Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-16

called the Capitol. Here the brigade halted
and plling their arms in two close columns, the
men we're permitted to lie down.
Whilst the corps continued thus, I very glad.
" accompanied the surgeon into a house hard
oy, for the purposes ni having my wound pro.
perry examined and dressed. found The bull.
ding deserted BY It's owners; but of the domes.
lies some had ventured TO stay behind. and
rom one ofthese in particular received the
Slndest treatment. She was an old negresss a
Tree woman, however as she took care TO inform
IS, and al the head Of the establishment. The
good natured creature not only produced the
contents OF her masters srder. but conducted
ne up stairs. took a nice clean linen shirt from
a drawer, carefully aired it, and then begged
would accept and wear IL tor her sake.
Now, know not whether an oiEer thus made
ought. according 10 The strict letter OF moral
propr It to have been attended to- the good
Soman was certainly giving away that which
vas not hers to give Yet let the truth be told.
| had worn my shirt by night and By day. ua-
der the broliing marches, and through rainy
1~tyouacs, the better half OF a week, and | coil.
tess, that thu opportunity Of exchanging it for
a snow white piece OF linen aud Cambria. was a
great deal too tempting 10 be neglected. 1
gradually took the Americau Shirt aud saved
my own conscience, and the housekeeper's re.
~putatiou, by leaving an Englinh one upon the
Pressing table in It's room
IL 50 happened, that neither my friend nor
myself were employed in perpctratlng any one
Of the deeds Of violence by which the visit Of
he English arms IN the capitol Ut the United
States was distinguished. Ofthe arsenal, pub.
lie rope walks, armoury. bridge and palace, we
accordingly saw nothing except the smoke and
flames which had marked their destruction.
A a,fkaw ,yac an cnnnrtt1ptta A Qnr,taI - sabine
ourselves very intimately acquainted with the
general appearance of the rum. Having pro.
cured a horse. Irode indeed through "A few of
what were called streets; that is to say. along
extensive lanes, paved only IN part, and boast
ing in numerous instances, OF no more than five
or six houses on each side of the way, planted
at a distance OF some eighth part OF a mile from
one another. But with such opportunities Of
Gathering information, it wouid i'll become me
20 speak at lar e of a place, which has doubt
less changed its aspect greatly IN the course OF
we've years, and may be. for aught ] know to
he contrary, rs ii might have been hen, pos
sessed of q thousand sweet attractions, known
only TO its citizens The feature, in is gene.
ral aspect, which remains must prominently in
my recollection is however, not quite in accor.
dance with our notion of a great capitol I
perfectly recoIlect, that in the line of several of
It's public thoroughfares, as well as throughout
he range oil its most fashionable quarters, rem
nants, and no uncomfortable remnants, OF the
ancient forests were lett standing.
Noon had past. when heavy columns ofdust.
rising irum certain grounds on the opposite
b nix OF tie Potomac, attracted our attention.
We were not letl long in doubts AZ to the cause
from whence they proceeded. for the giittering
Of arms became instantly visible, and a large A..
merlcsn force showed itself. II took ups po.
sition immediately before us. and pushed tor.
ward q patrole OF cavalry as far rs the suburbs
Of Georgetown. There was not an individual
in the army to whom these circumstances CON
mGnicated 5 feeling a al! akin to surprise. We
had been led TO expect an attack from the hour
4 our advance Into Washington, and We were
both ready AMI willing to meet it, let it happen
when il night But the elements Interfered
10 Illustrate the designs OF the enemy it indeed
they seriously entertained such a design--of
driving US from our positions; tor just at tais
moment The heavens became black with clouds,
and a hurricane. such as | never witnessed be
fors. and shall probably never witness sgain
began. | know not any thing in art or IN nature
to which the noise of the wind may be APPLY
Compared 1t differed essentially from thun.
der, yet | never listened to thunder more deaf
enlng, and its force WAS SUCH as to throw down
houses, tear up trees. aud carry stones, beams
OF tim1er, and whole masses of brick work, | Ike
feathers into the air Both armies were scat
tered by il, as II a great battle bad bean fought
and won; and as it lasted without latermIsslon
for w ards of three hou 5, neither party, at It's
close, Was ia a fiji cond,ti on to offer the sight
est annoyance to his adversE y.-For our parts,
i, was not without some difficulty that we sue
.ceeded in bringing our s~tragglers together
whilst day light lasted; and 1t It's effects upon q
egular and victorious army were SO great. there
cannot be a doubt that il was at least equally
great upon an u~ndisciplined and inundated
levy.
In the meanwhile, the officers Of the differ.
ent corps had been Directed in = whisper TO
make ready TOR falling back as soon as darkness
should set in. From the men, however. the
thing was kept profoundly secret They were
given, indeed, to understand. that an impor-
tant would be elected before TO NOR
row morning, bat the hints thrown out tended
to induce an expectation Of a farther advance,
rather than Of retreat. A similar rumour was
permitted quietly 10 circulate among the in
habitants with the view doubtless of is making
its way into be American camp, whilst all per
sons were required, on the pain of death 60
keep within doors from sunset to sunrise. Tbs
done, as many horses as could be got together
we're put in reuuisition TOR the transport of the
artillery. Even the few wounded officers who
bad accompanied the column we re required tc
resign theirs. and mine among the number, wal
taken away. But the precsution was a Yer,
just and proper one. Not only were the gun
by this means rendered more portable, but th'
da niger OF a betrayal from a neigh, OF the tram
ping of hoofs along the paved streets. was pre-
sided against, and though individuals nigh
aud did suffer. their sufferings we're not 10 b