The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-12

site side of the stream Artillery had been
stationed at advantageous points and as
soon as the British troops appeared in the
streets of Bladensburg fire was opened
1hc cannonadc was well directed and the
English soldiers were directed to shell
ter themselves as wen as-possble behind
the houses. The commander of the Brit
ISL forces then carefully considered what
plan of attack might be best to pursue
The depth % the river was tried but no
place sufficiently shallow where the banks
we're not too steep was found in which
the army could cross. To bridge seemed
to be the only way to gain the opposite
side of the stream and it was felt that
this would entail severe loss of life. While
the column was halted large number of
the weary stfaEglers who had fallen be-
hind cane uD and took their place The
order To attack was given and as the col
umn moved through the Biadensburg
streets the American forces opened the
lire which had been discontinued When
the bridge was reached a two-gun battery
placed on the road 10y the Americans
opened lire. At the first volley nearly an
entire company was swept down FROM
The wooded banks of the stream a ter
rifle fire was maintained by the American
troops there concealed 1t was not Win
out trampling on many Of their dead and
wounded comrades that the first brigade
crossed the bridge. once across the stream
the plan of action was easier. Wheeling
to the right and TO the left the British
charged into the thiCket bordering the
stream The American troops who were
stationed there fed preCipitately before
the assault. The British did not hre a
shot. The two-gua battery on the Bladens-
burg Road fen into their hands.
Then the light brigade extended its or
der The soldiers threw away the KNAPP
sacks and haVersacils and extended their
order so that they presented an equal
front with the enemy and advanced to-
ward the second line. The Americans.
however. were not deceived and seeing
the weakness of the British line they
4E.-r. 4 Il
then retreated as the Americans advanced
in turn. The British were driven to the
thicket at the rivers edge recently occu-
pied by American troops and there they
halted and maintained their position with
obstinacy. They repealed all attempts to
dislodge them and frequently charged
such portions of the American line as
gave way. This state of action continued
until the second brigade of the British
army crossed the stream. The Forty
fourth Regiment debouched on the Amer
and completely routed the raw militia
which had been considered the least as
sailable on the right flank, however, the
Americans maintained their position with
much resolution. Not until the arrival of
the Fourth Regiment on the right side Of
the stream was II that the American line
began to waver In the meantime the
torty-fourth regiment was striving TO
gain the rear. Owing to this fact. coupled
with the view Of the left flank in full
flight, they lost all order and dispersed
cover their retreat. The rout was now
general. The reserve. which should have
supported the first and second lines, join
ed in the fight. The cavalry should also
have charged, but the cavalrXmen turned
their horses heads and galloped off The
soldiers citizens, and farmers who made
up the American army disappeared in the
woods where they could not possibly be
The most determined resistance of the
troops was that presented by
a detachment of the Marine Corps, under
command of Colonel Miller, and detach-
ment Of sailors from the fotilla recently
destroyed, under command of Command
er Barney. They served the guns with
such speed ami accuracy that the British
We're astounded and dismayed. Many of
them were bayonetted rather than leave |
their guns.
The loss on the part Of the British was
severe There was only about twO-thirds /
IF the entire army in the engagement, and 1
IF this number nearly 500 were either kill |
% or wounded. The loss was rendered |
loudly severe by the fact that among the |
wounded were several officers of disinc- |
ion. Colonel Thornton. who commanded |
he Light Brigade, lieutenant colonel I
i.lshty-nith Regiment, and Major Brown, |
who led the advance guard We're aft Sc /
5ere!y wounded. General Ross had a |
horse shot under him. The Americans |
qss was FAR less severe, owing to the fact |
hat their position was less exposed.
With the American forces scattered !
beyond all possibility of reunion the Brit |
sh column reformed and marched into /
he city. When they reached the out
skirts Of Washington the advance guard |
was fired uDon from a house. General |
Ross, when he learned OF the matter, |
lew into rage and swore the city should |
De burned However. the burning was
confined to few Of the public buildings 1
including the Capitol. The public officials
lew from the city upon the advent of the
British Tho detachment which was sent
% burn President Madisan's house found
he rooms deserted. 4 dinner already set |
IN large white covered table denoted |
he suddenness of the departure The
light of the repast was a pleasant one to
he British ofiicers,> who Immediately
disposed OF all the viands in sight and
'artook freely Of the abundant stock of
vines, being waited on by President Madi-
ons own servants After having con-
luded their dinner they finished up mat
ers by setting fire to the house which
lad so literally entertained them"