BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. ILLUSTRATED. NEW YORK: DODD & MEAD, PUBLISHERS, 751 Broadway . Copyright, Dodd & Mead, 1875....

As Columbus and La Salle were the most prominent of the Pioneers of America, so was Washington the most illustrious of its Patriots. In the career of Columbus we have a vivid sketch of life in the tropical portions of the New World four hundred years ago. The adventures of La Salle, in exploring this continent two hundred years ago, from the Northern Lakes to the Mexican Gulf, are almost without parallel, even in the pages of romance. His narrative gives information, such as can nowhere else be

Lawrence and John Washington—Their Emigration—Augustine Washington—His Marriage with Jane Ball—Birth of George—The Parental Home—The Scenery—Anecdotes—The Mother of Washington—Education—Lord Fairfax—The Surveying Tour—George at the age of seventeen years—The Mansion of Lord Fairfax—Contrast between the English and the French—British Desperadoes—The Ferocity of War—Military Organization—Claims of France and England—Scenes of Woe—Heroic Excursion of Washington to the Ohio. About two centuries ago

The Visit to Fort Le Bœuf—The Return Journey—Incidents by the way—The Night Journey—The Wreck upon the Raft—Night on the island—Romantic scene—Reception at Williamsburg—The Conflicting Claims—Governor Dinwiddie—His rash and reckless order—The First Military Expedition—The site for a fortress—The plans of Washington—Fort Duquesne—The March through the Wilderness—Appalling tidings—The great mistake, and the utter discomfiture—Apologies for Washington. A French officer, by the name of St. Pierre, w

Braddock’s Army—Washington Resigns, accepts the office of Aide to Braddock—Interview with Franklin—Crossing the Mountains—The Ambush—The warnings of Washington—The Attack—Events of the Battle—Peril and Bravery of Washington—The Rout—Narrative of Colonel Smith—Indian Strategy—Scenes at Fort Duquesne—The Indian War-cries—The Gold Seal—What Washington had gained—Spirit of the Savages—Washington’s statement—Scenes of woe. War between France and England had now became inevitable. The British cabinet,

Political Views of Washington—Lord Fairfax—Greenway Court—Panic at Winchester—Raids of the Savages—Policy of the British Government—Trials of Washington—The Ministry of Pitt—The New Route—Scarvoyadi the Chief—The Rendezvous at Winchester—Washington meets Martha Custis—The Result—Washington elected to the House of Burgesses—Opening the New Route—Recklessness of Major Grant—The Disaster—The Melancholy March—The Fort Abandoned and Destroyed—The Return—Splendors of Mount Vernon. The remonstrances of

Life among the Planters—The Dismal Swamp—The peace of Fontainebleau—Arrogance of the British—The Stamp Act—Speech of Patrick Henry—The First Congress—Testimony of Franklin—Views of Washington—Splendor of Display—Insolence of the Soldiery—The Boston Massacre—The Expedition to the Ohio—Events of the Journey—The Romance of Travel in the Wilderness. Many of the Virginia planters were devoted to pleasure alone. They lived high, gambled, hunted, and left the management of their estates very much to ov

Death of Martha Custis—Parental Solicitude—Anti-Tea Combination—The Boston Tea Party—The Port Bill—Policy of Lord Dunmore—Fashion at Williamsburg—The Virginia Aristocracy—Rank and Influence of Washington—The Assembly Dissolved—The First Congress—Political Views of the Fairfaxes—Interesting Correspondence—Scenes in Boston—Harmony in Congress—The Chaplain—Grief at Mount Vernon—The Battle of Lexington—The Second Congress—The Army formed—Washington Commander-in-Chief. Washington, on his return to Mo

Letter to his Wife—Affairs at Boston—Proclamation of Gage—The Battle of Bunker Hill—Results of the Battle—The Loss on each side—The journey of Washington—Scenes in New York—Washington’s Arrival at Cambridge—His Appearance—He takes the Command—The two Forces—Condition of the Americans—Washington’s Officers—Character of Joseph Reed—Correspondence with Gates—Project for the Invasion of Canada—The Indian Alliance. Washington wrote in terms of great tenderness to his afflicted wife, whom he had no ti

The Challenge—Bold Plan of Washington—The Expedition to Canada—The Conflagration of Falmouth—Barbarism of the Foe—The Captured Brigantine—A gleam of Joy—Cruel treatment of Ethan Allen—Correspondence with General Howe—Efficiency of “Old Put”—A Servile War proposed by Dunmore—Lady Washington arrives at the Camp—The Tumult Quelled—Peril of the diminished Army—New York menaced—Deplorable condition of the English—Washington fortifies Dorchester Heights—Boston Evacuated. Several weeks passed away, whi

The Refugees—Return of Patriots—The Hessians—Scenes in Canada—Renewed Efforts of the British—Alexander Hamilton—Declaration of Independence—Prediction of John Adams—Position of the Hostile Forces—The Interview with Colonel Patterson—Scene on the River—Bombardment of Sullivan’s Island—Obstructions of North River—Battles on Long Island—The Retreat—Camp at King’s Bridge—The Camp at White Plains—Battle—Fort Washington captured by the British. By ten o’clock on the morning of the 18th of February, 17

Crossing the Hudson—The retreat—Views of the British—Strange conduct of Lee—His capture—Crossing the Delaware—Battle of Trenton—Heroic march upon Princeton—Discomfiture of the British—Increasing renown of Washington—Barbarism of the British—Foreign Volunteers—Movements of the fleet—Lafayette—Movements of Burgoyne—The murder of Jane McCrea—Battle of Fort Schuyler—Starks’ Victory at Bennington—Battle of the Brandywine—Its effects. Washington removed the most of his army across the Hudson, a little

Philadelphia occupied by the English—Condition of Burgoyne—Nature of the Conflict—Treachery of the Indians—Burgoyne’s Efforts to Escape—Cruel Devastation—The Surrender—Its Results—Plans of Washington—His Military Capacity—Battle of Germantown—The Panic—Washington’s Account of the Battle—Results of the Battle—Destruction of Fort Mifflin—Atrocities of the British—Encampment at Valley Forge. Washington took advantage of the dilatoriness of Howe to prepare to attack him again. The two armies were of

Embarrassments of the Confederacy—Assaults upon Washington—Philadelphia evacuated—Lee’s Retreat—England enlists Savages—Lord Chatham—British Ravages—Capture of Stony Point—Efforts of Sir Henry Clinton—Treason of Arnold—Major Andrè—British at Mount Vernon—Cornwallis at Yorktown—Excitement in Philadelphia—News of the Treaty of Peace—Washington’s Farewell—Resigns his Commission—Chosen President—Views of Slavery—Sickness and Death. The dreary winter passed slowly away, while Washington was making vi