True to the Old Flag

True to the Old Flag

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Title: True to the Old Flag A Tale of the American War of
Independence
Author: G. A. Henty
Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8859] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on August 15,
2003]

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Language: English
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THE OLD FLAG ***

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TRUE TO THE OLD FLAG
A TALE OF THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

By G. A. HENTY
Author Of "With Clive In India," "The Dragon And The Raven," "With
Lee In Virginia," "By England's Aid," "In The Reign Of Terror," "With
Wolfe In Canada," "Captain Bayley's Heir," Etc.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER
I. A FRONTIER FARM
II. AN INDIAN RAID
III. THE REDSKIN ATTACK
IV. THE FIGHT AT LEXINGTON
V. BUNKER'S HILL
VI. SCOUTING
VII. IN THE FOREST

VIII. QUEBEC
IX. THE SURPRISE OF TRENTON
X. A TREACHEROUS PLANTER
XI. THE CAPTURE OF PHILADELPHIA
XII. THE SETTLER'S HUT
XIII. SARATOGA
XIV. RESCUED!
XV. THE ISLAND REFUGE
XVI. THE GREAT STORM
XVII. THE SCOUT'S STORY
XVIII. THE SIEGE OF SAVANNAH
XIX. IN AN AMERICAN PRISON
XX. THE WAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA
XXI. THE END OF THE STRUGGLE

PREFACE.
MY DEAR LADS:
You have probably been accustomed to regard the war between
England and her colonies in America as one in which we were not only
beaten but, to some extent, humiliated. Owing to the war having been
an unsuccessful one for our arms, British writers have avoided the
subject, and it has been left for American historians to describe. These,
writing for their own countrymen, and drawing for their facts upon
gazettes, letters, and other documents emanating from one side only,
have, naturally, and no doubt insensibly, given a very strong color to

their own views of the events, and English writers have been too much
inclined to accept their account implicitly. There is, however, another
and very different side to the story, and this I have endeavored to show
you. The whole of the facts and details connected with the war can be
relied upon as accurate. They are drawn from the valuable account of
the struggle written by Major Steadman, who served under Howe,
Clinton, and Cornwallis, and from other authentic contemporary
sources. You will see that, although unsuccessful,--and success was,
under the circumstances, a sheer impossibility,--the British troops
fought with a bravery which was never exceeded, and that their
victories in actual conflict vastly outnumbered their defeats. Indeed, it
may be doubted whether in any war in which this country has been
engaged have our soldiers exhibited the qualities of endurance and
courage to a higher degree.
Yours very sincerely,
G. A. HENTY.

TRUE TO THE OLD FLAG.

CHAPTER I.
A FRONTIER FARM.
"Concord, March 1, 1774.
"MY DEAR COUSIN: I am leaving next week with my husband for
England, where we intend to pass some time visiting his friends. John
and I have determined to accept the invitation you gave us last summer
for Harold to come and spend a few months with you. His father thinks
that a great future will, ere many years, open in the West, and that it is
therefore well the boy should learn something of frontier life. For
myself, I would rather that he stayed quietly at home, for he is at
present over-fond of adventure; but as my husband is meditating selling
his estate here and moving West, it is perhaps better for him.
"Massachusetts is in a ferment, as indeed are all the Eastern States, and
the people talk openly of armed resistance against the Government. My

husband, being of English birth and having served in the king's army,
cannot brook what he calls the rebellious talk which