Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-03
AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON. 3
3 TO The Editors cffte baltimore Patriot.
Friday Evening. Aug. 90.

i Huay evening, Aug 20.
Gcn.lemen-
Having witnessed the late un>
happy occurrences at Washinston. I will, a.
greeablyt to your request, put them on pa
per that, it necessary, they may be used
ports which are circulating.
arrived, at Washington on Sunday, she
Slst instant. At thar, time the efFicars OF
government, and the citizens were very an
prehensive Of an attack from the British,
who had landed force on the Patuxent-
Their humbers had not been ascertained, but
reports were various, stating them from A
thousand 70 10 thousand. Gen. Winter was
stationed near the Wood Yard, with about 2
thousand men, hourly expecting large REIN
forcsments from every quarter. particular
iy from Baltimore, 8 Thousand men having
been ordered to march immediately from
that place. On Sunday, the public officers
were all engaged in packing. and sending off
their banks, & the citizens their furnitare. On
Monday, this business " as continued with
great indultry, G.many families left the city
The specie was removed IRON all the Banks
in the district Reports were currsnt, that
Winder had received reinforceiaents so
that !, was believed by many well informed.
persons, that lie would have TO- 900 men en-
bodied in the course of the week. In the
expectation that there was very consderas
bic force collected. the President. accompa-
MED by the Secretary at War, and of the
Navy, left the city for the camp. They ar
rived there late that night; and the next
morning finding but 5000 men, and learning
that the Baltimore troops were encamped
at Bladensburg, they returned TO the city on
Tuesday to make further arrangements =
AL the books and papers we're sent off, and
the citizens generally leftthe place. ~
In the course of that day scouting party
from General Winder's army Ind Skin.
nish with the British advance guard, and
returned to Camp with such tidings as in.
duced General Winder to retire to the city,
with his army, which he accomplished by
9 O'Clock in the evening. burnt the old bridge
which crossed the Eastern Branch, and en-
camped on the hill, directly above the other
bridge, about one mile and an half from the
Navy Yard, and prepared to defend that
passage. In the event of the British being
too strong. the bridge was TO be blown up,
for which hehad every thing prepared. At
this post he remained the whole night. ex.
pecting the eDemy's forces. On Wednesday,
morning walked through the army, and re-
NAMED at the bridge until 10 O'Clock, when
advice was received, that the enemy had
taken the Bladensburs road. The troops
were immediately put in motion. and by ~
O'Clock the whole were ON their march. in
thehope of forming junction with the Bal
timore troops, before the enemy reached
Bladeusburg. This was only partially ac-
co,nplished, when the battle commenced, Il
was contested by the Baltimore troops and
the men from the hotiIla, with great spirit
and galIantry, until 1t appeared useless for
so small force, very badly supported, to
stand against siZ thousand regulars, all pick.
ed men and well suppled--a retreat was
ordered, when the President, who had been
on horseback with the army the whole day,
returned from the mortifying scene, aud LETT
the city on horseback.
On Thursday morning, / proceeded en-
with the army, to Montgomery Court House,
where Gen. Winder's head quarters we're
established had some conversation with
hi m. He appeared to regret very much
that he had not been enabled to have made