Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-07
RATTLE OF BLADENSBURG.

densbure is taken from work, entitled IA
SuSstern in America" written by Bri-
fish officer, who took part 10 the engage
ment. we are inclined Ito believe that 1t IS,
with few trivial exceptions, tolerably accu-
rate-Raleigh Star.
we had proceeded about couple OF miles
from the halting place, and the hour OF noon
was past, when our attention was drawn 10 the
left bv several heavy clouds of dust which rose
in ,ha, direction. Though we could not doubt
from what source the dust proceeded, the IN
prevention Of considerable copse between US
and il, hindered US from saying with eertainty
that lbe enemy was IN the position. lhe screen
thus interposed was, however speedily with
drawn. 4 farther advance Of some hundred
and tfty wards brought Us clear OF The pianta-
zion. and the American army became visible
Williams and were walking together at that
instant. care these Yankees" said he, with
oil the naivete imaginable; cor are they our own
seamen got somehow ahead Of u.s.!
could moi repress smile at the question,
,houpb. to saw the truth an oldsr soldier than
Williams might have easily mistaken the force
opposed TO us for any thing rather than The ar
my on whose valour the safety oil great capi-
tai depended.
have seldom been more forcibly struck MIN
any thing than with the contrast which glance
spectacle which was before me. Column OF
four thousand British soldiers, moving IN sec
,iops Of six abreast, and covering an extent OF
road greater than its windings would permit
The eve TO take in, met my gaze IN that quarter
The dress, the perfec, regularity OF their step,
the good order which they preserved, and a.
boye all, the internal conviction, that they were
only advancing 10 victory, excited IN me ieeE
ings for which i have no words, and which he
only can conceive who has stood III similar
situation. Nor was il the sense OF sight alone
! which, ON the present occasion, was ,orced INTO
-f6xs.yerful comparison. The Americans, IRON
yyrrr1svu Il, rv,lu the air With shouts
Our men marched on, silent as the grave, and
orderly as people at funeral. Not word
was spoken, scarcely whisper, passed from
man TO man. but each held his breath, and mus
tered up his best courage for the shock.
The head Of the column had jus; turned The
corner of the wood, when il halted, and an aid
de-camp riding up to Major Brown, desired
that he would proceed with the advance Guard,
ascertain the state ofthe village OF Bladensburg,
and in case il should be occupied, dslodge its
garrison This order the Major prepared 10
obey, and calling in all his skirmishers, except
about half company, he formed his men into
one h,tle column for the assault. Our surprise
was not less palpable than our satisfaction,
when on1 eaching the town, we lound that 1t
was empty
As our orders went no farther than 10 direct
that We should ascertain in what condition the
place stood, our commanding officer deemed II
needless TO attempt any thing beyond It's mere
occupation. Even this however, was not effect
ed without, ammo, ance. The principal streets,
which conducted to the bridge, lay completely
exposed to the FIRE Of two gun battery, which
the enemy had erected about the centre OF their
position; and instantly on our showing our
selves the battery opened. 1t was we'll served,
and the guns were admirably laid. The very
first shot cost us three men, one killed and the
other two dreadfully wounded; and the second
would have been in all probability not less fatal,
had we not very wisely avoided it. We inclin-
ed, at once. TO the right and left OF the road;
and winding round the houses, made our way
without any further loss, far as the last range;
when we were commanded TO lie down, aid
wait for the column.
In the meanwhile, the main body being IN
formed how matters stood, resumed its march,
and approached the town. 1t was saluted, as
we had been salu,ed, by heavy and well di-
recied cannonade: but being warned by some OF
our people where danger lay, it So far avoided
il as to close up It's ranks, and effect all the ar
engagements necessary for the ASSAULT, under CO.
yer OF the ground mound. Whilst this was go
ing on, Charlton, Williams, and myself, having
go, our company as well together as might be,
were lying behind house iaTnomen,ary eS-
pectation oflhe word. Cannon shot alter cam
non shot, continued all the while, to pass
through the thin brick walls about Us; never
theless We felt il deroga,ory TO our character 10
move, and we treated their visita,ions with no
other than an i'll applied railery. Al last a ball
struck soldier who lay between Williams and
rnx.sF and carried off his leg The boy look
ed a, me, as to ask how, under such circumstan-
ces, he ought 10 behave; and though dare say
his courage was quite equal to mine, really
could not help laughing at the peculiar express
sion which passed along his countenanee. But
no great while was granted for consideration.
The accident jus, recorded had hardly happen
ed, when Col. Thornton, riding up, exclaimed,
SNOW my lads forward! You see the enemy:
ron tnaw how to serve them. So saying be
spurred on, and the whole ofthe advance spring