Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-09
From ga SubaLera in america.

from this work, respecting the ba'ue OIL bia-
densburg--the following is the Subaltern's &C
count of the entrance Of the British into Wash
ing.on, destruction of the public buildings, re-
treat, sc.
NV wound, though not severe, began about
this time to trouble me; the limb was stiff. and
the exertion Of walking produced some inf1am
NATION. A little to the rear of The field OF bat
tie stood a cottage, into which my iriead con-
due ted me. We found in il few accommoda.
tions; but il afforded a, least clean water and a
towel. which, with fresh handkerchief, we APP
piled 10 the hurt as the best, and indeed the only
dressing, which could at that moment be OBJ
tanned; for the surgeons were all too busy TO al
tend 10 a case little urgent. This done, we
gladly threw ourselves upon sort OF box-bed,
al one end of the room, and were asleep in five
minutes.
Our repose was not, however, of long CONT.
nuance. The cottage soon became place oil
general rendezvous 10 all the officers OF the brit
gade, and the scene thereby oCcasioned was at
once too lively and too striking, not 10 call into
play the senses both of actors and spectators.
Congratulations and hearty greetings, mingled
with an occasional expression OF sincere regret,
broke in upon our slumbers; and the many an
ecio,es which each was enabled 10 relate--the
mode in which affairs were conducted al differ
ent parts Of the 6eld--of the conspicuous valor
ofthis or that soldier; Of the daring or timidity
of the enemy al this or that point of the field
were all great deal TOO Interesting TO be lis
tened to with drowsy ears. We quilted our
couch, and joined heartily in the conversation
and mirth Of those about US. OF sober thought
it must be confessed that little inlervened the
excitement Of battle WAS yet too recent; and 1t
is not under such circumstances that mans bet
ter and holer feelings are in force. Sorrow we
die profess-aye, and felt it too--that mole
than one comrade whom we loved, was absent
but our minds were too much occupied with
other thoughts, to afford room for any profound
or even acute repinings.
We had been thus employed for perhaps an
hour OF something better, when an orderly SER
ieaht arrived with intelligence, that the second
and third brigades were in motion, and that we
also should be required TO push on as soon as
the men acre collected. A few minutes only
elapsed before the bugie gave notice that the
corp were mus ered. We obeyeG the sum-
mons instantly; and in FIVE minutes more the
I.igh, Brigade took the road to Washington.
II was dusk when we quilted the position,
and perfectly dark before we reached the high
road; but neither confusion nor delay took place
The path was broad and we'll marked; and the
troops were all in tina, state Of discipline, which
would have carried them through more serious
difficulties had such come in their way, whilst
the consciousness of having done their duty and
the expectation Of reaping the fruits Of. their
toll, supported them under the e1ertion which
was required For my own part though the
effort to keep up became, by degrees, seriously
painful, / shall never cease 10 congratulate my
self on having persisted in making it. No one,
unless he has CHANGED to travel under similar
circumstances, can form the most distant no.
ton of the state of our feelings during the pro.
gress of tina. journey. The destruction Of
Washington, or rather Of the stores or public
buildings in Washington, bad already begun;
and the heavy explosions, which from time to
time occurred, the sheets Of FIRE which culver
ed in she air-the very waving Of the flames,
heard in the stiffness the night 10 an extraor-
binary distance--formed altogether such a
scene as have no words adequate 10 describe.
The field of battle was distant not more than
four miles from the city; from the first, there
fore these sights and sounds reached us; blu. as
we drew nearer and nearer TO the spot from
whence they proceeded, We all felt that CONVEX
sation, under such circumstances, would have
been sacri!egious. We moved in that state OF
admiration, or rather awe, which locks up the
voice, and Expresses the very reason.
Having arrived at sor. Of common about
quarter Of mile distant from the town, the
halt was sounded, and bivouac directed 10 be
formed With this view the men piled their
arms ard lighted large fires, for which fuel was
found among the fences and palings near, and
set about preparing their evening meal. That
done, all sat down; no, with our usual noisy
merrimen,, but to gaze in silence upon The con:
Migration which still proceeded. The hum OF
conversation which generally murmursth through
the camp was not heard to night; those who
spoke at all, spoke only in whispers, as if we
had been guilty Of some act which made US
ashamed to hear the sound of our own voices,
or were placed in a situation of extreme peril
II was thus with US for full two hours. AT
last, however, consciousness OF great bodily
fatigue svercamc every other sensation, and
we turned our feet towards our hres, and wrap
ped up as usual, soon feel asleep.
But the night was not even now destined to
be passed in quiet. 1t might be about twelve
or one O'Clock, when tremendous peal OF thun-
Ger, SO loud as.to drown, for an instant, every