Stories of Later American History

Stories of Later American
History

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Stories of Later American History, by
Wilbur F. Gordy
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Title: Stories of Later American History
Author: Wilbur F. Gordy

Release Date: June 19, 2006 [eBook #18618]
Language: English
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STORIES OF LATER AMERICAN HISTORY
by
WILBUR F. GORDY
Formerly Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, Mass.; Author of "A
History of the United States for Schools," "Elementary History of the
United States," "American Leaders and Heroes," "American
Beginnings in Europe," "Stories of American Explorers," "Colonial
Days," and "Stories of Early American History"
With Maps and Illustrations

[Illustration: Pioneers on the Overland Route, Westward.]

Charles Scribner's Sons New York Chicago Boston Copyright, 1915,
by Charles Scribner's Sons

PREFACE
This book, like "Stories of Early American History," follows somewhat
closely the course of study prepared by the Committee of Eight, the

present volume covering the topics outlined for Grade V, while the
earlier one includes the material suggested for Grade IV.
It was the plan of that committee to take up in these grades, largely in a
biographical way, a great part of the essential facts of American history;
and with this plan the author, who was a member of that committee,
was in hearty accord. This method, it is believed, serves a double
purpose. In the first place, it is the best possible way of laying the
foundation for the later and more detailed study of United States
history in the higher grammar grades by those pupils who are to
continue in school; and in the second, it gives to that large number of
pupils who will leave school before the end of the sixth grade--which is
at least half of all the boys and girls in the schools of the country--some
acquaintance with the leading men and prominent events of American
history.
It is without doubt a great mistake to allow half of the pupils to go out
from our public schools with almost no knowledge of the moral and
material forces which have made this nation what it is to-day. It is an
injustice to the young people themselves; it is also an injury to their
country, the vigor of whose life will depend much upon their intelligent
and patriotic support.
With this conviction, it has been the author's desire to make the story of
the events concrete, dramatic, and lifelike by centring them about
leaders, heroes, and other representative men, in such a way as to
appeal to the imagination and to influence the ideals of the child. In so
doing, he has made no attempt to write organized history--tracing out
its intricate relations of cause and effect. At the same time, however, he
has aimed to select his facts and events so carefully that the spirit of our
national life and institutions, as well as many of the typical events of
American history, may be presented.
It is confidently hoped that the fine illustrations and the attractive
typographical features of the book will help to bring vividly before the
mind of the child the events narrated in the text.
Another aid in making the stories vivid will, it is intended, be found in

"Some Things to Think About." These and many similar questions,
which the teacher can easily frame to fit the needs of her class, will
help the pupil to make real the life of days gone by as well as to
connect it with the present time and with his own life.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge my deep obligations to Mr.
Forrest Morgan, of the Watkinson Library, Hartford, and to Miss
Elizabeth P. Peck, of the Hartford Public High School, both of whom
have read the manuscript and have made many valuable criticisms and
suggestions.
WILBUR F. GORDY.
HARTFORD, CONN., April 15, 1915.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I.
PATRICK HENRY II. SAMUEL ADAMS III. THE WAR BEGINS
NEAR BOSTON IV. GEORGE WASHINGTON IN THE
REVOLUTION V. NATHANAEL GREENE AND OTHER HEROES
IN THE SOUTH VI. JOHN PAUL JONES VII. DANIEL BOONE
VIII. JAMES ROBERTSON IX. JOHN SEVIER X. GEORGE
ROGERS CLARK XI. THE NEW