SMALLWOOD'S BATTALION.

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5. From the 21st of August to the 27th, the British were landing their troops on Long Island. On the 20th, the Maryland troops were ordered over to the scene of the approaching conflict. Putnam, who was in command of the American forces, having been out-manoeuvred by the British general, ordered Sterling, with two regiments, to hold the enemy in check. One of these regiments was Smallwood's battalion the Macaronis in scarlet and buff. They turned out with great alacrity, and placed themselves along a ridge, having Col. Atlee with Pennsylvania troops in ambush in advance.

6. As the British came up, the Pennsylvanians gave them two or three volleys and then retreated, and formed on Sterling's left. For several hours a severe cannonading was kept up on both sides, but no general engagement was sought by either. party. Sterling's object was to keep the enemy in check. The British General Grant, was instructed not to press an attack until aware that Sir Henry Clinton was on the left flank of the Americans.

7. At length the left wing of the Americans having been turned by Clinton, and the centre broken, the situation of Sterling became danger

Questions.-5. When did the British land their troops? What did Putnam order? What is said of Smallwood's battalion? 6. What did the Pennsylvanians do? What was Sterling's object? What were the British General's instructions? 7. What is said of the situation of Sterling?

ous in the extreme. Washington, who had come on the field during the battle, saw the danger to which the brave fellows under Sterling were exposed, though they themselves could not. He saw the enemy's reserve under Cornwallis, marching down by a cross road to get in the rear, and thus place them between two fires; and with breathless anxiety he watched the result.

8. The sound of Clinton's cannon apprised Sterling that the enemy was between him and the lines. Grant, too, who had held back all the morning, was closing up. In the rear lay an extensive marsh, traversed by a deep and dangerous creek, eighty yards wide at its mouth.

9. Leaving part of his men to face Grant, he selected four hundred of the Maryland battalion, and, ordering the rest of the troops to make the best of their way to the creek, marched to meet Cornwallis' brigade. Washington and others, who watched every movement, had supposed that Sterling and his troops would surrender in a body, but as the Marylanders, with fixed bayonet rushed to the charge upon the overwhelming force opposed to them, Washington wrung his hands, exclaiming: "Good God! what brave fellows I must this day lose."

Questions.-7. What did Washington see? 8. What first apprised Sterling of his danger? 9. How did he meet the danger? What did Washington suppose? What did he exclaim?

GAME SPIRIT OF THE MACARONIS.

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10. It was indeed a desperate fight. And now Smallwood's Macaronis showed their game spirit. Five times this little band charged upon the pow erful forces of Cornwallis; five times they were driven back to gather new energies for a fiercer assault. Under the sixth, the heavy column of the British reeled and began to give way.

11. At the moment victory was in their grasp, Grant's brigade assailed them in the rear, and the Hessians came to the aid of Cornwallis in front. Already outnumbered more than ten to one, with their ranks thinned by the terrific slaughter, and worn down by long fighting, these devoted men could no longer make head against their foes.

12. Three companies cut their way through the crowded ranks of the enemy and maintained their order until they reached the marsh, where, from the nature of the ground, they broke and escaped as quickly as possible to the creek. This desperate conflict gave time to the remainder to make good their retreat across the marsh. They swam the water, bringing with them twenty-eight prisoners, and their tattered standard.

13. The loss of the Maryland troops in this deadly struggle was murderous. From sunrise, until the last gun was in the field, they were hotly

Questions.-10. What is said in this section? 11. What prevented the victory? 12. Did they surrender? What was the effect of this desperate fight? 13. What is said of the loss of the Maryland troops ?

engaged, and when the rest of the army had been routed, or had fled, they maintained the battle unaided, against two brigades of the enemy. Nearly half of their force was annihilated. Their loss in killed and wounded was 256, officers and men. To this day, the people of Long Island point out to strangers the spot where half of the Maryland battalion stemmed the advance of the whole left wing of the British army, when no other troops were left upon the field, and where the best blood of the State was poured out like water.

Questions.-13. How long were they engaged? What do the people of Long Island still do?

MARYLAND TROOPS IN THE RETREAT-Maryland Troops in the Advance Posts-Crossing the Ferry-Attempt to Surround the Americans-Disgraceful Retreat of the Connecticut Militia-Maryland Line Cover the Retreat -Battle at Harlem-Battle at White Plains-Attack on Fort Washington - Destruction of the Enemy's Troops by the Maryland and Virginia Rifles.

one day's rest since their bloody conflict, they were ordered on duty at the advanced post of Fort Putnam, within two hundred and fifty yards of the

Questions.-1. Why was it necessary to be prompt in the retreat? When was the retreat effected? 2. Where were the Maryland troops ordered?