Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-10-19

eve of dissolution, and the world is
speedily to be delivered of the mis-
chievous example Of government
founded on democratic rebellion"
England. having now no other war
on her hands, Napoleon being put
down. had sent thousands Of picked
veterans to this country. British fleets
again ravaged the Chesapeake's shores
and frightened the blockade Of the
coast. The Creek Indians, whom An
drew Jackson had so severely pun
ished. rose again In arms and Joined
the enemy. Admiral Griffith con-
quered and took possession Of the state
of Maine In the name Of King George.
A squadron of sixty British warships
sailed up the Chesapeake. overwhelm-
ing little fleet sent against them by
Commodore Barney and landed 5000
soldiers under General Ross. Ross
marched OH Washington. At Bladens-
burg an American force 5000 strong
opposed their advance on Aug. "a, but
were put to rout after stubborn
fight. and the victorious British bore
down upon the defenseless capital.
President Madison, his family and his
cabinet fed in terror from the city.
Ross and his redcOats poured into
Washington, looted and plundered 1t,
burned the presidential mansion, the
capitol, the Congressional library, the
arsenal, the treasury building and
many private houses. 1t seemed that
America could not suffer such degrade
ton and survive. General Ross, re-
enforced. followed up his victory by
marching northward with 5000 men
toward Baltimore. A British fleet at
the same time sailed up the Patapsco
to cooperate with him by capturing
Fort McHenry. But every American
in the vicinity who was strong enough
TO handle rife rushed to join the
small. impromptu army raised by Gen
eral Striker. In the fight Ross was
killed. His second In command. Colo
mel Brooke. drove back the Americans
and pushed on toward Baltimore, but
he never reached his destination. Not
only did the Americans heroically con-
test every step of his march, but the
feet OH which he had relied for sup
port failed to capture Fort McHenry
The fort was bombarded all day and
all night, but on the following morning
Old Glory still 6oated defantly from
the stronghold's walls. and the British
were forced to fall back to the coast.
While all the foregoing disasters
were piling up in the south some
what different drama was enacted far
Their north. Sir James Yeo had cap
tured Oswego. May 6. but Generals
Scott and Ripley had crossed the Ca
madam border, capturing Fort Erie
and routing large British detachment
ut Chippewa. General Drummond with
Il force onc-third larger than that or
the invading Americans met Scott and
Ripley in battle at Lundy's lane, near
Bridgewater. on July 25. After one
of the bloodiest battles for its size Oh
record the Americans were victorious.
But they lost S5S men. whom they
could much less afford to spare than
could the British their own loss Of 1913.
Drummond. failing at Lundy's lane.
tried next to wrest Fort Erie from
the Americans and was again defeat
ed. But the Yankees. fearing they
could not hold out against another as
sault, burned the fort and retreated
across the border back into New York.
With $4,000 of the seasoned veterans
Of the Napoleonic wars General Pre-