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that he could not be identified, he immediately added "of Carrolton," the name of his estate, remarking as he did so, "They cannot mistake me now." From this circumstance he ever afterwards bore the surname "" of Carrolton."

5. The declaration of independence having been made, it was necessary to frame a permanent gov. ernment for the new State. The convention or dered an election of delegates to assemble and form a constitution. Then having confided the supreme power in the hands of the committee of safety, it adjourned. One of its last acts was to place the State troops at the disposal of congress. The battalion under Col. Smallwood, and the independent companies in the counties, attached to his command, were ordered to Philadelphia, to be marshalled at once into the national service.

CHAPTER IV.

THE MARYLAND TROOPS AT THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND-Condition of the American Army-Landing of the British-The Macaronis-The Battle-Terrible charge of the Marylanders-Loss of Marylanders.

1. It was at a dark hour that the Maryland line was destined to enter the field. The British gene

Questions.-4. What took place when Carroll signed it? 5. What steps were taken to form a new state government? What did the convention do about the state troops? Where were they ordered? 1. What was the number of troops of the British?

ral's forces amounted to 30,000 men, while the American were only 17,000, and nearly one-fifth of these were sick and unfit for duty.

2. On the 10th of July, six companies under Smallwood himself, from Annapolis, and three from Baltimore, embarked for the head of Elk river, whence they marched to New York, and were incorporated in Lord Sterling's brigade.They were well appointed and organized, composed of young and spirited men, who had already acquired the skill and precision of drilled soldiers. "There was none by whom an unofficer-like appearance and deportment could be tolerated less than by a Marylander, who, at this time, was distinguished by the most fashionable cut coat, the most Macaroni cocked hat, and hottest blood in the Union."

3. Arriving at a time when the army was lamentably deficient in discipline, they immediately won the confidence of the commander-in-chief; and, from the moment of their arrival, were thrown upon the advanced posts, and disposed as covering parties.

4. The four independent companies remaining in Maryland, were ordered to join Col. Smallwood, as was also the flying camp, now rapidly organizing.

Questions.-1. Of the Americans? 2. What is said of Smallwood's battalion? What of their appearance? 3. What of their arrival? What is said of the independent companies?

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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 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.

in check.

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?

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And now

10. It was indeed a desperate fight. Smallwood's Macaronis showed their game spirit. Five times this little band charged upon the powerful 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?