LESSON LI. CLOSE OF THE WAR OF 1812. 1. The Americans continued unsuccessful in their attempts upon Canada, till General Brown assumed the command in the summer of 1814. Then their fortune at once changed. Crossing the Niagara River, Brown won the battle of Chippewa; and shortly after again defeated the enemy, who had been reënforced, at Bridgewater, or Lundy's Lane, close to the Falls of Niagara. Late in the year, besieged in Fort Erie by a large force of British, he surprised them with a wellplanned sally, drove them from their works with great loss, and compelled them to raise the siege. See if you can find these places on the map. 2. The battle of Bridgewater was one of the hottest actions in the war. General Scott, who was long at the head of our army, gained great glory in this engagement. Colonel Miller also distinguished himself. He was asked if he could take a British battery which swept the field and threatened the Americans with destruction. "I will try, sir," was his reply. He tried with such good effect that his men were soon firing on the British with their own guns. Three times the British endeavored to retake this battery, and three times they 1. Under whom, and when, did the Americans begin to be successful in Canada? Give an account of General Brown's movements.-2. What is said of the battle of Bridgewater? Who distinguished themselves in this battle? 1814] BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG. 157 were driven back. Not till midnight did they give it up and leave the Americans in possession of the field. 3. In September, a powerful British army and fleet made their appearance on Lake Champlain, with the view of penetrating through New York to the Hudson River. Plattsburg was the first point threatened. General Macomb [ma-koom'] quickly called out the militia, enrolling even boys that were old enough to handle a musket. Commodore McDonough [macdon'-o], by great exertions, got together a few vessels, and met the English commodore, Downie, who had boasted that with his flag-ship alone he could beat the whole American squadron. But, like most boasters, Downie was disappointed. McDonough gained a glorious victory over him at Plattsburg, and captured his whole fleet. The land forces, which had been repulsed by the militia while the naval battle was going on, retreated in hot haste that same night, leaving great quantities of stores behind. 4. In the summer of 1814, a British fleet appeared on the Atlantic coast, containing General Ross and four thousand veteran troops. Landing not far from the city of Washington, they set out for the capital. A body of militia was hastily raised, and an attempt made to arrest the march of the enemy, but it was unsuccessful. On the evening after the battle, the British entered the capital, the President and many of the inhabitants having fled before them. They set fire to the public buildings, destroyed a large amount of property, and then returned to their ships. 5. Ross then thought he would treat the city of Baltimore in the same way, but there he found the people better prepared. The fort in the harbor successfully resisted the British fleet, and an army of ten thousand men was drawn up to oppose Ross's veterans. While reconnoitring the Americans, Ross What is related of Colonel Miller ?-3. What place was attacked by the British in September, 1814? What measures were taken for the defence of Plattsburg? What boast had been made by Commodore Downie? What was the result of the battle?-4. Where did a British fleet appear in the summer of 1814? Whom did this fleet contain? Give an account of the descent on Washington.-5. What city did Ross next propose to ravage? How was Baltimore defended? himself received a mortal wound. His men tried to force a passage through the American lines, but were so warmly received that they gave up the attempt. The next day, they returned to their boats. Thus Baltimore escaped their ravages. 6. Late in the year, the people of New Orleans were dismayed by the news that an overwhelming force of British troops was about to make a descent on their city. Some thought it was vain to resist, and were for surrendering without a struggle. Fortunately, at this time, General Jackson ap What befell General Ross? How did the attack terminate ?-6. What unpleasant news did the people of New Orleans receive? What were some for doing? Who appeared among them at this time? What measures were taken 1814] BRITISH ATTACK ON NEW ORLEANS. 159 peared among them. He at once assumed the command, erected fortifications, and drilled the militia. He was supported by a number of gallant Tennesseeans, unerring marksmen, who were ever ready to take the field at his call. The British landed about the middle of December, and advanced to within nine miles of New Orleans. 7. After a bold night attack, in which his men behaved well, Jackson intrenched himself below the city, on a ditch which extended from the Mississippi River to a cypress swamp. The enemy came up, and planted their batteries nearer and nearer. But the Americans, though they had only ten cannon, returned their fire with spirit, and inflicted far more injury than they received. On the 8th of January, 1815, the British, led by General Pak'-en-ham, advanced to storm Jackson's works. They found the hero ready to receive them. 8. A terrible fire was poured on the advancing ranks of the British, both from the American cannon and from the rifles of men who seldom missed their aim. The enemy wavered. Fresh troops came up. "See that every shot tells!" thundered Jackson. Again the foe fell before those fatal discharges, and they retired in disorder. A few crossed the ditch, but were shot down on the parapet. Pakenham himself fell. The attempt was hopeless, and the British officer who succeeded to the command drew off his men, leaving two thousand on the field. Abandoning the attack, the British made for their ships as quickly as possible. The whole loss of the Americans was only twenty-seven men. 9. Before the battle, Jackson had taken very decided measures with the people. He made some of them soldiers in spite of themselves. A citizen called on him, to complain that his property had been seized by an officer. "Have you a musket?" asked Jackson. "No," answered the man. 66 'Here, guard," by Jackson? By whom was Jackson supported?-7. Where did Jackson intrench himself? What is said of the cannonading? On the 8th of January, 1815, what was done by the British ?-8. Describe the attempt of the British to storm Jackson's works. What was the issue of the battle? What was the American loss?-9. Tell how Jackson made one of the citizens a soldier in cried the general, "get this man a musket and put him in the ranks." He paid no attention to the courts, and after the battle was fined a thousand dollars by one of them for contempt. The amount was quickly raised by the people; but Jackson refused to receive it, and paid the fine himself. Many years afterwards, Congress refunded him the money. 10. The battle of New Orleans closed the war. A treaty of peace had been signed on the 24th of December, 1814. If the news had been received a little sooner, the British might have escaped their disastrous defeat. Every one was glad when peace was announced. Bells were rung and flags were hoisted. Commerce had been almost destroyed, and all kinds of business had suffered much during the war. JAMES LESSON LII. MONROE.-JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 1. On the 4th of March, 1817, James Monroe, of Virginia, became President. During his two terms, the people began to see the importance of roads and canals. Many internal improvements were commenced. Among these was the great Erie Canal in the state of New York, nearly four hundred miles long. It connects Lake Erie, at Buffalo, with the Hudson River, at Albany. This canal was building during the whole of Monroe's two terms. When completed, its good effects were felt throughout the north and west. 2. Soon after Monroe became President, a war with the Seminoles broke out. The Seminoles lived in Florida, which still belonged to Spain. Set on by the Spaniards and a couple of Englishmen, they commenced robbing and murdering on the frontier of Georgia and Alabama. Jackson, with a body of spite of himself. Tell the story about his being fined.-10. How and when was the war with Great Britain terminated? How was the news received? 1. Who became President, March 4th, 1817? What were commenced during his term of office? What great work was completed in 1825? What does the Erie Canal connect? What is said of its effects ?-2. What war broke out soon |