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The War of 1812
Called it "Macaroni" — Joshua Barney: American Hero, Part 2



Called it "Macaroni" — Joshua Barney: American Hero, Part 2
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   3.17

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    afire, flotilla, militia, dealing, cargo, naval, rank, prisoner, seaman, properly, bravery, launched, command, privateer, tales, ideal
     content words:    Joshua Barney, But Joshua, Chesapeake Bay, White House, Yankee Doodle


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Called it "Macaroni" — Joshua Barney: American Hero, Part 2
By Toni Lee Robinson
  

1     It was 1812. The U.S. was again at war with Britain. Joshua Barney, naval hero, had been farming. For some time, though, the salt water had been stirring in his blood. Ten years of dirt and dust were enough. It was time to go back to sea. It was time to fight for his country.
 
2     Because of his service in the French navy, Barney wasn't offered command of a U.S. ship. Joshua didn't care. What difference did rank or position make? He wanted to be at sea again. He wanted to help America win the war. He would find another way. He accepted command of a small trading ship. He became a privateer.
 
3     Nations used these private ships as weapons of war. The vessels lured enemy ships in close. Then, with as little fighting as possible, the enemy ships were captured. The ship and cargo were sold. The privateer crew shared the profits. The U.S. government cheered on these "pirates." The privateers spoiled British trade. They were a big help in the war.
 
4     Joshua Barney made an ideal privateer. He was brave and very smart. He had great skill as a seaman. Barney's ship, the Rossi, captured eighteen British ships in a year. But Joshua saw more that he could do for his country.
 
5     In 1813, the British fleet "parked" off the east coast of the U.S. This was called a blockade. They stopped trading ships from going in and out. They attacked U.S. navy vessels. British ships in Chesapeake Bay went even farther. Soldiers from the ships burned and looted homes around the Bay.

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