St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1857-01-15

sFssNss II - e
: BATTLE or BIsDF;N n N C
y: nos Hafln : ! a
zs1n ElIe isIofitisla u aIle zatIs, the Com
naming General. if indeed be could be
properly so called--wh:le Tire President
and Secretary OF War were both in The
fseid, planning, counciling and ordering
had - in'erview with Commodore
Baruey, in which he expressed his belief
that the enemy would attempt 10 reach
the City by the same road the armv had
entered the night bafore, and concluded
by requesting that he would take upon
him the defence OF the bridge, over the
Eastern Branch or Anacostia. The Com
mOdore accordingly lost no time in post
ing bis men, and placing his cannon in
battery 50 as TO command the passage.
About eleven o'clock, a vidette came in.
gave him the information thst the enemy
had suddenly wheeled 10 the right and
wee then 10 quick march on the road 20
Bladensburg: The moment afterwards. the
President rode up with his attendant
Cabinet, and the Commodore having COM
nun Gated this Information to hIm, soli-
cited permission to abandon the bridge,
and march with his forces to Join the ar
my, which had been previously posted
between BIadensburg and The City
Strengthening his request bv the in forma-
tion that Midshipmsn. with half doz-
en- men. would be able TO prevent the
enemy from crossing the bridge, even if
they should return and attempt the pass
age, by blowing up few timbers. The
President readily assented, and in few
minutes he was on his march to Bladens-
burg with his guns and men. Anxious
! 10 reconnoitre aud obtain all the informa-
tion he could as to TIE movements Of
the enemy aud the POSITION OF has men.
until he gained sight of the American
troops, which he found drawn up in de-
tached parties, and covering the road foE
. Hile wrist OF the village -
Aennssae D rea Il. .st.s- Rillaze. =
S1er he rode up. he insil.
ed an officer 10 expedite The -.
, the men, who soon made their appel
! ance in trOt; the weather was exc essive-
ly hot, an1 they were necessarily much
faiigued aud exhausted. but they were
still fill Of courage and eager to see the
enemy. ~
He had just time 10 form i1is men and
take the timhers from his guns, heiofA he
perceived "Ur army in full reireai md
the enemy's cavalry advancing: hsstook
IL for granted. for some time. that IL was
their design TO halt and form again near
The position he had taken-but he was
cruelty disappointed; they passed him
with rapid step. in evident confusion and
disorder; he maintained his ground, new
ertheless. and waiting until the enemy
bad advanced near enough 10 be within
the certain range Of his guns. he aIighted
from his horse. pointed the guns himself
10 the proper level, and then remounted,
at the moment the enemy began 10 throw
their rockets, and his battery opened upon
them in full play. with round and grape
shot. the first FIRE checked the enemy's
advance and proved very destructive to
them: it completely cleared the road
Their second attempt TO advance was met
with like effect, the grape and canister
shot literally moved down all that were
To be seen on The road. Finding that il
would be no Easy achievement either TO
storm this Little battery Ur to pass within
its range, without greater loss than they
were willing TO risk. the enemy now left
the road and turned of through field on
thris left. The Commodore imm, dia,e.
" ordeked the Marises, und,r Captain
Miller. aFd the seamen who were acting
a Enfantry. under the Flosilla ofiicrrs, 20
advance TO the Geld and meet them,
while II the same time his gnns continu-
ed to play upon their 1ank with the de-
alFuctive grape and canister. His men
ran 10 she charge with eager bravery,
and nee Only checkeafhc advance Of the
rnenv through The field. but iusapiEg she
fence which crossed j.. drove them back
into the woods undercover of-a deep-ra-
sine, eearly two hundred yards in the
rear-here they left them and returned
to the guns. Colaasl Thornton, Colonel
Moods, and ssvcral other officers of the
enemy, fell wounded in The vigorous
eharge-~the irsi. afterwards toid the
Commodore, that his men had passed
very near him in the advance-and that
he expected every instant TO be discov-
cred, as he Law PROSTATE and made pri
soner: but thry missed him; on their way
from the charge. they took another route.
leaving him some distance 10 iheir rishi.
While the Commodore. with his brave
.doiilla- and mannes. was thus hold
ing The enemy in check, The rest Of the
AmeFican troops had totally disappeared
The firing was still kept up for some time
longer; the British Sharpshooters, in
struggling parties. had gained posts nrar
him. aud were CALLING him excessively
with iheE 6re--hss horse wa< killed
under ham. pierced hy two balls, and
several elf his best officers we're killed
and wOnnded. Mr.. Waraer. an excellent
md brave c1iceF, was killed hy rs side
whas 81 gua. ME. Villas Msrin. whol