Commodore Barney's Young Spies A Boy's Story of the Burning of the City of Washington

"Commodore Barney's Young Spies" by James Otis is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. It tells the story of two young boys, Amos Grout and Jeremiah Sackett, who become involved in the War of 1812, particularly during the burning of Washington, D.C. The narrative focuses on their adventurous and daring exploits as they assist Commodore Joshua Barney in defending their hometown from British forces. The opening portion of the story introduces us to Amos, who reflects on the events of 1814 when he and his friend Jerry became young spies for their country. They are motivated by a sense of patriotism and personal loss, as Jerry's brother was captured by the British. As the narrative unfolds, the boys decide to embark on a mission to trade oysters with Commodore Barney, while simultaneously becoming aware of the looming threat of British forces. Their encounter with various characters, including the engaging old sailor Darius, sets the stage for their eventual involvement in significant historical events. The story is rich with themes of bravery, camaraderie, and youthful adventure amidst the backdrop of war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

James Otis Kaler was an American journalist and author of children’s literature. He wrote under the name James Otis.