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1813]

COMMODORE PERRY'S VICTORY.

151

not be taken till all the garrison had fallen, and therefore a massacre could do them no harm. The British at once opened a brisk cannonade.

6. Croghan had but one cannon. To make the enemy believe he had more, he fired it first from one point of the fort and then from another. After a while he saw the British gathering for an attack. Loading his single cannon to the muz‚zle, he brought it to bear upon them, and quietly awaited their approach. They were soon within thirty feet. At this moment the cannon was fired. Whole ranks were swept down, and a deadly volley from the muskets of the garrison followed. A retreat was ordered and the next day the siege was abandoned.

7. In the summer of 1813, Commodore Perry was sent to Lake Erie. The British had command of the lake, and Perry was sent to take it from them. The United States had no vessels there. But there were plenty of trees growing on the shore, and out of these Perry built his own vessels. He soon had a little fleet ready, and stood out to give battle to the British. Many Indians were gathered on an island in the lake, to see the engagement.

8. As soon as the British were ready, they sailed out of port to meet the Americans. The action was a hot one. Perry's flag-ship engaged the two largest vessels of the enemy, and was badly cut up. Leaping into a boat, Perry then made for another of his vessels. As he passed within pistol-shot of the enemy, he stood proudly erect, heeding not the balls that fell around him. To the wonder of all, he reached the deck of the Niagara uninjured, and the battle was renewed.

9. The breeze now freshened. Perry took advantage of it to plunge through the enemy's line, and give a raking fire right and left. This decided the day. The British commander hauled

render, and how did Croghan answer it?-6. Give an account of the attack and defence of this post. What was the result?-7. In the summer of 1813, who was sent to Lake Erie? For what purpose? Where did Perry get his vessels? Where were a number of Indians assembled ?-8. Give an account of the action. When Perry's flag-ship was disabled, what bold manœuvre did he perform ?-9. What movement of Perry's decided the day? What did the British commander do? What is said of the number of prisoners taken? In

down his colors and surrendered his fleet. The number of prisoners taken was greater than that of Perry's men who survived the battle.

10. Perry was a man of few words. He announced his glorious victory to General Harrison in the following brief dispatch: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours-two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and a sloop." Men who do much, can afford to say little.

LESSON L.

HARRISON'S INVASION OF CANADA.- --CREEK WAR.

1. The British were dismayed at Perry's victory. General Harrison at once followed it up with an invasion of Canada. Proctor and Tecumseh had hastily retreated. Harrison overtook them at the Thames [temz] River (see map, p. 148). He found the British drawn up on a strip of land between the river and a swamp, held by Tecumseh and his warriors. In extending his line across this strip, Proctor had weakened it too much. Observing this, Harrison directed Colonel Johnson to charge the enemy's front with his Kentucky horsemen.

2. The order was gallantly obeyed. The Kentuckians forced their way completely through the British ranks, and formed in the rear. The enemy, thus finding themselves between two fires, threw down their arms. Proctor escaped only by the swiftness of his horse. The Indians were now to be dislodged from the swamp. Again the fearless Kentuckians advanced to the charge. They were warmly received, and many a saddle

what part of Lake Erie did this action take place? (See map, p. 148.)—10. How did Perry announce his victory to General Harrison?

1. How did Harrison follow up Perry's victory? What had Proctor and Tecumseh done? Where did Harrison overtake them? How were the British posted? What mistake had Proctor made? How did Harrison avail himself of it?-2. Give an account of the charge of the Kentuckians. What was its

1813]

BATTLE OF THE THAMES.

153

was emptied. But, while the battle was at its height, Tecumseh received a bullet in his breast.

3. The chief had expected it. "My body," said he, before the action commenced, "will remain on the field of battle." Stepping forward, he gave his last command, and fell dead at the foot of a tree. His men were seized with horror. The chief who had so often led them to victory was no more. They threw away their arms and fled. The battle of the Thames was Michigan was recovered. The western frontier was

won. safe.

4. The Creeks had not forgotten Tecumseh's eloquent harangues. In the summer of 1813, a league was formed against the United States by a number of southern tribes. The settlers in what is now Alabama became alarmed and took refuge in the nearest forts. The crafty Wetherford was at the head of the Creeks. He commenced the war with a cruel blow at the whites. Lurking around Fort Mimms till he found the gates unguarded, he and his followers rushed in, set fire to the buildings, and massacred all, men, women, and children, without mercy.

5. A large force was at once called into the field to avenge this massacre. The Tennesseeans reached the ground first. They were commanded by Andrew Jackson, a man of iron will, whom the Indians called "the Sharp Knife". Jackson and his men lost no time in attacking the Creek villages. The Indians fought desperately, trusting to the magic spells of their "medicine-men". But they found that magic availed little against lead and steel. They were defeated in every battle with great loss.

6. Before long Jackson's men began to suffer from want of food. Their supplies failed to arrive. They could find nothing effect? Whom did the Kentuckians next charge? How were they received? -3. Give an account of the fall of Tecumseh. What followed?-4. What took place among the Creeks in the summer of 1813? What did the settlers in Alabama do? How did Wetherford commence the war?-5. What measures were taken to avenge this massacre? Who reached the ground first? By whom were the Tennesseeans commanded? What success did they have?-6. From what did Jackson's men begin to suffer? What did this lead them to

to eat in the wilderness but acorns. For a time they bore their hardships patiently, but at last they declared they would remain no longer. They had already commenced their march for home, when Jackson appeared before them on horseback. His left arm, which had been shattered by a bullet, was in a sling. His

[graphic]

Jackson quelling a Mutiny among his Troops.

right hand grasped a musket, and he warned them that he would shoot down the first man that advanced another step. The men knew he would keep his word, and ashamed of their mutiny, one after another, they returned to duty.

7. About this time, another invading army reached what the Creeks called their beloved ground. This they regarded as, sacred, and their prophet had made them believe that here no foe could harm them. They fought long and well, but were again defeated with heavy loss. In the spring of 1814, Jackson put an end to the war by a decisive victory. A great number of Creeks, with their women and children, had gathered in the

do? How did Jackson quell the mutiny ?-7. Give an account of the defeat of the Creeks on their beloved ground. When and how did Jackson put an end

1814]

WAR WITH THE CREEKS.

155

bend of a river, and thrown up a breastwork of logs for their defence in front. They were here totally defeated. Their prophet was killed, and the power of their nation destroyed.

8. Immediately after this battle, Jackson was sitting alone in his tent at sunset, when a noble-looking Indian entered. "I am Wetherford," said he. "My people are all gone. My warriors can no longer hear my voice. I have come to ask peace for myself and the few that remain. You are a brave man. I rely upon your generosity." Wetherford's request was granted. He was allowed to go back to the forest to collect his scattered countrymen, and through his influence a treaty was made by the surviving Creeks with the United States.

9. In one of the battles with the Creeks, an Indian mother was among the slain. An infant boy was found upon her breast. He was brought to the camp, and Jackson tried to find a nurse for him among the Indian women who had been taken. But they turned away, saying, "His mother is dead, let the child die too." Not so thought the tender-hearted general. Amid all the labors of the camp, he found time to feed him with his own hands. The orphan grew to be a beautiful and promising youth, and Jackson, who was childless, adopted him. But, before he reached manhood, he fell a victim to consumption.

10. From boyhood Andrew Jackson had displayed a noble spirit. When only thirteen years old, he shouldered a musket in the Revolutionary War. In a skirmish with the British, he was taken prisoner. To break the spirit of the young rebel, the British leader ordered him to clean his boots. Andrew refused, when the cowardly officer drew his sword, and aimed a blow at his head. Andrew saved his life by catching the blow on his left arm; but he received a wound which left a scar that he carried to the grave. You will learn how he afterwards paid back the British for this blow.

to the war?-8. What took place immediately after this battle? What passed between Wetherford and Jackson? What was the result?-9. Relate the incident connected with the Indian baby.-10. Tell the story about Jackson and the British officer.

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