LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

STEEL ENGRAVINGS.

Portrait of Washington, from an Original Painting by Stuart in the Boston Athenæum
Putnam Receiving the Intelligence of the Battle of Lexington
Portrait of Washington at the age of Forty, from an Original Painting in the possession
of George W. P. Custis
Lafayette's Last Interview with Louis Sixteenth and Marie Antoinette before his De-
parture for America.

Washington at Valley Forge

Mercer mortally wounded at Princeton

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115

209

231

311

323

The Bellman informed of the Passage of the Declaration of Independence

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

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

Sent to District School-Early History-Appointed Surveyor-Forest Life

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 Explorations-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

York-His Return.

CHAPTER III.

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.

ix

CHAPTER IV.

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.

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 Harlem 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-Manoeuvre of Howe and

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

ton.

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.

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

of the Northern Army, etc.

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.

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.