The National Register. — London, England, 1814-10-02 00:00:00

OCT. 2. LONDON GAZE . ] EXTRAORDINARY. TUESDAY SEPT. ?7, 1814. COLONIAL DEPARTMENT, DOWNING-STREET, SEPT. e 7, 1814. Captain Smith, Assistant-Adjutant-General to the troops under the command of Majot-Grin ral Ross, arrived this morning with a dispatch from that officer, addressed to Earl 11 ..thorst, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, of which the following is a copy : Tonnant, in the Pafrxent, August 30, 11114 My Loan-4 have the honour to communicate to your Lordship, that on the night of the '2 4t h instant, after defeating the army of the United States on 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 dis• embark the army at the village of Benedict, on the rizlit bank of the Patuxent, with the intention of co-operating with Rear-Admi ral Cockburn, in an attack upon a flotilla of the enemy's €►un-boats, under the command of Commodore Barney. On the 20th instant, the army commenced its march, having landed the previous day without opposition : on the !Ist it reached Nottingham, and on the 22d 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 sixteen miles of Washington, and ascertaining the force of the enemy to be such as might authorise an attempt at carrying his capital, I determined to make it, and accordingly put the troops in movement on the evening of the 23d. A corps of about TOO men appeared to oppose us, but retired atter firing a few shots. On the 24th the troops resumed their march, and reached Diadem berg, a village situated on the left bank of the eastern branch of the Potowmae, about five miles from Washington. On the opposite side of that river the enemy was discovered 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 Bri tish troops had to pass. A broad and straight road, leading frum the bridge to Washington, ran through the enemy's position, which was carefully defended by artillery and riflemen. 'The disposition for the attack being made, it Nag commenced with so much impetuosity by the light brigade, consisting of the 35th . light infantry, and the light infantry companies of the army, under the command of Colonel Thornton, that the fortified 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 Colonel Brooke, who, witl► the 44th regiment, attacked the enemy's left, the 4th regiment pressing his right with such (fleet as to cause him to abandon kis guns. Ilis 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, leaving the British masters of the field. The rapid flight of the enemy, and his knowledge of the country, pro. eluded the possibility of many prisoners being taken, more parti cularly as the troops had, during the day, undergone considerable fatigue. The enemy's army, amounting to 8 or 9000 men, with 3 or 400 eavalry, was nutlet the command of General Winder, being formed G 25 cat troops drawn from Baltiincite and Pensvlvania. His ariiile►,y, ten pieces of which fell into our hands, was commanded by Commo dore Barney, who was wounded and taken pri-oner. The artillery I directed to be destroyed. Having halted • the army for a shirt time, I determined to march upon Washington, and reached that city at tight o'clock that night. Judging it of consequence to complete the destruction of the publC buildings with the least possible delay, so that the army oti;4la re tire without loss of time, the following buildings were set fire to and consumed—the Capitol, ii.chidiwy, the Senate-House, and Itave of Representation, the arsenal, the dock-yard, treasury, war-office, President's palace. rope-walk, an' the great Midge across the Po towmack : in the dock-yard, a fliate nearly reaiv to be launched, and a sloop of war, were consumed. The two ',ridges leading to IVashington over the eastern branch hail been destroyed by the pettily. who apprehended an attack from that quarter. The olject of the expedition being accomplished, I determined, befbre any greater three of the enemy could be assembied, to ‘lithdrawr the troops, and accordingly commenced retiring on the night of the /5111. On the evening of the '29th we reached Benedict, and re-em barked the following day. In the performance of the operation I have detailed, it is with the utmost satisfaction I observe to cur Lordship, that cheerfulness in undergoing fatigue, and anxiety for the accomplishment of the object, were conspicuous in all ranks. To Sir Alexander Cochrane my thanks are due, for his ready compliance with every wish connected with the welfare of the troops, and the success of the expedition. To Rear-Admiral Cockbuin, who suggested the attack upon Washington, and who accompanied the army, I confess the greatest obligation for his cordial co-operation and advice. Colonel Thornton, who led the attack, is entitled to every prai'c iur the noble example he set, which was so well followed by Lieut.- Colonel Wood and the 85th light infantry, and by Major Jones, of the 4th foot, and the light companies attached to the light brigade. I have to express my approbation of the spirited conduct of Colorel Brooke, and of his brigade, the 44th regiment, which he led, •di . tinguished itself, under the command of Lient..Colonel Mullens; the gallantry of the foot, under the command of Major Fanuce, being equally conspicuous. -• : The exertions of Cwt. Mitchell, of the royal artillery, in bring ing the guns into action, were unremitting; to him, and to the d, tachment under his command, including Capt. Deacon's rocket bri gade, and the marine rocket corps, I feel every obligation. Capt. Lempriere, of the royal artillery, mounted a small detachment of the' royal artillery drivers, which proved of great utility. The assistance afforded by Capt. Blanchard, of the royal engi neers, in the duties of his department was of great advantage. To Cie zealous exertions of Captains Wainwright, Palmer, and Mimey, of the Royal Navy, and to those bf the ufficcts and seamen %l ho landed with tiwm, the service is highly indebted ; the hitter, Capt. Motley, had charge of the seamen attach( d to the marine artillery. To Capt. M'Dougall, of the 85th foot, who acted as my aid de camp, in consequence of the indisposition of my aid-de-camp, Capt. Falls. and to the Akers of Inv stall; I : much inch bled. I must beg leave to call your Lordship's attention to the zeal and indefatigable exertions of Lieut. E%ans, acting•deptity-qttarter master-general. The intelligence dispiaed by that officer in Cir cumstances of considerable difficulty, induces me to hope he will hied with some distinguished mark of approbation. I have teisilea THE NATIONAL REGISTER.