two pieces of cannon, took his station on a high hill by the meeting-house. From this position he poured a raking fire upon the enemy, but at length, perceiving that his little force was in danger of destruction, he ordered his men to retreat into a neighboring swamp, while he himself put spurs to his horse, and rushed down a steep precipice at full gallop. A musket ball, it is said, passed through his hat, but he escaped without injury.

vigorous constitution, great bodily strength, enterprise, and activity. He removed to Pomfret, in Connecticut, in 1739, and in 1757 was promoted to the rank of major by the legislature of that state. Putnam received the intelli gence of the battle of Lexington, as he was ploughing in the middle of a field. He left his plough there, unyoked his oxen, and without changing his clothes, set off for the scene of action. Learning the situation of things, he returned to Connecticut, levied a regiment, and marched to Cambridge. He was now appointed a major-general, and acted a very important part during the war. After the loss of fort Montgomery, situated in the highlands on the Hudson, Washington determined to build another fortification, and he directed Putnam to fix upon the spot, To him belongs the praise of having chosen West Point. On a certain occasion, a tory from the British army was detected in Putnam's camp. Governor Tryon claimed him as a British officer, threaten. ing vengeance if he was not restored. General Putnam wrote the following pithy reply.

"Sir,-Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's service, was taken in my camp as a spy, he was tried as a spy,-he was condemned as a spy,-and he shall be hanged as a spy.

"P. S. Afternoon.-He is hanged."

ISRAEL PUTNAM.

In 1779, he was seized with a paralytic affliction which impaired the activ. ity of his body, and put an end to his military career. He spent the remainder of his days in retirement, and died at Brooklyn, Connecticut, May 29, 1790.

6. About this time General Wayne took by storm a strong British post at Stony Point, on the Hudson. The assault was made about midnight. The troops rushed forward through a tremendous fire from the garrison, and scaling the fort, with their bayonets, soon compelled them to surrender. Of the British 60 were killed, and more than 500 taken prisoners. Soon after, the British at Paulus Hook, were surprised and defeated by Major Lee.

7. During the summer, several successful attempts were made against the Indians. One was made by Colonel Clarke, of Virginia, who with a brave band of 130 men, penetrated the Indian territory, and took the British fort at St. Vincents, on the Wabash. Το effect their object, the troops had to endure great hardships. For several miles they were obliged to wade through swamps, where the water was up to their arms, with their muskets and baggage on their heads. When they arrived, the enemy surrendered without resistance.

8. An army of 4000 men, under the command of General Sullivan, was sent against the savages on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and New-York. The Indians everywhere were routed. Their forts were taken, their villages burned, their fruit trees and corn fields destroyed; and all their improvements in civilization were laid waste. This severe but necessary punishment kept the savages in check for some time after.

9. Early in the fall, the French fleet arrived on the coast of Georgia, with 6000 troops on board. A plan was immediately concerted for the siege of the British at Savannah. General Lincoln marched his army from Charleston, and united with the French soldiers in besieging the city, on the 23d of September. The enemy were soon closely pressed. But De Estaing, the

6. Describe the capture of Stony Point,-Paulus Hook. By what other name is Paulus Hook called? A. Jersey City. It is situated in New-Jersey, opposite to New-York.

7, 8. What took place during the summer?

9. When did a French fleet arrive on the coast?

French commander, desirous of returning to the WestIndies, proposed to raise the siege. Instead of this, Lincoln determined to take the city, if possible, by storm.

10. On the 9th of October, a vigorous assault was made; and the out-works were soon carried. But as they advanced, the garrison opened upon them with such fury, that the assailants were defeated with a loss of 1000 men. Among the slain was Count Pulaski, a brave Pole, who had served in the American army for several years with distinguished zeal. But no one fell more universally lamented, than the heroic Sergeant Jasper.* Soon after this defeat, the French left the coast, and the American forces retired to Charleston.

10. Describe the attack on Savannah.

Jasper was one of the many youth whose memory should be warmly cherished by every American. He first distinguished himself in the defence of fort Moultrie, in South Carolina. Says one who was present, "A ball from one of the enemy's ships carried away our flag-staff. Scarcely had the stars of liberty touched the sand, before Jasper flew and snatched them up, and having fixed them to the point of his spontoon, or spear, he leaped up on the breastwork amidst the storm and fury of the battle, and restored them to their daring station, waving his hat at the same time and huzzaing, 'God save liberty and my country forever."" Jasper had a brother who had joined the British; and, though a tory, he loved him with warm affection. In company with his particular friend, Sergeant Newton, Jasper went to visit this brother at Ebenezer, a British post near Savannah. While there, his brother showed him ten or twelve American prisoners, who had been taken as deserters, and were to be sent immediately to Savannah, and probably executed. Among them was a lovely young woman, wife of one of the prisoners, with her child, a sweet little boy about five years old. Their pitiable condition moved Jasper and Newton to tears; and they retired, resolved to rescue them or die in the attempt. The prisoners, under a guard of ten men, were soon sent off for Savannah. Taking leave of his brother, Jasper and his friend departed, and by a circuitous route came up with them, and pursued for sev eral miles, watching for some favorable moment to effect their object. Just as all hope began to fail, it occurred to Jasper, that possibly they night stop at a famous spring about two miles from Savannah. They pushed on, and concealed themselves in the bushes near the spring. Soon the guard and prisoners appeared, and a halt was ordered. Hope again inspired the heroes in ambush. All but four left their arms by the side of the road, and proceeded to the spring. Two were ordered to keep guard, while the other two armed men were commanded to give the prisoners drink. These two set their guns against a tree and advanced to the spring, drank themselves, and filled their canteens for the prisoners. At this moment Jasper and Newton burst forth from the thicket, seized the muskets standing against the tree, and shot down the two men who were keeping guard. They now rushed on, and with the butt end of the muskets levelled two others, who had sprung forward to seize the guns of the fallen guard. They now ordered the rest to surrender at the point of the bayonet, which they instantly did. Jasper now broke off the handcuffs of the prisoners, and giving each one a musket, marched them off to the American camp, to the inexpressible joy and admi ration of all. On the day of his death, Jasper performed a feat of similar daring; but in which, unfortunately, he received a mortal wound. He like a Christian soldier, in full hopes of a better life.

*

11. About this time a naval engagement took place. John Paul Jones, a Scotchman by birth, having distinguished himself in taking prizes at sea, was appointed by congress a captain in the American navy. On the

14th of September, he sailed from a port in France, and soon after, off the coast of Scotland, fell in with the Serapis, a British ship of 44 guns. The name of his own ship, which carried 40 guns, was Bon homme Richard. The attack was made in the evening, and an hour after the battle commenced, the ships approached so near each other, that Jones threw his grappling irons aboard the Serapis and lashed them fast together.

12. A terrible slaughter now ensued. An incessant discharge of cannon swept their decks, and frequently both frigates were on fire. Amid the darkness of night, the scene was awfully sublime. After a

bloody battle of three hours, the British frigate was surrendered. Jones perceiving that his own ship was fast filling with water, ordered his men on board the Serapis. Soon after she sunk to the bottom. For his success on this occasion, Jones received a golden sword from the king of France, and a golden medal from the American congress.

EVENTS OF 1780.

1. During the winter, the American army endured great hardships from the want of food and clothing.

11. Describe the engagement between the Serapis and Bon homme Richard.

12. What was the result? What did Jones receive for his success? 1. Did you ever see any continental money? What can you say about it?

• John Paul Jones was born at Arbington, in Scotland, 1747. After being engaged some time in the merchant service of Great Britain, he came to America at the commencement of the revolution, and received a commission in the navy of the United States. He took many prizes, and annoyed the ene. my's merchant vessels in every sea. After the peace, he was for a time in the service of Russia. He died at Paris in 1792. He was a man of signal talent and courage, but impetuous, irritable, and harsh in the exercise of his authority.

This suffering resulted mostly from the circulation of what was called continental money. To pay off the soldiers and meet other expenses, congress was obliged to issue a vast amount of this money. At this time

it had lost almost all its value. Thirty dollars of this paper money was not worth more than one dollar in silver. The troops, whose wages were paid in this money, could buy neither food nor clothing with it. So great was the distress, that some regiments revolted and left the army. But Washington, by his entreaties with congress, and appeals to the people in all parts of the country, saved his army from total destruction.

2. The British army during the past year had been reinforced by fresh troops from England; and Sir Henry Clinton now determined to invade South Carolina with a powerful force. Accordingly he left NewYork, entered the port of Charleston, and on the first of April, commenced the siege of that city. The American army under General Lincoln was small, compared with that of the enemy, which amounted to 9000 men. 3. But every exertion was made to save the city. Communication with the country was kept open for some time by a detachment stationed at Monk's corner. This post was soon taken, and the garrison of the city found themselves closely pressed on all sides. With no hope of success against a force so much superior, Lincoln surrendered the town and his men. This severe blow disheartened the troops in all parts of the state, and after some feeble attempts to resist, they submitted to the enemy. One detachment of 400 men, who had not laid down their arms, were surprised by Colonel Tarleton,* and more than half of them cut to pieces without mercy.

2. What did Sir Henry Clinton do?

3. What was General Lincoln obliged to do? What did Colonel Tarleton do?

Colonel Tarleton was born in Liverpool, England. He was brave, fear. less, and often cruel to those who fell into his power. In the battle of Cow. pens, Colonel William Washington commanded the cavalry, and contributed much to the victory. In the flight of Tarleton's troops, Washington was foremost in the pursuit. He and his men cut down great numbers of the enemy