Hence, it is suggested that teachers, after becoming familiar with the general scope of this book and gauging with some care the capabilities of their pupils, should, if they find it for the best interests of their classes, change the order of the chapters for the first reading. But in the second, or review reading, they should follow the chronological order. The attention of teachers is called to the questions for review, the pronunciation of proper names, and the reference books and supplementary reading in American history mentioned after the chapters below. The index (also below) is made full for purposes of reference and review. In the preparation of this book, old journals, original records and documents, and sundry other trustworthy sources have been diligently consulted and freely utilized. We would acknowledge our indebtedness to Mrs. Janet Nettleton Ball, who has aided us materially at several stages of our work; and to Mr. Ralph Hartt Bowles, Instructor in English in The Phillips Exeter Academy, for valuable assistance in reading the manuscript and the proofs. ALBERT F. BLAISDELL, FRANCIS K. BALL. BOSTON, March, 1903. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE THE HERO OF VINCENNES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 CHAPTER II A MIDWINTER CAMPAIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 CHAPTER III HOW PALMETTO LOGS MAY BE USED . . . . . . . . . . . 36 CHAPTER IV THE PATRIOT SPY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 CHAPTER V OUR GREATEST PATRIOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 CHAPTER VI A MIDNIGHT SURPRISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 CHAPTER VII THE DEFEAT OF THE RED DRAGOONS . . . . . . . . . . 90 CHAPTER VIII FROM TEAMSTER TO MAJOR GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . 105 CHAPTER IX THE FINAL VICTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 CHAPTER X THE CRISIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 CHAPTER XI A DARING EXPLOIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 CHAPTER XII "OLD IRONSIDES" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 CHAPTER XIII "OLD HICKORY'S" CHRISTMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 CHAPTER XIV A HERO'S WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 * * * * * * QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 PRONUNCIATION OF PROPER NAMES . . . . . . . . . . . 231 BOOKS FOR REFERENCE AND READING IN THE STUDY OF AMERICAN HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 {1} HERO STORIES FROM AMERICAN HISTORY CHAPTER I THE HERO OF VINCENNES