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Ballads of American bravery
Ballads of American bravery by Clinton Scollard is a collection of patriotic poems and ballads written in the early 20th century. It showcases acts of American heroism on land and sea, drawing from episodes in the Revolution, frontier wars, the War of 1812, Texas independence, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. Aimed at students of American history and general readers, it blends celebrated names with lesser-known figures to honor courage, sacrifice, and national memory. The opening of the collection presents a prefatory note explaining the editor’s aim to gather largely historically verified poems of valor, with a few exceptions for breadth, followed by acknowledgments and a contents list signaling wide historical scope. The first section, “In Time of Strife,” begins with Revolutionary scenes (Paul Revere’s ride, Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga, Montgomery at Quebec), moves through early naval exploits and frontier heroics (Decatur burning the Philadelphia, privateers, swamp fighters), then to Texas and the Mexican War (the Alamo, San Jacinto, Monterey), and onward to pre–Civil War Kansas and Civil War vignettes from both sides (Bethel, Hampton Roads, Shiloh, New Orleans, Seven Pines). These ballads emphasize individual bravery—men and women, soldiers and sailors, even a drummer boy—told in stirring, narrative verse that frames history through memorable deeds.