The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-09-07

| men SOI SOucHON alltah vi us.
| could not repress 4 smile at the
question, though to say the truth, an
older soldier than Williams might have
easily mistaken the force opposed to
us for anything rather than the army,
on whose valor the safety of a great
capital depended
The corps which occupied the heights
above BiadcDShurg, was composed
| chiefly Of militia; and as the American
| militia are not dressed in uniform, it
exhibited to our eyes a very singular
and a very awkward appearance. Suf-
fcicntly armed, but wretchedly equip
ped, clothed part in black coats, others
in blue, others in ordinary shooting
Jackets, and some in round frocks, the
three motley lines of infantry, but that
their order was tolcrably regular, might
have passed off very we'll for a crowd
of spectators, come out to view the ap-
proach of the army which was to oc-
cupy Washington. \ few companies
only, perhaps two, or at the most three
battaliorS. wearing the blue jacket,
which tie Americans have borrowed
from the French, presented some ap-
pearance of regular troops. The rest,
as | have Just mentioned, seemed coun-
try people, who would have been much
more appropriately employed in at
tending to their agricultural occupa-
tions. than in standing, with muskets
in their hands. on the brow of bare
green hill. There were, however, upon
the right, some sQuadrons of horse,
whose bearing was sufficiently warlike,
whilst about twenty pieces of cannon,
arranged at different points along the
ridge, spoke of another and more seri-
Gus affair, than a more triumphal
march through the middle Of the levy.
| have seldom been more forcibly
struck with anything than with the
contrast, which a glance to the rear
afforded at this moment. with the spec
taclc which was before me. A column
ing in sections of six abreast, and COW
ering an extent of road greater than its
windings would permit the eye to take
in, met my gaze i'll that quarter. The
dress, the perfect regularity of their
step, the good order which they pre-
served, and, above all, the internal
conviction, that they were only advan-
cling to victory, excited in me feelings
for which | have no words, and which
he only can conveivc who has stool in
similar situation. Nor was it the
sense of sight alone, which, on the pres
ent occasion, was forced into power
full comparison. The Americans, from
the instant that our advanced guard
came in view, continued to rend the air
with shouts. Our men marched on,
silent as the grave, and orderly as peo
pie at a funeral No: word was
spoken, scarce V Il whisper passed from
man to man, but each held his breath,
and mustered UP his best courage for
the shock.
The head Of the column had jrst
turucd the corner of the wood, "n,l. 1t
halted. and an aide -de-camp riding up
to Major Brown desired that he would
proceed with the advance guard, ascer-
tain the state of the village of Bladens-
burg, and, i'll case it should be occu-
pied, dislodge its garrison. This or
der the Major prepared to obey, and,
calling in all his silirmshers, except
about half a company, he formed his
men into one little column for the as
SALT
| have said, that the Americans, in
their lines, occupied certain green hills.
about couple OF miles to the left of
the point from whence we now bebeld
them. Between their position and
ours, ran branch Of the river Poto-
mac, across which bridge was thrown
at the extremity of the main street Of
Bladensburg. The road which con-
Quoted to the brid gc ran parallel with
the stream, and compelled us to move
for some time completely under the
eyes Of the enemy, whilst the town it
self stood on our side of the river, and
was commanded by several of their
guns. 1t is place of inconsidertble
size, not capable | should conceive, of
containing mole than thousand or
fifteen hundred inhabitants: but the
houses are, for the most part, compo>e ed
of brick, and there is mound on the
right of the entrance, very well adapt
ed to hold light tieldpiece or two, for
the purpose Of sweeping the road.
Under these circumstances we natural
ly concluded that an American force
must be here. Though out of the reg
ular line it was not so far advanced but
that it might have been maintained, if
not to the last at all events for many
hours. whilst the means of retreat, SO
soon as the garrison should be fairly
overpowered were direct and easy.
Our surprise, therefore, was not less
palpabc than our satisfaction, when
on reaching the town, we found that it
was empty.
As our orders went no farther than
to direct that we should ascertain in
what condition the place stood, our
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