Evening star., 1914-08-23

TV W "s3s'y Sssys :" @ssss sSsss's o
the invinc!bie leader mae the ignoininS
of the capture Of Washington August Il
1914. a little easier to bear even though
we view the fracas through the length
ened perspective of 100 years. 1t is. how
eyer,but a meager consolation that the fact
that our soldiers were unable to with
stand the onslaught upon our infant capi-
ta!. a hundred summers back, was not
their fault. but their misfortune.
The burning of the Capitol and White
House during this second war with the
mother country were the most humili-
ating episodes of that conflict Other
events incidental TO the capture of Wash
ington smacked of guerrilla warfare.
In fact. the predatory warfare carried
on by the British forces during the years
Of 1S,3-14 on the shores Of the Chesa-
peake bay was SO greatly In CONTRAST
with the war of the Titan" which they
were raging at the same time on the
other side of the Atlantic as to be al
most ridiculous In Europe they were
conducting their military operations on
gigantic scale: grand armies were ois-
putting the possession OF prihclpaiies'
Kingdoms and empires: in our humble
portion Of the globe. the armed hosts OF
HE Hritannic majesty were rohbing
MARYLAND hen roosts and Virginia pig
styes. Their military skill valor ana en-
terprise were signalized in burning farm-
houses and carousng In churches
Pioued. perhaps. because their COM
rades across the waters We're partici-
triyI
Napoleon. British officers hghting In
America were stimulated TO heroic action
and with the Corsican's example OF dash
ing through all obstacles 70 the capital
Of the enemy fresh IN their minds IT Is
not unnatura, that their general should
be eager to disport himself IN similar
fashion, especially as he was reinforced
nv a few of Wellingtons veteran regi-
rnents.
At any rate, with the pretense of con-
trolling our commerce In Chesapeake bay
the British forces were constantly ac-
cumulating strength ana. from ms
close point Of vantage. bidding tnelr
time until tho American iron was not
enough to strike.
X !.
The presiding genius Of these forces
whose later actions would nave disgraeed
eanditti was Rear Admiral Sir George
IN Washington IN disguise some time
previous 10 the attack and from his own
personal observation have obtained MI
mute ard accurate knowledge of the to-
pography of the surrounding country,
the state of the defenses and OF pupNC
resources
Cutnlarcn.ng Cock burn in daredeviltry
was his companln; officer. Gen. Robert
Ross VINO when he landed in Chesapea &c
bay in the middle OF August with twen-
ty-two vessels boasted that he could
wipe out the american fiotilla and dine
in Washington the followin" Sunday.
But in extraordinary contrast with
these men of confidence and brayado
was the American commander, Gen.
William Winder. He was appointed to
take command Of ten or twelve thou
sand men, who, as he was told. were
in readiness to obey his orders. When
he entered upon his duties he found
that he did not have even corporais
guard.
President Madison. a peace-loving man.
did not desire to mix into the war even
when II was upon him. and his two cabi-
net members Of revolutionary memory
disregarded the condition OF Winder' s
force in the face of the proximity of the
British force until after the news Of Gen
Ross threat was nolsed about. Ther
reinforcements were called from Balti-
more. Alexandria and militia districts OF
Maryland. Meanwhile the British had
pursued the American fotilla, in COM
nand OF Commander Josh a Barney, ul
the PatuXent river until seeing no chance
Of escape he blew up his ships and Joined
the hodge-podge OF companies gathered
under W.nder.
Though the number was by no means
small they lacked the essential of being
governed by single will. In the little
time of prdarat,ou every one took q
controlling hand. Furthermore. the men
lacked discipline and experience. They
were capable behind defensive works OIL
in strong natural positions where thej
did not have to execute maneuvers or
apprehend the enemy's maneuvers. Bu'
of practical application OF the theory
of war they were Ignorant.
Thus the situation stood the 23d OF
August The enemy. camping within
marching distance Of Washington. had
force estimated at about 5000 OIL
10000 strong. but actually 400: while
ours consisted of ABOUT $500 oil
700; their troops were experienced
were united. We. divided into two
corps separated from each other, bu
near to the enemy. Our troops hac
been under arms for four days. and hat
burning sun of sultry days They hat
drawn but two rations during thi:
period. and hardship had sorely dis
tressed them. Under Secretary Monroe
they reconnoitered in the vicinit. O
Benedict--the eneIny's camp-and wer'
discouraged at the formidable size q
their adversary. In fact, their strate gi,
movements seemed as futile 10 them a.
the exploits of the French king, wht
With twenty Thousand men.
Aafchsd UP che hill ard down again.
On the other hand. the British nat
t,f,r Iota rntc