1.seize vt.抓住,逮住;夺取,占领;没收,查封;理解,掌握

例句：I hear there is a big reward for the seizing of the thief.
      我听说为捉拿那小偷设立了重奖。

2.waste v.浪费

3.bravery n.勇敢

例句：He was given the accordance of knighthood for his bravery.
      他因表现英勇被授予骑士封号。

4.retreat n.撤退

例句：There appeared an emergency in front. We must beat a retreat immediately.
      前方遇到紧急情况，我们必须马上回撤。

5.artery n. 动脉,主流,干道

例句：He injured his pulmonary artery when fighting against a gangster.
      他和歹徒搏斗时伤到了肺动脉。

      the main artery of communications between north and south
       南北交通的大动脉 

1.Now, however, there was great fear that southern soldiers would seize Washington.

however表示转折：尤其用于谈及一个既成事实时，表示转折，其意为“可是”“仍然”等。可放在句首、句中或句末，通常用逗号与句子其他成分隔开。如：My father, however, did not agree. 但是，我父亲不同意。My room is small; however, it’s comfortable. 我的房间很小，但却很舒服。My room is small; however, it’s comfortable. He said that it was so; he was mistaken, however. 他说情况如此，可是他错了。注：however不能像 but(但是)那样直接连接两个句子(注意正句中的标点符号)注意正句中的标点符号。

that引导同位语从句，指代的是fear。

2.McClellan kept making excuses for why he would not move against the enemy.

why引导名词性从句，在这里做宾语。

3.At one point, the Confederates tried to break out of the fort and escape.

break out of摆脱(束缚等)，逃脱

They tried to break out of jail.
他们试图越狱。