recently raised a regiment in that province, received from its Assembly the commission of brigadier-general.

Some of his old comrades in French and Indian warfare had hastened to join his standard.

ETHAN ALLEN'S CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.

As war was considered inevitable, some bold spirits in Connecticut conceived the project for the capture of the forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, famous in the French war.

Their situation on Lake Champlain gave them the command of the main route to Canada, and their possession would be all important in case of hostilities.

They were feebly garrisoned and negligently guarded, but abundantly furnished with artillery and military stores-so much needed by the patriot army.

Ethan Allen, a patriot who had volunteered with his "Green Mountain Boys" to serve in the popular cause, was well fitted for the enterprise. His experience, his robustness of mind and body, and his fearless spirit had won high praise.

Allen, having volunteered to capture Ticonderoga, was placed at the head of an expedition, with James Easton and Seth Warner second and third in command. Colonel Benedict Arnold was a volunteer who accompanied the attacking force.

Allen's party arrived at Shoreham, opposite Ticonderoga, on the night of the 9th of May, 1775. The detachment sent in quest of boats had failed to arrive. There were a few boats at hand, but transportation was slow work; day was about to break, and but eighty-three men, with Allen and Arnold, had crossed.

Allen drew up his men, and announced his intention to make a dash at the fort, without waiting for re-enforcements.

"It is a desperate attempt," said he, “and I ask no man to go against his will. I will take the lead and be the first to advance. You that are willing to follow poise your firelocks."

Every firelock was poised. The men mounted the hill briskly, but in silence, guided by a boy from the neighborhood.

Day dawned as Allen arrived at a sally-port. A sentry pulled trigger on him, but his piece missed fire. He retreated through a covered way, Allen and his men following.

Another sentry thrust at Easton with his bayonet, but was struck down by Allen, and begged for quarter.

It was granted on condition that he lead the way to the quarters of the commandant, Captain Delaplace, who was yet in bed.

Allen thundered at the door, and demanded the surrender of the fort. The commandant appeared at his door, half-dressed, the frightened face of his pretty wife peering over his shoulder.

He gazed at Allen in bewildered astonishment.

"By whose authority do you act?" exclaimed he.

"In the name of the Great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress!" replied Allen, with a flourish of his sword, and a big, round oath.

There was no disputing the point. The garrison and commander were made prisoners as they rushed out in their confusion.

The commandant and forty-eight men, which composed the garrison, were sent as prisoners to Hartford, Conn.

A great supply of military and naval stores was found in the fortress. Colonel Seth Warner was sent at once with a detachment against Crown Point, which surrendered on the 12th of May without firing a gun. The garrison consisted of thirteen men.

WASHINGTON MADE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

The second General (Continental) Congress met May 10th, 1775, and George Washington was elected Commander-in-Chief of the American Army without a dissent. The election was by ballot.

Washington was a member of the Congress, and his election was formally announced to him by the president, on the following day, when he had taken his seat.

Rising in his place, he briefly expressed his high and grateful sense of the honor conferred on him, and his sincere devotion to the cause.

"But," said he, "lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.

"As to pay, I beg leave to assure the Congress that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit of it.

"I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."

Congress assumed and exercised sovereign powers. A Federal Union was formed, leaving to each colony the right of regulating its internal affairs according to its own individual constitution, but vesting in Congress the power of making peace or war; of entering into treaties and alliances; of regulating general commerce; in a word, of legislating on all such matters as regarded the security and welfare of the whole community.

The executive power was to be vested in a council of twelve, chosen by Congress from among its own members, to hold office for a limited time. Such colonies as had not sent delegates to Congress might yet become members of the confederacy by agreeing to its conditions.

Georgia, which had hitherto hesitated, soon joined the league, which was extended from Nova Scotia to Florida.

GETTING READY FOR WAR IN EARNEST.

Congress ordered the enlistment of troops, the construction of forts in various parts of the colonies, the provision of food, arms, ammunition and military stores; while to defray the expense of these, and other measures, avowedly of self-defense, they authorized the emission of notes to the amount of $3,000,000, bearing the inscription of "The United Colonies;" the faith of the confederacy being pledged for the redemption.

The public sense of Washington's military talents and experience was evinced in his being chairman of all the committees appointed for military affairs.

Most of the rules and regulations for the army, and the measures of defense, were devised by him.

Four major-generals were appointed-General Ward, second in command, and General Lee, the third. The other two major-generals were Philip Schuyler, of New York, and Israel Putnam, of Connecticut.

The eight brigadier-generals were Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan and Nathaniel Greene.

At Washington's express request, his old friend, Major Horatio Gates, was appointed adjutant-general, with the rank of brigadier. Adams was extremely loath to admit either Lee or Gates into the American service, although he considered them officers of great experience and confessed abilities.

He apprehended difficulties from the "natural prejudices and virtuous attachment of our countrymen to their own officers.

"But," added he, "considering the earnest desire of General Washingcon to have the assistance of those officers, the extreme attachment of many of our best friends in the southern colonies to them, the reputation they would give to our arms in Europe, I could not withhold my vote from either."

On the 10th of June Washington received his commission from the President of Congress.

Every one was anxious to see the new commander. He was in the vigor of his days, forty-three years of age, stately in person, noble in demeanor, calm and dignified in deportment.

He sat his horse with manly grace, his military presence delighted every eye, and wherever he went the air rang with cheers.

It was evident that the people, as well as the soldiers under his command, gave him their confidence from the day they first saw him. He had been victorious in every engagement in which he had participated in the capacity of commander; had never shown his back to an enemy, and was, in every way, the best equipped man in America to lead the eager men who had sworn to die rather than submit further to the outrageous rule of England.

Washington's lessons in the art of war were learned on the battlefield -the best school of instruction in the world.