Scene at Stockbridge, on receiving News of the Battle of Lexington

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Life

Birth and Death of Great Men-Ancestry of George-Loss of his Father

Sent to District School-Early History-Appointed.Surveyor-F

Goes to Barbadoes with a Sick Brother-Appointed Major over the Militia ---

Sent a Commissioner to the French-Account of his Perilous Journey.

CHAPTER II.

Washington sent against the French-Hostilities of the latter----Fort Duquesne

Difficulties of the March-Dangerous Explcrations Message from the Half-

King-Night March-Attack on Jumonville-Feelings of Washington in his

First Battle---Final Results of it-Fort Necessity-Battle of the Great Mea-

dows-Washington Capitulates-Resigns in Disgust his Commission-Tart

Refusal to Join the Army under Governor Sharpe-Accepts Braddock's

Request to act as Volunteer Aid---Is taken Sick-Joins the Army-Battle of

Monongahela-Bravery of Washington-The Retreat-Death of Braddock-

Washington Reads the Funeral Service-Burial by Torch-light-Scenes

around Fort Du Quesne-Demoniacal Jubilee of the Indians-Washington at

Mount Vernon-Disgust with the Government-Apppointed Commander-in-

Chief of the Virginia Forces-Head-quarters at Winchester-Inroads of the

Indians-Terror of the Settlers-Sternness of Washington-False Rumors

Difficulty with Captain Dagworthy Goes to Boston to refer it to Governor

Shirley-Reception on the way-Falls in love with Miss Phillips of New

Fresh Hostilities of the Indians-Attempts to Supersede Washington-Anony.

mous Libels-Washington wishes to Resign---Prevented by his Friends-

Establishes a Line of Forts-Harassing Nature of his Duties-Attends a

Convention at Philadelphia-His Sickness and Retirement to Mount Vernon--

Progress of the War-Frederick the Great-Washington's first Acquaint-

ance with Mrs. Custis-Advance of the Army to Fort Du Quesne---Wash

ington required to cut a New Road-His Forebodings likely to prove true--

Capture of the Fort-Election of Washington to the House of Burgesses-

His Marriage-Life at Mount Vernon-Collision with a Poacher-Settles the

Soldiers' Claims---Expedition to the Western Wilderness to examine the

Wild Lands-Admirable Preparation for his Future Career.

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CHAPTER IV.

A

Character of the Colonists-First Attempt to Tax the Provinces-Its Recep-

tion by the People-Taxation Discussed in the British Parliament-Speech

of Colonel Barre-Attitude of Virginia-Speech of Patrick Henry-South

Carolina and Gadsden-Attacks on Stamp-Master J. Ingersoll-First Con-

gress at New York-The Stamp Act Repealed - Excitement and Joy of the

Colonists-Washington's Views of it-Duties on Tea, Paper, etc. Tea

thrown overboard in Boston Harbor-Port Bill-Virginia Assembly and

Conduct of Washington-Fast Day-Fairfax Resolutions-Washington's

Letter to Mr. Bryan Fairfax-He is Elected a Delegate to the First General

Congress-Action of Congress-Prayer by Duchè-Washington's standing

in Congress-Lexington and Concord-Excitement of the People-Stock-

bridge-The Second Congress-Washington Chairman of every Committee-

Appointed Commander-in-Chief-Battle of Bunker Hill-Journey of Wash-

ington to Cambridge-Takes Command of the Army-Its Character-Ap-

pearance of the Encampment-Washington's first order-Organization of

the Army-Difficulties that beset him-Forced to act contrary to his

wishes.

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CHAPTER V.

Washington Remonstrates against the Treatment of American Prisoners-

Sends Arnold to Quebec-Want of Powder in the Army-A new Army

raised-The National Flag first hoisted-Washington prevented from As-

saulting the Enemy's Works-His feelings under the delay-Thinks of the

Poor at Home" Boston Blockaded," a farce-Washington takes Possession

of Dorchester Heights-Howe resolves to storm them--Attempt abandoned,

and the Evacuation of Boston commenced-Sufferings of the Tories-Wash-

ington orders the Army to New York-Lee sent South-His Letter-Wash-

ington Visits Congress-His Views of a Declaration of Independence-Defeat

of the Northern Army-Attempt to spread Disaffection in Washington's

Guard-Congress discusses the Declaration of Independence-Excitement

in Philadelphia at the final vote-Its reception by the Army and People-

Operations around New York-Howe's Letter to George Washington, Esq.

The assembling of the British force-State of the two Armies.

CHAPTER VI.

The British land on Long Island-Sickness of Greene-The Battle-Defeat of

Sullivan and Stirling-Masterly Retreat to New York-Causes of Failure-

New York abandoned-Retreat of Washington to Harlæm Heights-Land-

ing of the British at Kip's Bay-Poltroonery of the Americans and rage of

Washington-His severe Order of the Day-Remarks on this Conduct of

Washington-Narrow Escape of Putnam with his Division-Skirmish be-

tween two Detachments and Death of Knowlton-Manœuvre of Howe and

Battle of Chatterton's Hill-Retreat of Washington-Fall of Fort Washing-

ton.

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CHAPTER VII.

Retreat of Washington through the Jerseys-Disorganization of his Army-

Finally takes post beyond the Delaware, near Trenton-Unaccountable

apathy-Washington takes advantage of it-Reinforced-Reorganization of

the Army-Washington resolves to march on Trenton --Passage of the

river-The Attack-The Victory-March on Princeton-Astonishment of

Cornwallis-Death of Colonel Rahl-The effect of the Victory upon the

Country-Poverty of the Army-Robert Morris, the noble Financier-

etc., etc.

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CHAPTER VIII.

Washington's Fame in Europe-Barbarity of the Hessians-Depredations of

the Troops-General Heath summons Fort Independence to surrender-

Washington issues a counter Proclamation to that of Howe-Illy received

in New Jersey-Five additional Major Generals and ten Brigadiers appoint-

ed-Inhuman treatment of American Prisoners by the British-Arnold and

Wooster drive Governor Tryon back to his ships-Meigs' Expedition to Sag

Harbor-The British Evacuate New Jersey-Arrival of Lafayette-His

Interview with Washington--The British land at Elk and march on Phila-

delphia-Washington advances to meet them-Skirmishing-Washington

re-crosses the Brandywine and takes position near Chad's Ford-Position

1

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CHAPTER IX.

Battle of Brandywine-A new account of the loss of the British, found among

General Clinton's papers-Washington again offers Howe Battle-Defeat of

Wayne at Paoli--Philadelphia taken-Fortifications erected at Mud Bank

and Red Bank-Tenacity of Washington-Battle of Germantown-Cause

of the Defeat of the Americans.

3

CHAPTER X.

Fall of Burgoyne-Sermon of Timothy Dwight-Letter from Washington to

Howe-Attack on Fort Mercer and Death of Count Donop-Gallant Defence

and Fall of Fort Mifflin-Fall of Fort Mercer-March of Howe against

Washington, and Address of the latter to his Troops-The Conway Cabal

and fate of the head Conspirators-Valley Forge-Sufferings of the Soldiers-

Washington at Prayer-Labors of Washington and Inefficiency of Congress-

The Half-Pay Establishment-Washington's Answer to the Complaint that

he did not make a Winter Campaign-News of the Alliance of France--

Celebration of it in Valley Forge-Baron Steuben and the Effects of his

Discipline on the Army-Howe resolves to Evacuate Philadelphia--Council

of War in American Camp on the best course to adopt.

CHAPTER XI.

Lafayette at Barren Hill-The Oath of Allegiance taken by the Officers--

Strange conduct of Lee-Evacuation of Philadelphia-Determination of

Washington-Battle of Monmouth and conduct of Lee-Arrival of the

French Fleet-Attack on New York planned-Failure of the Attempt against

Newport, and Displeasure of the French Commander-Massacre of Baylor's

Dragoons and American Troops at Egg Harbor-Destitute condition of the

Army, and Opinions of Washington as to the result of it-The Army in

Winter Quarters-Miserable condition of Congress-Sickness of Lafayette-

Washington consults with Congress on the Plan of the Summer Campaign-

Resolves to act solely against the Indians-Sullivan's Expedition-Taking

of Stony and Verplanck's Points-Governor Tryon's Foray--Successful At-

tack of Wayne on Stony Point-Lossing's Accusations refuted-Wretched

state of the Currency-Washington's Indignation against Speculators-

Count Vergennes' views of Washington-Suffering of the Troops in Winter

Quarters at Morristown-The Life Guard-Death of the Spanish Agent-

Washington partakes of the Communion in a Presbyterian Church-National

Bankruptcy threatened-Arrival of Lafayette with the news of a large

French Force having sailed Noble Conduct of the Ladies of Philadelphia,

and of Robert Morris, in Supplying the Soldiers with Clothing.

CHAPTER XII.

Fall of Charleston-Arrival of the French Fleet-Defeat of Gates -- Washington

visits Rochambeau-Treason of Arnold-Arrest of André - His Execution-

Cornwallis in the South-Project of an Attack on New York-Suffering of the

Troops-Mutiny in Wayne's Command-Mutiny of the New Jersey Troops,

and prompt action of Washington-Inefficiency of Congress, and jealousies

of the States--Arnold's Expedition into Virginia-Action between the Eng.

lish and French fleet-Lafayette sent South to coöperate with Steuben-

Operations in Virginia-Washington's Letter to the Manager of his Estate-

State of the Army-Letter to Paul Jones-Patriotism of Robert Morris-

Washington prepares to attack New York-Cornwallis retreats before La-

fayette to Yorktown-The allied Army marches rapidly South-Washing-

ton visits Mount Vernon-Arrival of the French Fleet in the Chesapeake-

Anxiety of Washington-Yorktown invested-Progress and Incidents of

the Siege-Capitulation of the Army-Excitement and joy of the Ameri-

can People-Effect of the News on the British Ministry.

CHAPTER XIII.

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Sickness and Death of young Custis-Departure of the French Fleet-Desti-

nation of the Troops-Circular Letter to the States-Lincoln Secretary of

War-Green around Charleston-Head-quarters at Newburgh-The Temple

-Case of Captain Huddy and Captain Asgill-Defeat of the English Minis-

try-Proposal to make Washington king-Settlement of the case of young

Asgill-Meeting of French and American Troops at King's Ferry-Desti-

tution of the Officers-Washington's views on the subject "Newburgh