Daring deeds of American heroes, with biographical sketches

Preface

The object of the following pages is to place upon permanent record a continuous account of tlie "daring deeds" of the heroes of our country. The work makes no claims to originality of matter. We have gathered from all authentic sources within our reach interesting and important incidents v/liich have transpired from the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle, to the conclusion of tlie Mexican war, whether upon sea or land, in which our countrymen have borne a part. Our design has been to form a book of attractive and popular reading — to embalm in the memory of the American people, the sacrifices, the patriotism, tha heroism, the sufferings and dangers of those to whom we owe the achievement and the preservation of our freedom. The Revolutionary struggle was indeed a time of peril. Its history has been written by able hands ; but history deals in general facts — in great achievements, and great results. Those lesser details — deeply interesting and thrilling in themselves — those personal adventures that go to make up the Romance of War, are passed by, and only exist as fragments, scattered through ephemeral works,

IV PREFACE without continuity or relation. It is our purpose to give these form and shape, in connection with the more important events which have transpired in the wars of our country. What is true of the Revolution, is equally true of the second contest with Great Britain, the Mexican and Indian wars.

Whatever may be said by the man of Peace, that in which any people most glory is the martial achievements of their renowned Heroes. It has been so from the beginning, and will continue to be, for ought we know, to the end. Search history through, back to the remotest antiquity, and prominent upon its pages, stands the record of great and startling military achievements. The American people partake in this universal sentiment. To stimulate it, and keep it ahve, they have the additional one of gratitude to their Heroes for the liberty which they have given them — for the free institutions which are the result of their ^^ daring deedsr If the following pages contribute to perpetuate this sentiment of gratitude, to keep burning pure and bright the fire upon the altar of patriotism, our end will have been accomphshed.

Contents

Introduction 9

Battle of Lexington 17

Fight at Concord Bridge 23

Introduction

his home and his happy fireside, for the tented field, the camp of war. The instruments of peace were wrought into instruments of death, and the patriot marched forth to meet the oppressor with a firm resolve to conquer or die. The farewell prayer was said, and the last ofiering made upon the altar of domestic affection.

Thus commenced the struggle for the achievement of our country's independence. Such the spirit of our fathers. The fire which had been enkindled at Lexington and Bunker Hill continued its course, burning fiercer and brighter, and gain ing strength as it passed over the land. It sped like a wild contagion, as it were, upon the wings of the wind. It ascended the hills of New England, and shed its light afar off upon the waters of the south. One spirit -one mind animated the people. They saw their country threatened with subjection to the will of a tyrant Ministry, on the one handstripped of its rights and privileges - while, on the other, war-desolating war-stared them in the face, with all its horroi-s. Bat a spirit of resistance, deep and strong, is abroadthe crisis is passed -all is staked upon the issue of the contest. This was an age of heroes. They fearlessly bai-ed their bosoms to the storm, to avert the destiny which threatened the country they loved. The struggle was long and bloody. All the evils which humanity can suffer, they endured. But they shrank no*, nor faltered. The polar star of their hop. Btiil rose above '^he troubled hoiizon, to light them on, an

INTRODTJCTION. xiil

the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did the children of Israel in the wilderness. At times it is indeed obscured by the clouds of defeat — but they, vanquished, despair not of the result. Their cause is approved of Heaven, and cheered by its smiles, they persevere. The Eagle of Freedom flutters aloft over the prostrate Lion of the boasted power of Britain. Peace crowns the efforts of patriotism, and Liberty, the first born of Heaven, is the reward of the toils of the oppressed. Its banner is yet floating over us, and palsied be the hand that would dishonor it.

Our fathers of the Revolution laid the foundation and commenced the superstructure — leaving to future generations the task of completing the glorious edifice, they so auspiciously began. Their difficulties and dangers ended not with the close of the war. They found themselves, it is true, independent of British rule — free from the oppressions that had impelled them to take up arms. But this was all. Chaos was before them. An exhausted country was around them. Devastation had marked the footsteps of the invaders — thi arts of peace had been neglected, and the country was without resources. The Colonies were held together only by the recollection of common sufierings, and common dangers. The instrument which connected them was but as a rope of sand. A government was to be formed, and institutions molded. Conflicting interests and prejudices were to be hat monized, and a new order of things established.

XIV INTRODUCTION.

But the same oveiTuIing Providence that guided them safely through the long and fearful struggle, was with them still. As He had given them valor in war, so He gave them wisdom in council. They saw and fully appreciated the dangers to which their liberated country was exposed. The wise men of the nation — many of those who had periled their " hves, their fortunes, and their sacred honors," for the achievement of its liberties, were called by the people to devise ways and means to meet the crisis. They proved themselves equal to the emergency, and the American constitution was the result of their labors. That instrument — the perfection of human wisdom, as applied to the formation of government, yet remains in its original strength and purity — the palladium of our hberty — the admiration of the world. Under it, the union of the States was effected. Since then, their progress has been onward and upward. From thirteen, they have become thirty-one, and the three million of inhabitants have increased to twenty-three million. That this Union, so fraught with national and individual blessings — so necessary for the protection and preservation of civil, political, and religious liberty, may be preserved in its integrity is the prayer of every patriot heart.

After the formation of the government order soon came Dut of confusion, and what before was without form and void, assumed shape and fair proportions. Peace continued to abide within our borders for over a quarter of a century,

IXTEODUCTIO:??. XV

interrupted only by slight difficulties witli France, the Barbary Powers, and an occasional conflict Tnth the savages.

But England had never, in fact, conceded our fidl independence. She had ceased to demand of us allegiance, it is true; but she interposed other demands equally humiliating, to our national pride, and contrary to every principle of international law. lucreasing in impudence as we forebore to chastise her arrogance, she continued her encroachments and rose in her demands and pretensions until the spirit of the country was aroused. A second war ensued. In this, too, our countrymen desplayed deeds of daring equal to those of the Revolutionary period. Hadng accomphshed the objects for which the war was commenced, and again humbled the pride of England, an honorable peace was concluded.

Our country enjoyed a long period of trauquihty, accompanied by physical and moral progress unparalleled in the history of the world. A few Indian wars alone break the monotony of our history until 1846, when we suddenly found ourselves involved in a war with a neighboring Republic. This contest, too, was fruitful of '• Daring Deeds," but is so recent that it is unnecessary to more than allude to it here.

Incidents in the history of our country are valuable for study. The record of what our ancestors have achieved and suffered to purchase our liberties, will impress upon the minds of the young an idea of their priceless value. Let the children of America je early imbued with a love for their country.

xvi

INTR ODTJCTION.

Teach them the principles of true patriotism, by the way and by the fireside; going out and coming in. Rehearse to them while in their infant years, the story of the Pilgrims Tell them the story of the Revolution, and their love of country shall "grow with theu- growth, and strengthen witt their strength."

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OF

7VMEP1ICAN IIEHOES.