The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-24
Dec. s.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


The first line and the cavalry, e7icep. one
troop of col. Laval's, had taken route which
old not bring them to the capitol the most
or thrm had proceeded north of the District
OF Columbia, and others dispersed and retur-
ned home, and sought iefreahmcnt i'm the
coantry.. The commanding general repre-
sented the diminution of his force, the dsper-
sion OF large portion Of it, the want OF discip-
Inc, the great fatigue of the troops and be-
lieved that it would be impossible to make
eicctuAl resistance to the invasion of the CT
" nor did, he think itwould be proper to at
tempt to defend the capitol the troops being
without provisions and which would leave e
very other part of the CITY to the mercy of the
enemy, and the prospect uf losing his army
In this consultation the Secretaries of State
and War, 1t appears, concurred in their views
with General Winder, and advised him to
Fctre and rally the troops upon the heights
OF Georgetown; this produced ain order for
the whole forces to retreat from capitol hill
through Georgetown. On receiving this or
der the troops evinced the deepest anguish,
and tn order which had been pre,iouslv
VA ATTAINED was destroyed. Gen. Smith i'm
h's report uses this language -" when tie
ordertor retreat from aptol hill was re-
c2Ived, the troops evinced an anguish beyond
tue power OF language to express. The.
troops were hated at Teneytown, and AN at
which only partially succeeded. Some retur-
ned home : some went in pursui; of refresh
lncnts and those that halted gave them
selves np To tile uncontrolled feelings, which
iitigue, exhaustion, privation and tlisappoit;-
men produced. The force thus collected
were marched about five miles up the Poto-
mac, aud early in tie morning, Thursday the
<''h, orders were given to assemble the
tfD'H1S at Montgomery Courthouse Gene
raj Winher seems To have taken thrs position
with view TO collect his forces, and to in
terpose tor the protection of Baltimore. i'm
case the ere'oy marched upon il, as was anti
cpAted by MN. On the 2Sd, Gen. Winder
spatched an order 10 the commanding Off
CT at lOrt w ashlngtoh 20 place patroles ON
every road ieadIng 20 the garrison and upon
we eVent OF nus being taken in the rear of the
Tort, TO biowi It up and retire across the river.
On the 2Gth, the ARMY at Montromerv tool
zap the line of march about ten o'clock To-
wards Baltimore General Wmder proceed
T on to Baltimore. On the 9th, gen. Smiths
prigf1e marched 70 this district.
he distance from Benedict To the CITY of
" as'lag'on, by Bladensburg, is upwards of
my mics lhe enemy was without baggage
Wagons or means Of transportation his
troops much exhausted with fatigue nanv
compelled TO quit the ranks, and extraor,lina-
~ eXertons used to keep others In motion
anu as y un7bic r. pursue our forces. remain
u on The battle ground the enemy's adj
vance reached the city abont o'clock in the
evening, the battle, having ended about . a.
c'ook' orbeiore. The main BODY Of the enc
NV r@mAined on the heights west Of the
tayupi'sc gate. '"N
y 'cto' Cattett, tie experimenting surgeon.
"-.' W." 'd'nh'cd To- attend ,ipon TIE wound