Hero Tales from American History

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Henry Cabot Lodge. Hero Tales from American History

WASHINGTON

DANIEL BOONE AND THE FOUNDING OF KENTUCKY

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK AND THE CONQUEST OF THE NORTHWEST

THE BATTLE OF TRENTON

BENNINGTON

KING'S MOUNTAIN

THE STORMING OF STONY POINT

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS

THE BURNING OF THE "PHILADELPHIA"

THE CRUISE OF THE "WASP"

THE "GENERAL ARMSTRONG" PRIVATEER

THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AND THE RIGHT OF PETITION

FRANCIS PARKMAN

"REMEMBER THE ALAMO"

HAMPTON ROADS

THE FLAG-BEARER

THE DEATH OF STONEWALL JACKSON

THE CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG

GENERAL GRANT AND THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN

ROBERT GOULD SHAW

CHARLES RUSSELL LOWELL

SHERIDAN AT CEDAR CREEK

LIEUTENANT CUSHING AND THE RAM "ALBEMARLE"

FARRAGUT AT MOBILE BAY

LINCOLN

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The brilliant historian of the English people1 has written of Washington, that "no nobler figure ever stood in the fore-front of a nation's life." In any book which undertakes to tell, no matter how slightly, the story of some of the heroic deeds of American history, that noble figure must always stand in the fore-front. But to sketch the life of Washington even in the barest outline is to write the history of the events which made the United States independent and gave birth to the American nation. Even to give alist of what he did, to name his battles and recount his acts as president, would be beyond the limit and the scope of this book. Yet it is always possible to recall the man and to consider what he was and what he meant for us and for mankind He is worthy the study and the remembrance of all men, and to Americans he is at once a great glory of their past and an inspiration and an assurance of their future.

To understand Washington at all we must first strip off all the myths which have gathered about him. We must cast aside into the dust-heaps all the wretched inventions of the cherry-tree variety, which were fastened upon him nearly seventy years after his birth. We must look at him as he looked at life and the facts about him, without any illusion or deception, and no man in history can better stand such a scrutiny.

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Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

The great master of English fiction, writing of this scene at Annapolis, says: "Which was the most splendid spectacle ever witnessed—the opening feast of Prince George in London, or the resignation of Washington? Which is the noble character for after ages to admire—yon fribble dancing in lace and spangles, or yonder hero who sheathes his sword after a life of spotless honor, a purity unreproached, a courage indomitable and a consummate victory?"

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