Evening star., 1914-08-23

brick house. said to be the oldest build
ing i'll Bladensburg. 1t was built about
1t is known as the Lee House, and ven
cradle colored woman delights in taking
the visitor about the place and pointing
out the graves Of soldiers who fell In the
battle and were buried in the dooryard.
On the opposite bank of the river. or
the right Of the Washington road as you
leave the village, stands the old Carlton
mill. This mill furnished cover for the
American sharpshooters during the early
part of the battle.
The battle was fought across the east
branch from Bladensburg, along the road
leading to Washington Five days oe-
fore the battle q British army, under
Gen. Ross, landed at Benedict Md.
small town on the banks of the Patuxenl
river, about thirty miles southeast OF
Washington. Soon they were Joined ny
body OF marines under Admiral COCK
burn, and together they began a leisurely
march toward the Capital city AS soon
as it was known in Washington that q
British force was near, all was CONFUSION
and excitement.
August 20 the mayor, James H. Blake
issued the following proclamation:
To the Citizens of Washington: The whole bod!
of militia of this District. having malched y
every man exempt from military duty, who is
able to carry a musket, Will immediately enroa
soon as n snfciept number is enrolled, choose tne
necessary officers who will class the comPanlef re
for the scf OF pa 5ave 10, ts and
milton will be furnished. upon apple atioh :,
either member Of d the hr ,sens % are reaes
ed to he yiglant and take up al snspec1en pei ~
sous: and none will be permitted to pass after iG
.ycmse The veil known patriotism of the cit
izcns OF Washington IL sure giarantes .ha' enes
will cheerfIiiy comply % Wiz ike 70 sbe presen Arec
ton for our wives children ana homesI M
and interest-all demand our services IN the pes'
way we render them.
The movement of the District militia
referred to in the proclamation, was un'
der Cen. Winder, who had been placed II
command Of all the American forces
around the capital He had set out, Will
part of his army. in the directioh o.
the approaching British, and for two ol
three days was engaged in frantic eilofts
to learn of their plans ana numbers. II
the meantime another small American
force had assembled at Bladensburg, hop
ing to prevent any approach from tha'
direction.
The American troops were lnexpen-
enced, badly organized and poorly equip
ped, and a leader capable OF dlrecting
concerted action seemed to De lacking.
night, between the divided army often
they brought false alarms OF danger ano
exaggerated reports Of the enemy
strength, thus adding to the confusion
and excitement.
About noon Sunday, August 81, the
mayor of Washington issued the follow
ing notice:
All able-bod.ed citizens remaining here. and all
free men OF color, nre required to convene tomof-
row morning at 8 o clock precisely at the CAPITOL
and from thence to proceed to site near bta-
densburg, throw up breastwork or red0not,
deemed Important by the commanding general, 10!
the defense Of our city. Those who cannot atteEd
in person will please send substitutes Sho'els'
spades and pickaxes will be furnished on the spot
Each man must take his provisions Tor the oay
With him.
How literally this notice was compiled
with is told In the National Intelligencer
for Wednesday, August "a:
We take pleasure in mentioning that Monday
morning at the hour appointed an imm nse crowd
,supposed to amount to 400 500 OF every de-
scription of persons attended to ontr taelr sery-
ices. The same spirit that inspired the whole
the e1empts, to be servceable in such way as
they could.
Not SO hopeful, however, We're the re.
ports from the army. On the evening OF