Produced by Ron Swanson [Frontispiece: "'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"] HERO STORIES FROM AMERICAN HISTORY _FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS_ BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AUTHOR OF "STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY," "THE STORY OF AMERICAN HISTORY," ETC., ETC. AND FRANCIS K. BALL INSTRUCTOR IN THE PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY GINN AND COMPANY BOSTON . NEW YORK . CHICAGO . LONDON ATLANTA . DALLAS . COLUMBUS . SAN FRANCISCO ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL COPYRIGHT, 1903, BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AND FRANCIS K. BALL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The Athenaeum Press GINN AND COMPANY . PROPRIETORS . BOSTON . U.S.A. TO Edwin Ginn FINANCIER EDUCATOR PHILANTHROPIST PREFACE This book is intended to be used as a supplementary historical reader for the sixth and seventh grades of our public schools, or for any other pupils from twelve to fifteen years of age. It is also designed for collateral reading in connection with the study of a formal text-book on American history. The period here included is the first fifty years of our national life. No attempt has been made, however, to present a connected account, or to furnish a bird's-eye view, of this half century. It is the universal testimony of experienced teachers that such materials as are pervaded with reality serve a useful purpose with young pupils. The reason is plain. Historical matter that is instinct with human life attracts and holds the attention of boys and girls, and whets their desire to know more of the real meaning of their country's history. For this reason the authors have selected rapid historical narratives, treating of notable and dramatic events, and have embellished them with more details than is feasible within the limits of most school-books. Free use has been made of personal incidents and anecdotes, which thrill us because of their human element, and smack of the picturesque life of our forefathers. It has seemed advisable to arrange the subjects in chronological order. As the various chapters have appeared in proof, they have been put to a practical test in the sixth grade in several grammar schools. In a number of instances the pupils learned that, in the first reading, some of the stories were less difficult than others. From the nature of the subject-matter this is inevitable. For instance, it was found easier, and doubtless more interesting, to read "The Patriot Spy" and "A Daring Exploit" before beginning "The Hero of Vincennes" and "The Crisis." "Old Ironsides" will at first probably appeal to more young people than "The Final Victory." An historical reader would truly be of little value if it could be read at a glance, like so many insipid storybooks, and then thrown aside.