^o q, » . , 1 • ^" #•, *• « » « .0^ . ^0 '^frlT** '. Q^ o ** " ** •• HISTORY THE UNITED STATES, ruOM TUffl DISCOVERY OF AMERICA THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1862 |flr tbc u$t of %tMs. CAPITOI, AT WASaiNaXO.Y, COMPILED JROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES By WILLIAM ROBERTS. PHILADELPHIA: X>j-., SOWEU, BARNES & ct :P Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, hy WILLIAM ROBERTS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United StateS; in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, hy WILLIAM ROBERTS, :n the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. MEARS k PU6ENBEBT, STEREOTYPERS. ^h^"^ PREFACE. The compiler of the following pages, during his long experience as a teacher, often felt the necessity of a text- book which should give a correct and lucid exposition of American history. He found the youthful memory burdened with extra- neous matter, clogged with abstractions, and wearied with the petty details of colonial government. If '' History is Philosophy teaching by example," it should appear to us in a pure and truthful garb, unsullied by party prejudice or sectarian bigotry. It should not be a vehicle of misrepresentation and cal- umny, nor a channel fer unmerited detraction or fulsome praise. Contemporary writers of a nation's history too often impart to passing events the bias of their own minds, and, therefore, most historical records come to us tinted with the writer's aversions or partialities. The writer of a text-book of history intended for Ameri- (3) IV PREFACE. can youth, soon to become American citizens, cannot be too careful in the selection of facts not distorted by faction or flattery. In the treatise now presented to the public, the compiler liiis striven to avoid the errors arising from sectarian or partisan statements, and to present the records of history drawn from the most reliable sources. He has devoted much time and labor in consulting the best authorities, and recorded nothing which is not sub- stantiated by standard historians. In this compilation he has ignored sect and party. Factn only are presented, and the mind of the youthful student left in freedom as to the principles and motives of the actors in this grand drama, who pass in review before him. This work is divided into sections, with numbered para- graphs. The first section gives a brief account of the early discoveries and attempted settlements. The next section embraces the history of the settlements of the seventeenth century, and the prominent events of the thirteen original colonies. This is followed by the French War, the American Revolution, the Confederation of States, the adoption of the Constitution, and the Federal Union; with a succinct account of every Presidential Administration to the close of the year 1862. Philadelphia, 1863. CONTENTS DISCOVERIES OP THE FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CENTURIES. Discovery of America — Cabot's voyage — Cortcreal — Juan Pone* 'asli- ington — Massachusetts troops attacked in Baltimore — Pennsyl- CONTENTS. Xm vania troops— Secession of Virginia— Destruction of public build- ings at Harper's Ferry — Navy Yard at Portsmouth destroyed — Secession of Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina— General Butler occupies Baltimore— Batteries on the Elizabeth River— Scwall's Point— Troops on Arlington Heights— Assassination of Colonel Ellsworth— Death of Stephen A. Douglas— Surprise of rebels at Philippi— Colonel Kelly wounded— Expedition sent against the rebels at Great Bethel— Failure to take a battery— Retreat— Death of Lieutenant Greble— Of Major Winthrop— Battle of Booneville— Attempt of Captain Ward to erect a battery at Matthias Point— Attack by the rebels— Death of CaptainWard —Battle of Falling Waters— Battle at Rich Mountain— Colonel Pegram surrenders— Battle of St. George— General Garnet t, killed— General McDowell at Fairfax— Centreville— Battle of Bull Run— Retreat of General McDowell— Colonels Cameron, Slocum, and Fowler killed at Bull Run— Battle at Wilson's Creek— Death of General Lyon— General Sigel takes command — P^xpedition under Commodore Stringham and General Butler — Capture of Forts Clark and Hatt eras— Attack on the fort at Lex- ington—Brave defence by Colonel Mulligan — Battle of Bolivar- Ball's Bluff— Death of Colonel Baker— Lexington recaptured— Resignation of General Scott— General McClellan appointed his successor — Dupont's Expedition— Capture of forts at Hilton Head-Beaufort- Arrest of Slidell and Mason . . 221 Events of 1862. — Battle of Somerset— General Zollickoffer killed— Surrender of Fort Heni-y— Expedition against North Carolina- Capture of Roanoke Island— Destruction of the rebel fleet— Fort Donelson bombarded — Surrenders — Submission of Nashville- General Banks crosses the Potomac— Naval battle near Newport Ng^YS_The Merrimac — The Monitoi' — Commodore Dupont cap- tures Brunswick and Fernandina— Fort Clinch— St. Mary's — Battle of Pea Ridge— Evacuation of New Madrid— Siege of Island No. 10— Expedition against Beaufort— Surrender of St. Augus- tine-Battle of Pittsburgh Landing— Surrender of Fort Pulaski— Fort Macon — New Orleans surrenders to General Butler — Baton Rouge taken— Bombardment of Fort St. Philip— Fort Jackson- General McClellan embarks with his army— Takes possession of XIV CONTENTS. Yorktown — Battle of Williamsburg— Battle at West Poiiu — At- tack on Sewall's Point — General Wool's expedition to Norfolk — Surrender of the city — The Merrimac destroyed — Sewall's Point and Craney Island abandoned — Troops cross the Cbickahominy — Attack on Colonel Kenley — Battle at Corinth — Town evacuated — Occupied by General Pope — Battle of Fair Oaks — Evacuation of Forts Pillow, Wright, and the city of Peusacola — Fort Barrancas — Surrender of Memphis — General Negley defeats the enemy in Tennessee — Fremont pursues Jackson — Battle of Cross Keys — - Contest at the Shenandoah — Battle at White Oak Swamp — Battla of Mechanicsville — "Gaines's Mills" — Savage Station — White Oak Swamp — Turkey Island — McClellan's army at the James River — Malvern Hills — General Pope in command of the army — Three hundred thousand troops called into service — March of General Curtis — General Halleck appointed commander-in-chief — Death of Van Buren — Battle at the Rapidan — Cedar Mountain — Attack on Baton Rouge — Death of General Williams — Army moved from Harrison's Landing to Williamsburg— Battle of Bull Run — Fairfax — Centreville — Junction of armies — General Mc- Clellan commander — Death of Generals Kearney, Stevens, and Taylor — Rebel army in Maryland — Battle of South Mountain — Death of General Reno — Surrender of Harper's Ferry — Battla of Antietam — Rebel army crosses the Potomac — Pursued by General Pleasanton — Harper's Ferry evacuated — Bombardment of Natchez — Battle of luka — Capture of Mumfordsville — Inva- gion of Pennsylvania — Battle of Corinth — Hatchie River — Battk of Perry ville — General McClellan relieved — Burnside appointed — Galveston taken — General Burnside's army opposite Frede- ricksburg — Steamer Alabama — Indian massacres — Battle of Fredericksburg — Deaths of Generals Bayard and Jackson — General Burnside removes his army — Report of killed and wounded . 238 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. DISCOVERIES OF THE 15TH AND IGTH CENTURIES. 1. The vast continents of North and South America were unknown to the civilized world previous to the year 1402. At that time the genius and persevering eiForts of Christopher Columbus led the way to tliose great discoveries, which have resulted in the settle- ment of the United States, and other countries in the \Yestern Hemisphere. 2. The spirit of adventure was now awakened in 1497. T^ , ±iUrope, and numerous expeditions were sent out t+) make discoveries and form settlements. Among these, tlie voyage of the Cabots is most worthy of notice. In 1497, John Cabot embarked with his son Sebastian, from Bristol, England, and discovered the American Continent far to the north, in the dreary inhospitable regions of Labrador. A second voyage was made by Sebastian Cabot the next year, in which he explored the American 14198. •' ' '■ coast, landed at many plac<, set out on another voyage, and, passing to the west of Newfoundland and through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, north of Anacosti, he ascended the river as far as the island of Orleans. Here, Cartier, leaving his vessels safely moored, proceeded in a boat to the chief Indian settlement, wliich lay at the foot of a hill which he climbed. Pleased with the beauty of the surrounding prospect, he called this Mont Real, a name which has since extended to the most flourishing city of Canada East. They passed the winter in the St. Lawrence, and in the spring, after solemnly taking possession of the country, and declaring Francis to be iU rightful king, they returned to St. Malo. 10. Ferdinand de Soto, one of the companions of Pizarro in his conquest of Peru, planned an expedition for the conquest of Florida, and, obtaining tho Spanish king's permission, embarked for that country. In two weeks he landed on the coast, and the march of the a*ivcnturers began, attended with great hardships to the invaders and cruelties to the natives. The following year 16 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. they arrived at a town on the Alabama, called 1540. "^ ' Mobile, which name is still retained. Here a bloody battle ensued, during which the town was burned and the Indians corapletely routed. 11. De Soto now marched to the north, and wintered in the upper part of what is now the state of Mississippi. In the spring of 1541 the march was resumed, and, after suffering from fire, want of food, and hostility of the natives, the Spaniards came to tho Kreat river, often called the " Father of Waters." 1541. DISCOVERY or THE MISSISSIPPI KIVER. 12 A plan being now formed in France for a settlement in America, Cartier again set sail for the St. Lawrence. Near the site of Quebec he built a fort, where his company passed the winter, sullen, unhappy, and dejected. In June, 1542, the expedition returned to France, and, fc)r the next fifty years, no further discoveries were attempted by a nation which had become involved in the •lorrors of civil war and intestine feud. 1543. DISCOVERIES. 17 13. The Spaniards under De Soto still marched west- wardly in search of gold, but finding none, they retraced their blood-stained track to the Mississippi, where their distinguished leader died. His body was wrapped in a mantle, and at midnight sunk in the depths of the river, at once the fruit of his researches and his sepulchre. 14. The Spaniards made some feeble attempts 1549. ^ , . . , to form settlements in Florida, by sending mis- sionaries to convert the natives to Christianity. But the rude tribes they sought to convert had suffered so much from the cruelty of the Spaniards, that they regarded hh enemies the priests who sought an interview with them, and the peaceful missionaries became the victims of their fury. Florida was now abandoned, for it seemed fatal to all who approached its shores. The troubles in France, and the persecutions of the Huguenots, induced Admiral Coligny to seek a refuge for men whoso lives were en- dangered at home. 15. An expedition fitted out under the command of John Ribault, a brave man, of great maritime experience, sailed for the American shores. After exploring the coast, they came to Port Royal entrance, where Ribault determined to plant his colony. Fort Charles or Carolina gave name to the country before its occupation by the English. In consequence of civil war in France, no aid vras sent to the infant colony; dissensions prevailed, and the commandant left by Ribault lost his life in a mutiny. Under the guidance of a new commander, they embarked for their native land in a rude vessel of their own construction. After suffering from the horrors of famine, they were rescued by an English vessel and taken to the coast of France. 16. In 1564, another expedition under Laudon- 1564. . ' ^ niere was fitted out, and settled on the banks of the 2* 18 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. river May (now St. John's). The following year Ribaalt arrived with supplies, and an additional number of 1565. . ^^ ' emigrants, and there seemed to be a prospect of the continuance of the colony. But Spain had never relin- quished her claim, and it was resolved to contest the right of France, and to root out her colonies. An expedition, fitted out under Don Pedro Melendez, discovered a fine haven, which was named St. Augustine. Here Melendez landed, took possession of the continent in the name of the Spanish king, and laid the foundation of the town, which is the oldest settlement in the United States. 17. By a furious assault he captured the French fort, and massacred the inmates without regard to age or sex. The French government took no measures to avenge their jslaughtered colonists. But Dominic de Gourges, a man of wealth, fitted out an expedition at his own expense, embarked for Florida, captured the Spanish fort, and hanged the garrison, whom he designated '^ Traitors, robbers, and murderers." But being too weak to retain possession of the country, he embarked for France, and Spain still claimed Florida, and all the country bounded by the Gulf of Mexico. 18. No attempts to form settlements in America were Kuccessful for many years after the fiiilure of Cohgny. In the reign of Elizabeth of England, Sir Humphrey Gilbert formed plans for colonization. Having obtained a liberal patent from the queen, he equipped a squadron, and sailed for Newfoundland. Having entered the harbor of St. John's, he took possession in the name of his sovereign. He sailed thence on further disco veriey, when his largest ship was wrecked, and it became necessary for him to return to England. On the homeward voyage his fleet encountered severe storms, and the httle frigate, DISCOVERIES. 19 with the admiral, disappeared in the darkness of the night. and all on board perished. 19. The ill success of this expedition did not discourage Sir Walter Kaleidi, the step-brother of Gilbert, and 1584r. a 7 r ^ ' he resolved to renew the enterprise. Obtaining a patent from the queen, he sent out two vessels, under the command of Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow. They explored the coasts of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, landed on Roanoke Island, and after a short stay returned to England. The queen was so much pleased with the description of the voyage, that she named the country Virginia, in token of its discovery during the reign of a virgin queen. 20. An expedition was now fitted out, composed of seven vessels, and one hundred colonists. Ralph Lane went out as governor of the infant colony, and Sir Jlichard Grenville had command of the fleet. The settle- ment was made on the island of Roanoke, which possessed a fine soil, and fertile climate, but distigrcement with the natives, and longings for home, led to a precipitate deser- tion, and Lane and his surviving associates were taken to England by Sir Francis Drake, in the year follow- ing. Two weeks afterwards. Sir Richard Grenville arrived with additions to the colony, and supplies for the settlers, and left fifteen men to retain possession. 21. Ralei ting. At length, at mid-day, they fell on their unsus- pecting victims. SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA. 25 9. The Eni^lish would liavc been all destroved had not a friendly Indian revealed the existence of the conspiracy, so that Jamestown and the neighbcrinp: settlements were guarded against an attack. The settle- ments on the outskirts of the colony were entirely destroyed, and the colony received a check from which it took years to recover. 10. The London company had given offence to Kinc elames, which led to its dissolution, and Virginia became n royal province. From this time governors were appointed by the king. Some of these royal governors ruled without regard to popular right. One of them, Sir John Harvey, was deposed by the council, and sent to England. The king refused to listen to the charges against him, and he was reinstated. 11. In 1644, another Indian war broke out. and 164:4. . . ' the frontier settlements were laid waste. This outbreak was followed by a war, which terminated by the Indians ceding their lands to the colonists. During Crora- welFs administration, Virginia enjoyed the utmost freedom The people elected their own governors, and had an amount of liberty which was not interfered with during the exist- ence of the Commonwealth. 12. On the restoration of the monarchy, the rights of the people and the freedom of commerce were disregarded Oppressive laws were enacted, and the struggle commenced between the upholders of arbitrary power, ending only with the Pwevolutiou, which placed all power in the hands of the people. Questions on the Settlements of the 17th cmtury. — 1. What did Qosnold discover and name ? What is said of his landing ? Give an account of his further proceedings. 3 26 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 2. "What companies Avcre formed ? What right was ccnferrod on the London company ? On the Western company ? 3. Who commanded the squadron sent out, and how many colo- nists were there ? W^here did they anchor ? What were the capes named, and why? Wniat river did they name? What did tbey name their settlement ? 4. What was the character of the settlers? How many died in four months ? Where was Captain Smith ? By whose intercession was his life spared ? 5. What took place during the next two years? What did Smith maintain, and promote ? Why did he return to England ? What consequences ensued on Smith's departure ? Wlio arrived with supplies ? 6. How was the government administered ? Wlien and where was a legislative assembly convened? How was slavery intro- duced, and when ? 7. How did the colonists of Virginia obtain wives ? 8. How long did the Indians remain on friendly terms with the settlers ? In what manner did they prepare for an attack ? Were the English taken by surprise ? 9. What prevented the total destruction of the English ? What colonies were saved ? Which destroyed ? 10. What led to the dissolution of the London company ? What, did Virginia become? How were governors appointed? How did they govern ? W' hat is said of Sir John Harvey ? 11. What war broke out in 1644, and how did it terminate? What did the people enjoy and possess during the existence of Ih© Commonwealth ? How were the governors chosen ? 12. What took place on the restoration of the monarchy ? 1606. SETTLEMENT OF MA3SACHUS£TTS. 27 SETTLEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 1. The Plymouth company, to whom North Vir- ginia had been allotted, were unsuccessful in their first efforts, and a ship sent out by them was captured by the Spaniards. The next year two ships sailed for America, bearing emigrants to a plantation under the presidency of George Popham. They landed near the mouth of the Kennebec, and commenced their settlement. A dreary winter and several disasters discouraged the colo- nists, and the following year they returned to England. 2. In 1614, Captain John Smith examined the 1614. coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod, and named the country New England. He next endeavored to establish a colony, but was unsuccessful. His vessel was taken by French pirates, from whom he escaped in an open boat, and arrived safely in England. For several years no attempt was made by the Plymouth company to form settlements, and the first permanent colony in New England was made by the Puritans, a class of men who, despairing of religious liberty in England, had emi- grated to Holland, where they lived several years in exile. The wilds of America offered them an asylum, and, having returned to England to make arrangements for their voyage, the first colonists departed in a vessel called the Mayflower. The first settlement was made on the 21st of December, 1620, and was named Plymouth. The colonists 16/20 suffered from cold, sickness, and want of food, but they were not molested by the Indians. Massasoit, the <:]iiefraiu of the nearest tribe, made a treaty with them, which was kept unbroken for more than half a century. 3. In 1628 a settlement was made at Salem by 163S a number of emigrants led by John Endicott. 2B HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. The towns of Boston and Charlestown were founded soon after their arrival, and the colony was incorporated under the title of the "Grovernor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New England." The early settlers endured many hardships, but they bore their numerous afflictions cheer- fully, rejoicing in their freedom, and their enjoyment of religious liberty. 4. Although the Puritans claimed freedom for themselves in matters of religion, they were unwil- ling to extend it to others whose faith dijQTered from their own, Roger Williams, a young and zealous minister, difiered from his brethren on this point. He held the doctrine that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control opinion ; should punish guilt, but never violate the freedom of the soul. This doctrine was opposed, and Williams was banished from the colony. Much trouble was caused by the opposition to the opinions of the clergy made by Mrs. Ann Hutchinson. She wlis upheld by Governor Vane and Rev. John Wheelwright, and with the latter was compelled to leave the colony. 5. In 1G43 the fimous union of the New Eno-land X64r3* colonies v»^as established. This confederation waa entered into Ibr mutual protection and security, and com- prised the colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Plymouth, and New Haven. In 1675, a war broke out with the Indians, and raged with great fury. Philip, the sachem of the Wampanoags, was a powerful and viiiilietive enemy, and for a full year the colony was kept in u state of terror and excitement. Troops from Plymouth and Massachxisetts marched against the Indians, and Philip was driven from Mount Hope, and became a fugitive among the interior bribes of Ma^ssachusetts. SETTLEMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS. 29 6. The Narracran setts haviuGr aided Philip, the 1676. ° ° * ' English made war upon them, and troops were sent into their country, who destroyed their strongholds and burnt their wigwams. Finally the Indians were sub- dued, and Philip's wife and son were made prisoners. Heart-broken, and ready to die, he was shot by a faithless Indian, and his captive son sold as a slave. Thus ended King Philip's War, which proved fatal to the Narragansetts, and to the powerful tribe of which he was the chieftain. 7. The Acts of Navigation were considered an invasion of the rights of the colonies, arid were resisted by the people of Massachusetts. This produced embittered feelings on both sides, and resulted in the forfeiture of the charter, which had been long 168-ir. , , ' ° cherished with jealous watchfulness. The follow- ing year, James II. became king, and Sir Edmund Andross was appointed governor of all New Eng- land. He was authorized to appoint members of his council, and, with their consent, make laws and lay taxes. These laws were of the most oppressive character, and the colonists were in a condition little infe- rior t<) absolute slavery. ^^^^ 8. But the revolution, which drove Kins: James 168S. „ , . , from his throne, restored liberty to the colonies, and Andross was seized and imprisoned. A new chart^'i was granted by King William, greatly enlarging the terri- tory of Massachusetts. By the old charter, the freemen of the colony elected their governor annually; by the new charter, he was appointed by the king : so that he was no l')nger the representative of the people, but a royal agent. 9. Durino; Kinsr William's War, the colonists 1693. o o . ) suiFered greatly from the incursions of the Indians, who were instigated in their hostilities by the Canadians. 3* 30 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Several expeditions had been planned by the colonists, which were generally unsuccessful. The only thing worthy of note was the capture of Port Royal and the subjugation of Acadia. But the peace of Ryswick caused for a time a suspension of hostilities, destined, however, soon to be renewed, in consequence of the conflicting claims of France and England, to which we shall again revert in Ihe progress of this history. Questions on the Settlement of Massachusetts. — 1. What is said of the first attempt of the Plymouth company to form a settlement ? Give an account of the settlement on the Kennebec. 2. What service was performed by Captain Smith in 1614? What did he name the country ? Did Captain Smith or the Plymouth company establish colonies? By whom was the first permanent settlement made ? When and where was it established ? What is said of the Indians ? Of Massasoit ? 3. When and by whom was a settlement made at Salem ? What towns were founded soon after? What was the title of the colony ? 4. What doctrine was held by Roger Williams? Why was Roger Williams banished? Who opposed the opinions of the clergy ? By whom was she upheld ? What were Mr. Wheelwright and she compelled to do ? 5. What colonies united in a league in 1643 ? What is said of Philip ? What troops marched against the Indians ? 6. On what tribe did the English make war? What became )f Philip ? To whom did this war prove fatal ? 7. How were the Acts of Navigation considered by the people ? [n what did their opposition result ? Who became king in 1685 ? Who was appointed governor ? What was he authorized to do ? What was the character of his laws ? 8. What became of Andross in the revolution which drove King James from his throne? Who granted a new charter? Wliu appointed the governor by the new charter? How was he appointed under the old charter ? 9. By whom were the Indians instigated to make war on Hk* colonists ? What place was captured and what country subjugated 1 \ SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK. 31 SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK. 1. While the London and the Plymouth companies were laying the foundations of empire in tlie Western World, the Dutch were not idle. A powerful corporation, the Dutch East India Company, employed Henry Hudson, an enter- prising navigator, to make discoveries. In 1G09, he sailed up the river which now bears his name, in consequence of which the Dutch claimed the territory. 2. The year succeeding this discovery, several merchants of Amsterdam fitted out a ship with merchandise, to trafiic with the natives. In 1G13, there were three or 1613. ' four rude hovels on the island of Manhattan, and this was the commencement of that great city which now counts its inhabitants by hundreds of thousands. The followinoj year a rude fort was erected on the 1614. . southern point of the island. In 1615 a Settle- ment was commenced on an island just below the present city of Albany. 3. The country from the Delaware, or South* River, to Cape Cod, was called New Netherlands, and the settlement of Manhattan now began to rise into some degree of importance. But the colony did not enjoy uninterrupted prosperity. Their limits were narrowed on the east by the English, and by the Swedes on the south, and they were on the brink of ruin from a desolating war carried on for more than two years by the Algonquins. At last a solemn treaty waa agreed upon, to the great joy of the settlers. Manhattan now began its career of prosperity, and afibrded to the persecuted of every sect a city of refuge. * So called by the Dutch settlers. 32 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 4. But the English became too powerful to be resisted. The Dutch were compelled to relinquish their claims to the territory of Connecticut, and half of Long Island. A few years later, an English squadron, under the direction of Colonel Richard Nicholls, approached the town, and demanded an acknow- ledgment of English sovereignty, promising the inhabitants security in life, liberty, and property. Resistance was useless, and New Netherlands became an English province. Manhattan was now known as New York, and Fort Orange was called Albany. 5. In the next war between England and Hol- land, a small Dutch squadron approached New York, and the city at once surrendered, without opposition. After a military occupation of fifteen months, the territory wa3 transferred to England, and the Duke of York resumed possession. Sir Edmund Andross now assumed 1676* the government, and ruled with despotic sway. He discouraged popular assemblies, and levied taxes without consent of the people. The duke, in consequence of the representations made to him by WiUiam Penn, sent instructions to the governor to convoke a legislature. This assembly met in 1G83, and established the " Charter of Liberties." 6. Kin^r James II., on his accession to the 1685. ° throne, refused to continue the concessions he had previously granted while Duke of York. Andross continued his oppressive rule in New York until the revo- lution in England, which drove James from hia throne, divested this petty tyrant of his delegated power, and sent him, a prisoner, to England. 7. The peace of the colony was endangered by the hostile incursions of the French and their Indian allies, during SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK. 33 Kiuor William's War, wliich commcuccd in 1689, 1669. . . and continued until the peace of Ryswick, in 1697. From this time to the Revolution, New 1 607 York was a provincial government, under governors appointed by the English government. Among those most worthy of note, we find the Earl of Bellamont, an Irish peer, who had a kind heart, and sympathized with the efforts for popular freedom. His administration was the era of harmony and kind feeling. 8. He was succeeded by the infamous Lord Cornbiiry, who endeavored to rule without regard to popular right or religious toleration. But all his attempts, as well as those of his successors who disregarded the just principles of government, were promptly met by the legislative assembly, who were ever watchful in resisting the encroachments of tyranny. Questions on the Settlement of New York. — 1. By whom was Henry Hudson employed to make discoveries ? What river did he dis- cover and name ? Why did the Dutch claim the territory on the Hudson River ? 2. What was the extent of the settlement on Manhattan Island in 1613? What great city occupies the same island? What settlement was made in 1G15? 3. What was the extent of the Newv Netherlands ? Who en- croached on their territory ? With whom were they at war ? What is said of Manhattan ? 4. What were the Dutch compelled to relinquish ? When did New Netherlands become an English province ? What was Man- hattan now called ? Fort Orange ? 5. Did New York again fall into the hands ot the Dutch ? What nations were at war ? How long was it retained ? To whom was the territory then transferred? Who took possession, and who was governor ? How did he rule ? When was a legisla- ture convoked ? What did they establish? 34 HISTORY Off THE UNITED STATES. 6. What did King James refuse to do on his accession to the throne ? What became of Andross after King James was driven from the throne ? 7. How long did King William's War continue ? Who invaded the colony during that war? What is said of Lord Bellamont'g administration ? 8. By whom was he succeeded? How did Lord Cornbury endeavor to rule ? Against what were the legislative assembly watchful? SETTLEMENT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1. The country now constituting tlie state of New Hamp- shire was granted to Sir Ferdinand Gorges and John Mason^ members of the Plymouth company, and in 1623 a company of English merchants established perma- nent settlements on the Piscataqua River. Dover and Portsmouth are the oldest towns in the state. These, for several years, were unimportant fishing stations. 2. The Rev. Mr. Wheelwright, who had been banished from Massachusetts for favoring the religious opinions of Ann Hutchinson, went to the head waters of the 163T* Piscataqua, and founded the town of Exeter, a little republic in the " vast wilderness," organized with a recognition of the principles of natural justice and religious toleration. 8. In 1641 New Hampshire was annexed to Massachusetts. But the people not being Puri- tans, a different code of laws was adopted for their go- vernment, and the freemen of New Hampshire were not required to be church members. In 1679, New Hamp- shire was separated from Massachusetts, and became a royal province. The next year a general assembly was SETTLEMENT OP NEW HAMPSHIRE. 35 convened at Portsmouth, and asserted its rights by a solemn decree, which was totally disregarded by the English government. Edward Cranfield, an avari- 1680. . 7 . , cious and tyrannical man, was appointed governor. His whole administration is distinguished by efforts to extort money from the people which their representativea refused to grant, and the sturdy yeomanry resisted aI^ attempts to collect the illegal taxes which the governoi had levied. 4. In 1690, the inhabitants, in convention. 1690. ' , ' ♦ resolved to unite with Massachusetts, but th« English government refused to grant any charter to Ne\T Hampshire. Samuel Allen, of London, purchased Mason's claims to the soil, and received the royal commission to act ns governor. 5. From this time, for a quarter of a century, the civil history of the colony is nothing but a series of lawsuits about hind. Complaints were made against th« govcrm^s, till New Hampshire and Massachusetta were both placed under the government of Bellamont, of New York. Finally, the yeomanry of the province gained quiet possession of the lands which their labor had redeemed from the wilderness. G. The colony suffered greatly from Indian depredations During King William's War, Dover was sacked and burned, and many of the inhabitants were killed or carried as captives to Canada. Questions on the Settlement of New Ilampshire. — 1. To whom waj New Hampshire granted? What Bcttlements were first estab- lished ? In what year ? Which are the oldest towns in the stale T 2, Why had Rev. Mr. Wheelwright been banished from Masga- chusetts ? What town did he found ? What principles did L« recognise ? 36 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 3. When was New Hampshire annexed to Massachusetts ? Why was a different code of laws adopted for their government ? When was New Hampshire separated from Massachusetts, and what did it become ? What did the assembly which met at Portsmouth assert ? Who was appointed governor ? What did he make efforts to do, and how was he met? 4. What did the inhabitants resolve to do in 1690? What was refused by the English government ? 5. Under what governor was New Hampshire placed in 1699 ? 6. From what did the colony suffer ? What town was burned ? SETTLEMENT OF NEW JERSEY. 1. The Dutcli, who occupied New York, claimed also uhe territory between the Hudson, or North River, to the Delaware, or South River, including the present state of New Jersey. These dominions were called by them New Netherlands. The southern cape of New Jersey X633 was visited by Cornelius May, who named this point of land, and, ascending the river, built Fort Nassau, on Big Timber Creek, six miles south of Camden. 2. The settlement of the eastern part of this state w involved in some obscurity. There seems to have been a trading station at Bergen as early as 1618, established by the Dutch. In 1651, Augustine Herman pur- chased the land from Newark Bay to the west of Elizabethtown, and in 1058 other purchasers ob- tained the large grant called Bergen, and the early station became a permanent settlement. 3. The Duke of York had, a short time previously to the conquest of the New Netherlands, assigned to Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret the land between the Hudson and Delaware. In honor of Carteret, who hai SETTLEMENT OF NEW JERSEY. 87 been governor of the island of Jersey, the province. waa called New Jersey, and the capital, being a cluster of four houses, was named Elizabcthtown, in honor of Lady Carteret. Philip Carteret; brother of the proprietor, was appointed governor. 4. The province increased in numbers, and nothing disturbed its prosperity till 1670, when payment of quit-rents on the settlers' lands was demanded. This they resisted, asserting that, as they had bought their lands of the Indians, no payment of rent was justly due. While these difficulties were pending, the disaffected colo- nists sent deputies to an assembly which was held at Elizabcthtown. That body displaced the i^ovemor, and appointed a young and frivolous man, his nephew, James Carteret, to succeed him. Philip Carteret hastened to England, and the colonists remained in undis- turbed possession of their farms.* 5. In 1674, Berkley and Carteret were reinstated in possession of their province, but Lord Berkley, dissatisfied with his share, sold it for a thousand pounds to John Fenwick, in trust for Edward Byllinge. The next year, Fenwick, with a large company, set sail for the newly- purchased lands. Ascending the Delaware River, he landed on a pleasant, fertile spot, which he named Salem. But Byllinge was in embarrassed circum- stances, and could not retain his share of the province. It was accordingly sold to the Friends, or Quakers, who wished to establish a government where all men should be free from oppression. 6. This portion was called West New Jersey, and the part retained by Carteret, East New * Bancroft's History of the United States, Vol. II., p. 819. 4 S8 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. Jersey. In 1682, William Penn, with eleven other Friends, purchased East New Jersey of thxplored, and the settlements in Accomac were extended, and commerce was begun with the Indian tribes. A trading]: settlement seems to have been established 16^1. on the river Patuxent, whose object was to carrj on the fur trade with the Indians. 2. An attempt was made to obtain a monopoly of this commerce, by William Clayborne, a surveyor in the employ of the London company. Establish- ments were formed on Kent Island, and also near the mouth of the Susquehanna. The same year. Sir George (lalvert, Lord Baltimore, obtained a charter fur the province, which wius named Maryland, in honor of the queen, Hen- rietta Maria. Before the patent passed the great seal, Sir < reorge Calvert died, and his son Cecilius succeeded to hia lionors and his fortunes. ?>. Leonard Calvert, brother of the proprietor, with about two hundred emigrants, sailed up the St. Maiya, some distance above its junction with the Potomac, where he purchased an Indian village of the natives, who removed and gave the settlers full possession. In the 40 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. humble village of St. Mary's religious liberty found a peaceful borne. 4. The settlers of Maryland escaped tbe want, the priva- tion, and tbe bardsbip endured by many of tbe colonies, and its advance was proportionally rapid. In six montbs it had made more progress than Virginia had in six years. Under tbe mild institutions of Lord Baltimore, the descii wilderness bloomed with new settlements, and the Catholic-^, who had been oppressed by the laws of England, here found a peaceful asylum, and all religious sects were shel- tered from persecution. 5- Nothing impaired the happiness of the colony but the conduct of William Clayborne. He refused to 1635. , "^ submit to Lord Baltimore, and resolved to maintain his possessions by force of arms. In a skirmish which ensued, Clayborne's men were defeated. The colonial assembly passed an act of attainder against Clay- borne, and his estates were seized and forfeited. 6. The Indians, alarmed at the rapid increase of the settlers, now commenced hostilities, and carried on a frontier war, which continued till 1644, when peace was established, and made durable by prudent legis- lation and firm humanity. But peace was of short con- tinuance in the colony, for the restless Clayborne excited a rebellion. The insurgents were at first successful, and compelled the governor to fly, and for a year held a dominion distinguished for disorder and misrule. 7. In 1652, during the Commonwealth, the government was taken from Lord Baltimore, and placed in other hands, and for several years there was a constant struggle for the supremacy. Finally, a compromise was effected between the contending parties, and government was surrendered to the agent of the SETTLEMENT OF MARYLAND. 41 proprietary. At the restoration of monarchy, tlie authority of Philip Calvert was fully recognised. 8. The claims of the proprietor were acknowledged from this time until his death, which took place in 1676. Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore, the founder and the father of Maryland, devoted more than forty years of his life to promote the happiness of the colonists, to protect the rights of conscience, and to establish, on the broadest platform, the principles of religious liberty. His struggles and success iu establishing these principles, enrol his name among the great and wise benefactors of the human race, in all ages and iu every clime. 9. On the death of Cecilius, his son Charles succeeded to his title and estate. He had been governor of the colony for fourteen years, and had ruled with wisdom and modera- tion. He was now obliged to return to England, and during 1689 ^^^ absence discontents arose, and his deputies were deposed from oflBice. 10. King William now constituted Maryland a royal province, and the church of England was by law established as the state religion, to be supported by general taxation. St. Mary's ceased to be the capital, and Annapolis hereafter became the seat of government. The government continued to be a royal province till 1715, when it was restored to the proprietor, in whose family it remained till the Revolution. Questions on the Settlement of Maryland.— \. Where was the lirht settlement in Marjdand ? In what year ? What was its object ? 2. Where did William Clayborne form settlements? In what year did Lord Baltimore obtain a charter for the province ? AVhy was it named Maryland ? 3. When and where did Lord Baltimore establish his colony? Who conducted the emigrants to their new home? What did 4* 42 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Leonard Calvert purchase from the Indians ? What name Tf as given to the settlement ? 4. How does the settlement of Maryland compare with the settlement of Virginia ? What is said of religious toleration ? 5. What disturbed the happiness of the colony? What did Clayborne resolve to do ? What occurred in a skirmish ? G. What did the Indians do in 1642 ? How long did the war continue? Who excited a rebellion in 1645 ? 7. From whom was the government taken in 1652? For what was there a constant struggle ? How was the question settled ? Whose authority was acknowledged at the Restoration ? 8. When did Lord Baltimore die ? What is said of his char- acter ? 9. Who succeeded Lord Baltimore ? How long had he been governor, and what is said of his rule ? 10. What was Maryland constituted during the reign of King William? What was established as the state religion? What became the capital ? When was the government restored to the proprietor, and how long did it remain in his family ? SETTLEMENT OF DELAWARE. 1. The first settlement in Delaware was made by tba Dutch. A company was formed to make a settlement, and one of their number purchased the land extending from Cape Henlopen for more than thirty miles, and comprising the soil of the two lower counties. 2. This tract of land was soon after colonized. De Vries, the conductor of the expedition, planted a colony of more than thirty persons, near the present town of Lewes. After a year's residence, De Vries returned to Holland. After his departure, the settlers became embroiled with the Indians, who prepared an ambush, and murdered .^?ery one of the emigrants. SETTLEMENT OP DELAWARE. 43- 3. Several years elapsed before any further attempts were made to form settlements. The Swedes now determined to establish a colony, and, availing themselves of the experience of Peter Minuits, who had been governor at Manhattan, they fitted out an expedition, which arrived in the Delaware Bay. They purchased the land extending from Paradise Point, or Cape Henlopen, to the falls in the river Delaware, near Trenton. Their first settlement was near the mouth of Christiana Creek, at Fort Christiana, so named from the queen of Sweden. 4. A large number of Swedes and Finns emigrated to the new settlement. Their plantations were ex- 1643. ^. tended, and the governor established his residence on the island of Tinicum, a few miles below Philadelphia. Here a fort was built, and houses soon began to cluster around it. 5. But the Dutch, who had long looked with jealous eyes on the Swedish settlements, sent a party who built Fort Casimir, on the site of New Castle. The Swedes considered this an encroachment on their right,*?. and Rising, the Swedish governor, availing himself of stratagem, obtained possession of the fort. The Dutch governor soon after sailed with a force of six hundred men into the Delaware, for the purpose of conquest. Resistance was useless, and the Swedes were compelled to surrender their only colony, after seventeen years' possession. 6. From this time until the Dutch were subdued 1656. by the English, Delaware was governed by deputie.«! appointed by Stuyvesant. After the conquest of the Dutch, Delaware became a dependency of New York. It was afterwards conveyed by the Duke of York to William Penn, who landed at New Castle on the 27th day of October, 1682. 44 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 7. In the course of a few years the " territories" of Delaware wished for a government independent of Penn- sylvania. Their request was acceded to by William Penn, and the lower counties became a separate eolony, under Colonel Markham. But Fletcher, who assumed the control, once more united Delaware 1693. _ , . ', , to FeuDsylvania. vVnen the government was re- stored to Penn, Delaware still continued to send delegates to the Assembly. But in 1702, Pennsylvania convened its separate legislature, and the two colonies were never again united. Questions on the Settlement of Delaware. — 1, Bj -whom was the first settlement made in Delaware ? What was the extent of the purchase made in 1629? 2. Where was the first settlement made, and by whom ? What took place when De Vries returned to Holland ? 3. When did the Swedes make a settlement? What was the extent of their purchase ? Where was their first settlement ? 4. Where did the governor establish his residence ? What was built on this island ? 5. What was built by the Dutch at New Castle ? How did the Swedes view the building of the fort? How did the Swedish governor gain possession ? What did the Dutch governor do ? What was the result ? G. After the conquest of the Dutch what did Delaware become ? To whom was it conveyed by the Duke of York? When did William Penn land at New Castle ? 7. What did the "territories" of Delaware wish for? Who acceded to their request, and who became governor ? When was Delaware reunited to Pennsylvania? When were the colonies finally separated ? SETTLEMENT OP CONNECTICUT. 45 SETTLEMENT OF CONNECTICUT. 1. The Dutch were tlie first to discover and occupy the banks of the Connecticut. The soil around Hartford was purchased from the natives, and a fort erected on land within the present limits of that city. The territory had been previously granted to the Earl of War- wick ; it was afterwards held by Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brooke and others, as his assigns. 2. A few months after the erection of the Dutch fort, the people of New Plymouth built a trading-house at Windsor, and carried on a fur trade with the Indians. Soon after, Mr. Winthrop returned from England. 1635. . ' . . ^, to with a commission to build a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut. Previously to his arrival, settlements had been commenced by emigrants from the environs of Boston, at Windsor and Weathersfield. 3. In the Slimmer following, Rev. Thomas Hooker, and a large company, left Massachusetts, and, aftei a toilsome journey through the forest, laid the foundation of Hartford, on the " delightful banks" of the Connecticut. At the time of this settlement, the 1631. ' Pequod Indians were numerous and hostile, and the colonies were compelled to make war against them. This war terminated in the complete overthrow of the Pequods, and the de.slruction of tlic tribe. 4. The follow inor year, Rev. John Davenport 1638. s J ) t and Theophilus Eaton founded a colony at New Haven. After a day of fasting and prayer, they rested their frame of government on a covenant that " all of them would be ordered by the rules which the Scriptures held 46 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. forth to them." In 1639, the free planters of the colony met in a barn, and agreed upon a code of laws, and appointed seven persons, in whom the governmenk of the colony was invested. 5. The increasing numbers of the English completely surrounded the Dutch fort, and overwhelmed the 1650* feeble settlement which they had planted. Governor Stuyvesant therefore went to Hartford, and concluded a treaty, by which New Netherlands extended to the state line, and the eastern part of Long Island waa ceded to Connecticut. 6. The colony on the Connecticut promptly acknowledged the claim of Charles II., on his restoration to the 1662. throne of his fathers, and sent John Winthrop the younger to obtain a charter from the king. A charter wiw readily granted, and, connecting New Haven with Hartford in the colony, it was extended from Narragansett River lo the Pacific Ocean ! 7. The union of the two colonies was not, however, 1664 ininiediately effected. New Haven was unwilling to become merged in the larger colony of Hartford, but the wise counsels of Winthrop finally prevailed, and the two colonies became united, and continued for many years prosperous, and in full enjoyment of their political and religious liberties. 8. When New Netherlands was surrendered to the English, and the Duke of York obtained its possession, Androes proceeded with armed sloops to Connecticut, and endeavored to obtain possession of the fort at Say* brook. But he was overawed by the firmness of the colonial ti-oops, and obliged to desist. On the accession of James II. to the crown, Andross was sent to govern the colony, and lemand the surrender of the charter. Earnest pleadings SETTLEMENT OP CONNECTICUT. 4T were made against the demand, and the discussion was prolonged till nightfall. The charter lay on the table. On a sudden, the lights were extinguished, and Joseph Wadsworth, availing himself of the darkness, seized the charter, and concealed it in the hollow of an oak. which was older than the colony, and long Burvived it, under the renerated name of the Charter Oak. 9. Andross now ruled with absolute power till the llevo- lution, which drove his master from the throne, 1600. ' . . . . ' and threw him into a prison. The discolored charter was then taken from its hiding-place, an assembly oonvened, and Connecticut resumed her freedom. But thmmodious mansion on Tinicum Island, a short distanc*' below the mouth of the Schuylkill. The village of Upland, now Chester, was among the earliest settlements, and the southern part of Philadelphia was a Swedish village. Here, in the vicinity of the Navy Yard, they erected a log church,* several years before the arrival of the English colony. 2. The name of Pennsylvania is derived from William Penn, a member of the Society of Quakers, or Friends. Sis father. Admiral Penn, is distinguished in English history, for the conquest of Jamaica, and as a brave and .jkilful naval commander. He bequeathed to his son William a claim on the government for sixteen thousand pounds. Penn applied for a grant of a territory on the west bank of the Delaware, and with the king, who was embarrassed for money, this wa.s an easy way to cancel the debt. ' 3. Accordingly, a charter for the territory was obtained, and a royal proclamation soon announced to all the inhabit ants of the province, that William Penn, their absolut-e proprietary, was invested with all powers necessary for its * On the site of the present antiquated structure, which was built in 1700. M HISTORY or THE UNITED STATES. 4. The proprief^ry also issued liis proclamation to the settlers who were occupying a small portion of his territory, and commissioned William Markham as Ills agent. Soon after, the first company of settlers left England, and landed, in December, in Upland, now Chcstof. 5. By a grant of the Duke of York, the three lower counties (or Delaware) came under his juriii- diction. In the year following the arrival of the first emigrants, Penn himself embarked for his territory, and boded at New Castle, on the 27th of October, 1682. The (lay after his landing, he addressed the inhabitants, recom- mended sobriety and peace, and pledged himself to grant civil freedom and liberty of conscience. mm LAM>iNa in Philadelphia. 6. From thence he proceeded to Chester, and, in aD open boat, to the site which he intended for a city. Here the great city of Philadelphia had its humble origin, and here the famous treaty with the Indians was made, and the promise given by the sons of the forest, that they '^ would SETTLEMENT OP PENNSYLVANIA. 59 live in love with William Pcnn and his children, aa long as the Bun and moon should endure.'^ 7. The first Assembly met at Chester, on the 4th of December, and, during a session of three days, enacted three laws. The next Legislative Assembly met at, Philadelphia, in the Friends' meetin2;-house. A 1683. . . charter of liberties was adopted, which was one of uuexampled liberality. It lodged the largest amount of power in the people, reserving only a negative vote to the proprietary. 8. Penn now returned to England, leaving the government in the hands of five commissioners of the royal council, with Thomas Lloyd as president. Soon after his return to England, King Charles IL died, nnd was succeeded by his brother, the Duke of York. The new king (James II.) was friendly to Penn, and, after the llevolution which placed William and Mary on the throne, the government of Pennsylvania was taken in the hands of the kin<2:, who commissioned Colonel 1691. ^ Fletcher to govern the province. Penn himself wafi several times imprisoned, for his supposed adherence to the fortunes of the banished sovereign. 9. Finally, the entire innocence of William Penn wag fully established, and ho was again restored to his proprietary rights. But the pressure of poverty prevented his immediate return to Pennsylvania, and Markham was invested with the executive power. Ijefor*? the close of the century, William Penn was with 1699. . his wife and family in Pennsylvania. The house he occupied is still standing in the city of Philadelphia. 10. Pcnn now prepared a new frame of Kovern- 1701. . . ^ ^ ° ment, in which he conceded all the political pri- vileges asked for by the people. Religious liberty w.ia 60 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. established, and the province became an asylum for tho oppressed of every clime and creed. He now returned to England, leaving Andrew Hamilton as deputy governor. This great and good man never again returned to his province. He died in London, in 1718, leaving his interest in Pennsylvania to his children. It continued in the Penn family until the Revolution, when their claim was purchase*! by the commonwealth for the sum of $580,000. Questions on the Settlement of Pennsylvania. — 1. When and by whom was the first European settlement made in Pennsylvania? Name other settlements made by the Swedes. 2. Who was William Penn ? Hott did he obtain the territory ? 3. What royal proclamation was made ? 4. When did the first colonists leave England ? Where did .hey land ? 5. When did Penn arrive, and where did he land ? 6. After leaving New Castle, where did he proceed ? When was Philadelphia founded ? What promise was given by the Indians ? 7. Where was the first Legislative Assembly held ? The second ? ^7hat is said of the charter of liberties ? 8. When did Penn return to England ? Why was the govern- Bient taken out of his hands ? 9. When the government was restored, who acted as deputy governor ? When did Penn revisit the province ? 10. What did Penn grant to the people ? When did he return to England? When and where did he die? How long did the province belong to the Penn family ? What was then paid for the claim? SETTLEMENT OF GEORGIA. 61 SETTLEMENT OP GEORGIA. 1. We come now to the settlement of the thirteenth and hst of the original colonies. James Oglethorpe, a member of Parliament, and a philanthropist, desirous of procuring an asylum for multitudes who were poor and helpless in the country of their birth, associated a number of gentlemen with himself for that purpose. They obtained a charter from George II. , which erected the country between the Savannah and the Alatamaha, and from the head springs of those rivers due west to the Pacific, into the province of Georgia, and placed it for twenty-one years under the guardianship of a corporation " in trust for the poor." 2. In November, General Oglethorpe himself, with about one hundred and twenty emigrants, left England, and arrived at Charleston. From thence he sailed to Port Royal. Then, ascendinc: the Savannah River, he 1733. , . . . chose as the site of his town the high bluff on which the city of Savannah is built. 3. Oglethorpe now entered into treaties of alliance with the neighboring tribes of Indians, and, by his kindness, con- ciliated the sons of the forest, and gained their confidence. The trustees having invited the persecuted Protestants of Europe to settle in Georgia, great numbers came from Germany, the Highlands of Scotland, and other portions of Europe, and formed settlements in this now thriving province. 4. The same year, the town of Augusta was laid out, and Oglethorpe visited England. In 1736, he returned, 6 63 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. with three hundred emigrants, and the colony 1736. , , . ^ . ^ , wOvS constantly receiving accessions. Among other benevolent enterprises^ the celebrated preacher, George Whiteficld, founded an orphan asylum at Savannah. 5. The boundaries between the province and Florida not being clearly defined, Oglethorpe, with a party, built a ■fort, named St. George, on an island at the mouth of the St. John's River, which he claimed to be the southern limits of Georgia, The Spaniards of Florida threatened war, and claimed the whole territory as far as the sound of St. Helena. But hostilities were avoided for a time bv negotiation. The English Fort St. George was abandoned, and the St. Mary's Kiver ultimately became the southern boundary of Georgia. 6. In 1739, England declared war against Spain, and Oglethorpe again extended the boundaries of Georgia to the St. John's River, and, early the next year, ,^^^ invaded Florida. He attacked St. Augustine, but 17*0. . . in consequence of the sickness of his troops, and their ill success, he was obliged to return to Georgia. ,^,„ 7. The Spanish government now resolved to 1743. . \ ^ invade Georgia. A fleet and armament from Cuba Eaile,d towards the mouth of the St. Mary's, and shortly afterwards entered St. Simon's Harbor, successfully passing the English batteries. A party of Spaniards landed and marched against tlie town of Frederica, but were defeated by Oglethorpe and a company of Scottish Highlanders; a second party advanced to the rescue, but they were also defeated and compelled to retreat with a loss of two hundred men. But the Spaniards being embarrassed by divisions, deceived by an ingenious stratagem, and fearful of surprise, rc-embarkcd and left the coast, much to the joy of the colonists. SETTLEMENT OF GEORGIA. 6B 8. After a year of peace, General Oglethorpe, having fulfilled his mission, returned to England, wliere he lived to extreme old age, beloved and venerated by all his contemporaries for his nobleness of nature, and Ills great benevolence of character. After the departure of Oglethorpe, the colony enjoyed peace and uninterrupted prosperity until the Revolution, which sundered its " poli- tical ties," and formed it into a sovereign and independent state. Questions on the Settlement of Georgia. — 1. Who was the founder of Georgia ? From whom did he receive a charter ? Describe the extent of territory granted to him. 2. Where did he make his settlement ? In what year? o. What is said of his alliance with the Indians ? What claas of emigrants now settled in Georgia ? 4. What did Oglethorpe do in 1734? When did he return? What is said of the colony ? 5. What fort was built by Oglethorpe? Give its location. What did the Spaniards claim? What ultimately became the boundary ? 6. What war was declared in 1739 ? What was done by Ogle- thorpe ? What town was attacked ? 7. Describe the invasion of Georgia. Where were the Spaniards defeated? What did they do soon after? 8. In what year did Governor Oglethorpe return to England? What further is said of him? What is said of the colony after his departure ? Qi HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. COLONIAL HISTORY. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OP THE EIGHTEENTH CEN- TURY TO THE END OF THE FRENCH WAR IN 1763. 1. We have now traced the history of the original thirteen colonies from their discovery and first settlements, to a period in which they were firmly established as valuable appendages? to the British crown, and from which they were finally alienated by the tyranny and folly of the latter. 2. In May, 1702, England, now governed by Queen Anne, declared war against both France and Spain, and our colonies were again involved in its horrors. Deerfield, in Massachusetts, was surprised in the dead of night by a party of French and Indians, and most of the inhabitants massacred or carried into captivity. For several years these savage hostilities continued, and the settlers were frequently surprised, and scalped or murdered by their cruel enemies, who respected neither sex nor age. 3. But now a fleet from England, joined by another from New England, and four colonial regi- ments, sailed from Boston, and, in a few days, anchored in the harbor of Port Royal, the garrison of which soon capit- ulated, and marched out with the honors of war. In honor of the queen, the place was named Annapolis. 4. The following year a large fleet sailed from England, under command of Admiral Walker, for the reduction of Canada. An army was also assembled at Albany, to co-operate with the fleet in its attack on Mont- KING George's war. 65 roal. But the fleet never readied its destination. Tho obstinacy of the admiral, in rejecting the advice of the pilots, caused the wreck of several vessels, and the loss of isearly nine hundred men. This disaster put an end to the expedition. Two years afterwards, the war was terminated by the treaty of Utrecht, and Acadia, or Nova Scotia, was ceded to the English. 5. But the peace of Utrecht did not make a final settle- ment of the boundaries between France and England. Each power laid claim to the vast extent of territory extending west. The colony of New York estab- lished a commercial post at Oswego,* which was afterwards converted into a fortress, in defiance of the Iroquois, and the protest of France. This latter power did not look indifferently on English encroachments. In 1731 the French erected the fortress of Crown Point, on 1 T3 1 Lake Champlain. This post defended the approach to Canada by water, and gave security to Montreal. 6. A party from Canada soon afterwards arrived at that point where the Niagara empties into Lake Ontario, and here they built Fort Niagara. It was now seen that the ambitious designs of the French aimed to connect their possessions in Canada with the distant one of Louisiana, and that to efiect this they were establishing a line of communication from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 7. In 1744, the war, commonly called Kinffence ? 7. What was voted by the inhabitants of Boston ? 8. What measure did the colonists refuse to submit to ? What did the ministry do ? 9. When and where were troops landed ? 10. What is now said of the people ? 11. What took place on the 6th of March ? What was done by Parliament ? What is said of tea ? 12. What did Philadelphia do to prevent the landing of tea? New York ? Boston ? 13. What was enacted by the Boston Port Bill ? What other acts were passed ? 14. When and where did the first general congress meet? What did they adopt ? What was agreed upon ? When did they adjourn? 15 Who was appointed military governor of Bfassachusetta ? Why was he sent ? What were the colonists doing ? THB BEVOLUTIOli. S6 THE REVOLUTION. 1. The people of the colonies had failed in every attempt at conciliation ; their petitions were i*purned, and their remonstrances disregarded, and now there seemed to be no resource left them but an appeal to arms. Preparations were made on both sides for approach- ing hostilities, but nothing decisive occurred until the 19th of April. General Gage determined to surprise and destrov the magazine of military stoves at Concord, about eighteen miles from Boston. 2. For this purpose a body of troops was despatched, in the silence and secrecy of night, under command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Smith, and took the road to Concord. But, though General Gage used every precaution to conceal this expedition from the inhabitants, and issued strict orders that none should leave the town, yet messengers were sent out, and signals given to alarm the country. When the udvaJiced party arrived at Lexington, they found about seventy persons in arms, drawn up in two ranks, on the village green, near the church. 3, Major Pitcairn rode in front, and cried out, " Disperse, you rebels, throw down your arms, and disperse !" He then ♦iischarged his pistol, and gave orders to his men to fire. 'J'he order was immediately followed by a destructive fire of musketry. The British then proceeded to Concord, and destroyed the military stores which the colonists had not previously removed. While thus engaged, the inhabitants of the neighboring towns were hastening to join the Concord militin. 8 m HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. KAJOK PITCAIBN AT LEXINGTON. 4. Colonel Smith now made preparations for liis retrograde march to Boston, and the American? for a galling fire, which was kept up until they reached Lexington. Here Lord Percy, with a large detachment, came to the relief of the exhausted troops, and, after a short interval for rest and refreshment, continued the re- treat. The firing was renewed by the pursuers until the British reached Charlestown Common, when General Heath, who had taken the command, brought the provincials to a halt. In this memorable battle the British loss was two hundred and seventy-three, in killed, wounded, and missing, while that of the Americans was eighty-eight. 5. The cry of the blood shed at Lexington and Concord went through the whole land, and multitudes hastened to the relief of their brethren of Massachusetts. General Gage and his army were closely besieged in Boston, and every avenue to the surrounding country was strictly guarded. When the news reached Georgia, that colony joined tbo THE REVOLUTION. 87 1775. ^°^^°' ^^^"^ making thirteen colonies joined U) resist the oppressions of the British governmcut. 6. As war was now considered inevitable, it was resolved to surprise the old forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, which commanded the approach to Canada. A party of men enhsted for this purpose, under the command of Colonel Kthan Allen, who arrived at Ticonderoga on the morning of the 10th of May. Guided by a boy of the neighborhood. they rushed through a sally port-hole, and gave three cheers, which roused up the sleeping garrison. The commander appeared at his door, and asked Allen by what authority he acted. ^' In the name of the great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress,^' exclaimed Allen. The fort was immediately surrendered. 7. Colonel Warner, second in command to Allen, was sent against Crown Point, which surrendered without re- sistance. A detachment took possession of Skenesborough, now Whitehall, and captured a schooner. Colonel Benedict Arnold was sent in this schooner to capture St. John's, which he effected, and took a sloop of war, with two brass six- pounders and seven men. Thus did this band of patriots gain the command of Lakes George and Champlain, and open the great highway into Canada. 8. On the 10th of May, but a few hours after the sur- render of Ticonderoga, the Continental Congress again met in Philadelphia. They elected Peyton Ilandolph president, but that gentleman being obliged to return to Virginia. John Hancock, of Massachusetts, was selected to succeed him. A federal union was formed, vesting in Congress the power of making peace or war, of entering into treaties and alliances, and of legislating on all such matters as regarded the general security and welfare, and George Washington was elected commander-in-chief. 88 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 9. While Congress was in session^ great events were transpiring in Boston and its vicinity On the 25th of May several transports and ships of war arrived from England, bringing large reinforcements under Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. General Gage now deter- mined to take the field, and dislodge the Americans who were besieging the royal army in Boston. But the pro- rincials, anticipating such a movement, sent out a force tx.> throw up an intrenchment on Bunker Hill. On the night of the 16th of June, the party, under command of Colonel Prescott, set out in fulfilment of this duty, but finding that Breed's Hill was nearer to Boston, and had a better com- mand of the town and shipping, it was determined to fortify that position instead of Bunker Hill. 10. Early on next morning the British beheld the Ame- ricans at their work, and commenced firing upon them. As nothing was efi'ected by this cannonade, a large detach- ment under command of Major-General Howe was sent to dislodge the provincials. The enemy advanced in two columns, discharging a heavy fire of musketry, but, in obedience to General Putnam's orders, the Americans re- served their fire till the enemy were within thirty paces. When the British came within the prescribed distance, a deadly fire was poured upon them from muskets, rifles, and fowling-pieces. The enemy were thrown into confusion, and precipitately retreated. 11. The British now prepared for a second attack. Charlestown was set on fire, and wrapped in a general conflagration, while the enemy ascended the hill to storm the redoubt. They were received as before ; whole ranks cut down by the destructive fire of the provincials, and again compelled to retreat. They now made their third attack, when, the ammunition of the provincials being THE REVOLUTION. 89 expended, Colonel Prescott gave the order to re- treat, which they did in good order. The British now gained the redoubt, to them a dear-bought victory. Major Pitcairn fell, mortally wounded, as he was entering the works, and the enemy's total loss was one thousand and fifty-four, including many officers. The American loss was four hundred and fifty, among whom was General Warren, one of the noblest and purest minded patriots. 12. After General Washington's appointment to the chief command, he set out for Massachusetts. On his way, in- telligence met him of the battle of Bunker Hill, and the noble stand made by the inexperienced militia. On the 3d of July he took formal command of the army at Cambridge. Here he found a body of raw militia, totally inadequate to carry on a siege, and sadly deficient in clothing and military i-upplies. He now urged on Congress the necessity of ijupplies, took measures to strengthen the fortifications around Boston, and improve and perfect the discipline of his army. 13. Preparations were made for the invasion of Canada. Arnold, who had assisted in the capture of Ticonderoga, was sent with a body of troops, and, after a toilsome march through the wilderness, arrived at Point Levi, near Quebec, which he could at once have captured had he been able to cross the river. When he did so, and drew up his army on the Heights of Abraham, the garrison was strongly rein- forced. Arnold, therefore, was obliged to withdraw, and wait for the main body of the army. 14. The other expedition was conducted by General Schuyler, who had sent out a reconnoitcring party under Colonel Allen and Major Brown. The former, with a small force, attempted the capture of Montreal, but they were repulsed, made prisoners, and treated as rebels and outlaws, 8* 90 HISTORY or THE UNITED STATES. unwortliy of the courtesy shown to prisoners of war. Colonel Allen himself was loaded vith irons, and sent to England, where he endured a rigorous captivity. 15. General Schuyler was now attacked with serious ill- Dess, and the expedition was conducted by Montgomery, the second in command. He pressed on and laid siege to St. John's, on the Sorel River, sending a detachment to Fort Chamblie, which was captured, with a quantity of powder and other military stores. The garrison of St. John's, hard pressed, and obtaining no relief, was obliged %o surrender, and Montgomery proceeded to Montreal, which, unprepared for defence, immediately submitted. 16. Montgomery now placed garrisons in Montre«i and the captured forts, and, with such of his troops as he could persuade to accompany him, proceeded down the St- Law- rence to co-operate with Arnold in the attack on Quebec. Their united forces did not exceed nine hundred men, with whom they commenced the siege ; but being unable to make a breach in the walls, an assault was determined on. Before daylight on the 31st of December, in the midst of a driving snow-storm, attacks were made on the opposite sides of the lower town by Montgomery and Arnold. Montgomery advanced along a narrow beach on the river to a picket and block-house, both of which were deserted on his approach. He now paused a moment to urge on his troops, who were stumbling along the difficult pass, exclaiming, " Quebec is ours.*' He again advanced, until, within forty paces of the battery, a single cannon, loaded with grape-shot, was dis- charged, and the brave general and one of his aids were killed on the spot. 17. The soldiers, on the death of their commander, re- treated in confusion, and abandoned their half-won battle- THE REVOLUTION. 91 field. Arnold, on the other side, had entered thf town, but was severely wounded when near a battery, and was carried oflP. Captain Morgan took the command, and stormed the battery. But the death of Montgomery and retreat of his troops enabled the English to send large reinforcements, and a severe contest followed, when Morgan and his gallant band were compelled to sur- render as prisoners of war, 18. Arnold, with the remainder of the army, retired to a short distance from Quebec, and maintained his position, giving constant alarm to its garrison. For his gallant services Congress promoted him to the rank of brigadier- general. 19. The events of this year, and the popular rising of an outraged people, put an end to the authority of the royal governors. Lord IXnnnore, of Virginia, removed the powder from the magazine at Williamsburg to an English vessel of war. The indignation of the people was aroused, and they demanded immediate restoration of the powder. The governor saw that resistance was useless, and paid over to Patrick Henry, who had the chief command, the full value of the abstracted powder. Soon after, Dunmore left the colony, and, with his family, went on board a British man- of-war. From this vessel he frequently landed detachments to attack different points, and offered freedom to all slaves who would join his standard. Norfolk was attacked and butned, after which atrocious act he left the colony, and the governors of North Carolina, South Carolina, and New York soon after fled from their respective governments. Questions on the Revolution, Events of \llb. — 1. How had the colonists been treated ? What was determined by General Gage ? 2. Who commanded the expedition? What did they find ai Lexington ? Wji HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 3. What did Major Pitcairn say ? Whaf. was done by the troopr ftt Lexington ? At Concord ? 4. What occurred on their return? Who came to their relief? What losses were sustained ? 5. AVhat effect was produced by the news of this battle ? What did Georgia now do ? 6. Who captured Fort Ticonderoga ? 7. What was captured by Colonel Warner ? By Colonel Bene- dict Arnold ? 8. When was the second meeting of Congress ? What powers were vested in Congress by the Federal Union ? Who was ap- pointed commander-in-chief? 9. Who was besieged in Boston ? What British generals ar- rived with reinforcements ? What height was fortified by the Americans ? 10. What was done by the British on the following morning ? Who marched against the American intrenchments ? Who com- manded the Americans? What was the result of the first attack ? 11. What town was burned ? What was the result of the second attack ? The third attack ? What British officer was killed, and what was the total loss ? What was the American loss ? What is said of General Warren ? 12. When and where did General Washington take command of the army ? In what was it deficient ? 13. What is said of Ai'nold's expedition to Canada? 14. By whom was the other expedition conducted ? Who were taken prisoners, and how were they treated ? What was done with Colonel Allen ? 15. Why did the expedition devolve on Montgomery ? What places were captured ? 16. With whom did Montgomery unite his forces ? What place did they besiege? Describe the assault of Quebec. Describe Montgomery's advance, and give an account of his death. 17. What happened to Arnold? What was done by Captain Morgan ? Why was he defeated ? 18. What did Arnold do with the remaining troops? What rank did Congress confer on him ? THE REVOLUTION. 93 19. What is said of Lord Dunruore ? Who demanded restitution of the powder he had takea ? What town was burned by his orders ? What other governors fled from the colonies ? EVENTS OF 1776. 1. The siege of Boston continued through the winter, during which nothing occurred of special interest. On the night of March 2d, a cannonade was commenced, which was kept up until the 4th, when General Thomas, with a detachment, threw up two forts on Dor- chester Heights during the darkness of the night. At daybreak the next morning the British beheld these for- midable batteries looming up before their astonished gaze. 2. The following night a body of troops embarked to attack the American works, but a furious storm j^revented the landing of the transports, and the attempt was relin- quished. It was therefore determined to evacuate the town, which was done on the 17th, the troops embarking, and the ships leaving the harbor, without being molested by the Americans. General Washington, with his army, marched into the town the same day, to the great joy of the inhabit- ants, and soon after, with the principal part of the army, proceeded to New York, which he supposed would be the next point of attack by the enemy. 3. General Thomas, who had been sent to the relief of the army in Canada, took command of the troops at Quebec about the last of April. But the garrison had been rein- forced, and the Americans enfeebled by disease and priva- tions. In this condition they were attacked by General Carlcton, and obliged to retreat, with the loss of their artillery and baggage. The prisoners were, however, treated abandon the city, and accordingly the main army withdrev, to the rocky heights in the northern part of New York, or Manhattan Island. Here a fortification was thrown up oi; Harlem Heights. On the 15th of September a strong detachment of the British crossed the East River without much opposition. A skirmish took place on Harlem Plain !^. in which the Americans were victorious. But the British >vrere arriving in great numbers, and the Americans aban- doned their works on New York Island, with the exception of Fort Washington, and proceeded to White Plains. Hero a battle ensued on the 28th of October, when the Ameri- cans, being outnumbered, were obliged to retreat to their intrenchments. 1 1 . During the night the fortifications were strengthened , in expectation of an attack the following day. But "^General Howe, when he perceived the strengthened works of the Americans, postponed his meditated assault, and threw uj. lines and redoubts in front of the American camp, as il' preparing to cannonade it. On the night of the Sl.^t, Washington retired with his main army to the rocky hills of Northcastle, and soon after the whole British army lel't White Plains. 12. On the 12th of November Washine^ton crossed the * Irving's Life of Washington, Vol. H., p. 395. TUE UK VOLUTION 97 Hudson, leavino' General Lee in command of the troops at Nortlicastle. Soon after, Fort Washing- ton was assaulted, and, after a brave resistance, the garrison compelled to surrender. Fort Lee was abandoned, and Washington, with his dispirited and diminished army, sJuccessively retreated through Newark, New Brunswick. Princeton, Trenton, and finally to Pennsylvania, closely jmrsued by the British to the banks of the Delaware. 13. General Lee had been directed by the commander- in-chief to leave his post, and march to his assistance. But it was not until the 4th of December that he crossed the Hudson, and then marched in the slowest manner, though apprised of the peril of Washington and his army. Finally he was surprised and made prisoner by a body of British cavalry, and his command devolved on General Sullivan, who immediately marched to the relief of General Wash- ington. 14. Congress had adjourned to Baltimore, in consequence of the approach of the enemy. The British troops were scattered through the different towns in Now Jersey, and their commander supposed that the campaign was ended. But on the night of the 25th of December, Washington crossed the Delaware, eight miles above Trenton, and early the next morning attacked the Hessians, who were totally unprepared for the assault. Colonel Bahl was mortally wounded, an I nearly a thousand were made prisoners. 15. The prisoners were now transported across the Dela- ware, and moved on from town to town, until they reaished Winchester, in Virginia. With great exertion, Washington induced the troops whose term of enlistment had expired to continue in the army. Hard money was needed, and Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, obtained the required loan, and sent it to camp. Congress invested Washington with 9 98 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. unlimited military power, and having rested and recruited his army, he again crossed the Delaware on the 30th of Decemher, and posted his troops in Trenton, while the British and Hessians were stationed at Princeton, ten miles distant. Questions on the Events of 1776. — 1. What is said of the siejro of Boston? What took place on the night of March 2d ? What was done by General Thomas ? 2. What was done by the British on the following night ? What prevented the attack ? When was the town evacuated ? What di J General Washington do ? 3. When did General Thomas take command of the army in Canada? By whom were ihey attacked? To what place did General Thomas retreat, and when did he die ? Who succeeded him ? When did the Americans evacuate Canada ? 4. By whom was an attack made on Charleston ? Who had been sent to defend the city? What took place at Sullivan h Island ? What was the fort named, and why ? 5. What was resolved in Congress? When was the Declaration of Independence announced to the people? 6. What did General Howe do on the 2d of July? By whom was he joined? By whom reinforced? Whei'e was Gener.-il Greene ? 7. When did the enemy land ? On whom did Washington con- fer the command of Long Island ? What command did he retain ? 8. Describe Sir Henry Clinton's advance. The British forces on the right. Between what were the Americans ? What generals were taken prisoners ? 9. What was done by the British the following day? What was done by Washington on the 29th ? 10. Did the American army remain in New York ? Where did they throw up a fortification ? What took place here ? Where did the army now go ? When and where did a battle take place ? 11. What did General Howe do on perceiving the strong fortifi- cations at White Plains? What did Washington do on the Slst? 12. Describe Washington's movements of the 12th of November. THE REVOLUTION. 99 What fort was captured? What abandoned? Where did Wash- i agio 11 successively retreat? 13. What orders were given to General Loe ? What misfortune happened ? On whom did his command devolve ? 14. To what place did Congress adjourn ? What did Washington do on the night of December 25th? What battle took place on the 20th ? Give the result of the battle. 15 What was done with the prisoners? What power was con- ferred on Washington ? W^hat did he do on the oOth of December ? Where were the British and Hessians ? EVENTS OF 1777. 1. The commencemeut of the new year found 1777. "^ Washington at Trenton, where he was joined bj "he troops under Generals Mifflin and Cadwalader. Towards evening of the 2d, Cornwallis, with a strong force from Princeton, attacked him. The two armies were on opposite sides of a stream which flows through Trenton, and which 'the enemy mtide repeated attempts to cross. Cornwall is felt sure of capturing the American army the next day, and desisted for the night. But at midnight Washiugton marched with his army by a circuitous route, unpcrceived and unsuspected by the enemy. Next morning he was at Princeton, where an engagement took place between some Uritisb regiments on the way to Trenton, and the advancing Americans. The battle was sharp, but soon decided in favor of the latter. The British lost one hundred in killed, and three hundred prisoners. The American loss was about thirty men and several officers, among the latter of whom was the brave General Mercer. 2. Cornwallis, who had heard the American cannon, supposed at first that it was thunder; but being sooo 100 HISTORY OP THE UNITEb STATES FALL OF GENERAL undeceived, marched at once on Princeton. But 1777. he arrived too hite. The battle was over, and Washington, with his army, was on his way to New Bruns- wick, to capture the mihtary stores of the British. But tlie enemy was fast approaching in strong force, and the Americans were so exhausted, that it was deemed expedient to abandon the design, and retreat to the hills of East Jersey. Accordingly, Washington established his winter quarters at Morristown, whence he sent out detachment's to harass the enemy and keep them in a state of siege in their quarters at New Brunswick. 3. The two armies occupied these respective positions until the latter end of May. In the mean time small detachments were sent out from several points. The prin- <^-ipal enterprise was directed against Banbury, Connecticut, led by Governor Tryon, at the head of two thousand troops (April 2Gth). The town was burned, a great quantity of stores belonging to the Americans destroyed, and the inhab- THE REVOLUTION. 101 itant^ cruelly treated. Perceiving the militia as- 1777. "^ sen\)>ling, they retreated, but were attacked, and n severe skirmish ensued. The militia were under the command of Generals Silliman, Wooster, and Arnold. AVooster was mortally wounded in the action, and Arnold narrowly escaped, but General Silliman harassed the enemy all the way to the coast. 4. This destructive expedition was soon after retaliated for by Colonel Meigs, who, accompanied by one hundred and seventy men, crossed Long Island Sound, and attacked the enemy at Sag Harbor, near the eastern end of Long Island. They burned the British vessels, destroyed the storehouses and their contents, took ninety prisoners, and returned to Guilford, without the loss of a man of their party. 5. Towards the end of May, Washington broke up his cantonments at Morristown, and encamped at Middlebrook. 1 1 is army numbered a little over seven thousand men, who were now posted in a strong position. On the 12th of June, Sir William Howe left New York, and set up his head- quarters at New Brunswick. Here he endeavored to bring on a general engagement by a number of feigned movements. But the American general wisely remained at Middlebrook, and General Howe, unable to provoke him to a general action, suddenly withdrew his troops to Staten Island, and left New Jersey in possession of the Americans. 6. General Burgoyne, with a large army, now left St. John's, in Canada (June 16th), for the purpose of effecting a junction with General Howe at New York. lie sent out a detachment under Colonel St Leger, who was to land at Oswego, ravage the valley of the Mohawk, and join the main army at Albany. On the 1st of July he arrived at Ticonderoga, which was garrisoned by three thousand men under General St. Clair, who, finding his position untenable, 9* 102 HISTORY OP TOE UNITED STATES. , abandoned the fort, and, with the army, set forward on the Vermont side of the lake towards,Hubbardton. His stores, and a portion of his troops, with the wounded, were sent in boats to Skenesborough (now Whitehall). 7. The flight of the Americans was unfortunately re- vealed to the British by the light of a burning house, and a pursuit was immediately commenced. The flotilla was overtaken and destroyed, and the main army routed, with a loss of more than three hundred men. *" On the 12th, St. Clair reached Fort Edward, with his troops haggard and exhausted by their long retreat." While these afi"airs were transpiring in the north, General Prescott, who commanded the British forces in Rhode Island, was surprised and cap- tured by Colonel Barton, at the head of forty men. He was retained for some time a prisoner, and afterwards exchanged for General Lee. 8. The progress of Burgoyne with his army was very glow, in consequence of the obstructions placed in his way by General Schuyler, and he did not reach Fort Edward until the 30th of July. At his approach General Schuyler retired, and took post at Fort Miller, lower down the Hud- son, then at Stillwater, and finally at the mouth of the Mohawk. In the mean time Colonel St. Leger was besieg- ing Fort Schuyler, at the head of the navigable waters of the Mohawk. General Herkimer, with a force of militia, marched to the relief of the garrison, but was met i\t Oriskany by a detachment of tories and Indians. A fierce battle ensued, and General Herkimer, with four hundred men, was killed. 9. Arnold soon after advanced to the relief of the be- sieged, and, by sending out exaggerated reports of his * Irving's Life of Washington, Vol. III., p. 117. THE REVOLUTION. 103 forces, he so terrified the Indians, that they fled, 1 7T7. . and St. Leger was obliged to raise the siege. General Burgoyne now sent out an expedition under Colo- nel Baum against l^ennington, for the purpose of seizing on the stores which the Americans had collected. This detachment was met near Bennington by a large body of New Hampshire militia, under General Stark. Colonel Baum was killed and his party routed. A reinforcement of the enemy, under Colonel Bre^nnan, arrived at Benning- ton after the battle, who were attacked by Colonel Warner, and defeated. The British loss was seven hundred, gene- rally prisoners (August IGth). 10. General Washington was so well convinced that it was the intention of General Howe to form a junction with Burgoyne, that he advanced with the main army towards the Hudson. On the 23d of July the British fleet put out to sea, and a number of circumstances led Washington to the belief that its destination was Philadelphia, and he set cmt with his army to the Delaware. On his way he was' informed that the fleet had appeared off the capes, and he immediately marched to Philadelphia. Soon after, th^' British fleet sailed up the Chesapeake, and the army landed near Elkton, and marched towards Philadelphia. Wash- ington took a stand at Chad's Ford, on Brandywine Oeek, Vt-here he was attacked by the British (Septem- ber 11th). The battle lasted through the day, and to- wards night the Americans were obliged to retreat to Chester, where they rested, and the next day retreated to Philadelphia. Congress adjourned to Lancaster, and afterwards to York. 11. In this battle a number of distinguished foreigners were engaged. The Marquis Tia Fayette served as a volun- 104 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. teer, and was severely wounded. Count Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, and General Conway, acquitted themselves with great credit. The American loss in thi.s disastrous battle was, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, twelve hundred, and the British near eight hundred. 12. As soon as Washington's troops were rested, he crossed the Schuylkill to oppose General Howe. The two armies met and skirmishing ensued, but a heavy rain pre- vented a general battle, and the American troops withdrew. General Wayne, who had been sent to watch the movements of the enemy, was attacked in the night at Paoli, and three hundred of his men were killed. General Howe, by a sudden movement, crossed the Schuylkill, and encamped his army at Germantown, from which place he sent Lord Cornwallis, with a large detachment, to take possession of Philadelphia. That general marched into the city on the 2()th of September, with a brilliant staff and escort, and followed by some of the finest troops in the British army j strongly contrasting with the poor and ill-clothed, but determined patriots. 13. General Schuyler continued his active career as chief of the northern army until the arrival of General Gates, who had been appointed the commander. Burgoyne was in a distressed condition. His Indian allies had deserted him, and he found great diflSculty in obtiiining provisions. He now crossed the Hudson, and posted his army at Saratoga. The American general was at Stillwater, and had fortified Bemis' Heights, in the vicinity. On the 19th of September a battle commenced at three o'clock in the afternoon, and continued till night, when the Americans retired to their camp, and the British remained on the battle-field. Both armies claimed the victory. TTIfc REVOLUTION. 105 14. On the 7th of October. General Burgoyne commenced an attack on the American lines Colonel Morgan, with his riflemen, was sent to gain posse^^- Fion of the heights to the right of the enemy, while General Poor, with his brigade, attacked the left. In the midst of the action Arnold sallied forth, and, putting himself at th^ head of the troops of Learned's brigade, he attacked the Iles- .sians in the centre, and broke their ranks with his repeated charges. The British then retreated to their intrenchmentH, which were desperately assailed by the Americans, with Arnold at their head. Arnold's horse was killed under him, and he was wounded in the leg and borne off the field, but not until the victory was complete. In this battle, General Frazer, of the British army, was mortally wounded, and died the following morning. 15. Burgoyne now endeavored to return to Fort Edward, but found the Americans had entirely cut off his retreat. He therefore sent a note under sanction of a flag to General Gates, asking for a cessation of hostilities until terms should be mutually agreed upon. The articles of capitulation were agreed upon and signed on the 17th of October, by which they were allowed a free passage to England, on condition of their not serving in America during the war. The whole number of the arniy surrendered amounted to five thousan\'here the American general ? What battle took place on the 19th of September ? What is said of it ? 14. Describe the battle of Saratoga. What general was mortally wounded? 15. What was Burgoyne now compelled to do ? What were the terms of the capitulation ? What number surrendered ? What stores came into the possession of the Americans ? 16. What was effected by the expedition sent to relieve Bui- goyne ? 17. To what river did Admiral Howe remove his ships? De- scribe the battle of Germantown. 18. By whom and when was Fort Mercer assaulted? By whom was it defended ? What was the result ? " Who was mortally wounded ? What other fort was attacked ? Were the forts after- wards captured ? Give the date. 19. Where were the Americans attacked by General Howe, December 4th ? Where did the army retire to winter quarters ? EVENTS OF 1778. 1. Never was a greater contrast presented in the annals of war, tlian between the two contending armies. The British in elegant quarters in the city of Philadelphia, living in luxury, in ease, and the indulgence of licentious revelry ; the Americans in log huts at Valley Forge, ill- clothed, worse fed, and suffering every privation. It re- quired all Washington's influence to retain his army in camp, and to provide them with food. 2. Towards the latter end of February, Baron Steuben arrived in camp, and commenced training the army in the discipline and manoeuvres of the battle- field He was successful in his course of instruction, and. from a mass of untrained militia, he raised up a disciplined THE REVOLUTION-. 109 army, fit to compete with the trained veterans of Europe. Provisions now arrived in plenty, clothing was furnished, and the spring commenced under favorable aispices for the camp at Valley Forge. Early in May, intelligence arrived that a treaty had been signed at Paris. by wliich the French government entered into an alliance rith the United States. o. The British government now oiFcrcd terras of concilia- tion to the Americans, but, as they did not agree to tho independence of the United States, they were as promptly rejected. Sir William Howe resigned his command, and Sir Ilenry Clinton, his successor, took command of the yrmy in Philadelphia, on the 11th of May. Philadelphia was an unsafe position for the British army, since the alliance with France, and orders were given to withdraw the troops to New Yorvk. On the 18 th of June, the whole British army evacuated the city, crossing the river Delaware ill boats, and marching along its eastern bank. 4. Washington immediately broke up his camp at Valley Forge, and, making a considerable circuit, crossed the Dela- ware at Coryell's Ferry, the same place from which he had niarclied eighteen months before to attack the enemy at Trenton. Ou the morning of the 28th of June, an attack was made ou the enemy at Monmouth Court House, now Freehold. General Lee led the van, and Washington came up to sust-iiin him with the main army, 5. A.S Washington drew near the scene of action, he met Lee and the whole detachment in full retreat. He checked t urth ir retreat, repro\'cd Lee for his conduct, and ordered bim (0 le;id hln troops against the enemy. The battle was now icsuracd, and continued through the day. Washington intended to attack the enemy on the following morning, but at daybreak, when ttie army were roused for action, th© 10 lie HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 1778 ^°^™y ^^^ disappeared, having withdrawn to Sandy Hook, whence they embarked for New York. The enemy lost three hundred killed and one hundred prisoners. The Americans seventy killed and one hundred and sixty wounded. Many died from the extreme heat of the weather, and the fatigue endured on the battle-field. 6. After Washington had rested his troops, he led them to White Plains. General Lee was charged before a court- martial with '' disobedience of orders, misbehavior in making a disorderly retreat, and disrespect to the commander-in- chief.'^ He was found guillty of the charges against him, and suspended from his command for one year. He never again returned to the service. 7. On the 8th of July a French fleet arrived off the coast, and anchored at the mouth of the Delaware. It consisted of twelve ships of the line and six frigates, and a land forc« of four thousand men under Count D'Estaing. A combina- tion was entered into by the American and French com- manders to recapture Rhode Island (that is, the island which gives name to the state), which the enemy had fortified, and made one of their strongholds. General Sullivan, with a detachment, landed on the island, and found the British works at its northern point abandoned. The French commander was about ordering out his boats to commence the attack on Newport, when a British fleet appeared in sight. The French immediately put out to sea to attack the enemy, but were prevented from doing so by a violent storm. 8. On the return to Newport, the shattered condition of the French fleet prevented its commander from assisting General Sullivan, who raised the siege, and retired in the night to the north part of the island. Here a skirmish ensued; when the British withdrew, and kept up a cannonade THE REVOLUTION. Ill on the American works until night. The firing was renewed the following day, but at night General Sullivan withdrew his whole army from the island, unper- eeived by the enemy. 9, The war, as now carried on by the enemy, was a series of plunders and massacres. A detachment of cavalry wa« ^*arprised in the night at Old Tappan, by General Grey, and bayonetted without mercy. A number, however, es- caped, through the compassion of one of the British captains. An expedition against Little Egg Harbor demolished the public stores, and wantonly destroyed private property. Au expedition, led by tories and Indians, attacked the settlement at A\^yoming, Pennsylvania, massacred the inhabitants, and laid waste their beautiful settlement. Another massacre took place at Cherry Valley, New York, by tories and Indians, and Captain Ferguson surprised a portion of Pu- laski's legion while sleeping, and wantonly butchered fifty on the spot. 10. An expedition was now sent from New York to invade Georgia, commanded by Colonel Campbell. He landed his troops near Savannah, on the 29th of December, where he was met by a small force under General Robert Howe, which was totally routed. The British then took possession of Savannah, with a quantity of cannon, military stores, and provisions. The army under General Washington now went into cantonments for the winter, the head-quartens b*;ing established njar Middlebrook, New Jersey. Questions on the Events of 1778. — 2. Who arrived in camp, and what did he commence ? What was the result ? What treaty was signed at Paris? 3. What terms did the British government ofTer? Why were t(bey rejected? When did the British evacuate Philadelphia? 112 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 4. What did Washington now do ? What battle took place, an* when? 6. Why did Washington reprove Lee, and what did he order ! TIow long did the battle continue ? To what place did the British withdraw ? 6. After Washington had rested his troops, to what place did he withdraw ? What charges were made against General Lee. and what was the sentence of the court ? 7. When and where did a French fleet arrive ? What town was besieged by General Sullivan ? What prevented the French fleet from assisting him ? 8. To what place did Sullivan withdraw his troops ? What took place here ? 9. What was the character of the war now carried on by the enemy ? 10. Who commanded the expedition sent from New York Lt> invade Georgia? When did he land? Who commanded the Americans ? Of what did the British take possession ? Where were the head-quarters of Washington's army during the winter ? EVENTS OF 1779. 1 . After the battle whicli ended in the capture 1779« * of Savannah, the x\merican army retreated to South Carolina. General Prevost, with an army from Floridar, took Suubury, and marched to Savannah, where he assumed the command. Augusta was captured by Colonel Campbell, and by the middle of January the whole of Georgia wa8 reduced to submission. 2. General Lincoln, an experienced officer, who had been appointed to the command of the army in the south, took command of his forces on the Savannah Elver, soon after the capture of Savannah, and waited for a favorable oppor- THE REVOLUTION. 113 tuuity to strike a blow iu favor of the slnkin"; cause. 1779. . . ^ In the mean time a company of tories, which was marching to the British camp, was met at Kettle Creek, and, after a desperate engagement, was totally routed by a body of militia under Colonel Pickens. Colonel Boyd and about seventy of the tories were killed, and seventy-five taken prisoners, of whom five vfore hanged as traitors. 3. Early in March, General Lincoln sent General Ash, with two thousand men, against the British in Georgia. General Ash took post at Brier Creek, where he was sur^ prised by General Prevost and put to flight, with a loss of nearly five hundred men. About the same time, Prevost sent a detachment against Port Royal, which was defeated by General Moultrie, with severe loss. General Lincoln now crossed with his army into Georgia, with the intention of attacking the British at Savannah, but learning that General Prevost was laying siege to Charleston, he hastened fco the relief of that city. On the approach of Lincoln, the British general withdrew his troops to the island of St. John's, separated from the main land by Stono lliver. Lincoln attacked a division posted at Stono Ferry, but was repulsed. The British soon after established a post at Beaufort, on the island of Port Eoyal, and the main body retired to Savannah. 4. In May, Virginia became the scene of predatory war- fare. Portsmouth and Norfolk were plundered, and a vaat a^mouttt of public and private property wantonly destroyed. The infamous Tryon soon afterwards, with a band of merce- naries, laid wdste the country in Connecticut adjoining the coast, robbing and ill-treating the defenceless inhabitants, and wantonly burning the towns of Fairfield and Norwalk. 5. The capture of Stony Point, on the Hudson, by General Wayne, was one of the most succe.ssful achievements of the 10* IM EISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. war. It was a strong fortress, and garrisoned by six hundred troops. On the 15th of Julj, Wayne arrived near the fort without being discovered. The assault was made at midnight by the troops, in two columns, who advanced with charged bayonets, overcame every obstacle, and captured the fort without firing a single gun. The garrison surrendered at discretion, after a brave but un availing resistance. The fort was then dismantled and abandoned, the Americans securing the cannon and military stores. 6. Another daring exploit was achieved by Colonel Lee, in the surprise of the fort at Paulus Hook, on the Hudson, immediately opposite New York. Favored by the negli- gence of the garrison, they entered the fort in the silence of the night, and made themselves masters of the post before the garrison awakened from their slumbers. Lee immedi- ately withdrew, with one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners. But few were killed, as there was little fighting, and no massacre. 7. Several expeditions were sent against the Indians, the most signal of which was that conducted by General Sulli- van. He left the desolated region of Wyoming with hh troops, and marched into the country of the Senecas. A battle took place at Newton (now Elmira) on the 29th of August, when the Indians and tories were defeated, and the country laid waste to the Genesee River. General Sullivan having accomplished his object, returned with his troops to Easton. The thanks of Congress were voted to him and his gallant army. 8. During the summer the American commissioners at Paris fitted out a squadron, the command of which was given to Paul Jones, who captured a number of vessels in the North Sea. On the 23d of September, near Flani- THE REVOLUTION. 115 borough Head, on the English coast, he encountered the British ships Serapis, of forty-four, and the Countess of Scarborough, of twenty guns. A severe and bloody battle ensued, which continued for three hours^ when the Serapis struck her colors. The Countess of Scarborough was captured by the Pallas, and the prizes carried into Holland. 9. A formidable fleet under the command of Count D'Estaing now appeared on the coast of Georgia, and joined with General Lincoln in besieging the British at Savannah. On the 9th of October, Lincoln and D'Estaing advanced to storm the works. The assault was gallant, but unsuccessful ; the assailants were repulsed, with a loss to the French of six hundred men, and the Americans four hundred. D'Estaing was woundfed j Count Pulaski and the brave Sergeant Jasper were slain. The Americans now recrossed the river into South Carolina, and the French re-embarked. 10. In November, Washington's army went into winter quarters, one division under General Heath in the High- lands of the Hudson, for the protection of West Point and other posts. The head-quarters were established near Morristown, New Jersey. Questions on the Events of 1779. — 1. To what state did the army retire? What was captured by General Prevost? By Colonel Campbell ? 2. Who took command of the army in the south ? What battle took place? Who commanded the Americans in the battle of Kettle Creek ? 3. What did Lincoln and Ash do in March ? What took place .•vt Brier Creek? At Port Royal? At Stono Ferry ? 4. What towns in Virginia were plundered ? Wlio laid waste the sea coast of Connecticut ? What towns were burned ? 6. Who captured Stony Point ? Describe the assault and oap- lure. What is said of the achievement? 116 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 6. What fort was taken by Colonel Lee ? Describe the capture. 7. Who marched against the Indians? When and -where did a battle take place ? How far was the country laid waste ? 8. When and where did a naval engagement take place ? Who commanded the American squadron, and what British vessels were captured ? 9. Who commanded a French fleet on the coast of Georgia ? With whom did he unite ? When was Savannah assaulted ? What was the result ? Who are mentioned as among the wounded and slain ? 10. When and where did Washington's army go into winter quarters ? EVENTS OF 1780. 1. This year opened ou distressed aud almost famishing soldiers. The winter was one of unusual severity, and the army in the tuts near Morristown suffered from want of blankets and clothing. They were also fre- quently without meat, often without bread, and sometimes without both. If it had not been for the kindness of the neighboring farmers, who furnished supplies, the army could not have subsisted. 2. Sir Henry Clinton now left New York with a large body of troops, in a fleet commanded by Admiral Arbutlinot, for the invasion of South Carolina. Early in April lie commenced the siege of Charleston, which was defended by General Lincoln. He now sent out Colonel Webster to break up some posts occupied by the Americans. One of those posts, at Monk's Corner, was surprised and taken by Colonel Tarleton, who commanded Webster's advanced guard. This achievement shut off Charleston from all supplies (April 14th). 3. The siege of Charleston was continued with great THE REVOLUTION. 117 vigor. Fort Moultrie surrendered, and General Lincoln, finding no relief, capitulated, and the city fell into the hands of the enemy (May 12th). A body of Americans, under command of Colonel Buford, was over- taken on the banks of the Waxhaw, by Colonel Tarleton, and, after being defeated, were butchered, after they had laid down their arms. Colonel Buford and some of hivs cavalry escaped. Having struck a blow which he supposed reduced the south to absolute submission, Sir Henry Clinton embarked with part of his forces for New York, leaving Cornwallis to carry the war into North Carolina, and then into Virginia (June 5th). 4. New Jersey was now invaded by a large body of troops under command of General Knyphausen, who landed at Elizabethtown Point. The American troops sent to oppose him made a stand at Springfield, where a severe engage- ment took place. The British outnumbered the Americana, but the latter being strongly posted, and reinforcements advancing, the British general retreated, and during the night passed over to Staten Island (June 23d). 5. Washington now moved with his army to the High- lands, and resumed his measures for the security of West Point. On the 10th of July, a large French fleet, with five thousand troops, arrived at Newport, in Rhode Island. It was intended to attack New York with the combined forces, but a fleet arrived from England which gave the guperiority to the British arms, and the proposed attack was for the present abandoned. 6. In the south, thou;'h for a time no opposition was made to British rule, symptoms of revolt at length were manifested. Bold and determined leaders only were needed. and one was soon found in Colonel Sumter, who made several attacks on the enemy. The post at Hanging Rock was 118 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES captured, and a body of British and tories defeated (August 6th). The Baron de Kalb, at the head of the Maryland division, who had been detached to Caro- lina, made but slow progress, for want of supplies. On the 25th of July, General Gates, who had been appointed to command the southern army, arrived, and immediately marched towards Camden, South Carolina, and on the 13th of August encamped at Clermont, twelve miles distant. 7. On the approach of Gates, Lord Rawdon concentrated his forces at Camden, where he was joined by Cornwallis'. On the evening of the 15th-, General Gates moved with his main force to Sanders' Creek, seven miles from Camden. Here they encountered the British army, which had sallied out in the night to attack them at Clermont, A skirmish ensued, which lasted but a short time, when both armies halted, and waited for daylight, to renew hostilities. At daybreak (August 16th), the enemy advanced, and put the militia to flight. The regular troops stood their ground, and fought with great bravery, but were at length compelled to give way. Baron de Kalb, while exerting himself to the utmost to prevent the loss of this battle, fell, aftei receiving eleven wounds. 8. On the evening before the battle of Sanders' Creek, Colonel Sumter had made a successful attack on a post of the enemy on the Wateree, and captured one hundred prisoners and forty loaded wagons. Tarleton was sent against him, and coming to his camp at a time when his troops were resting from their fatigues, the Americans were surprised, and able to make but a feeble resistance. Between three and four hundred were killed and wounded and all their arms and baggage fell into the hands of th« enemy (August 18th). 9. We have now to narrate the most sorrowful event in THE REVOLUTION. 119 the history of the Revolution — an event which brings up sad recollections both to British and Ame- ricans. It is the treason of Arnold, and the fate of Andrt'. We have recited the bravery, the enterprise, the military skill of the hero of Quebec, of Saratoga, and the brave warrior of many a battle-field. We must reverse the pic- ture, and, instead of a patriot, behold a traitor. 10. After the evacuation of Philadelphia in 1778, Arnold was stationed in that city as military governor. Here ho lived in an extravagant style, and, by his arrogance, raised up many enemies. He was charged before a court-martini with misconduct, fraud, and the granting certain privileges to disaffected persons. Though nothing fraudulent wa,«: proved against him, the transactions in which he was in- volved were pronounced " irregular, contrary to the articles of war, imprudent, and reprehensible j" and the court sen- tenced him to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief 11. The reprimand administered by Washington was one of delicacy and kindness, and ought to have sunk into his heart. But from the moment of his sentence by the court- martial, he seemed bent on vengeance. Dissembling his hatred to his country, he asked for the command at West Point, which was conferred upon him. His head-quartcrsi were at Beverly,* on the eastern side of the river, and opposite to West Point. Here he carried on a secret correspondence with Major Andrd, General Clinton's aide- de-camp, under the assumed names of Gustavus and Jolin Anderson, offering to betray West Point and the post,^ in the Highlands to Sir Henry Clinton. 12. In order to complete this nefarious business, it now became necessary for Arnold and Andre to hold a persona/ * Commonly called the Robinson House. 120 HISTORY OF THB UNITED STATES. IXTEBYI£W BETWSES ARITOLD KUD ANClt^ IT80. interview. Andre left New York, and went on board the Yulture, which lay at anchor in the Hudson. Here at midnight Arnold sent a boat to convey him to the west side of the river. Arnold was in waiting to receive him, and the conference lasted until near daybreak. A:^ Arnold feared that sending the boat back to the ship might excite suspicion, he prevailed on Andre to remain on shore - ruary 1st). The Americans now crossed the river Yadkin, but lost some wagons which were taken by the van of the British army. That night the rain poured down in torrents, and the river was unfordable. 6. General Greene now pressed forward for the river Dan, and Lord Cornwallis pursued with the hope of inter- cepting him before he could cross that river. But General Greene had secured boats to ferry his troops across, which be accomplished successfully, thus placing a deep river THE REVOLUTION. 127 between himself and his pursuers. The Tlritish were mueh vexed to find " that all their toil and exertions had been vain, and that all their hopes were frustrated."* 7. The pursuit of the British ended at the Dan Kivev, and Lord Cornwallis, after a day's rest, inarched ofl' with his army, and, on the 20th, took post at Hillsborough. General Greene soon after recrossed the Dan River, and after several skirmishes with his light troops and the enemy's foraging parties, he reached Guilford Court House (March 15th), and the same day was attacked by Cornwallis. The enemy advanced in three columns. In the early part of the battle the North Carolina militia took to flight, and although there was intrepid fighting in different parts of the field, it became evident to General Greene that the day was lost; and he therefore directed a retreat, which was made in good order. 8. Soon after the battle Cornwallis retreated towards Wilmington, North Carolina, closely pursued by General Greene, who, being unable to overtake him, changed hiii course, and marched into South Carolina. Cornwallis now marched with his army to Wilmington, and, after a short delay, set out to Virginia (April 25th). In the mean time General Greene arrived at Ilobkirk's Hill, two miles from Lord Ilawdon's post at Camden. Here a hard-fought battle took place on the 25th of April, but through a false move of a portion of the troops, Greene was obliged to retreat. 9. In the mean time Colonel Lee and General Marion captured Fort Watson and Fort Motte. Colonel Lee cap- tured Fort Granby, and marched to the aid of Colonel Pickens in the siege of Augusta, while General Greene * Annual Register, 1781. 128 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. commenced the siege of the strong fortress of Ninety-Six. Hearing of the approach of Lord Uawdon, he made an assault on the fort (June 18th). After a severe contest the stockaded fort was taken, but the troops were repulsed from the main works. 10. We left Arnold at Portsmouth with his forces, where he had taken post in January. In March, General Phillips was sent to Virginia, with an array of two thousand five hundred men. He joined Arnold, and took the chief com- mand. He then ravaged the country, took Petersburg, and proceeded towards Richmond, but found that General La Fayette was there with a strong force. After burning the stores, and destroying property at Manchester, they returned to Petersburg. Here General Phillips died, and the command again devolved on Arnold. Lord Cornwallis arrived on the 20th of May, and took command of the army. 11. The first object of Lord Cornwallis was to strike a blow at General La Fayette, who was then at Richmond, where he was waiting for the arrival of General Wayne. On his approach to Richmond, La Fayette left that place, and retreated until he was joined by General Wayne and nine hundred soldiers of the Pennsylvania line. He now pursued Cornwallis, who retreated to Williamsburg, and soon after to Portsmouth. But not liking Portsmouth, he embarked with his army, and sailed for Yorktown, which he fortified Gloucester Point, on the opposite side of the York River, had likewise been fortified (August 22d). 12. It was now Washington's intention to attack the ]>ritish in New York, in which enterprise he was to be assisted by the French troops. But receiving despatches from Count de Grasse that Jie should leave St. Domingo with a large fleet^ and a considerable body of land forces, THE RKVOLUTION. 129 and steer for the Chesapeake, he determined to move to Virginia, and postpone his attack on New York. The whole of the French army near New York, and about two thousand of the American, under command of General Wa^e- Bcribe the battle of Eutaw Springs. To what place did General Greene march that night? 15. What roused Lord CornAvallis from his fancied security ? Who arrived soon after ? 16. What was done by the 1st of October ? On the 9th ? AVhat took place on the night of the llth ? How did Cornwallis attempt to escape ? After his failure in this attempt, what did he propose ? Wlicn did the surrender take place, and to whom ? 17. To what cities was the British power limited ? Where did Washington spend the winter ? 18. Where was the army encamped in April? AVho took com- mand of the British army in New York? What two battles took place in Georgia ? 19. Who were appointed by the American government to make terms of peace ? When and where was a general treaty signed ? When was peace proclaimed in the American army ? 20. When was the army disbanded? When were the cities occupied by the British evacuated ? When did General Washing- ton occupy New York ? 21. What did General Washington do on the 4th of December? On the 23d? Where was Congress in session ? What did Wash- ington then do ? THE CONFEDERATION. 135 THE CONFEDERATION. 1. The war having happily terminated, a treaty of peace being signed, and the independence of the United States acknowledged, it might be supposed that prosperity and happiness would wait on a people delivered from oppressive rulers, and the cares, anxieties, and horrors of war. But such was not the case. At the close of the war, Congress, as the representative of the nation, was bur- dened with an immense foreign debt. It had no means of discharging that or its domestic debts; and the soldiers who had fought the battles and endured every hardship of war wore unpaid. The Articles of Confederation gave Congress no power to create a public revenue ; and could only recom- mend to the states the levying of taxes to pay the debta which had been contracted. 2. General bankruptcy prevailed, there was no commerce, and Congress had no authority to make commercial treaties. Insurrections broke out amonsr the people. In 1786. * . Massachusetts a large number of discontented citizens, headed by Daniel Shay, who had been a captain in the Continental army, marched against Worcester, and threatened to compel the General Assembly to repeal the taxes. General Lincoln, with a large body of militia, was scut against them; three were killed, and fourteen of the prisoners were found guilty of high treason, but afterwards pardoned. On the 11th of September commissioners from five states'*' met at Annapolis " to consider the best means of * New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. im fnsroKY OF tijE united statks. remedying the defects of the federal government/' The result of their deliberations was transmitted to Congress, which body recommended to the several states the appoint- ment of delegates to meet in convention at Philadelphia ^^ for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, and reporting to Congress such alterations and provisions as should render the federal constitution adequate to the wants of the nation." THE FEbEEAL CONVENTION. 1787. 3. The delegates from the diflferent states met in Philadelphia in May, and General Washington was chosen president of the convention. All the state's were represented except Rhode Island. On the 17tli of September the convention having agreed upon the several articles of the Constitution, it was adted, and signed by yll the members present. The Constitution thus formed was sent to Congress, who forwarded it to the several state legislatures for their consideration and approval. THE CONFEDERATION. 137 4. *The Constitution having been ratified by a sufficient number of states, an act was passed by Congress, on the 13th of September, appointing the first Wednesday in January, 1789, for the people of the United States to choose electors of a President, and the first Wed- nesday in February for the electors to meet and make a choice. The first Wednesday in March was named for the meeting of government in the city of New York, being the place where the present Congress was then in session. Questions on the Confederation. — 1. What was Congress unable to do? 2. What was the condition of the country? Describe Shay'w insun*ection. For what purpose did commissioners meet at An- napolis ? What did Congress recommend ? ?>. When and where was the Convention held ? Who was chosen to preside? When was it adopted and signed? 4. When was it approved by Congress ? What day was named for the meeting of the new government ? * The Constitution was ratified in all the states but North Caro- lina and Rhode Island. It was adopted by both states subse- quently. 12* HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 1. The members of both Houses of Congress 1789. assembled in New York at the appointed time, but in consequence of a delay in forming a quorum the votes of the Electoral College were not counted till April, when they were found to be unanimous in favor of Washington. On the 16th of April, having been officially notified of his election, he set out from Mount Vernon for the seat of government. His journey was a continued ovation. II « was hailed by all classes of people as their deliverer, and every town and city through which he passed poured forth its thousands to bid him welcome. 2. At Trenton a triumphal arch was erected on the bridge across that stream where, twelve years before, he had been attacked by Cornwallis whom he baffled by his retreat at midnight. It bore the inscription : — ** December 26th, 1776. The defender of the mothers will be the protector of the daughters." As he passed under the arch a number of young ladies, dressed in white, strewed flowers in his path, and sang an ode descriptive of their veneration and gratitude. y. The time of the President's inauguration was named for the 30th of April, when the oath of office was adminis- tered by Mr. Livingston, chancellor of the state of New- York, in the presence of an immense multitude. He thrn retired to th3 Senate chamber, and addressed both houses Washington's administration. 139 with an iuipressive speech. John Adams was elected Vice-President, and the heads of depart- ment, and judges were appointed. Thomas Jeflferson was appointed Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Knox Secretary of War, Edmuiid Randolph Attorney-General, and John Jay Chief Justice. The organization of the new government occupied the attention of Congress during its first session, which closed on the 29th of September, by adjournment to the first Monday in January. 4. During the recess the President set out on a journey through the Eastern States, accompanied by his secretaries, Major Jackson, and Mr. Lear. Wherever he came " the benedictions of the people" were poured forth, and all classes hailed him as the Father of his country, and testi- fied in every possible way their respect and aff'ection. He continued his journey as far as Portsmouth, New Hamj)- shire, returning to New York on the loth of November. 6. Congress reassembled on the 8th of January, when the session was opened by an address from the President, delivered to the members of both houses in the Senate chamber. He recommended that provision should be made for national defence, for intercourse with foreign nations, for the support of public credit, and suggested the adoption of many useful laws. Mr. Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, had been directed by Congress to present a plan for retrieving the public credit. The public debt of the United States was fifty-four miUions of dollars, besides twenty-five millions which had been contracted by the states individually. About twelve millions were due to France, Spain, and Holland. Mr. Hamilton recommended that the entire mass of debt should be funded, the TIniou made responsible for it, and taxes imposed for its liqui- 14& HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. . dation. The assumption of the state debts met 1790 . ^ with much opposition in Congress, and led to warm discussions, though it was finally adopted. For the purpose of establishing a revenue, duties were levied on imported merchandise, and taxes on the tonnage of vessels. The establishment of a permanent seat of government, which had been a subject of violent contest, was now set- tled by compromise. It was agreed that Congress should continue for ten years to hold its sessions in Philadelphia, during which time the public buildings should be erected at some place on the Potomac. A territory ten miles square was ceded by the states of Maryland and Virginia for this purpose. It was called the District of Columbia. 6. During this year frequent depredations were made by the Indians from the north-west side of the Ohio River on our frontier settlements. On the 30th of September an expedition under command of General Harmer set out from Fort Washington (now Cincinnati). He destroyed the principal villages of the Miamis, but his troops were be- trayed into an ambush, and routed with great slaughter. Another engagement took place on the 21st of October, when the Americans were compelled to retreat, leaving the dead and wounded in the hands of the enemy. 7. Congress met on the first Monday of December in Philadelphia, which now became the seat of government. The Secretary of the Treasury recommended an increase of the impost on foreign distilled spirits, and a tax on spirits distilled at home, which became a law. A 1791. . bill was also introduced for the establishment of a national bank, which met with much opposition, but it was finally passed by both houses and approved by the President. During this session of Congress Vermont was admitted into the Union as an independent state. Thih Washington's administration. 141 state was first settled at Fort Dunimcr (now Brat- tleborough) in 1725. The territory was claimed both by New York and New Ilampshire, and the i:)Ossessio)i warmly contested. But the people of Vermont declared their independence, and refused to acknowledge either of the claimants New York relinquished all claim on the payment of 130,000. 8. Another expedition had been fitted out against the Indians. General St. Clair, the commander, set out with about 1400 men from Fort Washington, and, on the 3d of November, encamped near the Miami villages. The next Horning, half an hour before sunrise, the Indians made a sudden attack on the camp. A severe contest followed, lasting for two hours and a half, when the general was compelled to order a retreat. In this disastrous battle the Americans lost nearly nine hundred in killed and wounded. 9. In August, 1792, Kentucky became one of the states of the Union. The first settlement was made at Boonesborough, in 1775, by Colonel Daniel Boone and a small party of the hardy sons of the wilderness. Wash- ington wished to retire from the presidential office at the termination of the four years for which he was elected, but the wishes of friends and the people prevailed on him to remain. He was elected for a second term by a unanimous vote, and John Adams was re-elected Vice-President. 10. Washington's second term of office com- 1793. menced at an unfavorable period. The Revolutit^n in France had overthrown monarchy and beheaded the king, and the existing government had now declared war against England. Many persons wished to render assistance to France and enable that country to establish a republic. But the President, having consulted his cabinet council, issued his proclamation, ''forbidding the citizens of the 1^ HrSTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 1S93. Uuitod States taking any part in the hostilities on the seaS; or supplying either party with contraband 11. The French republic had appointed citizen Genet niinistcr to the United States. He landed at Charleston, South CaroHna, and was received with great rejoicing. Though aware of the proclamation of neutrality, he author- ized the fitting out of privateers to cruise against the vessels of a nation with which the United States were at peace. Though notified by the government of his violation of the neutrality laws, he persevered in his improper course until recalled by his government. On the last day of this year Mr. Jefi'erson resigned his office of Secretary of State, and wiis succeeded by Mr. Edmund Randolph. 12. Great excitement was now produced in the United States by the acts of the British ministry. One of these acts directed English cruisers to detain all vessels bound to France with cargoes of corn, flour, or meal, and take them into port. Another act authorized the seizure of vessels laden with the produce of any French colony, or carrying supplies to such colony. In consequence of these acts many American vessels were captured. Preparatory measures to an expected war were made by Congress, and an embargo was laid for thirty days on all foreign trade. The British ministry, however, soon after revoked these ofi'ensive measures, and Mr. John Jay was sent as a special envoy to adjust existing difficulties. 13. General Wayne carried on a successful campaign against the hostile Indians west of the Ohio. After all overtures for peace were inefi'ectual, he advanced against the enemy, and in a battle (August 20th) on the banks of the Maumee Iliver he gained a complete and decisive vie- Washington's administration. 143 tory. Their towns were destroyed and tlie products of their fields laid waste. 14. In the western part of Pennsylvania great opposition had been made to the excise law, or tax on spirituous liquors. Armed men combined to resist the execution of the law, and the ofiicers appointed to enforce it were assailed and compelled to fly. The President issued his proclama- tion, warning the insurgents to desist, and declared his fixed purpose to reduce the refractory to obedience. As they persisted in their rebellion, fifteen thousand men, under command of General Lee, then governor of Virginia, were sent against them. To this overwhelming force the insur- gents made no opposition. They laid down their arms and gave assurance of submission to the government. Thus the "Whiskey Insurrection'^ was suppressed without blood- shed. 15. Mr. Jay's treaty with Great Britain was 1795» now received and laid before the Senate. It pro- vided for the evacuation of western posts held by the British, made provision for compensation for vessels illegally cap- tured, secured to British creditors the means of collecting debts due before the treaty of peace, and authorized a re- stricted commerce between the United States and British West India islands. It was violently opposed by many persons, but approved by the President and ratified by the Senate. 16. General Wayne, who had brought the war to a suc- cessful termination with the Indians north-west of the Ohio, now concluded a treaty with them, which was soon after ratified. A treaty was made with Spain, which secured to the Americans the free navigation of the Mississippi River ; and during the year a treaty was made with the Dey and 144 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. regency of Algiers, which liberated many American citizetw from a long and grievous captivity. 17. On the 1st of January the French minister, Mr. Adet, presented the colors of France, with an address, which was replied to by the President. But though these friendly manifestations were made at the commencc- tiient of the year, bitter feelings were soon after exhibited by the French. Republic, in consequence of which it was deemed expedient to recall Mr. Monroe, and send Charle,^ C. Pinckney, with instructions to explain the policy of the United States to the French government, and expres.s their wish to maintain amicable relations. 18. During this year Tennessee was admitted as a state into the Union. The first settlement was made in 1757, at Fort Loudon, by emigrants from North Carolina. In 1790 it was ceded by the latter state to the general government, and organized into the " Territory south-west of the Ohio.'' 19. The time for the presidential election being at hand, great anxiety began to be felt whether Washington would consent to stand for a third term. This question was soon put- at rest by the publication of his " Farewell Address," in which he announced his intention of retiring from the cares and responsibilities of office. This Address was pub- lished in September in the " Philadelphia Daily Advertiser,'^ and produced a great sensation throughout the country. Numerous testimonials were sent in by State Legislatures and other public bodies, expressing the greatest respect for the President, and regret at his intended retirement. 20. In February the votes at the recent election were opened and counted in Congress, when John Adams, having the greatest number, was declared President, and Thotnas Jefferson, having the next number, Vice-Pre- sident for four years, their term of office to commence on '?7ashington's administration. 145 the 4th of March next ensuing. Washington's term of office ended on the 3d of March, when, having remained until the inauguration of his successor, he set out for Mount Vernon, that peaceful ahode to which he liad so often turned a wishful eye amidst the cares and anxieties of his public life, and where he hoped to pass the ro^t of his days in quiet and serenity. Questions on Washington's Administration. — 1. What is said of President Washington's journey to the seat of government ? 2. Give an account of his reception at Trenton. 3. When did the President take the oath of office ? Who waa elected Vice-President? 4. What did the President do in the recess? How far did he extend his journey ? 5. What did the President recommend ? What debts were due by the national government? By individual states? What mea- sures were adopted for payment ? What was done to establish a revenue ? What measure was adopted respecting the seat of government ? By what states was a territory ceded ? What was it called ? 6. Describe General Harmcrs expedition against the Indians. 7. When and where did Congress now meet? What acts were passed ? When was Vermont admitted into th*. Union ? When was this state first settled ? 8. Describe General St, Clair's espedition againbt the Indians. 9. When was Kentucky admitted as a state ? When, where, and by whom was the first settlement made? What is said of Wash- ington? Mr. Adams? 10. What proclamation was issued by the President? 11. Who was sent as minister from France to the United States? How did he violate the neutrality laws ? 12. What acts were passed by the British government injurious to American commerce? What act was passed by Congress in con sequence ? Who was sent to adjust difficulties ? 13. Describe General Wayne's campaign against the Indians ? 13 146 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 14. What law was resisted in Pennsylvania? What did the President do ? Who was sent against the insurgents? 16. What were the provisions of Jay's treaty? Was it approved ? 16. What other treaties were made ? Give their stipulations ? 17. What was done by the French minister on the 1st of Janu- ary ? For what purpose was Mr. Pinckney sent to France ? 18. When was Tennessee admitted into the Union ? When and by whom was the first settlement made? By whom was it ceded to the general government, and what was it called ? 19. What did President Washington publish ? What effect wns produced by his Farewell Address ? 20. Who were elected President and Vice-President? What day did they enter on their duties ? Relate what is said of Wash- ington. JOHN ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION. 1. Soon after Mr. Adams became President, h« 1797. issued a proclamation for a special meeting of Con- gress, in consequence of the threatening aspect of affairs in France. Mr. Pinckney, who succeeded Mr. Monroe as minister to that country, was treated with studied neglect and insult, and ordered to leave the country, the French government refusing to receive or acknowledge him as the envoy of the United States. The French cruisers captured a large number of American merchant vessels, and confis- cated their cargoes. Congress assembled on the loth of May, and adopted measures to maintain the honor of the nation, by resisting the encroachments of France. 2. In pursuance of the policy recommended by the Pre- sident, of effecting an amicable adjustment of differene-ea by negotiation, three envoys extraordinary were appointed to the French Republic, namely^ Charles Cot^sworth Pinck- ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION. 147 ney, John Marshall, and Elbridgc Gerry. The new envoys met in Paris (October 4th), and sent notice of their arrival to the government. A secret agent waited on them, and intimated that a loan of money to the Republic, and a present to the French Directory, would npen the way to a negotiation. " We will not give you one cent," was the spirited reply of the American envoys. 3. Government now resolved on vI«:orous mea- 1T98. . '^ sures, and Congress authorized the President to enlist ten thousand men as a provisional army, to be called into service in case of hostilities. Washington was appointed commander-in-chief. An act was also passed, authorizing tlie commanders of public armed vessels, and granting commissions to private vessels, to capture French armed vessels. 4. In consequence of the latter-named act, a number of French armed vessels were captured. The French frigate L'Insurgente was taken by the Constel- lation, Commodore Truxtun, after a sharp action, lasting an hour and a quarter. The prize was manned and sent to the United States. The President, having received an intima- tion that the French government were willing to negotiate, appointed three envoys, who were confirmed by the Senate, and soon after proceeded to France. The envoys appointed were Messrs. William V. Murray, W. R. Davie, and Olivei Ellsworth. 5. But all public affairs were now lost sight of and ab- sorbed by a domestic calamity, which filled every heart with the deepest sorrow. This was the news of the death of that best of men and most unselfish of patriots, George Washing- ton. He died on the 14th of December, after one day's illness, brought on by exposure to a cold rain while riding over his estate. Congress adopted suitable testimonials of 146 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. profound respect for his memory, and appointed a committee to devise the most suitable manner of doing honor to the memory of the man '' first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." 6. As there now appeared some prospect of a favorable adjustment of difficulties with France, warlike preparations by land were abandoned, though hostilities at sea still continued, as well as the armii} of a thousand. General Van Rensselaer resigned his com- 14 158 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. mand and was succeeded by General Smyth, but nothing effectual was accomplished by either army during the year. 10. But, although failure had attended the land forces, the navy had performed some brilliant achievements. The Essex, Captain Porter, captured the British sloop Alert, and being soon pursued by the enemy's blockading squadron, escaped into the Delaware. The Constitution, Captain Iluil, while cruising off the coast, encountered a British frigate, the Guerriere, which opened a fire on the approach of the American vessel (August 19th). The fire was not, how- ever, returned until the Constitution obtained a favorable position, when broadside after broadside was fired in rapid succession. All the masts of the Guerriere were shot away^ and her hull was greatly damaged. She had seventy-eight killed and wounded, and was obliged to surrender. The wreck was set on fire and blown up, and the Constitution returned with her prisoners to Boston. 11. The next naval engagement, in point of time, was between the sloop of war Wasp, commanded by Captain Jacob Jones, and the British brig Frolic (October 13th). After a raking fire on the part of the Americans, the British vessel was boarded, and presented a dreadful scene of car- nage, with none at their posts except the man at the wlieci, who continued faithful to his trust. The wounded oSicers made signals of surrender, and the flag was lowered by the American lieutenant. Soon after the battle, both vessels were taken by the Poictiers, seventy-four gun ship, and carried into Bermuda. 12. On the 25th of October, the United States, Capfciin Decatur, gave chase to a vessel near the Azores, which proved to be the Macedonian. In the action which ensued, the rigging of the Macedonian was greatly damaged, her Madison's administuation. 159 masts shot away, and upwards of a hundred of her men killed and wounded. The two vessels were taken into Newport, and thence, through Long Island Sound, to New York. 13. The last naval triumph of this year was the capture of the British frigate Java, by the Constitution, now com- manded by Captain Bainbridge, off the coast of Brazil (December 29th). The Java's masts were shot away, her commander and twenty-two of her crew killed, and upwards of a hundred wounded. In consequence of the distance from home, Captain Bainbridge deemed it too hazardous to attempt taking his prize into port. She was therefore set on fire, and the Constitution, with her gallant crew, returned to the United States. 14. During this year, George Clinton, the Vice-President, died, and, at the presidential election, Mr. Madison was re-elected President, and Elbridge Gerry Vice-President. General Harrison, who had been appointed to the command of the western army, destined to march against the enemy at Detroit, was busily employed in forwarding provisions to Fort Defiance, Fort McArthur, and Upper Sandusky, with the intention of concentrating his troops at the falls of the Maumee River; but he was unable to advance against the enemy until January. 15. Orders were now sent to General Winchester, 1 813> in command of the Kentucky troops at Fort Defi- ance, to move down the Maumee and occupy the Rapids. A detachment was sent against the British and Indiana occupying Frenchtown, on the river Raisin. A sudden attack dislodged the enemy, and General Winchester arrived soon after and took the command. The morning after his arrival his camp was assaulted by a British column from Maiden, commanded by Colonel Proctor (January 22d). 160 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. The Americans were put to flight and many taken prisoners, among whom was General Winchester. The prisoners were taken to Maiden, with the exception of the wounded, who were left at Frenchtown. The next day a band of Indians broke into the houses where the wounded lay aod massacred them ; the British guard being unable or unwilling to protect them. Harrison now ad- vanced to the Rapids, and took his position at Fort Meigs. 16. A naval engagement, off the hiouth of the Demarara, occurred between the Hornet, Captain Lawrence, and the British brig Peacock. After a brief, but very severe engagement, the Peacock struck her flag, hoisting a signal of distress. It was then found that the brig was sinking. Before the prisoners could be transferred to the Hornet, the prize suddenly went down, carrying with her nine of her own men and three of the Hornet's. Lawrence set out for home, and arrived safely in New York. 17. In April, Fort Meigs was besieged by the British and Indians from Maiden, under Colonel Proctor. Soon after, General Clay, with twelve hundred Kentucky volunteers, arrived. The troops landed and attacked the batteries, but were in turn surprised by Proctor, and made prisoners, with the exception of one hundred and fifty, who escaped into the fort. A sortie from the fort destroyed the battery on the south bank of the river, and Proctor, fearing the arrival of more volunteers, retired to Maiden. 18. Commodore Chauncey, having now a fleet on Lake Ontario, consisting of the Madison, the Oneida, and eleven armed schooners, it was resolved to attack *York, the capital of Upper Canada. A detachment of sixteen hun- dred from General Dearborne's army crossed the lake in * Now " Toronto." Madison's administration. 161 this flotilla, and effected a landins; on the 27th of 1813. ' ^ April. General Pike led on the troops, and the enemy fled ; but the explosion of a magazine killed or wounded two hundred of the Americans, General Pike himself mortally. The town soon after capitulated, and the troops re-embarked for Fort Niagara. Dearborue's army having been reinforced, a landing was effected in Canada, the light troops, under Scott and Forsyth, leading the way. Fort George was abandoned by the British, and all the British posts on the Niagara were soon after evacuated. The enemy now made an attack on Sackett's Harbor, during Commodore Chauncey's absence, and, having effected a landing, destroyed the barracks and magazine. A severe action ensued, and the assailants were driven back to their ships. General Brown, who commanded the militia, was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in the regular army (May 29th). 19. Lawrence, the brave commander of the Hornet, now made captain, had command of the Chesapeake, then block- aded in Boston harbor. When the Chesapeake was nearly ready for sea, the Shannon, Captain Broke, appeared alone off the harbor. Lawrence, regarding this as a challenge, hastened to a deadly encounter. The crew of the Chesa- peake were discontented, and her most efficient officers were on the sick list. But the commander did not hesitate to follow the Shannon some distance out to sea, where the engagement commenced (June 1st). In consequence of an accident to the Chesapeake's sails she became exposed to a raking fire, when Lawrence himself fell mortally wounded. The enemy now boarded, took possession of the ship, and carried her to Halifax, where Captain Law- rence was buried with military honors. 20. Chesapeake Bay was invaded by a British squadron, 14* 162 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. wliich carried a large body of troops, many of wliom were of the worst class of society. They first made an attack on Norfolk, which was gallantly repulsed. They then landed at Hampton, which they captured, and were guilty of the most shocking brutahties. Frenchtown, Havre-de-Grace, Georgetown, and Fredericktown were burned, and considerable alarm was excited on the coasts of Delaware Bay by the bombardment of Lewes, a village near Cape Henlopen. 21. For some time nothing had been effected on the western frontier. General Harrison was waiting for rein- forcements, and the armies at *Fort George and "^Burling- ton were inoperative for want of commanders. Proctor, on the 21st of July, advanced against Fort Meigs, but failing to induce the garrison to sally out, he advanced against Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky. This post was gallantly defended by Major Croghau. He repulsed the enemy, who retreated that night, and returned to Maiden. The Argus, sloop of war. Captain Allen, captured tAventy- one merchant vessels in the British Channel. An engage- ment took place, on the 13th of August, between that vessel and the British sloop of war Pelican, when the Argus was captured, and her brave commander mortally wounded. Another naval action took place on the 5th of September, between the American brig Enterprise and the British brig Boxer. The Enterprise struck her colors after a severe engagement, in which both commanders were killed. 22. An Indian war now broke out in Georgia and Ala- bama. A large body of the Creeks commenced hostilities by murdering the whites. The inhabitants in the south- * The American army at Fort George and the British at Bur- lington. Madison's admin istratiOxV. 163 west of Alabama collected in forts, one of Wiiicli, 1813. ' P'ort Mimms, on the Alabama River, was surprisr^l by the Indians, and its inmates, with the exception of a few who escaped, were massacred. General Jackson, with an army, marched against them, and defeated them at Talladega, Attossee, and Tallushatchee. 23. Oliver H. Perry, a young naval ofl&cer, having, by energy and perseverance, equipped a small fleet at Eric, Pennsylvania, sailed for Maiden, to offer battle to the enemy. His fleet consisted of nine vessels, carrying fifty-four guns. The British fleet consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-three guns, commanded by Commodore Barclay. The two fleets met on the 10th of September, at an early hour in the morning, but, the wind being light, they did not come to close action until noon. The enemy's fire concentrated ou the Lawrence, Perry's flag-ship, and continued for more than two hours, dismounting her guns, disabling her sails, making her almost a wreck, and producing great slaughter. Perry now took a boat and passed to the Niagara, com- manded by Captain Elliott. 24. The British ships were now thrown into disorder, and the Niagara passing through their line discharged a succession of broadsides with such terrific effect, that the enemy's vessels all surrendered. The battle lasted three hours, with a loss of about one hundred and fifty men on each side in killed and wounded. Commodore Perry now took General Harrison's troops on board, and conveyed them to the Canada side. Proctor retreated immediately from Fort Maiden. Harrison set out in pursuit, and, on arriving opposite Detroit, was joined by Colonel Johnson's mounted regiment. 25. The pursuit was continued, and on the 4th of Octo- ber Harrison came up with the rear of Proctor's army, 16-i HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. and capuired his stores and ammunition. The next day the main body was overtaken near the Moravian town on the Thames River, the regulars being supported by Tecumseh and a band of Indians. The regulars were attacked by Johnson's mounted men, and completely broken at the first charge, when they threw down their arms and surrendered. Proctor and two hun- dred escaped by timely flight. The Indians fought bravely for some time, but Tecumseh having fallen, they made a precipitate retreat. The American loss "^as seventeen killed, and thirty wounded, among whom was Colonel Johnson himself very severely. General (iiss, who was now appointed governor of Michigan, was left with his brigade to garrison Detroit, and General Harrison with his regulars embarked for Buffalo, to co-operate with the army on Lake Ontario for the conquest of Upper Canada. 26. The Creek War in Alabama still continued. Early in January, General Jackson marched to the relief of General Floyd, but was attacked by a large force with great spirit. Though the Indians were repulsed, Jackson deemed it advisable to fall back to Fort Strother, where he was attacked by the Creeks (January 24th). On the 27th, the Indians assailed Floyd's camp, and were repelled, after a severe struggle. General Jackson was now reinforced by four thousand Tennessee militia, a regiment of regulars, and a large number of friendly Indians. With this force he marched to the Great Bend of the river Talla- poosa. Here he found the main body of the enemy were strongly posted at Tohopeka, or the Horse-Shoe Bend. The battle continued with great obstinacy for five hours, vv'hen the Indians were defeated with great slaughter. Very few prisoners were taken, except women and children. This battle put an end to the war. The Indians made no Madison's administration. 16ft further resistance, but submitted to the victorious 1814. . ^ . general, with the exception of a portion of the tribe who escaped to Florida. 27. The Essex, Commodore Porter, had been very suc- cessful on the Pacific Ocean. Having returned to Valpa- raiso, she was attacked by two vessels, the frigate Phoebe and the sloop of war Cherub. After a desperate resistance against this unequal force, Porter was compelled to surrender (March 28th). On the 21st of April, the new sloop of war Frolic was captured by the British frigate Orpheus. The Peacock, Captain Warrington, captured the brig Epervier, with $118,000 in specie, and carried her prize into Savan- nah (April '27th). The Wasp, Captain Blakely, captured and destroyed the Reindeer, near the English Channel, and then put iuto L'Orient for repairs. 28. The next important event of the year was another invasion of Canada. The expedition was conducted by General Brown, assisted by Generals Scott and Ripley. Crossing the Niagara from Buffalo, they came to Fort Erie early in the morning of July 3d. The small garrison holding this post surrendered the same day, without re- sistance. The next day. General Scott led the advance against General Riall, at Chippewa, and having driven in the British outposts, he was joined by General Brown, with the rest of the army. 29. On the 5th, the British advanced on the Americans, and the battle commenced with skirmishes of the light troops. The British were driven back by General Portei. but finding the main army under General Riall advancing, they rallied and in turn attacked Porter, whose light troops broke and fled. At this juncture, General Scott's brigade was moving forward, and soon encountered the main army under General Riall, which had crossed the Chippewa, and 166 HISTORY OF TUE UNITED STATES. formed on the plain. Major Jessup attacked tho enemy on the right wing, and, after a severe encounter, caused them to retire. General Scott ordered his men to charge, which they did so effectually, supported by Towson's artillery, that the British broke and fled, fairly routed in an open plain. They fled to their intrenchmenta beyond the Chippewa, closely pursued by General Scott, who took a large number of prisoners. 30. After the battle of Chippewa, General Riall reinforced the forts near the mouth of the Niagara River, and then retired to Burlington Heights, near the head of Lake Ontario. On the 25th of July, General Brown received information that the enemy were crossing the Niagara iliver at Queenstown. He immediately despatched General Scott, with a detachment of thirteen hundred men, to threaten the forts at the mouth of the Niagara. Just above the Falls, Scott learned that the enemy was drawn up in force to oppose him. Supposing that it was a remnant of the British army, he dashed forward to disperse them, and was astonished to find the whole British army drawn up in order of battle on Lundy's Lane. 31. Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers, however, Scott gallantly maintained his position, and sent to General Brown to hasten up the reserved forces. The battle com- menced a little before sunset, and continued till midnight General Riall was wounded in the onset, and, with several other officers, was made prisoner. About nine o'clock, General Brown came to the relief of Scott, and directed General Ripley to form a new line with the advancing forces, and thus relieve General Scott's exhausted troops. The enemy's battery on an adjoining eminence commanded the field of action. In order to obtain the victory, it was necessary to seize this battery. This duty was assigned to Madison's administration. 167 Colonel Miller, who, on being asked if he could take the battery, answered, " I will try," He advanced steadily and gallantly to the charge, captured the position, and seized the cannon. The British made desperate attempts to recover their lost ground, but failed in each attempt, and the contest closed by the field of battle remaining in possession of the Americans. 32. General Scott was severely wounded in this battle. He had two horses shot under him, and was finally disabled from a musket-ball through his shoulder. General Brown was also wounded, but did not at once resign the command. The army fell back to Chippewa, but learning that General Drummond with a large British column was fast approaching. General Brown fell back to Fort Erie, of which post he directed General Gaines to take the command. On the 3d of August, General Drummond arrived at Fort Erie, and commenced his preparations for a siege. On the 13th he commenced a cannonade, and, on the 15th, attempted t<. storm the works. The assailants were met and repulsed on every side, one column only proving for a short time successful. This party got possession of an exterior bastion, but soon after were driven out by the explosion of a quantity of cartridges in a small stone building within it. The enemy lost in this unsuccessful attack more than nine hundred men. 33. While the British were besieging Fort Erie, a suc- cessful invasion was made by a fleet under Admiral Coch- rane, which resulted in the capture of Washington. The fleet, with four thousand five hundred troops under General Ross, entered the Chesapeake Bay on the 18th of August, and disembarked on the 20th at Benedict, on the Patuxeut, without opposition. Commodore Barney, who had command of a flotilla of gun-boats, destroyed them on the approach i58 HISTORY OF TOE UNITED STATES. of the enemy, and tlius nothing opposed their march until they reached Bladensburg. 34. General Winder made a stand at the latter place, and was attacked by the enemy on the 24th. The battle commenced at one o'clock, and lasted till four, when the Americans were obliged to give way, and the British parched the same evening into Washington. The Secre- tary of the Navy ordered the destruction of the stores in the Navy Yard, and the burning of two vessels, to prevent their falling into the hands of the British. The President and his cabinet officers, and the principal inhabitants, fled on the approach of the British troops. The British burned the Capitol, the President's House, the Treasury and War Offices, the State Department, the Library of Congress, the bridge across the Potomac, and several unoffending private dwellings. The next night they left the sackeu and plundered city, and, after four days' march, arrived at Benedict, where they re-embarked. A detachment of Cochrane's fleet sailed up the Potomac, and anchored before Alexandria, which surrendered at discretion, giving up twenty-one merchant vessels, and a large quantity of merchandise, with which the enemy successfully retreated, the Americans being unable to make any effective oppo- sition. 35. The Wasp, after refitting at L'Orient, subsequently to her hard-fought battle with the Reindeer, put to sea, and, on September 1st, engaged and captured the British sloop of war Avon, which sank soon after striking. The Wasp made three other prizes, and was last seen October 9th, near the Cape Verde Islands. From that time she was never heard of; the good vessel, with her brave captain and gallant crew, perished at sea; far from human muccor, they sank into the depths of unknown waters. The MADISON''S ADMINISTRATION. 169 • ' Americans now had no navy on the ocean, and it 1814- ... . is mortifying to state that at sea the American flag floated from no national vessel. 36. General Izard, in command of the army at Plattsburg, was ordered to Sackett's Harbor, with four thousand men, the flower of his army, to co-operate with General Brown, should occasion present. General Prevost now advanced against Plattsburg, with twelve thousand men. General Macomb, with his forces, was strongly intrenched behind the Saranac, a rapid and unfordablc stream. The enemy spent four days in throwing up batteries and preparing for an attack, which they resolved should commence with tho appearance of their fleet. In the mean time, Commodore M'Donough's squadron anchored in Plattaburg Bay. It consisted of fourteen vessels, carrying eighty-six guns and eight hundred and fifty men. The British fleet, commanded by Captain Downie, consisted of seventeen vessels, carrying ninety-five guns, and manned by one thousand seamen. 37. The battle commenced on the 11th of September, between the two fleets. Captain Downie attempted to carry his fleet into the harbor, but his largest vessel suff'ered so severely, he was obliged to abandon it at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the American ships. The battle continued for more than two hours, when the flag-ship of tlie enemy having surrendered, the other vessels soon fol- lowed her example. On shore the enemy attacked Macomb's position, but were unsuccessful in every attempt. The same evening the British retreated in haste, leaving their sick and wounded behind, and a part of their military stores. 38. The same day which witnessed M'Donough's victory, the British fleet in the Chesapeake appeared off the Patapsco. The following morning, General Ross, with five thousand men, landed at North Point, fourteen miles from Baltimore, 15 170 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. and immediately marched towards tliat city. The 1814. ♦^ "^ defence of the city had been intrusted to ten thousand militia, including the city regiments, and some volunteers from Pennsylvania. One division was under the command of G-encral Strieker, the other was confided to General Winder, and the whole under the command of General Samuel Smith. As General Ross, at the head of a reconnoitering party, approached the outposts of the Americans, a skirmish ensued, in which Ross was killed, but, the main body coming up, the militia were driven from the ground. The command of the British now devolved on Colonel Brooke, who led the army near the American lines. The British rested on the field that night, and the fleet opened a heavy bombardment on Fort M'Heury. Major Armistead returned the fire, and the bombardment was continued through the night, after which the British troops retired to their ships, re-embarked, and abandoned the attack on Baltimore. 39. In the mean time the siesre of Fort Erie continued. o General Brown, who had recovered from his wounds, took command of the fort, and, on the 17th of September, made a sally on the British works, which he surprised, exploded the magazines, rendered their guns useless, and captured four hundred prisoners. The British soon after raised the siege, and retired to Chippewa. In this sally of the Americans, General Ripley was severely wounded while spiking the enemy's guns. General Drummond remained a short time at Chippewa, and then retired to Fort George. Soon after, General Izard, who superseded General Brown in command of the army, arrived. Fort Erie was demolished, and the army went into winter quarters at Buffalo, Black Rock, and Batavia (November 5 th). 40. General Jackson, who had command of the southern MADISON S ADMINISTRATION 171 department of the army, found that two British sloops ,of war had landed troops at Pensacola, and were arming the fugitive Creeks. He immediately marched against that city, which he entered without opposition, and compelled the British to take to their shipping, and leave the harbor. As a report prevailed that a large British fleet was proceeding against New Orleans, General Jackson hastened by way of Mobile to that city. On the 21st of December, the British fleet entered Lake Borgne, and soon landed on the banks of the Mississippi. Here an engage- ment took place on the 23d^ which was renewed on the 27th and 28th, and the enemy's advance checked. 41. Great alarm was caused to the government by the celebrated Hartford Convention. The people of New Eng- land had been dissatisfied with the war, and, agreeably to a recommendation of the Massachusetts Legislature, delegates were appointed to deliberate on the public measures of the Federal Government. The assembly met at Hartford on the 15th of December, and consisted of twenty-six delegates. Twelve members were appointed by the legislature of Mas- sachusetts, seven by Connecticut, four by Rhode Island, two by county meetings in New Hampshire, and one by a similar meeting in Vermont. After deliberating with closed doors for twenty days, they proposed several amendments to the Federal Constitution, and messengers were sent to Washington to request that a portion of the public taxes should be appropriated to the defence of the New England States. Elbridge Gerry, the Vice-President, whose health liad for some time past been failing, died in the month of November. 42. The commencement of the new year found 1815. "^ the British army before New Orleans, making extensive preparations for the capture of that city. Generai 172 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Jackson had been actively engaged in his prepara- tions for defence. Not relying" on the citizens of New Orleans, many of whom were aliens, he proclaimed martial law, threw up a line of intrenchments, strongly defended by artillery, and with a deep ditch in front. To guard against an attack on the opposite side of the river, General Morgan had been sent to throw up similar defences. On the morning of the 8th of January, the main body of the British army, led by General Packenham, advanced to storm Jackson's position. The British soldiers advanced with a determined air, attended by detachments bearing fascines and ladders. The American artillery opened on them with a destructive fire ; but they still moved on with a firm step, fresh troops taking the place of the fallen. At last, when they came within range of the rifles and muskets, they were thrown into confusion. General Packenham was killed. General Gibbs mortally wounded, and General Keene 80 severely, that he died soon after the battle. 43. The command now devolved on General Lambert, who withdrew his forces, and abandoned the contest. The enemy on the opposite side of the river, led by Colonel Thornton, had been successful, but the British army had lost two thousand men, and Lambert, dreading further disasters, fell back to the landing-place on Lake Borgne, from which place the army re-embarked and left the coast. 44. The Constitution, commanded by Commodore Charles Stewart, had succeeded in getting out of Boston Harbor, where she had been so long blockaded. Commodore De- catur, now in command of the President, left New York, expecting to be joined by the Hornet and Peacock. The next morning (January 15th) he was chased by a squadron of British vessels. The Endyraion frigate, which was in advance of the other vessels, was soon disabled by the Madison's administration. 173 President, but, the other vessels coming up, De- catur, not wishing to sacrmce his men in an un- evjual contest, surrendered. 45. Hardly had the rejoicings for the preservation of New Orleans begun, before the public attention was called to an event more joyful than that occasioned by the clash of arms or the shouts for victories. The sloop of war Favorite, under a flag of truce, arrived at New York on the 11th of February, bringing intelligence that a treaty of peace had been signed, December 24th, at Ghent, by the British and American commissioners, and ratified by the British government. This treaty was immediately forwarded to Washington, laid before the Senate, and unanimously ratified by that body on the 17th of February. 46. Three naval engagements took place after the con- clusion of peace. The Constitution, after a severe battle with the British sloops of war Cyane and Levant, compelled each one to surrender. The Hornet, Captain Biddle, en- countered and captured the brig of war Penguin, after a sharp engagement, March 23d, and the Peacock, Captain Warrington, on the 20th of June, captured the Nautilus, in the Straits of Sunda. Captain Warrington being now informed of the existence of peace, the prize was imme- diately given up. Thus ended hostilities between Great Britain and the United States. 47. During the war with Great Britain, the Dey of Algiers had dismissed Mr, Lear, the American consul, and declared wiir against the United States. Commodore Decatur, with a fleet of ten vessels, was sent to Algiers. On his way he captured two Algeriue ships of war, one of them the largest vessel in the Algerine navy. On the 30th of June he appeared with his squadron off the harbor of Algiers, when the terrified Dey at once agreed to sign a treaty, by which 15* ,1®1 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 1815 ^® surrendered all prisoners, made indemnity for captures, and relinquished all claim to future tribute. Treaties were made during the year at Detroit, with the north-western tribes of Indians. 48. Congress was occupied during the session with a tariff bill, and the adoption of measures to increase the public revenue. A bill was passed incorpo- rating the ^'BanJc of the United States,'' with a capital of thirty-five millions of dollars. This bank was located in Philadelphia. Indiana was admitted into the Union as a state, December 11th. The first settlement in the state was made by the French, at Vincennes, at an early period, though the exact time is not known, but supposed to be about the year 1690. In 1763 the territory was ceded by treaty to England. A territorial government was organized over it in 1801, under which it remained until admitted a» an independent state of the growing confederacy. At the presidential election, James Monroe was chosen to succeed Mr. Madison, and Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York, was elected Vice-President, entering on the duties of their respective offices, March 4th, 1817. Questions on James Madison's Administration. — 1. AVhat was pro- mised by the British minister at Washington ? Was the promise fulfilled ? What is said of Mr. Jackson ? 2. What is said of commercial intercourse with France ? What did England still do ? 3. Give an account of the President and Little Belt. Who were the commanders ? 4. Who was sent against the Indians? What did the chiefs pro- pose? Give an account of their attack. 5. When was Louisiana admitted into the Union ? When and by whom was the first settlement made ? What occurred in 1762? In 1800 ? By whom was it sold to the United States ? Madison's administkation. lib 6. What act did Congress now pass? What was done on the 18th of June? Who was cominandei-in-chief? 7. Describe General Hull's invasion of Canada. What fort was captured by the British ? Give the dates of both events. 8. Why did Hull fall back on Detroit ? By whom was he attack- ed ? What did Hull surrender ? 9. Where had a second army assembled ? A third army ? What did Genei-al Van Rensselaer do ? Who was wounded, and who killed in this engagement? What did the militia on the American side of the Niagara refuse to do ? W^hat was the consequence ? Who succeeded General Van Rensselaer? What was accom- plished ? 10. What was done by the Essex, Captain Porter? The Con- Btitution? Give an account of the battle. Who were the com- manders ? 11. What was the next naval engagement? Describe the battle. What took place after the battle ? 12. When and where did the next naval battle occur? Describe it. To what port where the vessels taken? 13. What other naval triumph occurred in 1812? Where was this battle fought? What was the result? What did Captain Bainbridge do with the captured vessel ? 14. What executive officer died this year? Who were elected President and Vice-President ? What was General Harrison doing ? 16. What orders were sent to General Winchester? Where was a detachment sent ? By whom was the camp of General Winchester assaulted ? What was the result ? What was done by the Indians ? What did Harrison do ? 16. When and where did a naval engagement take place ? Give % description of the battle. 17. By whom was Fort Meigs besieged? Describe the assault on General Clay's detachment. 18. What was the amount of vessels in Chauncey's fleet ? Who commanded the detachment against York? Describe the battle. What is said of General Pike ? Whose army was sent to Canada? What place was attacked by the enemy in Chauncey's absence ? Describe the engagement. To what rank was General Brown pro- moted ? 176 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 19. To what command was Lawrence promoted? What battle ensued? Who was mortally wounded ? Where was the captured ship taken? 20. What towns on Chesapeake Bay were attacked, captured, and burned ? •il. Give an account of Proctor's doings. The attack on Fort Stephenson. What did the Argus capture ? When and by what vessel was the Argus captured ? Who was mortally wounded t What other naval engagement took place? Give the result. 22. Where did an Indian war break out? Who commenced hostilities? What fort did they capture ? Who marched against them? 23. Where was a fleet equipped ? Who was the commander, and what did his fleet consist of? Who commanded the British fleet ? Of what did it consist ? When did the two fleets meet ? l>escribe the engagement to the time Perry went on board the Niagara. 24. What was done by the Niagara ? How long did the battle last ? What did Commodore Perry do after the battle ? 25. When and where did Harrison overtake Proctor's main array? By whom were his regulars supported? By whom were they attacked ? AVhat is said of Proctor ? Tecumseh ? Who was severely wounded ? What is said of General Cass ? General Harrison ? 26. Where did General Jackson go in January, 1814? By whom wiis he attacked ? To what fort did he fall back ? After he received reinforcements what did he do ? Where were the enemy posted ? How long did the battle continue, and with what result ? 27. Who commanded the Essex ? What is said of her cruise ? Where and by what two vessels was she attacked? What was Porter obliged to do ? When and by whom was the Frolic cap- tured ? What prize was taken by the Peacock? Who commanded the Peacock, and where did he carry his prize ? 28. By whom was Canada invaded ? By whom was he assisted ? When and where did they cross the Niagara River ? What fort was captured ? What did General Scott do July 4th ? 29. What did the British do on the 5th of July ? By whom i , Madison's administration. 177 were the British driven back ? AVhat is said of Scott's brigade ? Of Major Jcssup ? Of General Scott ? 80. What did General Riall do after the battle of Chippewa ? Who was sent against the enemy on the 25th of July ? Where did he encounter the whole army ? 31. What did Scott do ? When did the battle commence, and how long did it continue ? What did General Brown direct Gene- ral Ripley fo do? Who captured the enemy's battery? How was the battle closed ? Who were taken prisoners ? 32. What happened to General Scott? General Brown? To what post did General Brown fall back ? By whom was he be- sieged ? What disaster befell the enemy ? 33. Who commanded a British fleet in Chesapeake Bay ? Wh'? eommanded the land forces ? When and where did they disem- bark ? What did Commodore Barney do ? 34. What did General Winder do ? Describe the battle. What «ity was taken the same day ? What was ordered by the Secretary of the Navy ? What did the British burn ? When did they leave the city ? What was done at Alexandria ? 35. What vessel was captured by the Wasp ? Where was the Wasp last seen ? After her loss what is said of the American flag? 36. To what place was General Izard sent ? Who advanced against Plattsburg ? Where was General Macomb ? What squad- ron anchored in the bay? What did it consist of? Who com- manded the British fleet, and what was its force ? 37. When did the battle commence between the fleets ? D* scribe the battle. What was done on shore ? 38. When and where did General Ross land with an army ? To whom had the defence of the city been intrusted ? What generals commanded the divisions, and who had the chief command ? Who was killed in a skirmish? On whom did the command of the British army devolve ? What fort was bombarded ? What did the British do that night ? 39. What did General Brown do at Fort Erie? What did tho British do soon after? Who was wounded in the sally at Fort Erie? What is said of Genei-al Drumraond ? General Izard? Fort Erie ? 178 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 40. Why did General Jackson enter Pensacola with an army ? Where did a British army land on the 21st of December? "When and where did engagements take place? 41. When did the Hartford Convention meet, and of what was it composed? What did they propose? What did they send messengers to request of government ? Who died in November ? 42. When did the battle of New Orleans occur, and who were the commanders ? Describe the battle ? Who were killed ? 43. On whom did the command of the British army now devolve? Who commanded on the opposite side of the river? What did Jiftmbert do ? 44. What is said of the frigate Constitution ? Of Commodore Decatur? Of the capture of the President? 45. To what was the public attention called ? When did the intelligence of peace arrive ? When and where was the treaty signed ? When was it ratified by the Senate ? 46. What three naval engagements took place after the conclu- sion of peace ? Name the American commanders ? 47. Wbat was done by the Dey of Algiers ? Who commanded the flee*i sent against him ? What took place on the SOth of June? 48. What bill was passed by Congress? Where was the Bank located? When was Indiana admitted into the Union? Where W4s iio first settlement made ? What was done in 1763? In 1801 ? Who ^%i elected President? Vice-President? MONROE S ADMINISTRATION. 1817. JAMES MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION. 1. Soon after Mr. Monroe's inauguration he set out on a tour through tlie Middle and Eastern Stsites. Party spirit hud abated much of its virulence, and the President was everywhere received with the honor and respect due the head of a great and enlightened nation. At the next session of Congress Mississippi was acknow- ledged as an independent state, and admitted into the Union (December 10th). The first settlement was made in 1699, at the head of the Bay of Biloxi, by the French, who built a fort, and continued to occupy it as a settlement till 1702, when they removed to Mobile. In 1702 a bluff on the Mississippi River was selected as the site for a town, and named Rosalie, in honor of the Countess of Pontchar- train. This was settled by the French in 1716, and is now the flourishing city of Natchez. 2. In the latter part of this year a new Indian war broke out on the southern frontier. Great complaint had been made by the people of Georgia of depredations by the Scmi- nolcs and refugee Creeks residing south of Flint River, and in Florida, then a Spanish province. General Gaines, commanding at Fort Scott, by orders from the War Depart- ment to expel them from the district north of Florida, marched against them, and two skirmishes ensued. A boat coming up the Apalachicola was soon after attacked by the Indians, and forty out of fifty persons were killed. 3. G eneral Jackson now received orders to mar»h 1818* against the Indians, which he did, with a large force, and destroyed the Seminole villages in the neighbor- 180 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATKS. hood of the present town of Tallahassee. The Ame- 1818 . -^ rican general then marched against the Spanish fort at St. Marks, and demanded its surrender. Two British subjects, Arbuthnot and Ambrister, .tried before a court-martial on a charge of inciting the Indians to make war with the United States, and furnishing means to carry it on, were- found guilty and put to death. Greneral Jack- son now marched against Pensacola, which capitulated with out resistance. These captures were justified on a plea that the Spaniards were aiding and encouraging the Seminolea in their outrages. 4. In December Illinois was admitted into the Union. The first settlement in this state was made by the French, at Kaskaskia, and was at first the seat of a Jesuit mission. *" It is the oldest European settlement in the valley of the Mississippi/' and the date of its settlement is probably about the year 1686. It was a part of Indiana until ISOO, when a distinct territorial government was organized for it. The commissioners under the treaty of Ghent 1819. "^ ^ , now agreed on the forty-ninth parallel of latitude from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains, a^ the boundary between British America and the United States, and the right of American citizens to fish in certain portions of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Alabama was now admitted into the Union. The first settlement in this state was made by the French, at Mobile, in 1702. In 1800 it formed part of the Mississippi Territory, and in 1817, on the separation of Mississippi, it became the territory of Ala- bama, until its admission as a state. 5. In March, Maine, which had been a district 18^0. belonging to Massachusetts, became an independent * Bancroft, Vol. III., p. 105. .^l i^^ .^r.;* MONROK's ADMIMSTHATION. 181 state, and was admitted into the Union. The first 1.890* settlement in Maine w.'us made by the French, in 1613, on Mount Desert Island, and broken upbyArgall. The Plymouth company made an unsuccessful attempt t^ plant a colony, but no permanent settlement was effecte. What did General Jackson do ? Why did he invade Florida? W!jo was put to death, and why? 4. When was Illinois admitted into the Union ? Where was the Jiisi settlement made, and when? Of what state was Illinois a pnrl ? What boundary was agreed upon ? When was Alabama allo, Virginia, in his eighty-fourth year. 4. The administration of Mr. Adams was not disturbed by foreign wars or domestic insurrec- tions. The arts of peace flourished, and internal improve- ments received a large share of public attention. This year is celebrated for the completion of the first railroad in the United States, a mode of travelling which connects ^. At the battle of San Jacinto the Mexicans were totally routed, and General Santa Anna, the Dictator of Mexico, taken prisoner. He entered into an agreement of peace, and the acknowledgment of the independence of Texas. After his restoration to liberty he disavowed all treaties made while he was a prisoner, and declared he would suffer a thousand deaths, rather than place in jeopardy the integrity of hia country's territory. 4. The battle of San Jacinto, however, caused a cessation of active hostilities in Texas. In March, 1836, a Declara- tion of Independence ^as adopted, and signed by all her delegates in convention. The same year a Constitution was adopted, and her independence was acknowledged by the United States in 1837, by France in 1839, and by England in 1840. Texas continued as a separate independent re- public until its annexation to the United States, and its admission as one of the states of the Union. 5. Cono^ress, at this session, established the sub- 1846. » ? ' treasury, repealed the tariff law of 1842, and sub- stituted another with a much lower rate of duties. The governments of Great Britain and the United States had both claimed the territory of Oregon ; the American claim, made by the President, being to the latitude of fifty-four degrees forty minutes, the British to the Columbia River and its head waters. In June the boundary was agreed upon by the British and American commissioners, llichard Packenham and James Buchanan. The forty-ninth degree of north latitude to the Straits of Juan de Fuca, giving to 17* 1&8 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. the British the undivided territory of Vancouver's Island, constituted the provisions of the treaty. 6. Iowa, during the ye-dv, was admitted into the Union as an independent state. This territory was first visited by the French Jesuits in 1673, but no settlements were made by them. The country was included in the purchase of Louisiana, but remained in Indian occupancy until 1832, when the Indian title was extinguished, and it was ceded to the United States. The first settlement was made at Burlington, in 1833, by emigrants from the Eastern States. 7. Early in March, General Taylor moved his army from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande, opposite the city of Matamoras, where he built a fort. He had previously fortified Point Isabel, and left it garrisoned. The Mexican troops now commenced active hostilities. On the 10th of April, Colonel Cross was murdered, and, on the 18th, Lieutenant Porter, with a small body of men, were taken prisoners, and butchered. On the 24th, Captain Thornton, with a party of dragoons, consisting of sixty-three men, became engaged with a large body of Mexicans, in which sixteen were killed and wounded, and the others compelled to surrender. 8. General Arista informed General Taylor that he con- sidered hostilities commenced, and that he should prosecute them vigorously. General Taylor received information that large forces of the Mexicans were crossing the Rio Grande, and started with his main force for the protection of Point Isabel, leaving Major Brown in command of the fort, then in an unfinished condition. Soon after his departure, the Mexicans at Matamoras commenced a cannonade on the fort, which the garrison returned. During this engagement Major Brown was killed, and the post so gallantly defended by him was named Fort Brown. POLK-'S ADMINISTRATION. 109 ^^^ 9. On General Taylor's return from Point Isubo), 1q46* •' May 8th, he was met at Palo Alto by the xMcxicaiis, drawn up in order of battle. The enemy's force amouiitod to six thousand men, the army of General Taylor to two thousand three hundred. The battle lasted five hours, when the enemy fell back. The American loss in this battle was four men killed, and three officers and thirty-nine men wounded. Among the wounded were Major Ringgold and Captain Page, who died soon afterwards. 10. After the battle of Palo Alto, General Arista took a strong position at Resaca de la Palma. General Taylor resumed his march on the afternoon of the 9th, and in two hours came up to the enemy. The action commenced by the firing of the Mexican artillery, which was promptly returned by Ridgely's battery. As the Mexican battery proved to be very destructive, he directed Captain May to capture it. This he accomplished; his dragoons cut through the enemy, seized the cannon, and captured Geneial La Vega. The infantry now charged the Mexican line, which broke, and the enemy fled with the utmost precipitation. 11. A message from the President to Congress having declared '' that by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a war existed between that government and the United States," that body authorized the President to call into the field fifty thousand volunteers, -and made an appropriation for the purpose of carrying on the war (May loth). Soon after the battle of Resaca de la Palma, General Taylor with his army crossed the Rio Grande, and took possession of Matamoras. The Mexican towns of Rcinosa, Meir, Revilht, and Camargo, surrendered without resistance. 12. The general government and the officers of the army were now making preparations for carrying the war into the interior of Mexico. General Taylor being reinforced, 200 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. early in September left Camargo, and marched against Monterey. On the 19th the army encamped near the city, and prepared for an immediate attack. Mon- terey was defended by forty pieces of cannon, and more than nine thousand troops j it also possessed strong natural defences, and massive fortifications. 13. It being deemed advisable to gain possession of the exterior defences and fortifications of the city, General "Worth was sent to capture the forts on the Saltillo road and the Bishop's Palace. This was successfully accom- plished on the 22d, and the town was under the command of Worth's artillery. Other divisions of the army, led by Generals Butler and Twiggs, made an attack on the opposite side of the city, into which they eifected an entrance, and advanced by burrowing or digging through from house to house. On the 24:th, General Ampudia ofiered to capitu- late, and terms being agreed upon, the Mexican troops evacuated Monterey, and General Taylor took possession of it. The battle and capture of Monterey ended the cumpaign of the Rio Grande, in which the American arms had been completely successful. 14. Contemporary with these events is the capture of California by Colonel Fremont and Commodores Sloat and Stockton, the occupation of New Mexico by General Kear- ney, and the surrender of Tampico, Frontiera, and Tabasco to Commodore Connor. Colonel Doniphan left Santa Fe for Chihuahua with eight hundred men. On his way he was attacked by a Mexican force at Bracito. A well-directed lire from the Americans put the enemy to flight, and Doni- phan pursued his long and wearisome journey, which ended by the capture of Chihuahua. 15. General Taylor remained at Monterey for several months after its capture. During this time folk's administration. 201 General Scott liud been sent to Mexico, whore li6 arrived about the 1st of January, and was joined by Oenerals Pillow, Twiggs, Quitman, and Worth, with detach- ments from General Taylor's army, for the proposed attack on Vera Cruz. General Santa Anna, with an army of twenty- two thousand men, was at San Luis Potosi, and it was supposed from his movements he intended to advance witb his whole army. General Taylor resolved to give him battle. For this purpose, leaving fifteen hundred men at Monterey, he marched to Saltillo, and on the 4th of February encamped at Agua Nueva, where he remained until the 21st. Learning that Santa Anna was advancing against him, he withdrew to a strong mountain pass called Buena Vistii, where, having formed his army in battle array, he awaited the approach of the enemy. A summons to surrender was despatched to General Taylor, granting him an hour's time for consideration. General Taylor promptly declined ac- ceding to the summons, and the following morning the battle commenced by an attack on the part of the Mexicans, The battle continued through the entire day, and though the enemy gained partial successes from their overwhelming numbers, they were finally repulsed, and left the field. This victory ended the war in the northern part of Mexico. 16. General Scott efiected a landing with his army near Vera Cruz, on the 9th of March. The city was invested, batteries erected, and, on the 22d, General Scott summoned the governor to surrender. The proposition was rejected^ and the batteries opened a deadly and destructive fire, which continued without intermission until the 26th, when the Mexican general made proposals to surrender. Articles of capitulation were signed on the following day, and the city of Vera Cruz, as well as the strong castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, were taken possession of by the American forces. 202 HISTORY Of THE UNITED STATES. 17. Soon after the capture of Vera Cm*. Lieutenant Hunter captured Alvarado, on ih^ Gulf of Mexico, and in April Commodore Perry gained possession of Tuspan. General Worth being temporarily appointed governor of Vera Cruz, the army on the 8th of April commenced its march towards the city of Mexico. General Santa Anna, defeated at Buena Vista, had now- fortified the heights of Cerro Gordo, and, at the head of fifteen thousand men, looked down on the advancing Americans. 18. General Scott, who knew that an attack in front would be useless, ordered a road to be cut to the left of the heights ascending in the rear of the Mexican forts. In the night heavy cannon were taken to the heights, and opened a destructive fire on the enemy on the morning of the 18th. The strong fortress* of Cerro Gordo was taken by storm, and the Mexicans were totally routed. Santa Anna escaped and reached Jalapa, closely pursued by the victorious army. 19. The following day the Americans entered the town of Jalapa, and on the 22d they took the fortress of Perote. On the 15th of May, La Puebla* was in the occupancy of the American army, and became their head-quarters until the following August. War and disease had thinned their ranks, and it was necessary that the soldiers should have a season of rest after their severe labors. Reinforcements also were requisite to enable them to complete the work of conquest. The government had in the mean time sent an agent (Mr. Trist) to make overtures of peace to the Mexican government. 20. General Scott, being reinforced by fresh troops sent by way of Vera Cruz, left Puebla early in August on his * Puebla de los Angelos, "City of the Angels." polk'b administration. 203 inarch towards the capital. The route led the arinj across the Cordilleras, from whose lofty heights they locked down on the vast plain of Mexico. No enemy opposed their march until the 19th, when they arrived in front of the strong fortress of St. Antonio, with the height^! of Churubusco on' the right, covered with cannon, and close by the fortified camp of Contreras. 21. Early on the morning of the 20th, General Smith* marched to the attack on Contreras. General Valencia wa.-j at the head of six thousand Mexicans, and General Santa Anna stood ready to support him with a powerful force- When the arrangements of the Americans were completed, they made an impetuous attack, djished into the intrench- ments, and drove out the enemy, in the short space of seventeen minutes. St. Antonio was evacuated shortly after this battle. 22. Churubusco was the next point of attack. Tlii? consisted of a strong breastwork at the head of a bridge, a church strongly fortified, strong military outworks, and a powerful army, commanded personally by Santa Anna. The battle commenced early in the afternoon, and continued with unabated fury for three hours, when Santa Anna abandoned the field, and with his army fled to the capital. 23. The day succeeding tliese fiercely-contended battles^ propositions were made by Santa Anna for an armistice. This was mutually agreed upon, but its provisions were shamefully violated by the Mexican general. On the 7th of September, General Scott declared the armistice to be at an end, and hostilities again commenced. On the 8th. an attack was made by General Worth on FA Molinos del Ucy (the King's Mills). The troops were at first repulsed. * General Persifer F. Smith, of Louisiana. 204 184:7. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. but returning to the charge they fought despe- rately for an hour, when the Mexicans were totally routed. 24. On the 12th, Chapul tepee was attacked by a heavy cannonade and bombardment. On the 13th, the besiegers commenced a furious asssault, which resulted in the capture of the castle, and the pursuit of the flying enemy to the very gates of Mexico. Santa Anna and the officers oi' government fled that night, and the next day (Septem- ber 14th) General Scott directed Generals \Yorth and Quitman to enter the city, and plant the American flajr OKUKRAL SCOTT'S ENTRY INTO MEXICO. on the summit of the National Palace. General Scott then with the main body of the army made his triumphal but peaceful entry into the heart of that capital so renowned in American, Spanish, and Mexican history. 25. The occupation of the capital, and the flight of Santa Anna, put an end to the Mexican War ; for although some polk's administration. 205 unimportant skirmishes occurred soon after, and an insurrection broke out in the city, the Mexican,^ were not able to oppose an eflcctual resistance to the vic- torious Americans. On the 2d of February, 18 i8. a treaty of peace was signed by Mr. Trist, on the part of the United States, and commissioners appointed by the Mexican Congress. This treaty, with some modifica- tions, was adopted by both governments, and on the 19tli of June the proclamation of the President announced thut peace existed between Mexico and the United States. 26. By this treaty, New Mexico and California were transferred to the United States. All captured posts were to be given up, and fifteen millions of dollars were to be paid to the Mexican government for the ceded territory. On the 12th of June, our army left the city of Mexico. and soon after, all the posts which had been held by the American soldiery were evacuated. The discovery of gold in California led to an immense emigration to that distant region and ita settlement as a teiTitory by adventurers from the Atlantic and Western States. John Quincy i\daTn:i was stricken down with illness in the Hou^^c of llcpresenta- tives, and died the following day. 27. During this year, Wisconsin was admitted as a state into the Union^ being the thirtieth in number. Wisconsin was first settled by the French at Green Bay in 1690. Oregon and Minnesota were erected into territorial govern- ments soon after the admission of Wisconsin. The presi- dential election resulted in the election of Zachary Taylor for President. Millard Fillmore was elected Vice-Presi- dent, and Mr. Polk's administration termjnatcj on the 3d of March, 1849. Ue retired to his residence, where he died on the 15th of June. 18 206 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Questions on James K. PoWs Administration. — 1. "Who had been elected President and Vice-President ? What is said of Texas ? "W hat did Mexico threaten ? Where was General Taylor sent? Commodore Stockton ? In what year and where did General Jackson die ? 2. When was Texas admitted as a state ? By what nations hud Texas been claimed ? When and by whom was Texas fii'st settled ? Where and by whom was a settlement made in 1690? 3. Give an account of the settlement of Texas by citizens of the United States. Battle of San Jacinto. 4. Give a further account of the history of Texas. 5. What was done by Congress in 1846? How far to the nortlk did the President claim Oregon ? How far south was it claimed by the British ? How was it settled by the commissioners ? 6. When was Iowa admitted? When and by whom was th« country first visited ? When, where, and by whom was the first settlement made? 7. What movement was made by General Taylor in MarcU 7 What place had been previously fortified ? What did the Mexican troops do ? Give the particulars. 8. What did General Taylor now do ? In whose charge did he leave the fort ? What was done by the Mexicans at Matamoras ? Who was killed in this engagement ? 9. On General Taylor's return from Point Isabel, where was .% Mexican force drawn up to oppose him ? What was the number of the respective armies? Describe the battle, and the American Iosj^. 10. What did General Arista do after the battle ? Describe the battle of Resaca de la Palma. Who was captured ? What is eaid of the Mexican line ? 11. What communication did the President make to Congress ' What did Congress do ? What did General Taylor do after the battle of Resaca de la Palma ? What Mexican towns surrendered ? 12. What did General Taylor do in September? How was Monterey defended ? 13. What was General Worth directed to do? Who attacked the opposite side of the city? What did General Ampudia then propose ? What did this battle put an end to ? 14. By whom was California captured ? New Mexico ? What places were taken by Commodore Connor? Describe the expe- dition of Colonel Doniphan. ■<~'' P0I/K.'8 ADMINISTRATION. 207 15. When did General Scott arrive in Mexico ? By whom wa« be joined ? Where was General Santa Anna ? What did General Taylor now do ? At what place did he await the enemy ? Describe the battle of Buena Vista. What did this victory put an end to? 16. When did General Scott land near Vera Cruz? When did the attack on the city commence ? What proposal was made by the Mexican general ? What was surrendered ? 17. What ports were captured by Lieutenant Hunter? By Commodore Perry? Wlien did the army march towards the city of Mexico ? What did General Santa Anna do ? 18. What was ordered by General Scott? What was done in the night? On the 18th of April? Give the result of the battle of Cerro Gordo. To wliat place did Santa Anna escape ? 19. What did the Americans do on the 19th? On the 22d? What became the head-quarters of the army ? Who had been sent by the government to make overtures of peace ? 20. AVhen did General Scott leave Puebla ? Describe the route Near to what fortified places did the army arrive on the 10th of August ? 21. Describe the attack on Contreras. Name the generals en- gaged. What is said of St. Antonio ? 22. Of what did Churubusco consist ? Name the other defences. Describe the battle. What is said of Santa Anna ? 23. What was agreed upon the day after the battle ? What wa.* declared by General Scott on the 7th of September? What took place on the 8th ? Describe the battle. 24. What place was attacked on the 12th? Describe the battle of Chapultepec. What was done by Santa Anna and the officers of government ? Who were sent by Gcnei*al Scott to take possession of the city? What did General Scott do on the 15th of September? 25. When was a treaty of peace signed by commissioners? When was peace proclaimed ? 26. State the conditions of the treaty. When did the American army leave Mexico? What led to the settlement of California? 27. When was Wisconsin admitted as a state ? When and by whom was Wisconsin settled? What wore erected into territorial governments? Who were elected President and Vice President ? When did Mr. Polk's administration terminate ? When did he die? ^208 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. TAYLOR'S AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATIONS. 1. On the 5th of March, President Taylor entered on the duties of his office. The absorbing topi(r which occupied the attention of citizens at the time was tho gold found in immense quantities in California, and a con- tinued tide of emigration was pouring to the golden region. A convention of delegates assembled at Monterey on the 1st of September, and adopted a state constitution, which excluded slavery. This constitution was laid before Congress at its next session, and produced great excitement in the discussions which followed. The article relating to slavery engendered the strongest sectional feel- ings, aod many predicted the dissolution of the Union. 2. In the midst of the tumult Mr. Clay, the distinguished Senator from Kentucky, suggested a plan of compromise. The whole matter was referred to a committee who reported a bill containing a number of provisions. It was discussed for four months in Congress, and its respective measures separately considered and adopted. The measures recom- mended were, 1st. That California should be admitted into the Union as a free .state, having its territorial extent from Oregon to the Mexican possessions ; 2d. That the country east of California, containing the Mormon settlements near the Great Salt Lake, should be erected into a territory called Utah, without mention of slavery; od. That New Mexico should be erected into a territory without any stipulations respecting slavery, and that ten millions of dollars should be paid to Texas from the Federal treasury, in purchase of her claims; 4th. That the slave trade in the District of Columbia should be abohshed; 5th. That an efficient law flLLMORE's ADMINISTRATION. 209 ««r« should be passed for the arrest and return of fugi- tive slaves. o. While these measures were under discussion, a deep and sorrowful sensation was produced throughout the nation by the death of the President, after a short illness. His dt^ath took place on the 9th of July, and, agreeably to the Constitution, Millard Fillmore took the oath of office on the day following, and became President of the United States. The compromise measures, which had been so long under discussion, were adopted; among which was the admission of California as the thirty-first state of the Union. ltd Hcttlement and growth has been rapid beyond a precedent, and it gives to the Union an empire on the shores of the Pacific. California was first settled at Los Angelos, by the Spaniards, in 1769. 4. In the autumn of 1851 twenty-one millions of acres were purchased by the United States govern- ment from the Indian tribes of Minnesota. Another tract was soon after purchased from the Snow Sioux, and the pay- ments for Indian lands amounted to three millions of dol- lars. Much interest was manifested by the visit of Lewis Kossuth, the exiled governor of Hungary. He arrived in New York on the 4th of December, and was received with the highest marks of respect by the public authorities of all our principal cities. He wished to enlist the aid and sympathy of our government for his downtrodden country, but the policy always pursued here forbade any iiiterforeucL in the public affairs of foreign nations. Kossuth, however, received the warmest sympathy of all classes, and material aid from private contributions. 5. Two distinsruished statesmen and eloquent orators died in the year 1852. One was Henry Clay, who had been for more than fifty years in public life, 18* 210 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. and, at the time of his decease, represented the stat€ of Kentucky in the United States Senate. The other death which the nation mourned was that of Daniel Webster, the Secretary of State, and who, like Mr. Clay, had always eloquently advocated and upheld the honor and interests of his country. 6. After the settlements on the Pacific coast had assumed great national importance, the government felt the necessity of commercial intercourse with Japan, and fitted out an expedition under command of Commodore M. C. Perry, for the purpose of soliciting from the Emperor of Japan the negotiation of a treaty of commerce and friendship between the two nations. The mission was successful, and the most friendly feelings exist between the two governments. At the presidential election held this year, Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, was elected President, and William R. Kinor, of Alabama, Vice-President. A new 1853. territory, called Washington, taken from Oregon, was formed, and the bill became a law on the 2d of March, the close of Mr. Fillmore's administration. Questions on Taylor's and Fillmore's Administrations. — 1. What is eaid of the constitution of the state of California? Of the article excluding slavery ? 2. What did Mr. Clay do ? What were the stipulations of the compromise act? 3. What sorrowful event took place ? When did the President die, and who succeeded him ? What is said of the admission of California ? When and by whom was it first settled ? 4. What purchases were made by government? 5. What is said of Henry Clay ? Daniel Webster ? 6. For what purpose was an expedition sent to Japan ? What is said of the mission and its result ? Who were elected President and Vice-President ? What new tei-ritory was formed ? Pierce's administration. 211 FRANKLIN PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION. , „^^ 1. President Pierce took the oath of office on the 4th of March, 1853, and entered on the duties of President. Mr. King never took his seat as Vice-President. His ill health led him to seek the warmer climate of Cuba, where he spent the winter. He died April 18th, soon after his return to his residence in Alabama. 2. Some dispute occurred between rival claimants for the Mesilla Valley. It was claimed by New Mexico as consti- tuting a part of its southern boundary, and it was also claimed by the Mexican government as part of the state of Chihuahua. The governor of the latter state took military possession of the disputed territory, and it was feared a col- lision would take place between the two governments. But the difficulty was adjusted by a treaty, by which the Mesilla Valley and the tract of country now constituting the terri tory of x^rizona was conveyed to the United States. B^ this treaty the United States agreed to pay to Mexico th< sum of twenty millions of dollars. 3. In January a bill was introduced into Con gress proposing to erect the immense region west of the Missouri, to the Rocky Mountains, into two districts, t/O be called Nebraska and Kansas, and repealing the Mis- souri Compromise, giving to the people of each territory the right to be admitted into the Union either as free or slave i^tates. The discussion of this bill led to intense excitement, but it finally passed both houses and became a law. 4. At this time war was waged against Russia by Great Britain, France, and Turkey, and an incident occurred which threatened for a time the interruption of the ami- 212 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. cable relations which existed between Encfland and America. It was evident that enlistments of men to aid the British in the war in the Crimea were made hy the sanction of Mr. Crampton, the British minister. The government requested that Mr. Crampton might be recalled, but several months having elapsed before the demand was citmplied with, the President dismissed the minister and tlie consuls at New York, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. 5. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise opened the territory of the United States to settlers from all sections of the Union. An immense number of avowed anti-slavery persons at once rushed to Kansas, and founded a number of towns. The pro-slavery men also went in large numbers from Missouri, and a reign of terror and civil war raged for more than a year in that ill-fated terri- tory. The events have been of such recent occurrence, and the statements so varying and contradictory, it is not pos- sible, at this time, to write a true and impartial history which shall render justice to the contestants for rule iu Kansas. xi 6. The presidential campaign excited much in- terest throughout the country. Three candidated were nominated : — Millard Fillmore by the American party, J»mes Buchanan by the Democratic party, and John C. Fremont by the Republicans. The electoral election wa.s held November 4th, and resulted in the choice of James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, for President, and John C. Brecken ridge, of Kentucky, for Vice-President. Questions on Franklin Pierce's Administration. — 1. What is said of Mr. King, the Vice-President ? 2. Who were claimants of the Mesilla Valley ? How was the difl&culty settled ? What did the United States agree to pay t« Mexico ? Buchanan's administration. 213 3. What did the bill introduced into Congress propose to do ? What did it repeal ? What is said of the discussion of this bill ' 4. By whose sanction were enlistments for the British army reade? What diplomatic agents were dismissed in consequence? 6. To what territory was there a rush of settlers ? "What pre- vailed in Kaqsas ? 6. What three candidates were nominated for the Presidency ? Who was elected ? Who was elected Vice-President? 1837. JAMES BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 1. Mr. Buchanan took the oath of office and entered on ita duties on the 4th of March, 1857, and Mr. Breckenridge also took his seat as President of the Senate. For some time a threatening state of affairs existed in Utah. The Mormons, who were tie settlers of that territory, refused obedience to the laws of the United States, or to submit to any authority other than that derived from Brigham Young, the head of the Mormon church, and the acting governor of the territory. By order of the President, Colonel Cummings, of Missouri, was appointed governor, and a strong body of troops were sent to enforce his autho rity, and suppress rebellion. 2. After a toilsome march, the troops reached Salt Lake City. No opposition was offered to the entrance of the troops, but many of the inhabitants left their homes, and moved to the southern portion of the territory. Commissioners were sent by the Federal government to induce the Mormons to return, promising the withdrawal of the troops. These terms were acceded to, and the diffi- culty terminated. 3. The President recommended to Conijress the admission 214 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. of Kansas as a state into the Union, and assent to 183 8. the constitution adopted at Lecompton. This waa strongly objected to, on the ground that the constitution had never been submitted to a popular vote, and that it waa at variance with the wishes of the majority. In the Senate a small majority voted in favor of the bill, but it was rejected in the House. A substitute was adopted, to which the Senate refused its assent. A committee of conference was then appointed by both houses, and a bill reported by them was passed by both branches of Congress, and approved by the President, but rejected by the people of Kansas, at an election held in the territory. 4. During this session of Congress, Minnesota waa ad- mitted into the Union. The growth and settlement of this new state has been very rapid, having till recently been ft hunting-ground for the Indian, and a habitation for the wild beast of the forest. It was first settled at St. Paul, in 1S46, by emigrants from the Eastern States. 5. The most important act passed by Congress at the present session, was the admission of Oregon into the Union. The bill for its admission had been passed by the Senate at its last session, but was not acted on by the House until the 12th of February. Oregon was first settled at Astoria, in 1811, by emigrants from the Eastern States. 6. The debates consequent on the Kansas bill effected a division among the members of Congress. One portion opposed the admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution, because of its slavery proclivities, and because the will of the people had not been tested with regard to their wishes on the subject. The others considered that injustice had been done to the South by the rejection of slavery, as introduced by actual settlers, and their votea were for the Lecompton Constitution. BtrCHANAN^S ADMINISTRATION. 215 7. One of the most prominent events of 1860 I860 . . * was the official visit of the Japanese ambassadors. They arrived at San Francisco, and thence proceeded to Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, from whence they embarked for Japan, highly gratified by their visit to the United States. Another pleasing event arose from a visit paid by the Prince of Wales, who made quit« an extensive journey through Canada and several states of the Union. In every part of the United States which he visited he was received with respect, and much attention was paid him by the corporate bodies of our principal cities S. Four candidates were nominated for the Presidency, viz.: Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois ; Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois ; John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky; and John Bell, of Tennessee. A very exciting campaign followed the nominations, and great anxiety was manifested in the result. By the returns, Mr. Lincoln was elected President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, Vice-President. Some of the leading politicians in the Southern States denounced the election as sectional, and hostile to the rights of the South and threatened to withdraw from the Union. 9. This threat was first carried into effect by South Caro- lina. On the 20th of December, that state in convention adopted an Act of Secession from the government of the United States, declared her own state sovereignty, hoisted the palmetto flag, and assumed an attitude of hostility to the general government. By this measure she dishonored the " Flag of the Union," the " Stars and Stripes," which once waved over her battle-fields of Eutaw Springs, Cowpens, Hobkirk's Hill, Charleston, and Sullivan's Island. 10. At the time that South Carolina set the example of fecession, Fort Moultrie, in Charleston Harbor, was garri- ioned by Major Robert Anderson and a small body of troop» 216 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Convinced that he could not defend this post, he withdrew his forces to Fort Sumter, spikiug the guns and burning the gun-carriages of the deserted fort. Soon after the evacuation of Fort Moultrie, it was taken possession of by the troops of South Carolina, as also Castle rinckney. General Cass, Secretary of State, had urged the necessity of sending troops to keep possession of the forts in the seceding state. This the President refused to do, in consequence of which General Cass resigned his position, and retired from the cares of government. 11. Mr. Cobb, Secretary of the Treasury, and Mr. Floyd, Secretary of War, resigned their ofl&ccB from sympathy with the secessionists. Postmaster-General Holt, of Kentucky, was appointed acting Secretary of War, and Mr. Dix, of New York, Secretary of the Treasury, which departments they filled with marked ability during the remaining part of Mr. Buchanan's administration. 12. The month of January was distinguished for a seriel of aggressive acts against the general government. In Georgia, Forts Pulaski and Jackson were seized by order of the state authorities. The United States revenue cutter at Savannah was fired into and captured, and the Arsenal at Augusta seized by the state troops. In North Carolina, Fort Macon, the forts at Wilmington, and the United States Arsenal at Fayette ville, were seized by the state troops. In Alabama, the United States Arsenal at Mobile was taken, also Fort Morgan, at the mouth of Mobile Bay. South Carolina seized the United States Arsenal, Custom- House, and Post-Office in Charleston, erected new fortifica- tions on Sullivan's and Johnson's Islands, and besieged Major Anderson and his garrison in Fort Sumter. 13. Conventions were in session in several of the discon- tented states of the Union, which by their respective acta Buchanan's administration. 217 ^ proclaimed that the states they represented no longer owed allegiance to the United States govern- ment, and declared their secession from it. Mississippi did 80 on the 9th of January, Florida and Alabama on the 11th, Georgia on the 19th, and Louisiana on the 26th. The steamer " Star of the West," sent to carry troops and provisions to Fort Sumter, was fired on by the secessionist'^ in the harbor of Charleston, and obliged to return without effecting her mission. 14. Mr. Thompson, of Mississippi, Secretary of the In- terior, resigned his position in the cabinet, dissatisfied at the determination of the President to maintain the rights of the government. The aggressions on the Federal go- vernment were still continued. In New Orleans, the United States Mint and Custom-House, and Marine Hospital, were )!5eized by the state authorities. In Florida, Fort Barranca.- ruary, the fleet advanced against Roanoke Island, and ftttacked the batteries. The bombardment continued through the day, during which the troops efi"ectcd a landing, and, the following morning, marched upon the enemy in detachments commanded by Generals Foster, Ileno, and Parke. After a battle of several hours' contin- uance, the enemy surrendered. Six forts, forty cannon,, three thousand small arms, and twenty-two hundred pri- Boners were captured. Commodore Goldsborough attacked and destroyed, the rebel fleet, and landed on the coast, when the troops captured Elizabeth City (February 8th). 4. Edenton, Hertford, Colerain, and Plymouth were (Won afterwards surrendered by the inhabitants. Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River, Tenn., was bombarded by the gunboats which had done such gallant service afe Fort Henry. A gulling fire from the rebel batteries in- flicted severe injuries upon them, and crippled their ener- gies. But what was lost by the naval part of the force* was made up by the troops who invested the fort, and after a severe contest compelled its surrender (February 16th). 5. The fort, with fifteen thousand prisoners, waa given 240 HISTORY Off THE UNITED STATES. BAITLB OF FOET DONBLSOJC. up to General Grant. General Floyd, with about five thousand men, had escaped previously. Nash- ville soon after submitted to the United States troops with- out opposition. The division of the army under General Banks made a forward movement, by crossing the Potomac, and taking possession of Harper's Ferry, Bolivar, Cliarles- town, Martinsburg, and other towns in Virginia. Colonel Geary took possession of Leesburg, and drove out General Hill with his entire command. Fort Johnson was taken possession of, and named Fort Geary (March 8th). 6. On the 8th of March, a naval battle took place near Newport News. The iron-clad steamer Merrimac, and the steamers Yorktown and Jamestown, attacked the United States fleet stationed near the mouth of the James River. The Merrimac ran into the sloop-of-war Cumberland, which she sunk, and then attacked the frigate Congress, which Lincoln's administration. 241 had been previously assailed by the other rebel steamers. The United States vessel, unable to con- tend against iron-clad vessels, surrendered, and her officers and crew became prisoners. The steamer Minnesota, sent to the relief of the captured vessel, ran aground, and, in this condition, was attacked by the Merrimac. In the night the Ericsson iron-clad steamer Monitor arrived, and at once went to the assistance of the Minnesota. 7. On the following morning the contest was renewed, and carried on by the two iron-clad steamers from eight o'clock until noon, when the Monitor made a large hole in the Merrimac; the latter, with the rest of the rebel fleet, escaped to Norfolk. By this battle the United States lost two vessels, the officers of the Congress, who became prisoners, and the officers and crew who were drowned by the sinking of the Cumberland. The Minnesota was re- lieved from her perilous condition, and the arrival of the Monitor changed the fortunes of the day. 8. Commodore Dupont, with a portion of his fleet, cap- tured the town of Brunswick, Geo. The fleet then pro- ceeded to Cumberland Sound, Florida, and took Fernandina. Fort Clinch was abandoned on the approach of the fleet, and St. Mary's was captured without opposition. The Army of the South- West, under General Curtis, after three days* hard fighting, gained an important victory over the combined forces of Van Dorn, McCullough, Price, and Mcintosh. The battle commenced on the 6th of March, near Sugar Creek, Arkansas, but, on the following day, was transferred to Pea Ridge. On the 8th the battle was renewed, when the enemy was routed, and retired in great confusion. Guns, flags, and provisions were cap- tured in large quantities. This battle is generally known by the name of Pea Ridge. 21 242 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 9. The rebels in Virs^inia retreated from Ma- nassas and Centreville, and the Federal troops took possession of them March 10th. A battle took place on the 23d, between the forces under Generals Jackson, Smith, and Longstreet, and the United States troops under General Shields. It coramenced about ten in the morning, and continued till dark. The rebels numbered about fifteen thousand, while the United States troops were eight thousand. The loss was heavy on both sides. The battle ended by the flight of the rebels, who threw away therr arms in their hasty retreat to Strasburg. 10. The rebels evacuated New Madrid, Missouri, on the night of March 13th, leaving a quantity of guns and stores which they were unable to carry away. At Island No. 10,* in the Mississippi River, the enemy had a large force, well provided with artillery. Commodore Foote, with his flotilla and mortar-boats, attacked the fortifications on the island. General Pope, with his army, crossed the river from the Tennessee shore. This movement cut off all chance of the rebels' retreat, and they were obliged to surrender, after a Biege of several weeks' continuance. By this capitulation, six thousand soldiers became prisoners of war, including three generals. One hundred siege guns, several field batteries, and a large quantity of small arms and stores were captured. 11. On the 14th of March, General Burnside commenced an attack on the enemy's works, six miles below Newbern, N. C. They were defended by a large force, and reached nearly two miles. After four hours' hard fighting, tho rebels were driven out of their positions, with the loss of * So called from its being the tenth in number from the mouth of the Ohio. uncoln's administration. 243 SURRENDER 01* ISLAND NO. 10. three batteries of field artillery, forty-six heavy siege guns, large stores of ammunition, three thou- sand small arms, and two hundred prisoners. The chief part of the rebels escaped by the cars to Goldsborough, burning the bridges over the Trent and Claremont Rivers. The Federal troops were commanded by Generals Reno, Foster, and Parks. After the capture of Newbcru, Gene- ral Burnside sent an expedition against Beaufort, in the same state. This town was evacuated by the enemy, on approach of the troops. 12. The city of St. Augustine was surrendered to Com- modore Dupont's fleet without opposition, the municipal authorities receiving Commodore Rodgers in the Town Ilall, and raising the United States flag. Fort Marion was deserted by the rebel troops on approach of the gun- boats, and Jacksonville was surrendered by the authorities. 344 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Generals Beauregard and Johnston left tteir po- sition at Coriuth, April 6th, and attacked the Union forces at Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. General Prentiss's division was first attacked, and driven in. Gen- eral Sherman's division now sustained the heaviest fire of the enemy, which drove the Federal troops from their camps, and a fresh division coming up assailed General McClernand's division. The battle continued till five o'clock, at which time the rebels had driven the Federal troops to the bank of the river. The gunboats Lexington and Tyler now threw a quantity of shell on the rebel forces, and nio-ht cominG: on, the combatants rested. The rebel forces numbered sixty thousand, while the United States troops did not exceed thirty-eight thousand. During the night the forces under Generals Lewis Wallace and Buell arrived. 13. Early on the morning of the 7th, the battle was renewed by General Wilson on the left and General Wallace on the right. General Nelson's force opened a galling fire on the enemy, and advanced rapidly as they fell back, and General Buell succeeded in flanking them and capturing their batteries of artillery. At three o'clock, General Grant rode to the left, where fresh regiments had been ordered, and sent a portion of his body-guard to the head of each of the five regiments, and then ordered a charge, before which the rebels fled in dismay. General Buell followed the rebels, now in full retreat towards Corinth. The losses were severe on both sides. Among the killed was General Albert Sydney Johnston, the rebel commander, and General W. H. Wallace, of the United States forces. General Prentiss was taken prisoner at the commencement of the first day's battle. 14. Fort Pulaski, Geo., was attacked and bombarded on Lincoln's administration. 245 the 10th of April, by General Hunter. At two o'clock on the following day, a large breach haying been made in the walls, the garrison surrendered. Fort ^lacon, N. 0., was surrendered April 25th, after a bom- bardment of more than ten hours. But the most important event of the war thus far, was the surrender of the city of New Orleans. On the approach of the fleet commanded by flag-ojSicer D. Cf. Farragut, the rebel army abandoned the city, and it was surrendered to the fleet by the munici- pal authorities (April 26th). Greneral Butler, with hia army, landed in the city soon after, taking military posses- sion. Baton Rouge was also occupied by the United States forces. 15. Previous to the surrender of New Orleans, the enemy placed all sorts of obstructions in the river, to prevent the passage of the fleet. The bombardment of the forts St. Philip and Jackson commenced on the 18th of April, and continued until the 23d, when Commodore Farragut, with the fleet, passed the forts, firing upon them in the passage, and sustaining a terrible fire in return. The fleet, however, effected the hazardous passage, while the mortar-boats, under Commander Porter, kept up an incessant bombard- ment on the forts. The attack on the forts was continued until the 28th, when they were surrendered. The naval engagement resulted in the destruction or capture of the CMemy's fleet, thus leaving the city defenceless. General Lovell withdrew on approach of the fleet, and the second commercial city of the United States was again placed under Federal authority, 1(3. General Mitchell, with his division, made a rapid advance through Kentucky and Tennessee, to Northern Alabama. They rebuilt the broken bridges, relaid the torn-up rails, and then surprised the enemy at Iluntsville, 21* 246 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. seizinar the railroad and cars, and vast quantities of stores. G.eneral Pope defeated the rebels at Farmington, took over two thousand prisoners, a large amount of tents, four pieces of cannon, and several hundred muskets. 17. Early in April, General McClellan, with his army, embarked on board of transports, and proceeded down the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay to Fortress Monroe. The troops landed on the peninsula formed by the York and James Rivers, and marched towards Yorktown, at which place the rebels had collected in strong force, and erected formidable batteries. The United States troops threw up fortifications, and prepared for the siege and attack. A fierce contest was now looked for, but on the night of May 3d, the enemy abandoned his works at York- town and Gloucester, and on the 4th, General McClellan took possession, and sent his cavalry and horse artillery, supported by infantry, in pursuit of the enemy. On the same evening the mounted troops came up with the enemy, and a brisk conflict ensued. 18. At daylight on the 5th, the enemy were found to be strongly intrenched at Williamsburg. At eight o'clock the enemy opened on General Hooker's division, which was stationed on the left. During the engagement, the enemy captured three of the Federal batteries.* General Hooker's division sufi'ered severely, as his troops bore the whole brunt of the battle for several hours, before reinforcements came to their relief. At four o'clock fresh troops came up, and General Hancock's brigade made a brilHant bayonet charge, which drove the rebels from the field to their •ntrenchments. During the night these were evacuated, * These were recaptured the same day by General McClellan, Lincoln's administration. 247 and General McClellan took possession of them the following morning. The same afternoon which witnessed the battle of Williamsburg, General Franklin landed with his troops at West Point, and was attacked on the following morning. General Newton's brigade was actively engaged during the battle. At three o'clock the firing ceased and the enemy retreated (May 6th). 19. The Monitor and other steam vessels made an attack on Sewall's Point with shot and shell. The firing was briskly returned by the rebel batteries, and kept up for several hours. The Merrimac made her appearance, and halted some distance from the Monitor. As the latter vessel did not attack the Merrimac, and the rebel steamer refused to advance, no engagement took place between the vessels, and the Merrimac steamed back to Norfolk. Pre- sident Lincoln, who was on a visit to Fortress Monroe, witnessed the battle from a tug-boat. On the 10th of May, General Wool, with five thousand men from Fortress Mon- roe, landed at Willoughby's Point, and marched towards Norfolk. At Tanner's Creek a rebel battery had been erected on the opposite bank, and near a bridge. The rebels fired a volley of musketry on the advancing troops, and then set fire to the bridge. At five o'clock, the troops approached Norfolk, when the mayor sent out a flag of truce, and surrendered the city to the United States forces, who took possession without having fired a gun. The following morning the Merrimac was blown up by the rebels, and totally destroyed, and thus was achieved a bloodless victory. 20. A severe cavalry battle took place at Lebanon, Tennessee, which resulted in the complete rout of Colonel Morgan's band of Rangers. The United States troops were led by General Dumont. They followed the rebels 248 HISTORY OP THE UNITED STATES. many miles, and surprised them in the night at their quarters in the town. Many were killed, and a hundred and sixty-nine prisoners taken. Soon aftei the battle of West Point, the iron-clad gunboats made an unsuccessful expedition up the James River, within seven miles of Richmond. At that point there was a heavy battery on a high bluff, and the river was obstructed by sunken vessels. The gunboats could not elevate their cannon sufficiently to reach the battery, and the enterprise was therefore abandoned. The large gun of the Naugatuck exploded during the action. 21. On the 18th of May, Suffolk, seventeen miles from Norfolk, was occupied by the Union troops, and Sewall's }'oint and Craney Island were abandoned by the enemy. A severe battle took place at McDowell, Ya., between the forces under Generals Milroy and Schenck, and the rebel troops under Jackson. The enemy were posted on a mountain, down the side of which they rained a perfect shower of musket balls. Shortly after dark, the Ohio troops made a bayonet charge up the mountain, in the face of the enemy's fire, and drove them from their position. Finding a strong reserve of rebels on the opposite declivity, they fell back. The enemy in the mean time made a flank movement, attacking the Union troops on the left. The troops fought bravely, but finding the enemy greatly supe- rior in force, they retreated in good order, at nine o'clock, falling back to Franklin, Pendleton County. 22. General McClellan, after the battle of AVest Point, steadily advanced towards Richmond. In the latter part of May, the troops crossed the Chickahominy, within eight miles of the city. On the 24th, three skirmishes took place. The rebels were driven from Mechanicsville, seven miles from Newbridge, and a body of Louisiana troops were Lincoln's administration. 249 surprised and defeated, upwards of sixty killed, and thirty-one prisoners captured. But while those successes waited on the Army of the Potomac, that of the Shenandoah sustained a sudden and unlooked-for reverse. Colonel Kenley, commanding at Front lloyal, was attacked by a superior force, under Colonel Ashby. The troops made a gallant defence, falling back to the Shenandoah, which they crossed, destroying the bridge behind them. Here they made a stand, and Knapp's battery mowed down the enemy with shell and grape. Colonel Kenley was severely wounded in the early part of the battle, but con- tinued on horseback until late in the afternoon, when he fell exhausted, and was conveyed from the field in an ambulance, made prisoner, and, being paroled, was left at Winchester. • 23. Early the next morning, the enemy attacked General Banks's division in great force. The troops stood their ground for some time, but finally retreated through Win- chester, forming again after leaving the town, and marching in good order to Martinsburg (May 25th). The enemy's force consisted of Ewell's and Jackson's divisions, amount- ing to fifteen thousand, while the Federal troops were less than four thousand. The retreat was continued to the Potomac, which was crossed at W^illiamsport, on the evening of the 26th. The retreating army was attacked successively, and engagements were w^ell contested at Strasburg, Middle- ton, Winchester, and Newton. Of a supply train of five hundred wagons, but fifty were abandoned, notwithstanding a forced march of fifty-three miles, and the vastly superior force of the enemy. 24. Scarcely had the Confederate army succeeded in compelling General Banks to retreat from Virginia, Avhen it commenced a retrograde movement, successively with- 250 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. drawing from Martinsburg, Charlestowii; and Win- chester. General Fremont, by forced marches, crossed the Shenandoah mountain-ranges, and arrived at Strasbiirg, where he met Jackson, with his command, in full retreat. A skirmish with a portion of the forces ensued, during which Jackson withdrew his main army, a2)d continued his retreat. 25. General Halleck, who had succeeded General Hun- ter, had been posted in front of Corinth, Mississippi, Beau- regard's stronghold. On the 28th of May, three strong reconnoitring parties advanced on the right, centre, and left of the enemy. Their ground was hotly contested at every point, but the enemy was driven back with consider- able loss. The following night the rebels evacuated the town, and on the 30th, General P»pe, with the advance, entered and occupied it. In this retreat the enemy aban- doned their tents, many thousand stand of arms, and a quantity of provisions. They lost a quantity of clothing, stores, and two thousand prisoners. 26. A desperate battle was fought in front of Richmond, in which the corps of Generals Sumner, Heintzelman, and Keyes were engaged with greatly superior numbers. At one o'clock the enemy attacked the Federal troops on the right flank. General Casey's division in the first line gave way before the overwhelming force of the enemy, and lost tiieir guns and baggage. They fell back some distance, after a hard-fought battle, lasting more than three hours. At half past four o'clock, the enemy had advanced to General Couch's line. The battle was renewed with great iury, with varied success, lasting until night. The Federal troops were frequently broken, but as repeatedly rallied and attacked the enemy. The battle was desperately fought on both sides, and at the approach of night, both armies Lincoln's administration. 251 ^g^^ discontinued the contest, and slept on the battle field (May 31st). 27. The following morning the rebel army still occupied the camps of Casey's and Couch's divisions. General Heintzelman came on the ground early in the morning, and consulted with General Hooker on plans for the day. About seven o'clock, the rebels commenced firing from the cover of a wood on- General Hooker's division. The fire was promptly returned, but the enemy having the advan. tage of their position in the woods, it was resolved to dislodge them by a charge of bayonets. The enemy fired on the advancing troops wlien within a hundred feet of their line, without, however, doing much damage, and then fled precipitately before the fixed bayonets. The rebela were driven back for two miles. A hard fight was sus- tained by Richardson's brigade before the enemy gave way, but they all finally retreated before the overwhelming bravery of the Federal troops. At eleven o'clock the firing ceased, and th.e rest of the day was occupied in bringing in prisoners and taking care of the wounded (June 1st). 28. On Monday the Federal troops advanced on the enemy, who retreated before them. A slight exchange of fire was made, but the rebels oflTered no serious resistance, until within four miles of Richmond, where the advancing troops took a stand and threw out pickets. This battle is called " Fair Oaks," * from the station near which it was , fought. It was one of the severest of the war, and the losses on both sides were enormous. 29. Forts Pillow and Wright, on the Mississippi, which had been attacked by the fleet, were evacuated by their garrisons. Pensacola, Florida, was also evacuated by the ♦ Called " Seven Pines" by the enemy. 252 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. rebel troops, and the city and Fort Barrancas came once more under Federal authority. On the 5th of June, flag-officer Davis arrived at Memphis, on the Mississippi. The rebel fleet was lying near the city. An engagement ensued, which ended in the rout of the enemy, and the capture or destruction of seven vessels. The mayor surrendered the city after the engagement. In Alabama, a detachment from General Mitchell's army, under General Negley, drove the enemy from ^Winchester through *Jasper to ^Chattanooga, and utterly defeated and routed them, capturing their baggage -wagons, ammunition, and supplies. 30. General Fremont continued pursuing Jackson's re- treating army. On the 7th of June, he arrived at Harri- sonburg, driving out the rear of the enemy, and closely following. On the 8th, a battle ensued between the re- spective forces at " Cross Keys," which resulted in the rout of Jackson's troops, and their retreat to Port Republic. At this place a bridge crosses the Shenandoah, over which Jackson intended to continue his retreat. 31. A detachment from General Shields's division was sent to hold this bridge, or burn it. In the night, Jack- son's main body, flying before Fremont, planted twenty guns in such a position, as to command the bridge and overwhelm Colonel Carroll's detachment of sixteen hundred men. The Federal troops contested the ground with great courage, until, overcome by numbers, they fell back. They retreated until they reached General Shields's main body, when the enemy crossed the Blue Ridge towards Stan- nardville and Gordonsville, on the way to Richmond. * Southern part of Central Tennessee. Lincoln's administration. 258 82. The gunboats Conestoga, Mound City, and others, ascended the White River, for the purpose of removing obstructions, and communicating with the arm}- of General Curtis. Colonel Fitch, commander of the forces, landed a short distance below St. Charles, where the rebels had erected a battery. This was captured at the point of the baj'-onet, with but a very small loss on part of the troops. During the cannonading between the fort and the gunboats, a shot from one of the batteries struck the steam- drum of the Mound City, causing a fearful explosion, scalding and killing the greatest portion of the officers and 'crew. Many sprang into the water, and, while struggling for life, were shot by the enemy. After the fearful catas- trophe, but twenty-seven out of a hundred and eighty-one men answered to their names at roll-call. 33. The last week in June witnessed some very important movements in the army near Richmond. On the 25th, the troops comprising the left wing posted at White Oak Swamp, led by General Hooker, advanced against the enemy posted on the cleared land nearer the city. A severe battle, lasting several hours, with varied success, terminated in the triumph of the Federal arms, and the occupation of the enemy's works. General McClellan now made preparations for drawing in the lines of his army, which had been spread out to an extent not deemed prudent, in view of the fact that the enemy in Richmond had been strongly reinforced. The supplies at the White House on the Pamunkey River were removed, being sent by means of transports to the James River. On the 26th, the enemy in great force crossed the Chickahorainy, and attacked the Pennsylvania Reserves under General McCall, who were stationed at Mechanicsville. Falling back towards the position occupied by General Porter, an engagement 254 niSTORY OP the united states. ensued, las tin or till nierht, leavino; the Federal 1862. ' ^ , 1 troops masters of the ground. 34. The battle was renewed early on the following morning, the Federal troops having been ordered to with- draw gradually from their position. This they did in good order, still keeping up a fire on the enemy. After passing a wood, they came to an open country near " Gaines's Mills," on the Chickahominy. Here they halted, and the battle was renewed with great fury. Greneral Porter was reinforced by Generals Franklin, Sumner, and Keyes. The troops continued the battle, still keeping their ground, till night closed the scene. Both sides sustained severe losses. 35. The troops successfully crossed the Chickahominy in the darkness of the night, and the bridges crossing that stream were destroyed. During the day (the 28th) no serious attack was made by the enemy. The headquarters of General McClellan were on the railroad at Savage Station. All the sick and wounded who could be moved were sent forward to James River. Orders were sent to Generals Franklin, Sumner, and Keyes to destroy the stores which could not be removed, and to gradually with- draw their forces. At midnight the transportation trains and artillery commenced moving towards Charles City, and soon afterwards were followed by General McClellan, with his staff and body-guard. General Smith held his position on the Chickahominy until the train had passed. About daylight all the troops were in motion, and were followed by the rebels, who made an attack on the corps of Sumner and Franklin. The battle commenced at two o'clock, and continued till dark, when the enemy was repulsed. This battle was near Savage Station (June 29 th). Lincoln's administration. 255 86. On the oOth, the enemy, who had been reinforced, renewed the attack at the bridge of White Oak Swamp. About two o'clock the Union troops gave way, and fell back towards Turkey Island bridge, where the battle was continued. On the morning of July 1st, the rebels commenced the attack. The battle lasted three hours, when the enemy retired. At three o'clock they again advanced, but being confronted by the gunboats and artillery, they left the field to the undisturbed posses- sion of the Union troops. The enemy was repulsed with great slaughter in this day's contest. The withdrawal of McClellan's army from its extended position to a more secure base on the James River, was now successfully accomplished, after seven days of severe and bloody con- flict, and a great loss of life. The enemy, greatly superior in numbers, had made desperate attempts to destroy or cap- ture the retiring army, but was foiled by the coolness and bravery of the Federal troops, from the evacuation of their position on the Chickahominy to their final stand on the James River. This battle was fought on Malvern Hills. 37. The United States troops under General Benham, on James's Island, near Charleston, S. C, made an attack on the secession troops on the ICth of June, and were repulsed after four hours' hard fighting, sustaining a severe loss. The Army of Virginia was now consolidated, and placed under the command of General Pope, the three divisions being respectively commanded by Generals Sigel, Banks, and McDowell, General Fremont, by request, being relieved of his command. By advice of the governors of a number of states, the President now issued a proclamation, calling into the service of the United States three hundred thousand additional troops. 38. On the 17th of July, Congress closed its long and '256 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. arduous session. Many important acts were passed by tliis body, the principal of whicli were, an in- ternal tax for additional revenue in support of the war, the recognition of the republics of Liberia and Hayti, an act confiscating the property of rebels in arms against the government, the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia,* and its prohibition in the territories, and acts to increase the navy and army. 39. One of the most perilous expeditions of the war was that conducted by General Curtis, who had been sent to suppress the rebellion in Arkansas. As the troops sent were not reinforced, it became necessary to change their base of operations, which was done by General Curtis in a long and tiresome march from Batesville, on the White River, to Helena, on the Mississippi. In his march he was assailed by the enemy, who did all in their power to obstruct his progress and destroy his army. A series of skirmishes ensued, in all of which the Federal troops were victorious, and on the 11th of July, they took possession of the town of Helena, terminating their fatiguing march in the wilderness. 40. General Pope having been appointed to the com- mand of the Army of Virginia, adopted a very strict line of policy, directing that all disloyal male citizens within the army lines should be arrected. Those who took the oath of allegiance were permitted to remain, but on their refusal were sent to the South beyond the furthest picket stations. General Halleck, an ofBcer of great military experience, was now appointed to the cuinmand of the whole laud forces as general-in-chief, and entered on the performance of his duties. * The owners of slaves were compensated by the general gov- ernment. Lincoln's administration. 257 41. Martiu Van Buren, the ciorhth President 1862. , . ' . ° . of the United States, died at his residence, Kin- derhook, N. Y., July 24th, in the 80th year of his age. The usual honors were paid to his memory. During the month of August, great activity was exhibited in the re- cruiting department. New regiments were formed in all sections of the loyal states, and the President's call for three hundred thousand men was responded to, both in city and country, with great alacrity. Large sums were subscribed for the payment of bounties to the volunteers, besides that furnished to each enlisted soldier by the general government. 42. On the 9th of August, a severe battle was fought between the United States troops commanded by General Banks, and the rebel forces under General Jackson. Ge- neral Bayard, who, with two regiments of cavalry, had been guarding the Rapidan, reported that the enemy had crossed the river in such force that he was compelled to retire, which he did slowly, disputing every foot of ground. At noon, General Crawford, with his brigade, marched to Bayard's relief, and occupied a position seven miles from Culpepper Court House, at Cedar Mountain. 43. At four in the afternoon, General Banks attacked the enemy under Jackson and Ewell. The battle was commenced with artillery, but two hours afterwards the action became general. Between seven and eight o'clock, General Pope and General McDowell arrived on the field, and, with additional troops, relieved Banks's exhausted columns. The firing was kept up until midnight, when it ceased, and both armies rested. The loss on both sides was considerable. Many officers were killed, and Generals Auger and Geary severely wounded, and General Banks disabled at the conclusion of the battle by an accident. 258 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. Nothing was clone by either army on the day suc- ceeding the battle. On the 11th, General Jackson sent a flag of truce for permission to bury his dead remain- ing on the field, pending which he escaped with all his forces, crossing the Rapidan.* 44. Baton Rouge was assailed by a large body of troops led by Breckinridge and Lovell. It was defended by General Williams, and the enemy was repulsed after a severe contest, in which the brave General Williams and other valuable officers were killed. During the battle, the iron-clad ram Arkansas was attacked by the gunboat Essex, Commander Porter. His shot pierced the side of the enemy's vessel, which was abandoned and blown up. 45. While these events were transpiring, the Army of the Potomac, commanded by General McClelian, was moved quietly from its position at Harrison's Landing to Williams- burg, without loss of a man, or any of its stores or equip- ments. The movement was executed with consummate mastership. In consequence of this movement, Jackson, now reinforced by all the troops who were no longer needed in Richmond, endeavored to surprise General Pope, and capture or destroy his army, before a coalition with Gene- rals Burnside or McClelian could be effected. General Pope, therefore, withdrew his whole command from Cul- pepper, and crossed the Rappahannock (August 20th). 46. On the following day there was considerable skir- mishing, and the enemy made a number of attempts to cross the river. It was, however, deemed advisable to retire farther back, as the rebels were in immense force, and the river was no longer tenable. General Pope, * Rapidan or Eapid Ann, a brancli of the Rappahannock River, Virginia. Lincoln's administration. 259 ,0^0 therefore, moved with his command toWarrenton, and thence along the raih-oad to Manassas Junc- tion. On the 27th, a severe action took place near Kettle Run, between General Hooker's division and the advance of E well's division, ending with the defeat of the latter. 47. On the 29th, a severe battle took place near the old battle-field of Bull Kun, lasting all day. The Federal troops had a decided advantage, driving the enemy from the field in the latter part of the afternoon. But being reinforced, the enemy advanced, and General McDowell's troops were compelled to retreat. General Porter arrived at sunset, and checked the enemy's advance, allowing McDowell to withdraw with his weary and exhausted troops. The next day the whole army fell back to Centre- ville, thence to Fairfax, and the following day to Alexandria, perfectly exhausted with their harassing retreat. 48. A junction of the armies under Generals McClellau, Pope, and Burnside was now eifected. General Pope withdrew, and General McClellan was appointed commander of the Army of Virginia. Great alarm was felt in every portion of country adjacent to this bold advance of the rebels. Washington was threatened, and an announcement made that the enemy intended the invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the capture of their principal cities. In the sixteen battles which marked this retreat of the Federal troops, much valuable property was lost, and many brave men fell in the attempt to stay the progress of the rebel armies, among whom may be enumerated, Generals Kearney, Stevens, and Taylor. 49 The rebel army did not long remain inactive. Their first movement was to cross the l*otomae at three difi"erent fords, and march to the fertile portion of Maryland. They soon took possession of Frederick, seizing cattle, grain, and 200 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, a great quantity of stores. They then sent a de- tachment to Hagerstown, which they occupied, threatening an advance into Pennsylvania through the fertile meadows and rich pastures of the Cumberland 50. On the 14th, a severe battle took place between the rebel army which had retreated from Frederick, and the advanced forces of General McClellan. The rebel army was posted on South Mountain, a part of the Catoctin range. The respective divisions of the Federal army were commanded by Generals Hooker, Franklin, and Reno. The fire of cannon and musketry was very severe for two hours, when the enemy wavered. A general charge now being ordered, the enemy was driven from the mountain and through Crampton Gap in a disordered mass, taking the road to Boonsboro', pursued by the victors for two miles, when darkness closed the contest. The loss wa.s heavy on both sides, and the Union troops lost a brave officer, General Reno, who was killed in the early part of the engagement. 51. While this battle was in progress, the post at Har- per's Ferry, under command of Colonel Miles, was attacked by a strong force of the enemy. Cannonading was kept up all day, and resumed early the following morning. About nine o'clock. Colonel Miles displayed a white flag, and surrendered the post to General Jackson. The garri- son, more than eleven thousand in number, were paroled, and all the arms and stores given up to the rebels. Colonel Miles was mortally wounded, and died soon afterwards (September 15th). 52. The threatened invasion of Pennsylvania awakened a spirit of patriotism in its inhabitants, and in a short space of time fifty thousand militia were arrayed in arms, ready LINCOLN S ADMINISTRATION. 2G1 BATTLE OF ANTLETAM. to meet the enemy. In tlie mean time the great battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg was fought, and the enemy abandoned Maryland, thus relieving Pennsyl- vania of all fears of the threatened invasion. The two armies met in hostile encounter on the 16th. The whole forces of each contending party were arrayed on the banks of the Antietam, a deep stream fordable at but few points. Ueneral Hooker crossed the creek, and attacked the enemy on the left, continuing the skirmish while daylight lasted. On the 17th,. the battle commenced at daylight. The enemy were commanded by Generals Lee, Jackson, Hill, and Longstreet, the best commanders in the rebel service. 53. General Hooker sustained the whole brunt of the battle on the enemy's left for four hours, when he was severely wounded and compelled to leave the field. General Sumner, who held the centre, now took command, and was 262 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. joined by General Franklin, with fresh troops. The enemy was now vigorously assailed and driven back. On the right of the enemy, General Burnside had command, and sustained a severe conflict at the bridge, which was finally captured. Once over the creek a strong position was carried, but could not be held against the numbers brought forward by the enemy. Burnside, how- ever, made a gallant stand, maintained his ground till darkness came on, when the firing ceased, terminating the battle with great loss on both sides. This severe conflict commenced at five in the morning and ended at seven in the evening, without pause or intermission. 54. On the night of the 18th, the whole rebel force crossed the Potomac, closely pursued by General Pleasanton. Harper's Ferry was also evacuated, and the Union troops once more took possession of that post, and the adjacent heights. The battle of Antietam was considered by both parties as more important than any which preceded. On its issue depended the fate of Maryland, of Southern Penn- sylvania, and the Federal capital. The strength of both ra-mies was fully tested, and the rebel army compelled to evacuate Maryland. The losses were fearful. By the oflicial report of the commanding general, it appears that the Union loss in killed, wounded, and missing was twelve thousand four hundred and sixty. The estimated loss of rhe enemy twenty-five thousand five hundred and forty- two. 55. The city of Natchez was bombarded by Commodore Porter with his iron-clad vessel, the Essex, and obliged to raise the American flag, and the town of Bayou Sara was burned. In Mississippi a battle took place near the village of luka, between General Rosecrans and the rebel General l^rice, which resulted in the rout of the enemy. The Lincoln's administratiok. 263 rebels captured the town of Miimfordsville, Ken- tucky. The garrison made a gallant defence, but were overpowered by superior numbers. Louisville waa threatened, and great fears for its safety were entertained by the inhabitants. General Bragg had gathered a large army, and aimed at the subjugation of the whole state. But he was closely followed by Greneral Buell, who drove him out of Mumfordsville, pursued him a long distance, and then with his army marched to Louisville, relieving the inhabitants from the dread of a rebel attack. 56. After the battles of Maryland and the invading army's evacuation of that state, several reverses befell the Union troops. One was the assault on a detachment sent to reconnoitre near Shepherdstown, Va., which resulted in the defeat of the Federal arms. In this engagement the Corn Exchange Kegiment of Pennsylvania suffered very severely. Other disasters followed, the most mortifying of which was a sudden incursion into Pennsylvania by a body of rebel cavalry, who captured the towns of Mercers- burg and Chambersburg, and escaped with their plunder before any troops could harass or intercept them. 57. Early in October, the enemy under command of Van Dorn, Price, and Lovell made an attack on the Union troops at Corinth, Miss. The battle commenced on the morning of the 3d, and continued through the day. It was renewed on the following morning, the enemy firing with shot and shell. At nine o'clock they ceased firing, and advanced rapidly in heavy columns on the town. The engagement soon became general, the batteries opening a destructive fire on the enemy, who, however, pressed for- ward with reckless daring, broke through the lines of infantry, and entered the streets of Corinth. But now the Union soldiers, after a desperate conflict, rolled back the 264 HISTORY or the united states. tide of battle, and the enemy fled, attacked in their retreat by Generals Ord and Hurlbut, and closely followed by Greneral Rosecrans. At the Hatchie River the fio-htinc: was renewed, and ended with the com- plete defeat and dispersion of the rebel army, by General Rosecrans and his brave soldiers, who continued the pursuit of the flying enemy until recalled by order of Major-General Grant. 58. On the 9th of October, a battle was fought between the Union troops under command of General Buell, and the rebel troops under General Bragg, at Perryville, Ky. The conflict commenced early in the morning, and con- tinued through the day with varied success. At sundown, however, the tiring ceased, and the enemy withdrew from the ground, leaving the Union troops in possession. The loss was large on both sides, and, although the enemy retired, the Union troops gained no advantages deserving the name of victory. After this battle the troops of Gene- rals Bragg and Kirby Smith evacuated Kentucky, escaping across the mountains into Tennessee. 59. After the battle of Antietam nothing decisive took place in Virginia for some weeks. The Union army fol- lowed the retreating rebel forces from Maryland, and several skirmishes and minor engagements occurred. Of these we may notice a conflict at Barbus, between cavalry troops, resulting in the defeat of the rebels; a successful reconnoissance by General Geary; the capture of Warrenton by General Reynolds ; and the pursuit of the enemy by General Pleasanton. On the 8th of November, the govern- ment relieved General McClellan from command of the army, appointing General Burnside as his successor. 60. The Army of the South sustained a severe loss in the death of Major-General 0. M. Mitchell, its commander. Lincoln's administration. 265 I8»a, ^® ^^®^ ®^ *^® ^^^^ ^^ October, at Beaufort, S. C. General Mitchell had rendered very important ser- vices during the war, was much beloved by his soldiers, and his death was deeply lamented by his gallant army. The important commercial town of Galveston, in Texas^ aurrendered to Commodore Renshaw, commander of the fleet sent against it. The fort commanding the Sabine Pass, on the coast of Texas, was captured by a fleet under command of Captain Crocker. After the surrender of the fort he landed a party, who, under cover of the guns of the steamer, captured two camps, burned a bridge and a large number of buildings used as barracks. 61. In Louisiana, an expedition under command of General Weitzel encountered the rebel forces at Labadie- ville, and put them to rout after a short contest. Among those slain in this battle was the colonel in command of the enemy. General Burnside, after his appointment to the command of the Army of Virginia, continued to make a steady progress. By the middle of November, his large army arrived at the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericks- burg. On the 21st, by his orders. General Sumner sent a communication to the civil authorites demanding the surrender of the town, and threatening to shell it should the demand be refused, allowing sixteen hours for the removal of the women and children. This threat, however, was not enforced. 62. On the reassembling of Congress (December 1st), the President in his message presented in forcible language the evils which would attend a separation of the states, declaring that such a measure "would multiply and not mitigate evils among us.'' With a view, therefore, of pre- venting this strife, the President recommended such an amendment to the Constitution as would grant a compensa- 266 HISTOBY OF THE UNITED STATES. tion to those states which should abolish slavery. By a previous Act of Congress and the President's Proclamation, the slaves of rebels are declared to be for ever free on and after the 1st of January. 63. The Secretary of the Navy in his annual report, after reciting the operations of the naval forces during th'^v^ ^^^^^ . ^O ^-^„ ^^0^ •wfTH'; -*b ' / ''.-».iv^"\ '•^^'" /% '':^^:' .o^-""'^^