Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-12-15
British ODcidte Accownt ofthe
CAPTURE or FLASHING TON
London Gazette Extraordinary, Sept. 81
COLONIAL DEPARTMENT.
Do10niHg street, Sept. 81.


Major General Ross, arrived this morning
with despatch from that officer, address
ed to Earl Bathurst, one of his Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State, of which the
following is a copy.
Tonnant. IN tie PatuSent, Aue. 30
Nv Lord have the honor to commu-
nicate to your Lordship, that on the night
OF the cath instant after defeating the
army Of the United States on that day, the
troops under my command entered ard
took possession Of the City Of Washington
1t was determined between Sir A Coch-
rane and myself to disembark the army at
the village of Benedict, on the right bank
of the Patuxent with the intention of CO
operating with Rear Admiral Cockbarn,
10 an attack upon a flotilla Of the enemy's
gun boats, under the command OF Com.
Sqrney On the Goth inst the army con
menced It's march, having landed the
previous day without opposition: on the
5lstit reached Nottingham, and on the
22d moved on to Upper Marlboronzh,
tew miles G.stant from Pig Point, on the
pAtuXeut, where Admiral Cookburn fcll in
with and defeated the fotiila, taking and
destroying the whole. Having advanced
to within sixteen miles Of Washington, and
ascerlaiuing the force OF the enemy 10 be
such as might authorize an attempt at car
i}ing his capitol, ] determined to make it,
and accordingly put the troops in move
ment on the evening Of the Esd corps
of about 1900 men appeared to oppose us,
bat retired after firing few shot On the
aIth, the troops resumed their march, and
reached Badensburgh, village situated
on the left bank of the eastern branch of
the Potowlnsc, about five miles from Wash
ington.
On the opposite side Of that river the
enemy was discovered strongly posted on
very commanding heights. formed in two
lines, his advance occupying fortified
house, which, with artillery, covered the
bridge over the eastern branch, across
which the British troops had to pass. 4
broad and straight road, leading from tie
bridge to Washington, ran through the
position, which was carefully defended ty
artillery and riRenen.
The disposition for the attack being
made il was commenced with so much i'm
petuosity by the light brigade, consisting of
the S5th light infantry and the light infan
try companies of the army, under lie com
mand Of Col. Thornton, that the fortified
house was shortly carried, The enemy resic-
ing to the higher grounds
In support of the light brigade order
ed up q brigade under the command Of Col
Brooke, VINO with the 4ith regt attacked
the enemy's left the 4th regt pressing lis
right with such effect as to cause him to
abandon his guns. His fCst lire giving way,
was driven on the second, which yieldiag
to the irresistible attack of the bayonet,
and the well directed discharge of rockets,
got into confusion and fed, leaving the
British masters of the field The rapid
fight of the enemy, and his knowledge of
the country, precluded the possibility of
many prisoners being taken. more particu-
larly as the troops had during the day, I'M
dergone considerable fatigue
ile enemys army, amounting TO s or
5000 men, with 8 or 100 cavalry, was IN.
der the command of Gen Winder. being
troops drawn from Baltimore and PennsyI
vania. His artillery, ten pieces of which
fell into our hands, was commanded by
Com. Barney, who was wounded and ia
ken prisoner. The artillery | directed 10
be destroyed
Having halted the army for short time.
/ determined TO march upon Washington.
and reached that city at eight o'clock that
night. Judging it of consequence to com
plete the destruction of the public build.
ings with the least possible delay, so that
the army might retire without loss of time.
the following buildings were set fire to and
consumed-ths Capitol, including The Sc
nate house and House of Representation,
the arsenal, the ook-yard, treasury, war
Office, Presidents palace, rope walk, and
the great bridge across the Potomac; in
the dock yard a frigate nearly ready TO be
launched, and a sloop of war, were con
sumed. The two bridges leading to Wash
ington over the eastern branch had been
destroyed by tie enemy, who apprehended
an attack from that quarter The object
OF The exnaditinn heing ac.nna nl;sI.aA I =