Sybil Ludington was a prominent figure and heroine during the Revolutionary War. She was born on April 5, 1761, in Fredericksburg, New York. Today, the area where she grew up has been renamed Ludingtonville. Ludington was the daughter of Henry Ludington, an officer in the militia and a future aide to General George Washington. Ludington was supporting the Patriot cause, which fought for independence from England.

On April 25, 1777, Governor William Tryon arrived near Connecticut with a 2,000-man British military force. His plan was to attack the city of Danbury, where the supplies for the Continental Army were being stored. That day, Tryon and his army moved south, searching for the army’s weapons and foodstuffs; they left chalk marks on the houses of British supporters and informers, setting any house that was unmarked for destruction. Since the Continental Army had recently moved its supplies to Danbury, the area was not well-guarded; all of their food stores, including flour, beef, pork, and wheat, were left vulnerable.

On the night of April 26, 1777, a messenger arrived at the Ludington house who explained the imminent British attack. Henry Ludington tried to pull together his forces, but all of his men had traveled home for spring planting and were spread out across the area. The messenger didn’t know the area well enough to find each of them and warn them—but Sybil Ludington did. At only sixteen years old, she embarked on a 40-mile journey atop her horse, Star, traveling south to Mahopac and north to Stormville to warn the men of the impending attack. She rode more than twice the distance of Paul Revere, another prominent Revolution hero, calling out: “The British are burning Danbury. Muster at Ludington’s at daybreak!”

The next day, most of the 400 soldiers in the area were ready to fight, thanks to Sybil Ludington’s brave and heroic efforts. Although Danbury was partially burned down, her famous ride helped protect a Continental Army storehouse. Her journey was not fully recognized until 1907, when her great nephew, Louis S. Patrick, revealed it to the world in an article. Today, statues of Sybil Ludington on her horse can be found on the shore of Lake Gleneida in New York, in Danbury, and in Washington D.C., at the headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Infer what would have happened when the British burned down Danbury.
1. The British would have won the war instantly.
2. The Americans would have lost necessary supplies.
3. The Americans would not have been affected by the loss of Danbury.
4. Hundreds of American soldiers would have died.
Which of the following obstacles did Sybil Ludington overcome on her journey?
1. Traveling at night
2. Riding long distances
3. Navigating across the area
4. All of the Above
Fill in the blank in the following diagram:
1. The Continental Army recently shifted the location of its storehouse.
2. The Continental Army was severely understaffed.
3. The Continental Army had stationed most of its militia elsewhere.
4. The Continental Army had run out of supplies very early in the war.
With which of the following statements would Sybil Ludington agree?
1. Sometimes, you have to cut your losses.
2. It isn’t over until it’s over.
3. In times of crisis, it’s everyone for themselves.
4. It’s not worth getting involved in war.
Which fact about Sybil Ludington is false?
1. She completed her 40-mile journey as a teenager
2. She played a pivotal role in protecting the storehouse in Danbury.
3. She received immediate recognition for her heroic efforts.
4. A statue of her is located in Washington D.C.
1. Put the following events in order.

I. Governor Tryon lands in Connecticut.
II. Sybil Ludington begins her ride to warn the patriots.
III. Sybil’s journey is revealed to the world by her great-nephew.
IV. A messenger arrives at the Ludington house.
1. I, II, III, IV
2. IV, I, II, III
3. I, IV, II, II
4. II, I, III, IV
Which of the following is the best title for this article?
1. Cowardice in Battle
2. A Daring Journey
3. A Lost Cause
4. The American Revolution