Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-11-09


THE BLOCKADES OF BALTI
MORE.
The moon was declining fast in the
western horizon, and sending her pale
yellow rays obliquely upon the spire.
and domes Of the beleagued city. II
was past the midnight, and but few
sounds disturbed the silence Of the
hour at intervals the growing Of the
cock, Or the heavy tramp Of the patrol.
as they performed their nocturnal Wig.
lis, would rise full to the hearing, and
then die away, leaving the stiffness
more apparent than before; but these
we're the only. intranquilities that dis.
turbed the. repose Of the slumberiDg
city.
At this hour a person was observed
to issue from the northern gate Of Fort
McHenry, and descended to the riy-
er,, there he paused, and gazed long
and wistfully in the direction Of the
British fleet, stationed of North Point
for the double purpose Of blockading
the city, aud cooperating with the
land forces, under General Ross. At
length as if satisfied with his obserya-
,tion, he sprang into skiff and propell-
ed himself to the low sandy beach I'M
mediately opposite; there securing his
boat under the long wharf Of tive La
zaretto, he entered the wood and E.
merged about half mile below
there seating himself beneath an oak,
he fixed his eyes in the attitude Of
watchiulness upon the hostile armada,
commanded by Lord Cockburn.
Half the Moons disk had disappear.
ed behind the distant woodland hori-
ION, and the gloom Of the night SEEM
inGly emerged from the surro unding
fol ests, rolling its dusky clouds ath-
WHIT the bosom Of the silent and unruf.
"a Patapsco; mist succeeded mist in
& eastern sky, until the dark promon-
tory Of North Point and the vessels OF
tho British fleet were enclosed from
our view; the white walls Of Fort
McHenry were no longer visible, but
still the flagstaff, from which hung
listless and reposing the ssstar sPangled
banner" was seen in dark outline faint
ly relieved from the western heavens.
The moon went down, but the sol.
dier-for such he was-evinccd no dis
position to return; on the contrary, it
seemed as il he had awaited her de-
parture for the accomplishment Of his
errand. Arising he shook of the leth-
argy which his recling posture and in
activity had brought upon him, and
descended into the edge Of the beach,
where he stood 0otionless as a statute,
fixirg his eyes, ~ II to aid his sense Of
hearing, upon the distant vessels; once
he turned away, and his gaze fell sue
cessively on the Arundel shore, the
fort, the city, and the American en-
campment, but again it roamed, and
his eye settled down the Patapsco,
where his interest and expectations
were apparently situated.
His patience had not long been tax
ed, when light was observed TO twin
kle from one Of the blockading ships,
and the sound Of something falling
heavily came family over the water;
the soldier scarcely breathed with at
tention, and the dash Of oars was hear
at int rivals from the direction Of North
Point. For long time he remained
unmoved to convince himself that his
imagination had not deceived him, but
at length appearing satisfied, he re-
gained his boat at the Laxaretto, and
in a few moments after entered the
arched way that conducts to the ,nte.
rior Of Fort Mcilenry.
lis it as we predictedr' said the Of.
fcer, hastily arising at the entrance Of
the soldier. ssMay We expect a visit
from them under cover Of the night, or
do they prefer the call Of Morpheus to
Mars: ale thinks the days lombard
ment must have been as tiresome as
Improbable to them"
"And they are determined the
night's advantage shall repay the day.
discomfiture," said the addressed !;
with muf1ed oars they are now NOV
ing up the Patapsco, and in another
hour We may hear the report Of their
muskets.,
~They must be met" exclaimed he
who appeared his Superior. ~Let the
men be eummoneh IN arune s.leatlv-