Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-21

dressed to Congress by the Columbia
Historical Society:
Whereas it is the duty of the American his
neeP we se eor
fous deeds of the men who. in the infant days Of
our republic. sacrificed their lives in behalf Of
freedom, and.
Whereas the unparalleled achievements of
Commodore Barney have never received common
surate recognition at the atoms capital.
Therefore be it resolved by the Columbia His
tcrca1 Society. That 1t herewith submits its re-
spectful petition to the United States Congress
to make appropriation sufficient in amount for
the purpose of erecting a suitable monument to
the memory Of this heroic seaman upon the Penn
sylyania Avenue Circle. known as public reserva-
fcially designated Commodore Barney Cir
cle."
In the official report of his part in
the Bladensburg engagement. which
Barney made to the secretary OF the
Navy under date of August 29. 1914. he
throws very strong light on certain
phases of that memorable action. The
report was written by Barney at his
farm at Elk Ridge: Md. 1t is docu-
ment of rare historic value and is to
be found in Niles Register. 1t follows:
Sir: This is the first moment that I have had
it in my power to make a report OF the pro
ceedings of the force under my command since
I had the honor of seeing you on Tuesday. the
sd instant. at the camp at Ola fie!os. oh me
afternoon of that day we were informed mat
was nut In order of battle and our positions
taken; nv forces on the right hanked by two
ba ttalions of the Seth and 3sth Regiments. where
we remained some hours The enemy, however,
did not make his appearance. A little before
sunset Cen Winder came to me ana recommend
ed that the heavy artillery should te witnaTa"n
covar the retreat We took up the line of march
and snd in the night entered washington by the
Eastern Branch Srds and took up
tiers for the night. About O'Clock Gen. Wlnaer
came to my quarters and we mace s'"'e al
rangements .. ro,
In the morning l received note from Gen;
Winder and waited upon him. He requested
to take command ana PI ase my the Eastern
branch. as the enemy approaching the city
in that direction. 1 Immediately put my guns ns
in nosition leaving the marines ana Inc Ies'
IN IN pos men at the barracks to await further
orders. / was in this position when ! had me
honor to meet YOU with 'he whom eS If was deter
mined | should draw off my guns and men a an'
proceed towards Rladenshure' "h'ch was '
On nuT way was informed that the enem!
was within a mile of Bladenshure; We nur r,e,
much NM crinpled with the severe marches We had
experienced the preceding days PRECEDED tns
and Mne nsrs sFfi rom MARYLAND the battle
began. sen, an officer back TO hasten on my
men-they came up in trot. we .ooa 'H Gn
hs ttery posted the marines under Capt Miller,
and notiila men who were to act az rnianr.
under their own officers. Cd m! rieh', " suPp
enemy. During this period the engagement con
,nuei-the enemy advancing ana our army dis
nrder Ar length the enemy made his ap-
pearance the main road IN lorre and
front of my batter and on st few minutes the
enemy again advanced; then ! ordered an H.
inch FOUNDER to he fred when ds eon'e second
md third attempt was made by the enemy to
come forward. but all who made the attempt mp.
into an open field and attempted to flank our
right. $780,, ..,., ro,,dors
the marines under Capt. Miller and my men
acting as infantry and again was totally cut
mp BY this time not vestige OF the American
hundred posted on height on my right, from
whom I expected much support from their me
situation. The enemy u IRON 'I however pushed
forward his sharpshooters. one or whom shot
my horse from under me. which fell dead pc
been Kept in check by our fire for nearly half an
hour now began to outfank us on the right.
hill about 200 800 men towards the corps
of Americans above described. Who TO my
great mortifca ton made no resistance giving
a FIRE two and retiring.
In this situation we had the whole army of
the enemy TO contend with: our ammunition
was expended. and unfortunately the drivers
of our ammunition wagons had gone of in the
general panic. At this time l received
ssds ns fnpt k Mff
ing Sailing Master Martin killed and Sailing
Master Martin wounded, but TO the honor OF my
officers and men fast their companions
and messmates fell at the guns. they were in
stantly replaced by those acting as infantry:
Finding the enemy completely in our rear
and no means Of defense, I gave orders to my
officers and to rerre. Three of my officers
assisted to get off short distance. but the
great loss of blood occa stoned such weakness
hat ! was compelled to lie down. I requested
my officers to leave me. which they obstinately
refused. but upon being ordered they obeyed.
only one remained. In a short time observed
Q British soldier and had him called and di-
rncted him TO seek officer. In a few minutes
an officer came. who. on learning who | was.
brought Gen. Ross and Admiral Cockburn to
me, These officers behaved to me with the
most marked attention. respect and poiteness.
had a surgeon brought and my wound dressed
Immediately. After n few minutes converse
tion the general informed me 'after paying me
a handsome compliment. that l was paroled
and at liberty to proceed to Washington or
Bladensburg. as also MIR. Huntingdon. who had
remained with me. offering me every assistance
in his power. giving orders for a litter to be
brought in which I carried to Bladensburg.
Capt. wainwright. first captain to Admiral Coch-
IL I were a brother.
During the stay of the enemy at Rladensbnrg
I received the most polite attention from the
officers both OF the navy and the army.
My wound is deep, but, / hatter myself, not