Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-14

svH'i Ctaos HVbc" r'SWifGS k1cnTy NiCu
olson, J. B. Patton, John Cohagen, James
MILAN, John Hunter, Reuben Johnston, X. ].
Taylor, William Witch, Anthony Rhodes.
The following narrative of the occupation
OF THIS town blythe enemy and of the cir
cumsiances connected with that unfortu-
nate transaction, having been submitted to
Council and duly considered and examined,
the Council do unanimously CONCUR therein,
and II is thererpon. ordered, that it be pub
lished IN both Of tie papers printed in this
town.
Tnos. HERBERT, Pres.
(, Ala :aseSps the connittse cf vigilance,
| this Ith III Se2t 1914.
Prcsent-Charies Simms, Mayor Jo-
scph Dean, Matthew RcbmsDn. Jonah
Thompson, William Herbert, Thes. Vow
ell. Edmund Lee.
The following narrative of the occupa-
tiS of the town of Alexandria by the Bri-
tisn Squadron. was submitted to the CONF
mittee, who upon examining the same, IL
unanimously concur in it.
CHARLES SiMN1S, Chairman.
Thomas Vowel. Sec'ry.
A respect for the opinions of others, and
a due regard fer the character of the Citi..
nicipal authorities of the town, to exhibit to
the public a faithful narrative of the occus
patton OF Alexandria by the Britith squads
ron under the command of captain Gordon,
together with the Causes which led to that
distressing event.
10 those who are Gnacquaintcd with the
situation aud condition of Alexandra in re-
gard to its means of defence, il will be pro-
per to state, that it is situate in the District
of Columbia. upon the west bank Of the RI
yer Potomac, about six miles below the city
of Washington ;the depth of water admit
ting large frigates to come to the very
wharves Of the town.
It's totally hesitate of Notifications OF a,
ny kind, and its protection against invasion
by water, depended entirely upsna fort a..
bout six miles below the town, commonly
, known by the name of fort Warburton.
which was exclusively under tee sontro. Of
the governments Of the y. States.
About the uonth of july last, it was ans
neunced that General Winder was appoin-
| ted to the command, of the tenth military
\ district Of the United States. comprehending
the DISTRICT Of Cslumbia and portion of
|, the s..joining ss&tqs ofVirginia aud Mary.
land, incjuclDg she city of Baltimore.
In Contemporaries of reports that the enemy
Washington, the municipal authority OLA
iexandrss thought Is advisable to eppcint a
CoEiriIttre ofNigilance for the purpose of
procuring information of the approaches of
the eneniy, aud of obtaining assistance and
advice as to the measures which it might be
proper to pursue for protection and defence.
Assoon as this Cor. nittee was appointed,
they caused representations to be made to
General Wiadet of the defenceless condition
of the Town., AID earnestly entrcated that
some measures should be taken for its Pro-
lection. General WiHder was called on be.
cause it had been distinctly understood that
the Secretary Of War wuuld receive our
communications through this channel only.
From General Winder every assurance was
made that could have been wished, that .
very ching i'll his power should be done for
the proteclon Of the town. His means how
ever were very nsiderablc-ae had 10
money toexpcnd 70 fcrtihcatjons or even in
the erection OF batteries and unless some
defence of this SORT could be obtained, the
town would be exposed tn the mercy of the
enemy, If he should approach by water and
should succeed in passing the fort. The
COMMITTEES Of Vigilance was duty impressed
with the necessity Of providing sons ade-
quate defence against an attack by water, *
some of its members, under the authority Of
the committee, had repeated interviews with
General Winder Oh this subject IN one Of
them, the President of the United States
was present, and he was distinctly given tc
understand, that unless there was provided
an adequate deierce for the town, it would
be at the mercy of the enemy X would be
compelled to make the best terms ia its
power. These representations and requests
produced no other effect than the repetition
Of the ass0ranc OF an earnest desire On the
part OF Gtnerai tVinder to afford every as.
sis,ancs an ais power.
On the 18th Of August a levy en- masse,
was made Of the Dlitia OF the town and
county Of Alexandria, and on the goth and
2lst they were ordered 70 cross the Poto.
G,sc, aud stationed between Piscataway and
fort Wa,burton. They took with them all
the artillery which had been mounted atthe
ezpence ct the corporation except two IL
Founders, which were left without ammur
milton, and nearly all the arms belonging to
| the town. They left no men but the en-
ernpts from age and other ,.apses and few
| who had not reported themselves or had
| found substitutes, and it is not believed that
after their departure, one hundred effective
armed men could have been mustered in
town. Tie two iron twelve Founders re
| NAMED until the 18th, when Alexandra be-
ing open TO the enemy, then IN full possess
| sion of Washington, they were removed at
some distance from the town by orders re
ceiyed from Gen. Young.
On the night of the 24th, the Alexandria
militia were ordered to recross the Potomac:
| they did so, aud were marched through
town without hating, into the country, and
| without giving information to the aatbori-
lies or inhabitants of the place of their des'
| finatiop, and on the veniDg OF the 9th,
-, sre neet approached the municipal