The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-07
TO THE EDITORS OF THE BALTtMoREPA
TKIOT.

FT7aay EUeni'iSr, lug. 26th, 1914.
GENTLEMEN-Havng Witnessed the late
unhappy occurrences at Washington, viii,
agreeably oyour request, put them on pa
per that, Ii necessary, they may be used To
correct some OF the many erroneous reports,
which are circulating.
arrived Ut Washington on Sunday the
2ist INST. At that time the officers of gov
ernment & the citizens were very appreh, n
s.ve OF an attack from the British, who landed
force on the PatuXent. Their numbers had
not been ascertaned, but reports were vali-
Gus, stating them from 40OUto 5000 Gen.
Wtnde7' who was stationed near the Wood
Yard, WIKI about 2G0o men, hourly expecting
Large rSIntorcemcnts from every quarter,
particularly from Baltimore, 5000 iuen having
been ordered to march immediately from
that place. On Sunday, the public Offices
were al! engaged Iii packing and sending off
tnrir books ana the citizenS their furniture.
On Monday, TINS business was continued with
srea Industry, and many families left the CT
~. 1he specie was removed from all the
banks IL the District. Reports were very
current, that Winder had received large re-
mforcements /; so thatit was believed by ma
ny weil-informed persons, that he would have
10000 men embodied in Tie course Of the
week. In the expectation that there was a
very considerable force cole CtCd, the Pres-
dent, accompanied by the Secretary at War.
and of the Navy, left the CITY forthe canp.
They arrived there late that night and the
next morning finding but 5000 men, and
learning that the Baltimore troops were en-
camped at Bladensburg, they returned to the
ely on tuesday to make further arrange
ments. All the books and papers were sent
OH, and the Citizens generally left the place
in the course of that day scouting party
from General Winder's army had 4 slirmish
win the BRITISH advance guards, and return
ed to camp with such tidngs as induced Gen.
Wlnder to retire TO the CITY, with his army.
which he accompanied by O'Clock in the e.
yening, burnt the old bridge which crossed
the Potomac, and encamped on the hilA d.
rectly above the other bridge about one mile
and an hall from the Navy Yard, and pre-
pared TO deterd that passage. In the event
OF the British be-. $ too strong, the bridge was
to be blown up, fol which he had every thiDg
prepared. at this post he remained the
VIII &c night expecting the enemy forces
On "Wednesday morning, ! walked through
the army, and remained at the bridge ulitiI
10 O'Clock, when advice was received thaf
the ehemy had taken the Bladensbnrg road
lAe troops were Immediately put ia motion.
and by IL O'Clock the whole were ON then.
ma CT, IN hope OF forming a junction with
The Baidmore troops. before the enemyIeach-
cd BIadeisburg. This was only partially sc
coinplished, when the battle commenced. and
IS contested BY the Baltimore trcaps and
Tue men from the fotilla, with great spirit
aud gailantfy, until ii appeared useless for 50
small force, very Dadiy supported to stand
against sic MoHsaud fegnLprs, aH hicEed b7e,1
and 7OeH sUElHed--a retreat was ordered
when the President, who had been on horse
back With the army the wio.e dav, retired
from the moitHJIng scene, aud left the CITY
on horseback, accompanied by General Ma
son and MIR. Carroll At Georgetown, the
President met his adv, she having left the CT
y only hall hour before him, having re-
NAMED with great hrnhess and composure al
the Presidents house until Il messenger bro't
her the tidings, that the British were within
few miles OF the city, and that our army
we're retreatmg without any chance OF being
ralHed, 81 as e. check their march.
The President and Secrt tary q State, vert
to Virginia, with their families-the other Of
|crrS V'fhc g0peyAmeHt aren't u FredcrfcI-
fo7or, 7ohCre The g0UeJ7unenfiy 10 be- Turned,
and 7Ohere the Prcsi tent 7ite1tis to meet his
Sccrelarie$ mat weck. | remained at the
president S house, until our army had passed,
aud niuety-uine hmdredths Of the citizens
one, leaving nothing but empty walls. Ifen
iHt1 The trail d ule army, aud marched about