Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-07
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
From the Ms'roi siito".
Renaissance OF THE LAST WAR.
BY AN EYE WITNESS.
Skirmish at Beasdict.
BY AN EYE WITNESS

to Alexandra. when the arrival If British force
in the waters of the Patuxent river was announc.
ed. accompanied by order for the immediate
calling out Of the militia of the District of Co.
umba. Being single man and having two
horses, I Immediately volunteered my services
to Captain William + Thornton, Of the Alex.
audria Dragons. The troop turned out Il be.
lieve) to man; that is. every man who could by
any means pr ocure horse But there were Sc
veral who could not obtain one; among this nun.
Der was an intimate friend and acquaintance,
Mr.. Robert Conway, of Alexandria inow iiving)
to whom loaned my extra horse We lett Al.
cxandria (if recollect right about nine o'clock
in the morning, aud proceeded forthwith to our
place of destination, viz. Benedict. On arriv-
ing at Washington, we were joined by the Wash.
ington troop. commanded BY Captain Elias b.
Caldwell, and the Georgetown troop, command.
ed BY Capt | forgot whom the whole under
the command of Major Peters, of Georgetown.
Haxing formed We again proceeded. After
crossing the bridge over the Eastern Branch, a
halt was called, aud we fed our horses. We re-
sumed our march, aud arrived in the evening at
Aquasco Mills. few miles from Benedict; here
we encamped for the night.
On the following morning, party was des-
PATCHED to Benedict, to recUnnoitre, and report
O'Clock of this day, another person (who was
among the number previously mentioned. as not
being able to procure horses) arrived, Mr.. Fran.
els Wise. He was not member of the tr"op,
but had, like myself volunteered his services
lie was, by profession, d sailor, and is well re-
membcred IN Alexandria, as having been among
her best sailors. lie in every sense OF the word
a complete seaman, alike regardless Of danger OF
its consequences, aud though more accustomed
to mounting deck than mounting horse, our tar
soldier as well as his horse showed that he had
been crowdns ever, inch Of canvass to come up
with US. Had he been asking The loan Of horse
to % to a wedding, poor Wise could not have
asked the favor more ardent!y ,!ran he had done
ON the preceding day, in every quarter where he
was likel, to procure one. All were engaged
either by their owners, or loaned to persons who
had joined the troop. Where he succeeded in
procuring the horse at last know not. suffice II
to say, that on joining US, his eyes sparkled with
delight, and his very soul seemed overjoyed.
Just at the time Of Wise's arrival, We were
about preparing for our dinner. lie had not
been there more than fifteen minutes. when the
trumpet sounded "to horse! to horse!" Sad.
die up for a march!' rrsounded through the
camp.
Poor fellow Wise although he had ridden
81 hard that dav to nvertake us, vas amongst the
first to obey the summons: little did he dream,
that that was his last day upon earth! In a few
minutes all were ready to move, and we immedi.
ately commenced or march for Benedict. Here
must explain. Benedict is situated at the foot
of hill. which is nearly mile from Its summit
to the bottom, from which we had full view Of
the town and neiehborhood. Upon our arrival at
the summit, we were juined by several volunteer
companies of infantry; among whom l recolicct
Captain Stubs elegant company OF riiemen.
from Georgetown, and certainly never beheld
finer looking set Of men then they were AT this
juncture, who should ride up. but the well known
old veteran, General Philip Stuart. He. Of
course, Immediately assumed the command. Al
this moment it was discovered that small body
of the British we're engaged N cutting down the
green corn. with their swords, in iarsr field at
the foot Of the hill, whilst others were employed
in carving it to the beach; Tor the purpose, as
we after yards ascertained, OF feeding their live
stock on board the socp of wa. vii, was w.
ing Immediately OF the town, and but few
Yards from the shore, A consultation now took
place between MajpI Peter. and Getera| Stu
art as to the probability possibility ofcapturIng
the marauders; the former assuring the latter
that il he would allow him he would take every
man prisoners the fultcT u IWpVseioic3
bu, finally the word was given TO " charge.
The valiant old champion dashlng ahead, was
followed by Major Peters; next the Alexandria
troop, then the " ashinston, and then the George.
town troop; we went oH in full canter down
the hilk When about half way down. our sailor
colder. Wise, put spurs to his horse. and passed
ahead Of the whole troop; and the next moment
himself and General Stewart we're seen riding a
fair race. striving who should be first upon the
In the mean time the enemy having discovered
our approach, enleasored to effect their escape
to /. thick tract Of wood or swamp lying between
the town and the field Of corn. In this endeavor
they were successful, with the exception OF some
four or five who we're made prisoners and one
man. who was killed under the following circum.
,,snee~: Wise, as l have before stated, had dash.
ed ahead Of the whole squadron. and having sue
ceeded in outriding Gen. Stuart. ieaPed fence
at the foot Of the bill, about fifty yards from