PREFACE

To awaken in the minds of all Americans that veneration of the patriots and heroes of the War of Independence, and that emulation of their noble example, which are so necessary to the maintenance of our liberties, is the purpose of this little book. Every day's developments illustrate the importance of this object. In the enjoyment of the freedom and prosperity of our country, we are apt to underrate the means by which these blessings were secured to us, and to forget the men who built our nation.

knowledge of the toils and sufferings of the noblehearted fathers of the Revolution will best prevent degeneration in our day. War, clothed as it is with horrors, is to be condemned, and the spirit which leads to it should be driven from the breasts of men ; but generous devotion, strength of resolution, and far

reaching skill, are to be commended and imitated wherever displayed. In these pages will be found stories of the chief men of the Revolution, so connected, by the manner in which they are narrated, as to give a general interest to all; "The Old Bell of. Independence" being the rallying point of the veteran story-tellers. Every phase of the struggle is presented, and the moral and religious character of our forefathers, even when engaged in deadly conflict, is clearly depicted.