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Rolf in the Woods
Rolf in the Woods

Chapter XXXIX · The Last of Sir George Prevost

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.
Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.
Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.
Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?
Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Rolf in the Woods

Chapter XXXIX · The Last of Sir George Prevost

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.
Line 2
Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.
Line 3
Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.
Line 4
Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?
Line 5
Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.”

Unless conjunction US /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading “Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.”

All words in this reading · 90

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

Albany

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

army

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

bands

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

From this reading Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.

battle

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

Britain

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

British

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

Burgoyne

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

communications

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

Confiance

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

country

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

cut

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

day

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

From this reading Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.

decision

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.

exceed

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

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

face

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

fate

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

felt

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

fleet

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

force

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

fought

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

fresh

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

From this reading Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

general

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

George

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

get

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

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

GreatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

hauled

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

hills

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

From this reading Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from the hills.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

hostile

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

Jack

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

land

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

MacDonough

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

march

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

mast

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

meet

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

momentous

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

new

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

Now

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

number

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

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

Plattsburg

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

Prevost

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

rely

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

riflemen

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

Saranac

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

send

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

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

Sir

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

soon

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

spirit

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

supplies

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

then

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

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

town

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

Union

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

UnlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading Unless Great Britain could send a new army or a fleet to support him, he must meet the fate of Burgoyne.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

water

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

well

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Before he could get to Albany their number might exceed his, and then what?

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision: He could force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany, but his communications would be cut, and he must rely on a hostile country for supplies.

Yankee

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

From this reading The battle was over at Plattsburg town, though it had not been fought; for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water, and it was felt by the British general, as well as the Yankee riflemen, as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast of the Confiance.