The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-14

Cofy Of letter from Com. BARN7r 10 the
Secretary u ihe Navy, dated
Farm, ar ELs Rider. .9yr,., 90.

Farm, ar ELk Ridge, .augua 30, 1914.
siR-lhs Is the bist moment have had il in my
Po"ei TO make areport Of the proceedings of the
forces undes my command since Lad the honor of
seeing you on tuesday, the 23d inst at the Camp of
the old Fields. On the afternoon of that d,y We
were informed that the enemy WAS advancing upon
US. Our army was pu, into order Of battle aud oui
positions taken my forces were on the light nanked
ny Tie TWO battsions OF ihe S6th and 38th re
"here we renamed some hours. The enemy did
h"'' however, make his appearance. A little before
sunset Gen Winder came TO me and recon mended
mat the heavy artillery should be Withdrawn, wi,L
the exception OF one l@-pounder to cover the retre.
we TOOK up the line OF march, and in the night en-
tered Washington by the Eastern Branch Bridge 1
na,cheu ny men. &c. 10 the NJ ,rihe Barrack, and
,ooS quarters for the night About = o'clock, Gen
"inuer ca"e TO my quarters. And we made some
arrangements In The MOI ning I received a note
from orr .WirdSg. aau waiteu uEoE 3,ifn isS~rx.
guessed me TO take command and place my arullc,
10 "efehd The passage OF the bridge the eastern
branch, AS the enem, was approaching the city in
that dncc.on. I immediately put my guns in posi.
uoh, Isa'ihg the marines and the res, of m, men al
'le barracks, to wait further orders. I was in this
SITUATION when had the honor to meet YOU with the
riesidsnt and Heads of Departments; when it was
oeeermihea should draw oil my guns and men, and
proceed towards Biadcnsbuig, which was imrnedi-
ati! put into execution. On way was inform
ed the enemy was within a mile Of BadensburV we
hurried Oh, though the day was very hot and my
men much crippled from the severe marches we had
experienced the preceding days preceded the
men, and when arrived at the line winch separates
the District from Mary land, the battle began I
sent All officer back to husien on my nen-.hey anne
up IN a irot We took our position on the rising
ground, put the pieces in battery, posted the ma
rines under Capt. Miller, and Aollla men who were
TO act AZ infantry under officers, my
right, TO support the pieces, and waited the approach
oi the enemy. During this period the eng cement
L. 10 mt ada inn and ntr.
treating before them, apparently in much disorder
al length the enemy made his appearance the
man road ~ force and in front OF my battery, and
on seeing US made bait; reserved our fire in y
lew minutes the enemy again advanced, when I Or
dered an l8-pounder to be fred, which completely
cleared the road shortly after, a second and third
attempt was made by the enemy TO come forward but
all who made the attempt were destroyed The en-
eHy then crossed into open field and attempt.
ed to Hank our right He WAS there met by three
l2pounders, the marines under Capt Miller, and
my men acting as infantry, and again was totally
cut up. By tins time not vestige Of the American
army renamed except a body o. five or six hundred
posted on height on my right from whom expect.
ed much support from their fine situation The enc
my from this period never appeared in force in or,
OF US He however pushed forward his sharp shoe.
ters, one OF whom shot my horse under me which
fell dead between two Of my guns The enemy who
had been kept in check by fire for nearly halt
hour, now began To out flank on the right Our
guns were turned that way; he pushed up the bill
about or 500 men towards ,he corps Of Americans
stationed above described who 10 my great graft
hcstion made no resistance, giving fire or two aud
retiring. in ;is situation We had the whole army OF
the enemy TO contend With our Ammunition wase ex-
pended, and unfortunately the drivers Of my ammu.
milton Wagons had gone oh in the general panic Al
this time had received a severe wound in my thigh
Captain Miller was wounded, sailing gmsoier Warner
Killed, actiirg sailing g-msoter Martin killed, and sail
ing master Martin wounded, but 10 the honor of my
officers and men, fas, as their COMPANIONS and
messmats fell % the guns, they were ms antiy re.
placed from those acting AS infantry Finding tie
enemy was completely ia our rear and no means OF
defence, gave orders my oficers and men TO re-
tire. Three of my officers assisted me 10 get oil
short distance but the great los, Of blood occgsion
ed such weakness that was compelled 10 lie down
requested my officers To leave me, which they OBJ
,tinaey refused, bat upon Being ordefed they obey
ed one only remained IN short time observed
British soldier and had him called, and directed
him to seek an officer, in few minutes an officer
came. who. on learning who was. brought General
Ross and Admiral Cockburn 10 me. These officers
behaved 70 me with the most marked attention, res
pect and politeaess, had a surgeon brought and my
round dre. s>d iranediafeIy. Aft-f a few minutes