distinguished on that occasion. 
 At a distance of about two miles, some hills are discerned, 
 viz., Prospect Hill, Ploughed Hill, Breed's Hill, and 
 Bunker's Hill. As you advance on the road in the rear 
 of the nayy yard at Charlestown, Breed's Hill rears its 
 yenerable brow on the left. Here it was that a detach- 
 ment frum the American army of one thousand men, under 
 Colonel Prescott, began at twelve o'clock in the night of 
 the 16th of June, 1775, to throw up some works extending 
 from Charlestown to the river which separates that town 
 from Boston. They proceeded with such secresy and de- 
 spatch that the officers of a ship of war then in the river, 
 expressed their astonishment when in the morning they 
 saw entrenchments reared and fortified in the space of a 
 few hours, where, from the contiguity of the situation, 
 they least expected the Americans would look them in the 
 face. 
 
 The alarm being immediately given, orders were given 
 that a continual fire should be kept playing upon the un- 
 finished works, from the ships, the floating batteries in 
 the river, and Copp's Hill, a fortified post of the British 
 in Boston, directly opposite the American redoubt ; but, 
 with extraordinary perseverance, the Americans continued 
 to strengthen their works, not returning a shot' till noon, 
 
70 
 
 THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL 
 
 when a number of boats and barges, filled with regular 
 troops from Boston, approached Charlestown. The day 
 was exceedingly hot. Ten companies of grenadiers, ten 
 of light infantry, with a proportion of field artillery, landed 
 at Moreton's Point, the whole commanded by Major-Ge- 
 neral Howe and Brigadier-General Pigot. The troops 
 having formed, remained in that position till joined by a 
 second detachment of light infantry and grenadier com- 
 panies, the 47th regiment, and a battalion of marines, 
 making in the whole near three thousand men. 
 
 The Americans had not a rifleman amongst them, not 
 
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. 71 
 
 one being yet arrived from the southward, nor had they 
 any rifle pieces ; they had but common muskets, and these 
 mostly without bayonets ; but then they were almost all 
 marksmen, being accustomed to sporting of one kind or 
 other from their youth. A reinforcement of Massachu- 
 setts troops was posted in a redoubt, and in part of the 
 breast-work nearest it. The left of the breast-work, and 
 the open ground stretching beyond its point to the water 
 side, along which time did not admit of accomplishing the 
 work, were occupied partly by the Massachusetts, and 
 partly by the Connecticut men under Captain Nolton, of 
 Ashford, and the New Hampshire under Colonel Stark, 
 the whole amounting to about one thousand five hundred 
 men. By direction of the officers the troops upon the 
 open ground pulled up the post and rail fence, and carry- 
 ing it forward to another of the same kind, and placing 
 some clods of grass between, formed a slight defence in 
 some parts. 
 
 A critical scene now opened to the view. The British 
 regulars formed in two lines, advanced slowly, frequently 
 halting to give the artillery time to fire. The light in- 
 fantry were directed to force the left point of the breast- 
 work, and to take the American line in flank. The gren- 
 adiers advanced to attack in front, supported by two bat- 
 talions, under General Howe, while the left, under General 
 
72 THE BATTLE OF BUNKER*S HILL. 
 
 Pigot, inclined to the right of the American line. The ap* 
 pearance of this line of regulars was formidable. 
 
 As the British advanced nearer and nearer to the at- 
 tack, a carcass was discharged from Copp's Hill, which 
 set on fire an old house in Charlestown, and the flames 
 quickly spread to others. The houses at the eastern end 
 of Charlestown were set on fire by seamen from the boats. 
 The whole toAvn, consisting of about three hundred dwel- 
 ling houses, and nearly two hundred other buildings, be- 
 came speedily involyed in one great blaze, being chiefly 
 of timber. The large meeting-house, by its aspiring steeple, 
 formed a pyramid of fire above the rest. 
 
 The houses, heights, and steeples in Boston were covered 
 with spectators of this anxious scene, and the surrounding 
 hills were occupied by others. ^ 
 
 The slow movement of the British troops advancing to 
 the attack, afi'orded to the Americans the advantage of 
 taking a surer and more deliberate aim. The wind having 
 shifted, carried the smoke from the conflagration in such 
 a direction that the British had not the cover of it in their 
 approach. The destruction of the place, however, served 
 to prevent their opponents from effecting a lodgement in 
 the houses whence they might have annoyed to advantage. 
 General Warren, who had been appointed by Congress a 
 Major-General in their armies only four days before, was 
 every where aiding and encouraging his men. General 
 
THE BATTLE OF BUXKER'S HILL. 73 
 
 Pomery commanded a brigade, and General Putnam, a 
 brave and meritorious officer, directed the whole on the 
 fall of General Warren. The troops were ordered to re- 
 serve their fire until the close approach of the British. 
 They strictly obeyed, with a steadiness and composure 
 that would have done honor to the most approved veterans, 
 and when the enemy had arrived within ten or twelve rods 
 poured in a discharge of small arms which arrested and so 
 staggered their foes, that they could only for a time return 
 it, without advancing a step. 
 
 Finding the stream of the American fii'e so incessant 
 as to mow down whole sections, they retired in disorder 
 to the river. Rallying as well as their Ixtraordinary loss 
 of their officers would admit of, the British again advan- 
 ced with the apparent resolution of forcing their way, 
 whatever loss of life it might cost them. The Americans 
 again reserved their fire till the enemy arrived within six 
 rods, when, discharging their pieces, which were admira- 
 bly pointed, they threw the opposing ranks again into 
 confusion. 
 
 General Clinton, who, with General Gage, the com- 
 mander-in-chief of the British forces in Boston, was on 
 Copp's Hill, observing the event of the day, when he per- 
 ceived the disconcerted state of the troops, passed over 
 and joined just in time to be of service. The united and 
 strenuous efforts of the different officers were again sue- 
 
 7 
 
74 THE BATTLE OF BUNKEU'S HILL. I 
 
 GENERAL CLINTON. 
 
 cessful, and the columns were advanced a third time to 
 the attackj with a desperation increased by the unshaken 
 opposition they experienced. 
 
 It is probable, from the nature of the resistance, that 
 every effort to dislodge the Americans would have been 
 ineffectual) had not their ammunition failed ; on sending for 
 a supply none could be procured, as there was but a barrel 
 and a half in the magazine. " 
 
 This deficiency prevented them from making the same 
 defence as before ; while the British enjoyed a farther ad- 
 vantage by bringing some cannon to bear so as to rake 
 
THE BATTLE OF BUXKEr's HILL. 77 
 
 the inside of the breast work from end to end. upon whieii 
 the Americans were compelled to retreat within their re- 
 doubt. The British now made a decisive movement, 
 covered by the fire of the ships, batteries, and field-artil- 
 lerj. The Americans disputed possession of the works 
 with the butt ends of their muskets, until the redoubt 
 easily mounted and attacked on three sides at once, was 
 taken, and their defences, the labor of only a few hours, 
 had been prostrated by artillery. 
 
 Whilst these operations were going on at the breast- 
 work and redoubt, the British light infantry were engaged 
 in attempting to force the left r ^'r.t of the former, through 
 the space between that an^" '„ a water, that they might 
 take the American line ii- iank. The resistance they 
 met with was as formid' 1, and fatal in its effects as ex- 
 perienced in the other :^^ j.rter; for here, also, the Ame- 
 ricans by command., i e-^erved their fire till the enemy's 
 close approach, and then poured in a discharge so well 
 directed and with Guch execution, that wide chasms were 
 made in every rank. 
 
 Some of th , /Americans were slightly guarded by the rail 
 fences, br- ^ ners were altogether exposed, so that their 
 bravery close combat was put to the test, independent 
 of defe,nces neither formed by military rules nor workmen, 
 The "aiost determined assaults of their regular opponents 
 who were now brought to the charge with redoubled fury 
 7* 
 
78 
 
 THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. 
 
 could not, after all, compel them to retreat, till they ob» 
 served that their main body had left the hill, when they 
 retrograded, but with a regularity that could scarcely have 
 been expected of troops newly embodied, and who in ge- 
 neral never before saw an engagement. Overpowered by 
 numbers, and seeing all hope of reinforcement cut off by 
 the incessant fire of the ships across a neck of land that 
 separated them from the country, they were compelled to 
 quit the ground. 
 
 The staunch opposition of this band of patriots saved 
 their comrades, who must otherwise have been cut off, as 
 the enemy, but for them, would have been in the rear of 
 the whole. While these brav e heroes retired, disputing 
 every inch of ground, and taking up every new position 
 (Successively that admitted of defence, their leader, the gal- 
 lant Warren, unfortunately receiYed a ball through the 
 skull, and mechanically clapping ais hand to the wound, 
 dropped down dead. 
 
 The British, taught by the experience of this day to 
 respect their rustic adversaries, contented themselves with 
 taking post at Bunker's Hill, which they fortified. The 
 Americans, with the enthusiasm of men determined to be 
 free, did the same upon Prospect Hill, a mile in front. It 
 was here that General Putnam regaled the precious .., emains 
 of his army after the fatigues, with several hogshea-ds of 
 beer. Owing to some unaccountable error, the worAing 
 
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. 
 
 79 
 
 GENERAL PUTNAM. 
 
 parties -who had been inv . .santly laboring the whole of the 
 preceding night, were :,-..ther relieved nor supplied with 
 refreshments, but ler to engage under all these disadvan- 
 tages. The battle " .3 generally admitted, by experienced 
 officers of theBrir'sh army who witnessed it and had served 
 at Minden, Dpiiingen, and throughout the campaign in 
 Germany, to have been unparalleled for the time it lasted, 
 and the "xumbers engaged. There was a continued sheet 
 of fire V;' :m the breast- work for nearly half an hour, and 
 the action was hot for about double that period. In this 
 short space of time, the loss of the British according to 
 (26) 
 
80 THE BATTLE OF BUNKER's HILL. 
 
 General Gage, amounted to ten hundred and fifty-four, of 
 whom two hundred and twenty six were killed ; of these 
 nineteen were commissioned officers, including a lieuten- 
 ant colonel, two majors, and seven captains ; seventy other 
 officers were wounded. 
 
 The battle of Quebec, in the former war, with all its 
 glory, and the vastness of the consequences attending it, 
 was not so disastrous in the loss of officers as this affair of 
 an American entrenchment, the work of but a few hours. 
 The fact was, the Americans, accustomed to aim with pre- 
 cision and to select objects, directed their skill principally 
 against the officers of the British army, justly conceiving 
 that much confusion wou / isue on their fall. 
 
 Nearly all the officers ar md the person of General 
 Howe were killed or disabled and the General himself 
 narrowly escaped. At the bai'le of Minden, where the 
 British regiments sustained the ftrse of the whole French 
 army for a considerable time, the n imber of officers killed, 
 including two who died soon after of their wounds, was 
 only thirteen, and the wounded sixoj six ; the total loss 
 of the army on that occasion was two-hi ndred and ninety 
 one in killed, and one thousand and thirty seven wounded. 
 
 The British acknowledged the valor of their opponents, 
 which, though by no means new to them, suri. issed on 
 this occasion what could have been expected r f- ai» hand- 
 ful of cottagers, as they termed them, under officers of 
 
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. 
 
 81 
 
 GENERAL WOLFE. 
 
 little military knowledge and still less experience, wHom 
 thej affected to hold in contempt. 
 
 They pretended to forget that many of the common 
 soldiers who gained such laurels by their singular bravery 
 on the plains of Abraham, when Wolf died in the arms 
 of victory, were natives of the Massachusetts Bay. "When 
 Martinique was attacked in 1761, and the British force 
 was greatly reduced by sickness and mortality, the timely 
 arrival of the New England troops enabled the British 
 commander to prosecute the reduction of the island to a 
 happy issue. 
 
 A part of the troops being sent on an expedition to the 
 Havana, the New Englanders, whose health had been 
 much impaired by service and the climate, were embarked 
 
82 THE BATTLE OF BUNKER^S HIIL. 
 
 in three ships for their native country, with a view to their 
 recovery. Before they had completed their voyage, they 
 found themselves restored, ordered the ships about, steered 
 immediately for the Havana, arrived when the British 
 were too much weakened to expect success, and by their 
 junction, contributed materially to the surrender of the 
 place. Their fidelity, activity, and good conduct was such 
 as to gain the approbation and unbounded confidence of 
 the British officers. Of such elementary principles were 
 the heroes of Bunker's hill composed. It surely was a 
 misguided policy to rouse the opposition of men made of 
 these materials. 
 
 A spot so fertile in great associations, could not but 
 attract the special notice of the president of the United 
 States during a tour to the eastward. It was precisely 
 where Warren fell that his excellency met the citizens of 
 Charleston on the occasion and addressed them as follows : 
 
 " It is highly gratifying to me to meet the committee 
 of Charleston upon a theatre so interesting to the United 
 States. It is impossible to approach Bunker Hill, where 
 the war of the Bevolution commenced, with so much honor 
 to the nation, without being deeply afiected. The blood 
 spilt here roused the whole American people, and united 
 them in the common cause, in defence of their rights. — 
 that union will never be broken." 
 
 Whether indeed we consider the action of the 17th of 
 
THE BATTLE OE BUNKER'S HILL. 
 
 85 
 
 June in itself, or as the prelude to succeeding events, we 
 must pronounce it to be the most glorious of our history, 
 for the numbers engaged and the defences made use of. 
 
 If we except that of New Orleans, no parallel is to be 
 found to it in the extent of impression produced upon the 
 enemy. But there time had been afforded for maturing 
 the works, which were constructed under the superinten- 
 tendance of skilful engineers, and extended under a posi- 
 tion that could not be outflanked. Twelve hours only 
 were gained for those on Breed's Hill, formed, during a 
 great part of the time, under a heavy fire from the enemy's 
 ships, a number of floating batteries, beside fortifications 
 which poured upon them an incessant shower of shot and 
 shells, and left incomplete, owing to the intolerable can- 
 nonade. 
 
SIR GUY CARLETON. 
 
 ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 
 
 It became necessary for the preservation of Tioonderoga 
 and Crown Point, that the conquests should be carried 
 further into Canada, as the Governor of that province, 
 Sir Guy Carleton, was believed to be forming an inva- 
 sion of the north-western frontier. The command of the 
 expedition intended for this service was deputed to Gene- 
 rals Schuyler and Montgomery. An address was issued 
 by the former in which it was stated that his commands 
 (86) 
 
■ ... - ^. 
 
ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 89 
 
 were to cherish every Canadian, and every friend to the 
 cause of liberty, and to hold their property sacred. 
 
 About one thousand Americans, on the 10th of Sep- 
 tember, 1775, landed at St. John, the first British post 
 in Canada, one hundi^ed and fifteen miles north of Ticon- 
 deroga ; but it was soon found advisable to retreat to Isle- 
 aux-Noir, twelve miles south of St. Johns, from which 
 place General Schuyler set out for Ticonderoga, on ac- 
 count of sickness leaving General Montgomery in the 
 command. 
 
 Montgomery soon returned to the neighbornood of St. 
 John and began a siege ; he took Fort Chamblee, and 
 found therein six tons of powder, which enabled him to 
 press the siege vigorously. Carlton advanced with eight 
 hundred men against him, but was met, and driven back 
 by Colonel Harmer with three hundred Green Moun- 
 tain boys." The garrison of St. Johns, was forced to 
 oome to terms, and Montgomery marched to Montreal. 
 While these events were transpiring at St. Johns Colonel 
 Ethan Allen was made prisoner by the British near Mon- 
 treal, together with about thirty eight of his men. He 
 was sent to England, loaded with irons and cruelly treated 
 to stand his trial as a rebel. 
 
 General Prescott, together with several officers and one 
 hundred and twenty privates, were made prisoners, and 
 
 eleven armed vessels, with all their contents, fell into the 
 
 8* 
 
90 ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 
 
 hands of the Americans, under Montgomery at Montreal, 
 Sir Guy Carleton, however, fled to Quebec, whither he 
 was followed by Montgomery who speedily arrived before 
 the town. 
 
 In the meantime, Arnold had been despatched by 
 General Washington by way of the Kennebec river, and 
 the wilderness lying between the settlements in Maine 
 and the St. Lawrence river to Quebec ; and that officer 
 began his march on the 13th of September with eleven 
 hundred men. They were composed chiefly of New Eng. 
 land infantry, and contained a company of artillery, 
 Arnold after a march of six weeks, arrived in Canada, and 
 encamped on the 9th of November on Point Levi, near 
 Quebec. Had he made an immediate attack, the town 
 might have been taken ; but the boats necessary in order 
 to cross the river could not be procured. Great eflorts 
 were made byHhe English and Canadians to save the town, 
 and reinforcements having been received, a vigorous de- 
 fence was promised. Arnold crossed the St. Lawrence 
 on the 14th of November, and ascended the heights of 
 Abraham ; but as by this time the defendants were more 
 numerous than their assailants, Arnold thought it best to 
 retire to Point aux Trembles, twenty miles above Quebec, 
 and there wait for Montgomery, who, with three hundred 
 men, joined him on the first of December. 
 
 Montgomery now marched directly against Quebec, and 
 
ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 
 
 GENERAL MORGAN. 
 
 co-mmenced a siege. As his artillery was too light to be 
 of any service, it was determined to carry the place by 
 storm. Two feigned attacks were made on the upper 
 town by Majors Brown and Livingston, whilst Montgomery 
 and Arnold niade two real attacks. This took place on 
 the 31st day of December. 
 
 Montgomery, at first met with success, while advancing 
 
94 ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 
 
 along the banks of the St. Lawrence, and the battery was 
 deserted by all the enemy, except two or three persons, 
 one of whom, in retiring, applied a slow match to one of 
 the guns and fired it. Casual as this shot appears, it waa 
 fatal. Montgomery and his staff were within forty paces 
 of the piece ; and that gallant General, with his aid. Cap- 
 tain William Pherson, and Captain Cheesman, with the 
 orderly sergeant and private, were all killed upon the spot, 
 Colonel Campbell on whom the command devolved preci- 
 pitately retreated, with the rest of th^ division. 
 
 In the meantime Arnold, with three hundred and fifty 
 men, made an attack on the other side ; but he was woun- 
 ded by a musket ball in the leg, and was borne from the 
 field. Captain Morgan, with a company of Virginia 
 riflemen, pressed forward and took the battery. Morgan 
 formed his men, but from the total darkness, and ignorance 
 of the town, he was unable to proceed. He was however, 
 soon joined by Lieutenant Colonel Grreen and other officers, 
 and his force increased to two hundred men. They were 
 attacked by the garrison at daylight, and after sustain- 
 ing the whole force of the army for three hours they were 
 compelled to surrender. ^ 
 
 Colonel Morgan here laid the foundation of that fame, 
 that throughout the revolution, was so materially increased. 
 In losing General Montgomery, the country lost one whose 
 services would, doubtless, have proved very valuable. He 
 
ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 
 
 95 
 
 MOXUMEXT OF MONTGOMERY, AT ST, PAUL'S CHURCH 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 was born m Ireland, and gained much distinction in our 
 late war with France, at the close of which he married and 
 settled in New York. He espoused the cause of America 
 at the commencement of the revolution and gained the 
 confidence of the whole army. He was greatly beloved 
 among his private friends, and enjoyed a large share of 
 
96 ATTACK ON QUEBEC. 
 
 public esteem. His death was considered a greater losa 
 to the American cause, than all the others with which it 
 was accompanied. 
 
 The subsequent events of this expedition against Cana- 
 da, are of little interest. A succession of disasters and 
 blunders on the part of the American commanders termi- 
 nated in a retreat from Canada and the abandonment of the 
 project. 
 
ATTACK OX SULLIYAX'S ISLAND. 
 
 The enterprize of reducing the southern colonies, T^aa 
 committed to General Clinton and Sir Peter Parker ; 
 who, having formed a junction at Cape Fear, concluded 
 to attempt the reduction of Charleston, For that place 
 they accordingly sailed, with two thousand eight hundred 
 land forces ; and, crossing Charleston bar on the 4th of 
 June, anchored about three miles from Sullivan's Island 
 Every exertion had been previously made to put the colony, 
 and especially its capital, in a posture of defence. "Works 
 had been erected on Sullivan's Island, which lies about 
 
98 
 
 ATTACK ON SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, 
 
 ATTACK ON SULLIVAN' S ISLAND. 
 
 three miles from Sullivan's Island. Every exertion had 
 been previously made to put the colony, and especially its 
 capital, in a posture of defence. Works had been erected 
 on Sullivan's Island, which lies about six miles below 
 Charleston towards the sea, and so near the channel, as 
 to be a convenient post for annoying ships when approach- 
 ing the town. The militia of the country now repaired 
 in great numbers to Charleston; and at this juncture 
 Major-General Lee, who had been appointed by Congress 
 to the immediate command of all the forces in the southern 
 department, arrived with the regular troops of the north- 
 ern colonies. On the 28th of June, Sir Peter Parker 
 attacked the fort on Sullivan's Island, with fifty gun ships, 
 
ATTACK ON SULLIYAX'S ISLAND. 
 
 101 
 
 COLONEL MOULTRIE. 
 
 four frigates of twent j-eight guns, the Sphynx of twenty 
 guns, the Friendship armed vessel of twent j-two guns, and 
 the Ranger sloop and the Thunder bomb, each of eight 
 guns. On the fort there were mounted twenty-six cannon, 
 with which the garrison, consisting of three hundred and 
 seventy-five regulars and a few militia, under the command 
 of Colonel Moultrie, made a most gallant defence. The 
 attack commenced between ten and eleven in the morning, 
 
 9* 
 
102 ATTACK ON SULLIVAN' S ISLAND. 
 
 and was continued upwards of ten hours. The flag-staff 
 of the fort being shot away very early in the action. Ser- 
 geant Jasper leaped down upon the beach, took up the 
 flag, and, regardless of the incessant firing of the ship- 
 ping, mounted and placed it on the rampart. 
 
 Three of the ships, advancing about twelve o'clock to 
 attack the western wing of the fort, became entangled 
 with a shoal; to which providential incident the pre- 
 servation of the garrison is ascribed. At half past nine, 
 the firing on both sides ceased ; and soon after the ships 
 slipped their cables. In this action, the deliberate well- 
 directed fire of the garrison exceedingly shattered the 
 ships; and the killed and wounded exceeded two hundred 
 men. The loss of the garrison was only ten men killed 
 and twenty-two wounded. Though many thousand shot 
 were fired from the shipping, yet the works were but 
 little damaged. The fort being built of palmetto, a tree 
 indigenous to Carolina, of a remarkably spongy nature, 
 the shot which struck it were merely buried in the wood, 
 without shivering it. Hardly a hut or a tree on the island 
 escaped. The thanks of Congress were given to General 
 Lee, and to Colonels Thomson and Moultrie, for their 
 good conduct on this memorable day; and the fort, in 
 compliment to the commanding officer, was from that time, 
 called Fort Moultrie. 
 
 The victory at Sullivan's island was of immense impor- 
 
ATTACK ON SXTLLIVAN'S ISLAND. 103 
 
 Jance to the cause of liberty. It saved the southern coun- 
 try from the horrors of war for several years. When the 
 British at length invaded South Carolina and Georgia, 
 the capture of Burgoyne had already been effected and 
 the alliance with France entered into ; and the well di- 
 rected exertions of Greene, aided by Marion, Sumpter and 
 the other partisan leaders speedily effected the expulsion 
 of the enemy from the South and prepared for the capture 
 of Cornwallia and his army. 
 
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 
 
 As the colonies had so long submitted to oppres,iion 
 from the mother country, it was deemed advisable to de- 
 clare themselves a free and independent people. Accai^'d- 
 ingly, on the 7th of June, 1776, the great question of in- 
 dependence was brought directly before Congress, by 
 Richard Henry Lee, one of the delegates from Virginia. 
 He submitted a resolution, declaring *'that the united 
 colonies are, and ought to be, free and independent states ; 
 that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British 
 crown ; and that all political connexion between them and 
 
 the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally 
 
 (104) 
 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 lOT 
 
 dissolved." The resolution was postponed until the next 
 day, and every member enjoined to attend, to take the 
 same into consideration. On the 8th it was debated in 
 committee of the whole house. Xo question of greater 
 magnitude was ever presented to the consideration of a 
 deliberative body, or debated with more energy, eloquence, 
 and ability. On the 10th it was adopted in committee, by 
 a bare majority. The delegates from Pennsylvania and 
 Maryland were instructed to oppose it, and the delegates 
 from some of the other colonies were without special in- 
 structions on the subject. To give time for greater una- 
 nimity, the resolution was postponed in the house until 
 the 1st of July. In the meantime, a committee was ap- 
 pointed to prepare a declaration of independence. During 
 this interval, measures were taken to procure the assent 
 of all the colonies. 
 
 On the day appointed, the resolution relating to inde- 
 pendence was resumed in the general Congress, referred 
 to a committee of the whole house, and assented to by all 
 the colonies, except Pennsylvania and Delaware. The 
 committee appointed to prepare a declaration of indepen- 
 dence selected Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson as a sub- 
 committee, and the original draft, was made by Mr. Jef- 
 ferson. This draft, without any amendment by the com- 
 mittee, was reported to congress, and, after undergoing 
 several amendments, received their sanction. 
 
108 
 
 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK. 
 
 The course of time has now brought us to the decisive 
 hour when a new empire, of a character the most extra- 
 ordinary, springs into being. The world has known no 
 rest since this grand confederacy took her rank among the 
 nations of the earth ; her example infused a power into 
 the principles of liberty which for nearly two centuries 
 had been dormant ; although in another hemisphere, it has 
 exercised more influence on the state of the public mind 
 in Europe than did the great struggle in the days of the 
 commonwealth ; and the world will know no rest more, 
 
DECLARATiqy OF IXDEPEXDENCE. 109 
 
 till, under whatever form, the great lessons of freedom 
 which American history enforces, have been listened to, 
 and embodied in action, by ever y nation of the globe. 
 
 The Declaration was read from the door of the State 
 House in Philadelphia, on the 4th of July, 1TT6, and re- 
 ceived with shouts of congratulation, and the ringing of 
 bells, J%nd firing of cannon, — tokens of rejoicing, which, 
 accor('!ing to a prediction of the celebrated John Adams, 
 have been repeated annually to the present day. The hall 
 in which congress was then assembled, was thenceforward 
 called Independence Hall, and the public square, in which 
 the Americans first assembled to hear the charter of free- 
 dom read, still retains the name of Independence Square. 
 
 When the Declaration had been passed and proclaimed 
 it was engrossed on parchment, and signed by each member 
 of Congress. Dac Similies of their signatures have been 
 published, and the bold, manly writing of John Hancock, 
 the president, at the head of the list, is indicative of his 
 character. When Charles Carroll wrote his name, some 
 one remarked that he might escape the penalties of trea- 
 son after all, as there were several of his name. The 
 patriot instantly added '-of Carrollton," and thus indivi- 
 dualized, his name will go down to the latest posterity. 
 
 10 
 
FIRMNESS OF WASHINGTOK 
 
 Aftee the arrival of Sir William Howe, in June, 1776, 
 and before commencing hostile operations, he despatched 
 a circular letter, with a declaration, to the principal mag- 
 istrates of all the colonies, acquainting them that he had 
 been empowered to act as a commissioner of peace, and 
 desiring that the same might be published for the inform 
 ation of the people. 
 (110) 
 
FIRMXESS OF WASHINGTON. 113 
 
 The declaration and letters were forwarded by Congresa 
 to General Washington, and ordered to be pnblished in 
 the several newspapers, in order that the inhabitants might 
 know the views of the commissioners, and the terms, with 
 the hope of which the British ministry had endeavored to 
 amuse and disarm them ; and if there were any who were 
 undecided, as to what course they should pursue, they 
 might be convinced, that the valor of their countrymen 
 could alone save their liberties. 
 
 A letter was despatched with a flag to New York, ad- 
 dressed to " George Washington Esq." The general de- 
 clined receivinor it, not he'm^ directed to him with the 
 title and style, suitable to his station. He was applauded 
 by Congress for acting with becoming dignity, and all the 
 officers were directed not to receive any letters or messages 
 that were not addressed to them according to their re- 
 spective ranks. 
 
 Adjutant- General Patterson was next sent with a letter 
 addressed to " George Washington, &C.5 &c., &;c.," He 
 was exempted from being blindfolded, as usual in passing 
 through fortifications, and was received by the general 
 with the greatest politeness ; but, notwithstanding all this 
 envoj could offer, the et ceteras would not remove the im- 
 pediments to the correspondence attempted. It was true, 
 the general told him " the et ceteras imply everything 
 but it is no less true, that they imply anything." 
 
114 FIRMNESS OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 This affair displayed the characteu of the generars 
 temper, and that he was ever firm and guarded, in adhe- 
 ring to the line of conduct he had once adopted. A con 
 ference now ensued on the subject of prisoners, both sides 
 having complaints to make relative to the treatment they 
 received. On the adjutant stating that the commissioners 
 were entrusted with great powers, the general answered, 
 " their powers, are only to grant pardons. They who 
 have committed no fault, want no pardon. The Ameri- 
 cans are only defending what they think their indisputa- 
 ble rights." Thus ended a conference, from which it 
 was evident, that all future attempts at conciliation would 
 prove vain. The adjutant throughout the whole interview 
 addressed the general as " Excellency," and behaved with 
 great politeness and deference. 
 
 The firmness of Washington was displayed not less 
 conspicuously in many other trying scenes of the revolu- 
 tionary war. So well was this trait in his character 
 understood, that throughout the whole contest the repre- 
 sentatives of the people, in congress, placed more de- 
 pendence on him than on themselves. He was the bulwark 
 of our liberties. He was appealed to, and his advice 
 taken by congress in all great emergencies. He was, in 
 point of fact, dictator, at all times, until he set the noble 
 example of resigning his commission into the hands of 
 
FIRMNESS OF WASHIXaTON. ' 115 
 
 congress at Annapolis when the great struggle had finally 
 terminated. 
 
 At one time, towards the close of the war, certain 
 officers of the army were desirous to make him king, and 
 sustain him bj means of the army ; but his patriotism 
 was incorruptible. He indignantly refused the offer ; and 
 when the army was to be disbanded, his personal influence 
 was successfully exerted in inducing the soldiers to 
 return to their homes unpaid, without any scenes of 
 violence or discontent. 
 
GENERAL LEE'S HEAD QUARTERS AT BASKING RIDGE, 
 
 CAPTURE OF GENERAL LEE. 
 
 Great obstacles had to be encountered in recruiting 
 for the American service, and a new occurrence increased 
 this diflficultj. High opinions were entertained of the 
 military talents of General Charles Lee, by the friends 
 of Congress, arising from his success in the defence of 
 Charlestown. 
 
 While Washington was retreating through the Jerseys, 
 (116) 
 
(after the battle of White Plains,) he Bpecially desired 
 Lee, who had been left at North Castle, to hasten his 
 march to the Delaware, and join the main army. Not- 
 withstanding the momentous condition of affairs, and the 
 earnest orders of his superior, Lee seemed in no haste to 
 obey. 
 
 He was reluctant to give up his separate command, and 
 subject himself to superior authority ; he therefore marched 
 slowly southward, at the head of about three thousand 
 men. His tardy movements, and unwary conduct, how- 
 
118 
 
 CAPTURE OF GENERAL LEE. 
 
 ever, proved fatal to his own personal liberty, and created 
 a lively sensation throughout America. 
 
 He lay carelessly, without a guard, three miles from 
 his troops, at Basking Ridge, in Morris county, where, on 
 the 13th of December, Colonel Harcourt, who, with a 
 small detachment of light horse, had been commissioned 
 to watch the motions of that division of the American army, 
 by a gallant act of partisan warfare, made him prisoner, 
 and conveyed him rapidly to New York. 
 
 Here he was for some time closely confined, and treated, 
 not as a prisoner of war, but as a deserter from the Bri- 
 tish service, because he had entered the American service, 
 before his resignation of his commission in the British 
 army had been accepted. His capture was considered a 
 great misfortune by the Americans, whose confidence and 
 esteem he enjoyed ; the British on the contrary, exulted 
 in his capture, as equal to a victory, declaring that " they 
 had taken the American palladium." Sullivan was ap- 
 pointed to the command of Lee's division, and joined the 
 main army. 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESOOTT. 
 
 In the month of November, 1776, as already stated, 
 Major General Lee was surprised and taken prisoner by 
 a detachment of British troops. With a view to procure 
 the exchange of General Lee, William Barton, then a 
 Major in the Rhode Island line, in the service of the con- 
 tinental Congress, and one of the most daring and patriotic 
 soldiers of the revolution, projected the bold and adven- 
 turous expedition which is the subject of the following 
 narrative. 
 
 Some months bad elapsed after the capture of General 
 
 (119) 
 
1 
 
 120 CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 Lee, before an opportunity offered of effecting the object 
 which Major Barton had in view. In the month follow- 
 ing that of the capture of General Lee, the enemy took 
 possession of the islands of Rhode Island, Cannonicut, 
 and Prudence. Major Barton was then stationed at Ti- 
 verton, and for some months anxiously watched the mo- 
 tions of the enemy, with but feeble prospect of obtaining 
 the opportunity he desired. 
 
 At length, on the 20th of June, 177T, a man by the 
 name of Coffin, who made his escape from the British, 
 was seized by some of the American troops and carried 
 to Major Barton's quarters. Major Barton availed him- 
 self of the opportunity to inquire respecting the disposition 
 of the British forces. — Coffin on examination, stated that 
 Major General Richard Prescott had established his head 
 quarters on the west side of Rhode Island, and described 
 minutely the situation of the house in which he resided, 
 which he said was owned by a Mr. Pering. His account 
 was a few days after corroborated by a deserter from the 
 ranks of the enemy. Major Barton was now confirmed 
 in his belief of the practicability of effecting his favorite 
 object : — but serious obstacles were first to be encountered 
 and removed. Neither his troops, nor their commander, 
 had been long inured to service ; and the intended enter- 
 prise was of a nature as novel as it was hazardous. Be- 
 sides, Major Barton was aware that the undertaking, 
 
11 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 123 
 
 should it prove unsuccessful, would be pronounced rash 
 and unadvised, and, in its consequences, though his life 
 might be preserved, be followed by degradation and dis- 
 grace. Moreover, to involve in the consequences of an 
 enterprise, devised and undertaken without previous con- 
 sultation with his superiors in rank, the interest, and per- 
 haps the lives of a portion of his brave countrymen, was a 
 subject that excited reflections calculated to damp the 
 ardor and appal the courage of the bravest minds. Still, 
 however^ upon mature reflection, aided by a consciousness 
 that its only motive was the interest of his country, he 
 resolved to hazard both his reputation and his life in the 
 attempt. 
 
 The regiment to which Major Barton was attached, 
 was commanded by Colonel Stanton, a respectable and 
 wealthy farmer in Rhode Island, who, in the spirit of the 
 times, had abandoned the culture of his farm and the care 
 of his family, and put at hazard his property and his life 
 in defence of his country. To this gentleman. Major 
 Barton communicated his plan, and solicited permission 
 to carry it into execution. Colonel Stanton readily au- 
 thorized him " to attack the enemy when and where he 
 pleased." Several officers in the confidence of Major 
 Barton, were then selected from the regiment for the in- 
 tended expedition, on whose abilities and bravery he could 
 rely : —these were, Captain Samuel Phillips, Lieutenant 
 
124 CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 Joshua Babcock, Ensign Andrew Stanton, and John Wil 
 
 cock. (Captain Adams subsequently volunteered his 
 
 services, and took an active part in the enterprise.) These 
 gentlemen were informed by Major Barton, that he had 
 in contemplation an enterprise which would be attended 
 with great personal hazard to himself and his associates ; 
 but which, if success attended it, would be productive of 
 much advantage to the country. Its particular object, he 
 stated would be seasonably disclosed to them. It was at 
 their option to accept or decline his invitation to share 
 with him in the dangers, and, as he trusted, in the glory 
 that would attend the undertaking. The personal bravery 
 of Major Barton had been previously tested ; and such 
 was the confidence and esteem which he had acquired 
 among the officers under his comniand, that without in- 
 sisting upon a previous developement of his plans, his 
 proposal was immediately accepted. Major Barton ex 
 perienced more difficulty in obtaining the necessary 
 number of boats, as there were but two boats in the vici- 
 nity. But this difficulty, though it caused a few days' 
 delay, was at length obviated, and five whale boats were 
 procured and fitted for service. Major Barton had de- 
 ferred procuring the necessary number of men until the 
 last moment, from an apprehension that their earlier se- 
 lection might excite suspicion, and defeat the object of 
 their enterprise. Desirous that this little band might be 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 125 
 
 composed entirely of volunteers, the whole regiment was 
 now ordered on parade. In a short, but animated ad- 
 dress, Major Barton informed the soldiers that he pro- 
 jected an expedition against the enemy, which could be 
 effected only by the heroism and bravery of those who 
 should attend him ; that he desired the voluntary assist- 
 ance of about forty of their number, and directed those 
 " who would hazard their lives in the enterprise, to advance 
 two paces in front." Without one exception, or a mo- 
 ment's hesitation, the whole regiment advanced. Major 
 Barton, after bestowing upon the troops the applause 
 they merited, and stating that he required the aid of but 
 a small portion of their number, commenced upon the 
 right, and passing along the lines, selected from the regi- 
 ment to the number of thirty-six, those who united to bra- 
 very and discipline a competent knowledge of seamanship, 
 for the management of the boats. Having thus obtained 
 an adequate number of officers and men, and every thing 
 being ready, the party on the 4th of July, 1777, embar- 
 ked from Tiverton for Bristol. While crossing Mount 
 Hope Bay, there arose a severe storm of thunder and 
 rain, which separated three boats from that of their com- 
 mander. The boat containing Major Barton, and one 
 other, arrived at Bristol soon after midnight. Major 
 Barton proceeded to the quarters of the commanding 
 officer, where he found a deserter who had just made hia 
 
126 '^'^ CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 escape from the enemy at Rhode Island. From this man 
 he learned that there had been no alteration for the last 
 few days in the position of the British. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th, the remaining boats having 
 arrived, Major Barton, with his officers, went to Hog Is- 
 land, not far distant from Bristol, and within view of the 
 British encampments and shipping. It was at this place 
 that he disclosed to his officers the particular object of 
 the enterprise, his reasons for attempting it, and the part 
 each was to perform. Upon reconnoitering the position 
 of the enemy, it was thought impracticable, without great 
 hazard of capture, to proceed directly from Bristol to the 
 head quarters of the British General. It was determined, 
 therefore, to make Warwick Neck, a place opposite to the 
 British encampment, but at a greater distance than Bristol, 
 the point from which they should depart immediately for 
 Rhode Island. The closest secresy was enjoined upon 
 his officers by Major Barton, and they retured to Bristol. 
 On the evening of the 6th, about nine o'clock, the little 
 squadron again sailed, and crossing Narraganset Bay, 
 landed on Warwick Neck. On the 7th, the wind chang- 
 ing to E. N. E. brought on a storm, and retarded their 
 plan. On the 9th, the weather being pleasant, it was de- 
 termined to embark for the island. The boats were now 
 numbered, and the place of every officer and soldier as- 
 signed. At nine o'clock in the evening, Major Barton 
 
CAPTUHE OF GEXERAL PRESCOTT. 127 
 
 assembled his little party around him, and in a short but 
 spirited address, in which were mingled the feelings of 
 the soldier and the man, he disclosed to them the object 
 of the enterprise. He did not attempt to conceal the 
 danger and difficulties that would inevitably attend the 
 undertaking ; nor did he forget to remind them, that 
 should their efforts be attended with success, they would 
 be entitled to and would receive, the grateful acknow- 
 ledgements of their country. *'It is probable," said he 
 " that some of us may not survive the daring attempt ; 
 but I ask of you to hazard no dangers which will not 
 be shared with you by your commander ; and I pledge to 
 you my honor, that in every difficulty and danger I will 
 take the lead." He received the immediate and unanimous 
 assurance of the whole party, that they would follow 
 wherever their commander should lead them. Major 
 Barton then reminding them how much the success of the 
 enterprise depended upon their strict attention to orders, 
 directed that each individual should confine himself to his 
 particular seat in the boat assigned him, and that not a 
 syllable should be uttered by any one. He instructed 
 them, as they regarded their character as patriots and 
 soldiers, that in the hour of danger they should be firm, 
 collected, and resolved fearlessly to encounter the dangers 
 and difficulties that might assail them. He concluded by 
 offering his earnest petition to the Great King of Armies, 
 
^128 CAPTURE OF GENER/ssL PRESCOTT- 
 
 that he would smile upon, their intended enterpuj^ and 
 crown it with success. The whole party now proceeded 
 to shore. — Major Barton had reason to apprehend that he 
 might be discovered in his passage from the main to 
 Ehode Island, by some of the ships of war that lay at a 
 small distance from shore. He therefore directed the 
 commanding officer at Warwick Neck, that if he heard 
 the report of three distinct muskets, to send boats to the 
 north end of Prudence Island to his aid. The whole party 
 now took possession of the boats in the manner directed. 
 That which contained Major Barton was posted in front, 
 with a pole about ten feet long fixed in her stern, to the 
 end of which was attached a handkerchief, in order that 
 his boat might be distinguished from the others, and that 
 none might go before it. In this manner they proceeded 
 between the Islands of Prudence and Patience, in order 
 that they might not be seen by the shipping of the enemy 
 that lay off against Hope Island. While passing the north 
 end of Prudence Island, they heard from the sentinels on 
 board the shipping of the enemy, the cry of ^' ail's well." 
 As they approached the shore of Rhode Island, a noise 
 like the running of horses was heard, which threw a mo- 
 mentary consternation over the minds of the whole party ; 
 but in strict conformity to the orders issued, not a word 
 was spoken by any one. A moment's reflection satisfied 
 Major Barton of the utter impossibility that his designjc 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 131 
 
 could be known by the enemy, and he pushed boldly for 
 the shore. Apprehensive that if discovered, the enemy 
 might attempt to cut off his retreat, Major Barton ordered 
 one man to remain in each boat, and be prepared to de- 
 part at a moment's warning. The remainder of the party 
 landed without delay. The reflections of Major Barton 
 at this interesting moment, were of a nature the most 
 painful. The lapse of a few hours would place him in a 
 situation in the highest degree gratifying to his ambition 
 or overwhelm him in the ruin in which his rashness would 
 involve him. In the solemn silence of night, and on the 
 shores of the enemy, he paused a moment to consider a 
 plan which had been projected and matured amidst the 
 bustle of a camp and in a place of safety. The night wa3 
 exceedingly dark, and a stranger to the country, his sola 
 reliance upon a direct and rapid movement to the head 
 quarters of a British General, so essential to success; 
 rested upon the imperfect information he had acquired 
 from deserters from the enemy ! Should he surprise and 
 secure General Prescott, he was aware of the difficulties 
 that would attend his conveyance to the boat ; the pro- 
 bability of an early and fatal discovery of his designs by 
 the troops upon the island ; and even if he should succeed 
 in reaching the boats, it was by no means improbable 
 that the alarm might be seasonably given to the shipping, 
 to prevent his retreat to the main. But regardless of cir- 
 
132 CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 cumstances, which even then would have afforded an apology 
 for a hasty retreat, he resolved at all hazards to attempt 
 the accomplishment of his designs. 
 
 To the head quarters of General Prescott, about a mile 
 from the shore, a party in five divisions now proceeded 
 in silence. There was a door on the south, the east and 
 west sides of the house in which he resided. The first 
 division was ordered to advance upon the south door, the 
 second the west, and the third the east, the fourth to 
 guard the road, and the fifth to act on emergencies. In 
 their march, they passed the guard house of the enemy, 
 on their left, and on their right a house occupied by a 
 company of cavalry, for the purpose of carrying with ex- 
 pedition the orders of the General to remote parts of the 
 island. On arriving at the head quarters of the enemy, 
 as the gate of the front yard was opened, they were chal- 
 lenged by a sentinel on guard. The party was at the 
 distance of twenty-five yards from the sentinel, but a row 
 of trees partially concealed them from his view, and pre- 
 vented him from determining their number. No reply 
 was made to the challenge of the sentinel, and the party 
 proceeded on in silence. The sentinel again demanded, 
 "Who comes there." 
 
 "Friends," replied Barton. 
 
 "Friends," says the sentinel, "advance and give tho 
 countersign." 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 136 
 
 Major Barton affecting to be angry, said to the sentinel 
 who was now near him, Damn you. we have no counter- 
 gign — have you seen any rascals to-night ?"' and before 
 the sentinel could determine the character of those v>-ho 
 approached him, Major Barton had seized his musket, told 
 him he was a prisoner, and threatened, in case of noise or 
 resistance, to put him to instant death. The poor fellow 
 was so terrified, that upon being demanded if his General 
 was in the house, he was for some time unable to give an 
 answer. At length in a faltering voice, he replied that 
 he was. By this time each division having taken its sta- 
 tion, the south door was burst open by the direction of 
 Major Barton, and the division there stationed, with their 
 commander at their head, rushed into the head quajters 
 of the General. At this critical moment, one of the Bri- 
 tish soldiers effected his escape, and fled to the quarters 
 of the main suard. This man had no article of clothing^ 
 upon him but a shirt : and having given the alarm to the 
 sentinel on duty, passed on to the quarters of the cavalry, 
 which was more remote from the head quarters of the 
 General. The sentinel roused the main guard who were 
 instantly in arms, and demanded the cause of alarm. He 
 stated the information which had been given him by the 
 soldier, which appeared so incredible to the sergeant ot 
 the guard that he insisted that he had seen a ghost. Tho 
 sentinel, to whom to whom the account of the General's 
 
136 
 
 CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 capture appeared quite as incredible as to his commanding 
 officer, admitted that the messenger was clothed in white ; 
 and after submitting to the jokes of his companions, as a 
 punishment for his credulity, was ordered to resume his 
 station, while the remainder of the guard retired to their 
 quarters. It was fortunate for Major Barton and his 
 brave followers, that the alarm given by the soldier was 
 considered groundless. Had the main guard proceeded 
 without delay to the relief of their commanding General, 
 his rescue certainly, and probably the destruction of the 
 party, would have been the consequence. 
 
 The first room Major Barton entered was occupied by 
 Mr. Bering, who positively denied that General Brescott 
 was in the house. He next entered the room of his son, 
 who was equally obstinate with his father in denying that 
 the General was there. Major Barton then proceeded to 
 other apartments, but was still disappointed in the object 
 of his search. Aware that a longer delay might defeat 
 the object of his enterprise. Major Barton resorted to 
 stratagem to facilitate his search. Blacing himself at the 
 head of the stairway, and declaring his resolution to Se- 
 cure the General dead or alive, he ordered his soldiers to 
 set fire to the house. — The soldiers were preparing to ex- 
 ecute his orders, when a voice, which Major Barton at 
 once suspected to be the General's, demanded what's the 
 matter ? Major Barton rushed to the apartment from 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 139 
 
 "whence the noise proceeded, and discovered an elderly 
 man just rising from his bed, and clapping his hand upon 
 his shoulder, demanded of him if he was not General 
 Prescott, 
 
 He answered " Yes, sir." 
 
 "You are my prisoner, then," said Major Barton. 
 
 "I acknowledge that I am," said the General. 
 
 In a moment. General Prescott found himself half 
 dressed, in the arms of the soldiers, who hurried him from 
 the house. In the mean time Major Barrington, the Aid 
 to General Prescott, discovering that the house was at- 
 tacked by the Bebels, as he termed them, leaped from the 
 window of his bed-chamber, and was immediately secured 
 a prisoner. General Prescott, supported by Major Barton 
 and one of his officers, and attended by Major Barrington 
 and the sentinel, proceeded, surrounded by the soldiery, 
 to the shore. Upon seeing the five little boats. General 
 Prescott, who knew the position of the British shipping, 
 appeared much confused, and turning to Major Barton, 
 inquired if he commanded the party. On being informed 
 that he did, he expressed a hope that no personal injury 
 was intended him ; and Major Barton assured the General 
 of his protection, while he remained under his control. 
 
 The General had travelled from head quarters to the 
 shore in his waistcoat, small-clothes and slippers. A mo- 
 ment was now allowed him to complete his dress, while 
 
140 
 
 CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 the party were taking possession of tlie boats. The Ge- 
 neral was placed in the boat with Major Barton, and they 
 proceeded for the main. 
 
 ' They had not got far from the island, when the dis- 
 charge of cannon and three sky-rockets gave the signal 
 for alarm. It was fortunate for the party that the enemy 
 on board the shipping were ignorant of the cause of it, 
 who might have easily cut off their retreat. The signal 
 of alarm excited the apprehensions of Major Barton and 
 his brave associates, and redoubled their exertions to 
 reach the point of their destination before they could be 
 discovered. They succeeded, and soon after day-break 
 l9,nded at Warwick Neck, near the point of their depar- 
 ture, after an absence of six hours and a half. 
 
 General Prescott turned toward the island, and observ- 
 ing the ships of war, remarked to Major Barton, " Sir, 
 you have made a bold push to-night." 
 
 "We have been fortunate," replied the hero. 
 
 An express was immediately sent forward to Major- 
 General Spencer, to convey General Prescott and his aid- 
 de-camp prisoners to Providence. They were accompanied 
 by Major Barton, who related to General Spencer, on 
 their arrival, the particulars of the enterprise, and received 
 from that officer the most grateful acknowledgements for 
 the signal service he had rendered to his country. 
 
CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 141 
 
 This adventure of Major Barton was well conceived and 
 most gallantly executed. General Prescott however ap- 
 pears to have been a prize of no great value. His name 
 was not signalized in history and the anecdote which fol- 
 lows shows that he did not even possess the character of a 
 gentleman. 
 
GENERAL PRESCOTT WHIPPED. 
 
 The British General Prescott, who was captured at 
 his quarters on Rhode Island hj Colonel Barton, being 
 on his route through the State of Connecticut, called at a 
 tavern to dine. The landlady furnished the table with a 
 dish of suckatash, boiled corn and beans. The General 
 being unaccustomed to such kind of food, with much 
 warmth exclaimed, " What ! do you treat us with the food 
 of hogs?" and, taking the dish from the table, strewed 
 the contents over the floor. The landlord being informed 
 of this, soon entered, and with his horse whip, gave the 
 General a severe chastisement. The sequel of this story 
 has been communicated by a gentleman at Nantucket, 
 (142) 
 
GENERAL PRESCOTT HORSEWHIPPED. 145 
 
 who retains a perfect recollection of all the circumstances. 
 After General Prescott was exchanged and restored to his 
 command on the Island, the Indians of Nantucket deputed 
 William Rotch, Doctor Tupper, and Timothy Folger to ne- 
 gotiate some concerns with him in behalf of the town. 
 They were for some time refused admittance to his presence, 
 but the doctor and Folger overcame the opposition, and 
 ushered themselves into the room. Prescott raged and 
 stormed with great vehemence, until Folger was compelled 
 to withdraw. After the Doctor announced his business, and 
 the General became a little calm, he said, Was not my 
 treatment to Folger very uncivil 
 The Doctor said yes. 
 
 Then said Prescott, "I will tell you the reason: He 
 looked so much like a Connecticut man, that horse-whipped 
 me, ^hat I could not endure his presence." 
 
f 'V BATTLE GROUND OF TRENTON. 
 
 .»;, ■■■■ 
 
 BATTLE OF TRENTON. 
 
 Washington divided Iiis troops into three parts, wuich 
 were to assemble on the banks of the Delaware on the 
 night of the 25th of December. One of these divisions led 
 by General Irvine, was directed to cross the Delaware at 
 the Trenton Ferrj, and secure the bridge below the town, 
 80 as to prevent the escape of any part of the enemy by 
 that road. Another Division, led by General Cadwalader, 
 Tvas to cross over at Bristol, and carry the post at Bur- 
 lington. The third, which was the principal division, and 
 eonsisted of about two thousand four hundi3d troops, com- 
 (116) 
 
BATTLE OF TREXTON. 
 
 149 
 
 manded by General WasKington in person was to cross at 
 M'Konkey's Ferry, about nine miles above Trenton, and 
 to march against the enemy posted at that town. The 
 night fixed on for the enterprise was severely cold. A 
 storm of snow, mingled with hail and rain, fell in great 
 quantities ; and so much' ice was made in the river, that 
 the artillery could not be got over until three o'clock ; 
 and before the troops could take up their line of march, it 
 was nearly four. The general, who had hopod to throw 
 them all over by twelve o'clock, now despaired of surpri- 
 sing the town ; but knowing that he could not repass the 
 river without being discovered and harassed, he deter- 
 mined, at all events, to push forward. He accordingly 
 formed his detachment into two divisions. One of which 
 was to march by the lower or river road, the other, by the 
 
 upper or Pennington road. 
 
 13* 
 
9 
 
 15.0 BATTLE OF TRENTON. 
 
 As the distance to Trenton by these two roads was 
 nearly the same time, he ordered each of them, immediately 
 on forcing the out guards, to push directly into the town, 
 that they mi^ht charge the enemy before they had time 
 to form. The upper division, accompanied by the Gene- 
 ral himself, arrived at the enemy's adanced post exactly 
 at eight o'clock, and immediately drove in the outguardi?. 
 In three minutes, a firing from the division that had taken 
 the river road, gave notice to the general of its arrival. 
 
 Colonel Rahi, a very gallant Hessian officer who com- 
 manded in Trenton, soon formed his main body to meet 
 the assailants ; but at the commencement of the action he 
 received a mortal wound. His troops, at once confused 
 and hard pressed, and having already lost their artillery, 
 attempted to file ofi" by a road on the right leading to Prince- 
 ton ; but General Washington, perceiving their intention, 
 threw a body of troops in their front, which intercepted 
 and assailed them. Finding themselves surrounded, they 
 laid down their arms. About twenty of the enemy were 
 killed and nine hundred and nine, including officers, sur- 
 rendered themselves prisoners of war. 
 
 The number of prisoners was soon increased to about 
 one thousand by the addition of those who were concealed 
 in houses. Six field pieces, and one thousand stand of 
 small arms, were also taken. Of the Americans, two pri- 
 vates were wounded. General Irvine being prevented by 
 
GENERAL CADWALADER. 152 
 
THE BATTLE OF TRENTON. 
 
 153 
 
 the ice from crossing the Delaware, the lower road towards 
 Bordentown remained open ; and about five hundred of 
 the enemj, stationed in the lower end of Trenton, cross- 
 ing over the bridge in the commencement of the action, 
 marched down the river to Bordentown. General Cad- 
 walader was prevented from the Same cause from attack- 
 ing the post at Burlington. This well-judged and suc- 
 cessful enterprise revived the depressed spirits of the colo- 
 nists, and produced an immediate and happy effect in re- 
 cruiting the American army. 
 
MONUMENT TO GENERAL MERCER, AT LAUREL HILL 
 CEMETERY. 
 
 BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 
 
 The situation of general Washington was, now, again 
 extremely critical. If he staid in his present position, it 
 was certain he would be attacked, next morning, by a 
 force, in all respects, superior to his own ; and the result 
 would most probably, be the destruction of his little army. 
 If he attempted to retreat over th& Delaware, now covered 
 (154) 
 
BATTLE OP PRINCETON. 157 
 
 with ice, which, in consequence of a few mild and foggy 
 days, was not firm enough to march upon, a considerable 
 loss perhaps a total defeat, would be sustained. In any 
 event, the Jerseys would once more be entirely in posses- 
 sion of the enemy ; the public mind would again be de- 
 pressed, recruiting be discouraged by his apparent infe- 
 riority ; and Philadelphia would be a second time in the 
 hands of General Howe. It was obvious, that the one 
 event or the other would deduct greatly from the advan- 
 tages promised by his late success ; and, if it should not 
 render the American cause, absolutely desperate, would 
 very essentially injure it. 
 
 In this state of things, he formed the bold and judicious 
 design of abandoning the Delaware, and marching silently 
 in the night by a circuitous route, along the left flank of 
 the British army, into their rear at Princeton, where he 
 knew they could not be very strong. After beating them 
 there, he proposed to make a rapid movement to Bruns- 
 wick, where their baggage and principal magazines lay, 
 under a weak guard. 
 
 A council of war having approved this plan, preparations 
 
 were immediately made for its execution. As soon as it 
 
 was dark, the baggage was removed silently to Burlington ; 
 
 and about one o'clock in the morning of the third, after 
 
 renewing their fires, and leaving their guards at the bridge 
 
 and the other passes over the creek, the army decamped 
 
 14 
 
158 ... : BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 
 
 with perfect secresj, taking the Quaker road to Princeton. 
 Here, three British regiments had encamped the preceding 
 ' night, two of which commenced their march early in the 
 morning to join the rear of their army at Maidenhead. 
 About sunrise, when they had proceeded about two miles, 
 they saw the Americans advancing on the left, in a direc- 
 tion which would enter the road in their rear. They im= 
 mediately faced about, and, repassing Stonybrook, moved 
 under cover of a copse of woods towards the Americans, 
 whose van was conducted by General Mercer. A sharp 
 action ensued, which, however, was not of long duration. 
 
 The militia, of which the advanced party was principally 
 composed, soon gave way, and the few regulars attached 
 to them were not strong enough to maintain their ground. 
 While gallantly exerting himself to rally his broken troops, 
 General Mercer was mortally wounded, and the van was en- 
 tirely routed. But the fortune of the day was soon 
 changed. The main body of the army, led by General 
 Washington in person, followed close in the rear, and 
 attacked the enemy with great spirit. Persuaded that 
 defeat would irretrievably ruin the affairs of America, he 
 advanced in the very front of the battle, and exposed him- 
 self to the very hottest fire of the enemy. He was so well 
 supported by the same troops who, a few days before, had 
 served at Trenton, that the British, in turn, were compel- 
 led to give way. 
 
BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 
 
 161 
 
 THE HOUSE IN WHICH GENERAL MERCER DIED. 
 
 Their line was broken, and the two regiments separated 
 from each other. Colonel Mawhood, who commanded 
 that in front, and who, being, therefore, on the right, was 
 nearest the rear division of the army under Lord Corn- 
 wallis, retired to the main road and continued his route to 
 Maidenhead. The fifty-fifth regiment, which was on the 
 British left, being hard pressed, fled in 'confusion, across 
 the fields and great road, into a back road leading between 
 Hillsborough and Kingston towards Brunswick. The 
 vicinity of the British forces at Maidenhead, secured Colo- 
 nel Mawhood from pursuit, and general Washington pressed 
 forward to Princeton. The regiment remaining in that 
 place took post in the college, and made some show of re- 
 sistance ; but the artillery being brought up, it was abau- 
 
 14* 
 
162 BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 
 
 doned, and the greater part of them were made prisoners. 
 Some few saved themselves by a precipitate retreat to 
 Brunswick. 
 
 In this action, upwards of one hundred of the British 
 Were killed, and near three hundred were taken prisoners. 
 The loss of the Americans in killed were somewhat less, 
 but in this number was included General Mercer, a very 
 valuable officer from Viginia, who had served with the 
 commander-in-chief in the war against the French and 
 Indians, which terminated in 1763, and was greatly es- 
 teemed by him. Colonels Haslett and Potter, brave and 
 excellent officers from Delaware and Pennsylvania ; Cap- 
 tain Neal of the artillery, Captain Fleming, who on that 
 day commanded the seventh Virginia regiment, and five 
 other valuable officers, were also among the slain. 
 
 On the appearance of daylight. Lord Cornwallis disco- 
 vered that the American army had moved off in the night, 
 and immediately conceived the plan of Washington. He 
 was under extreme apprehension for Brunswick, where 
 were magazines of great value, with the military chest con- 
 taining about seventy thousand pounds. Breaking up his 
 camp, he commenced a rapid march to that place, for the 
 prpose of affording it protection; and was close in the 
 rear of the American army before it could leave Princeton. 
 But Washington with his almost exhausted army reached 
 Pluckemin in safety, gave his men rest and refreshment, 
 
BATTLE OF PRIXCETOX. 163 
 
 and then proceeded to Morristown. where he established 
 his winter quarters. Unprovided as his men were with the 
 necessaries for a winter campaign, he did not remain 
 idle, but sent out detachments to assail and harass the 
 enemy. In a short time with the aid of the militia of the 
 country, he completely drove the British from all their 
 posts except Brunswick and Amboy. Such were the 
 results of the skill, and vigilance, and consummate Gene- 
 ralship of Washington. The brilliant termination of a 
 campaign which had been considered disastrous and 
 hopeless by the patriots, breathed new life into them and 
 raised their confidence in the ability of the commander- 
 in-chief. 
 
 READING THE DECLARATION OF IXDEPEXDENCE TO THE 
 ARMY. 
 
GENERAL LA FAYETTE. 
 
 Shortly after the commencement of the campaign of 
 1777, the Marquis de La Fayette arrived on our shores. 
 He will, and ever must be regarded as one of the most 
 noble and disinterested persons whose names adorn the 
 pages of history. Out of pure love for the cause of liberty 
 in which the United States were engaged, he forsook all 
 the comforts and endearments of home, giving no thought 
 to the brilliant destinies which awaited him as one of the 
 first nobles of France, ''to plunge in the blood and dust 
 of our inauspicious struggle." 
 (164) 
 
GENERAL LA FAYETTE, 165 
 
 In 1776, at the age of nineteen, he communicated his 
 intention to the American commissioners at Paris, who 
 failed not to encourage it, rightly concluding that the eclat 
 of his departure would be serviceable to their cause. 
 Events, however, occurred which would have deterred from 
 the undertaking a person less decided than the Marquis. 
 News was received in Trance, that the American army, 
 reduced to two thousand men, had fled towards Philadel- 
 phia through the Jerseys, before thirty thousand British 
 troops. 
 
 This news so effectually extinguished the little credit 
 heretofore enjoyed by America in Europe, that a vessel 
 could not be procured by the commissioners to forward 
 this nobleman's project. 
 
 It was thought by them to be theijr duty, under these 
 circumstances, to discourage his project, until a change 
 in the condition of American affairs would render it less 
 hazardous. It was in vain, however, that they acted so 
 candid a part. The flame which had been kindled in his 
 breast by the American sons of liberty could not be 
 smothered by their misfortunes. " Hitherto," said he, in 
 an interview with Dr. Franklin, in the true spirit of he- 
 roism, " I have only cherished your cause ; now I am going 
 to serve it. The lower it is in the opinion of the people, 
 the greater effect my departure will have ; and, since you 
 cannot get a vessel, I shall procure and fit out one, to 
 
166 
 
 GENERAL LA FAYETTE. 
 
 carry your despatches to Congress, and me to America. 
 He accordingly fitted out a vessel, and meanwhile made 
 a visit to Great Britain, that the part he was about to act 
 might be rendered the more conspicuous. 
 
 The French court, could not overlook his conduct, 
 whatever their good wishes were towards America. Ho 
 was overtaken by an order, forbidding him to proceed to 
 America, and vessels were despatched to the West Indies, 
 in case he was found in that quarter, to have him confined. 
 He acknowledged receipt of the order, but did not obey 
 it ; and, keeping clear of the West Indies, he arrived at 
 Charleston, in the spring of 1777, and repaired immedi- 
 ately to the seat of war. 
 
 Washington received him with open arms, and Congress 
 immediately appointed him a Major-General. His example 
 was followed by many French officers ; and it was chiefly 
 by his efibrts, backed by those of Dr. Franklin, and tho 
 other American commissioners at Paris, that the treaty 
 of alliance and mutual defence between the United States 
 and France, was afterwards concluded. 
 
 La Fayette served throughout the remainder of the re- 
 volutionary war, and rendered military services scarcely 
 less important to the country than his able and influen- 
 tial diplomacy in the matter of the alliance with France. 
 His generosity in clothing the soldiers for the Virginia 
 campaign, and his able conduct and intrepidity in the en- 
 
GENEKAL LA FAYETTE. 169 
 
 counters with the British which preceded the surrender 
 of Cornwallis were of inestimable value to the cause. 
 When in old age he returned to the United States his 
 visit was a continuous triumphal progress; and Congress 
 acknowledged his seryices by a liberal grant of money and 
 land. 
 
WASHINGTON. 
 
 BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 
 
 After the battles of Trenton and Princeton, Washing, 
 ton passed the winter of 1776-7 in expelling the British 
 from most of their posts in New Jersey. During the 
 greater part of this time, his head quarters were at 
 Morristown. The spring was passed in vain endeav#rs on 
 the part of Sir William Howe, to bring on a general en 
 gagement, and in June he gave up the attempt and with- 
 drew his army from New Jersey to Staten Island. His 
 object was now to gain possession of Philadelphia* Ac- 
 (170) 
 
BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 
 
 171 
 
 cordingly, after keeping the American General in long and 
 perplexing suspense concerning his intended operations, 
 he at length sailed from Sandy Hook with about sixteen 
 thousand men; entered Chesapeake Bay; and on the 
 24th of August arrived at the head of Elk river. Gene- 
 rals Grant and Knyphausen having joined him on the 8th 
 of September with the troops under their command, the 
 whole army moved onward in two columns toward Phila- 
 delphia, the possession of which was now discovered to be 
 the object of the British Commander. General Washing- 
 ton, who regulated his movements by those of the enemy, 
 had by this time, with the whole American army, except- 
 ing the light infantry, which remained on the lines, taken 
 a position behind Red Clay Creek, on the road leading 
 directly from the enemy's camp to Philadelphia. The 
 British boldly advanced until they were within two miles 
 of the Americans. 
 
 General Washington, on reconnoitering their situation, 
 apprehending their object to be to turn his right, and, 
 suddenly crossing the Brandywine, to seize the heights on 
 the north side of that river and cut off his communication 
 with Philadelphia, changed his position early in the night 
 of the 8th of September, crossed the Brandywine, and the 
 next morning took post behind that river, on the height 
 near Chadd's Ford. 
 
 At daybreak on the morning of the eleventh, the royal 
 
172 
 
 BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 
 
 Washington's head quarters at morristown. 
 
 army advanced in two columns, the one commanded hy 
 Lieutenant-General Knypliausen, and the other by Lord 
 Cornwallis. While the first column took the direct road 
 to Chadd's Ford, and made a show of passing it in front 
 of the main body of the Americans, the other moved up 
 on the west side of the Brandywine to its fork, crossed 
 both its branches about two in the afternoon, and marched 
 down on its eastern side with a view of turning the right 
 wing of their adversaries. 
 
 General Washington, on receiving intelligence of their 
 approach, made the proper disposition to receive them. 
 The divisions commanded by Sullivan, Stirling, and Ste- 
 phen, advanced a little farther up the Brandywine, and 
 
15* 
 
BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 175 
 
 fronted the column of the approaching enemy ; Wayne's 
 division, with Maxwell's light infantry, remained at Chadd's 
 Ford, to keep Knyphausen in check ; Green's division, 
 accompanied by General Washington, formed a reserve, 
 and took a central position between the right and left 
 wings. 
 
 The divisions detached against Cornwallis took posses- 
 .sion of the heights above Birmingham church, their left 
 reaching toward the Brandy wine ; the artillery was judi- 
 ciously placed, and. their flanks were covered by woods. 
 About four o'clock, Lord Cornwallis formed the line of 
 battle, and began the attack. 
 
 The Americans sustained it some time with intrepidity ; 
 but their right at length giving way, the remaining divi- 
 sions, exposed to a galling fire on the flank, continued to 
 break on the right, and the whole line was soon completely 
 routed. As soon as Cornwallis had commenced his attack, 
 Knyphausen crossed the ford, and attacked the troops 
 posted for its defence ; which, after a severe conflict, were 
 compelled to give way. 
 
 The retreat of the Americans, which soon became ge- 
 neral, was continued that night to Chester, and the next 
 day to Philadelphia. The loss, sustained by the Ameri- 
 cans in this action, is estimated at three hundred killed, 
 and six hundred wounded. Between three and four hun- 
 dred, principally the wounded, were made prisoners. The 
 
176 
 
 BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 
 
 loss of the British was stated to be rather less than one 
 hundred killed, and four hundred wounded. 
 
 As the British were advancing towards Goshen to gain 
 the Lancaster road, dispositions were again made for battle, 
 on the 16th, by both armies ; but a heavy rain separated 
 the advanced parties, which had begun to skirmish, and 
 its increasing violence soon obliged the Americans to 
 retreat. " 
 
 General "Washington on the 19th crossed the Schuylkill, 
 and encamped on the eastern banks of that river; while 
 detachments of his army were posted at the several fordSj 
 over which the enemy would probably attempt to force a 
 passage. In the battle of Brandywine, La Fayette first 
 drew his sword in our cause ; and during the action he 
 was severely wounded. ; / 
 
A COUNCIL OP OmCERS. 
 
 BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 
 
 Washingtox while encamped fourteen miles from Ger- 
 manto^vn, conceived the design of attacking the British 
 stationed at that place. The 4th of October was fixed 
 for the execution of the plan. 
 
 Sir William Howe, desirous of having a free communi- 
 cation with the fleet in the Delaware river, employed his 
 army in removing the obstructions in the river, which the 
 Americans had been at great pains to construct, and 
 which were defended by floating batteries, armed vessels, 
 and fire ships. The army at Germantown was of neces- 
 
 (177) 
 
178 BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 
 
 sity weakened, by the number engaged in the removal of 
 these obstructions; and Washington, whose forces had 
 been increased to eleven thousand men, determined to 
 attack them by surprise. 
 
 He moved from his encampment on the 3d of October, 
 with twenty-five hundred chosen men, and commenced the 
 attack early on the morning of the 4th. The advanced 
 guards were soon driven in ; but one circumstance defeated 
 the whole enterprise. Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave, with 
 five companies, took possession of Mr. Chew's large stone 
 mansion, and kept up such a galling fire, that although 
 nearly half the American army, were engaged in attempt- 
 ing to dislodge them, all their efforts were vain. A thick 
 fog rendered the morning so dark, that it became almost 
 impossible to distinguish friend or foe. 
 
 Washington was at length obliged to order a retreat in 
 order to save his army. The fog now proved of ' some 
 benefit, and the army retreated under cover of a battery, 
 suddenly and opportunely furnished by General Wayne, 
 on an eminence near White Marsh church. Many fell 
 into the hands of the British, being unable to unite with 
 their parties, which accounts for the large number of 
 prisoners, four hundred. The loss of the Americans, be- 
 sides, was about two hundred killed, and three hundred 
 wounded. That of the British was stated by them to he 
 near six hundred killed and wounded. 
 
BATTLE OF GERMAXTOWN. 
 
 181 
 
 GENERAL KNOX. 
 
 The effect of this battle was to render Howe more cau- 
 tious, as he was aware he had one to deal with who was 
 every way his equal. His army was placed nearer Phil- 
 adelphia, whilst Washington resumed his former positiou 
 on Skippack Creek, twenty miles from Philadelphia. 
 
 The plan of attack at Germantown had been determined 
 by a council of officers called by Washington ; and the sur- 
 prise of the British army would have been complete, but 
 for the unforeseen delay at Chew's House. If the opinion 
 
 of General Reed had prevailed, this long delay would 
 
 16 
 
182 
 
 BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 
 
 not have happened. He proposed to continue the pursuit 
 of the remainder of the enemy, who were in great confu- 
 sion ; and turning their faces to Philadelphia ; but General 
 Knox of the artillery, opposed the suggestion as being 
 against all military rule " to leave an enemy in a fort in 
 the rear.'* " « 
 
 "What," exclaimed Reed, "call this a fort, and lose 
 the happy moment?" 
 
 Knox's opinion prevailed ; the pursuit was abandoned, 
 and a failure ensued, where a victory had been nearly 
 certain. 
 
 # 
 
'It. 
 
BATTLE OF RED BANK. 
 
 The upper line of obstructions which prevented the 
 British ships from ascending the Delaware river, to the 
 city of Philadelphia, in 1777, were protected by a work 
 on Mud Island, called Fort Mifflin, and a redoubt and 
 works on the Jersey shore, at Bed Bank, named Fort 
 Mercer. • 
 
 The capture or overthrow of these forts, and the free 
 passage of the Delaware, were of great importance to the 
 British army, in the occupation of Philadelphia. Count 
 Donop, was therefore ordered by Howe, with twelve hun- 
 
m 
 
 BATTLE OF BED BANK. 
 
 dred men, chiefly Germans, to cross the Delaware, and 
 storm the works at Bed Bank. 
 
 He attacked the fort, which was garrisoned by Colonel 
 Christopher Greene, of Rhode Island, with only five hun- 
 dred men, on the 22nd of October, 1777. This number, 
 pr:)ving insufficient to man the works completely, they re- 
 th ed from the outworks to the redoubt, after galling the 
 Hissians on their approach. 
 
 The charge of the enemy was spirited, but the fire of 
 tbe Americans was too well directed, and too deadly. 
 Count Donop was mortally wounded ; the second in com- 
 mand met a similar fate ; and the third immediately retired 
 with the rest of his men. Greene followed them on their 
 retreat. Donop was taken prisoner, and treated with the 
 greatest kindness ; but he soon died of his wounds. The 
 loss of the British was about four hundred men, while that 
 of the Americans was but thii'ty-two killed and wounded. 
 That portion of the fleet which participated in the attack, 
 was equally unfortunate. The channel had been obstructed 
 by the chevaux-de-frize, and sandbanks were made, where 
 before, none had existed. 
 
 The frigates Augusta and Merlin ran aground a short 
 distance below the second row of chevaux-de-frize. Every 
 exertion was used to get them ofi"; but in vain. 
 
 Next morning, the Americans perceiving their situation, 
 began to fire upon them, and sent fire-ships to efiect theii 
 
BATTLE OF RED BANK. 187 
 
 complete destruction. The Augusta was fired, and the 
 crew with great difficulty saved. The second lieutenant, 
 chaplain, gunner, and some seamen, perished in the flames ; 
 and the crew of the Merlin, apprehending a similar fate, 
 get fire to and abandoned her. 
 
 This was a splendid victory for the Americans ; but it 
 was unavailing in the end. A subsequent attack was made 
 with an overwhelming force; and the Americans wei«» 
 obliged to retreat, leaving the fort a heap of ruins. 
 
GENERAL BURGOYNE. 
 
 BURGOYNE'S INVASION. BATTLE OF BEN- 
 NINGTON. 
 
 It is well known to the readers of American history, 
 that Burgoyne's invasion was intended to conquer the 
 whole country from Canada to New York, and thus cut off 
 all connexion between the northern and southern colonies. 
 His first operations were attended with success. Ticon- 
 deroga, Fort Edward, and Fort Anne, had successively 
 fallen into his hands. 
 
 Up to this time, every thing in the aspect of the cam- 
 (188) 
 
JOHN LANGDON. 189 
 
burgoyxe's invasion. 191 ^ 
 
 paign in the north had been as discouraging to the Ame- 
 ricans as it was promising to Burgoyne. "We quote a pas- 
 sage from Governor Everett, to show what the state of 
 feeling was in New England, and to what kind of measures 
 some of its sons were capable of resorting for the public 
 good. 
 
 ^'It must be confessed that it required no ordinary 
 share of fortitude, to find topics of consolation in the present 
 state of affairs. The British were advancing with a well- 
 appointed army into the heart of the country, under the 
 conduct, as it was supposed, of the most skilttil officers, 
 confident of success, and selected to finish the war. The 
 army consisted in part of German troops, veterans of the 
 Seven Years' War, under the command of a general of 
 experience, conduct, and valor. Nothing could have been 
 more ample than the military supplies, the artillery, mu- 
 nitions, and stores, with which the army was provided. 
 A considerable force of Canadians and American loyalists, 
 furnished the requisite spies, scouts, and rangers ; and a 
 numerous force of savages, in their war-dresses, with their 
 peculiar weapons and native ferocity, increased the terrors 
 of its approach. Its numbers were usually rated at ten 
 thousand strong. 
 
 " On the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and the further 
 advance of such an army, the New England States, and 
 particularly New Hampshire and Massachusetts, were filled 
 
192 
 
 burqoyne's invasion. 
 
 with alarm. It was felt that their frontier was uncovered, 
 and that strenuous and extraordinary efforts for the pro- 
 tection of the country were necessary. In New Hamp- 
 shire, as being nearer the scene of danger, a proportion- 
 ably greater anxiety was felt. The Committee of Safety, 
 of what was then called the New Hampshire Grants, the 
 present state of Vermont, wrote in the most pressing terms 
 to the New Hampshire Committee of Safety at Exeter, 
 apprising them, that, if assistance should not be sent to 
 them, they should be forced to abandon the country and 
 take refuge east of the Connecticut River. When these 
 tidings reached Exeter, the Assembly had finished their 
 spring session, and had gone home. A summons from 
 the Committee brought them together again, and in three 
 days they took the most effectual and decisive steps for 
 the defence of the country. Among the patriotic mem- 
 bers of the Assembly, who signalized themselves on this 
 occasion, none was more conspicuous than the late Go- 
 vernor Langdon. The members of that body were inclined 
 to despond ; the public credit was exhausted ; and there 
 were no more means of supporting troops, if they could 
 be raised. Meantime the defences of the frontier had 
 fallen, and the enemy, with overwhelming force, was pene- 
 trating into the country. At this gloomy juncture, John 
 Langdon, a merchant of Portsmouth, and speaker of the 
 Assembly, thus addressed its members : 
 
BATTLE OF BEXXIXGTON. 
 
 195 
 
 GENERAL STARK. 
 
 " ' I have three thousand dollars in hard money ; I will 
 pledge mv plate for three thousand more ; I have seventy 
 hogsheads of Tobago rum, which shall be sold for the most 
 it will bring. These are at the service of the state. If 
 we succeed in defending our firesides and homes, I may 
 be remunerated ; if we do not, the property will be of no 
 value to me. Our old friend, Stark, who so nobly main- 
 tained the honor of our state at Bunker Hill, may be 
 safely intrusted with the conduct of the enterprise, and we 
 will check the progress of Burgoyne.' 
 
 This proposal infused new life into the measures of the 
 Assembly. They formed the whole militia of the state 
 into two brigades. Of the fii'st they gave the commiand 
 to "William Whipple, of the second to John Stark. They 
 ordered one-fourth part of Stark's brigade, and one-fourth 
 of three regiments of Whipple's, ' to stop the progress of 
 the enemy on our western frontiers.' They ordered the 
 
 « 
 
196 
 
 BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 
 
 militia officers to take away arms from all persons who 
 scrupled or refused to assist in defending the country ; 
 and appointed a day of fasting and prayer, which was 
 observed with great solemnity." 
 
 It was with the force raised by these exertions of the 
 government and people of New Hampshire, that General 
 Stark was enabled to give Burgoyne his first check, by 
 defeating his attempt to seize the stores at Bennington. 
 Burgoyne had dispatched Colonel Baum on this service, 
 with five hundred men, mostly Germans, including a de- 
 tachment of Reidsel's dragoons, and one hundred Indians. 
 General Stark was near the town, with about four hun- 
 dred men, and hearing of Baum's approach, he sent ex- 
 presses with directions to all the neighboring militia, to 
 join him, and an order to Colonel Warner, to march from 
 Manchester, where he was stationed with his regiment, to 
 his aid. His orders were promptly obeyed, and he soon 
 found himself at the head of a large number of men. Ad- 
 vancing to within four miles of the town, Baum halted 
 and sent an express to Burgoyne for reinforcements ; and 
 Colonel Breyman, with five hundred men was sent to his 
 assistance. Meantime Stark determined to attack Baum 
 in his camp. He advanced against the enemy at the head 
 of seven hundred men, and commenced a furious assault. 
 Baum did every thing that could be expected from an 
 officer, under the circumstances, but in vain ; on all sides 
 
BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 199 
 
 he was assailed with an incessant fire of musketry, and he 
 was at length mortally wounded. The battle had lasted 
 two hours, when the Hessian troops, unable longer to 
 withstand the American fire, fled in confusion. A few 
 escaped, but the greater part w^ere killed or taken priso- 
 ners. The militia dispersed for plunder ; Breyman came 
 up and renewed the battle, and Stark, being opportunely 
 reinforced by Warner's regiment, maintained the engage- 
 ment till dark, when Breyman abandoned his artillery 
 and baggage, and escaped with a small part of his men to 
 the British camp. The American militia were well-armed 
 from the spoil taken in this victory. Eour brass field- ' 
 pieces, one thousand stand of arms, nine hundred swords, 
 and several baggage-wagons, fell into the hands of the 
 brave Stark, who lost but one hundred men in killed and 
 wounded throughout the day. The British lost about 
 seven hundred in all, of which number, thirty-two officers 
 were taken prisoners. 
 
 The battle of Bennington was the first serious check 
 received by Burgoyne. It was followed by the battle of 
 Stillwater, and Bemis's Heights; and then came a suc- 
 cession of disasters which terminated in the surrender of 
 his whole army, and the total defeat of his whole grand 
 scheme of invasion. 
 
 The capture of Burgoyne and his army, was an event 
 of immense importance to the cause of liberty. It saved 
 
200 
 
 BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 
 
 he New England States from all the horrors of invasion. 
 It inspired congress and the people with fresh confidence 
 to protract the struggle to final victory. It was the 
 turning point with the court of France, and determined 
 that power to form a treaty of alliance with the United 
 States, and to send her fleets and armies to our aid. 
 There remained still, much to be done and suffered for 
 the good cause ; but from this time forth, the patriots 
 fought with renewed courage and determination. One 
 formidable British army defeated and captured, fyhat 
 might they not hope to accomplish ? 
 
HEROIC EXPLOIT OF PETER FRANCISCO. 
 
 While the British were spreading havoc and desolation 
 all around them, by their plunderings and burnings in 
 Virginia, in 1781, Peter Francisco had been reconnoiter- 
 ing, and while stopping at the house of a Mr. Wand, in 
 Amelia county, nine of Tarleton's cavalry coming up with 
 three negroes, told him he was a prisoner. Seeing him- 
 
 C201) 
 
202 HEROIC EXPLOIT OF PETER FRANCISCO. 
 
 self overpowered by numbers, he made no resistance ; and 
 believing him to be very peaceable, they all went into the 
 house, leaving the paymaster and Francisco together. 
 He demanded his watch, money, &c., which being delivered 
 to him, in order to secure his plunder, he put his sword 
 under his arm, with the hilt behind him. While in the 
 act of putting a silver buckle into his pocket, Francisco, 
 finding so favorable an opportunity to recover his liberty, 
 stepped one pace in his rear, drew the sword with force 
 from under his arm, and instantly gave him n blow across 
 his scull. The enemy was brave, and though severely 
 wounded, drew a pistol, and, in the same moment that he 
 pulled the trigger, Francisco cut his hand nearly off. The 
 bullet grazed his side. Ben Wand (the man of the house) 
 very ungenerously brought out a musket, and gave it to 
 one of the British soldiers, and told him to make use of 
 that. He mounted the only horse he could get, and 
 presented it at Francisco's breast. It missed fire, and 
 Francisco rushed on the muzzle of the gun. A short 
 struo^ffle ensued, and he disarmed and wounded him. 
 Tarleton's troop of four hundred men were in sight. All 
 was hurry and confusion, which Francisco increased by 
 hallooing as loud as he could. Come on, my brave boys ; 
 now's your time : we will soon dispatch these few, and 
 then attack the mai^i body. The wounded man flew to 
 the troop ; the others were panic struck, and fled. Fran- 
 
'It'll nil I 
 
HEROIC EXPLOIT OF PETER FRANCISCO. 205 
 
 sisco seized Wand, and would have dispatched him, but 
 jhe poor wretch begged for his life ; he was not only an 
 object of contempt, but pity. The eight horses that were 
 left behind, Francisco gave him to conceal for him. Dis- 
 covering Tarleton had dispatched ten more in pursuit of 
 him, he made off and evaded their vigilance. They stopped 
 to refresh themselves, and he, like an old fox, doubled, 
 and fell on their rear. Francisco went the next day to 
 Wand for his horses ; he demanded two, for his trouble 
 and generous intentions. Finding his situation dangerous, 
 and surrounded by enemies where he ought to have found 
 friends, he went off with his six horses. Francisco in- 
 tended to have avenged himself of Wand at a future day, 
 but Providence ordained he should not be his executioner, 
 for Wand broke his neck by a fall from one of the very 
 horses. 
 
ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 The name of Andrew Jackson is associated with many 
 stirring events in American History, and while one spark 
 of "virtue, liberty, and independence," remains imbedded 
 in the hearts of the American people, so long will the 
 name of Jackson live. 
 
 He was educated for the ministry by his mother, who 
 was left a widow shortly after his birth, and who looked 
 forward with pleasure, to the time when she should gee 
 him at the head of some little flock, leading them in that 
 path which leads to Eternal life ; little dreaming that lie 
 (206) 
 
I 
 
ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 209 
 
 would one day hold the highest office in the gift of his 
 countrymen. 
 
 While receiving his education at the Waxhaw academy, 
 the Revolution broke out. When the news of the battles 
 of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker's Hill, reached the 
 south, and the events immediately succeeding, the fires 
 began to burn, and all were seized with the " desire to 
 strike one blow for their common country." 
 
 They did not have to wait a great while, for the " deso- 
 lating tide of war soon rolled south, and the rallying notes 
 of the bugle rang through the woods of Carolina." 
 
 Savannah was taken by the British in 1778, and in the 
 following spring the troops invaded South Carolina. Here 
 they met with opposition from the inhabitants, and the 
 elder brother of Andrew, Hugh, fell at Stono, having 
 been " overcome by the heat and labor of the day." 
 
 Charleston surrendered the following year, and the 
 
 British under Lord Cornwallis penetrated into the heart 
 
 of South Carolina. Colonel Buford, who commanded 
 
 the hardy yeomanry, amounting to about four hundred 
 
 men, was forced to retire. Cornwallis dispatched Colonel 
 
 Tarleton after him, who overtook him at Waxhaw, the 
 
 birth-place of Jackson, and literally cut Buford's small 
 
 army to pieces ; but one hundred and forty escaping, of 
 
 the four hundred under his command. 
 
 On the quiet green of Waxhaw, along the rural street, 
 18* 
 
'■210 ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 around the humble cottages, h\j the mutilated bodies, 
 ' nearly all of them showing the ghastly ^wounds of the 
 sabre. The fierce dragoons, with their bugle blasts, and 
 shouts, and trampling steeds, had come and gone like { 
 whirlwind, leaving desolation in their path, while the si 
 lenee that succeeded this sudden uproar, and short, fierc 
 death-struggle, was broken only by the groans of the 
 dying. Their little village church was immediately turned 
 into a hospital, and the inhabitants vied with each other 
 in ministering to the wounded. 
 
 Andrew was at this time but twelve years of age ; but 
 as he listened to the tumult of battle, and afterwards 
 gazed on the ghastly spectacle, his young heart kindled 
 into rage, and in that dreadful hour, the soldier was 
 born. 
 
 Mrs. Jackson, shortly after, together with most of the 
 inhabitants, retired into North Carolina, frightened at the 
 approach of Lord Bawdon, who was advancing towards 
 Waxhaw, committing every species of rapine and plunder. 
 She remained in North Carolina, until Rawdon was re- 
 called to Camden. 
 
 In 1780, General Sumter made an attack upon the Bri- 
 tish, at Rocky Mount ; but was unsuccessful. He was, 
 however, shortly after reinforced by Colonel Davie, with 
 a party of Waxhaw settlers, among whom were the song 
 
 Mrs. Jackson ; and although Andrew was but thirteen 
 
ANDREW JACKSON. 211 
 
 years of age, and could scarcely carry a musket, lie was 
 to be found at his post, burning "witli zeal to lend a helpinj ' 
 hand, in securing the liberty of his beloved country. 
 
 " It was sad to behold one so young marching to the 
 carnage of battle ; but there was a sublimity, a grandeur, 
 about the gallant boy, that wins our highest admiration. 
 It is a terrible thing to have such a child cast into the 
 midst of strife and bloodshed ; and yet it is a noble spec- 
 tacle to behold so young a heart laid on the altar of his 
 country, so fresh a life offered a sacrifice to liberty. It 
 was hard for the solitary widow to part with her ' Benja- 
 min,' the child of her love. As she strained him to her 
 bosom, she thought of the hardships and toilsome march 
 before him, and alas ! of the battle-field on which, per- 
 chance, his pale and innocent cheek would be pressed in 
 death, while his clotted locks lay trampled in the earth ; 
 yet. Spartan-like, she bade him, in God's name, go, and 
 strike for the land of his birth." 
 
 General Sumter, on the 6th of August, attacked the 
 British at Hanging Rock ; but a portion of his troops 
 rising in rebellion, he was forced to retreat. The boys 
 Jackson, were still in Colonel Davies' corps, "which fought 
 gallantly to the last. This was Andrew's first battle, and 
 in it he showed the metal he was made of." He shortly 
 after returned to his mother, who was again forced to flee 
 into North Carolina for safety. They remained until 
 
212^ ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 February, when they again sought their home. The sub- 
 sequent career of Jackson is too well known to require 
 any notice from us. In the wars with the Indians in 
 Florida, in 1813-14, he made himself famous, by the 
 boldness and consummate tact, with which he, in almost 
 every instance, triumphed over superior numbers. But 
 the battle of New Orleans was the crowning point. A 
 nation testified its gratitude, by placing him in the highest 
 office in their gift. 
 
SIEGE OF TORKTOTVN, AND SURHENDER OF 
 CORNWALLIS. 
 
 An attempt was made by Sir Henry Clinton to divert 
 Washington from his plan of operations in the south, 
 but it was totally unsuccessful. He, with the French 
 generals, marched towards Yorktown, which Lord Corn- 
 wallis with his army, was endeavoring to fortify 
 
 Yorktown is situated on the south side of York rivrr, 
 where the banks are high, and ships of the line may ri le 
 in safety. On the opposite shore is situated Gloucester 
 
 (215) 
 
216 
 
 SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 
 
 / Point. Both of these points were occupied by the British, 
 and a communication kept up, by means of their batteries 
 and several ships of war. The main army of Cornwallis 
 was encamped at Yorktown ; while Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Tarleton^ with a detachment of six or seven hundred men, 
 kept possession of Gloucester Point. 
 
 The French general De Choisy, with Lauzun's legion, 
 and a brigade of Virginia militia, watched and enclosed 
 Tarleton's force, at Gloucester, whilst the main army 
 moved to invest Yorktown, on the 30th of September. 
 
 On the night of the 6th of October, advancing within 
 six hundred yards of the English lines, they began their 
 first parallel, with such silence and industry, that they 
 had raised a work of sufficient magnitude to protect them, 
 before morning discovered their operations to the British. 
 Dn the 9th and 10th of October, the allies opened a fire 
 from their batteries, and the second parallel was opened, 
 within three hundred yards of the enemy's works, on the 
 night of the 10th ; but here their progress was impeded. 
 Two British redoubts were advanced in front of the other 
 works, and the workmen in the trenches were much an- 
 noyed by them. It was determined to carry these posts 
 by storm ; and to avoid national jealousy, and to profit 
 by the natural emulation of the troops, one was to be at- 
 j tacked by the French, whilst the Americans should assail 
 
 ' the other. On the evening of the'14th, the two detach 
 
SIEGE OF YOEKTOVrX. 217 
 
 menrs moved to the assault. La Fayette led the Ameri- 
 cans against the redoubt on the extreme left of the British, 
 and the Baron Yiomenil led the French grenadiers and 
 chasseurs to attack the other, which vras more toward 
 the British right, and near the French lines. The Ame- 
 ricans rushed to the assault with fixed bayonets, and un- 
 loaded arms, and the redoubt was carried in a few minutes, 
 with the inconsiderable loss of nine killed and thirty-two 
 wounded. Xotwiihstanding the frecj_uent examples of se- 
 verity displayed by the British, not a man was killed after 
 resistance had ceased, either by the American or the 
 French party, who also were successful. Yiomenil, how- 
 ever, in capturing the other redoubt, employed more time 
 and suffered greater loss than La Fayette, nearly one 
 hundred men being killed or wounded. 
 
 On the 16th. a sortie was made from the garrison by 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, with about three hun- 
 dred and fifty men ; two batteries were forced, and eleven 
 cannon spiked ; but the British were soon forced to retreat, 
 and the cannon were again fitted for use. In the after- 
 noon, the batteries in the second parallel, in which the 
 two redoubts had been included, were opened, and about 
 one hundred pieces of heavy ordnance were brought to 
 bear upon the enemy's lines. These latter were now al- 
 most in ruins, and a day or two -more would leave the 
 
 British at the mercy of th^rir foe. In thesf^ circumstances, 
 
 19 
 
218 
 
 SIEGE OF TORKTOWN. 
 
 Cornwallis resolved to attempt a retreat by land to New 
 York. For this purpose several boat-loads of troops were 
 sent over to Gloucester Point ; but a storm of wind and 
 rain dispersed the boats, and the design was consequently 
 abandoned. 
 
 On the 17th, several new batteries were opened, and 
 the British works were no longer tenable. At ten in the 
 morning, Cornwallis begged for a cessation of hostilities 
 for twenty-four hours ; but Washington, in answer to his 
 lordship's letter, stated his "ardent desire to spare the 
 further effusion of blood, and his readiness to listen to 
 such terms as were admissible," but refused to suspend 
 hostilities for more than two hours. Propositions were 
 then submitted by Cornwallis, the nature of which were 
 such as to lead to an adjustment of terms of capitulation, 
 and the suspension of hostilities was continued throughout 
 the day and night. 
 
 Commissioners were appointed to digest into form the 
 rough draft of articles which Washington had proposed to 
 Lord Cornwallis ; and on the morning of the 19th, the 
 commander-in-chief sent them by letter to his lordship, 
 expressing his expectation that they would be signed by 
 eleven in the morning, and that the garrison would march 
 out by two in the afternoon. Clinton had failed to fulfil 
 his promise of relief; there was no prospect of a dissen- 
 sion between the French and Americans, by which bis 
 
SIEGE OF TORTvTO'^N'. 221 
 
 lordship. miglit hope to escape, and he was compelled to 
 suhmit to the humiliating, though inevitable necessity. 
 The articles were signed, on the 18th of October the gar- 
 rison marched out of the town, with colors cased, and 
 General Lincoln received the submission of the roval 
 army, on the same terms which had been granted to him- 
 self under similar circumstances, at Charleston. 
 
 The posts of Torktown and Grloucesitev, with their gar- 
 risons and stores, were surrendered .v, the United States ; 
 the shipping and seamen to the Count de Grasse. There 
 were upwards of seven thous?i>H prisoners, exclusive of 
 seamen, six thousand of whoiP. were rank and file. Five 
 hundred and fifty-two of I^lq garrison were either killed 
 or wounded durirg the si 3p;e. The French and Americans 
 :iy&t about tk. ie 0ii»dvt^. 
 
 19* 
 
4 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE. 
 
 Perhaps one of the most surprising expeditions during 
 the revolutionary war, was that under the immediate 
 command of Colonel George Rogers Clarke. It happened 
 in 1778, against Kaskaskia and Vincennes, then held by 
 the British. The Indians received their supplies of arms 
 and ammunition from these places, which enabled them 
 to commit their depredations upon the frontier settlements 
 of Virginia. 
 
 Clarke was a man eminently qualified for the position 
 he was chosen to fill, being brave, possessed of great 
 (222) 
 
GEOKGE ROGERS CLARKE. 225 
 
 energy, and well skilled in the warfare, and cunning de- 
 vices practised by the savage denizens of the forest. He 
 was aware that in order to put a stop to the depredations 
 of the Indians it was necessary to begin with their allies, 
 at a distance, by whom they were supported and encou- 
 raged. At the head of three hundred men he crossed 
 the Monongahela river, and descended the Ohio in boats, 
 as far as the falls of that river, being reinforced there by 
 some volunteers from Kentucky, then Western Virginia. 
 Here he left some thirteen families, who had left their 
 homes, for the purpose of settling in that country. At 
 that time, no settlement had been yet attempted at the 
 Falls, where Louisville now stands ; and the situation was 
 BO exposed, that the first houses were built upon the island 
 in the river. ' 
 
 A few days were employed in recruiting the exhausted 
 energies of his men ; he then proceeded down to within 
 sixty miles of the mouth of the Ohio, where he landed 
 and hid his boats, to prevent their being discovered by the 
 Indians. Kaskaskia was now about one hundred and 
 thirty miles off, and the road lay through deep morasses, 
 and ponds of water, almost concealed by the luxuriant 
 vegetation, which abounded throughout the whole route, 
 and which must have rendered the march of the troops 
 difficult in the extreme. 
 
 But Clarke was not a man to let trifles impede his pro- 
 
226 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE. 
 
 gress. He was one of those hardy, bold, and intrepid 
 men, whom no danger, however great, could deter, and 
 difficulties served but to increase his ardor. At the head 
 of his troops, with his rifle thrown across his shoulder, 
 and his provisions strapped to his back, he marched on 
 through this dark and dreary region. 
 
 After many privations and a weary march, he arrived, 
 in the night, before Kaskaskia. The town contained in- 
 habitants enough to have resisted a much greater force 
 than that of Clarke, had they been aware of his approach ; 
 but so silent and rapid had been his march, that the first 
 notice they received, was the assault he made upon the 
 town. 
 
 " Not a scattering hunter had espied his march ; not a 
 roving Indian had seen his trail ; the watchman was sleep- 
 ing in fancied security ; the inhabitants of the town were 
 resting from their labors, and the garrison of the fort was 
 not alarmed, until the citadel was taken, and the flag of 
 stars and stripes was proudly waving upon its battle- 
 ments. 
 
 The astonishment of the garrison, and their mortifica- 
 tion, can better be imagined than described. The whole 
 afi'air occupied but a short time. The inhabitants were 
 required to swear allegiance to the United States, and 
 Colonel Clarke made the fort at Kaskaskia, his head 
 quarters. 
 
Oi::NERAL GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE. 
 
GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE. 
 
 229 
 
 From the fact that property was not molested, and that 
 the people were treated in the most humane manner, they 
 soon became reconciled to the change. Care was taken 
 that no one escaped to spread the news, " while detach- 
 ments were sent out, that captured the open settlements 
 and villages in the vicinity, without the least resistance." 
 The villages higher up the Mississippi, also fell an easy 
 prey to a detachment of horsemen, dispatched by Colonel 
 Clarke, for that purpose. - ; 
 
 " Thus fell the power of Great Britain, upon the banks 
 of the Mississippi ; and this fertile valley, which will one 
 day be the centre of population of this great Republic, 
 passed from under her authority for ever." 
 
CAPTAIN BIDDLE. 
 
 DEATH OF CAPTAIN BIDDLE. 
 
 Captain Nicholas Biddlb was born at Philadelphia, 
 in 1750. After many years of adventure as a British 
 seaman, in which he acquired a complete knowledge of 
 his profession, he entered the service of the United States, 
 and was very successful in capturing the vessels of the 
 (230) 
 
DEATH OF CAPTAIN BIDDLE. 
 
 233 
 
 English, in the early part of the Revolutionary war. He 
 was in command of a squadron composed of the Randolph, 
 the Moultrie, and two smaller vessels, when he fell in the 
 service of his country. 
 
 On the night of the 7th of March, 1778, the fatal acci- 
 dent occuiTed, which terminated the life of this excellent 
 officer. For some days previously he had expected an 
 attack. Captain Blake, a brave officer who commanded a 
 detachment of the second South Carolina Regiment, 
 serving as marines on board the General Moultrie," and to 
 whom we are indebted for several of the ensuing particu- 
 lars, dined on board the Randolph two days before the 
 engagement. At dinner, Captain Riddle said, " We have 
 been cruising here for some time, and have spoken a 
 number of vessels, who will no doubt give information of 
 us, and I should not be surprised if my old ship should be 
 out after us. As to any thing that carries her guns upon 
 deck, I think myself a match for her." 
 
 About 8, P. M. of the 7th of March, a signal was made 
 from the Randolph for a sail to windward, in consequence 
 of which the squadron hauled upon a wind, in order to 
 speak to her. It was four o'clock before she could be 
 distinctly seen, when she was discovered to be a ship, 
 though as she neared and came before the wind, she had 
 the appearance of a large sloop with only a square-sail 
 set. About seven o'clock, the Randolph being to wind- 
 
 20* 
 
234 
 
 DEATH OF CAPTAIN BIDDLE. 
 
 ward, hove to ; the Moultrie being about one hundred 
 and fifty yards astern, and rather to leeward, also hove 
 to. About eight o clock the British ship fired a shot just 
 ahead of the Moultrie, and hailed her, the answer was ; 
 "the Polly, of New York;" upon which she immediately 
 hauled her wind, and hailed the Randolph. She was then, 
 for the first time, discovered to be a two-decker. After 
 several questions had been asked and answered, as she was 
 ranging up alongside the Randolph, and had got on her 
 weather quarter. Lieutenant Barnes, of that ship called 
 out, " This is the Randolph," and she immediately hoisted 
 her colors, and gave the enemy a broad-side. Shortly 
 after the action commenced. Captain Biddle received a 
 wound in the thigh, and fell. This occasioned some con- 
 fusion, as it was at first thought that he was killed. He 
 soon, however, ordered a chair to be brought, said that 
 he was only slightly wounded, and being carried forward, 
 encouraged the crew. 
 
 The stern of the enemy's ship being clear of the Ran- 
 dolph, the captain of the Moultrie gave orders to fire, but 
 the enemy having shot ahead, so as to bring the Randolph 
 between them, the last broad-side of the Moultrie went 
 into the Randolph, and it was thought by one of the men 
 saved, who was stationed on the quarter-deck near Cap- 
 tain Biddle, that he was wounded by a shoi from the 
 Moultrie. The fire from the Randolph was constant and 
 
DEATH OF CAPTAIX BIDDLE. 235 
 
 well directed. She fired nearly three broadsides to the 
 enemy's one. and she appeared, while the battle lasted, to 
 be in a continual blaze. In about twenty minutes after 
 the battle began, and while the surgeon was examining 
 Captain Biddle's wound on the quarter-deck, the Eandolph 
 Mew up. 
 
 The enemy's vessel was the British ship Yarmouth, of 
 eixty-four guns, commanded by Captain Yincent. So 
 closely were they engaged, that Captain Morgan, of the 
 Fair American, and all his crew, thought that it was the 
 enemy's ship that had blown up. He stood for the Yar- 
 mouth, and had a trumpet in his hand, to hail and inquire 
 how Captain Biddle was, when he discovered his mistake. 
 Owing to the disabled condition of the Yarmouth, the 
 other vessels escaped. 
 
 The cause of the explosion was never ascertained, but 
 it is remarkable that just before he sailed, after the clerk 
 had copied the signals and orders for the armed vessels 
 that accompanied him, he wrote at the foot of them, ''In 
 case of coming to action in the night be very careful of 
 your magazines." The number of persons on board the 
 Randolph was three hundred and fifteen, who all perished 
 except four men, who were tossed about for four days on 
 a piece of the wreck, before they were discovered and 
 taken up. From the information of two of these men, 
 wlio were afterwards in Philadelphia, and of some indivi- 
 
236 
 
 DEATH OF CAPTAIN BIDDLB. 
 
 duals in tlie other vessels of the squadron, we have been 
 enabled to state some particulars of this unfortunate event, 
 in addition to the account given of it by Dr. Ramsay in 
 his History of the Revolution of South Carolina. In the 
 former work, the historian thus concludes his account of 
 the action : " Captain Biddle, who perished on board the 
 Randolph, was universally lamented. He was in the 
 prime of life, and had excited high expectations of future 
 usefulness to his country, as a bold and skilful naval officer.'* 
 Thus prematurely fell, at the age of twenty-seven, as 
 gallant an officer as any country ever boasted of. In the 
 short career which Providence allowed to him, he displayed 
 all those qualities which constitute a great soldier — brave 
 to excess, and consummately skilled in his profession. 
 
PATRIOTISM OF MOTHER BAILEY. 
 
 The incident, which rendered famous the lady whose 
 name heads our present article, is probably as well known 
 to the general reader as many others, which, having been 
 oft repeated, have become as familiar almost as " house- 
 hold words." But there are many particulars concerning 
 the "heroine of Groton," which are not generally known, 
 and which may be of interest to those who have only 
 heard her name connected with the circumstance which 
 the engraving is intended to illustrate. Let us turn to 
 
 (23T) 
 
238 PATRIOTISM OP MOTHER BAILEY. 
 
 the chronicles, and see what history has to say about 
 her there. 
 
 On the morning of the sixth of September, 1781, a 
 British fleet appeared off the harbor of New London, 
 bearing aland force composed of Hessians and tories, under 
 command of the arch traitor, Arnold, who was about to 
 seal with the blood of his countrymen the unholy compact 
 between himself and his former foes. Landing in two di- 
 Tisions, the main body, under Arnold, proceeded to attack 
 and burn the town, while on the opposite shore, Lieuten- 
 ant-Colonel Eyre led a party against Fort Griswold, to 
 which many of the American militia — on finding resistance 
 useless on the opposite shore — had fled. Approaching the 
 fort from the rear. Colonel Eyre captured an advanced 
 battery, and sent a flag demanding the surrender of the 
 garrison. This was peremptorily refused, and the assault 
 began. The Americans were poorly armed and equipped, 
 yet excited to the utmost height of phrenzy at the sight 
 of their homes in flames, and their families driven forth 
 as houseless wanderers, they fought with the most deter- 
 mined bravery, and Colonel Eyre, as well as Major Mont- 
 gomery, his successor, together with fifty-four non-com- 
 missioned officers and privates, were killed or mortally 
 wounded ere the fort was captured. Maddened at this 
 loss, and rendered ferocious at the long continued resist- 
 ance of the garrison, the Hessians and tories continued 
 
PATRIOTISM OF MOTHER BAILEY. 
 
 241 
 
 the work of death long after all resistance had ceased. 
 Colonel Ledyard, the commander of the fort, was run 
 through the body by the inhuman wretch who succeeded in 
 the command upon the fall of Major Montgomery, and, as 
 though not sated with the blood which had already been 
 shed, the savage troops gathered the wounded, placed them 
 in a cart, and rolled them down the hill toward the river, 
 expecting to see them engulphed in the stream. Then 
 laying a train to the magazine, they departed, taking with 
 them everything they could conveniently carry. The cart 
 was providentially stopped in its downward career by an 
 apple tree, and after the departure of the enemy, the 
 women of the vicinity, headed by Fanny Ledyard, (the 
 niece of the Colonel,) came to their relief, with water, 
 wine, and chocolate, to assuage their burning thirst, and 
 with bandages for their wounds. Some had died from 
 the effects of the brutal treatment they had received, but 
 most of them recovered through the kindness and efficient 
 nursing of their friends 
 
 Mrs.Bailey — then a maiden of seventeen summers — waa 
 one of that noble group, who aided in binding up the 
 wounds and relieving the distress of the poor soldiers. 
 Iler future husband— then a lad of about her own age- 
 was one of the garrison of the fort, and had been detailed, 
 in company with a man named Williams, to man the ad 
 
 vanced battery of one gun ; and well did they perforin 
 
 21 
 
242 PATRIOTISM OE MOTHER BAILEY. 
 
 their part, until the near approach .of the enemj threatened 
 to cut them off, and they retired. Williams fled at once 
 to the fort, but young Bailey stopped to spike the gun, 
 that it might not be turned against his countrymen, and 
 in doing so, lost so much time, that when he knocked at 
 the gate he found it barred against him, on account of 
 the close proximity of the enemy. Finding all his efforts 
 unavailing to gain admittance, and having but a moment 
 in which to decide and act, he leaped a fence, and hid 
 himself in a neighboring corn-field, from whence he had a 
 full view of the battle, and all the incidents connected 
 with the subsequent massacre of his brave commander 
 and fellow-soldiers. What agonizing emotions filled his 
 breast, as he lay concealed within hearing of the dying 
 groans of those with whom he had been so long and inti- 
 mately connected — his neighbors and friends. How truly 
 thankful he felt, as he thought that the circumstance, 
 which he had looked upon as endangering his life, had in 
 reality been the means of saving him from the fate of 
 those who lay weltering in their life's blood. 
 
 As soon as the enemy had taken to their boats, he 
 started in search of assistance for those who still lived — 
 if haply he might find it. He was paying his addresses 
 at the time to his future wife, and her father's house was 
 the first to which he directed his steps. Finding no one 
 at home but the women, ho informed them of the condi- 
 
PATRIOTISM OF MOTHER BAILEY. 213 
 
 tion of his unfortunate countrymen, and hastened on to 
 collect those who might aid him in the burial of the dead. 
 The women responded to the call of the distressed and 
 wounded soldiers, and after their removal to the neigh- 
 boring houses, nursed them assiduously until many of 
 them recovered. 
 
 After the war, young Bailey married our heroine and 
 settled in his native place. He was appointed Postmaster 
 during the administration of Jefferson, and held that office 
 for a period of forty years, until his death, in 1848. 
 
 In 1813, when the British fleet drove Decatur into the 
 harbor of New London, and threatened to bombard the 
 town, and preparations were made to defend it, it was 
 found that there was a deficiency in the article of flannel 
 for cartridges. This fact was mentioned to a Mr. Latham, 
 a neighbor of Mrs. Bailey, who generously undertook to 
 procure it. All thut could be found in New London was 
 sent to the fort, but there was still a deficiency. Be- 
 thinking him of his neighbor, and calling to mind her pa- 
 triotism and desire to save her countrymen, he crossed 
 the river and took his way to her house. "Mrs. Bailey," 
 said he, on entering, " I have come to see if you have any 
 spare flannel in the house. The people at the fort are 
 short of materials for cartridges, I have sent them all I 
 could find in the town, and still it is not enough ; if you 
 have any to spare, I'd like to get it of you." 
 
244 ^ PATRIOTISM OF MOTHER BAILEY. 
 
 "Well, I don't know," replied the lady ; " I have none 
 in the house, but I guess I can find some for you, if you 
 will wait till I come back." 
 
 He readily acquiesced in her wish, and she went around 
 to her neighbors and collected all the children's flannel 
 petticoats that she could find in town. Returning to Mr. 
 Latham with her load, he informed her that still there 
 was not enough. ; 
 
 "You shall have mine then," replied the dame, at the 
 same time taking her scissors — which, after the fashion 
 of the day, she wore at her side, — and cutting the string 
 which secured it, she stepped out of it, and handed it to 
 him, adding, " It is a heavy new one, and I hate to part 
 with it, for I don't know when I shall get another, but I 
 don't care for that ; all I want is to see it go through the 
 Englishmen's insides." 
 
 Of course Mr. Latham could not ask more, and taking 
 his prize on his arm returned to the fort with it. When 
 he related the incident, some of the sailors declared it was 
 a shame to cut it up into cartridge patterns, and thought 
 it ought to float at the peak of one of the ships, as an 
 ensign, under which to fight the Britons. 
 
 The story spread, and Mrs. Bailey found herself a 
 heroine at once. Many were the visitors she had in con- 
 sequence, to all of whom she delighted to talk of the 
 scenes through which she had passed, and of the incidents 
 
PATRIOTISM OF MOTHER BAILEY. 247 
 
 of her early life. She had in her possession mementoes 
 of Jackson, Van Buren, Colonel K. M. Johnson, and other 
 distinguished guests who had honored her by personal 
 visits. She lived to be nearly ninety years of age, (seventy 
 of which were passed with her husband,) retaining to the 
 last an excellent flow of spirits, as well as all her faculties. 
 Her sad and melancholy death occurred on the 10th of 
 January, 1851, by her clothes accidentally taking fire. 
 
THE DUTCHMAN AND THE RAKE. 
 
 AN INCIDENT OF THE BURNING OF KINGSTON. 
 
 Hendrich Jansen, or Dutch Henry, as he was com- 
 monly called, was one of those characters we but too fre- 
 quently meet. According to his own account, he was 
 possessed of undaunted courage, and he more than once 
 avowed in the village tavern, that he would be the last man 
 to flee from the red-coats. The topics of the day being 
 of an exciting nature, furnished him with abundant mate- 
 rial on which to exercise his abilities as a debater. It 
 
THE DUTCHMAN AND THE RAKE. 249 
 
 was a source of wonder among the villagers, that a man, 
 possessed, as he asserted, of great talents, and military' 
 knowledge, did not ojBfer his services in defence of his 
 adopted country ; and frequently was he taxed upon this 
 score. At such times, Hendrick, who was never able to 
 give a satisfactory reason for his not joining the army of 
 patriots, would belabor his questioner with his tongue in 
 the most unmerciful manner. An opportunity was soon 
 to occur, in which his boasted courage would be put to 
 the test. 
 
 On one occasion, soon after the capture of Forts Clinton 
 and Montgomery by Sir Henry Clinton, when the war 
 was brought as it were, home to their very doors, and they 
 might be houseless wanderers, a group of idlers were col- 
 lected as usual in the tavern porch, discussing, in animated 
 language, the probability of an attack upon their own 
 quiet village by the British on their way up the river, as 
 it was universally supposed that Clinton was moving up 
 the Hudson to the relief of Burgoyne, who was there in 
 the toils of Gates at Saratoga. Of course, Hendrick was 
 an active participant in the discussion, and, as usually was 
 the case on such occasions, when some of the group had 
 been borne down by the weight of Hendrick's argument, 
 he fell back upon the usual resort of doubting his courage. 
 Such an imputation, at such a moment, was more than 
 Hendrick could bear with patience, and he gave utterance 
 
250 
 
 THE DUTCHMAN AND THE RAKE. 
 
 to such a volley of expletives and torrent of words, 
 as to convince his opponent that if he lacked the qualities 
 of a good soldier, he certainly did not want for energy i^ 
 the use of his tongue. 
 
 " Cot for tarn !" — Hendrick would sometimes use harsh 
 and unseemly language when he became excited — " Cot 
 for tam ! vat for you dinks I vas run away ven te Bri- 
 tishers cum, and leave mine vrow to be murtered, and 
 mine haus to be purnt up mit fire. Bonder and Blixen ! 
 I shall kill goot many, and ten I shall be killed 'fore I 
 vas run avay. Cos I vas not gone mit General Vashing- 
 ton, and leave mine vrow, I no can fite te red cotes. Ve 
 shall see who shall be run avay ven te British shall be 
 cum. Ten I shall see you run avay, and te tyfel shall be 
 run after you mit a sharp stick." 
 
 Such was Hendrick's arguments and such his intentions, 
 if we may believe his words ; but alas for poor human 
 weakness, the hour of trial came all too soon, for his 
 boasts were still fresh in the minds of his hearers, when a 
 few d'ays afterward the British frigates came up the river, 
 and landed a body of troops, whose aim was to burn the 
 village. One division landed in the cove, just north of 
 the present steamboat wharf ; the other, landed from 
 small boats at a place called Pencknocken Point, near 
 which point are extensive flats, which at low water are 
 dry, and yield an abundance of coarse salt grass. 
 
THE DUTCHMAN AND THE RAKE. 253 
 
 It SO happened that when thej landed, Hendrick and 
 /)thers were at work on the meadow, gathering the grass, 
 and among them his late-opponent in debate. They did 
 not discover the approach of the British until they were 
 quite near to them, and when they did look up from their 
 work, one boat load had already landed on the edge of 
 the meadow. No time was taken to deliberate in the 
 matter, but the whole party of haymakers fled as fast as 
 their legs would carry them, towards the upland — Hen- 
 drick among the number. Now, I should be willing to 
 ascribe Hendrick's haste, to his desire to alarm his 
 neighbors and the village, or to the fact that he was un- 
 armed, and running to get his gun, or to any other cause, 
 rather than to fear, were it not that a slight accident oc- 
 curred to him as he fled, which caused such a sudden 
 change in his political principles, as to lead to much ani- 
 ma(^version afterwards on the part of his neighbors and 
 acquaintances. It so happened that directly in his path 
 as he fled toward the point, lay a rake, which had been 
 left by former haymakers, and which was hidden by the 
 long grass in which it lay. The tines or points of the rake 
 were uppermost, and on these Hendrick happened to 
 tread as he ran. The handle, as a natural consequence, 
 fiew up and struck him a pretty violent blow on the back 
 of the head. Thinking, doubtless, that the British were 
 
 ai his heels, and that one of them had stricken him the 
 
 22 
 
254 THE DUTCHMAN AND THE RAKE. 
 
 blow to admonish him to surrender, Hendrick dropped on 
 his knees, and, clasping his hands together in an agony 
 of fear, his whole frame trembling and teeth chattering, 
 exclaimed : " 0 mein Cot ! mein Cot ! I kivs up, I sur- 
 render, I is a tory. Hurrah for King Shorge ! 0 good 
 Mr. Soljur, spare mine life." The roar of laughter which 
 burst from his companions, induced the poor fellow to 
 turn his tearful eyes over his shoulder, where he beheld 
 the handle of the innocent rake towering up behind him, 
 while the enemy were on the march in a different direc- 
 tion, full half a mile in his rear. It is hardly necessary 
 to add, that Hendrick never returned to his allegiance to 
 the States ; at least, he was never heard to argue their 
 side of the question again, and even at the present day 
 his descendants feel very sore at the mejition of Hen- 
 drick's adventure with the rake. 
 
256 
 
 SIMON KENTON. 
 
SIMON KENTOK 
 
 Simon Kextox was one of those bold and adventuroua 
 spirits, that in the early history of our country, obtained 
 sc much renown from their daring encounters with the 
 savages in the far west. He was a fit companion for 
 Clarke, and' was one of his army at the time of his expe- 
 dition to Kaskaskia, and the towns upon the upper banks 
 of the Mississippi. 
 
 He was ordered by Colonel Bowman, to take a friend 
 of his, named Montgomery, and another young man named 
 Clarke, and proceed on a secret mission to an Indian 
 
258 
 
 SIMON KENTON. 
 
 town on the Little Miami, against which the Colonel had 
 meditated an expedition. 
 
 They started instantly, and reached the town without 
 being discovered, and examined it carefully, walking 
 around the houses during the night with perfect impunity. 
 While thus engaged, they came upon a number of horses, 
 belonging to the Indians. It was the work of a moment 
 for each to mount one ; but not satisfied, they attempted 
 to take the balance with them. This was the means of 
 their discovery ; as the time it took to secure them, and 
 the noise made in so doing, aroused the Indians, who with 
 the cry of " Long Knives," rushed to the rescue of their 
 property. 
 
 Kenton and his men had now to ride for their lives ; but 
 they took the horses along with them. They pushed on 
 at a furious rate the whole night, until they reached the 
 banks of the Ohio. To cross this, would be to place them 
 in safety, but the river was boisterous the wind being 
 very high. 
 
 A consultation was held, when it was determined that 
 Kenton should swim the river with the horses, while 
 Montgomery and Clarke should construct a raft oo trans- 
 port their guns and baggage. Kenton could not accom- 
 plish his purpose, the river being too high, and after several 
 trials, he was forced to abandon his efibrt from exhaustion. 
 The horses were hid in a ravine close by, and the men 
 
SIMON KENTON. ' 261 
 
 took their station in the wood, waiting for the wind to 
 subside. It did not abate till morning ; but it was too 
 late then, the Indians were upon them. Montgomery 
 was killed on the spot, Clark made his escape, and then 
 Kenton was taken prisoner. 
 
 The Indians seemed to be aware that they had captured 
 a man of some importance ; and they not only exulted in 
 his captivity, but practised upon him every means of cruelty, 
 They sarcastically complimented him upon his fondness 
 for horses, and assured him that he should ride one of 
 their best animals. 
 
 He was bound securely to a vicious young horse, which 
 was turned loose, without a bridle, to follow the party. 
 
 The animal reared and plunged, and dashed off through 
 the woods, endeavoring in vain to shake off its rider ; until 
 wearied out, it became tame, and quietly fell into the rear 
 of the other horses." Still Kenton's situation was painful 
 in the extreme, as every now and then the horse would 
 stop to graze, and then dash off at full speed, through the 
 woods, into the midst of the closest thickets, as though to 
 increase his misery. 
 
 "On his arrival at Chillicothe, the most populous of the 
 Indian towns in this region, he was painted black, tied to 
 the stake, and suffered to remain in this painful situation 
 for twelve hours, anticipating the horrors of a slow, and 
 cruel death, the Indians dancing around him, yelling, 
 
262 
 
 SIMON KENTON. 
 
 screaming, and beating him, during the time. He was 
 led out in the morning to run the guantlet. The Indians, 
 several hundred in number, of both sexes, and every age 
 and rank, armed with sticks, whips, clubs, and other im- 
 plements of annoyance, were formed in two lines, between 
 which the unhappy prisoner was made to pass ; having 
 been promised that if he reached in safety the door of the 
 council-house, at the farther end of the lines, no further 
 punishment would be inflicted. The moment for starting 
 arrived, — Kenton was stripped naked, — the great drum 
 of the council-house was struck, — and he sprang forward 
 in the race. Avoiding the row of his enemies, about a 
 mile in length, he turned to the east, and drew the whole 
 party in pursuit of him. He ran with great activity, now 
 this way and now that, until observing an opening he 
 darted through it, and pressed forward to the council- 
 house, with a rapidity which left his pursuers behind, and 
 reached it without being seriously injured." 
 
 A council was then held to determine the manner of^ 
 his death, when it was decided that he should be taken to 
 the different villages for exhibition, and then burned to 
 death. Thirteen times he was compelled to run the gaunt- 
 let, and upon one occasion, nearly escaped, having broko 
 through the ranks of his tormentors, and outstripped his 
 pursuers ; but he met a party of warriors, who again made 
 
264 
 
 SIMON GIETY. 
 
SIMOX KEXTOX. 265 
 
 tlim pris-oner. He was now condemned to suffer death by 
 torture. 
 
 He was, however, again compelled to run the gauntlet, 
 and had nearly reached the goal, when he was knocked 
 down bv a club, and his savage tormenters gathering 
 around him nearly beat him to death. He was then sum- 
 moned to attend the council. 
 
 " Upon entering the council-house, the renegade white 
 man, the notorious Simon Girty, who had just returned 
 from an unsuccessful expedition against the frontiers of 
 Pennsylvania, and was in a very bad humour, threw a 
 blanket upon the floor, and harshly ordered Kenton to 
 take a seat upon it. The order not being immediately 
 obeyed, Girty impatiently seized, and threw him upon the 
 floor. But upon learning of Kenton his name, he became 
 greatly agitated — and springing from his seat, he threw 
 his arms around the prisoner's neck, and embraced him 
 with much emotion. Gu'ty and Kenton had served to- 
 gether in Dunmore's war, before Girty had deserted to the 
 Indians, and they were bosom friends. He then turned 
 to the assembled warriors, who remained astonished spec- 
 tators of this extraordinary scene, and addressed them in 
 a short speech, which the deep earnestness of his tone, 
 and the energy of his gesture, rendered eloquent. He in- 
 formed them that the prisoner, whom they had just con- 
 demned to the stake, was his ancient comrade and bosom 
 
 23 
 
266 
 
 SIMON KENTON. 
 
 friend — that they had travelled in the same war path, and 
 slept upon the same blanket. He entreated them to have 
 compassion upon his feelings — to spare the agony of 
 witnessing the torture of an old friend, by the hands of 
 his adopted brothers. He recapitulated the services he 
 had rendered the Indians, and the many instances of at- 
 tachment to them he had given. The life of Kenton, he 
 asked as the first and last favor." 
 
 A vote was taken by means of the war club, when a 
 majority refused to strike the floor, and Kenton was libe- 
 rated. He remained with Grirty some three weeks. Ano- 
 ther party of chiefs from a distance arrived, and, notwith- 
 standing the intercessions of Girty, he was marched ofi* to 
 a small village on the head waters of the Scioto, when 
 Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, made intercessions for 
 him, by sending runners to Sandusky, but without success. 
 
 He was taken to that city, and through the influence 
 of a British agent, named Drewyer, he was again rescued 
 from the stake. He was taken to Detroit, from which 
 place he succeeded in making good his escape and after 
 thirty days travelling through the wilderness, continually 
 exposed to recapture, had the good fortune to reach the 
 settlements in Kentucky." 
 
 Thus terminated one of the most remarkable adventures 
 in the whole range of western history. He was exposed 
 to the gauntlet in numerous instances, three times tied tc 
 
SIMON KENTON. ' 267 
 
 the stake, and as often thought himself on the eve of a 
 terrible death. Every friend that Providence raised up in 
 his favor, was immediately followed by some enemy, who 
 interposed, and turned his short glimpse of sunshine into 
 deeper darkness than ever. For three weeks, he was 
 wavering between life and death, and during the whole 
 time, he was perfectly passive. Scarcely had he reached 
 Kentucky, ere he was engaged in a new enterprise. 
 
THE MURDER OF MISS M'CREA. 
 
 At the commencement of the campaign of 1777, the 
 Indians had specially been charged by Burgoyne, to com- 
 mit no cruelties on the unresisting. The first parties heeded 
 this restriction ; but it was impossible for them to forbear 
 any great length of time. They became uneasy, and again 
 reverted to their habits of massacre and plunder, and not 
 a few were victims to their savage ferocity ; although the 
 barbarities practised by them, excited more resentment 
 than terror among the Americans. 
 (268) 
 
MURDER OF MISS M'CREA. 
 
 269 
 
MURDER OF MISS m'CREA. 
 
 2T1 
 
 One event, from its peculiar circumstances, will, perhaps 
 illustrate more fully, what we intenied remarking in rela- 
 tion to the many acts of barbarity of which the Indians, 
 urged on by British gold, were guilty, at that particular 
 period of the Revolution. 
 
 A young lieutenant of the royal army, named Jones, 
 gained the aflfections of a young, beautiful, and accom- 
 plished young lady, Miss Jane M'Crea. The day appointed 
 for the wedding drew near, and Jones, anxious that all 
 should progress in accordance with the rules of propriety, 
 dispatched two Indians to conduct her from Fort Edward, 
 her place of residence, to him. 
 
 Placing every confidence in the agents of her betrothed, 
 she, without hesitation, committed herself to their keeping. 
 For a time she was all life and animation, never dreaming 
 in her wild joyousness, of the fate in store for her. A 
 few short hours at most, and she would be folded in a 
 loving embrace ; a few short moments, and she would join 
 him, who, through life, would shield her from the storms 
 of life. 
 
 Alas ! for human calculations. A dispute arose between 
 the Indians, as to which one should convey her to their 
 employer. Angry words ensued, the dispute waxed warmer 
 and warmer, when one of the chiefs sunk his tomahawk 
 into her brain. Poor girl ! but a moment before, happy 
 in the thought of soon being united to one who had be- 
 
272 MURDER OP" MISS m'cREA. 
 
 Stowed upon her, his most ardent love — now cold in death's 
 embrace. 
 
 Her scalp was purchased by Lieutenant Jones, who im- 
 mediately deserted. Who can blame him? This affair 
 caused a great excitement throughout the country, colored 
 of course, by the newspapers, and the people began to 
 detest an enemy, who would employ such aid as the savage 
 denizens of the forest. 
 
 The murderer was demanded by Burgoyne, who threat- 
 ened, that if taken he would be put to death ; but, to the 
 astonishment of all classes of people, he was afterwards 
 pardoned. 
 
MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 
 
 On the 8th of February, 1778, Greneral Schuyler wrote 
 to Congress. "There is too much reason to believe that 
 the Indians will form an expedition against the western 
 frontiers of this state, (New York,) Pennsylvania and Vir- 
 ginia. The next month he informed them that a number 
 of the Mohawks, and many of the Onondagoes, Cayugas, 
 and Senecas, will commence hostilities against us, as soon 
 as they can ; it would be prudent, therefore, early to take 
 measures to carry the war into their country ; it would 
 require no greater body of troops to destroy their towns, 
 than to protect the frontier inhabitants." 
 
 (2T3) , 
 
274 
 
 MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 
 
 No measures being taken to check hostilities, numbers 
 of Indians and tory refugees commenced depredations 
 upon the back settlers. Their expeditions were carried 
 on to great advantage, by the exact knowledge which the 
 refugees possessed of every object of their enterprise, and 
 the immediate intelligence they received from their friends 
 on the spot. The inhabitants of Wyoming on whom the 
 weight of hostilities fell, were a mixture of tories and 
 "whigs, who were always quarrelling among themselves. 
 
 Besides the tories, an unusual number of strangers came 
 to the town, but being suspected of treachery, they were 
 sent to Coifnecticut to be tried for their lives, the others 
 were expelled. Colonel Zebulon Butler, who was then 
 second in command, sent several letters to Congress and 
 General Washington for assistance : the number of men 
 in the town being small, on account of one thousand men 
 being sent to the Continental army ; but they were inter- 
 cepted by the Pennsylvania tories. 
 
 The town was defended by four forts, built to defend 
 it on account of its remote situation. Before the main 
 attack, some parties made sudden irruptions, and through 
 ignorance, or contempt of all ties, murdered the wife and 
 five children of one of those who was sent to Connecticut 
 for trial, in their own cause. At length, in the beginning 
 of July, the enemy, to the number of sixteen hundred 
 men appeared on the Susquehanna, headed by ColonelJohn 
 
MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 
 
 277 
 
 COLONEL ZEBULON BUTLER. 
 
 Butler, cousin to Colonel Zebulon Butler, -who was second 
 in command at the fort. One of the smaller forts, garri- 
 soned chiefly by tories, was given up or betrayed. Ano- 
 ther was taken by storm and the women and children 
 massacred. Colonel Zebulon Butler, leaving a small 
 uumber at Tort Wilkesbarre, crossed the river with four 
 hundred men to Fort Kingston, whither all the women 
 and children fled for protection. 
 
 Colonel Zebulon Butler was afterwards enticed by his 
 cousin to abandon the fort. He agreed to march out, 
 and hold a parley for the conclusion of a treaty. Distrust- 
 ing the enemy, he went with a body guard of four hundred 
 
 24 
 
278 MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 
 
 men, (nearly all in the fort) to the place of meeting, where 
 being surrounded by the enemy, the whole number were 
 massacred, except Colonel Zebulon Butler and seventy 
 men who escaped. The men went to Fort Wilkesbarre, 
 but Butler went to Fort Kingston, which was next day 
 invested on the land side. Colonel Zebulon Butler went 
 with his wife and children down the river, and is thought 
 to be the only officer who escaped. 
 
 The fort was surrendered to the enemy after a pro- 
 tracted struggle, and the inhabitants shut up in the bar- 
 racks and burnt alive. Fort Wilkesbarre surrendered 
 in hopes of mercy unconditionally. Seventy Continental 
 soldiers who were found in the fort, were butchered with 
 every circumstance of horrific cruelty. The remainder 
 of the inhabitants were, as before, shut up in the houses 
 and burnt alive. 
 
 The whole town was now burned with the exception of 
 the tories' houses, which appeared like islands in the midst 
 of the desolation. The merciless ravagers cut out the 
 tongues of the cattle, and left them alive to prolong their 
 torture. Captain Bedlock was stripped naked, stuck full 
 of pine splinters, and then burned alive; his companions, 
 Captains Banson and Durgee were thrown alive into the 
 flames, and held down with pitchforks. 
 
 Many were the enormities practised by the Indians ; but 
 we have given enough of these horrible details. The 
 
MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 279 
 
 broken parts and scattered relics of families, consisting 
 mostly of women and children, who had escaped to the 
 woods during the different scenes of this devastation, suf- 
 fered little less than their friends, who had perished 
 in the ruins of their houses. Dispersed and wandering in 
 the forests, as chance and fear directed, without provision 
 or covering, thev had a long tract of country to traverse, 
 and many, without doubt, perished in the woods. 
 
TREASON OF ARNOLD. 
 
 It Tfas fully expected that the year 1780, would pass 
 without any memorable event, except the capture of 
 Charleston by the British under Sir Henry Clinton ; but 
 both armies were aroused, and deeply affected by an un- 
 looked for occurrence, on the part of the Americans at 
 least. We have reference to the treason o*f General 
 Benedict Arnold, and the execution of Major Andre. 
 
 Arnold had acquired a very high reputation for bravery 
 and patriotism, and no officer of the American army pos- 
 sessed greater military talents. While the laurels won by 
 (280) 
 
TKEASON OF AENOLD. 281 
 
 hhn at Ticonderoga, Quebec, and Lake Champlain, at 
 Danbury and Saratoga, were yet fresh in ihe memory of 
 the American people, he, by an act of dishonor and 
 treachery, rendered his after life one of misery and wretch- 
 edness. G-old, in his estimation, seemed a balm for every 
 ill, and he did not seem to care how, so he possessed it. 
 
 He solicited and obtained from Washington, in conse- 
 quence, as he alleged, of his wounds preventing him from 
 active service, command of the fort at West Point, at that 
 time considered the Gibraltar of America ; in short, it was 
 deemed almost impregnable. 
 
 It appears that previous to his application for this ap- 
 pointment, he had signified to Colonel Robinson, his 
 change of principles, and desire of joining the British 
 army. A correspondence was entered into, between him 
 and Sir Henry Clinton. He proposed to surrender the 
 fort, in a plan concocted between themselves, by which 
 all the men under his command would have to suiTender 
 or be cut to pieces. 
 
 Andre was selected as the person to whom the arrange- 
 ments for the execution of the treason should be com- 
 mitted. After some correspondence had passed between 
 them in a mercantile style, under the feigned names of 
 Gustavus and Anderson, the Vulture sloop-of-war moved 
 up the North river, and took a station near enough to be 
 
 convenient, without exciting suspicion. 
 
 24 * 
 
282 
 
 TREASON OF ARNOLD. 
 
 MAJOR ANDRE. 
 
 The visit of Washington to Hartford was the time agreed 
 upon for bringing matters to a crisis. A boat was dis- 
 patched to the Vulture, which conveyed Andre to the beach, 
 without the posts of both armies, with a pass, under the 
 name of John Anderson. He remained in conference 
 with Arnold until the dawn of day. He lay concealed at 
 the house of a Mr. Smith, near the river, the whole of 
 that day. That night, however, the boatmen refused to 
 convey him on board the Vulture. In this strait, he was 
 induced by Arnold to lay aside his regimentals, and travel 
 by land, he furnishing him with a pass, stating that the 
 
TPuEASOX OF AETTOLD. 2S5 
 
 bearer. John Anderson, was upon pjnblic business, and to 
 pemit him ''to get to the lines at "White Plains, or lower 
 if he thought proper." 
 
 He set out on the 22nd of September, on horseback, 
 and had nearly reached the British lines, when he was 
 snddenlv stopped by three militia men, named Paulding, 
 Williams, and Van Wart. Andre was so surprised, that 
 he forgot his pass, and asked one of the men where he 
 "beloncred. and bein^ answered '"'to below." replied imme- 
 diately. and so do 1." He stated that he was a British 
 officer upon ui^gent business, and begged to be permitted 
 to continue his journey. He soon 'discovered his mistake, 
 and his confusion was so great, that the men proceeded 
 to examine his person, until in his boot were found the 
 papers, in Arnold's hand wriring. 
 
 Andre offered his captors a purse of gold, with his valu- 
 able watch, to let him pass ; but they were not to be 
 bribed. He was taken before Ccdonel Jameson, who had 
 command of the scouting parties of militia. Fearful of 
 involving Arnold, Jameson procured permission of his 
 commanding officer, to write to Arnold, acquainting him 
 "^ith the arrest of Anderson. 
 
 Andre, convinced that there remained no hope of escape, 
 -himself wrote to Washington, stating his real name and 
 rank, and enclosing all the papers found upon his person 
 when taken, and endeavoring to shovr that he did not 
 
TREASON OF ARNOLD. 
 
 come under the description of a spy. Jameson also for- 
 warded this packet, but the messenger missed Washing- 
 ton, by taking a different road to that taken by the general 
 on his return from Hartford. 
 
 Arnold received the news of the capture of Major Andre, 
 some hours before Washington reached West Point. 
 Pretending he was suddenly called to West Point, he 
 hastened on board the Vulture and escaped. 
 
 Washington, not finding Arnold as he had expected, 
 returned to camp, where he received Andre's letter, to- 
 gether with the papers found in his boots, which at once 
 explained Arnold's absence. Measures were immediately 
 taken to secure the posts in the Highlands, and an una- 
 availing effort made to secure the traitor. 
 
 A board of officers was summoned, Greene being presi 
 dent, to inquire into the nature of Andre's offence, and to 
 determine the punishment which it deserved. Andre 
 made a full and free confession of his guilt, seeking only 
 to place his character in as honorable a light as possible. 
 The board reported that he was taken as a spy, and as 
 such, agreeably to the law of nations, he ought to suffer 
 death. Washington approved the decision. 
 
 Clinton was deeply concerned for the fate of Andre, 
 and while he was confined under sentence, made every 
 exertion to rescue him from his fate. He first represented 
 that Andre was entitled to the protection of a flag ; but 
 
TREASON OF ARNOLD. 289 
 
 ttie gallant major himself disclaime'l this false pretext. 
 Clinton then proposed an interview between Lieutenant- 
 General Robertson and General Green ; but no new facts 
 were elicited at this meeting. As a last resort, a letter 
 from Arnold, filled with threats, was presented ; but this 
 was treated with the contempt it deserved. 
 
 Andre was very anxious to have his sentence mitigated. 
 The idea of death by hanging, usually inflicted upon persons 
 in his situation, affected him deeply. He wished to die 
 as a soldier, and not as a criminal. Washington consulted 
 his officers upon this subject ; but they were of opinion 
 that the public good required his punishment in the usual 
 way. Of this he was kept ignorant until the time had 
 arrived for his execution, October 2nd, when, on first be- 
 holding the fatal preparations, he inquired " Must I die 
 in this manner?" He soon after added, It will be but 
 a momentary pang," and only requested them to witness 
 that he died like a brave man. His melancholy fate was 
 universally regretted. The sympathy he had excited in 
 the American camp was unexampled under any similar 
 circumstances, and the event deeply affected the whole 
 royal army. ^ 
 
 The three militia-men whose unshaken attachment to 
 
 their country was perhaps the means of preserving its 
 
 liberties, were not suffered to go unrewarded. On the 3d 
 
 of November it was resolved, " That Congress have a high 
 
 25 
 
290 
 
 TREASON OF ARNOLD. 
 
 sense of the virtuous and patriotic conduct of John Pauld- 
 ing, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart," and that 
 each of them should receive annually, through life, two 
 hundred dollars in specie, and that the board of war be 
 directed to procure for each of them a silver medal, em- 
 blematic of their fidelity and patriotism^ to be presented 
 by the commander-in-chief, with a copy of the resolutions. 
 
PATRIOTISM OF ELIZABETH ZANE. 
 
 Among the many instances of female heroism, during 
 the war of the revolution, amongst the settlers on our 
 frontiers, the following may be deemed one of the most 
 daring. 
 
 In 1781, Wheeling was besieged by a large army of 
 British and Indians. So suddenly was the attack made, 
 that no time was afforded for preparation. The fort, at 
 the time of the assault, was commanded by Colonel Silas 
 Zane ; and Colonel Ebenezer Zane the senior officer, was 
 in ar block-house, some fifty or a hundred yards outside 
 
 (291) 
 
292 PATRIOTISM OF ELIZABETH ZANE. 
 
 the wall. The enemy made several desperate assaults to 
 break into the fort, but on every onset they were driven 
 back. The ammunition for the defence of the fort was 
 deposited in the block-house, and the attack was made so 
 suddenly and unexpectedly that there was no time to re- 
 move it. On the afternoon of the second day of the siege, 
 the powder in the fort was nearly exhausted, and, no alter- 
 native remained but that some one must pass through the 
 enemy's fire to the block-house for powder. When Silas 
 Zane made the proposition to the men, to see if any one 
 would undertake the hazardous enterprise, at first all were 
 silent. After looking at each other for some time, a young 
 man stepped forward and said he would run the chance. 
 Immediately half a dozen offered their service in the dan- 
 gerous enterprise. 
 
 While they were disputing about who should go, Eliza- 
 beth, a sister of the Zanes, came forward and declared she 
 would go^or the powder. Her brother thought she would 
 flinch from the enterprise, but he was mistaken. She had 
 the intrepidity and fortitude to bear her up in the heroic 
 risk of her life. Her brother then tried to dissuade her 
 from the attempt, by saying that a man would be more 
 fleet, and consequently would run less risk of losing his 
 life. She replied that they had not a man to spare from 
 the defence of the fort, and if she should fall, she would 
 scarcely be missed. She then divested herself of such of 
 
25* 
 
PATRIOTISM OF ELIZABETH ZANE. 295 
 
 her clothing as would impede her speed. The gate was 
 then opened, and Elizabeth bounded out at the top of her 
 speed, and ran till she arrived at the door of the block- 
 house ; her brother, Colonel Zane, hastened to open the 
 door to receive his intrepid sister. The Indians, when 
 they saw her bound forth, did not fire a gun, but called 
 aloud, " Squaw 1 squaw ! squaw !" When she had told her 
 brother the errand on which she had come, he took a table- 
 cloth and fastened it around her waist, and poured into it 
 a keg of powder. She then sallied back to the fort with 
 all the buoyancy of hope. — The moment she was outsiuo 
 the block-house, the whole of the enemy's line pour.ed a 
 leaden storm at her ; but the balls went innocently whist- 
 ling by, without doing her any injury. 
 
COLONEL FLEURY, 
 
 STONY POINT. 
 
 Among the many exploits of gallantry and prowesa 
 "wliicli shed a lustre on the fame of our revolutionary army, 
 the storming of the fort at Stony Point has always been 
 considered one of the most brilliant. 
 
 To General Wayne, who commanded the light infantry 
 of the army, the execution of the plan was entrusted. 
 Secrecy was deemed so much more essential to success 
 than numbers, that it was thought unadvisable to add 
 to the force already on the lines. One brigade was 
 ordered to commence its march, so as to reach the scene 
 ;296) 
 
STONY POINT. 
 
 297 
 
 MAJOR LEE. ^ 
 
 of action in time to cover the troops engaged in the attack, 
 in case of any unlooked for disaster ; and Major Lee, of 
 the light dragoons, who had been eminently useful in ob- 
 taining the intelligence which led to the enterprise, was 
 associated with General Wayne, as far as cavalry could be 
 employed in such a service. 
 
 The night of the 15th of July, 1779, was fixed on for 
 the assault ; and it being suspected that the garrison 
 wculd be more on their guard towards day, twelve o clock 
 vacj chosen for the hour. 
 
 Stony Point is a commanding hill, projecting far into 
 
298 
 
 STONY POINT. 
 
 the Hudson, which washes three-fourths of its base. The 
 remaining fourth is, in a great measure, covered by a deep 
 marsh, commencing near the river on the upper side, and 
 continuing into it below. Over this marsh, there is one 
 crossing-place. But at its junction with the river is a sandy 
 beach passable at low tide. On the summit of this hill was 
 erected the fort, which was furnished with a sufficient 
 number of heavy pieces of ordnance. 'Several breast- 
 works and strong batteries were advanced in front of the 
 principal work, and about half way down the hill, were two 
 rows of abbatis. The batteries were calculated to com- 
 mand the beach and the crossing-place of the marsh, and 
 to rake and enfilade any column which might be advancing 
 from either of those points towards the fort. In addition 
 to these defences, several vessels of war were stationed in 
 the river, so as, in a considerable degree, to command 
 the ground at the foot of the hill. 
 
 The fort was garrisoned by about six hundred men, 
 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson. 
 
 At noon of the day preceding the night of the attack, 
 the light infantry commenced their march from Sandy 
 Beach, distant fourteen miles from Stony Point, and 
 passing through an excessively rugged and mountainou.. 
 country, arrived about eight in the afternoon at Spring 
 Steel's, one and a half miles from the fort, where the dis- 
 positions for the assault were made. 
 
STOXY POIXT. 
 
 299 
 
 STORMIN& OF ST0:N^Y POINT. 
 
 It was intended to attack the works on tlie riglit and 
 left flank at the same instant. The regiments of Febiger, 
 and of Meigo:s. with Major Hull's detachment, formed the 
 right column, and Butler's regiment, with two companies 
 under Major ]\Iurfree. formed the left. One hundred 
 and fifty volunteers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury and 
 Major Posey, constituted the van of the right ; and one 
 hundred volunteers, under Major Stewart, composed the 
 van of the left. At half past eleven, the two columns 
 moved on to the charge, the van of each with unloaded 
 muskets and fixed bayonets. They were each preceded by 
 
800 
 
 STONY POINT. 
 
 a forlorn hope of twenty men, the one commanded by 
 Lieutenant Gibbon, and the other by Lieutenant Knox, 
 whose duty it was to remove the abbatis and other obstruc- 
 tions, in order to open a passage for the columns which 
 followed close in the rear. 
 
 Proper measures having been taken to secure every 
 individual on the route, who could give intelligence of their 
 approach, the Americans reached the marsh undiscovered. 
 But unexpected difficulties were experienced in surmount- 
 ing this and other obstructions in the way, the assault did 
 not commence until twenty minutes after twelve. Both 
 columns then rushed forward, under a tremendous fire of 
 musketry and grape-shot. Surmounting every obstacle, they 
 entered the works at the point of the bayonet, and without 
 having discharged a single piece, obtained complete pos- 
 session of the post. The humanity displayed by the 
 conquerors was not less conspicuous, nor less honorable, 
 than their courage. Not a single individual suffered after 
 resistance had ceased. 
 
 All the troops engaged in this perilous service manifested 
 a degree of ardour and impetuosity which proved them to 
 be capable of the most difficult enterprises ; and all distin- 
 guished themselves whose situation enabled them to do so. 
 Colonel Fleury was the first to enter the fort, and strike the 
 British standard. Major Posey mounted the works almost 
 at the same instant, and was the first to give the watch- 
 
STONY POINT. 301 
 
 word — " The fort's our own." Lieutenants Gibbon and 
 Knox performed the service allotted to them with a degree 
 of intrepidity which could not be surpassed. Out of twenty 
 men who constituted the party of the former, seventeen 
 were killed or wounded. 
 
 The loss sustained by the garrison was not considerable. 
 The retui^n made by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, repre- 
 sented their dead at only twenty, including one captain, and 
 their wounded at six ofScers and sixty-eight privates. The 
 return made by General Wayne states their dead at sixty- 
 three, including two officers. This difference may be 
 accounted for, by supposing, that among those Colonel 
 Johnson supposed to be missing, there were many killed. 
 
 The prisoners amounted to five hundred and forty-three, 
 among whom were one lieutenant-colonel, four captains 
 and twenty subaltern officers. The military stores taken 
 in the fort were also considerable. 
 
 The loss sustained by the assailants was by no means 
 proportioned to the apparent danger of the enterprise. 
 
 The killed and wounded did not exceed one hundred 
 men. General "Wayne himself, who marched at the head 
 of Febiger's regiment in the right column, received a 
 slight wound in the head, which stunned him for a time, 
 but did not compel him to leave the column. Being sup- 
 ported by his aids, he entered the fort with the regiment 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Hay was also among the woundecl 
 
 26 
 
302 
 
 STONY POINT. 
 
 The intrepidity, joined with humanity, its noblest com- 
 panions, displayed on that occasion by the Pennsylvania 
 Hero and his brave followers, cannot be too highly 
 esteemed nor too frequently commemorated. 
 
JOHN PAUL JONES. 
 
 JOHN PAUL JONES. 
 If ever there was a man in modern times in whom there 
 dwelt the soul of a sea-king, that man was the celebrated 
 John Paul Jones. He gained the most brilliant victory 
 won upon the ocean during the war of independence; 
 and throughout his whole splendid career he exhibited a 
 degree of courage and ability which has not been surpassed 
 by one of those who have succeeded him in the brilliant 
 line of our naval heroes. 
 
 (308) 
 
304 
 
 JOHN PAUL JONES. 
 
 Receiving command of a small squadron, of which Le 
 Bon Homme Richard was the principal vessel, he cruised 
 along the coast of England and Scotland, and finally on 
 the 24th of September, he fell in with a fleet of merchants 
 men, convoyed by the frigate Serapis, and a smaller vessel 
 the Countess of Scarborough. The people were gathered 
 in great numbers on the surrounding heights, to witness 
 the scene about ensuing. 
 
 The Serapis had every advantage over the Richard in the 
 number and calibre of guns, and in being more manageable 
 than her antagonist. This advantage was somewhat 
 lessened, however, by the Serapis running her bowsprit 
 between the poop and mizzenmast of the Bon Homme 
 Richard, when Jones, with his own hands, lashed it fast, 
 and brought the two vessels together. The ships were thus 
 engaged from half-past eight till half-past ten, the muzzles 
 of their guns touching each other's sides. One of the men 
 in the Bon Homme Richard carried a basket of hand- 
 grenades out on the mainyard, and threw them among the 
 crew of the Serapis. At half-past eight, one of these com- 
 bustibles exploded a cartridge-magazine, blew up among 
 the people abaft the main-mast, and rendered all the guns 
 on that side useless. The two ships were frequently on 
 fire during the action, and the spectacle was inexpressibly 
 awful. Finding that he was unable longer to defend his 
 ship, and his convoy having in the mean time escaped to 
 
.."I 
 
JOHN PAUL JONES. S07 
 
 such a distance as to remove any fears of their capture, 
 Captain Pearson of the Serapis struck his flag, when Jones 
 immediately transferred his crew on board of her, as the 
 Bon Homme Richard was in a sinking condition. 
 
 Whilst the action between the two larger vessels was 
 maintained, the Pallas engaged, and after two hours' 
 fighting, compelled the Countess of Scarborough to 
 suiTender. On the 2oth, the Bon Homme Richard, after 
 every exertion on the part of Commodore Jones to save 
 her, went down. Jones sailed for Holland with his prizes, 
 and on the 3d of October anchored oflf the Texel, having 
 taken during the short cruise prizes estimated to amount 
 to more than X-iO,000 
 
GENERAL SUMTER. 
 
 BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 
 
 After the battle of Camden, the British had almost entire 
 possession of the South and were congratulating them- 
 selves upon the easy conquest and entire submission of the 
 colonies. They were doomed to disappointment, however. 
 Notwithstanding Charleston was in their power; the 
 government scattered ; Gadsden a prisoner doomed to the 
 dungeon at St. Augustine ; Sumter forced to retire beyond 
 (308) 
 
THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 311 
 
 the State, on the one side and Pickens on the other, the 
 spirit of liberty but slumbered, and shortly after broke 
 out in a way that astonished the British. 
 
 Rendered desperate by the severities of the British, the 
 bold and active among the patriots formed themselves 
 anew into partisan bands, under different chieftains, 
 Marion and Sumter being mostly distinguished by the 
 spirit and enterprise, with which they harassed the 
 British. 
 
 Eight of these leaders of partisan bands, collected to- 
 gether their forces, amounting to sixteen hundred men, 
 and attacked Major Ferguson with his detachment of 
 tories, and regulars on the tops of King's Mountain, Oc- 
 tober Tth, 1780. 
 
 The Americans were commanded by Colonels Lacy, 
 Campbell, Cleveland, and Shelby, and were formed into 
 three divisions. 
 
 Before commencing the battle, Colonel Cleveland 
 addressed his men as follows. It comprises the whole art 
 of war of a bush fighter. 
 
 ^' My brave fellows ! We have beat the tories, and we 
 can beat them. They are all cowards. If they had the spirit 
 of men, they would join with their fellow citizens, in sup- 
 porting the independence of their country. When engaged 
 you are not to wait the word of command from me. I will 
 ihow you by my example how to fight. I can undertake 
 
312 
 
 THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 
 
 no more. Every man must consider himself as an officer 
 and act from his own judgment. Fire as quick as you can 
 and stand as long as you can. When you can do no better 
 get behind trees, or retreat; but I beg of you not to run 
 quite off. If we be repulsed, let us make a point to return 
 and renew the fight. Perhaps we may have better luck 
 in the second attempt than in the first. If any of you be 
 afraid, such have leave to retire ; and they are requested 
 immediately to take themselves off." 
 
 These directions were literally followed in the battle. 
 Ferguson attacked them with fixed bayonets, and 
 compelled one party after another to retire ; but they only 
 retreated to a short distance and getting behind trees and 
 rocks reuewed their fire in almost every direction. The 
 British being uncovered were securely shot down by the 
 assailants. 
 
 The close of the battle is thus described by "William C. 
 Preston. 
 
 " Ferguson, with a gallantry which seemed to rise with 
 his desperate condition, rode from rank to rank and post 
 to post, cheering, driving and encouraging his men, until 
 he found his army pressed, actually huddled together, on 
 the ridge, and falling as fast as the Americans could load 
 and shoot. He determined on one more desperate charge, 
 and taking his position at the head of his cavalry, in a 
 voice that rose loud above the din of the battle^ he 
 
27 
 
THE BATTLE 01 KIXG'S MOUNTAIN. 315 
 
 summoned his men ' to crush the damned rebels into the 
 earth.' The summons was heard by the Americans, and 
 one round of their rides was stopped, and instead of their 
 roar, there was heard only the click of the cock. It was the 
 serpent's low warning of coming death. The pause was 
 but for a moment, when Ferguson and Du Poistre, horse 
 and foot, bui'st like an avalanche down the mountain-side, 
 by the time they came within si^ty paces every rifle was 
 loaded, and under deadly aim. Ferguson fell at the first 
 discharge, with seven mortal wounds. The patriots rushed 
 forward to meet the shock, as Du Poistre's regulars, with 
 bayonets set and sabres in rest, came crashing down upon 
 them — not Agincourt or Cressy, with all their chivalry, 
 ever felt a shock more fearful than that, but had the 
 heavens then rained British bayonets, it could not have 
 stopped those patriots. The destinies of America — per- 
 haps of makind — depended on their muscle. Like martyrs, 
 they went to the death ; like lions, they rushed to the 
 carnage ; officer and soldier — half naked, with blood-shot 
 eyes and parched tongues — pounced upon the charging 
 enemy, until their hot breath and fierce glare was seen and 
 felt by the craven torv and his bull-doo; master ; and as 
 they crouched, gathering for the last spring, a wild terror- 
 stricken shriek rose above the roar — a yell for mercy 
 — a white flag was run up, and God's champion shouted 
 * Victory, Liberty.' '' 
 
BURNING OF COLONEL CRAWFORD. 
 
 Colonel Crawford, while on an expedition against 
 the Indians, was, together with Dr. Knight, made a 
 prisoner ; the balance of his party having been killed. We 
 purpose merely giving an account of his sufferings. They 
 were terrible indeed ; and it seems almost impossible that 
 such demons in human shape could really exist. Every 
 new pang inflicted on their victim seemed to afford them 
 new delight, and they were never so happy, as when they 
 (316) 
 
BURNING OF COLONEL CRAWFORD. 319 
 
 could wring a groan from their prisoner. But Colonel 
 Crawford perished like a hero. 
 
 Colonel Crawford and Dr. Knight were reserved by 
 the Indians for a dreadful death. They were taken to the 
 main village of the Delawares, about eight miles from the 
 mouth of Tymochtee creek. There a council was held, 
 and it was resolved to burn the prisoners. The account 
 of the burning of Colonel Crawford, we give in the words 
 of Dr. Knight, his companion, and an eye-witness of the 
 dreadful scene. 
 
 When we went to the fire, the colonel was stripped naked, 
 ordered to sit down by the fire, and then they beat him 
 with sticks and their fists. Presently after I was treated 
 in the same manner. They then tied a rope to the foot 
 of a post about fifteen feet high, bound the colonel's hands 
 behind his back, and fastened the rope to the ligature 
 between his wrists. The rope was long enough for him to 
 sit down, or walk round the post once or twice, and return 
 the same way. The colonel then called to Girty, and 
 asked if they intended to burn him ? Girty answered, yes. 
 
 The colonel said he would take it all patiently. Upon 
 this. Captain Pipe, a Delaware chief, made a speech to the 
 Indians, viz., thirty or forty men, and sixty or seventy 
 squaws and boys. 
 
 When the speech was finished, they all yelled a hideous ^ ' 
 and hearty assent to what had been said. The Indian 
 
^20 BURNING OF COLONEL CRAWFORD. 
 
 men then took up their guns and shot powder into the 
 colonel's body, from his feet as far up as his neck. I think 
 that not less than seventy loads were discharged upon his 
 naked body. They then crowded about him, and to the 
 best of my observatioUj cut off his ears ; when the throng 
 had dispersed a little, I saw the blood running from both 
 sides of his head in consequence thereof. 
 
 The fire was about six or seven yards from the post to 
 which the colonel was tied ; it was made of small hickory 
 poles, burnt quite through in the middle, each end of the 
 poles remaining about six feet in length. Three or four 
 Indians by turns would take up, individually, one of these 
 burning pieces of wood, and apply it to his naked body, 
 already burnt black with the powder. These tormentors 
 presented themselves on every side of him with the burning 
 faggots and poles. Some of the squaws took broad boards, 
 upon which they would carry a quantity of burning coals 
 and hot embers, and throw on him, so that in a short time 
 he had nothing but coals of fire and hot ashes to walk upon. 
 
 In the midst of these extreme tortures he called to 
 Simon Girty, and begged of him to shoot him ; but Girty 
 making no answer, he called to him again. Girty then, 
 by way of derision, told the colonel he had no gun, at the 
 same time turning about to an Indian who was behind 
 him, laughed heartily, and by all his gestures seemed 
 delighted at the horrid scene. 
 
BURXIXG OF COLOXEL CRAWFORD. 821 
 
 Girty then came up to me and bade me prepare for death, 
 fie said, however, I was not to die at that place, but to be 
 burnt at the Shawanese town. He swore an oath I need 
 not expect to escape death, but should suffer it in all its 
 exti-emities. 
 
 Colonel Crawford, at this period of his sufferings, be- 
 sought the Almighty to have mercv on his soul, spoke very 
 low, and in all the extremities of pain for an hour and 
 three-quarters, or two hours longer, as near as I can, 
 judge, when at last, being almost exhausted, he lay down 
 on his belly; they then scalped him, and repeatedly threw 
 the scalp in my face, telling me, "that was my great 
 captain." An old squaw (whose appearance every way 
 answered the ideas people entertain of the devil] got a 
 board, took a parcel of coals and ashes and laid them on 
 his back and head, after he had been scalped ; he then 
 raised himself upon his feet and began to walk round the 
 post ; they next put a burning stick to him, as usual, but 
 he seemed more insensible of pain than before. 
 
 The Indian fellow who had me in charge, now took me 
 away to Captain Pipe's house, about three quarters of a 
 mile from the place of the colonel's execution. I was 
 bound all night, and thus prevented from seeing the last 
 of the horrid spectacle. Next morning, being June 12th, 
 the Indian untied me, painted me black, and we set off 
 for the Shawanese town, which he told me was somewhat 
 
322 BURNING OF COLONEL CRAWFORD. 
 
 less than forty miles distant from that place. We scon 
 came to the spot where the colonel had been burnt, as it 
 was partly in our way ; I saw his bones laying among the 
 remains of the fire, almost burnt to ashes ; I suppose, after 
 he was dead, they laid his body on the fire. The Indian 
 told me that was my big captain, and gave the scalp 
 halloo. 
 
 Dr. Knight proceeded twenty-five miles, under the guard 
 of the Indian, on the first day, and then encamped for 
 the night. The next morning, the gnats being very trou- 
 blesome, the doctor requested the Indian to untie him, 
 that he might help to make a fire to keep them off. The 
 Indian complied, and then got down on his hands and 
 knees to blow the fire. The doctor seized the lucky moment, 
 caught up a piece of tent-pole and struck the Indian on 
 the head, knocking him forward into the fire. The stick 
 broke, however, and the Indian though severely hurt, 
 sprang up. The doctor seized his gun, and attempted to 
 fire it, but the lock broke. The Indian then ran away, 
 yelling hideously. Doctor Knight started for home, 
 which he reached after wandering twenty-one days, and 
 suffering for want of food. ^ 
 
 Most of the other prisoners taken by the savages in 
 this disastrous campaign were murdered. John Slover, 
 who had been the pilot of the army, was captured and 
 taken to the Shawanese town to be burned. He was 
 
BrK^iIN'G OF COLOXEL CRAWPORS. ■ S2Z 
 
 J)ainted and tied to the stake, when a heavy thunder storm 
 commenced, and the fire was extinguished. The burninoj 
 was postponed until the next dav, and Slover was tied 
 and placed in the council-house, under guard. During the 
 night, he contrived to get loose, and ran off through the 
 Tvoods. After enduring many hardships, he reached 
 "^^"heeling. almost exhausted. The main body of the arn j 
 had reached that post before his arrival. 
 
BATTLE OF THE COWPENS. 
 
 In 1780, the British had entire possession of the dis- 
 trict called Ninetj-Six ; but the great excesses indulged 
 in by the soldiers of the British army, produced a growing 
 feeling of discontent among the inhabitants, which in- 
 duced General Greene to dispatch General Morgan to 
 their relief, and to regain, if possible, what they before 
 had lost. On his appearance, many of the people gladly 
 took up arms in the cause of independence, and acted in 
 concert with the Americans. 
 
 Lord Cornwallis was at this time advancing for the 
 (324) 
 
BATTLE OF THE COWPEJ^S. 325 
 
 pjrpose of invading Xorth Carolina, and, hearing of this 
 irruption, dispatclied Colonel Tarleton with eleven hun- 
 dred men, to "push him to the utmost." 
 
 Tarleton's force outnumbered Morgan's in the propor- 
 tion of five to four of infantry, and three to one of cavalry, 
 beside two field pieces ; two-thirds of Morgan's troops 
 were militia. 
 
 With all these advantages, Tarleton met Morgan at 
 the Cowpens, on the ITth of January, 1781, fully ex 
 pecting to drive him out of South Carolina. 
 
 The latter drew up his men in two hues. The whole 
 of the southern militia, with one hundred and ninety from 
 North Carolina, were put under the command of Colonel 
 Pickens. These formed the first line, and were advanced 
 a few hundred yards before the second, with orders to form 
 on the right of the second, when forced to retire. The 
 second line consisted of the light infantry, and a corps of 
 Yircrinia militia riflemen. Lieutenant-Colonel TVashino;- 
 ton, with his cavalry, and about forty-five militia men, 
 mounted and equipped with swords, were drawn up at 
 some distance in the rear of the whole. The open wood, 
 in which they were formed, was neither secured in front, 
 flank or rear. On the side of the British, the light legion 
 infantry and fusileers, thpugh worn down with extreme 
 fatigue, were ordered to form in line. Before this order 
 was executed, the lino, though far from being complete, 
 
was led to the attack by Tarleton himself. They advanced 
 with a shout, and poured in an incessant fire of musketry. 
 Colonel Pickens directed the men under his command to 
 retain their fire, until the British were within forty or fifty 
 yards. This order, though executed with great firmness 
 was not sufficient to repel their , advancing foes. The mi- 
 litia fell back ; but were soon rallied by their officers. 
 The British advanced, and engaged the second line, which, 
 
BATTLE OF THE COTVPEXS. 327 
 
 after an obstinate conflict^ ^vas compel] el to retreat to 
 the cavalrv. In this crisis, Colonel Washington made a 
 successful charge on Tarleton. who vras cutting down the 
 militia. Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, almost at the same 
 moment, rallied the continental troops, and charged with 
 fixed bayonets. The example was instantly followed by 
 the militia. Xothing could exceed the astonishment and 
 confusion of the British, occasioned by these unexpected 
 charges. Their advance fell back on their rear, and com- 
 municated a panic to the whole. Tarleton's pieces of 
 artillery were seized by the Americans ; and the grearest 
 confusion took place among his infantry. While they 
 were in this state of disorder. Lieutenant-Colonel Howard 
 called to them, to '"lay down their arms," and promised 
 them good quarters. Some hundreds accepted the offer 
 and surrendered. The first battalion of the 71st, and two 
 British light infantry companies, laid down their arms to 
 the American militia. A party, which had been left some 
 distance in the rear, to guard the baggage, was the only 
 body of infantry that escaped. The officer of that de- 
 tachment, on hearing of Tarleton's defeat, destroyed a 
 great part of the baggage, and retreated to Lord Corn- 
 wallis. Three hundred of the British were killed or 
 wounded, and above five hundred prisoners taken. Eight 
 hundred muskets, two field pieces, thirty-five baggage- 
 wagons, and one hundred dragoon horses, fell into the 
 
328 BATTLE OF THE COWPENS. 
 
 hands of the conquerors. The Americans had only twelvf 
 men killed, and sixty wounded. 
 
 General Morgan's good conduct, on this memorable 
 day, was honored by congress with a gold medal. They 
 also presented medals of silver to Lieutenant-Colonels 
 Washington and Howard, a sword to Colonel Pickens, a 
 brevet majority to Edward Giles, thegenei al's aid-de-camp, 
 and a captaincy to Baron Glassbeck. Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Tarleton, hitherto triumphant in a variety of skirmishes, 
 on this occasion lost his laurels, though he was supported 
 by the 7th regiment, one battalion of the 71st, and two 
 companies of light infantry : and his repulse did more es- 
 sential injury to the British interest, than was equivalent 
 to all the preceding advantages he had gained. It was 
 the first link in a chain of causes, which finally drew down 
 ruin, both in North and South Carolina, on the royal 
 interest. 
 
BAROX STEUBEX. 
 
 BAROX STEUBEX. 
 
 The French ship rileureux. hiden Tvith arms and mu 
 nitions of war for the use of the armj of the United State3 
 arrived at Portsmouth, in Xew Hampshire, on the 1st of 
 December, 1T7T. 
 
 One of her passengers was Baron Steuben, an ofacer 
 of the Prussian army, and aid-de-camp to Frederick the 
 Great. He was eminently fitted to introduce the military 
 
 28* (320) 
 
830 BARON STEUBEN. 
 
 tactics and discipline of one of the greatest monarchs of 
 'Europe, into the American army, having been, while in 
 the service of Frederick, at the head of the quartel-mas- 
 ter's department. 
 
 In the summer of 1777, he went to Paris, intending to 
 visit some friends in England ; and while in that city he 
 met with the Count de St. Germain, who was at that time 
 the French minister of war. 
 
 Being aware of the talents of the baron, the count pre- 
 vailed upon him to enter the service of Congress. On his 
 arrival in America, he heard the news of the capture of 
 Burgoyne, and felt assured that the cause in which he had 
 embarked, was not a hopeless one. 
 
 His services were thankfully accepted by Congress, and 
 the commissions he desired for his attendants granted. 
 He immediately joined the army, then in winter-quarters 
 at Valley Forge. Long practice in the service of Prussia, 
 had perfectly qualified him for a military teacher, and in 
 May, 1778, Congress complied with the recommendation 
 of the commander-in-chief, and appointed him inspector- 
 general of the army, with the rank of major-general. 
 
 He commenced his duties immediately, and in a short 
 time surmounted difficulties, which would have discouraged 
 a less determined spirit. He composed a complete system 
 of order and exercise, which was approved of by Wash- 
 ington, and was ordered by Congress to be printed and 
 
BARON STEUBEN. 
 
 381 
 
 FFvEDERICK THE GREAT. 
 
 adopted by tlie army. For many years afrer the close 
 of the war, this system was used by the states for the 
 training of the militia. 
 
 The following extract from Dr. Thacher's Military 
 Journal, will serve to show his success in instructing the 
 raw troops which had hitherto composed the American 
 array. He says, After the siege of Yorktown, the Baron 
 returned to the northward, and remained with the army, 
 continually employed until the peace, in perfecting its 
 discipline. The adroitness, and above all the silence with 
 which the manoeuvres were performed, was remarked with 
 astonishment, by the oiScers of the French army. 
 
832 BARON STEUBEN. 
 
 The Marquis de la Val de Montmorenci, brigadiei 
 general, said to the Baron, ' I admire the celerity and 
 exactitude with which your men perform, but what I 
 cannot conceive, is the silence with which they make their 
 manoeuvres.' 'I don't know, Monsieur Le Marquis,' he 
 replied, * whence noise should proceed, when even my 
 brigadiers dare not open their mouths, but to repeat the 
 orders.' 
 
 " The French troops were exceedingly loud in their evo- 
 lutions and mVches, and Monsieur la Val, at all times 
 louder than the rest. On a subsequent occasion, designed 
 to show the degree of expertness at which our officers and 
 soldiers had arrived, the Baron was asked by one of the 
 French generals, what manoeuvres he intended to perform ; 
 on being informed ; ' Yes,' replied the French chief, * I 
 have seen, particularly the last you mention, performed 
 by the Prussians in Silesia, but with a very complex ad- 
 dition,' which he explained. ' But you will recollect, ge- 
 neral, that we are not quite Prussians.' 
 
 "After his guests had retired, the Baron said, 'I will let 
 these Frenchmen know that we can do what the Prussians 
 can, and what their army cannot do. I will save those 
 gentlemen who have not been in Silesia, the trouble of 
 going there ; they may come to Yerplanck's Point next 
 week for instruction.' They came, chiefs and subalterns ; 
 and every thing was done in the finest style, to their real 
 
BAROx STE^BE^^ 833 
 
 (T pretended admiration." Such was Baron Steuben. 
 He had hiid aside the emoluments of an ample fortune, 
 rejected the overtures of powerful princes, anxious to se- 
 cure the services of so accomplished a master of war, all 
 that could render life dear, to enter the servi:e of a few 
 feeble colonies, struggling against the oppressions imposed 
 by the mother country. He died on the 2Sth of Novem- 
 ber, 1794, aged sixty-five. He directed that he should 
 be wrapped in his military cloak, ornamented with the 
 star he had alwavs worn, and interred in a nei^rhborino- 
 forest. He was obeyed ; and, 
 
 "He lar like a -vrarrior taking Ms rest, 
 With. Ms martial cloak around Mm." 
 
MRS. BOZARTH. 
 
 The cruelties practised by the Indians during the war 
 of the revolution, were of a character to chill the blood 
 with horror. Urged on by British gold, their savage na- 
 tures were excited to the utmost, and every species of 
 barbarity winked at by their employers. Women and 
 children, old and helpless men, and tender infants, were 
 alike their victims. 
 
 Many instances might be given of personal daring, and 
 undaunted bravery on the part of the women of that 
 period, but one will suffice. It happened in the year 1779. 
 (334) 
 
MRS. BOZARTH. 
 
 335 
 
 The alarm which had caused the people in the neigh- 
 borhood of Pricket's fort to move into it for safety, induced 
 two or three families on Dunkard creek to collect at the 
 house of Mr. Bozarth, thinking they would be more exempt 
 from danger when together than if remaining at their 
 several homes. About the first of April, when only Mrs. 
 Bozarth and two men were in the house, the children who 
 had been out at play, came running into the yard, ex- 
 claiming that there were "ugly red men coming." Upon 
 hearing this, one of the two men in the house, going to 
 the door to see if Indians really were approaching, received 
 a glancing shot on his breast, which caused him to fall 
 back. The Indian who had shot him, sprang in immedi- 
 ately after, and grappling with the other white man, was 
 quickly thrown on the bed. His antagonist having no » 
 weapon with which to do him any injury, called to Mrs. 
 Bozarth for a knife. Not finding one at hand, she seized 
 an axe, and at one blow let out the brains of the prostrate 
 savage. At that instant a second Indian entered the door 
 and shot dead the man engaged with his companion on the 
 bed. Mrs. Bozarth turned on him, and with a well-directed 
 blow let out his entrails, and caused him to bawl out for 
 help. Upon this, others of his party, who had been en- 
 gaged with the children in the yard, came to his relief. 
 The first who thrust his head in at the door, had it cleft by 
 the axe of Mrs. Bozarth, and fell lifeless on the ground. 
 
386 
 
 MRS. BOZARTH. 
 
 Another, catclimg hold of his wounded, bawling companion, 
 drew him oat of the house, when Mrs. Bozarth, with the 
 aid of the white man who had been first shot, and was 
 then somewhat recovered, succeeded in closing and making 
 fast the door. The children in the yard were all killed, 
 but the heroism and exertions of Mrs. Bozarth and the 
 wounded white man, enabled them to resist the repeated 
 attempts of the Indians to force open the door, and retain 
 possession of the house until they were relieved by a party 
 from the neighboring settlement. The time occupied in 
 this bloody affair, from the first alarm by the children, to 
 the shutting of the door, did not exceed three minutes. 
 And in this brief space, Mrs. Bozarth, with wonderful 
 self-possession, coolness and intrepidity, succeeded in 
 killing three Indians. 
 
• LIST OP VALUABLE AKD POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 Dffisi liWnilWiMi^l 
 TRAVELS ^ EESEAECHES 
 
 OP 
 IN THE 
 
 WUhs of Soutf) Africa 
 
 This is a work of thrilling adventures and hair-breadth 
 escapes among savage beasts and more savage men. Dr. 
 Livingstone was alone, and unaided by any white man, 
 traveling with African attendants, among different tribes 
 and nations, all strange to him, and many of them hostile, 
 and altogether forming the most astonishing book o* 
 travels the world has ever seen. All acknowledge it is 
 the most readable book published. Price $1.25. 
 
 NOTICES OP THE PRESS. 
 
 It afeonnds <r. descriptions of strange and -wonderful scenes, among a people and in a 
 eonntry enfireiy new to the civilized world ; and altogether we regard it as one of tha 
 most interesting books issued within the past year. — Daily Deraocrat, Pattsrson, Neu 
 Jersey. 
 
 The sub'ects treated of are new and strange, and take a deep hold upon popular feel- 
 ing. The book is having a great run, and will be read by every reading man, woman, 
 and chiJA, in this as well as other \a,nds.—Asfitabula (Ohio) Telegraph. 
 
 T,hosc of our readers who would have a delightful book for reading at any tour, wlH 
 ■©t be disappointed in this work. — United States Journal. 
 
 This interesting work should be in the hands of every one. Its interesting pagfti 9t 
 iidventures are full of instruction and amusement. — Avhurn American. 
 
 With tmth we can say, that seldom is presented to the reading public a work eoa« 
 Isdaing such a vast amount of solid instruction as the one in question. — Family Magm' 
 fine. 
 
 It ie a rich and valuable book for the general reader ; and the admirable style In.whlcli 
 tke publisher has issued it, will commend it to the favor of thousands. — OhristicM 
 Server. 
 
 This is a valuable work for the general reader, gotten up in beautiful style. A spfKrial 
 Interest i.- given to this volume by the addition of valuable "Historical Notices of Dis- 
 coveries in Africa." Altogether, it would be difficult to name any work which would 
 more completely meet the popular taste of our day. Those of our friends who hay* 
 perused "our" copy, speak very highly of it. — Fort. Edward Inst. Monthly. 
 
 The present volume is a beautiful 12mo., of 446 pages, numerously illustrated, and 
 eontains aU of the original, except some of the more dry, scientific details. It is ei»« 
 fkitically aa edition for the people ; and, judging from the rapid sale with vrhlA U ^ 
 Mbseiiiff, it ia folly approni^ted Uiem.— CAmiirTo JV«ema<S BostOfU 
 
* LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 T. S. ARTHUR'S WORKS. 
 
 I The following List of Books are all written by T. S. Arthur, the 
 well-known author, of whom it has been said, "Mat dying he hm 
 not written a wori he would wish to erase.^^ They are all gotten up 
 in the best style of binding, and are worthy of a place in ©verj 
 household.] 
 
 TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR-ROOM, 
 
 wsniiffl n ©AW s'miiiBiic; 
 
 This powerfully- written work, one of the best by its popular AuiTior^ 
 has met with an immense sale — ten thousand copies having been 
 ordered within a month of publication. It is a large 12mo., illus- 
 trated with a beautiful Mezzotint Engraving, by Sartain ; printed 
 
 <i i; ie white paper, and bound in the best English musKn, gilt 
 Daek. Price $1.00. . 
 
 The following are a few of the many Notices of the Press. 
 
 Powerful sind seasouable. — K Y. Independent. 
 
 Its scenes are painfully graphic, and fui-nish thrilling arguments for the temperanc« 
 eause. — Norton'' s Literary Gazette. 
 
 "Written in the author's most forcible and vigorous style. — Lehigh Valley Times. 
 
 In the "Ten Nights in a Bar-Room," some of the consequences of tavern-keeping, the 
 "sowing of the wind" and "reaping the whirlwind," are followed by a "fearful con- 
 ttmrnatioQ," and the "closing bcene," presenting pictures of fearful, thrilling interest. 
 ^Am. Courier. 
 
 There is no exaggeration in these pages — they seem to have been filled up from actual 
 observation. — Philadelphia Sun. 
 
 We have read it with the most intense interest, and commend it as a work caleulated 
 lo do an immense amount of good. — Lancaster Express. 
 
 We wish that all lovers of bar-rooms and rum would read the book. It will pay them 
 richly to do so. — N. Y. Northern Blade. 
 
 It is saflScient commendation of this little volume to say that it is from the graphic 
 pen of T. S. Arthur, whose works will be read and reread long after he has passed 
 away. He is as true to natui-e, as far as he attempts to explore it, as Shakspeare 
 himself; and his works, consequently, have an immense popularity. — New Haven 
 Palladium. 
 
 There are many scenes unequaled for pathos and beauty. The death of little Marj 
 •aa scarcely be surpassed. — N. Y. Home Journal. 
 
 WHAT CAN WOMAN DO? 
 
 12me>, with Mezzotint Engraving, Price $1.00 
 
 Our purpose is to show, in a series of life pictures, what woman can do, as well fci 
 rood as for evil. We desire to bring her before you as a living entity, that you may se4 
 Eer a« she is, and comprehend in some small degree the influence she vields in the 
 irorld's progi-ess upward, as well as her power to mar the human soul and drag it dow» 
 1r> perdition, w^en hei own spirit is darkened by ^aocioH- - »^r^'>-/a/rf /r<>«* 
 
LIST OF VALTTABLE AIH) POPTJLAE BOOKS. 
 
 T. S. ARTHUR'S W 0 RKS— Continued. 
 
 OB, 
 
 RELIGION IN COMMON LIFE. 
 
 PriM, $1.00 
 
 NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 II panders to tte doctrines and tenets of no particular sect, and will be found an exeal- 
 ient bock to place in the hands of young people. — Savannah Georgian. 
 
 It is a work well calculated to do good, and to put into the hands of fiie youth ef th« 
 eouutry. — Enq^drer. 
 
 This work will interest the reader, and at the same time teach lessons of practical 
 value. — Ch. Messenger, Vt. 
 
 It is designed to show that the beauties and endearments of Christianity are to be 
 dereloped amid the stern realities of every-day life. — Vermont Messenger. 
 
 It is a timely and good book, and should be widely read, especially by young Chris- 
 tians — Central Ch. Herald, Cincinnati. 
 
 Mr. Arthur is already well known as an earnest man, whose object has been to do 
 his part in spreading the doctrines and teachings of the Christian religion ; and in tke 
 present volume he urges the necessity of charity, and endeavors to impress upon the 
 reader the fact that religion is for daily life, " and cannot be put aside at the tranquil 
 close of Sabbath evenings." — Courier and Enquirer. 
 
 More decidedly religious in its character than Arthur's other works, though it ii 
 neither doctrinal nor sectarian. — Ch. Times, Chicago. 
 
 The pen of T. S. Arthur nev^ tires. In this new volume, we preceiya that he is 
 Btill laboring s uccessfully in .• educing brief stories, the aim of which is moral. 3e 
 says truly, when he declares ; at "no special theology is taught in this volume," by 
 which he' means, we suppose, that controverted dogmas are not introduced. His main 
 point is, " Eeligion, to be of any real use to a man, must come down into all his. daily 
 duties, and regulate his actions by a divine standard." — Exeter News Letter. 
 
 'jSo special theology is taught in this volume. It addresses itself to no particular sect 
 or denomination. It has no aim but to assist men to grow better, and thence, happier.— 
 Solera Gazette. 
 
 Arthur has produced few more satisfactory books than this.— Atlas and Bee. 
 
 THE HAND WITHOUT THE HEART; 
 
 OE, 
 
 THE LIFE TEIALS OE JESSIE LOEING. 
 Price, $1.00 
 
 The point of this story is expressed in the title ; and the story jtself is a sharply dra^ra 
 Illustration of the folly and madness of linking together two immortal souls by the 
 tough chains of selfish interest, pride, or baser passion. The lesson taught is one oi 
 deep sigiiificance ; and thousands of hearts will throb in almost wild response, to the 
 Uie experiences of Jessie Loring, who in all the bitter trials of her unhappy unioti, 
 nrerved not a hair's breadth from honor, principle, or religious duty, though temptation 
 •una in its most alluring shape. A? the type of a true woman, she is Vorthy to b« 
 •BBbalmftd in the memory of every reader. — Sovihem Argils. 
 
 TIB imm im at home 
 
 i «ol9. to on^ • ^ ^ . . o o . PriM, $1 09 
 
to 
 
 LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 T. S. ARTHUR'S W 0 UK 8~ Continued. 
 
 ARTHUR'S SKETCHES 
 
 OF 
 
 llfM liD eilBiCTift 
 
 An octavo volume of over 40C pages^ beautifully Illustrated, an 
 bdund in the best English muslin, gilt. Price $2.00. 
 
 KOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 llie present volume, containiDg more than four hundred finely-printed octavo pages, 
 Is illustrated by splendid engravings, and made particularly valuable to those who like 
 to "see the face of him they talk withal," by a correct likeness of the author, finely en- 
 graved on steel. — NeaVs Gazette. 
 
 In the princely mansions of the Atlantic merchants, and in the rude log cabins of th« 
 backwoodsmen, the name of Arthur is equally known and cherished as the friend of 
 rittue. — Graham's 3Iagazine. 
 
 We would not exchange our copy of these sketches, with its story of " The Methodist 
 Preacher," for any one of the gilt-edged and embossed Annuals which we have yet seen. 
 —Lady's National Magazine. 
 
 The first story in the volume, entitled " The Methodist Preacher, or bights and 
 Shadows in the Life of an Itinerant," is alone worth the price of the work. — Evening 
 Bulletin. 
 
 It is emphatically a splendid work. — Middletown Whig. 
 
 Its worth and cheapness should place it in every person's bands who desires to read 
 an interesting book. — Odd Fellow^ Boonsboro\ 
 
 " The Methodist Preacher," " Seed-Time and Harvest," " Dyed in the Wool," are full 
 >f truth as well as instruction, and any one of them is worth the whole price of the 
 volume. — Lowell Day-star, Rev. D. 0. Eddy, Editor. 
 
 There is a fascination about these sketches which so powerfully interests the reader, 
 that few who commence one of them will part with it till it is concluded ; and they will 
 bear reading repeatedly.— iV^or/o^& and Po7-tsmouth Herald. 
 
 Those who have not perused these model stories have a rich feast in waiting, and we 
 ehall be happy if we can be instrumental in pointing them to it. — Family Visitor^ 
 Madison, Ga. 
 
 No library for family reading should be considered complete without this volume, 
 Which is as lively and entertaining in its character, as it is salutary in its influence.— 
 N. Y Tribune. 
 
 The work is beautifully illustrated. Those wno are at all acquainted with Arthur'i 
 writings need hardly be told that the present work is a prize to whoever possesses it.— 
 F. r. Sun. 
 
 We know no better book for the table of any family, whether regarded for its nef 
 •xterior or valuable contents. — Vox Populi, Lowell. 
 
 The name of the author is in itself a sufficient recommendation of the work.— JiailK 
 rmoe Sentinel. 
 
 T. S. Arthur is one of the best literary writers of the age. — Watchman, CirclevilU 
 
 The name alone of the author is a sufficient guarantee to the reading public of its sni 
 pwsing merit. — The Argus Gallatin, Miss. 
 
 Probably he has not written a line which, dying, he could wish to erase.— Pari<rr 
 Utrg (Fa.) Gazette. 
 
 THE WITHERED HEART. 
 
 1^0., with fine Mezzotint Frontispiece. Cloth Price $1.0C 
 
 This work has gone through several editions in England although 
 published but a few weeks, and has had the most flattering notioei 
 Lvm the English Press 
 
LISi' OF VALTJASLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 T. S. ARTHUR'S ^y 0 RKS—Caniinued. 
 
 f igljts anb Sljabolus of geal l^ife. 
 
 Witt an Autobiograpiiy and Portrait of the Antlior. Over fira 
 imndred pages, octavo, -tvitii fine tinted Engravings. Price $2.00. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 Ie this volnme may be found a "moral suasion,'' wMch cannot but affect for goo4 
 lU -who read. The mecbanical execution of the work iS very beautiful througkout.— 
 Ifew En cea Palladium. 
 
 It is by far the most valuable book ever published of bis works, inasmuch as it ie eB» 
 rlcbed with a very interesting, though brief autobiography. — Amei-iean Courier. 
 
 ^'■o family library is complete withimt a Copy of this bo^. — ScoWs Weekly Paper. 
 
 No better or worthier present could be made 1,.' the young ; no offering more purg 
 charitable, and practicable could be tendered to those who are interested in the trtily 
 Benevolent reforms of the day. — Godey's Lady's Book. 
 
 The paper, the engravings, the binding, and the literary contents, are all calculated 
 to make it a favorite. — Penn. Inquirer. 
 
 This volume cannot be too highly recommended. — N. Y. Tribune,. 
 
 More good has been effected, than by any other single medium that we know of.— 
 S. Y. Sun. 
 
 The work should be upon the centre-table of every parent in the land. — Satuma, 
 Temperance Magazine. 
 
 LEAVES FEOM THE BOOK OP HUMAN LITE. 
 
 Large 12mo. Witli Tliirtj Illustrations and Steel Plate. Price $1.00 
 
 A. single story is worth the price charged for the book. — Union, 2^eu>buryport, Ma^S- 
 "It includes some of the best humorous sketches of the author." 
 
 The following Books are bound in uniform style as "ARTHUR'3 
 COTTAGE LIBRARY," and are sold in sets, or separately, each 
 volume being complete in itself. Each volume is embellished 
 with a fine Mezzotint Engraving.] 
 
 THIS "W^'Y TO I^E^OSI^EI^. 
 
 AXD OTHER TALES. 
 Cloth, 12mo., with Mezzotint Engraving, Price $1.0^ 
 
 TRUE RICHES; OR, WEALTH WiTKOUT WiNSS. 
 
 AND OTHER TALES, 
 loth, 12m©. with Me/zotint Engraving, .Price $1.0'4 
 
 ANGEL OF THE HOUSEHOLD 
 
 AXD OTHER TAIE?. 
 Cloth, 12mo., with Mezzotint Engraving, .... ,i*^i^|V(T0 
 
LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPTJLAE BOOKS. 
 
 T. S. ARTHUR'S ^ OB^IL^—Continma. 
 
 GOLDEN GRAINS FROM LIFE'S HARVEST-FIELD. 
 
 JSouud in gilt back and sides, sheep, with a beautiful Mezzotint En 
 graying. 12nio. Price $1.00. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 It Is not too much to say, that the Golden Grains here presented to the reader, art 
 TicL as will be productive of afar greater amount of human happiness than those i» 
 search of which m many are willing to risk domestic peace, health, and even life itsel 
 In a distant and inhospitable region 
 
 These narratives, like all of those which proceed from the same able pen, are i-e- 
 aaarkable not only for their entertaining and lively pictures of actual life, but for their 
 admirable moral tendency. 
 
 It is printed in excellent style, and embellished with a mezzotint engraving. We 
 cordially recommend it to the favor of our readers.— ffociey'* Lady's Magazine. 
 
 "%x\\m\ Ifomt filrrarg." 
 
 ( The following four volumes contain nearly 500 pages, Illustrated 
 with fine Mezzotint Engravings. Bound in the best manner, and 
 sold sepd-rately or in sets. They have been introduced into the 
 District, Sabbath-school, and other Libraries, and are considered 
 one of the best series of the author.] 
 
 THREE ERAS IN A WOMAN'S LIFE. 
 
 Containing MAIDEN, WIFE, and J»IOTHER. 
 
 Cloth, 12mo., with Mezzotint Engraving, Price $1.00 
 
 "This, by many, is considered Mr. Arthur's best work." 
 
 TALES OF MARRIED LIFE. 
 
 Containing LOVERS and HUSBANDS, SWEETHEARTS and 
 WIVES, and MARRIED and SINGLE. 
 
 Cloth, 12mo., with Mezzotint Engraving, Price $1.00. 
 
 *'In this volume may be found some valuable hints for wives and husbands, as wel 
 M the young." 
 
 TALES OF DOMESTIC LIFE. 
 
 Containing MADELINE, THE HEIRESS, THE MARTYR 
 WIFE, and RUINED GAMESTER, 
 
 Clath, 12mo., with Mezzotint Engraving, Price $1.00 
 
 Gteatains several sketches of thrilling interest." 
 
 TALES OF REAL LIFE. 
 
 Conlaining BELL MARTIN, PRIDE and PRINCIPLE, MARY 
 ELLIS, FAMILY PRIDE, and ALICE MELVILLE. 
 
 Cletb, 12mo.5 with Mezzotint Engraving,... Pricb $1.0<y. 
 
 *" aTbIs voluma gives the experiences of real life by many who lound not their idaal. 
 
LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 13 
 
 T S. ARTHUR'S W 0 RKS— Continued, 
 
 A BOOK OF STARTLBNC INTEREST. 
 
 Til imm m tii demon. 
 
 A handsome 12mo. volume. Price $1.00 
 
 In this exciting story Mr. Arthur has taken hold of the reader*! 
 fctteution with a more than usually vigorous grasp, and keeps him 
 absorbed to the end of the volume. The book is one of START 
 LING INTEREST. Its lessons should be 
 
 m THE HEART OF EVERY MOTHER. 
 
 Onward, with a power of demonstration that makes conviction a 
 necessity, the Author sweeps through his subject, fascinating at 
 every step. In the union of 
 
 THRILLma DRAMATIC INCIDENT, 
 
 with moral lessons of the highest importance, this volume stands 
 forth pre-eminent among the author's many fine productions. 
 
 IfOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 A storv of much power, imbued with that excellent moral and religious spirit which 
 |>ervade&' all his writings.— xV. Y. Clironicle. 
 
 This volume is amoug his best productions, and worthy of a place on every centra- 
 table. — Clarion, Pa., Banner. 
 
 This is a most fasciuaiing book, one which the reader will find it quite hard to lay 
 Mide without reading to the last page. — Albany, N. Y., Journal and Courier. 
 
 THE GOOD TIME COMING. 
 
 U*rg€ 12mo., with fin(^ Mezzotint Frontispiece, Price $1.00 
 
 It is like every thing emanating from that source— worth reading,— ToZecio Blade. 
 It is characterized \11 the Mtcellencies of his style." — Phila Bulletin, 
 ti is a hook the most *rupulou8 pa'-ent laay jlase ia -Sie hand of his child. — Pn ' 
 Uftiki Transcript. 
 
14 
 
 LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 T. S. ARTHUR'S W 0 R K S—Oowimwed. 
 
 The Old Man's Bride, Price $1.0 
 
 Huart Histories and Life Pictures, - " 1.00 
 
 Sparing to Spend; or, The Loftons and 
 Pinkertons, 1.0 
 
 Home Scenes, 1.0 
 
 OF 
 
 Two vols, in one. By Gen. S. P. Lyman. Price %lS)k 
 
 EXTRACT FROM PREFACE. 
 
 The Personal Memorials, which compose so large a portion of 
 these volumes, are from the pen of Gen. S. P. Lyman, whose inti- 
 mate and confidential relations with Mr. Webster afford a sufficient 
 guarantee for their authenticity. They are believed by the publisher 
 to embrace a more copious collection of original and interesting 
 memoranda, concerning the life and character of the great States- 
 man whose recent death has created so deep a sense of bereavement 
 throughout the country, than has hitherto been given to the world. 
 
 COOO Wm ROOND TH[ WORLD. 
 
 Two volumes in one, - , - - - . Price $1.00 
 
LIST 0? VALUABLE AKD POPULAB BOOKS. 
 
 15 
 
 THE MASTER-SPIRIT OF THE AGE. 
 
 THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HISTORY 
 
 OP 
 
 NAPOLEON THE THIRD, 
 
 WITH 
 
 Biographical Notices of his most Distinguished 
 Ministers, Generals and Favorites. 
 
 BY SAMUEL M. SMUCKER, AM. 
 
 iuthor of "Court and Reign of Catharine II.," "Mcholas I., Emperor of Enssia,*' 
 "Life of Alexander Hamilton," etc., etc. 
 
 This interesting and valnable work is embellislied •vri+h splendid 
 Steel Plates, done by Mr. Sartain in his best style, including 
 
 THE EMPEROR, THE EMPRESS, QUEEN HORTEKSE, 
 AND THE COUNTESS CASTIGLIONS. 
 
 The -u-ork contains over 400 pages of closelj-printed matter, and 
 has been prepared with much care from auth^;ntic sources, and fur- 
 nishes a large amount of information in reference to the Emperoi; 
 of the French, 
 
 HIS COURT, AND FRANCE UNDER THE SECOND EMPIRE, 
 
 which is entirely new to American readers. This work is the only one, 
 either in English or French, which boldly and accurately describes 
 
 THE REAI. CHARACTER, THE PRIVATE MORALS, THIS 
 PUBLIC POLICY, OF XAPOLEOX THE THIRD. 
 
 Copies sent by mail on receipt of the price, $1.25. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE PBESS. 
 
 This is a very valuable contribution to the literature of the present time. An extra- 
 ordinary amount of information is given in the present volume. Like all the othe: 
 vorks o"f the graceful and fluent author, it must command a very large popularity.— 
 Philaddphia Mercury. 
 
 It U the most complete biography of the French Emperor yet published, and bringa 
 «ven;s io-wn to the present time. — Baltimore RepiLbUcan. 
 
 This bcok is well -wriuen, printed on good paper, is neatly bound, good size, and soM 
 eieap.— Fai^ey Spirit, Chambersb".rg. 
 
 This work does full and ample justice to the subject. It is a production of superior 
 ability. Mr. Smacker is an accnmplished writer. He is learued and accurate in hi# 
 reseai-ches, and his style is poiished-and scholariike, so that h« pioduces works of SM^* 
 liiig Talue and permaaeni im*a'^. —Fhiladelj^ia IX&patch. 
 
LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 17 
 
 AMONG 
 
 BY JOHN FROST, LL.D. 
 
 COMPRISING THE MOST REMARKABLE 
 
 Personal Narratives of Events in the 
 Early Indian Wars, 
 
 AS WELL AS OF 
 
 INCIDENTS IN THE RECENT INBIAN HOSTILITIES IN 
 MEXICO AND TEXAS. 
 
 Illustrated witli over 30C Engravings, from designs by W. Croome, 
 and other distinguislied artists. It contains over 500 pagea 
 12mo. Bound in clotlij gilt back. Price, $1.25. 
 
 OP 
 
 THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 A View of the Present State of the Nations of the Woria, 
 
 their Names, Customs, and Peculiarities, and their Political, 
 Moral, Social, and Industrial Condition. 
 
 nterapersed with Historical Sketches and Anecdotes, by Willta^ 
 PiiVNOCK, author of the Histories of England, Greece, and Rome. 
 Enlarged, revised, and embellished with several hundred En- 
 gravings, including twenty-four finely-colored Plates, from designs 
 of Croome, Devereux, and other distinguished artists. It c©u- 
 tains ove<' 600 pages, bound in embossed morocco, gilt haes* 
 
LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 18 
 
 THE 
 
 Binu riEiDS or the revoiutiom. 
 
 COMPRISING DESCEiPTIONS OF THE 
 
 Different Battles, Sieges, and other Events of 
 the War of Independence. 
 
 INTERSPERSED WITH CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES. 
 
 fllustrated with numerous Engravings, and a fine Mezzotint Frontis- 
 piece. By Thomas Y. Rhoads. Large 12mo. Price $1.00. 
 
 o o T 
 
 The Sergeant and the Indians. 
 Burning of the Gaspee. 
 The Great Tea hiot. 
 The First Prayer in Congress. 
 Battle of Lexington. 
 Fight ax Concord Bridge. 
 Capture of Ticonderoga. 
 Battle of Bunker's HilL 
 Attack on Quebec. 
 Attack on Sullivan's Island. 
 The Declaration of Indepen- 
 dence. 
 
 Firmness of Washington. 
 Capture of General Lee. 
 Capture of General Prescott. 
 General Prescott Whipped. 
 Battle of Trenton. 
 Battle of Princeton. 
 General Lafayette. 
 Battle of Brandywine. 
 Battle of Germantown. 
 Battle of Red Bank. 
 
 E IST T S . 
 
 Burgoyne's Invasion— Battle of 
 
 Bennington. 
 Heroic Exploit of Peter Frau* 
 
 Cisco. 
 Andrew Jackson. 
 Siege of Yorktown — Surrendei 
 
 of Cornwallis. 
 George Rogers Clarke. 
 Death of Captain Biddle. 
 Patriotism of Mother Bailey. 
 The Dutchman and the Rake. 
 Simon Kenton. 
 The Murder of Miss M'Crea. 
 Massacre at Wyoming. 
 Treason of Arnold. 
 Patriotism of Elizabeth Zane. 
 Stony Point. 
 John Paul Jones. 
 Battle of King's Mountain. 
 Burning of Colonel Crawford. 
 Battle of the Cowpens. 
 Baron Steuben. 
 Mrs. Bozarth. 
 
 PIONEER LIFE IN THE WEST 
 
 4'emprising the Adventures of Boone, Kenton, Brady, Clarke, The 
 Wketzbls, and others, in their Fierce Encounters with tlie In 
 dians. Prise $1.00. 
 
20 
 
 LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAH BOOKS 
 
 [The following two volumes by S. M. Smucker, Esq., have had a 
 large sale, and are considered the best Biographies of these great 
 statesmen published. Each is illustrated with a fine and correct 
 Steel Portrait. The Life of Hamilton has been reviewed by his 
 son, now residing near New York, who speaks of it in the highest 
 terms.] 
 
 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
 By S. M. Smucker, A.M., author of "Life and Reign of Nicholas L 
 Emperor of Russia," &c., &c. Large 12mo. of 400 pages. Cloth 
 With fine Steel Portrait. Price $1.25. 
 
 %\t fife aiib Ckes d %ltm\\ki f amiltoit. 
 
 By S. M. Smucker, A.M., author of "Life and Reign of Nicholas L, 
 Emperor of Russia," &c., &c. Large 12mo., with Portrait. Over 
 400 pages. Price $1.25. 
 
 THE BLESSINGS OF AN OPEN BIBLE; as shown in the His- 
 tory of Christianity, from the Time of our Saviour to the Present 
 Day. By Vincent W. Milner. With a View of the latest Develop- 
 ments of Rome's Hostility to the Bible, as exhibited in the Sand- 
 wich Islands, in Tuscany, in Ireland, France, &c., and an expose 
 of the absurdities of the Immaculate Conception, and the Idola- 
 trous Veneration of the Virgin Mary. By Rev. .Joseph F. Berg, 
 D.D., author of "The Jesuits," "Church and State," &c., &c. 
 12mo., 430 pp. Illustrated with numerous Engravings. Bound 
 in muslin, gilt back. $1.00 
 
 THE WORLD IN A POCKET BOOK. 
 
 By William 11. Crump. New Revised Edition, brought iown to 
 1858. Price $1.25. 
 
 This work is a Compendiiim of Useful Knowledge and General 
 Reference, dedicated to the Manufacturers, Farmers, Merchants, 
 and Mechanics of the United States — to all, in short, with whom 
 time is money — and whose business avocations render the acquisi- 
 tion of extensive and diversified information desirable, by the short 
 est possible road. The volume, it is hoped, will be found worthy 
 ©f a place in every household — in every family. It may indeed h« 
 t«jriaed a library in Hself. 
 
LIST OF VALTJABLE POPULAR BOOKS, 
 
 21 
 
 [The autlior of this volume, Mrs. M. G. Claeke, is well kno\rn as 
 the editress of the "Mother's Magazine/' one of the oldest and 
 "best Magazines published. This volume contains her bes 
 Sketches in Prose and Poetry, and should be in every library in 
 the land.] 
 
 OE, 
 
 SOCIAL HALF HOURS WITH THE HOUSEHOLD, 
 
 d€tavo, 400 pages, Illustrated with fine Steel Plates. Price $2.00. 
 
 [The two following volumes, "The Pilgrim's Progress," and "Life 
 of Christ and his Apostles," are from new stereotype plates, and 
 are pronounced by all the best Editions published of the-^e popu- 
 lar standard works. The type is of good size, and being printed 
 on good paper can easily be read by the old as well as the young. 
 In •• The Pilgrim's Progress," the marginal notes of the original 
 English edition have been preserved, which gives it a great ad- 
 vantage over the common editions. It also contains "Grace 
 Abounding to the Chief of Sinners," which, by many, is con- 
 sidered his great master-piece. To the "Life of Christ and his 
 Apostles" is added a History of the Jews, from the Earliest Ages 
 down to the Present Time, bringing the history down later than 
 in any other volume.] 
 
 FLEETWOOD'S 
 
 LIFE OF CHRIST .l\D HIS APOSTLES. 
 
 WITH A 
 
 HISTORY OF THE JEVTS, 
 
 From the Earliest Period to the Present Time. 
 
 Large 12mo., bound in cloth. Illustrated. Price $1.00. 
 
 mw'i nmm nmni. 
 
 I N c L u D I :t G 
 
 "GRACE ABOUNDING TO THE CHIEF OF SINNERS^' 
 
 Large 12mo., over 500 pages. Bound in cloth. Beautifully rUTM- 
 trat^. Piice $1.00. 
 
22 
 
 LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 
 
 "LIVING AMD LOVING. 
 
 A COLLECTION OF SKETCHES. 
 
 BY MISS V. F. TOWNSEND. 
 
 L*rge 12mo., with fine Steel Portrait of the Author. Bound b 
 elotk. Price $1.00. 
 
 o o rr T 
 
 Muriel. 
 
 To Arthur, Asleep. 
 
 The Memory Bells. 
 
 Mend the Breeches. 
 
 The Sunshine after the Rain. 
 
 My Picture. 
 
 Little Mercy is Dead. 
 
 The Old Letters. 
 
 The Fountain very Far Down. 
 
 The Rain in the Afternoon. 
 
 The Blossom in the Wilderness. 
 
 The Mistake. 
 
 October. 
 
 Twice Loving. 
 
 The Old Mirror. 
 
 The Country Graveyard. 
 
 Now. 
 
 The Door in the Heart. 
 
 My Stop-Mother. 
 
 The Broken Threat. 
 
 Glimpses inside the Cars. 
 
 The Old Stove. 
 
 The Old Rug. 
 
 The "Making-Up." 
 
 Next to Me. 
 
 Only a Dollar. 
 
 The Temptation and the Tri- 
 umph. 
 
 Extracts from a Valedictory 
 
 Poem. 
 December. 
 
 ]NrOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 We might say many things in favor of this delightful publication, but we deem it un 
 necessary. Husbands should buy it for their wives, lovers should buy it for their sweet- 
 hearts, friends should buy it for their friends — a prettier and more entertaining gift could 
 not be given — and every body should buy it for themselves. It ought to be circulated 
 throughout the land. It carries sunshine wherever it goes. One such book is wortb 
 fiaore than all the " yellow-covered trash" ever published. — 6fodey's Lady's Book. 
 
 SYBIL MONBOE; OB, THE FORGER'S DAUGHTEB. 
 
 By Maetha Russell. Price $1.00. 
 
 THE DESERTED FAMILY; 
 
 OE, 
 
 THE WANDERINGS OF AN OUTCAST 
 
 By Paul Ceeyton. Price $1.00. 
 
 / 
 
26 
 
 LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAE BOOKS. 
 
 umm m mmi m\u. 
 
 Travels and Discoveries in North and Central Africa, being a 
 Journal of an Expedition undertaken under the auspices 
 of H. B. Majesty's Government, in the Years 1849-1855. 
 
 By henry BARTH, Ph.D., D.C.L., 
 
 Fellow of the Eoyal GeograpMcal and Asiatic Societies, etc., etc. 
 
 Price, $1.25. 
 
 Earth's Travels in Northern and Central Africa should be 
 read by every one who has Livingstone's Travels — by many it is 
 considered still more interesting. 
 
 NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 
 
 The researches of Dr. Earth are of the highest interest. Few men have existed so 
 qualified, both in intellectual ability and a vigorous bodily constitution, for the peril- 
 ous part of an African discoverer as Dr. Earth. — London Times. 
 
 Every chapter presents matter of more original interest than an ordinary volame of 
 travek'. This is high praise, but it is due to the intelligence and zeal of Dr Barth, 
 who pursued his adventures with unflinching courage, and neglected no opportunities. 
 His discoveries, in fact, are parallel with those of Dr. Livingstone in the South. We 
 confesR that such a relation has for us an intense interest ; we are sure that no 
 Eerious reader will be disappointed in the narrative of Dr. Barth, which, sprinkled 
 with anecdotes, varied by glittering descriptions of landscapes and manners, written 
 with vigor and simplicity, and disclosing amid the gloom of Africa the secrets of 
 centuries, is a rich repertory of Isnowledge, and deserves to take its place among the 
 classics of travel. — London Lecider. 
 
 This volu^ne contains an account of the journeyings, discoveries, and adventures 
 of one of the most enterprising travelers of the age, condensed from his extended narra- 
 tive, recently published in three large octavo volumes. The work is intended for many 
 who feel a deep interest in Dr. Earth's great expedition, who would know whatever 
 is worth knowing in respect to the condition, the civilization, and prospects of men in 
 Africa, but who have neither time nor money to procure and read the scientific, minute 
 and bulky volumes from which the present has been abridged. The work is well 
 printed and illustrated. — Christian Observer, Philadelphia. 
 
 Here we have the entire subject-matter issued in a single volume, with maps and 
 Illustrations, and at a very low price ; while from the deep interest of its pages, we 
 predict that it will command what booksellers rejoice to call a ''run." The book is 
 also enriched with notes from the expeditions of Eichardson, Denham and Clapperton. 
 —Pennsylvania Inquirer. 
 
 It is got up in Mr. Bradley's tisTial style of elegance and beauty. It is pleasant to lock 
 at, to handle, and to read. — Columbia {Pa.) Democrat. 
 
 We commend the volume to all who desire a perfect combination of instructive and 
 interesting reading. Besides the contents, the typographical appearance of the work is 
 alike creditable and attractive. — School Journal, Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. Bradley deserves the thanks and patronage of the public for offering the result of 
 recent explorations in a cheap and very handsome form. Few publishers equal, and 
 none excel him in the mechanical execution of his publications. — Record of Times, 
 WiVkesbarre, Pa. 
 
 Like all of Mr. Bradley's publications, it is elegantly got up, and containing, as ifc 
 does, so large an amount of matter, 538 pages, exclusive of maps and engravings, ia 
 one of the cheapest books ever published in this country. We strongly urge our readejj 
 io send for it. Price %l.2o.—Pittston Gazette, Pa. 
 
LIST OF VALUABLE AND POPULAR BOOKS. 2? 
 
 INDIA AND THE INDIAN MUTINY. Comprising a com- 
 plete History of Hindoostan, from the earliest times to the pres- 
 ent day, with full particulars of the recent Mutiny in India. 
 Illustrated with numerous engravings. By Henry Frederick Mal- 
 colm. This work has been gotten up with great care, and may be 
 relied on as complete and accurate; making one of the most thril- 
 lingly interesting books published. It contains illustrations of all 
 the great battles and sieges, making a large 12mo. volume of about 
 450 pages, and is sold at the low price of $1.25. 
 
 The tragical events of the war will not only be read with thrilling interest, but the 
 history of India will be studied by all classes. The work before us is well calculated 
 to impart the knowledge of India and the Eebellion, which is sought by those whose 
 curiosity has been excited, as it gives, in one volume, a popular history of the country 
 at different epochs. — Rural New Yorker. 
 
 This work appears to be one to meet the demand for information respecting India - 
 U. S. Journal. 
 
 THE LADIES' WOEK-TABLE BOOK Containing clear and 
 practical instructions in plain and fancy needlework, embroidery, 
 knitting, netting, and crochet. With numerous engravings, illus- 
 trative of the various stitches in those useful and fashionable em- 
 ployments. Price $1.00. 
 
 BOOK OF ANECDOTES AND BUDGET OF FUN. Con- 
 
 taining a collection of over 1000 of the most laughable sayings and 
 jokes of celebrated wits and humorists. Just published. 336 
 pages, 12mo., muslin. $1.00. 
 
 HIGHWAYMEN, ROBBERS, AND BANDITTI, of all coun- 
 
 tries, with colored and other engravings. Contents — General view 
 of Banditti and Robbers, The Robber of the Abruzzi, The Brigands 
 of Calabria, Francatripa, Benincasa and others, Scarollo, The Yar- 
 darelli, Don Cico, or the Priest Robber, Roman Banditti, Brigands 
 of Lombardy, Neapolitan and Roman Brigands, Spanish Brigands, 
 The Robber King, etc., etc. Handsomely bound in one volume. 
 Price $1.00. 
 
 HAMPTON HEIGHTS ; or, The Spinster's Maid. By Caleb 
 Starbuck. 450 pages. 12mo. Price $1.25. 
 
 LIVES AND EXPLOITS OF THE MOST NOTED BUCCA- 
 NEERS AND PIRATES of all Countries. Handsomely illus- 
 trated, containing the Buccaneers of America,. Robin Hood, Jack 
 Bird, Tom Cox, Tom Jones, Chinese Pirates, Colonel Jack, Claude 
 Duval, etc., etc. One volume, cloth. Price $1.00. 
 
 WHILE IT WAS MORNING. By Yiiginia F. Townsend, 
 
 editor of Arthur's Magazine. Price $1.00. 
 
 This is an exceedingly interesting and well-written book. We have rarely met • 
 more thoroughly domestic story. It is very much in the style of Miss Austin's novels, 
 pure and sweet in its morals, and kindly and gentle in its lesBons.—iT. T. Daily Time*