The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-07

densbafE, they Eesnraed TO the cityon Tuesday e
make further arrangements all the books and pa
pers were sent oil, and the ciiizsns generally left
the place.
In the course Of that day scouting party from
Gen. Winder's army bad skirmish with the British
advanced guards, aud returned to camp with such
tdings induced Gen Wlnder to retire to the city
with his army, which he accomplished by O'clock
in the evening, burnt the old bridge which crossed
the Potomac, and encamped cn the hill, directly a.
bove the other bridge, about one mile and a half
from the navy-yard, and prepared to defend that
passage In the OF the British being strong
the bridge was to be blown up, for which he had ev-
cry thing prepared. At this post he remained the
whole night, expecting, the enemy's forces. On
Wednesday morning walked through the arIny,and
remained at the bridge until 10 o'clock, when sd-
vice received that the enemy had taken the Bla-
densburg road The troops were Immediately rut
in motion. and by IL o'clock the whole were their
march, In the hope Of forming junction with the
Baltimore troops before the enemy reached Bls-
densburg THIS was only partially accomplished,
when the battle commenced, and was contested by
the Baltimore troops and the men from the hotiha,
with great spirit and gallantry, until it appearca
useless for SO small force, very badly suppor,cd,to
stand against 6OOO regulars, all picked men, and
well supplied-a retreat ordered, when the Pre-
sident, who had been on horseback with the army
the whole day, retired from the Notifying scene,
and left the city on horseback. accompanied BY Gen.
Mason and Mr.. Carroll. At Georgetown, the Presi-
dent met his lady, she having left the city only half
an hour before him, having remained with great
hfmness and composure at the Presidents house,un-
I'll messenger brought her the tidings, that the BIZ
tish were within few miles OF the city, aud that
our army were retreating, without any chance OF be-
ing rallied SO as To check their march.
The President an! Secretary of State went to yir-
gina, with their amilies-the other officers of gov
ernment went to Frcdericktown, where the govern
ment isto be formed and where the President in
tend N C.~r
cd at the Presidents house, until all our army had
passed, and ninety nine hundredths of the citizens
gone, leaving nothing but empty walls. fell into
the tat OF the army, and marcDed about four miles
on the Frederick road. Being much fatgued,
turned OFT into wood, and found good quarters in
farm house, on the hill back of Pearce's. Soon
after reaching there, at o'clock On Wednesday ev-
enlng signal gun was discharged, and the Presi-
dents house, the Capital and many other buildings
were at the same moment a blaze, which continu-
ed nearly ell night.
On Thursday morning, proceeded with the army,
to Montgomery court house, where Gen. Wnder's
head quarters were established. had some con-
yersaton with him. lie appeared to regret very
much, that he had not been enabled to have made
greater resistance, although he perfectly sa,sf
ed, that successful resistance could have been
made, with the force in the neighborhood of Wash
ipgton, since. had il all been brought together be-
fore the action, it would not have been so large as
that opposed to him, and our force was principally
militia, aud that OF the enemy, all regulars and
picked men.
The heuncertainty on which road the enemy intend.
Ell TO attack the city compelled him TO keep his for.
ces divided, occasioned frequent marches and couG
terriarches, which at this hot season was quite too
much tor our militia, particularly the quarter.
masters department was either shamefully neglect
ed. or the officers unable procure supplies fori
IS fact, that men suffered severely, not only
for accommodations, but for bread and meat and
after retreating the courthouse at Montgomery,
they could not get quarters and provisions not even
a tent 10 them from the rain
l; Is to be hoped, that the officers Of the army in
every part Of the United States will take warning
from this sad lesson, and provide an abundance OF
provisions and Of tents, for il is impossible for men
to fight, IL they are not we'll fed and If they are
not sheltered from the rains and the ogs when they
sleep. Our army may with truth be said, to have
been beaten by fatigue, before they saw the enemy
II is indeed very bad plan TO march troops far in
the hot sun, the day which they are to fight and
it is still worse not to have them well supplied with
provisions, especially bread, which can so easily be
baked hard, and each man be furnished with CON-
potency for several days And as all armies are lia
bic to be defeated, provision should be made for
such state of things and the requisite deposits
made the proper places for the army to retire to
as when they do retreat, is to be presumed, that
when they much fatgued and many Of them
wounded, and after having lost great portion of
their baggage and provisionsi at such time, they
require immediate food and repose than at any
other. Consequently more pains should be taken TO
provide quarters, and make seasonabe deposits of
provisions.
Evacuation ofWashingtu.
ys skcs, IL. ,s.h~ 4 r.