The National tribune., 1900-05-10
MAP SHOWING ROUTE oF BRITISH ADVANCE ON WASHINGTON

Al-AA hOlICf 1-NI LAOS IL OI IDINlI
IS the only one in which we are able to
Bubstantiate by proofs the details Of the
British attack on Washington.
1t is a well-known fact in history, that
the changes which took place in Europe
soon after the commencement Of the Amer
lean war had an important effect upon
the affairs of the United States.
When the war began Bonaparte was on
his way to invade the dominions of the
Emperor of Russia, with an army Of 500,-
600 men. At the same time he was en-
gagged in a war with England and
Spain in the Spanish possessions. Eng
land had quite enough on hand in Europe,
and the American war, on the part of
Great Britain, was necessarily one of de-
fense. We know what followed. 1t was
a series Of defeats, and the French were
driven from the North to their own coun-
try, and the Bourbons were restored to the
thrones of France and Spain. At the be-
ginning Of the year 1914, Louis XVIII.
was placed on the throne of France, and
Bonaparte had gone TO Elba, under the
Protection Of an English frigate, and order
was restored in England. This changed
the status Of affairs in England. The
markets of Europe were open to British
productions. America wished for peace,
but Great Britain was not in sympathy
with her wishes. She longed for an op-
portunity Of not only making strong her
Canadian possessions, but she wanted the
trade Of the West, especially its fur trade,
and she looked with satisfaction upon an
opportunity of arresting the progress of
the United States. She had numerous
fleets and armies, and the officers were
anxious Of Distinguishing themselves at
our expense.
With these things in view, Great Britain
did not look favorably upon any arrange
ments for negotiation, and vigorously pre-
pared for the campaign of 1914. She was
to send the flower OF Lord Wellington's
army against the United States. The
British naval force was intrusted to Sir
George Cochran, Nice-Admiral of the Red.
assisted by Admirals Cockburn and Coving-
ton. MAJ. Ross commanded the land force
destined to cooperate with the navy.
The American Government came into
authentic intelligence in the month Of
June OF the pacification of Europe, and Of
the large re-enforcements from the British
fleets and armies On their way TO Ameri-
ca. Cabinet council was Immediately
called TO devise measures for the defense
OF the Capital. The District of Columbia
was placed under the jurisdiction of Gen.
Winder, and he was to prepare for its de-
tense. Every city along the coast put
Itself In a state of defense to meet the ap-
preaching crisis.
The President, on July 4, made a reaui-
sition for a corps of so, 500 militia. The
last OF July the flower of Lord Yelling
tons army arrived at Bermuda, the place
of rendezvous They found Admiral
Cochran there awaiting their arrival TO
direct future action.
A fleet of 60 sail, under Admiral Coch-
ran, with land force of 5000. commanded
by Gen. Ross, set sail from Bermuda, and
the 10th Of August they entered the Bay
OF the Chesapeake. The other part of the
Mediterranean division proceeded 10 Join
Sir George Provost in Canada.
The feet proceeded up the bay to the
mouth OF the Potomac, when a squadron
under Commander Gordon entered the rlv-
CT. The principal part of the fleet, with
the land forces, continued its course to
the mouth Of the Patuxent and entered
that river the 18th of August Commodore
Barney's American flotilla of gunboats
mad previously entered that river and re-
tired as far up as the depth of the water
would admit.
The British fleet proceeded up the river
until they came to anchor eight miles be-
low st. Benedicts. Some of the larger
gunboats and heavy vessels took the
ground, the lighter craft proceeded, trans