Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-11
sssi8scglamccms Dsnart,re,.t.
BATTLE OF BLADENsBURc

The following description of The bsIc OF Ga,lcnsburg
is taken from wok. entitled ~ Subaitern in America Z"
written by British officer, who ton. mar, il, the enp,u.
men' We are inclined TO believe tIa is with few til
vial exceptions 'oie'aby accurate Rais sh Star.
we bad proceeded about couple of miles from the
hatng place, ana the hour OF noon was pos, when
our aitenion was drawn to the left, by several heavy
clouds oil dust which in that direction -phouoh
we could not doubt from what source the dus, ,ro
ceeoed ue intervention OF a considerable copsc be.
tween us anu VI, hiude'ed us from seeing with Ger
'ain'y, that the enemy was in that posittap J'ie
screen 'huS nerposed was however, speedily with.
drawn. iatber advance of some bundled and fifty
Sa'S Drought US clear o! the plantation and the Aeri
can army became visible. Williams and were
walking together al that instant. care these Van
KEGS" said he with all the naYete Imaginable; ,.or
are 'ey our own soaruen got somehow ahead of us;n
couid not iepross smile at the question: though,
10 say tie truth, an Older soldier than Williams might
nave easily mistaken the force opposed US for any
'ng rather than the army whose yaiour the safety
III Il great capital dcpcuici
have seldom been more iorciblv struck " i'll, any,
thing than with the contrast which glance 10 the rear
afforded at this moment with the spectacle which was
before me- column of four thousand British soldiers
moving in sections of six abreast and GOV ern- an ex-
tent {" road greater than IFS wndngs would permit the
eycto take III. met gaze in that quarter The dress
tc perfect regularity of their step, the good order
winch they preserved, and above ALL the internal con-
Ficion that they were only advancing 10 victory cx-
cited IN me feelings for which lave no words and
winch he only can conceive who has stood in similar
'i'na'on Nor was 1t the of sight atone which
on The present occasion forced into powerfu,
compariaon The Americans from the insian, that
cur advanced guard came in view, continued ;o rend
The air with shouts. Oar marched on silent as
the grave, and orderly people at funeral Not a
word was spoSen scarcely whisper passed from man
TO man" but eac! held his breath and mustered up his
best courage for The shock.
The head of the column had lust turned tie cornor
Of the wool, when ii haulted, and an aid l.e-camo nd
ing up TO Major Brown desired that be would pro
coed "tih the advance guard, ascertain the state the
Fn Dt -sirnC n,,., ,<,
ped, dsodge its garrison. This order the Major pre
pared to obey, and calling in ali his sirlnsters ey
cept about half company, formed his men into one
allie column for the assault. Our surprise was not
less pa!paole than our satisfaction, when on rcacjnr
the town found hat it was empty.
rs our orders :"cnt no farther than to direct that
we should ascertain IN what condition the place stood
our counoan ing officer deemed it needless to ATTEMPT
any thing beyond its mere occupation Even dis
however, was not effected without annoyance The
principal street which conducted the bridge Law
completely exposed to the !ise OF two gun battery
which the enemy had erected about the centre of ,heir
position; ard instantly orr showing ourselves The
battery opened II we'll served. and the Guns
we're admirably laid. The very fist shot cost Ms
three men one iI'llcd and the other two dreadfully
wounded; and the second would have been in all ,ro
bahty not less fatal, had not very wisely avoid
ed IT, We inclined at once to the right and left o..
tie road and winding round the houses made our WA,
w'tuut any further loss, far the las, range when
we were commanded to lie down, and wait for the
column.
10 the mean while the main body being informed
hOw matters stood resumed its march and arrroacheI
the town 1t saiuted as we bad been saIrc he
heaYy and wei! directed cannOnadc; but being wa ~.
cd by some OF our people, where danger law II co far
avoided 1t as to close up lis ranks, and effect all The
arrangements necessary for the assault under cover
! the ground mound. Whilst this was @oInc on ChayI
ton Williams, and myself having got our cotnpanv as
wei! together as might be, lying behind house
IN 'no;nentary pcciion OF the word. Cannon shot
alter cannon shot, continued all the WHILE to pass
ar lIgri, Tho nm, lr.<.l IL