New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-26
NOTED DUELLING GROUND.
THE FIELD NEAR BLADENSBURG WHERE
DECATUR FELL.

Washington, Nov. % (speciaD.-Of all the en-
vrons OF Washington. rich in historical associa-
ton. none can boast a more ancient or honoraoe
pedigree or throw more interesting side lights on
National history than the little village Of Badens-
burg about five miles from the capital II Is now
O. rambling collection OF old houses, for the most
part In the last stage OF decrepitude, but was IN
IT'S palmy days the home OF the flower OF Mary
land aristocracy and also before Georgetown De-
gan 10 supersede It. an important shipping STATION
for the surrounding country. Incorporated as
town in 1872 II rapidly developed, and during the
French and Indian easily supported the Oh
vision Of Braddock's troops quartered upon IT,
II was not until the War OF 1872 that Badens-
burg became the stage for scenes OF large import
Toward the close OF the war alarming rumors be-
came current that the British intended descent
upon the capital but the Government diiatory
from false sense OF security. made no prepara-
tons for defence until IT definitely ascertained
that Admiral Cockburn and General Ross. with a
strong column OF British regulars, were moving
on Washington from the Chesapeake by way OF
the Patuxent. Hastily a body OF troops, mostly
undlsclplined mllitiamen. were got together, ana
General Winder, acting upon the advice OF Score
tary of War Armstrong massed his forces In front
OF Bladensburg. There seems 20 have been no
Capitalization Of authority and orders emanating
from the President who for the only time In
American history present on a field OF battle,
and the various Cabinet officers and the different
generals continually cOnfilcted and effectually de-
stroyed all system Of defence that when the
British al last appeared the American Army was
completely dernoralized. After trifng resistance
the mitiamen broke and fed precipitately. forcing
hack I'm the general retreat the meagre leavening
OF Regulars. with the exception OF Admiral Bar
nev's four hundred sailors, who stood bravely 10
their guns until they were forced 10 surrender at
the point OF the bayonet. The way once opened
the English marched rapidly down the old Balti-
more turnpike. burned the Capitol and White House
and then retired before moving upon Baltimore
To this day the battle-ground In front Of the bridge
which the British crossed is called, In memory OF
the brave Admiral. "Barney's Ground. and
spring near where the little band Of sailors stood
is pointed out as "Barneys Spring"
ITS CHIEF TITLE TO FAME.
Probably however. Bladensburg has attained
more prominence for its famous duelng ground
than for any OF its other features short dis
lance outside the town a little ravine leads down
from the road and opens into a sort OF miniature
amphitheatre admirably suited TO the purpose
which for many years II served. A slender stream
wanders the length Of its level covered bot
tom while hills rise protectingly on either side.
and two great trees about eighty yards apart
mark the ends OF the grounds II is here so many
AFFAIRS OF honor" most Of them cruel and en-
tlrely unnecessary and all unfortunate have been
settled
The initiation OF the spot into It's grewsome usage
occurred in the early part OF the year 1914. when