Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-09-22
BALTIMORE, Sept. Is

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here for the last four days, although fula
of alarm and danger, have given our fellow
citizens a confidence in each other and in
the preparations made for the defence oe
this city which has almost removed every
fear of our Ultimate success. To give even
a sketch of the transactions which haya
Just passed in our view, With correctness.
we are aware is not at this time p~ractiea-
BILE. The inaccuracies In the following out.
line we hope will meet with that indulgence
which is due to the occasion.
The British force that advanced up the
Bay on Sunday last reached the mouth Of
the river on Sunday morning the vessels
containing the troops proceeded to North
Point, about re miles South East of Bal
timore, and commenced debarking during
the night the Frigates, Bombs, Ketches
and Barges, entered the river, and ap-
preached the Fort and City.
Between 5 and 1000 of the enemy effect
ed a landing at North Point during the
night of Sunday and Monday morning and
commenced their march towards this city.
They were met about three miles from their
landing by Gen. Stricken, having under
his command the infantry of the Sd Bri-
gade, the York Volunteers, a company of
Artillery with some Cavalry and Rifemen
amounting to 5000. These troops had ar
rived the evening before on the ground
where they prepared to give the enemy
battle, who advanced slowly under cover
of the woods. About noon, a small party
of about $50 Infantry and Rifemen were
detached from our line to reconnoitre .
they provoked an attack from the enemy
which soon after became general along the
front line of troops composed of the 9Th
Regiment with the York Volunteers under
Colonel Sterett, the eth Regiment under
Colonel Long, and Captain M~ontgomery's
Artillery.
From the disposition which it was iudg-
ed proper to make Of our troops, not more
than one half of them were engaged these
although wholly militia, fought with a
bravery and perseverance highly honorable
to them and destructive to the enemy. The
action continued about an hour and a quar-
ter, and during the last quarter the firing
of musketry was rapid and incessant. Sc
verely calling as it was, our front line bore
it with ~firInness and returned it with ener-
gy, until the enemy by superior numbers
had out flanked them, when they were
ordered to retreat-and even then it was
with difficulty that the repeated commands
of their officers, who saw the immediate
danger of their being surrounded, could
induce them to retire.
Our loss during the action in killed and
wounded although not great in member,
was distressing on account of the value of
the lives at risk. Every man who fell or
was injured, was a respectable citizen,
for whom a large circle Of intimate friends
and relatives felt deeply interested. The
only officer killed on our side was James
l. Donaldson, Esq Adjutant of the eth
Regiment, and one of the Delegates from
this city to the General Assembly of this
State~-a number of our officers were wound
ed, but we have not sufficient information
to ~particularize we have, however, the
pleasure to hear that none of their wounds
are dangerous.
The loss of the enemy, if we may credit
the accounts given by some deserters and
prisoners, greatly exceed ours in number,
but what principally compensated III any
thing could compensatory for the death OF
our brave and respected fellow citizens,
was the loss sustained by the British army
in the death of their enterprizing, brave,
and we may Justly add, respectable com
mander, General Ross-The hero of Bla-
densburgh the captor and destroyer of our
capitol was doomed to meet his fate from
militia, of whom he had spoke with con-
tempt and, the citizens soldiers of BaltiT
more nave the honor of retrieving in some
degree, our national character from the dis
grace sustained at the seat of government
by the destruction of the successful leader
of that daring invasion.
After the action our troops retired to-
wards Baltimore, and were followed slow
ly and at a distance by the enemy; who
approached, on Tuesday within two miles
of our entrenchments. Preparations were
making by our Major General to cut Oh
their retreat, and General Winder with the
Virginia militia were detached for that Pur-