Marching on Niagara; Or, The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier

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  MARCHING ON NIAGARA

  OR THE SOLDIER BOYS OF THE OLD FRONTIER

  Colonial Series

  BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER

  Author of "American Boys' Life of William McKinley," "Lost on theOrinoco," "On to Pekin," "Between Boer and Briton," "Old Glory Series,""Ship and Shore Series," "Bound to Succeed Series," etc.

  _ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE_

  BOSTON: LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

  COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY LEE AND SHEPARD

  Published August, 1902

  _All rights reserved_

  Norwood Press J. S. CUSHING & CO.--BERWICK & SMITH Norwood, Mass. U. S. A.

  After him tumbled a wild cat.]

  PREFACE

  "MARCHING ON NIAGARA" is a complete story in itself, but forms thesecond of several volumes to be known by the general title of "ColonialSeries."

  In the first volume of this series, entitled "WITH WASHINGTON IN THEWEST," we followed the fortunes of David Morris, the son of a hardypioneer, who first settled at Will's Creek (now the town of Cumberland,Virginia), and later on established a trading post on one of thetributaries of the Ohio River. This was just previous to the breakingout of war between France and England, and when the French and Englishsettlers in America, especially in those localities where trading withthe Indians was profitable, were bitter foes. David becomes wellacquainted with Washington while the latter is a surveyor, and whenBraddock arrives in America and marches against Fort Duquesne the youngpioneer shoulders a musket and joins the Virginia Rangers under MajorWashington, to march forth and take part in Braddock's bitter defeatand Washington's masterly effort to save the remnant of the army fromtotal annihilation.

  The defeat of the British forces left this section of the Englishcolonies at the mercy of both the French and their savage Indian allies,and for two years, despite all that Washington and other colonialleaders could do, every isolated cabin and every small settlement westof Winchester was in constant danger, and numerous raids were made,savage and brutal in the extreme, and these were kept up until thearrival of General Forbes, who, aided by Washington and others, finallycompelled the French to abandon Fort Duquesne, and thus restored peaceand order to a frontier covering a distance of several hundred miles.

  Following General Forbes's success at Fort Duquesne (now theenterprising city of Pittsburg), came English successes in otherquarters, not the least of which was the capture of Fort Niagara,standing on the east bank of the Niagara River, where that stream flowsinto Lake Ontario. This fort was of vast importance to the French, forit guarded the way through the lakes and down the mighty Mississippi totheir Louisiana territory. In the expedition against Fort Niagara bothDavid and Henry Morris take an active part, and as brave young soldiersendeavor to do their duty fully and fearlessly.

  In the preparation of the historical portions of this work the authorhas endeavored to be as accurate as possible. This has been no easytask, for upon many points American, English, and French historians havediffered greatly in their statements. However, it is hoped that the taleis at least as accurate as the average history, giving as it doesstatements from all sides.

  Again thanking the many readers who have taken such an interest in myprevious works, I place this volume in their hands, trusting they willfind it not only entertaining but likewise full of instruction andinspiration.

  EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

  _Independence Day, 1902._