Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-03
Demo. Press.
Head Of Chester, May 1ofh, 1918.

town, bu. finding that even here there are
such variety'of reports, that it is Difficult,
to ascertain the truth; / have therefore
thought 1t would be quite acceptable TO you
to have correct account pitt, which will
furnish you as far as my observation and in
formation will enable me. was mysel.
there, being called out with our company OF
militia ; but there being few of them suppl
ed with arms, was not in the intrenchment,
but employed at the time in preparing car
trdges. About an hour after sun. rise the
alarm was given, and soon after Is or 10
6arges and boats came up. The militia be-
ing badly provided with arms and cartridges,
there was but very Intellectual resistance
and the militia retre2ted. From she barges
a considerable firing was kept up with mus
kerry and Cannon IT, m grape or canister
to eighteen Founders, and number of rock
cts, but no damage done tn the militia. AS
soon as they gained the towns, the smoke be
gan to rise. Frederick being a deposit for
goods from the cross line from Baltimore to
your place; we supposed they would only
destroy two vessels that wee there and the
stores or warehouses, but they went on with
an indlscrImnate hiring of dwellings,. think
but two houses were left in Frederick In
one the lady of the house had Just laid in, but
they were not TO be satisfied until the infant
was produced; in the other house they built
ire IN the passage. but were afterwards
appcased by the man and his sister who
suck by.--I am told they demanded of him
number of bullccks, then quantity OF poui
Try and caused him To run himself TO death
almost and put him under many humilia,ing
circumstances.
George Iozyn is no place Of commerce.
not having single store, but is principally
inhabited by widows and orphans, who resid-
ed there for the conVe nience of school, but
this was no consideration with their savage
foe; 1t was presently discovered in flames,
school house and all !; few houses however
were spared, and it is difficult to know the
reason for it. Mrs Everett stuck by hers,
and with prayers and entrea,ies saved it
| am told she began pleading for others, but
was told that ii she did not desist they would
burn hers also. am told they made parti
cular enquiry for MIR. Joseph Wards
house; they then went up the river about a
mile and an half, and fred it, while they
spared others in the country where they
were. The reason for this is difficult TO as
Certain, some suppose on account Of the diff
terence of what we call politics, but pre-
tendnot To know. They seem from all can
learn, to have AN astonishing knowledge of
Shat SNf'SiS dblOiisSl US WINE lI6lf Con-
duct at the above places was so ferocoua
II is said they were at other places down
the rirer, extremely polite and civil for our
enemy. s55me houses they-piilaged, at others
they took nothing except poultry or some
thing III that way be their motives what
they may, their conduct is certainly mean
aud contemplate for the officers themselves,
and III many instances savage, for a nation
pretending TO civilization, and ought to dis
grace them in he eyes OF the world If the
| civilized world itself be not Verging hack to
state of,barbarism.
admiral Cockburn was said IL be at the
fhead, but expect those mean tricks will be
GiSap0zved, ard he Dirdamd hromofed They
reported down the RIVER that they went up
with nag as they pretendmother instances,
but 1t Is denied by all that / haze seen who
saw them, that thy esfrvwe q any they press
ed a man down TIA river to come up with
them; he says they had no Gag, except that
they met with two negroes III boat. put a
| piece ct whie paper on their hats, and pal
I them IN front as negociators with such q
| hostile force, how ever, l can see no differ
ence whether 1t be a white or red flag ttoJ
| hoist. ~
4" It is said they threaten Chester town o,
our Il'eI, anu lle people nave DecH muCi
| alarmed indeed, but there they would have
met with hot york, if they had landed. 4
| few days ago they landed on Kent island
and burnt ferry boat, the tavern and oihei
houses at the ferry belonging TO MIR. r.
Jones, native of their country.
| " Ii is row said the whole force has NOV
ed down the Bay, and the alarms at presen
have subsidized, and some Of the militia beer
discharged.
| " The inhabitants here were much alarm
ed, but think there is very little probabili
| ~ OF lhefr attempting TO come here by waite
1t IS about Is to 20 miles frous Chester
town. The river for some distance narrow
crooked and difficult, with good deal o
| pine woods ON the shores, which they don
like; they could not get even with barge
nearer than from two to three miles w
| could have good chance giving them busl
| lighting, and at least annoying them yerl
mach. Several deserted at George town -
have cOnversed with one. he appears no
nest and simple in his manners; he say
many more would desert If they could get
chance IN the woods while the officers art
very shy and fearful Of the woods, am tol,
the men are much delighted with the ap
pearance OF them"
4 -
| Mr.. Hard is ze0Ioas yehu6Gean, and
| member Of The sfQfs iepfeIaktxrR