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1780]

ARNOLD'S TREASON.

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gloomy; and, to make matters worse, a treacherous blow was just at this time aimed at the patriot cause. Arnold, whose bravery at Quebec and Stillwater you have read of, became a traitor. He was in command of a strong fortress that had been built by the Americans at West Point. This post he offered to betray to the British, on condition that they would make him a general in their army, and give him about fifty thousand dollars.

8. Major Andre, an accomplished British officer, was sent up from New York to arrange the terms with Arnold. He came within the American lines, and, having agreed with the traitor and received the necessary papers, set out on his return. When he had almost reached the British outposts, he was stopped by three American militia-men. On examining him, they found the papers in his stockings. Refusing an offer of ten thousand guineas to let him go, these honest patriots took their prisoner to the nearest American post. After a fair trial, he was hanged as a spy.

9. Arnold heard of Andre's capture in time to escape to a British vessel. Receiving his promised rank in the British army, he afterwards showed his hatred of the patriots by ravaging different parts of the country. But British as well as Americans despised him.

10. Washington was very anxious to capture the traitor, and a plan was formed for that purpose. A Virginian pretended to desert, and joined Arnold's legion. The traitor's quarters were then in New York, near the Hudson River; and the plan was to seize him, gag him, and take him in a boat across to New Jersey. Before it could be done, Arnold changed his quarters. He was afterwards sent to lay waste portions of Virginia, and there La Fayette tried to capture him, but without success..

cause? What post did Arnold command? What offer did he make to the British ?-8. Who was sent to confer with Arnold? What took place while Andre was returning? What was the fate of Andre ?-9. What did Arnold do, on hearing of Andre's capture? How did Arnold afterwards distinguish himself? How was he looked upon ?-10. What plan was formed for capturing Arnold? How was it defeated? Who subsequently tried to take him?

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LESSON XL.

KING'S MOUNTAIN.-COWPENS.-GUILFORD COURT-HOUSE.

1. After his victory at Camden, Cornwallis proceeded to reduce North Carolina. He sent a detachment to the mountains, to enroll the tories and frighten the whigs. But the whig mountaineers were not easily frightened. They made powder for themselves, using the nitre they found in the caverns, and char coal burned on their own hearths. Giving chase to the British detachment mentioned above, they overtook it at King's Mountain, and made the whole party prisoners with but little loss.

2. Greene, on assuming command of the southern army, stationed detachments at several important points. One of these, under General Morgan, was attacked at Cowpens by Tarle'-ton, a British officer famous for his courage and cruelty. Tarleton's men charged with their usual fierceness, but were received by Morgan's riflemen so firmly that they wavered. At this crisis, a charge from Colonel Washington's cavalry decided the day. The British were defeated, with the loss of many men and much of their baggage.

3. As Colonel Washington was charging at full speed in this battle, he encountered Tarleton. Both were good swordsmen, but Tarleton was wounded, and had to turn and flee. Soon after this, in a gay company, Tarleton sneered at the American officers, and said above all he should like to see that famous hero, Colonel Washington. "You might have done so, colonel," answered a whig lady who was present, "if you had only looked behind you at the battle of Cowpens."

4. Colonel Washington was as good at stratagem as he was brave. He once appeared before a British redoubt, which was

1. After his victory at Camden, what did Cornwallis proceed to do? What was done by some whig mountaineers? What was the result of the battle of King's Mountain ?-2. Whom did General Greene station at Cowpens? By whom was Morgan attacked? Give an account of the battle.-3. Describe the encounter between Colonel Washington and Tarleton. What rebuke did Tarleton soon after receive ?-4. Give an account of Colonel Washington's

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MORGAN AND GREENE'S RETREAT.

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too strong to be taken without artillery. Having no cannon, he cut a pine log, and mounted it on wheels so as to resemble one. Parading this in front of his force, he summoned the British to surrender. The stratagem succeeded. Frightened by Colonel Washington's pine log, they laid down their arms without delay.

5. Tarleton's defeat at Cowpens made Cornwallis very angry. Setting out at once in pursuit of Morgan, he reached the Catawba River just two hours after the Americans had crossed it. Night was near at hand, and he determined to wait where he was till morning. During the night a rain set in, and swelled the river so that for three days it was impassable. Meanwhile, Greene had hastened to help Morgan conduct the retreat. When near the army, he entered an inn, drenched with rain and almost in despair. His kind hostess, after preparing his dinner, brought him all her money, and told him to devote it to the cause of freedom.

The

6. Greene continued the retreat as rapidly as possible, and crossed the Yadkin. Before the British arrived, another heavy rain commenced, and the river became impassable. Crossing higher up, Cornwallis pressed on to intercept the Americans before they reached the Dan. But he did not succeed. Americans, almost sinking with fatigue, reached the ford first, and got across in safety. Here Cornwallis gave up the pursuit. We can hardly form an idea of the hardships suffered by the Americans in this retreat. Their shoes and clothes were worn out. During the whole time, they had eaten but one meal a day, and had slept in the open air.

7. As soon as his men were rested, Greene again took the field. He followed the enemy into North Carolina, and gave them battle at Guilford Court-House. The British had the

better in this engagement. But their victory was so dearly

stratagem.-5. What was done by Cornwallis, on hearing of Tarleton's defeat at Cowpens? How were the Americans saved at the Catawba? What befell General Greene about this time?-6. How were the Americans saved at the Yadkin? After crossing the Yadkin, what did Cornwallis try to do? Did he succeed? What is said of the hardships of the Americans ?-7. Where was the next battle fought? What was its result? What did Cornwallis think it best to do? Where did he afterwards go? How much property was destroyed

bought that Cornwallis thought it prudent to fall back. He soon after took command of the detachment that had been sent out under Arnold to ravage Virginia. This was pleasant work for Arnold, Tarleton, and Cornwallis. They managed to destroy ten million dollars' worth of property in the spring and summer of 1781. After this, Cornwallis collected his forces, and fortified himself at Yorktown, Virginia.

8. Meanwhile, Marion and Lee were busy in Carolina. They took one British post after another. The patriotism of Mrs. Motte, a noble whig lady, is worthy of being remembered. A party of British had seized her house. Marion and Lee were besieging it, when they heard that a large British army was but a few miles off. Rather than have them give up the attack, Mrs. Motte insisted on their setting fire to her fine house, to dislodge the enemy. It was done; and the British had to hang out a white flag as a signal of surrender.

9. Among other important posts, Georgetown (see map, p. 68) fell before Marion and Lee. In the attack on this place, the Americans had driven the enemy from an enclosure, and the latter advanced to recover it. "Rush on!" said the British leader; "they are only worthless militia, and have no bayonets." Sergeant Ord immediately placed himself in the gate of the enclosure. As the British came up, he struck down one after another with his sword, crying, "Any bayonets here? None at all, to be sure." The British recoiled before his single arm, and gave up the attack.

LESSON XLI.

EUTAW.-YORKTOWN.-CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION.

1. After the battle of Guilford Court-House, Greene marched into South Carolina, against the army which Cornwallis had left

by the British in Virginia? Where did Cornwallis then collect his forces ?— 8. What were Marion and Lee now doing? What took place at Mrs. Motte's? -9. Relate an incident connected with the attack on Georgetown.

1. Where did Greene go after the battle of Guilford Court-House? Where

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BATTLE OF EUTAW SPRINGS.

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there to keep the patriots in check. He met with a reverse at Hobkirk's Hill, but, with the aid of Marion, Lee, Sumter, and Pickens, most of the state was soon recovered from the British. Greene at last gave battle to the main body of the enemy at Eutaw Springs. Both parties fought with desperate courage.

2. During the battle, a party of British retired into a brick dwelling, and closed the doors so quickly as to shut out one of their own officers. As the Americans came up to the attack, he pompously presented himself to their colonel, enumerating all his titles. "Sir, I am deputy adjutant-general of the British army, secretary of the commander, captain of the 52nd regiment-" "Enough," interrupted the colonel; “you are just the man I was looking for. I'll take good care of you;" and holding his prisoner between himself and the British guns, he screened his person till he had accomplished what he wanted, and retired out of danger.

3. The British gave way before the steady courage of Greene's men. The latter, thinking the battle was over, fell upon the captured stores. Seeing them thus employed, the enemy rallied and renewed the attack. The Americans were taken by surprise, but Greene succeeded in drawing off his men with some loss. The British had suffered so much, that the next day their commander destroyed his stores and returned to Charleston.

4. A French fleet, sent over to aid the Americans, arrived off the coast of Virginia in the summer of 1781. Washington had been threatening the British army in New York. Now, however, he marched rapidly to the south, to join the French in surrounding Cornwallis. General Clinton, who commanded in New York, did not discover this movement till it was too late to prevent it. La Fayette's division was already in Virginia. Towards the close of September, the French and American

did he meet with a reverse? What did he soon succeed in doing? Where did he give battle to the main body of the enemy?-2. Relate an anecdote about a British officer at Eutaw.-3. Give an account of the battle of Eutaw. What was done by the British commander the next day?-4. Where did a French fleet appear in the summer of 1781? What was at once done by Washington?

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