Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Comic History of the United States
Comic History of the United States

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Comic History of the United States is here in full — 68 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Comic History of the United States
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SOME MORE FRATRICIDAL STRIFE.
The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.
Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.
Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.
Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Comic History of the United States

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Comic History of the United States is here in full — 68 sentences across 14 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SOME MORE FRATRICIDAL STRIFE.
Line 2
The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.
Line 3
Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.
Line 4
Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.
/sɪkˈstiːn ˈθaʊzənd eɪt ˈhʌndrəd ʃelz wɜːr θroʊn ˈɪntuː ðə tuː fɔːrts bʌt ðæt dɪd nɑːt ˈkæptʃər nuː ˈɔːrliənz/
Line 5
Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

bombarded verb US /bɑːmˈbɑːrdɪd/

past form of “bombard” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile

From this reading “Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.”

catfish noun US /ˈkætfɪʃ/

flesh of scaleless food fish of the southern United States; often farmed

From this reading “Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.”

Farragut noun US /ˈferəɡət/

United States admiral who commanded Union ships during the American Civil War (1801-1870)

From this reading “The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.”

fooling adjective US /ˈfuːlɪŋ/

characterized by a feeling of irresponsibility

From this reading “Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.”

forts noun US /fɔːrts/

plural of “fort” — a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading “Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.”

seconded verb US /ˈsekəndɪd/

past form of “second” — give support or one's approval to

From this reading “The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.”

steamed adjective US /stiːmd/

cooked in steam

From this reading “Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.”

stomachs noun US /ˈstʌməks/

plural of “stomach” — an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading “Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.”

All words in this reading · 112

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

24

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

BenjaminnounUS /ˈbendʒəmən/

gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

bombardedverbUS /bɑːmˈbɑːrdɪd/

past form of “bombard” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

ButlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/

succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

catfishnounUS /ˈkætfɪʃ/

flesh of scaleless food fish of the southern United States; often farmed

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

co-operated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

DavidnounUS /ˈdeɪvɪd/

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/

recognizable; marked

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

defences

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

effortnounUS /ˈefərt/

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/

an opposing military force

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

expeditionnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃən/

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

FnounUS /ef/

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

FarragutnounUS /ˈferəɡət/

United States admiral who commanded Union ships during the American Civil War (1801-1870)

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

fleetnounUS /fliːt/

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

foolingadjectiveUS /ˈfuːlɪŋ/

characterized by a feeling of irresponsibility

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

FortsnounUS /fɔːrts/

plural of “fort” — a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/

being ten more than thirty

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

FRATRICIDAL

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOME MORE FRATRICIDAL STRIFE.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

GnounUS /dʒiː/

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

GeneraladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

greennounUS /ɡriːn/

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

JacksonnounUS /ˈdʒæksən/

English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

MississippinounUS /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/

a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

MOREadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading SOME MORE FRATRICIDAL STRIFE.

Mortar-boats

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

northnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

olive-branches

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

OrleansnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/

a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/

abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

PhilipnounUS /ˈfɪləp/

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

runverbUS /rʌn/

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

secondedverbUS /ˈsekəndɪd/

past form of “second” — give support or one's approval to

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

shellsnounUS /ʃelz/

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

SixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/

being one more than fifteen

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

SOMEadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading SOME MORE FRATRICIDAL STRIFE.

southnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

SouthernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

St

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Farragut now decided to run his fleet past the defences, and, desperate as the chances were, he started on April 24.

steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/

cooked in steam

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

stomachsnounUS /ˈstʌməks/

plural of “stomach” — an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

STRIFEnounUS /straɪf/

lack of agreement or harmony

From this reading SOME MORE FRATRICIDAL STRIFE.

stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

thrownadjectiveUS /θroʊn/

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Sixteen thousand eight hundred shells were thrown into the two forts, but that did not capture New Orleans.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The effort to open the Mississippi from the north was seconded by an expedition from the south, in which Captain David G. Farragut, commanding a fleet of forty vessels, co-operated with General Benjamin F. Butler, with the capture of New Orleans as the object.

zenithnounUS /ˈziːnəθ/

the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading Mortar-boats covered with green branches for the purpose of fooling the enemy, as no one could tell at any distance at all whether these were or were not olive-branches, steamed up the river and bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip till the stunned catfish rose to the surface of the water to inquire, "Why all this?" and turned their pallid stomachs toward the soft Southern zenith.

Chapter 17 of Comic History of the United States by Bill Nye holds 68 sentences, grouped into 14 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 17 of Comic History of the United States contain?

Chapter 17 holds 68 sentences of Comic History of the United States, unabridged, divided into 14 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Comic History of the United States by Bill Nye exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 68 sentences, grouped into 14 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 17 of Comic History of the United States?

Work through the 14 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 14 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Comic History of the United States

Common questions about reading Comic History of the United States by Bill Nye on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Comic History of the United States?

Yes. All 2288 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21427 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Comic History of the United States is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21427, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Comic History of the United States take to read?

About 190 minutes of reading across 458 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Comic History of the United States section by section

How to work through Comic History of the United States section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of Comic History of the United States to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Comic History of the United States

Words and structures a reader meets early in Comic History of the United States, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Discovery
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Comic History of the United States; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Comic History of the United States; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beautiful
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Comic History of the United States; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Comic History of the United States; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.