Prior to the adoption of the “federal Constitution,” partisan feeling ran high on this side of the Atlantic,—indeed, it was no unusual thing for a man to speak of the colony in which he was born as his country. When the struggle for American independence began, though men were willing to fight in defence of their own State, there was great difficulty in filling the ranks of the Continental army,—not only because of the longer time for which they were required to enlist, but also because once in the Continental service, they would be ordered to any part of the country. The same difficulty existed in respect to securing members for the Continental Congress. With the slowness of transportation and the uncertainty of the mails, it was no small sacrifice for a man to leave his home, his dear ones, and his local prestige, to become one of an unpopular body directing an unpopular war, for it was not until near the end of the struggle that the Revolution was espoused by the majority. It was under these circumstances, then, that three different kinds of troops composed the American army,—the Continentals, the Provincials, and the Militia. The first could be ordered to any point where they were most needed; the second, though regularly organized and disciplined, were only liable to duty in their own State; and the last were hastily gathered together and armed in the event of any pressing need or sudden emergency. Washington, as stated in his commission, was commander-in-chief of all the forces. The other subjects of the foregoing sketches were the commanding officers of the Continental army. Marion and Warren were famous generals of the Provincials; while Pickens and Ten Brock were noted leaders of the militia. Dr. Joseph Warren received his commission of major-general from the Massachusetts Assembly just before the battle of Bunker Hill. He was among the last to leave the redoubt, and while trying to rally his men was shot and killed. By his untimely end America lost one of her purest patriots; and General Gage is reported to have said, “Warren’s death was worth that of five hundred ordinary rebels.” Andrew Pickens, brigadier-general of South Carolina Militia, never fought outside of his own State, but received from Congress a sword in recognition of his gallant conduct at the battle of Cowpens.

All the dates and facts in the foregoing sketches have been carefully verified by comparison with the “Continental Army Returns” and “Journals of the Continental Congress,” and various cyclopÆdias and histories.

University Press: John Wilson & Son, Cambridge.