I
have the honor to communicate to your Lordship, that on the night of the 24
th inst. After defeating the army of the United States that day, the
troops under my command entered and took possession of the city of Washington.
It was determined between Sir A. Cochrane and myself, to disembark the army at
the village of Nenedict, on the right bank of the Patuxeut, with the intention
of Co-operating with Rear-admiral Cockburn, in an attack upon a flotilla of the
enemy?s gun boats, under of the command of Com. Barney. On the 20th instant,
the ar-my command its march, having landing the previous day without opposition:
on the 21st it reached Nottingham, and on the 22nd moved on to Upper
Marlborough, a few miles distant from Pig Point on the Patuxent, where Admiral
Cockburn fell in with and defeated the flotilla taking and destroying the whole.
Having advanced to within 16 miles of Washington, and ascertaining the force of
the enemy to be such as might authorize an attempt at carrying his capital, I
determined to make it, and accordingly put the 1200 men appeared to oppose us
but retired after firing a few shots.
On
the 24 th the troops resumed their march, and reached Bladensburg, a
village situated on the left bank of the eastern branch of the Pofowmac, about
five miles from Washington. On the opposite side of that river the enemy was
strongly posted on very commanding heights formed in two lines, his advance
occupying a fortified house, which, with artillery, covered the bridge over the
eastern branch, across which the British troops had pass. A broad and straight
road, leading from the bridge to Washington ran through the position, which was
carefully defended by artillery and riflemen. The disposition for the attack
being made, it was commenced with so much impetuosity by the list brigade,
consisting at the 85th light infantry and the army, under the command
of Col. Thornton, that the fortifired house was shortly carried, the enemy
retiring to the higher grounds. In support of the light brigade I ordered up a
brigade under the command of Col. Brooke, who with the 44th regiment,
attacked the enemy?s left, the 4th regiment pressing its right with
such effect as to cause him to abandon his guns. His first line giving way, was
driven on the second, which, yielding to the irresistible attack of the bayonet,
and the well directed discharge of rockets, got into confusion and fled. The
rapid flight of the enemy, and his knowledge of the country, precluded the
possibility of many prisoners being taken, more particularly as the troops had,
during the day, undergone considerable fatigue.
The
enemy?s army amounting to 8 or 9000 men, with 3 or 400 cavalry, was under the
command of Gen. Winder, being formed of troops drawn from Baltimore and
Pennsylvania. His artillery, ten pieces of which fell into are hands, was
commanded by Com. Barney, who was wounded and taken prisoner. The artillery I
directed to be destroyed. Having halted the army for a short time, I determined
to march upon Washington, and reached that city at 8 o?clock that night. Judging
it of consequences to complete the destruction of the public buildings with the
least possible delay, so that the army might retire without loss of time, the
following buildings were set fire to and consumed- the capitol, including the
Senate house and House of representation, the Arsenal, the Dock-Yard, Treasury,
War office, President?s Palace, Rope-Walk, and the great bridge across the
Potewmac: In the dock-yard a frigate nearly ready to be launched, and a slope of
war, were consumed. The two bridges leading to Washington over the eastern
branch, had the enemy been destroyed by the enemy who apprehended an attack from
that quarter.
The
object of the expedition being accomplished, I determined, before any greater
enemy force could be assembled, to withdraw the troops, and accordingly
commenced retiring on the night of the 25th. On the evening if the 29th
we reached Benedict, and re-embarked the following day. In the performance of
the operation I have detailed, it is with the utmost satisfaction I observe to
your Lordship that cheerfulness in undergoing fatigue, and anxiety for the
accomplishment of the object, were conspicuous in all ranks
An
attack upon an enemy so strongly posted could not be effected without loss. I
have to lament that the wounds received by Col. Thornton, and the others
officers and soldiers left at Bladensburg, were such as prevented their removal
As many of the wounded as could be brought off were removed, the others being
left with medical care and attendants. The arrangements made by Staff Sueg?n
Baxter for their accommodation have been as satisfactory as circumstances would
admit of. The Agent for British prisoners of war very fortunately residing at
Bladensburg, I have recommended the wounded officers and men to his particular
attention, and trust to his being able to effect their exchange when
sufficiently recovered.
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