The National tribune., 1900-05-17

azine, which some of them accidentally ig-
nited. Many We're killed outright, and
many were mutilated. The old woman
said: Use neber wants to see sich sight
agin."
| Mr. Madison joined his wife at town
16 miles flom Washington. On the third
day they returned. When Mrs. Madison
got to Long Bridge she was in disguise,
and was in a carriage not her own, with
one attendant. She found the bridge
burned at both ends. The Washington
end was burned by the British, and that
on the Virginia side by a Corporal in
charge of it. Col. Fenwick, in charge of
the only transport, refused to let any I'M
known woman pass. Mrs. Madison at
last made herself known. Her carriage
was driven on to the boat, which brought
her back to the desolate city. She at once
went to her sisters, Mrs. Cuts, whose
home was on F Street, in house long
owned by John Quincy Adams. The
building now occupying the same ground
| is known as the adams Building"
The President and Mrs. Madison re-
opened a Presidents Home in the Ogle
Tayloe Mansion, corner of 18th Street and
| New York Avenue. The special session
Of Congress was held in the Patent Office.
| In the mean time, what had become of the
British Army and Gen. Ross? They became
very much alarmed at the rallying of the
American forces upon the nights back of
Georgetown. Gleig says the army which
had been overthrown the day before, though
defeated, was not annihilated, and We know
not what their next move would have been,
but for the most tremendous hurricane
ever remembered by the oldest Inhabit-
ant" coming on. Our column was com
pletely dispersed. Even cannon were lift
ed out of place. Gen. Ross took advantage
Of this, and, under cover of night. retreated.
This whole affair has been reproach-
fully called "the Bladensburg races" One
wag remarked: THE Red Coats got little
the better of you on the start. but you beat
them in the long run"
/ In the light of history, it is equally GER
tain that the British were panic-stricken,
with the belief that our troops in large
numbers were advancing TO recapture the
city, and it was second Bull Run race.
| Gen. Ross and his army retreatcd over
the same route by which they advanced
on Washington, leaving their dead unbur-
led, and many of their wounded, to the
tender care Of the Americans. They passed
through Bladensburg at midnight
! In the first letter an incident was re-
lated Of the British subal:ern's stay with
DR.. Beans, at Marlborough. DR.. Beans
was a Surgeon in the United States Army,
but when the British Army bivouacked
on his plantation, he treated them with
| trtra MarHyio md lp-y,if.i;,,r
wiser part for him TO take
We have seen that when their nefarious
work was done at the Capital, they retraced
their steps. DR.. Beans learned through a
slave that they were on their return to
their ships. Full Of rejoicing at their es-
cape, as well as the dcprcdations they had
committed, the party went to a spring on
the estate of DIR. Beans, with lemons,
whisky, etc, 10 drink TO the confusion of
pertidouS Albion
Three tired soldiers were made prisoners
by DIR. Beans, and were marched off 10 the
County Jail. The men were missed from
the ranks, search was made, and they were
recovered, and DR.. Beans was seized at
midnight, placed in his night dress on
the bare back Of mule, and taken, closely
guarded, to Gen. Ross. Afterwards he
| was carried to Admiral Cockburn's ship,
| and placed in close confinement.
. Inc whole country was aroused, and
as soon as possible President Madison
sent Francis Scott Key, the intimate friend
: OF DR.. Beans,,with flag of truce to get him
exchanged.
The feet had already reached North
! Point. Gen. Ross, elated with his sue
cess, boasted that he would make his Win
ter headquarters in Baltimore; but before
, the fleet left the Potomac, a portion of it.
under Commander Gordon. sailed up the
Potomac as far as Alexandria, where an
attack was made upon the city, and pillage
and fire again did its fearful work.
They sailed away unmolested with their
: booty, leaving destruction behind them.
This is as near as any part Of the fleet
ever came to Washington.
When Key reached the British fleet at
North Point, in the Patapsco, the ships
were about to attack Baltimore. He was
courtcously received, and invited to dine
with Admiral Cockburn,. hut was told that
he could not return to the city until after the
bombardment. He shared DIR. Beanss
uncomfortable quarters that memorable
night. and at sunset he was cheered by