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Stories about General Warren,
Stories about General Warren, / in relation to the fifth of March massacre, and the battle of Bunker Hill
PREFACE
The author of the following little sketch has often heard the question asked, "What did Gen. Warren do to deserve all that has been said about him?" "Did he do any thing more than fight bravely, and get killed on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill?" To answer these questions, and to show, that although it was much for him to sacrifice his life for his country, yet that was not all he did; that he had toiled nobly for many years in her cause, before a drop of blood had been shed to accomplish her freedom, has been the principal object in writing it.
For some of the facts, she is indebted to those who have before written on the subject; but many of them have never before been published; nor does she think any but the closing one of his death is very generally known.
Another object has been, to place the leading causes of the Revolution in so strong and clear a light, and in such simple language, that every child may comprehend them as soon as he can read.
It has also been her design so to delineate the leading traits of Gen. Warren's character, as to show that his patriotism was not a sudden start of enthusiasm, but had long been a guiding principle of action.
If the writer has succeeded in deepening in any young mind, the impression of the debt of gratitude we owe the authors of our free institutions, or if the following pages should lead any one to think and read more on the subject, she will feel amply rewarded for all the trouble bestowed on them.
STORIES OF GENERAL WARREN
As Mary Montague and her mother were one morning sitting at work, by a cheerful fire, William, a boy about nine years old, ran in exclaiming, Oh dear mother! I'm so tired I don't know what to do.
Mrs. Montague. Why, my son, what has tired you so much?
William. I have been playing hoop more than an hour, and my hands ache so I can play no longer.
Mrs. M. Then you had better come and sit down with Mary and me and rest yourself.
William. Yes, mamma, I will, if you can lend me some pretty book, or tell me a story; there is no school to-day, you know.
Mrs. M. I have no book which you have not read, nor can I put aside my work to amuse you, but I can tell you a story and work too.
William. So do, mamma, I shall like that best.
Mary. And I too, dear mother.
Mrs. M. What shall I tell you about? Shall I tell you a true story, or do you wish me to make up one?
William. I should rather hear a true one, if you please, about some great man. Some American, for I had rather hear about one of my own countrymen, than about a foreigner, as I think you call those who live in other countries, do you not?