In his youth the author used to listen to the stories of several aged Revolutionary pensioners, one of whom had slept in the snows of Valley Forge, another who had been confined on board of the Jersey prison-ship, and a third who had been with Washington at the surrender of Cornwallis. Not one lives to-day who fought in the battles of the Revolution; but a multitude of those who trod the battle-fields of the war that was finished twenty-seven years ago have taken their places, and have become as interesting to the present generation as the heroes of former wars were to the fathers and grandfathers of the boys and girls of to-day.
In the official record of a certain regiment recruited up to the full standard, we find that 47.5 per cent of the non-commissioned officers and privates were under twenty-one years of age. We find a few in the list who were only sixteen and seventeen years. In this regiment, we find two captains only twenty-one years of age, and three lieutenants who were only twenty. This regiment was exceptional in regard to age, though we find that over twenty-five per cent of several companies, taken at random, were under age. Even boys of fourteen and fifteen were enlisted as musicians, "drummer boys," and served out their full term. It can, therefore, be truthfully said, that those who were literally "boys" did their full and fair share in fighting for the Union. Perhaps even a larger proportion of minors served in the navy than in the army; and the record of some of them could be recited to prove that in those days boys became men prematurely, and distinguished themselves by brave and daring deeds.
The incidents of the story contained in this volume are suggested by actual occurrence during the Rebellion, though they are not absolutely historical details, but are as probable as many real events of the war. The enemy were busy in some of the Northern cities, and there were many daring operations undertaken by them which justify the story in its principal features. Most of the characters have been introduced in the preceding volumes of the series; and in the succeeding volume the hero will be presented in a somewhat different field of action, though in whatever sphere he moves he will continue to be engaged in "Fighting for the Right."
Dorchester, Mass., April 23, 1891.
"Mr. Galvinne is Subdued."—Page 166.
[CONTENTS]
| page | |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| A Mysterious Visitation | 15 |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| The Absconding Man-servant | 26 |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Christy Passford is utterly confounded | 37 |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| The Sick Officer in the Stateroom | 48 |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Lieutenant Passford and his Apparent Double | 59 |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| The Conference in the Captain's Cabin | 70 |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| The Announcement of the Decision | 81 |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| The Prisoner of War | 92 |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| A Moral Philosopher | 103 |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| A Change of Quarters in the Confusion | 114 |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Laying out a Plan of Operations | 125 |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| A Lesson in Ordinary Politeness | 136 |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| The Opening of the Secret Orders | 147 |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| The Affray on the Quarter-deck of the Bronx | 158 |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| A Rebellious and Prejudiced Prisoner | 169 |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| The Disposal of the Prisoners | 180 |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| The Second and Third Lieutenants | 191 |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| A Battle on a Small Scale | 202 |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| The Skipper of the Sloop Magnolia | 213 |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| An Expedition to St. Andrew's Bay | 224 |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| A Non-combatant on Board the Bronx | 235 |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| The Stranger in the Captain's Cabin | 246 |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| A Very Impudent Declaration | 257 |
| [CHAPTER XXIV.] | |
| A Critical Situation in the Cabin | 268 |
| [CHAPTER XXV.] | |
| The Destruction of a Prominent Facial Member | 279 |
| [CHAPTER XXVI.] | |
| The Meeting with the Bellevite at Night | 290 |
| [CHAPTER XXVII.] | |
| The Planning of an Expedition | 301 |
| [CHAPTER XXVIII.] | |
| The Negro Village on the Isle Grande Terre | 312 |
| [CHAPTER XXIX.] | |
| A Professional Visit to the Fort | 323 |
| [CHAPTER XXX.] | |
| The Attack upon the Fort | 334 |
| [CHAPTER XXXI.] | |
| A Wounded Commander | 345 |