American fights and fighters

Prefatory Note

This book is designed to call to the attention of those interested in our early struggles, some of the most remarkable of the great battles, heroic achievements and desperate undertakings through which we became a nation. No attempt has been made to cover all the events in the wars referred to. The author has chosen such as would serve to present a variety of incident, to illustrate the period and to exhibit the leaders and men. In the compiling of this book he has freely used every available source of information to which he had access, including the numerous printed volumes on the subject, and much material in manuscript form. Although the sketches are intended for popular reading, it is believed that they are accurate and reliable. Other volumes of the same character, covering the history of the wars and adventures in wdiich we have been interested, from the voyages of Columbus to the capture of Manila, are in contemplation and preparation. That the stories may serve to stimulate patriotism and love of country, and to encourage men to consecrate themselves, witH the devotion of their forefathers, to the civic battles for freedom and honor which are still to be waged, is the hope of the author.

C. T. B.

Philadelphia, Pa., 1900.

Part I THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION 1775—1783

PAGE

How THE South was Saved to the Revolution . . 3

I. Trenton 16

II. Princeton 27

I. The Defeat of the Detachments .... 56

II. Fort Stanwix. Oriskany 62

III. Bennington 67

I. The End of the Main Army ..... 71

II. Stillwater 76

III. Saratoga and the Surrender 80

GREENE'S CAMPAIGN IN THE CAROLINAS

I. The Beginning, The Cowpens and Guilford Court

House 84

GREENE'S CAMPAIGN IN THE CAROLINAS

II. Hobkirk's Hill, Eutaw Springs and the end . 102

I. Ticonderoga 117

II. Stony Point 121

III. Paulus Hook 125

X Contents

SOME MINOR SEA-FIGHTS OF THE REVOLUTION page

I. BiDDLE AND THE RANDOLPH 128

II. Nicholson and the Trumbull 132

III. Barney and THE //kd^,s ^z,i:K 136

IV. Barry and the Alliance o 139

Contents xi