Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-06-21
CAMP At MACoN's ISLAND, }

SIR: L had the honor to receive YOUR
communication of the 29th instant. The
orders received from Brigadier General
Winder, through Major Hite, verbally,
ON the 24th instant were, in case was
oppressed by, or herd of, an enemy in
my rear, to spike our guns and make my
escape over the river. The enemy ap-
preached by water on the 9th, and we
had learnt on that day through several
channels that the enemy had been rein.
forced at Benedict, 1000 strong, and that
they were on their march to cooperate
with the fleet, in addition to the force
which left the city. Under all these cir
cumstances, the officers under nv com.
mand were consulted, and agreed it was
best to abandon the fort and effect re-
treat. The force under nay command was
thought not equal to a defence of tie place.
l have the honor to be, with great con.
sideration, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL f. Dyson,
Captain corps of Artillery.
The Hon. John Armstrong,
Secretary of War, Washington.
Capt. Dyson is, we learn, under ar.
rest, and the command of his company
given to Lieut.. Spencer.
The President of the United States was
not only active during the engagement
which took place with the enemy, but
had been exerting himself for two or
three days previous, and has been per-
sonally active ever since. Every one Joins
in attributing to him tire greatest merit.
The enemy's vessels now lie off Alex
anGria, about six miles below this city,
and by some are supposed to menace It.
We are prepared to meet, and we hope to
repel them.
Private property was in general scru-
lously respected by the enemy during his
stay in the city, with the exception Of
| ,wo or three houses burnt because guns
were fired from them on the enemy. The
office of the National Intelligencer, be.
sides these, was the sole exception.
Cockburn, the incendiary hero of Hamp.
ton, presided at the demolition of its
material parts, and amused the spectators
with much Of the peculiar slang of the
common sewer in relation to the editors
of this paper. The destruction Of our
Office will account Cor the present appear
ance of our paper.
The officers Of government are now all
at this place, and about resuming in their
ordinary course all the functions Of gov
ernment, to which momentary inter.
ruption has been given by the sudden In
carsion of a strong force OF the enemy.
This event, however it NAY have pro.
duced considerable loss to the Public
, much Aoss to few individuals, among
whom are ourselves, and great anxiety
to all classes, can produce no serious ef-
feet, either ON the government, or on the
community generally. The inconveni.
ence, though serious to us and those who
have brageiy fed to our succour, to the
people of the United States will be mo.
mentary; the loss to the proprietors u
the city (those excepted whose property
was deStroyed) was very trivial. Tht
only serious effect is The stigma which
this event viii necessarily, we do not say
Justly, afiix on the national character
That stain can only be etfaced by futurs
Il vigor and unity of action. In wha,
manner these should be exhibited, is q
point we shall leave for future elucldation