1775]

FALL OF WARREN.

91

clubbed muskets. But it was useless to resist, and a retreat was ordered.

4. As they were leaving the works, General Warren, a distinguished patriot, fell mortally wounded. Prescott had offered

him the command in the morning. He declined it, saying he had come to learn, and served in the ranks as a private. The British general rejoiced at his

fall, saying it was worth that of five hundred ordi

nary soldiers.

5. Though driven from their ground, the Ameri

cans had

greatly the

advantage at

Bunker Hill.

They lost less

than half as

many men as the British,

and, if their

ammunition

Bunker Hill Monument.

had lasted, would doubtless have remained masters of the

take place? (See map.)-4. Who was killed, as the Americans were leaving the works? What had passed between Warren and Colonel Prescott? How did the British general feel, when he heard of Warren's fali?--5. Which party had the advantage in the battle of Bunker Hill? What monument has since

field. A splendid monument has since been raised near the spot where Warren fell, to commemorate this battle.

6. Among those who did good service at Bunker Hill was Gen. Putnam. He was ploughing when he heard of the battle of Lexington. Leaving his plough in the field, without even waiting to change his clothes, he mounted his horse and galloped off for Cambridge. He had served in the French and Indian War, and was nearly sixty years old; but he was strong and brave as ever.

7. Putnam's farm was in Connecticut. Here, when a young man, he was much troubled by a cunning wolf that prowled about the country, destroying what she could, and always escaping the hunters. In one night she killed seventy of his sheep and goats. Putnam and several of his neighbors resolved to hunt her to the death. They tracked her to her den, which was a deep cavern, and tried to drive her out by throwing in burning straw and sulphur; but in vain. The dogs were then sent in. They soon came out howling and badly wounded, and refused to return.

8. At last, Putnam threw off his coat, tied a rope to one of his legs, and with a torch in one hand and his loaded gun in the other, descended into the den. His companions, who were anxiously listening above, soon heard an angry growl and the sharp crack of a musket. They drew Putnam up. Again he descended, and this time, on being drawn up, he had the dead wolf by the ears.

9. Many a thrilling scene had "old Put", as his friends called him, passed through. He once, at the risk of his life, and not without some dreadful burns, saved Fort Edward from being consumed, and the magazine from exploding. At another time, he was captured by a party of Indians, who prepared to torture him. They tied him to a tree, piled up fagots around him, and set them on fire. A thunder-shower put out the flames. Again they lighted the pile. Hope had died in Putbeen raised?-6. Who did good service at Bunker Hill? How was Putnam employed when he heard of the battle of Lexington? What did he do? In what war had he served? How old was he at this time ?-7, 8. Tell the story of Putnam and the wolf.-9. What did Putnam once do, at the risk of his life?

1775]

INVASION OF CANADA.

93

nam's bosom, when a French officer burst through the bushes, hurled the savages right and left, scattered the blazing wood, and released the prisoner.

10. Shortly before the Revolution, General Gage, in Putnam's presence, expressed the opinion that five thousand British veterans could march from one end of America to the other unharmed. "So they might," replied Putnam, "if they behaved themselves properly, and paid for what they wanted. But should they attempt it as enemies, the American women would knock them on the head with their ladles."

LESSON XXXI.

INVASION OF CANADA.-SIEGE OF BOSTON.

1. Ethan Allen had failed to take Montreal. This did not prevent Congress from carrying on the invasion of Canada. They hoped the Canadians would join in the Revolution. Besides, they wanted to secure a large amount of stores deposited at Quebec. General Montgomery was placed at the head of the invading force. Before long, St. John's and Montreal, two important posts, had surrendered. Quebec remained. But the American soldiers had enlisted for a certain time; this time was up. Most of them insisted on returning, and Montgomery was left with but a small part of his force.

2. Just at this time, Benedict Arnold was leading a body of Americans to join their countrymen in Canada. They were pushing their way through the northern part of Maine, a pathless wilderness, and came near perishing from cold, sickness, and hunger. On one occasion, they had eaten their last ox, their last dog, and had nothing but roots and their moose-skin

Give an account of his rescue from the Indians by a French officer.-10. What anecdote is related of Putnam and General Gage?

1. What did Congress proceed to carry on? What was their object in invading Canada? To whom did they give the command of the expedition? What places surrendered? What place remained? What difficulty did Montgomery now meet with ?-2. Who were at this time making their way to join

moccasins to live on, when they were relieved by the arrival of timely supplies.

3. Joined by this heroic band, Montgomery lost no time in laying siege to Quebec. But his few small cannon could make no impression on its strong walls. At last, it was resolved to storm the place. The attack was made by Montgomery and Arnold at different points. It was a desperate attempt to make with only nine hundred effective men.

4. In spite of a blinding snow-storm, the Americans advanced bravely to the assault. But it was in vain. Montgomery was shot down at the head of his men. Arnold was disabled by a bullet in the leg. The muskets of many of the Americans were rendered useless by the snow. One party was obliged to surrender on the spot. The rest continued the siege till they heard that a powerful British army was approaching. Then they hastily retreated; and soon all Canada was again in the hands of the British.

5. The King and Parliament found it was not so easy to conquer "the rebels" as they had expected. So they sent to Germany, and hired a number of Hessians, as they were called, to come and fight for them. In the mean time, Congress was busy in collecting stores and buying powder. They urged Washington to attack the British at Boston, with the force collected under his command at Cambridge. But ammunition was scarce; the men, brave as they were, needed discipline; so that Washington did not think it prudent to take the field till the spring of 1776. 6. Dorchester Heights command the city and harbor of Boston. Early in March, General Washington sent a body of men by night to throw up intrenchments there. It was hard work,

Montgomery? Give an account of the sufferings of Arnold's party.-3. When this party arrived, what did Montgomery do? What success did he meet with in the siege? At last, what desperate resolve was formed?-4. Give an account of the attack on Quebec. What was one party of the Americans obliged to do? What was done by the rest? How long did they remain before Quebec ?— 5. Whom did the King and Parliament hire to fight for them in America? In the mean time, what was Congress doing? What did they urge Washington to do? Why was he unwilling to attack the British? When did he take the field? 6. What was Washington's first movement? What did the British

1776]

SIEGE OF BOSTON.

95

for the ground was frozen. The Americans, however, plied their pick-axes diligently, and by morning had raised a strong breastwork of earth. When the British general saw what had been done, he determined to dislodge the enemy. But a storm set in, and before it ceased the Americans had fortified themselves so strongly that he was afraid to make the attempt.

7. As the cannon on Dorchester Heights swept the whole of Boston, the British army had to leave, or evacuate, the city. They sailed away in their ships, to the great joy of the patriots. Those who had remained in the city during the siege had suffered much. Besides being insulted and maltreated by the soldiers, they could hardly get food to eat or wood to keep them warm. After first sailing to the north, the British general landed his men on Staten Island, with the view of attacking New York. Washington had already reached the city and prepared for its defence.

LESSON XXXII.

ATTACK ON CHARLESTON.-DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

1. In June, 1776, the people of South Carolina heard that a strong British fleet, with large army on board, was about to attack Charleston. They quickly erected a fort of palmettowood and earth, and garrisoned it with brave men under Colonel Moultrie. They did not have to wait long for the enemy. One British ship came up after another, and soon a heavy fire was opened on the fort. But it did little harm. Palmetto-wood is soft; and the balls, in stead of splitting or tearing it, sank into it without doing any injury.

general determine to do? What prevented him from making the attempt?— 7. What were the British then obliged to do? How had those patriots who had stayed in Boston suffered? Where did the British go? Who had preceded them?

1. What did the people of South Carolina hear in June, 1776? What did they do, on learning this? What soon appeared? What was the effect of the