Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-04-25
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From the London Metropolitan.
A SCENE In THE LAST WAR.

Bordeaux, and we, with a large convoy car
rying troops, made sail to the coast OF Amerl-
ca. We arrived in the Chesapeake at that
time that the detestable war of confagration
was at It's height When we entered the Po-
tomac, large river which empties itself into
the Chesapeake, the fertile shores of this beau
|tiful abode presented the sad effects of the war;
on each side houses were burning with fear
full rapidly, and, when night came on, they
resembed the signal fires of the Indians, blaz
ling in Ill tie horrors of destruction. The uext
day our marinsr s accompanied the marines Of
the squadron in one ofthese expeditions. We
were command led by Sir G. Cockburn in per-
son, and with lin as an amateur, was the late
gallant Genera Ross, who was afterwards
| killed at Baltimore. Our destination was up
| a river which runs at the back of St. Geor
Iges Island; ARD the object was to destroy a
factory, which was not only the abode of in
nocent labor, tut likewise the resort OF some
few militia me, guilty of the unnatural sin Of
protecting thei own country. We started in
| the morning, a ID having landed about five
miles up the rIer, proceeded along pretty
fair road. Aanked on each side by large wood
which led to the factory. General Ross dlrec-
ted the rioyemeDts Of our skirmishers, and
INSTRUCTED our seageneral in some of the safe
guards of land army. When we arrived
within two hundred yards of the town, Sir
Peer gave the word for his division to charge;
and at a full trot arrived at the factory. Our
approach had been known; every one but the
women and children had deserted the town,
and had taken with them most of the i'm
plements of their labor; we therefore most
vaIiantly set fire to the unprotected property,
Notwithstanding the tears and cries OF the wo
men; and, like a parcel of savages as we
were, danced round the wreck of ruin. 1t is
Tow of no use to dive into the reason why this
savage mode of warfare was restored to, was
generally asserted to b. merely retaliation in
the South for aggressions in the North: in
short, as the Americans burnt right and left
| in Canada, we did them the same compliment
in the Chesapeake, thereby following the ex
ample which greater barbarians than ourselves
have shuddered to commit. Be it as it may,
every house which we could by ingenuity vote
into the residence of "a militia man was burnt,
and as almost every man in America did be-
| long to militia, we adabundant opportunities
of becoming the most scientific destroyers of
all sorts and kinds Of property. On our re-
turn from the factory, Gen. Ross went on board
the Admiral's ship, whilst Sir G. Cockburn
and Sir P. Parker, with a sufficient force,
landed on the shore Immediately behind ST.
Georges Island, and proceeded to surround d
dwelling-house near the beach. 1t was nine
o'clock in the evening; the sun had long set,
and the moon threw clear pale light over
the landscape. The house was surrounded
with fir trees; and the inhabitants little
dreamt, in so calm and beautiful a night, that
the destroyer was at hand. All was hushed
and quiet, with the exception of the chrping
cricket, and the ripple of the water as it broke
on the Beach. Like midnight murderers we
cautiously approached the house; the door
was open, and we unceremoniously intruded
our selves upon three young ladies sitting qu-
city at tea, occupying themselves with their
work and apparently expecting visit from
some person with whom they were better ac-
lquainted. Sir Cockburn. Sir Peter Parker
and myself entered the room rather sudden
ly, and a simultaneous scream was our wei
come. Sir G. Cockhurn has naturally an aus
tere countenance; but Sir Peter Parker, who
was the handsomest man in the navy, wore
always a winning smile and a cheerful de-
meanour. The ladies instantly appealed to
the latter, but he was good officer, and knew
how to obey as wellas command. Sir George
asked for the coloneL their father. He was
out, and not expected home.-"He provided
arms for s,me of the militia? continued Sir
George. There seemed slight acquiescence
on the part of the ladies, which was follow
/ ed by these words-"I am sorry to be gull
ty of an apparent incivilty, but your father
has mainly assisted in arming the militia, and
must now do my duty. In ten minutes | must
set fire to this house, therefore use that peri
cd in removing your most valuable effects.
for at the expiration of those ten minutes
shall give orders to burn the premises" Any
one who knew Sir George. wnnld have
known that he never deviated from his word
and consequently would have begun to have
packed up with despatch. Not so the young
ladies'; they threw themselves on their knees
begged, implored, urged, and prayed the Ad
miral to depart and leave them to their home
and their father: they never assisted in the
war, excepting to succor wounded enemy
I"They never urged their father to arm the
militia: they were, in fact, poor and unPro
tected females. Five minutes had elapsed
in vain they implored Sir George to foregt
his intentions. The youngest, girl Of abou
sixteen, and lovely beyond the general beauty
lof those parts threw herself at Sir Peter