IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1^"^ m mm 1.1 i.-^'" \m i 1.4 I M 1.6 *" ^'>. jniilkr:)! 4^ .^^ 'O ^. **, Sdeices Carparatkm 33 WMT MAIN STRHT WngTM,N.Y. l4StO (7U) 173.4903 4^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microraproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes technique* et bibliographiquee The institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D n D □ D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagte Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurAe et/ou peiliculAe I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couleur □ Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or blacit)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bieue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/cr illustrations/ D Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relit avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge inttrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ 11 se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouttes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, iorsque cela Atalt possible, ces pages n'ont pas At6 f iimies. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppitmentaires: L'institut a microf iimt le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a At* possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans ia mMhode normale de fiimage sont indiqute ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagtes Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurtes et/ou pellicul6es Pages discoloured, stained or foxe< Pages dAcolortes, tacheties ou piquAes Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prin Qualit^ in6gale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du mattriei suppKmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Mition disponible I — I Pages damaged/ r~~| Pages restored and/or laminated/ r~~| Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ r~~| Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possilble image/ Les pages totalement ou partieliement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc.. ont At* filmAes A nouveau de fapon A obtenir la meilleure image possible. Th( to Th. poi of filr on bei th« sio ott fin sio or Th( shi TIP wh Ma difi enl bef rigl req ma This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 12X 16X am 24X 28X 32X ^i^m&W' Th« copy filmed hora ha* been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Nationai Library of Canada L'exempiaire fiimA fut reproduit grAce A ia gAnirositi de: BibliothAque nationaie du Canada The images appearing here are the best quaiity possibie considering the condition and iegibiiity of the originai copy and in Iceeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover end ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the beck cover when appropriate. All other originel copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrsted impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol Y (meening "END"), whichever applies. Les images suivantes ont AtA reproduites avec le plus grsnd soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la nettet* de l'exempiaire film«, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmaga. Les exempleires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimte sent fiimte en commengant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iliustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les sutres exempleires originaux sont filmte en commenpant par la premiere pege qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustrstion et en terminant par la dernlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la dernlAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols —»- signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, cherts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction retios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as msny frames as required. The following diegrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmto A des taux de reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul ciich^i, 11 est film6 A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bee, en prenent le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 b£. Ja^'-*»^*»?'**SM V*^*:*" ■^^^'.. ^jpP> » '» *■■ 4 »;, i r « 4*^ %-^ •(. /% »•'«« f*' ^ * <*. ' \ ■^^ . , »?'^ ,^% * *^' f , ■'«'" ^^ %. NARRATIVE 7 L; ] OiUPAIONS OF THE BRITISH AllMT, !.■ ipl* fr '' /J? . - WASHINGTON,* , I • BALTIMORE, AND NEW OR^-EANS; 'V. /^ ^ '""'?'. . . . * *^ % ,,. n^ GENE|4LS R08S, PAt JlNHA^I, 4- LAMBERT, ^. ^^^' ^ ♦ IK THE TKARi 1814 AWD IfflSj ^t {' WITH SobIe account of the countries TISITEa - .jf ♦ i^' > X HF ^JV OFFICER WaO SERVED IJ^ THE EXPEDITIOM ' 0- :^ ^^i. ft . M^^^^ m * %, •VPKBAinb A OMNIS 99BTUVA FERENOO HBT^Jtfg^ ^ TO WBICB It iinrxxxD, "1 , It] ;** , ^ AN APPENDIX, ^, 4 ? ciiTTAiinira AN SXPOSmON OF SUNDRY ERRORS IN THE WOBK. ♦ ♦. # € ^% PHrLADEJLPHIA: A* l^BLISHED, BT M^^REV U SOJ^» ^ No. 126, Chesnut Street. "^ 'W, M 1' ' A M '" . >* IJ * 4* %. I 4 •#% m % ,1f: f V •* <. V ^:^'« ■!.» •* ». J" l1 / ♦ ..^4 >? -vt- ^■^'^{. ^ ^ Itlllt .■^ t*!fM y t* 4 *.* ^ <« ♦'•"r ••# ■# * -NL if* *•« <*? f*^?!; % ■4- t ^^ ^* f..-«* A" m- 4 -m ft*. *; » ■\i^ *"*,<*' VERTISEMENT ' • *>^^ t6 the LONDON EDITION. >•< ^ ■ III*. I'-:*-*" ^-*. >: ^^ f^ ^ ^ S \ iy- ' '-f ^- ^ -^'^'-^If* • " t >^ ** writing hi^e'^blen purposely omitted; but. * for aiythe particulars, h(|tireyer extraordinary,^ the Mtlvor if, thus enabled fairl}^to pledge his creditafMk The Betters' will, pei^h^ps, obtain f'j^.the more attbntion, as conveying the firat* detailed account of this Concluding expedl tion of the*war. ■*■ ^J ^^^. t * \ . -I <^ '^» *> , H 'A ^ t;# v" / i '^^ •« iR t' • ADVERTI8BMEHT TO THE PRESENT EDITION. V /i'* -4w» ij^*-^^' V. ^iN-Vbi^'Z •^, ... 1 ii^' ■•^•"'k.v'"'*'' PhUadelphia, Ju%f 0, ISSI. V > J^ The following work, althougli more fiur and q '^- candid, in most particulars, than the generaRly of those published in Europe respectingHhis country, contains some important errors and . misstatements, which have .called forth varioin ^ animadversions in different parti of the United ,; . States. The American editor h^ptet'he has . ' ^%.< performed an acceptable service to his felloif r« ^ citizens, by presenting, in a itondense^l forni| j^> the most important of thosei animadversipn«» ii with such interlocutory rem%f)frli8 appeared * . ^ necessary to connect and illii^te thejni; -^ lit i'-" i4 . '■■V ' ~ ¥• •»*• IM^ # w *-..ifi. <^'' .'•*fV -1 M. - -'II-^jW-I*^ 'V* ION. ' k 0, iStl. f tore fair and e generaRlgr pectii^ihis errors and )rth varioiif tfaeUnM |)te8lie haf his fellotr nseil fornii adversipna, appeared Ithejnit V rl' ^ 4 %^ r*,/ * «♦' ' «•• iVS^ -.,^t ,a' 4i ■4^v ;^'^Si»'-*-?v4. >*jw^ Hf •••«*f--r mr*'':' r.ft^ !/.^ luicilor#^0attkin6, and ist s&sogn be a certainty, but ^ 3ui'fin.^ mean time, ^iMifnustt i ycjti %iWi an •aoijbunt w d& motions sihce the ^^' p^iiuse, pii»^eidu1y of our march through the souiliem pai#t>f Ckscony to our present floating '^1' B n* ^ *-♦ 1 1 •7*^ '*«' • ifc^-. * » ?^« » ( *'^»> h ■* 4* T i» V ♦J 6 t THE CARONN£. ••7. 1(* f As soon as the white flag hMl from the citadel dT Bayonne, the ooal .sfired by the garrison and the besieging amfy and niatters ^ fiir jimuigwl as to pe^o^lp mkiatiiwi of the blockade, the -thoughts of ajll w^ mlvi% employed in specuktionMMt^dieirfiittqpdM^. ^ This employment, yoirwiU perceive^ was ikf necessary cpnsequente of Ihe^ want of l:|^lfer, ^Hl ' saw, that where we ^enej al leas^ tllBie waa vii* longer any occasion Uk us, and. nft^ biMdiD anticipate withdismfty> thf prospects ''" "" " reduction. Th^ was> however^itoe ohmH^ and that depended upon the dontinnaiice of lft» war with America. England, it wasangucd, ii$fam at peace with all the worlds exoagt^tiis'llM' tfioit implacable enemy, iigainst whomMl^iias Ae justn. est cause of irritation $ nor is it B^0rpniffd»\t thai^ she will let allpitti ojpportunjty s4^fovowablt«ir.8eT viirely chastisingher, for Her perfid3ieand iogntitudt» < It was th^ general 'opiiiibn,|nerii|fbre, teu^ large proportionof the Penin^i4irai|ly;Wo^ betnai^ V ported to the'otiier side of thl|^|M|^, tiiat Utt war would there be x^rried on'-^vith vieOCBb and that no terms of accommodatioMpdd bf^liMened to, except such as a British' genaiilfilK^Ud dictate in the Republican Senate House, ^t lus^been oAeii remarked, and not with greater fivqueacy tfian justice,' that men are extremely rea^to believe what they wish to be true. A pfcih of opei1itions>« ^' ' *«. rr '-' ', m- 1 ji^» T ■lb # • .< • m Qukft^Mlri. 7 ^Jitei|leiely In consonince whh fht l«|rho trembled tt the prospect^. Ml'flyv^'#^ prdnQ^ced|»J|prst the most fftoper, >yMk«r'4|aMaikefy^ in the world to W^ld^mNttltp^ aid the sole subject of inquiry ti^i^i^ whieb regments might expect to fab ^ J/fSt^toi iku^mrvke',^ and which would return S^. ■' ^ %i|)¥n pirty I froni thi»fiESt laid my fej wuit #i<^ bfehig sentout because ^e corps to wliU|4bekM%'lMidnot soihredvo muoli as niiiny giliiifc^ Nor, In mmSmikl^myaaSd^^ Thei« was a r ilie;^4ndecd^ in which 1 1)egan id. waver, and ajjh JMy^ll^ubts did not continue long in exis- rlir^ii^^ilSMtheless proper that I should say flTimg^^i^Mapips inpaw tiht on t)vB ^ondusion ot,|WBt<|imtirioe ijetw^ thf jFrei|ph and Britidi lilmies, one of tfie oonditidpife was, thc^ the gpfliaqn of Ba|pittie should i^ jpelli^|idloiiag6 to the jm$ttAc{ 8eyeikjBj|[Qe»fifY)i«ik^ . Tbts of oittiMQeoMi|iMi^ scarcity of fiM^df^ ^ kad ^ wtts deemed necessary,^,in conse^ende'of diaf wetKkrJm^ye p««| tif the Britisb force a dif'aimtfeh ttNnMs th^lPfa^. Now it had so ha^p- pened ^Mt, among the iksnit our condusidns, we bad agread'that the troops destined for America would embark at Bourdeaux, tho^ destined for ^EnglMld at Passage. Finding oinrsdves, there- ■V ». I*^!t ' ' ' fMk V. m «. ■■/ ■>« »■ c t,. ' j^- p ■'X it. «^^ •vi » t % « . IT ;3» ICAtCH TtilAil^^i»«V«DlAUX. 4 « ' t' * V foil, pioceedilig in the j|i|d not. beingp aware of the caus^f ite began to ainpect 4||t we M bee nmm | |y g | | i , amnberiag f III cgaditigis^ftiiM^ om j(il|ffii<»»ftiie ^iiiit of viokneclod ouMl^ lSiiiiiliilllilin«Wy acted mnoiig HkHMlMMf ruftl uum w tf i m i H •nd iiwd b i rt lii i ■hyii Mrio-driMMiaMKiliwi nht iii iill Qpir own mbdf^vidi the bmd of MJpMdJdwfhpygvtf, Iti connection with pwt 0mS^ vllH^|M|ie was indeed, most inteiestingf f , , ^, thougiP^ a Mrtiigtr fresh frm^ England, aman;^ ^Y iBiC^i>j||i dM not preibent evident proofe of iMhavi verted mto a tempatuy'^BCc of the deep ruts» in what had once been hwtmi flower-gardionS) showec|^t^veft,;tfiei^1 not protect them frontfbeing destn *pa8sa|e of heavy ircBiery* "^ •' ImmecBately beyond the viUag^oNMi^wt^ spectacles were partiodarly fre^lpMi^ It^ftii^> yott'ViH recollect, that in '^ mon#f#Beceinbel] last there was fitting fdr four ^ysiidgetherf aKd I dd^^assiim y0|i^ thatgl^,M' / luied to coi)^^,niiinber«f,8h|i||^ iWf^h»i stood bdldad th^Bo, ndnv*'^ J l feW^ tlick 9nd %|. aipw^.^. % ^lor. though Wl^^llli^tJiqMrta^^ Iff t|ie conKipif fetMip^d^^glli^ 1h» expipiia amAhm HIIIMiiMWlil t ttRi^lpps after oE^i^t , . , , , ,^;. ^A»l iim| i n)l aware, fixMAexpgrifflpoe, thatgwBqp^ wbo JilP ^quietly ;al' ^ope^ iqan^onp no m^ |||^«M^|iit yOu||Ul pardoi l^tediouaneis of i|ift 4i'i'iy.iiii|>jijil»na UfcewiMwiUmg to persuade Il|||v0||li^^ of ^ iBi ial | |.»k Bot be uni^lciplable. «l^e emlitam o£ f bdeiiipBpcd town, in particuiar^ wpytsj difr ficiift* to be«conoeiyed withou(t.fa%vmgb«aisc9% Ikkttm tliauvary oneimderstwii^^ % .','>» ' ."H* '•*H ^,- »"^ ^ .f d ..^ •» ,'1 *• '*^. V ^ k > '■■« ^■ I * i «*' 4 *j;s'v »V^, >♦# V't #¥0r this p^fpose'^ vcMced #6^« of fil||liM»;'ie^( .t • - V 1^. It •. / ■4; ' •' V > VDWhkMimrllBVxvtfr ■iit f.v »• /f tf»i ^>gftt About one hundred^nds Tttkge, felled trees were thh)wtf I ^|he'l^»d^ with their branches towards tllb what we caSl ^ abat^. Forty otji, '^iS^dfljtmi^iR rear of this, a sclkisli was dug and a' liiiifiiilili'iik thrown up, behind which a par^ liJUil^ tacitfelystaiid and do great execution w iiP ^Ml-liii, i^HeMi anybodyof men stru^ing to forcfr^ th^Wt^ tfirough the thick branches. On eidiF ' 8i%ip|Mlwad, again, where the ground graduaUy riiKi4^P^^^"'^^"^^*> ^^^ erected redoubts >, ^ ' itteries, from Whidi a heavy flanking fire « . kdpt up 9' wl^lBt ^Ivepr house iii the vil- lagi^lbelj^l^jr^jd^^byrva^ iire bililt^ili a fir9ii|^|l^'looMi|^ii|^a# U^p-holed, arid Converted - J ii||p^«.;^||mp(iniy^lortressrf ^^e church, in parti> * cij|ir,'vbc|j||^an higher ground than the other '^^ bi|p|gg9» was completeljr metamorphosed, from a iM^ <^ peaci|^ mto a little citadeL Strang 4^^ p4i|j^^.caUediQihllitaiyphrasedogy,stoci^^ J^ wcp diiveQ intothegroundxQi^d the church-yard, IpDfkcfipiingpik^ ^ leiyfhfiw«d4heii^ws. .The wallsof die edifi^k^ ?*/ itsi^C^iip 9lreiigthened ly an embibkmenr of * i^V earth, to |i|| height of four or fivf X<^ abinre whic|f»narrcpr openings were. inade$%|Ei order to 1^ giv^lts d«^ei|#ers ap opportuiuty of lfl^j|iip^c^ i «N- i>^ • t f «•>• ?■ * ^^ "s.. * ■1 . ■»■ ,^■>l * i * ^\i .-*, W^^ '"^f. '7:1 !(-*■ *;. 1M-I»lrl M' k J^ -4 fhtiikltiil ^ifhlK'i^i^^^ tfMifit)^ barrefi^ cX ganpaWdeTy sM ttm^apmrni tfie raife^f^Jllltf, U8«d as-vi stid shells. ■' ' '^ 'r.'jti3it^^',^; V; I have bedh tbui minbte kihiaghi Angle^ because «^hiitt I have ^d of ijt equally well to eveiy village, hamlet, m&ases wiihifi the compass of whaitir»jBiil)lit||i)j^ lines. Ort this side, youifill ^^ intention of making a breach, ixr.ofj ,i^ace t nor, indeed, would it have be94M||||(^ "^ ^^^tD'^attempt it, excepting in one pointy aiBppfcy* (the oppodte side of the town. The sq||e ^^ these prepAiitionSi t|ierdGocie|Mwas .ti^.^ lefkehi^ wi#ihi ^4r(^^ '-^' all dc^mniilt^tion tvithfitl^ si But where Utibps are ev^eiy nf|gii|e m^ ^being attacked, as nem^be the cStf^iif^ji Th^ armies, die slightest cover and i defente is of impoctance. ' YoujnajFi ^%ilre to yourself Wiiat appearatfe a cc • "''pi^sient, which, t^ the extent 'ol' fi^n or mites rouod, is thu% treated ; liliere eveTy0i9$^ "^ ^ is fortifie^^emea^aluable1fe|i|teietif^^^ \^. ^nrni'abattisj ilvery emmence a|||iimed^|^ii^|re |i 'rfeglilir wOTk^, and everppbce, swarming .^with % wk t ' ait«ied^e##(Slich was its aspect during the day, whilst a^6jiq|Ht it exhibited a specticle iHt less ^Ittii^^. I' ^^n^ in IMhatever idirecl|SNiyou might 1*^4 f * *•■' *^;- * >. fe4jiwMMres4v«^.tf you c)i|ip^d lied «ne of th«||y ^. nii||it wii- ue'^bles, bedsteads, or i||iyj^(W piece^^f *^ •^^Ainiiitunt )Mhio)\,»|lX nearest i^t hand, with aU the ii^MMiiBe m . j^ world, 'thevj^laze. v ,^ ^M the inhabltaiits of liais distri«t, ^0mklBcy^^^p§P^f excie^di^gLy wretched. 1li|i||ig^|>lMto>^Mtodj>MI^^ adyimci^pf B|)howeveri»Qpaped, gn<(L^»)(|j^ »icevlainly|M9ledrwidi a^ Ib^ humanity llpiustbe^ffi- ^-S**^^ ':?l^^ _*. £U«d with ' / it were assigped -JI^^k fc||||]iii^e^^]^ die next place >i^^t^ destnu4^^ ^ Lffom^^iniBonM|!Q|dierSi' ^eednot^ay ' * "^ ser jmi9|g|r«#]|^ l^lfaMLiiiriifeiieYwi'a cc*^***'"****''" •«*~^'''*"*' ■*■ t)Qe|f^e»pit<^itM^^c^ wt inlp^flilftiSliiestGiij^nii^asfQii^^ *^y solSbr was instantly punished. j||M|^^eve tiiat ^^ Jli«y p«it^. Willi raaayiiajtllies rath .r^^ .^(•Np, , ^« '^' J*? 1*^. m.^%J^.." . ♦ ^:''^ 1 ■I 1 ^^^|n-iL' 1 It' l'*i ffi ^K ^', 'fli ^B^* r^^ "fl ^■'?''. ^H ^K.A* . - ^H ^Bt* ^'^ 9 Hr4' ^"- 1 Hf ' ' '« ^Br° ^ ''i'' tS] ^Bf' . '' ^^H 1 ^K':'* ,3^ M\ ^^1 1 Hfe K 1 m Mm. U K 14) lUI^,^jU^^t|f^«]»«Jk^1|[f]^ plains throufi^ A dresttdcf the JBiii J iPiii wpo H ii n^igjli^ resul|,vi&^P the an§tf ,aiid man \vboni.jliie]rt$hould bring^ci ,, Besides %s^ two inconv«iMencc% have liyed ii) a coi)|tant ^eof leR«r In case^^f a sucpfiisCul sortie fromlhe knew that they would be put to death bji' countrymen, fQrreniainingintheir)p|^|b the English $ whilstupcm tjbf^ ;pr«sli they could not rest implicit p they w,ere bouij^^to them by no^ t^iif!.; kinged. Th^y c^uld never, 1;h^ ^< apprehension, of some sort o| other,' noris it to imagine ;^3|feelipg ,mb?je, di6tcea|ing l lii m| il it of jQ^inual $i|be^. |t is true ^thal, |^i^^|(|j|dB oif ''.'1 '' . w* ' " ' was tsSsm fromtbeRii ifR^ j^^P* in lieu of it considerably m and it is likewise tif|;M|^lim| .i|Mmp better acquainted .with the ii^biideiig|^( frequently invited to parts^ or«he«okfieif#jiiiit $e|^but these^were trifling advtnt|Lge8« and megj^ufficient to compensate Ibp the misi by which they were apcompaniei. ^;^J am vmik <£ iJN ^^ ^^f^^i>^* n^^|ieidker„iin4dt^ woidd it l%ooii9ilfiii« ^K/i^msih i% •)^' 4 #*Ji^* - present vi^wsap»frofessioi|»o to dof'biighililfitli ^ I^annot Hfelj^ofterving, that>ar, when jlr^^efl ^ijfm. of its para^ and e^icitfnlSiit^ and sofilMid d<^ Mr* K. ■'^,: •# "#■ #t •<,««i,-.'''"''^'\ •<...*.: ,.«*M*it-' >f' '^. ^ *. '«•. Tli^il)! «i»»t]]^AV4f IV t^' .ft A ..*' ■% iz citctaoitknctB of W!ndi it is *|irt« Aarflil ttig. Otie expetiencetijo Aenbist spkssdiid mansiont con- is» proTided it bi6%t'oti fire by our dAd to'didbdge llife enemy-; 0hclms se Inireiaclingdowii ^||n-fields,i^^y- },ahd ruining in oni^ d&y the labour of as li^ as the hh^ij tiad madness c^ a ^igtelKi& ButWheh this^^h^^ died aw^ leiKDon die lavagll Which fehk,;! ifaiiiited to produce, ttlust be e|mr j^^ or lei^-il^ mat). I beg, however, diat yott' ivlnibt talis Ifright, br inoariiU^ that |^am going iiMofst^ m^i&'nd^ 'pr cu i ii fi | M^ "tt^ |njpmatiw exercise Jl«/ 131(1^ otily r^krl^l^t^r, I beg leave to nMC«»^\itmark which has Been often made by ixiplk^^ieimen, diat old En^lan(ilf she were btit^ '*^"ily aware oP^it, has li^e caiise of si JTiUness diati any nation in Euirope. I^' countrymen havei* ^Bk^, and are still ^^^ mtl%^^urses;and^it|S^iy^^dpnab^ « «" ion^y, andl^idef^ ourseI#^ V| h](KuapftQi^ili^We ]|^e au4r ^ Mtd, are, ifT then^jl^es; no sl^t But Jf th^ who, coinnftMb'^ bitterf^ ^fttxfitioi), d Cfe^^^ort tiiiwWrear *^ '^ 'i.^ 5" but*'e; tl «» }l 1 m ; ! Silp ik%. '^ ^#^ • ♦ . .t 1 ■* %. '•'■ y> r#dMlii^ »* >» ■■♦I*-..- I 1f|'^ ^^ misery m having a war brought home tolMj^r ^ doors, I am lusti^en if fliey wouid'not dtisi buy it away agwnjltt d0ab|s % pifc» #ihr5 sent burthens.*;*^epeBd upon it, ^t ^ g^iiqibl^s are men devoliliither of |irinci^ j,in "^^^^ ^P^f^,^ }1»^^^:^A^; . .^ V. . .^ut I fiBid tl^^y^itj of .^^ iccsntiary, I amMm^R^^gJfit^^ ' ^i^H^tasIcan. Tojp^^c |.4haft here break, off, proinisinp ^^ journal, with more, facts an^^v^r ^^atiq^ ,4 ■ 4 .^.•.■ ■^f.t?'*'; k&^H J* 1» ..-^ . .'fe-S* *i*l i: , 4 « ■#• f": 4- ** »f -» > ^* t)>»Mifr|iJEm:BIIf lutely at my own disposal^ I took loff^reid passport, and pfoceeded |i^Ybu Will rdidily belicTe that I ^iiii feeling Very dffieretit fitnn afhoni traveller. Havihg laifl bbfer«i% _ -f(^'!i|)ii$*ar^i^6f twd'ffionttiVits sHig^, ki trade, its public building and pSfiSl^ Of attlt)^^ ihent vi^e-to tkie objects ciy dompa^vely^n)eak military is i&(ilii^it^. 'to4D ao with ,jJ*i.flf,*' to >* # ?6 i i I > A 'iH >• <* 3^ «♦ •Uf 'f^'''. */« f ^1i' #< 4'- i rt <« 1 .^'tj^Sar ^*^ exactness and at the same time to ren darfeg d ^ scriptloij Wf^te, khdwI^lg p^HMi interesting toi nilli of|<»$,^|3^(^^^^|R k acknowledge tttpOf ^c6l^^'^^^^nH|: by wi^ die obseiTati^''tl41^SS* wag aS^^ SB d#^Aft^or iiot, ilhi idei 4MHtyoitWtoidddegite, I ahaU^ vo«r to flteer a mii^^ ib^ something like a geneftilfilfeit „ ing^ at tfie same time, as nradf ' tadmical tenns, and prolix detstil^ MVlib city ofBaybnne stiilids, as^i^i upon -die Adiliiir, About six cr eight pdintfi^ere that Hver&Us into tii^l&f . pcMiiiyiin or Sj^ish bi^^ city» property so^oalledj is bi^t J ^ distln^e of two or thiie' jifl^'^ perfectly flat, and th#sdtt sisBy, ind \ very productive. Oii the opposite bal9 ris^ radier abrupdy #om die b^k Sf s]Qpiiigti^ward8KlQ^wil«fi<0^ sit iie pihnade ii^ which die cifild^ i' and whiehli|n^||^ta^ dienigh di44^§^ the ^^b8ii|^||il^^ miti I ?Nt ^ *:h ■^ .. ■ > , . « V. ~^. m. ,r? I..^.1'.'^ ifv «y*lf: kh ( hf *^i - • • . . '^ pieaented is, %tt of one consiobiifile town,' Mi t broadiiver flowing through till middle of it. ^^^ou will pi^eife, even from this short and im- >pi|iBCt sketch, that its very situation gives to ^ y ipu t a superiority over most cities; inasmuch •i If Mifds peculiar facilities towards rendering it a ftlioe of great strength. On one side there is a.. pliin, always accounted by engineers the most, •cnvflnieot for. ||r< construction of fortifications , Oilhe other an elhinence, lofty enough to com- mmd die siritounding country, and at the same time si^ciently level at the summit to receive the waUs of a fortress, powerful at once firom its posi- tion and regularity. But ifae great strengdi of, Bayonpe!)^ 0^g» not rtiore to its original defences dian tpifie fittmeroUs out-works which have lately beei» added to it It was.aloiig the course of the Adour^you will remember, or rather between the Adour and the Nieve, that Soult formed hiii famous intrenched camp. The right of this chain of stu- pendous works rested upon the city, the impwtance oiiikidti was consequently much increased ; and ai'jQie) capture of it would have occasioned, not onl^ilie loss of a town, but the: tiding of the whole position, no pains were spared in rendering it as Miily impregnable as possible. To give you some notion of the nim aS ^s& works I will describe the aspect wld ^i i fey| ag^|j|fed to myself '^ as I rode from Anglet f' 1« ^" •« f* 'A' i, 4,N ■1^ "■ "W 4 *.v ••jt^ % I ^*.,. \ ifl- y ■ ' 1 1/ 1 Wki ■ -^f .♦*«' *« ^ ♦V '^ ^1 \^- h BAytfUlljE. > «» I )wd pt6ce^ded about ti mO« and a halT our advanced^posts, I f6utid myself in Irant of tki ' first line of defence. 'Phis conaistad o^a balli^ mounting three eighteen pounders, upon the t^lfH** flanked by others on each side| so placed Wi^lH* whichsoever of tliem should be attaokbd, NiMltId be defended by a cross fi^e from all the rest ^VhMM were of course, additionally strengthened ^| ditches, and felled trees ; but tlviy were Opewin the rear; and though Very fbrmlttble t»nn aalll^ ing party, yet, nvhen taken, could Have ImmW small service to the conquerors, being thShnadvM - exposed to tl\e fire of the second line.^ The siliB^ tion of this second line again, was similar in tmgf respect to that of the first, being like^t, opai&in'lbe rear, and placed under the guns of dlt toiMi# llms after having forced two powerful lines of daftmae^ die besiegers would find themselves almoat«i£ir as ever fiiom the attainment of their objeot^ l wl B| then only arrhred at the point, where the bbeufs of a siege could commence. v » ^ But the maintenance of Baymme aitogeth#tfe- pends upon keeping possession of the citiritoK ' As the city lies upon a plain, and that fbrt^itMlidt upon an eminence immediately above it, itis^dear that were this taken, Bayomie must either tttWnder, or be speedily tifluaed to ttiins. It is tnitlhi^by ^iSe^troying «$^ifdetl^ch ccnnectsiMiii a0 communication ■. ■#H^'- *■ -f^S^ two placte^6«ikl be *'•♦ m .'-lit i ■iV ^. f v.; ■P *> V *ft; n ^^ V^ "fir- '^^ i5- V V. •te. |i. garrison, whidi at this time amounted ta ftwirtiWI'^ or fifteen thousand men: but as most/oC t ht i Htwik ^„; , Gee appear to live in the style of those in thiiflid " , * town of Edinburgh, t^t is to say, sev^al undi|g '^ the same roof| though each in a separate stcay,^^ fiat, it is not difiicult to conceive ho^^y^spntraw to find sufficient room, within a compass appai^^Hf ly so narrow. Of its commerce and manufactures I can say little, except that I shoirid notimagmeeitlMHr to be extensive. I am led to ibrm this opbion, partly from having seen no shipping at the wbarib, and partly because the Adour, though here both wide and deep, is renderer^ unnavigable lo vMsels of any size, by a shallow,^ or bar at ite nwnitb. There was indeed, a sloop of war close to the town, but how it got there I am at a loss to conceive, unless it were built upon the river, and constantly kept there, as an additional protection against asur- prise from the waten Theshopsare,however»gp90d, particularly those where jewellery is sold; an 93^ cle in the setting and adorning of which the Franh, if they do not exceed us in really substantial va|iie« undoubtedly surpass us in elegance. ^ 'When I had ta|Len as complete a fiurvey of the town as I felt disposed tolue^Ieroosed die brklge < ■.jitr sT»i-rliirifE. 26 fliih^iitete 9f inspecting this intMllr^o^ llOidiit' Hcnr^ however, I was disat^pointed, no 4inHig^ ^ing admitted widiin its gates; but as ..^ifftet was no objection nwde to my reconnoitring *il»#Wnwi^ut, 1' proceeded towards the point \ #lltt^dtirtrencheshad1)een dug, and where it had lASiM diRfigned to breach and storm the place. To «b I was urged by two fj|ptives, partly from the »ire of obtsuning die best view possible of the feitVatid partly that I might estamine the ground ^fitn Which the desperate afl&ir of the 14th of Afiffl tot>k place. You will recoMect, that some hours beforife day-light in the morning of diat di^, a vigorous and well-arranged sortie was made by tie garrison, and that it was not without hard fitting and a severe loss on both sides, that they Were finaUy repulsed. Mounting the heights, therefore, I soon arrived at St. Etienne, a little village nearly, on a level with the citadel, and not mdre than half « mile from its walls. From this point I could satisfy my curiosity to the full, and as the account^^ay not, IMrhapBi be uninteresting, I shall descritse as well aft I am abte, the scene whidh here met my eyes. The ridge of little hills, upon which the fort and ViHagfs are built, though it rises by gentle gra- dation fiN>m the sei^ towar^ the $pot vi^ere Ijk>w stood, is idMV^rthelesft^inte^pted and broken here and that vi^kh deep ghsn^otravines. ' Two of diese % ,^-'r m *1^ .^ '.ft ^^■- * --1 #■ '\.. * ■*. « * ■'I t y X % i '■■■ *,-,S W ^• ■t^ Af .i*» .i^-;-- • . 4- .>'*. ^.K ^ .*, 4"^ ^ ^ # ST. J^Tisi^NlV ^l* f :i •^ .,**,, i^ ^■$h- i it ■ 'f It" .-iS^ •^ 4 •*, <,* >*' ;e, ail^.' gleiut, ope tx» thetigfat^ the othtt Up 4)t Kftii^haiii* to occur immediately undef the rwifMrts ^ iIm»< fortress, supplying, in some measlve^ the purpoMi^ of a ditch, and leaving a Bort of tableoigetevateipf^^ aeck of land between them, the extremity of mMcII^ i$ occupied by the village* Oti this neck \ ^ It' *'. y'f% ."# '*. ?' V 1 '«" ^^ -4 ^' «r%-on the pavement of the sfreet, in the church yard, but above all, on the floor of the church itseMy— the traces of blood were still distinctly visible. Beside llie remains of the barricade, there stood a solitat^ fix pounder, whi^ had be6n taken and re-takeii 1^^ times during the struggle ; and I assure yoil that a spnbkling of what looked like a mixture of ,f Mttod and brains upon^its carriage and breech, '« i *■*.. - f if ' ''i * ■' "' r\ V* ■$/ r. I N %^- *f '^i ^ V f .*«|^ 1 ■^^v^ ^.^ m km'* i •1- "4 f * "¥ ■ k 0i- ■-n^;^ <4 ;.•'.>■ %.'♦' -r,,--^^^- ,•} h i. f.»- tm ^' V f »W>i •WV'*^", %4r MARCH THROVC^ B^TOMNE. \J4 showed that it had never been given j#4l#0ill the most desperate resistance^ The mounds, topi under which the dead were buried, presented a pex^ culiarly striking ap|>earance, for thefiel^ olUuction having been narrow, those that fell, fell iiAheapi together, and being buried jnjthe same way, cnW;^^*;" was led to form an idea of greater slaughter, thj||»«> '<^* if double the number of graves, had been distillitfi|r' quishable in a more extended space. ^f Having now accomplished my wishes as iarajsil could, and beginning to feel somewhat fotigued with strolling about, I adjourned to an hotel hi] the city, from whence, in the evening, I weni. to the play. The house was poor, and the performance miserable, consequently there was no ^eat induce^ ment to sit out the whole of the piece. After witnessing an act or two, thjgrefore, I returned to the inn, where I slept, and a| an early hopr next morning, rejoined my reguilent, already undi^ arms and making preparations for the ccmtinuance of the march. . ., As it would have been considerably out of pur way p go round by the floating bridge,^ permisr * The bridge here alluded to was thrown across nie AdourbyLord Wellington, at the commencement j^{ the siege. It was Composed ^ a number of smi^ fishing vessels fastened together with cords, abd planked from one to another, the whole -^^iii^y moor- ed about three miles below Bayonne. Whether th« ♦v # ^3 t*" 11 ^ s ■*./' --^ If. ■0» ^^-^^ ^^ -ti Ibr snd gili$|, td p^d directly . lime. Ifih^ Bayi>ae(& i&xed, there- liKj^iknd pMying^ and colours ilying, we liiftrched :• pfSiij^4fi6 streets ^il^tftlblty j a tow proportion cf . ^ , ' »d^ent nature. The scene was certaidl^ ^ i^itW|hSpfr^inough/ai^ th#tra^ nJIAA^Ili ttOod Wffl, as singular as it was^dden; TKi^^l'mifAnc that it would be easV to define . Iber ficnsfltcions of either party, on befaig thus sllmngely brought !n contact with the other. The feflUfea, indesd, waved their handkerchiefs, whilst W#tK)wed and kissed our hands; but I thought I %)ldd discOVdr something like a suppressed sc00^t upon the couMtontaes of the militaryr ^tfWin it i% Ihat in Miever 1^ 0flilR^mirf be regarded by the great ii^ of ^ na^on, with die army it is by no means popu- lar ; aMi! at this tim^ they appeared to c|Hialder iiil - passage^ O^r^ah ttoops through 'diekiiiK#i$ ihe^umphal entran6f» of a victdllsus enemy. As soon as we had cleared die antrenchmenlsitf^* Biq#|ipie» and g(»f b^ond the^mts^ the aMi^i^^ ^ darnnncttBOf the attempt, orttk difficulties surmQUi^ ^j» eq in |ts colR^tTbif, be ebrisiaered, the construction extraordinary actions of that extraordinary man. ^ ^^H, ■a ♦ 'Iv 4* *' A #.< ^ 1 * 'af -i : ■» - ^¥: ii "Sr I n *■ ^t •>»'* w r JK -4 / >' If AUGB TO .» ^« ^' peaceful>|md nibrd'pictbre^ue, than iBriy %|i ii(i ;t mlet with. There wWe Kd'e noilgns their poles lik6 the the gardens^in Kent*'? It is imposaJblft^ the feel^ of absolute refresliiient, iil^^^^^ sight StOTed up in one who, for so {jfttj^ iir;'l|iltei had lodked upon nothing but ruin and^d^vtstfttkii. It is true that with respect to gr&ndeuf » or ey«Q beauty, the scenery through Vhich I now tiavdr led was not to be compared with tiiie sublime passes of the Pyrenees, or. with many other ^KilB which I had beheld ; but I confess that an haddet uninjured and tenanted te^ own rude peasantry, a field of Indian com exiuiSli^ng noXvakteful tmdc of foragers, nay a single cottage with its flow* I had once more returned into th^ bosom of, j^vi" ^< lized and domestic life, alter having beq|^for many months a wanderer and a savjig^^* The^ road along whieh we proce ■'ff*'^ h^r .. I w >> M^, ■«v> \* i^ , orevtii »wimvdir I subliMae thertj^ in haiblet eful tiiek as .at ^tlis ^ tIsHithe ts, and no hort, ats if \ ■•«?"• * "m ^m^ ^., ^ ed, on eiGh;9«^, irom the rays of the WJ^ V*^. ' #Slt K^T o? <^*t t»w» mingled with fo; l^„ jpeans, thoi^ ti^ftday was o^|(^w&iii|p *^j[i!p^^did iKj^ iuffer so muc^ 93 we shouli^ ierwi£ii|^||kne». Ouc Qipvh im, thtreforcf sdingly a|g;reea|b^^and we ca in, aboutlf prery lit^ ^tigued, to the village'of t)idfes, srf ^e tents were pitphec^ and w^tshiainld till •4 .-t-'- ■f- ■',■»■■ i ■'»• ■ .»«■'$..'•■ . f ' » ♦ ■^11^^ •■*s' »» ,. ■J? M Yii *,?: -,t '. ., f n #!• • «: ^r •itHfV •\M '•P!. '#4-^- ^l?A'. .::*'# ' %' r- •■;,« •'♦ 1 i h ^V' m ^■tf'* .tA % ^> *'"*1^'^ i«f|-;,f ^y,. ;-^,'HA«^* '^^^^ 'f;»' •' V ■'<> 'A »■ LETTElt m. '• ■ ' . '■ I. .-r-- v^-i*' ' ,*■ . "^i Th e dawn was just begifiiuiig''to appear* ^^^W* - ^' ' ; . ' ' . Viip hv^OA sounded, and the tents *efe struck* Fc ' ^* ^ the first few |iaguesA our route to-dayresen^l that of yesterday, in'ahnost evei;y particulars jGk>e¥^ *' was th^ asiijpae appearance of peaceful qui^t» uie '• same delightful interniingling of woods, (^ci^<>fi^KiSy vineyards, and pasture ; but we had not proceeded . far, when a marked difference was perceptible ; . " every step we trod, the soil became more and mpre sandy, the cultivation less frequent, and the wood ill "" more abundant, till at last we found ourselves marching through the heart of an iminense forest of pines. We had diverge^^i appeared, from ^e; '' 4k. ^ main road, which carries the traveller through a.*'^ rich and open country, and were pursuing anqj^er^^ ^' through the middle of those df^erteanc^wannahs which lie towards the coast, a district kno^n by the name of les Landes. There was something, if not ' % beautiful, at least new and striking, in the scqneiy l4ji^ ^ now around us. Wherever the eye turned, it was met V^ by one wide waste of gloomy pine-trees ; diveffii- ^,|l fied now and then, by the unexpect^ appearuice of a modest hamlet, which looked as [i^it W^ the. f. V V: ^m. W ■'%'->' * ..»' abo# ilf .lHvinowly arrived settlers^ in a country l^^iirifrrniil of humiit habitations. ^0^ I tc^^pHitiaaft the detail of a long mvch thfQ^theseborwn regions, I should soon fatig^ ^^ wMknit' amusing you; I shall therefore contenlr niyself with olwtfving, that day after day tM same *: 4||i«4a7 prospect presented itse)f, varied by the oc- ^. occurrence of huge uncultivated plains, ', iich apparently chequer die^ forest), at certaiii:. interval Hfdi spo% of stunted and unprofitable pwtu^ge; upcxi these there were usuattrHl^s of sheM^^gfiling, in the mode of watchm^iirhich, the peasants fuliy evinced the truth of the old pro- verb, that necessity is the mother of invention. Ido not know whether the practice to which I 2J3ta^ be generally known, but as it struck me at very remarkable, I shall offer no apology for relating it _ You must obsuerve, lliat the whole of this dis- tikt is a perfect flat^ containing scarcely a kndl or > i||ininenc& of any sort, as fiur as the eye Ctai reach.^' Ih ad^ti^ to this, the vast plains where the shee^. aicfed,iii4l^y of which extend two or three leagues in eveiyHdirection, produce not so much as a fir tfee, hgr cUmboig which-, a man might see to anj|pf its cxtvemilaes t and the consequence is, dia\ the slu^erds ate constantly in danger of losing then- dwij^ as one loses sight of a vessel at sea, in ^ dtttande^ To remedy dsb evily thdy have fallen ^ It f^ «W ^*\tt 4^ j» i.^ ^/ s-^ .•^ f % <-i r V ■%/- M%, - # 'A %*^ -m ^t' t^ %i ^w- ^J. .*^.. \l «. ^^ h\ > ■ 'if. • 'r :^' iK ■I- % 4- ..#, ^ Jp,A */.* MARCH TO BOUtbEA^,.. \ A upon a plan not more umple than inganioiis ; m^ all walk upon stilts, exactly similar to th^ wi||| which our school-boys amuse themsej^tres; thflonly difference is, that whereas tlie school- Bo^s^^jj^ti.: are seldom raised above ten or twelve inciht9 from the grdbnd, those of the French peasants are ti$» vated to the height q/[ six or eight feet , ^ . When we first caught a glimpse of these figure!^ It was in the dusk of the morning; for a whiles w9 were willing to persuade ourselves tl|Bt this ^laze had d^c^ved us, by seeming to enlarge bodiealMM yond tneif'real dimensions ; but when Mrcyklpk^ at the trees, we saw them in their own proper size^ nor could we suppose that the atmosphere woifld have effect upon one object, which it had not upon another ; yet there appeared to be no other way of accounting for the phenomenon, unless indeed th^ wild country was the parent pf a race of giants, ^ the men whom we saw resembled moving towifii rather than mortals. I need not observe that our vi*. tonishmept was very great; nor in fact was it mucl||p diminished when, on a neareBapproacH, we disco- vered the truth, and witnessed the (igiiity. with which they moved, and the ease with which they wq||ld stoop to the ground,' pick up the smallest articlb, anrj^tand upright again. But if we admimd the s^ of one or two individuals, our admiratipii ro|;^to a still higher pitch, when we ^w crowds of ^em together, all equally skilful; till they int •■ p-^. •• ■>■ 4^ ■^' Mf 4^ 4. ^^ X. #• ; 4 'If v4; N -*>n ^^ X . ♦ IbriMdNjI/liMlH^ thing was not an amusement, lUr Mversally phMlliaed for the purposip 1 have stated;* * ' '■> ^Bieaides this, I know nothing in the custohns of this ist>lMed people at aU worthy of notice, unless, r faideed, it ^ their method of supplying themselves Vtrith lights. Being coniplelely cut of from the ^Jlst of the world, it is not in their powers except ^^hen once or twice a yAr they travel to the near- est to#ns nvith their wool, to purchase candles $ andi as they have no notion how the|#jcan be tta&i'^y substitute in their room a Hmp fed with the turpentine extracted from the fir trees, tlie whole process is simple and primitive : to obtain the turpentine, they cut a hole in the tree, and fasten a dish in it to catch the sap as it oozes througllf and as soon as the dish is filled, they |Nit a wick of cott •«• -tiif' '^ '4' i u f !#• k'Ji / s. ^^H^JtS & < ".t* *c MARCI TO SOUlBi VK>.V m f' it "^ V." 1^ i, )^1 V- ''^ .-» *-< ■ I ! >ji, ventitfes occyrr^; and to darrf TflM'-fbrwitf^td the morning of the twenty-thirdi when at last 111 began to emerge from the forests, and to finid our* selves once again in a inore open countty. At finty however, it cannot be said that, wMi respect to beauty, the change was greatly for ilhe bettar^ tUpon the borders of the deserts, there is a little' ^ village called Le Barp, where we spent thd ni{ of the twenty-second; from whence, till you arriv^ at a place called Belle- Vue, th6 coimiiy is^nctly in that^^i|te which land assumes when nature hai begun tS lose ground, and art to gain it-^When the wild simplicity of the one is destroyed, and dte rich luxuriance of the other has not yet btieli superinduced. So far, therefore^ we proceeded, regretting, rather than rejoicing that we had quitted the woods ; but no sooner had we attained that point, than there burst upon us, aH on a sudden; a prospect as gloriously fertile as ever delighted tlie ^ eyiss of a weary traveller. Instead of boundless forests of pine/thelrhole face of the country was now coirur^po4 tM vine^is not permitted to grow li$%.gi^p|tec heipr' ' ^an three or four feet from th# p grp^lj^||wbfr< < jpain^ and on die borders, it ' climbs, )^^t|il^ ..op-plant in £ngknd, to the top of. high pAsiBf aod hangs over from, onf row tg^' v iiltllicr^ in the nu«^ gracef^fesiQpnsw Iii^sp^l|^>^ F ^ • ■ ■• »1^ •V I jD > t- JWJ. 1 ■♦#1 n. V- s- \ *►. :vl l J 1, Y It- ■I' t m,. «.. t '■ >. i«E,. IT ... ' ,^ r<< m i ^ ■f M ,** -.'•> ♦J. ^i 38 BOlTRDkAVX* TiV •^ i?'^* ■»*^ vy- -•>■ tKese'dBjeei|nis; however, iio oM eoiild dl> ottlier- wise thttn admit, that the change we had expert ehced AVas agreeable, and we continued ta move oti with greater alacrity, till it was evident fiom the increasing number of seats and villas, that W)e wete rapidly approaching the vipinity of Bourdeaux. ^'' ^ Nor was it long before, the towers and buiKli!n|^ . of that magnificent city began to be discertdbliln'^ the distance. Prompted by I know ndl 1>^hat iini- pulse, we almost involuntarily quickimedoliriiyce at the'^ght, and in a short lime readied the sub- urbs, which, like those of Inost Frenth td4lis,'8re composed of low houses, inhabited by the po(M^ and meanest of the people, tiere We halfed^f' k few minutes to refresh the men, when haviilgigaKlh resumed the line of march, we advano|d under a * magnificent triumphal arch, ori^^Hj^V^ote^ln honour of Napoleon, but now ii#^b^ iiHtlt^lhfe' name of the DukeD'Angouleme,:fi[i^orha#itf^ with garlands of flowers. Passing :%n#^ iM^i "^ (proceeded ak)hg one or two haiiidjiolfffe 'StnldN, W - we reached the Military HospilMi It large ittd^txlifljt*^ il^odious structure, fitted IDtp fM»lltt fttiiei^^onbf several thousands of sick/ whiii^ k VNi^ M^i^ that we should spend the iilgt^. I*** «^^ * % The eity of Bourdeat^ has beeni'lfiMi'ofWIi^ scribed^ and is too weU knOM^ tofi^Qd «6^the1@M of mycpCintry^n^ to renderanyiiKlMl^il^ M\ ne1eia9#f liKim me^^#ll« ^m^^miii. ■ r. -^ i.B'jj,. .^*.' ',<^. 4K ■ "^ •i» -r ^'^^ ■'*■. * ,*. ■} *r m ^.^ ,■*• •i it. Gourde Avji.. , 89^ ■^ .' "^ ot . ' ev4pl9edierwiBe3 ci&nfess that my onuMrtunities of examiningit were not sufficient to authorize my; efitecjngxupcn such an attempt. The whole extent t c^Qur aqjoi^^n, was only during the remainder of -^^ that day ^d it was pUst nooD before we got in) and the ensuing night $ a space of timi^ which ad- - flitted of no mcnre than a hurried stroll diroughi^^ J^me oS the principal streets, and a hasty visit to such ^iNt^c buildings as are considered most worthy of iottentipn. The palace of the Duke SPAngoulemiB, the Military Hospital, the Theatre, and tl^ Ca&edral, Jie all remarkably fine of their kind; while i^ public gardens, the Exchange, 4riiifiishicHiab|e promenades, are inferior only to those of Pari^ itself. < ^ But, i^aps, you will be inclined to think, that % had my l^xirtunities been ever so great, and my i l^tet liar 4o|Bnp(tion ever so lively, I might on the pfMcnt occasiott be spared the proof of the one, '^^ and* 4ie exhibition of the other; nay, it is very pro- ^%WM^t you wiU not read even thus far, without i Bwkigii^sposed to remind me, that my journal was | promise<|to berime, not c^a progress through dM Soutbof Fraap^ li^ i#tlie campaigns in America. = #et HMl^candillle^then, that you will be satisfied to coniutt-aipe other tourist, for a complete de- «€i^tion of lAda metropolis of the southern pro- viM^, ani m tbe mean time to follow mC) whilst «r *t«Rl«lvour, in4|8 few words as J^^bfIn this situation we continued j wUhout the ^occurrence of any incident deseryingV notiee, till the 27th, when an order surifed foe tlUB 1^ officers to dispose of their horsiBS withcMit dc^fE.?*^ This, as you may suppose^ was^ftie at an«««fnQr<>^ mous loss : and, on the inorning of the S^Et^Sl^ . we set forward touards the point c# en^iai^ lion. But, alas ! in the numbers aHott^^ibi^the i trans-atlantic war, we fou|^^ o^||<8#li^ ^ievously disappointed, since, insteadof lH^li^ole wisioiHr only two regiments, neidier of thenpverjr sti@fi||^ ^were directed to move ; it was not Our bus^MB> 4^ however, to question the wisdon>^>|||F measure ira - - • :.^^ «* h JtA-MOt. 41 *r M •♦star *•*.. ■ . * m^ *^^: %■ ■^u ev r f^^ if^^.^'*^ J m' «•»"• * ' I n '*' I It? S* •^ ^ i* ■i- >' 4 ;#. >■ " J 4 » * -4 ■ i. :J^ ;■*• r- iJ^V" 42 4T SEAl $ ■r, ^ "^1 .y-.-'- f^ '? ;? ■■> found mts ready to convoy us to the sbipfHtig^ "which lay at anchor to receive us. ' To embark the troops in these boatSv and to huddle them on bcKard two dirty Kttle transports, occufMed some time, and the provoking part of the business was, that all this trouble was to be gmie ^ough again. The men of war, in whiotiwe were to cross the Atlantic, could not come up so high for want of wr:er; and on this acicpunr it , .i- was that these transports were sent as piissage l^gitfli to carry us to th(pi. The wind howvn^ ^zT^fdvA, aAd blew so strong, that the maiafers WfkiSBt not venture to hoist a sail: consequently we' were obliged to endure the misery of a crowd in asiriaUl vessel for two nights and a day ; nor was it' tiU past noon on the 31st, that we were finaUK settled V 1 in His Majesty's ship of ^4 ^ms. i f ?L,. -A' Having now arrived at the*point from' wheiic#» f perhaps, I ought more properly to have set oUt^ I am unwilling to occtipy your^i^e bf c6tkipa> risons between the Garonne and th^ Thames, or « even by an account of the scendy visi^frolki t|l| >. . deck of the ship. I would rather entisr at once iti(6 my proper subject, by detailings the porticulirs df the force, both military and naval, W^ohdont|lb8W this expedition ; but, as my tetter j|ps alroM^ swelled to rather an uncommon bulli|*l^}ldd$^ this relation tilt another opporttinit)^, :wlifch liitn ' to b#' without during ^tfieidftniess\i|pd « V V4« not tsedium voyage. :¥■" .*» jji^'.,. '.A*^- -H. -IW. 3S ^0^ *•*.'» I f^. ' ** .# I to arts, rthe rone 1 we ipso Btit I not were 9«iatt htffl gttled '."- ■4 I .,• v =^^ W^ir ^fi '«. « LETTER IV. ^*4N the leisure which I anticipated during the •vbyage, I have not been disappointed ; nor do I (Jbnceivt that it can be better occupidl than in ftfli ^ fillldg the promise made in my last, of describing to yoQ the nature and number of the force em- ployeitijfX>n the present expedition ; as v/ell as in n^ing flotnfe of the most interesting events which hai^ Occurred during our progress towards the ptei^Wour destination. ■ ^ ^^^ ri m. •I- yy- * great a mimber; and is under the H^frnnand of li^ajor General Ross, a veiy gallant. :4 '«•;>..* leader. ^i ^ : ^jf 4>i- ■^ 1 ■ll dp^ f ., : >? i I t 11 # 44 "^ AT 8£A. ..^i. # r^if 4i '■*• .* 'i t? &> Jk \v J% ?.. •i V ««l .J' m- The fleet, again, consist c^ the Hioyal Oall^'^ 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear Admiral Mai- combe ; the Diadem and Dictatfn", two sixty-fours,"^ armed en flute, the Pomone, Menelaus, Trave, Weser, and Thames, frigates, the three l&st armed in the same manner as the Diadem and Dictator; the Meteor and Devastation, bomb vessels^ to- gether with one or two gun brigs; making, in alf, ' a squadron of eleven or twelve ships of war,- with several store ships and transports. • 4 . .. On board the Royal Oak are r embarked '^^ General, with his stafi^, and the artillery; thi Trav% and Wejser are filled with the 4th ; die 44th ttiplf divided between the Dictator and the jThaiiiil^ in,^ the first of which ships are also the Enginiisera; the 85th occupies the Diadem: and IlKik jest Ire scattered through the fleet, parflyiiv^tfiewicn itif**^" war, and partly in the transports.^ »^^ ' As soon as the troops were fioidly setdlid^ wtil all the baggage, and the vessels shotted for tfiei# accommodation, the sigisai.wtti mMt to weigh | but the wind being adverse, and the i|ip||ktion j|)f .; the Garonne far from simple, it.cbuld not be ob^ ' ed with safety. Every tl»i%t theri||>ie^i'9fnl% ■*> 4 w ^peforef ^at wi^ few interruptions, the fair wind tl|itcartied:^s oii^l^Qf the Garonne, did not leave \k yi^^ ^ ftf |na^eent|^ when, by calculating the ship's ^ ^.sityifetiofh it appe»re<^ that the Azores, or Western ^ i^ncte, -^IMd not bieve^r distant Nor, as it turned ^ '^'**6uV* weff^^mese calcuj^ns incorrect ; for, on \ ■^jsceiK^fllg the deck n<^^Tming, the first object ^ tJia^fiet oMff jes jKf^^^ig jand of St. Michael's, 'tll|pgr^|^j§;^co]|ection of blue cbuds, put of the ifh a prospect before^m* ypu i^ay. ne Jut mlt^mation, when wc found our- ' :0I^, deaMted by the breeze vvhicft had,,i||eg|||? # ^ l -<;■' f » .1- i" sr. uicaAi^L's. so lifiiibnhly favoured iis« tmd lyiiifitltiotkiBhil'; as logs, under the inftuence of a detd calm. Oitr voyage was 'certainly not to be con^Mied to- tot of Nearchus among the ancients, of Cohiitibul» in the middles ages, nor yet to those of Cooke ttr Anson in more modem times, but it hadbeenhx^ vough to produce an hearty ^like to the confine- ment of a ship, and a strong desire to be once1nM« (Ml terra firma. Under these circumstances, the delay of even a single day might be liobkedi lipoid as no slight misery, by men wh0 had laid ^clr ac- count with reaching a friendly port within a' few hours ; {ind you may be assured, th|lihatiy bitter complittits against the inconstancy df the Jifie^ihef, sufficiently attested that such vns the p^irlt of ^ view in' whidh it was regarded. ;#*; ' '*f ' at. ij « A '*■ But the injustice of these complaials v^ett 1. Ml evident, for before mid-day the,bree2{#freshe#|^ ;>t54 again, sending us every momentnead^ tp ihcj^- iPl> r jeet of our wishes. As soon asgwe cdAtrlVira t» vf^ir double the projecting head-lai^,'«^ch Iiad a^||k ed our attention in the morning, our one of much interest andT pleasure, neared thi! shore conside|«ibljl^, aild Were iii6viii| at a rate sufficiently rapi^^v9s of orange trees and beautiful green pasttHnipe* Like pther Portuguese s^ttlementis, ^ili^ iol^pdvabounds in religious houses, the foui^-/ der&pf^iiiany of which do not appear to have been ddl^fe&t in taste, yyhen they pitched upon situations f«Cst^^i|dingii^ Th^ was one of these thatparticu- \fg^^.0r^^ 1^1^ : it stood upon a sort of platform, ji or t^m^e, ahout half way be^tween the^scny^d the . V^^i^HfiiiM th•>: ,r ,•(»> # .*■# sp»rj<«^ ..■-^r*,. '.i«*i«AiH^' •V" .1^1 n. * f i*' 1 ':^4 SkT. MXCHASL*S. # ^ •»'■ ■ ■ v . ' . ^ .,•: w..^ • :a^- %■■' •J». ;^.f««. niilfis from the hind, till wo tame opposite li^^ m' small town called Villa Fnmcav Here, q6 the mtM t^ threatened to die away, several others^uid my«elf agreed to go on shore ) a boat w&i accordingly lowered, and we pushed off from the shipi but the operation of landing did not prove to be altogatfier so simple aS we had expected. An innnenirrQaf < * ^ , >;t)f rocks, some under water, others barely abovtil, but none distinguishable till we had almost run against them, opposed our progress; and it itnaimt without considerable difficulty, a^ Uie^MNiBimi of the country people, who ttiadesiign(0»to^usfirom the beach, that we contrived to discover a channel, leading tip to the strand. ^ Having at length so far attained pur ' ■ * 2gto tread once more upon finiv ground, th^ilte' ^)'^^<^?^l|iing to be done was to find out som^ hnii liciioiif^ --♦y/.^.^'-'ijbf public entertainment, wher£ We mig;ht pa^^ ^.i^^ night, a measure which the inctefc^.'^ig darkbMs • ^- *:^' rendered necessary. In this, hotiiSh'eiriMve*lf«!ttre disappointed, as the towQ of Vilht f¥a!lca could boast of no such convenience on a^y^iipale. we were not on that acctmnt obliged to biv< f6r the Hidalgo, or mlyor'of the places sisted upon our accompsfliying hith h .»"■ vvi ? -.■^. , ■" f "'* >r '-^^ • '■'• ''mt«ttigeiittMra«% dkl nol^U to render kifiisdf air ^rlgrecftblc companion ; «nd what contributed in no /4ightde||;iiB'to the facility of our intercounewaS) * diat titough he assured vs he had never quitted Sb Michuel^ in his life, he spoke English with t&ie iHMicjr of a nativt. Among other piecea of infor- *. ' ^sation, we learnt from him, that the reef which jt|^-- kl^Mded ouTvpregreas towards the land, had fiojs 4-. merly been an island ; it appeared, he affirmed, (Mie * ' ^ fnomiiig, in the most sudden and extraordihary manoer, as if it had been thrown up by an earth- quake durii|||i(theinigli^, ^fod having continued SO 'm^ k)p9ifbev»v^tiBr, as to en^bolden a single family wt' |^%|l!rr» ^settle upon it, it disappeared again as I sucU^db aa it ^ come, leaving no traoe'of its %|jilljifl''^. ^ciiT}^ the rocks which we had found ,|0 tro\it)taNe. Whether there be truth in this <, i "mgfj ^ cainiQt pretend to determine ; and yat I see JiQ. reason to doubt the word of a man oSi^' *^ *¥>:.%'' spi^bility, who could have no motive whatever ^' j^ fqtc. ||ec6^ing us/ But this was not all that we ^^|yi^|-j(rQM|himi^pectu^^ this reef; he declared, ^t prevdJPfc tQ the appearance of the island, the ^ Z'^-0 & in ^t very. spot, wife unfathomable : and , ^ ^'9"-'*^fi-X ^ iil«is jiot^ mtr it had;,8unk, that a smgle rook f'' * '^iCT^ '»"?'!'dyi^^^?^** 1*^®*** *® largest,yiip o^ W^?;^ wif^ a stotu^s diroW of the ** ^i,u. y \v «* A ' *r^ % "■ii ,( XT' ■ At: ' ^ V#^''; "^ V,;; <^ new acquaintance j^jEavj '^"'^ 3, *. ^^ J Jl". ;,''Wr--: <> V vr" •-*^V.;,.A^ r.Ui '.^ w-^ I. ^> 't ^<*\ */ 50 .* « r.f .%t^v ^w */• obliging, we natunJly mformed him of our iotsi^'^^'* tion to proceed next morning to Ponta del Gadi^*]^ the principal town in St. Michael's, aiyirequejitfld his assistance in procuring some mode of convey- ance ; but we were startled by the intelligence, that nothing of the kind could be had, and that, there were not even horses or mules to be hired j^ai^ place nearer than the very town whither we wem going. This was rather an alarming |)iece of news, for our boat had left us, the weather was t«K> hot for walking, and the distance to be trayieUed ftiU fifteen miles. Had we not sent the bpi^t away, thjP matter would have been easily managed, becanpt we might have sailed round to the point, i|it|iere the fleet was to anchor ; but this was no k)|ger in n our power, and being rather unwiUing to purMie^l^- joumey on foot, we were altogether, at a loss how to d||termine. While we thus hesitated, the Hidalgo y^ ^*-n ■k: %-^ ,^]^ ni^" sni^sted, that if we would condescend to ridi; upon asses, he thought he could obtain a sufficient number for our party ; a proposal with which we ^< gladly closed, prudently determinmg tetany inode . of being carried was bett^ than Wa&ing^Le^viqf; '%^ . the arrangement of fkis a^ir, therefi^^tP* oi obliging ffiend. We retired^ jnest updQ^^c^^n foHable shakedowns, spread^ ^ on ^e^lDQ#lt»^< and, cm vt^h^ in the mommg, we found llwibif 's^ had not been negligent in the chargf ai|Mm^ pohsistedoffive a ^<- >■ HSf *?^ ¥ V ^nftiilf I w^ ^*<^ »••• tad ' ey- hat kcre »»» r,cf#. " f fiitt ;,thp nr in r« * «S^'' i'l how ^' ^ ^i %.. fi fihttr, fol' whoM acccHnmodatioii we found ten ptti at the door, each attended by its driver, ttHtitd *wi# t long pole tipped with an iron spike, for the purpose of goading the animal whenever it should become hey. It wtas not widiout a good deal of laughing, that the eiValcade, after bidding adieu to the hospitable Miiyor, began to move forward. Besides the ridi- culousness of being mounted upon assesy these a8tes'%ere without bridles, and had no saddles, except such asiure used when the inimals areload- ed with good! for the market ; for our own comfort, tfiijirifore, we were obliged to sit, &-Ia-femelle, and haViltg notibmmand over the heads of our steeds, .we,#fto content to be guided by the hallooing^ and j&nric^ing of the- drivers. In spite, however, of i thesfe inconveniences, if they may be so called, I ihall never dease to congratulate myself onhavfiitt; been of the party, because the ridis was beyoiS rt/ compluison the most agreeable I ever remember . « t6hpivetak^. ^ v^ V-^^ '^"'^^l^'^''"^ ^^^ Franca to Ponto del Gada ^ . (j^its the water^s edge, and turns, for a little way, ' 1,' eaitying^you ^ugli a region as romantic Beahtiiy as can W^^ be imagined ; there are,| ^re iKifl^el iflsiins,'ho smooth piitbs over which . a Jandaiif or rabqry might glide, but, on the con- '? i,%j trtiiy^ aru^giedsind stony track, sometimes leading* ^6 fkce of steep hills, sometimes sealing r' ■■_ f » - a. *« 4, -A' . 'ii^v > >* :i(* 11 ?-;'/4 'V I- .^ i* 4' ;.v,*t: 1 * ^'1^ ^ % %aCJIA£L'S. ^_ .■! # .^4-f , Vk. J t^ % ^ .i-! ,*<^ *> *, %> heights which 1a^ the distmiee of a mile v^^tm ^to be almost perpendicular/and somethnes wiini|; ^ mg along the side of a cliff; and by tht^edgaof% tearful precipice. Except when ;^ou reach, ^(b ^J^'siimmitof a mountain, the'roadis ihgetieral shaded by the richest underwood, hanging over It ftbtn above ; but the whole aspect of Ae cdii^Ptfy is ^decidedly that of a volcanic produdtion : the i«duGed the smaller one, that has now disappeared. ^ ; But you must not fancy, from this descf ipti^/* : < ^thatSt. Michael's is nothing but a tMHtren roci^-j^, ^ ' T far frorfi it, There is, indeed, in this dirBetioTi, W ' • ^ least, a fair proportion of that coroiriodityy-^init 'JS tracts of cultivated ground are not>|berefbre Want- ^ 4 :'A .iK M 4 ^," ^ing. I should not certainly suppofSe that tl^Mi ^ * •# ' % ^ r 4^ i -* v.tj **^'**#,J ^ tff \li^^M, ^r •'*;^| ,» '•ii^ •■ ■*• m i*»r, ^lllftt % tile onii^tiifi^j Ihd a gnij^ J)(^ nidM ^0rp 1^^ wine; ^^ Uft sh«^tk» amd a eoifipe- 1lt«#fii|)^^f^ But tiiflt ki^htelt t!i^ • i i||l:;| Agl|^aywiti I believe there ' #na^i9^|iiJq|^«f^ season to complaiii 6f coM, it JM^iii^tii^ height of the dog-dii^; if then, 5 IfH^IN^Aonr iaiiictually engaged in vibleht ex- ^iil^«|i^efSt. Midiatrs,asfara8lcoBldlearti» #^iBoniae#.exiatisively to fruit ; the fig aiid ^^ \ / ' iMiaige are tke«j|i4>te commodities andbeingl^ «IM7<«bimdaot,^^«re, of course, proportion itiililh Into the praiie of a St Micha^'s orange it ^Wmp^ mmff fer me to wter, because it is gene» \^ \ jJi^j^AinJvi)^ to be thobestwith which the English ; . ^yfftl6tMittg|^iedfb$^oft^^ '.* _ ^/^;^tMhiwifi ifl^ I^tfenot^tii^- that ^gqr^cftuntiymen f ;^,|*|;^fc^ ,inigiit^,;:]^:ndMi»vi^ V » ikla«^ili|J•% f^»->-' .*. t»' ''^•"*' j^ j for wjitciv^ some, of tiie. win« it^4c4CM^. disposed o^ ii>u«t be too inoonsklel^^leMiQbCli^llQ ^#3t be classed among^e af^ '^^Ifindi however, that I. am emfi^ U] '*' l^ts in.ii!bich I an) but little verse»|» and Infif ^m.mir nairativc*^ I^eljne iQiSli^ ' ^^ V that beloved idol of all tmvelbrs^pnd ii " that after we had ridden about^ix mi|^ which had hitherto conducted .us idOUg a gleQ, where the vision was intereefied t)iK b0^ sides,, now carried us to the s#.i iQountaih, from whence we enjoyed tl^sii^J of an, extensive prospect, botb^f th|^;seaand c#^ interior. Looking towards the form^wfrbilM*! I^^^ijiwr ©wn fleet bearing doivn majestically ujpoli "^ \^, jPopto del Gada^ and now fas^ approachingettli ,' ^ ^horage. Turning our eyes inland agsiny^ii^' were delighted with a view of mountain att4*li** ley, rock and culture, wood Jtfid pastuR^^ i||l9f« mjngled in the most exquisite degree c^ irregjiataii> ^.. ■ ty; but what principaHy attracted 43ri»attB¥iiti6iir^^ wiif a thiqk dark sinoke risi ^loiahigh hUl that boui '^riosHy being excited ^jte i^henora^^ ■> *' infoi|ned that |be mountain in.ijlw«tii»lli|i|*«vs ■ff T' % ^;"^^*l»».. : **-*: ■iim'" ■t r V fV •*.■ k^ '■■.i^yt ♦^ iiiiiter, of ft t«ii|ioi|ltirt^sii£cient to v ■ f i4IRK#ie^Mthnw minutes. Thi^. piece of intel* .p;^^^ll|$i|ii^^ ii^> 4£» you msty suppose, in my l^ei^^^piiyon relnUye . to the^ oper^ve cause in t^ pr^alionixpl^^these ialandsf though, indeeci*;^;. )itl||iy(i9beviMib9 been wanting, i shouM never- tli^^liij^^v^ 4!^clu(ledi) either that they were . "^ tlilQSpn iip,;inl^ep present form, from the b0ttdm>>» oC^e aieie^::^c^ least that they, were torn asunder 4t!9m.!|}pie jiiother by; the force of fire. It must be eiQ[i|i(^ped,;howevef» thatmineis the opinion of one Who^ht^ 4iiflif^ll»A little of his attention to geology ; ^ ^ V ;,;^ study. \^-. 4^ I* T». '^* ■*■ "■ t .1 > 1 yj^-^'^tm .;-■ 'li^-' -St**' ■V.'^ '^.^■i.J!>;* t^>' ■J* T I'X :« I, If m m * ,» i 5ft htT^^ jTP^ 'V nB|R^i' - ^"^^y Pli' v.. II' ...... . .^. ^, *« ' LETTER V. . m ^ AS I am aware that you dislike squatty widrlhjM "10:.,. self, the usual formalities «lt ^e^qbOlfrieiicemeiit^a^ - * ^*^ a letter, I shall coiUJmiemy jooaialwith^t^^f* log any observation or comment^ vdneh'l^jlild' serve no end, but that of occasioning a britfl M . the narrative.^ »v Descending the mi^Atoin on t^^ paused for afew minutes, to^ut tmr ^eis andlflpP^^ fyour curiosi^j we arrived ata atiiidl bamlet,^ifiii^3 . rather a group of two or ifai«e hei^hi, to fotfniii#' caUy ^uated as it is possible for the hnaginatidiji of man to conceive. . They stood at the Anther eaif' of a sort of recess, formed by thehills, which are henr broken into a^ circular valley, cut o^ to ^^tipptiiiiM ance, from the rest of the haibitable 'world; behilNl them rose a towering cn^, as perpendicular a&idie drop of a plummet, from the top of whieh% little rivulet came tumbling doYV9i,giia|||^totheflcefie< • an appearance of the most delighlf^ cooInesl^Jtti^ ^ amu^g the ear with the imceasing roar of '^** water-fall. From the very face of the cliffy viifMe there seemed to be sdu-cely soil enough to nounsh i^- a ^^He, numerous shrubs an4 dwarf ^^es P^iL ' f-T * '^.. f '■< I. *^' -. >• ^' V ' ? < ,jr* -r .*■'* .*- •>^v/^ i ■ . ^^ ^; k,)» %^ M- ■ ■-■■ 'V- ■> 1 ■:■ m 1 i^ 1 W n^^ ' 6n nd ^ 1 BWf , ^ <$■ Ml^^ nA hif tteV„ ^ »•< ii^»''' ,/ ■ ■Hi'" . tm^ -' th. 4^ 10' ■' * ,/ '•'•jtiriided theBi3t^«s> whilst aodveit/and on every ' JSdic^ oCthe area, the hills were covered vp|th wood^ ilpm iptedjiow and then by the bald forehead of avlrinekened rock. In front qf the hamlet again, there was an opening sufficient to admit the most*^ .delicious glin^$e of the ocean ; and through this the itreamt afiMr boiling for a while m a little ba^in which it ha« excavated f^r itself out of what re- seoibjes ^ foundation of the cll£f, makes its way, bnmvling lyyer a clear pebbly bottom, till it joins theani*- , Thi» paragMi of valleys, and master-piece erf" n||lll«lth>w^dy»work» burst upon us as such scenes, # ;Jj^M^itQess«d with advantage, ought t»dO|With^ ' l^llip slightest warning or expectation. The road . bj^llioh we approached it, being completely shut in. with wood, and winding considerably to ad the d08oent, brought us out nearly at the gorge of the valt; so as to throw the hamlet, the cliff, and the wt^rfali. Into the back-ground; and, as the whole wan of such extent as to be taken in at one glance, tfae.eiect wait striking beyond any of the kind I efer witnessed* You may imagine that we had no desire to hun^lbrough such a glen as this; and ^ nsB^oilitt thtfiidditianfli inotive whidli the weari-^f ^ in6Bfi .m: our donkeys afforded, to persuade us to jMWBporaif^ hah. Giving the animals, therefore, t^i^caveoC their owners, we dismounted^ mA '^ty 4*.' mo '^K ' « V '^: ..:*'^ .Jr IS, the'lf '\ •^4 S* * ■ ' ^ r /'% M .^' % % .-•^^' M 1\ ■ *i. ' s»-' '^, # 5a j^-^jj #-• r lift . 7 i I .iHlkf' « f^ '^ ^*, ,--^- tf; W .J ^?J^*.*' I'l which appeared^ be as simple as die'Skuatioiitai^". ili|ir ab^% had prepared us to expect The mMJ?/ '\ iftnerfr aU 'goit-herds, and the women seemed to bir^ ,' as idle a& their country^womeni in Portugal, -^sittfaig at ihe doors of their hoi)ses^ ii|n!bunded bj^ |;roups of halfrQaked and filthy-looking ohUdrem\'Tof^ judge by their dre$s, and the furiii^re^of^^lheiEr hoviQlSf^ey were^isera^y poor, th^gh perfectly 4 contented; they did not ask. us for; money^ hut ' astonished, I suppose, at the glaring cokMH^lif our *' Goats, they were very inquisitive to know v»ho^w# were, and whence we had come. The English^ ^K ^French, and the Portuguese, seem tc. be ^e (ni^> three natbns of whose existence they hai^em^l knowledge ; and having been.assuredj in aiu»w#l#, their first question, that we were not FrendtfllriSf ^ immediately added, then you must be English) They did not appear, however, to be without mmt^ degree of cunning, toe as Icmg as We paused Iskr "' replying to their query, they were silent, but '^ sooner had we answered in the negative^ dian thef launched forth into the most vident invectives against the French ; ccHivincing us, that the 2u0. mosity of the mother-country towttri^its barbarou^r invaders, is not more implaoable^uoi tbaf af.^ther ^ cokmies. < s * •» Having loitered away half an hour ki tUttiy- mtntic spo^ and distributed a^w dijllani anKikig ^i(9 jyahs^bitants, we remounted%ur ilMa aiid^^cpf - . V y.. m .5i*% ^■% tly liie 4^ >i> Kshi d inv ••i'-^*,- K :^ <«pliidflmdy pasied; ^-otily dHfeirfefKW! was ^ItMfe'lhe.iiQianer we approached to PontD del Gads, liitiiiafl^frequent ^iil«n»» the spots of ct^teH/tttioft/ tM. widiiiiltf 'ilHootliiiess 0f the road hnprdvinttr in '^ | woptet io tt ^iy at last, when we had attained ttke ttRHi^jof fnewieiic^ fttti6 whence the town^with iltt<(HVt' and bay were distingoishabtei' we looked dowa^ufon^ an extensive valleyviichly covered vVidi Mte^iC standing com.' Quiqlcening our pace we 90ipgk^hlere4,the capital of St Michael's, anld we^ bjf the drivers, to a good hotel, keptbj^^ IsbwQfinan of the name of Curri^, where lip Ifnind rinrj irrnnrninrtitinn we could desire, at a vefyimjiderate expmse.' «As we had started at^ an early hour firom Villa Iranca, the clocks were just striking t^, when we alighied at Mrs. Curriers hotel; consequent, limt was a long day yet before us, ri which we might sfee every^thing that lii^as to be seen in the pkKsei^Hav^ing c^hnrged qur muleteers, therefore, Ifiiir' seemed overjoyed at the receipt of one dollar ^^'pieee, sWal}0«^«d a hasty breakfest, and made 4 .T ^ y I ■s^-" V.,t h', ^'^ i^ - .. -'■■ '•■* i . ■:f\ J ■v-^ .■" .-. ; . '■ ''" ^'■^ ^ .'■^ ' m ■^'■m %■■ j. . ii V •<^s K', -"vi^-^v^i: §^ »»i ™' ^-i I. 1; s" t -. "."^* >^ "5it'' ^ ,s W-f ^1 >"vS* J^ '■!;► ito ■I;' ^\% ^' >!.. -I '# iVf IffCBAt&'g. ^iPrti; liH^^ much regard to ooiiit»etpiaBi|ii# obvera fikjre ground Aian many^plicoft ofdQQbkjf / Ihe atnount in pd^ulation. It siiindt upon ^liHie blly;foi*nied hy two pfojlctiiig ht^iiMtadinmAmi bon^ of a tolerabte harbour; and ^iMelil^^fOif-. , . sttad. In h^ immediate vkmHy,-^ «k»I^^ ^ ^[i6reinifornUy te^lM an^r I M di(^ vale extending tb the disKno^^ feov or^ fti« Itniles on every side, and ending in anaimyliliwMlm -> oflow green hills, which resemble, 'ih aiifi i iaiiiiM i ; the dbwns as they are seen ftom Jt^tbbUihM^^il Sussex. The whole of this flat is iii ^ state efitigli cultivation, being cleared, perhaps^ tttK^cow^it^ of^bod, and portioned offiiitBdiflbrefii^tcMliiM parks by hedges and stone walls. Judging from the appearance of tlie crops, I diould colieeiire that the soil waai here of some depth, as Ml ak fertili^ ; the whole valley being «ci(vered'''#itti wheat, barky, and Indian corn. Ir tn||||P#(mi the aspect of the countiy beyond ^^lldfi^ where rocks tower dne above Mibttier in rude m4 bancen grandeur, one is almoat ^etit^tadMb^Pe that ihe whole industrj|r <)f Ihe liiid Imi neiceiMiii i^%xpended itself upon this spbl,'bec!rih#it wi|l ^■ dife oAfly one capable of rewarding it' i^^iaii^cp^^ sured, however, by the natives, that such i il i of#ji eaife $ and that, iti ^intei^ and mtit&at^ bpjbsiie codst, the rogi^ niifnafitf^ « ^€i vif f4 ■ :♦..• ^ 1 . ■ -■.'.' I • " '/ '. ' • %• 1 ./'' iMle "tFT- 't>flfC "♦I rfirom hceive V p*^w ''WO f t^^' A' I*. ^.*"; V .t leM iJtelOitafqtife chatTipflii^.- ^. • ^ v •t^Thc* prifttipal streets of Pdnto del Gada are jM^^ed, tfDd kefjt at'biTce cool and clean by a con- iHaiit i»)iriilkfing of Wafer, ivhich it is the business Of twd'orlht^te^men stationed at pintips within a eefttflM '^distaiice of one another, to scatter over tbem/ Of the bye streets little can be said, they being, like those of other Portuguese towns, coiti- pOied'Of iheaoi cottages, unpaved, and extremely dirty, » There is, however, an^ air of elegance given to*th© town) particularly when looked at from a distntace, by/'the intermixture of oniAge grovel aadon^lhe houses ; the largest of these, wherever lii^rlfap|)en to^ stand, being in general surrounded by extensive gardens, all of which are abuhdantly stocked with that graceftil and odoriferous plant. Add to this the number of toWers and spires with •which its numerous churches and convents are -ig^ suppl^, and the first coup-d^deil may be conceived > to be Extremely striking and imposing. As soon 8^ We had taken a general survey of the sli^ts, the t|ext object of attention was thexeli- gioushouses. ^Ii^these, however, there was but litde* the^inthitedtufe being of the plainest e^i^lhi' chapels as much wantitig in 6r- litfieimiiBl^^^ There were, indeedj in' ^.^l^il^^^^i^ attempts at carved^ ^ /.'" ^ I ' _ ^ ■■^. * •* 4 • m • ■ 11 ••■fT... ^ ■ ^ \':,::^, n .'i.: n . •iS'vsvTfi. ^■' l.'S •■V ''^. -¥. ■Ilf • ■ '^r % '"^1 >;. M ■> •*■ 4^ 6^ ■fX ^ '0. . tvi iIicbail's. ^ •<■ 4' i^ither rich nor ahoient, m the whidowi,aiid « fm .mrdry pictures suspended above the altars ^ but ^ilie ^0f4f entemble was decidedly that of buildings whiqh did not even aim at beauty or grandeur. The monks we found a good natured obliging set (^ men, very wilting to give us any information in their power; by one of whom I was fortumrta enough to be cimducted through a convent of Augustine friars. . Into their mode of Uving ills not to be supposed that I covild (^itain maeh In- - sight. It seemed, however, to be less indoleBt than that of some convents, which I had visited in tfie "'old country, ^nd approached proportionablynearfr to a college life amdng ourselves \ though it^vust be admitted that the fellows and under^graduatts of Oxford and Cambridge have a better ndtion of both comfort and elegance, than the Augustine friars of St. MichaelV. Of the nuns, of G<]U#e|ye saw nothing, excepting through the piBtesj^ffiirt found them full of curiosity, and efger tt> ImKas much as they could learn of the world fr they were excluded ; but quite as ioddoC dirMng as any set of youlig ladies at a boarding school,^lfe was amusing to observe th(^ WQI^ pi begging) lor all ^e nuns in this part o^^ Wtffld a^e ijfifiksev beggars. The younger and fij^racinttaiibffiillilll^ sisterhood came to the gn^|^4^^ofafMtl4 iMIi^ and presented us with4Vti||^|«Wi^ retiring made way for the Jifilfgp «•« If 'h %^/- % . "» \ r< *. » "^■j^^' \ 1- V 5 9T. 1IICHA«|.% ^^ ^ Having thus dbcovered that there was litde in •mf. > ■^; \:^ 'it ■ # <^s.» "1*^3 «. 11 I I i n Mf): i: .:!i'^ *■ =^€ 4 'i ■^ W ^» . ^ 4. ^T, UICUAKL'S. thc.»vic>|[|^8 fil9:^ ai^ a. great 4eal J^ ^^^<«^ ^^ W M^, 4iroii|^ut St. A^d^aePi, to iot^r^ the \xj^^ vl^Qer, a j^ien)^, and inyse^' dete||i|iinod tp set qff next morning on a visit to the vQicana. , With.thJs clesi|;n we ordered as^es, for a^ai^itr^the oply ^n^r n^js for l?ii|!^,tp be in readiness by dmt4)reak,,.p4 finding them in waiting at the tjme appointed|.W9 tQp|„a^|^i^c^^ij^|i8 and. pushed forward in th^ direction of t}ie dark sinol^e. ,^The,mountj^in with its cjrater, being distinctly visible hom Poi^to del Q^dsi, we^t^k it for granted that thiq distanMH)^ betwee;!, the, two places could not exqeed tw^^^ o^ fourteen miles ; but, op inquiring of oi ; S|iide» we were ulaimed by the iuformatipif , that the tieiH^ est road would carry us at least twenty-seven milea fjrpn) the town. , Thunder-struck by this i)eyi(9, w;e wer^ for sometime at a Ipsa what course tqjii^^ue. To proceed was dangerous, because, ^ we were, tp^goandreturi} the same < Sjible ^ andj, if we reinain<^ ^'^¥^ during the night, the||eet inigl|t(^ should be able to get back*.>% ^QiP the otl to give up our design and - Aasts of alKtfie ships. Mortified at our disappoint- ment, and at the same time rejoicing that we had got no ftirther on dur journey, we were compelled to^tum our asses' heads, and to retrace our steps towards Ponto.del Gada ; where we found every d||pf,ki the bustle and ccmfusion of are-embarka- tiqni The beach was covered with sailors, sol- diersf bollocks, and casks of fresh water, hurrying, ;«i|id/b^g hurried, indiscriminately into the boats whic|id|>ad come to take them off. . The towns- Ag weli| running about upon the strand, some theii^lkiffs to convey the ofiicers on board »s, some helping to swing the bullocks into i, and others shouting and hallooing appa- rentijrildan the iminterested love of noiise. In ^Goiitr8e,i threw ourselves into the first boat we could approach,, and in a short time found o'txt' Sflves on board.>oi|i!v oiwn ship. But heie a very tvitaltsungpieceoi news awaited us, for we learnt r* *^4t ,i-.«» V'f f* % 'f s r.u ^- f •\ J/Ci * ■ ■ % :^- j$.< ^* ■:i ■■ m^ #' 66 fA 'i ^.Tt IIICHAXL S. ■^. .r».-'t t ''•^^ ^ ■■»; J i:-'" , ^P" «- <«'!• t thai^ in spite of all'^ift show of prepantkxv *lMe idllifai hid not begui to weigh anchor $ nor w»6 there any astention of ^moving, at soonest, before Ae morrow. The opportcnuQr,hcyweTir, was lost, and could not be recovered^ consequently we were obliged to summitas cheerfully a$ we eonld^thoiigh it was impossible lo help regrettmg^ what had itt first been a soui^e oCcdnsolation, the circumstance of our» having caught a view of the signal at the thne we did. But, as the event proired, it was quite as well for us that we had nddita no furthd: from the shore ; for on the day foUdWing the s^- nal was again repeated ; and by way of giving^«d^ ditional weight to it, the admiral began to aMie loose his top-sails. Nor did it ptove^ lil^ dUit^ yesterd.^y, a false altirm. By mid-day tb6 vktutf^ ling and watering being complete, the fieet Imme- diately began to get under weigh; andf ^ the blew fair and fresh, before dark thi mountains] St. Michael's could be seen «ily|like a thii pour in thesky. Next morrang, nodiing )^ the old prospect of air and water met the gazfl m we stood our course, at a rapif^ rate, towards Bermmllk The voyage from St. Michad's to Bermuda occupied a space of almost an entke moiid^-the first having been lost sight of on the i27th j^i June, and it being the JMlh of July befefc the low shores of the k0t ttM he discemeA It wasj however, a. sail of morii interest and >:peD- * '■■'f^^ ¥ .."* ■ VJ*J% ».■*•«■ .JT-- % /' ^. *i 4r *#' '4" •4 If ■^VtO' %' k- ■*r-. 4 t«' •,'t 4M¥V»44 .iH ta tlie Asoros^ W« bad now gotAwhhm'^||f ioAiicncff ^ the; tropi^td dimate^ «n^ w«re not p#cqueii% iniiil9«d with water-8{)outs, and other phflfiomeiia pociMlini' to warm regkma. The fljrkig fi9h«4ikovwe> ^Bt^stoTHis, md whirlwinds. M w« approached Bermuda, kideed^i^tiie became too frequent to axeila any inteu^beyend an earnest dcsivs Hat they would cease ; but while we were yet a g«od V, «4ii>< « %*. » I -««: .ji'j ".>• "*», ^' wi >^^ •*'j( •*# 9 f •■■%, P^ \ >L^- » '( •■* "*% -^ .^ BERMUDA. way off, and the incident rare, they were vHtness^ M/||l'^more of admrratiwi than tenxm ;^^^^ .r!^^?^<^ Besides these amusements with ;which tiatuli supplied us, we were not backward in endeavour ing to amuse ourselves. Being now j^lTetty well accuili; tomed to the atmosphere of a ship, we'began tb consider ourselves ac home, and to g^e bails and odier public entertainments through the fleet. OiiJ^ of these I shall take leave to describe, because I axn sure it must interest from its novelty. ^ ^Xki the 19th of July, at an early hour in the morning, a signal was made from the Royal Qak, 1^% "J^ that the admiral would be happy to see the officdii ■p^ '% ^ > of the fleet, on board his ship that evening. Bdoll^' were accordingly sent off" froni the differftnt vc¥*^ sels, loaded with visitors ; and, on mounting th^ .'^ gang- way, a stage, with a green curtain before it, wasdiscovered upon the quarter-deck. Thev^hkate' ■. .^, of the deck, from the poop to the nudn-mast, wiai^ ^ hung round with flags, so as to fortn a inodeflittf sized theatre ; and the carronades weire reri^ved^ ^ fromtheirport-holes, in order to make roonrfor the company.' Lamps were suspended from all partly of the rigging and sh rouds, casting a brilliant Ught^ ^ upon this singular play-house; and the crew, arraye^^ in their best attire, crowded the booms, yards^ an# forepart of the deck whilst the space from thf? ^ * main-mast to the foot of the stage, was «t witfc £^ benches for the* more genteel part of the audience;^ At seven o'clock the curtain drew up, and dit- m u^' *^. * *■ * • _.».v t ir*- Wi '«> ' '> * .f#^ •Vf * . t-: Vt ,;«•- vf . f 4f ^4* c^ifl^i^9«iie painted with such tMte, as would not hftv9 disgraced any theatre 'm hofi^tif fiji^ was the Ap^r^nticet with the Mayor of ' i0tmm afterr^ecey performed by the officers qS tt^KJUp, ai}dt.4ii£ the artUlei^ $ and went off in hig|i si^l#»,ap{daiidiBdv le^ yc^ inay suppose, with the loudest j|Qclamatiet)s. The quarter-tdeck of a Ibritbhli^ of battle ship has often enough been^ ^^age for the lexhibition df bloody tragedies, but in witness a comedy and a farce upon th;i|stag^,and ffilhf middle of the Adantic ocean, was del^t^ fuli^m its very singularity. When the perform- f^^ was at an end, the stage was knocked Jp^'the seats removed, and every thing cleared " ftirdittcing. The music was excellent, being com* pissed of die band of the Royal Oak ; and the ball tps c|)ened by Admiral Malcombe and the Hon- Mullens, in a country dance, followed ^Wli0T tsouples as the space would permit, rilrmber of officers dancing, as you may the: tieliieill^ wi& one Another. In this amusement eVttl'y ^E»rson, from the admiral and general, down fiiii tht y'oungeilt enftign and midshipman, joined, ktyinga&iiSe, for the time, all restraint or.form of ^^tf^li^; and having kept it up with great spirit itt coilaiderabty beyond mid-night, a blue light was hoisted as a ^^gnal for the different boats to #kne off for the strangers, and each returned to his dwn ^hip highly Ratified with the evening's ^tertaioment. ^>' ■^ ,* * '« a ■J y^ « V %;i .0 ■ft «> # |l» tv-s* i ^ ▲ T .««A« ''%■ *».$...:. ,*., ^^J:i^ '■^< 1^t^:*4mi-W ..fi.-^-' ■^ '*4**^' 4; ■i^' »# ■■■«■ ■■^■. # ^^ E'-*' .> t ■•#■ ?#: j^ By employing oqrselv «; ii^iS mapixer> ana.R!|| |M5e|>ing up what ^ emphatically: (^^^ hj^art, we contrived to pass Qur tjiKi^e agTeiea>^J^ ^lUE^h. Whenever the weather vvoi|ld.|i^ip|^ "' aijame fleet lay well together, we; niiade, jKartii ^. pleasure to the different ships ; when the winia|^8^ too high; and the fleet too much scattered i(^|t|<^ * proceedings^ we remained at home, ari^j app^ ourselves in the best way we could. Some^df t|^ ' captains^ and our's among the number, ^ere pcf?: . $ps3ed of very tolerable libraries; the dpors 9^ ^hich they^jpolitely threw open for tlji^ bf jiji^ ^ their military guests; and thus, by readi^Gp, fis^^ ing, a«ci boating, we were enabled to nuMo^feea!^ with some success, against t!>e„^croachii|ent$ .^ ci^inui. It must be confessed^ iioweyer| t^|| ip «ipite of strenuous csftbrts to the cp^frar)!, |||i^ determined enemy of all idle pei^onigi, wa^ b^gjj^* ning to gjajn groui)d upo?ii us, when about ix]^^*dj||^^ ()n the 24th of Jnly, a cry of land was heard^ frci|> tbe mast-he^d. All eyes vyeye imm<^diately t]i4i|i||jj ff"' ■^¥m ^ •^ 1r '^r 1^' V.ff ■% m .••.i»'V » ilridth. The navigation, even In calm weather, is lh«Edbre attended with considerable danger ; the *•* ^ J ,^ i -t i * :•$ ■;1 ift*-,;. ^1 '■^. "^1 !lf . A \-> '« M ^ % it, !k: ^■ %» *;.'!?"'''■•■■'!;'!« • -■'ih *■ I 1^1 P ':| L i:'i ♦>»* ^ f'r. ■ 'A X ■'J'. %. ?>!^'' ^ # n '•!fc- B£|llt0«AtA p. idea ofiviiicll is greatly heighteAed by the iMhI^ dMe cleamess■■ *■ \ *^-*- 'i»'' yutnirtttei ^^; yi»#l N##» t^nigltt> bat; at aft eariy Kour next < iA^lriig,4eiTibhi6ed^ first opfvortunkynjf goingi, *#lll&ie. To reach St. George's, the caphal of dtti^'feoldhy, yoQ are obliged to row, Ibr sevenQ V^e»i upaiumrcfffrfrith espied theferr|f,4ramediate»> ^"im etitering whieh, the scenery becomes in the Jighest degree pfrcturesque. lliouf^h still retain* l^lpits character of low, the ground, on each sid^ 0lm}iB as if it were broken into little swells, the whoHr tfvthem beautifully shaded with groves of cedar j and many of them crowned with country *houJN»;» aogtt^ite as the drifted snow. But the fact is, that ^ts : appearance oFhill and dale is owing to the prodigious number of islands which compose the l^uster; there being, in all, according to vulgas ittport, not fewer than three hundred andsijtty-five; of which the largest exceeds not seven or eight itiiles'inr dmmeter. Yet it is only when you fd- k)w what at first you are inclined to^mistake for v^ciKek, m: the mouth of a river, that you discover the want of vallies between these hills ; and even tfien^you are mo^e apt to fancy yourself upon the bosom of a 'lake studded with islets, than steer- ing, amid spots of earth which stand, each of them ^Hfl^ct^'in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, imin Uie town of St« George's there is literally nothing to be seen, at least nothing worthy of losing repeated; It consists of about fifty at sixty ]K»i»8s»; ^ glare from which, as they are all built -* ^ .>^ € ^' *ii %^1P ^' \. <: ■;.' i J^^^ i&Mi..^. ^». I i ■ ■! .u ^ ¥1, 1 I «fr ,f i< • ' 1 ■i^fl r-.., . ^^B Wm , f^H 1 » KK'/ : ^iy ■ ^Bii^^^B'" ^^^ft.." .|g Hr^^Bf. ■ ' ' if' • \ C^'y ^Hj^B^j^^ m^m /• 74 "^ .,fts««iv»4' # • Jp^9, U is caUetd ^JoifwH jNsaMae hM^i^ oouitrbouse stands, and the magisterial sltiini>||> held; but in point of skie, and* ni^ht mfhtoiM leafn, in every other respects It iifii^tljr^itfBOor to Hamilton, another town at the opposite exiief mity of the cluster, which I did not; visit A litl^f 0if2iy- from St. Geo 'e's, and on the summit q^lia bare rock, stand tlie banraoks; fitted up^forvliil accommodation of a thousand men; andaboutm mile and a half beyond them, vre the tanks* wcill wor^ the notice of travellers. The object: jAdui work if to catch and preserve the rain^ a measure which the total want of fresh sprkigs thiou|^ .water, filtevsd attd rendered bracki^ in making its way throu^i^ sand ; and by no means fit to be used, at leasts in any quantity. To supply this deficioicy, the bad effects of which were experienced in theunhoaHJli- ness of many of the crews upon the Amwiom station, ^vemment was induced to lxnl<^ these tanks ; consequently the water contained in 4liMn is the property of the king, and none bat< king's ships, with the troc^ in garrisonf are pertnittad, except in extreme cases,, tot be supplied Item thence. *? -■ ■ ' r^-fe ■ ^-'^- ,:"-- ,-■'-■ > *' ^ - '^ The dmattaiBeaiaM^^Biea^^ ■L ■ '^ ,«• « J* % a %' -^. ■N !** '■ .4» •t.'^ /, if J, • ■»■- "MlVlf^]^. trj ;^ '» '«IH*. ■ ^' # ■ u|iiilitf%pit^ to^Btiabiteu^ artd delightfuh 6'^ ttiat lie« «hd th« rest of its eulogf!$tf^' disked these islands, at a season of th# ^ ^dkHUfh^tfrom Ifmlflii which I visited tliem, but tifnw'th'elimtwittbeyoilii every thing oppressive'.' rMMiigi as they d6^' liiidelr the itifluence of a verticial \if^^j0^^ abdunding^ in all directions, with clifik 6f % ' 'liii'Set, you will find the Bermudas dteserv-' hig^liheh' title of summer-islands, then t Will* agite with them ; but I believe t!iere is no man '*lioever''Wa}ked the street of St. George's sit nedii^ whatever may be thought of the clinlate^ dicifrcnl I dkinkv be but one opinbn as to thft 9al|« it^iageneially» admitted, that there is n# iMMB w^ModQCdve spot of earth iqxm the face oPih^ deep, ^aa Bermuda. The only animals whi^ -iqipear to tfactve are -thev goat,' ^d thi^ dtiek^; the :'eedBr and a few calash trees 'an thl^ 01^ wood, and, except the most common kinds of vnfpmiiMii'^ andfr as oabbagei^ onions^ aoid «#iet MIL * > :i^; ^K >-^i •■«"' T'^i^r f-.w|i 4^ 1^ n .,y •* f ,^.' '4^ ^ )''4^ t >■ % ^. t. i ^pj^ ^, . **»•■ ,t siimtMNu i-A iiMeh a 8tmfkgia> iiMyteM^^itii,^^^^ lUfk>Us, since among them he will ftiicti and the (nne-apple | but fb^ the^e^ «» w«IMli^|i| almost all their mher comfbrtB and liwiMM^i^ Bermudians are indebted tothe CtrntlheM^i Hbi$orto the West Indies. Whether thh^l^ijife i!l|f f « to the natural sterility of th«4tifl, orttfUMb indolence of the ipKabhanta, I^oannot^ decide; though I should be milinid m ^Mpm, ihtt both were, in some degree/ to bla |> o ri( wt 6r the British riavy, scattered along #ie^^$6«tet^f America ; bat, surely, if * the natifea ^tatcm^t ^ tttore indc«trious,^eyfmght*ifford^tb''«il^^^'t^ gfibdsat a dkeapto rate, aiid at'^^tlie^ilM^lAlie «[i^ecurelin~eciual, if fmt a gi-eatel^ |)N)itti0itt ^e^ kidolenice is^beyond^i^'tetmcefitimii! niJiWiin ^"be ^ttrfboted on^ tOj what>^ beSilMe»i>ittMli«iaibal cause, ^fecility witkwhic)|^&y^uifHiArtiii|% s-^ .M * ^^.• W -t. 4k e- I R., %■ « » !# ^ i*' i» ' iM »- sue '^Ti # 4. .T.-lf- Vl f BlftMUDA. 77 they demand lipr the mmt trifling di licle. The poorest and meanest freeman upon the island, never dreams of applying his own hand, or even his own bead, to the cultivation of the ground ; and being abundantly supplied with negro slaves, they leave every things even the care of providing necessaries for themselves, to the industry of that iil-used race. You may perhaps consider me as too sclvere upon the Bermudians, but rest assured that I repeat only what I was told by some of them- selves; nor did I, from my o\vn personal observa- tiojpi|, discover any cause to question the veracity qS ihy infcxrmers. In the praise bestowed by Mr. Moore upon the beauty of these regions, I do, however, most cordi- ally join. There is something bewitchingly pretty, for pretty is perhaps the most appropriate epithet I could use, in every one of the many views which you may obtain from different points. The low and elegant cedar, the green short turf, the frequent recurrence of the white and dazzling rock, the con- tinual rise and fall of the numerous small islands, but above all, the constant intermingling of land and water, seem more like a drawing of fairy land, than a reality. There is nothmg grand, nothing imposing, or calculated to excite any feeling bor- dering upc»i the awful, throughout the whole; but it is soft, gentle, and exquisitely pleasing. Having spent the day at St. George's, I returned . L Ji" i -¥»■ fM ji ¥. ' --■. » * ,1.' •»^ ^i »J^. Ifu* s 70 BERMUDA. % Iff ^ •f '^ '^'.t/ > on board to sle^p ; and on ibfi morrow removedi with my baggage, to a transport then lying at anchor within the ferry, which was thenceforth to be my head quarters. There is, I am aware, an universal prejudice against transports, which I firmly believe to be not more general than unjust There are few gales which the greater number of those in the English service will not ride out; and there are few situations in which they are not suf- ficiently manned, toJ^e manageable. For my own part) I confess my predilection for a transport rather than for a ship of war : because in the one, you are absolutely nothing, the captain being there all in uU ; whilst in the other you are at least your own master, and have the command of your own men* To my new quarters I accordingly removed, without experiencing a shadow of regret; and soon found reason to congratulate myself on the greater degree of liberty which I from that time enjoyed.. ^ > You will readily believe, that a very small por- tion of my time was now wasted on board ship ; for economy's sake I usually slept there, because at the inn the charge for beds, as well as for every thing else, was enormous; but all the hours of day- light were devoted to rawing round the difierent islands, and climbing the diflPerent eminences, froni whence the most extensive prospects were to be obtained. Among other curiosities, I was informed « 4. ^ w- , #' i* -W .•♦ h^T^ Piy^ -"■•-♦r •*. t i ' %.' V 1.'** .,♦ .i I « % BBRMUDA.* » ' .. tiro civfl II one oC the little isles, distant^bout jibitf ^or.five mUesfrom the pladi: where we lay. Being asswed that they were highly deserving of notice» I determined to visit them; and setting off one evening, with several others, for that purpose, wereached the spot which had been pointed out to VLB, a little before dark. We fastened the boat to stump of a tree, and were proceeding toward ives, when a fine manly voice, singing one of the Irish melodies, attracted qpr attention. Being rather furious to discover who, in this extra- mundane place, had learnt to sing with so much taste, we followed the direction of the sound, till we came upon a party sitting under the shade of a tent, and like ourselves, enjoying the cool of the evening ; on perceiving us, some of them came Jbrwardy and the satisfaction was mutual, when we recognized one another as old acquaintances. They urged us to relmquish our design, and to partake of their good cheer, with which, as the hour was late, we had small reluctance in com- plying ; and it was agreed, that instead of going on without proper guides, and at so unseasonable a time, we should breakfast together at the same spot in the morning, and proceed in a body to examine the caverns. Here, therefore, we re- mained till the moon had risen, when we returned ta our boat, and sailed back to the ship. Next morning every thing was got ready for the A 4. -< * ■- s #• •■ •t ^ . >va t;v I ^^ /^V^5 -<■ 4 ■» ^ V* '.'» "!^ # h f . k- i'^r ).». «V ,ti»^ 1^ ■"■t^ ^^■Jt -t if, % »KRMV9«i expMmkiii, but « hesPiK^«<|Bttn comkig on, p% iHnf vented ils from setting olittui^^Brly as we intended $ as soon as ^h blew ovek', we tcx^ 16 our boat, and reached the place of rendezvous in time to share the remains of a good Ix'eakfilsti which our friends had prepared for themselveslttid tfeS ' ■ When it was finished, we supplied oursfclv^ tvith torches from some dry branches of the CalftsH tree, and headed by a guide, moved towairdsihe - mouth of the neareH and largest of the two cave^. We descended into this by a ladder of sixteen steps^ and arrived ufxin a broad ledge of roCk, where w6 halted for a few minutes to light the torches, arid accustom our vision to the gloom ; when both of *^ these ends were attained, and we had advancisd a few p&ces into the cave, a sight of the most inde^ scribable sublimity burst upon us. The appea;!*- ance was that of a huge Gothic cathedral, havhig its roof supported upon pillars of spar, mouldiid into the most regular shapes, and fluted and carved after the most exact models of architecture. The roof itself, however, was too lofty to be disceified, nor could the eye penetrate to any thing like an extremity, all beyond a certain extent being wrap- ped in the most profound darkness $ but the flashies of light which at intervals streamed out, as the gfire of the torches fell upon pieces of ^par as clear as crystal, and the deep echo of our own voices as U'e ^ spoke, inspired u? with a feeling of aws, bordering > », ,!»/■ ^^ *%' ^i I t*.. ftf'> %U^ ^. * % •*^v» ^■VejT* i ■ 4 %■ 'wSw » ■^ J>:.-^- , - .« , mxii «vp«i4IAI(iti. Itis ihr^sudi«'titaationnlthis, ifiai #fe pooiii«fl(8' %nd tftftlg^ of human Ittbbur, most forcibly ft&jktts ths mfind The ^most HMgnificeht clmich and abbey, wiih their sculp- ttntd pill^ris and vaulted ceilings, were bought of «is.4neah ia comparison of what was now before lisfnay, one could not help imi^ning, that these jr^ churches and abbeys had been built in humble vi'-^ inbition of this, which looked like a temple reared by some beings more powc^ul than men. It seemed a shrine worthy of the genii of old, while yet diey were in the zenith of their glory, and ere theyhad been driven from their thrones and oracles of cbrkness, by the light of Christianity. t As we moved onward, we found the sides of the cave gradually narrow upon us, and the roof be- come lower and lower. There was, however, a Gontinuaaoe of the same fane-like appearance to the last, though growing more and more contracted; tiir^ finally, we were compelled to advance one by one, and to stoop in order to prevent our heads finom coming in contact with the rock. We had now gone aa far it was possible to go with any cbgreeof coi||ifi3rt,and were informeyl by the guide, that we were upwards of three hundred yards from the entrance, when we foimd it expedient to wheel about, and to return to the open air. But the e£Pect of so sudden a change, from darkness to light, was exceedingly disagreeable ; msomuch, that we has - ■1^'' "^m '% t^ ■»- ft M \ ,*^ "^k .4t. >. M v.»^ ■If 4^i « i 1 I '■••'^'j f.J. ■^ »v > J »■*„ 82 into the amalltf cave, ds weU for the i of deferring Aemom^tof Mflfering, as to contit our search after the sublime. -4 The entrance to this cavern is extremely dan- ' gerous, and not to be ventwed upon without either a trusty guide, or a thorough knowledg^^ the ground. After descending a ladder, not quke^ sodeep as that which leads into the laiger cave, you arrive at the brink of a fearful chasm, across wMch a flat stone, about two feet in width, is laid, ccm> necting the edges by a bridge of four or five feet in length. It is very fortunate that this frightful bridge is of no greater extent, for if you should chance to slip, or lose your balance whilst upon it, nothing could save you from being precipitated into the gulf. To what depth this chasm may reach, the guide could not inform us ; but that it is considerable, we discovered, by dropping a large stone, which we could hear for some time as it dashed against the projecting edges of the rdtk, and at length splashed^ with a tremendous echo, into water. The man maintained, that the sea beat under the foundation of the island asiar as the spot where we now stood, and his story ipras rendered at least probable, by the number of pools of salt- water, which we met with in the interior of the cave. After having visited the larger cavern, this cer- i tainly appeared to disadvantage ; but, had I beheld ■ttf € '^ '% 1 ' *-i \K4 J • * «. '•». ■I e 1 » •■«■ (i- t •■ itL '■ ■j 9i . J f' i "cl^^i / » 1 ■ • i 3n- J If eet : 1 tful . j^'.V uld 'Js ^ iit» tted nay It it 1' rge 1 sit « ^k, * • 1 :ho, - .« 1 jeat <■ ipot ;red »lt- the ' cer- • oid 1 M. witmem^A. '1 m ^ 83 itifst, or without setting ^ odier at alt, I hmre believed Aat noAAfif upon earth could sur pagf it for grandeur and beauty ; the only respect in which it is inferior to tlie other, being its size. The spar is as clear, and proportionably as abun- dant ; the pillars are quite as regularly formed ; and it has even an advantage over its rival in two or three broken columns, which give to it the sem- ^W^nce of a temple in ruins. There is, also, in this eave, a strange propinqtiity of salt and fresh water pools ; the situation of two of which struck me as peculiarly curious. They were divided from each other by a piece of rock not much thicker than a man's hand ; and yet the water from the one tast- ed as if it had been taken froniihe German ocean, while that from the other was as fre^h and plea- sant as possible. We had by this time fully gratified our curiosity, and once more ascended to the world of sunshine ; thd*splendour of which was at first almost insup- portable. By degrees, however, our eyes became accustomed to the change, and recovered their original tone, when we separated, each party re- turning to its^spective ship, in high good humoia with the day's employment. But to dine quietly on board was no longer En- durable. A tent was accordingly carried on shore, and having sou^t out the most shady and agreea- We nook within a moderate distance of the vessel, .«■ ^j ^4^ 4, # ^ ^H, * •tfr. # '^Wl». J. •i J^m '4s I"- i t' I \ \i.. ,1 '.U •*' i. 1 < . » /' *; 4^ . ' ,-f f h : #: ri » I sir^ r fi> 84 BERMUDA. our Ipincr was brought thither, and we spent the evening, as we had done the morning, arnong the works of nature. Here we remained till a late hour, talking over the adv^i^ntures of the day, and occasionally attempting a blind peep into futurity, till our friend, the moon, having risen, we again pulled on board by her light, and retired to sleep, and to dream of sparry domes and enchanted tem- ples. ^^ r^ tv - ■■'■ •wHT'tiirt*'' --0 .»» .X"? .-is. > ^W^:^ :-.'-%. ^HO'Z-: .k/^4»t<' m '■ i,.' *■ 4 "% ■■*.' 4 > '- ^'> M*'rf ■I*- 4 i*^it^' 9(f ■k n jk .<<•' »» i- •*■■ r .1 W 1. m^ ^• JS- .'" > fr- &f.- a fri' 1^. LETTER VII. •k 'If ■♦ ^^^ ik'- %i| ; «fiitFmBXBvD away by the desire, so natuial to m/oat men, of speaking of myself, I have neglected tci reccH'd the occurrence of some incidents which ■i' you will probably consider as more interesting than my that I have yet told, because they relate to the expediticm at large. In the first place I forgot to . state, that we found Sir Alexander Cochrane in the Tonnant of eighty guns, waiting at Bermuda, to take upon himself the guidance of the fleet. In 1||6 next place, I did not inform you, that die secret of our destination transpired as. soon as we had aitduMred Ibff the island ; and that the bay of Che> sapiake is to be the theatre of our operations. Lastly, I omitted to mention, that on the 30th, our little army was re^iforced by the junction of the 21stFusileers; a fine battalion, mustering nine hun- dred bayonets. The evening before, a squadron of six frigates and several transports appeared in the offing, which by mid-day on the 30th were all at anibhor in the roads. They proved to be from tlie Mediterranean, having tl^e 2 1st, 291l&j and62d Re- glimentson board, of which the two latter were pro- M "'i^ T- ,4 $« •rr '.^ j:. ^■ *4t 1% r •;r. ■"^ 4 in 'i' TJPt 1 ^ ■ }. *, . ^ . 1 '•s- . •^ • i^' f . V 1 ■#■ % ■ i. •f J I* ^. r- ; t '■ff^-, '^ ' 1 ■X ^il ^ :*'• *v 4|. ^' •A» At w %edihigi> join Sk'Gedlrge PrevoBl^safmyiaC^ da» i^ile thfr fbrmer attached itself to that uHcher the command of General Ross. -By this veiy ac- ceptable reinforcement^ our numbers were itiereiS!^ ed to upwards of three thdusand efiectivej ni«^^: and ft^eater confidence in themselves, -as well as abetter grounded hope of success, Ifi whatever (mterjMrize diey might undertake, was at tlie same |» ' time given to the troops. 1,44 ■ 1 ving already dweh sufficiently upon my eym \|> Tsonal adventures at Bermuda, I shall not waste ,^ y< ; yr time by a particular detail of the vaorious frti- pa2 ?.tions which during this interval were making ti" .Tughout the fleet. Stores of jMrovisioiiai, fresh • r ater, ammunition, clothing, &c. v/ere ;nrovider1, and magazines for the future si^;|>ly of the ex|)e- diticHi established; when, on the 3d of Augijeptt^ all things being now con^ete, Ihe sh^w >oiioe more got under wesgh, andstood towards Amonca. ' During ^ whole of this day, the wand^ was %ht and unsteady, consequently lioile progress was made, nor did the whit^rocks of Bermuda disappear tifi^darkness concealed hem ; but to- wards nKuningafresher and more favourable iHvese sprung up, and the rest of the voyage was perform- ed in reasonable time, aati wiUvJUt the occurrenoe of any incident worthy of notice. The bei , iddeed, b«: r #• i*W t .1? U*SJ ill i fl^l^^^H^Tlr'^^^TVw-'.v.itT' , » ^Pfc, sr E- s- % ' " ' as re- »>■ ing eah • ell, :^ * «^«Hgf^cliingratiirned^lDitai^^ state, tiUtoward|^ mmnku^^iXi thoH^ when^a s^;nal i«as made bjii^! IHe admiral^ that land was in si^t As yet, how*^^^ evcr^^there was no appeareunce of it from the: decl( ^ of^our transpcHt, nor, for a full half hour, codkl our taixioiis gaze be rewarded by the slightest trace o|'^' what it sought ; but, at the end of that time, the }6w sandy point of Cape Charles began to shoW' Itself, and we rejoiced in the prospect of a speedy i^lsase fiom the ennui of a sea-faring life. -^^ie coast of America, at least in this quarter, i' W^imivertiiMy low and uninteresting ; insomuch Ihat for some time before the land itself can be dis<« OM^edj Ifxests of pines appear to rise, as it were^ 0#«ef the water, it is also dangerous, from the i^ llim^iniDS shoak and sand-banks which run ou^ ii in many places, to a considerable extent into the SIM ; and which sac so formidable, that no master ^ of a vessel, imleas he chance to be particularly well «Gquav^ed wkb li|| navigation, will venture to approach after dark. The fleet wis. accordingly anchored within a few miles of the Siiore, but no - sooner had the da^r began to break, than the sails w«re again hoisted ; and ^ sh4>s s'i.eering under Ike influence of a k«ding wind, between the C^pes Charlai and Hinry, stood In gallai# style up thjC ,, Chesapeake. .,,^ ^ .^ \ \» t ^. ^r. *. 't t' t-- # > f M'JW f »*»'-,-.^'«' •*,;- > 4* •^ 'CHISAPtAKr^ if,. ^t?, .«•« '4 :X' t i ^ 4 '•'» w> iC^^ f .. r ■•* i«tf #■ L t} ,fl«V /♦ * ^"^ This noble bRy% ftr Ibo widtt;imdthe UMil««li each side, too i)at to permit any biit an indisdNsi glimpse of the shore,'fttim the ^a«k of a vessel #hich keeps well towards th« middle. We could distinguish nothings therefore, on either hand^^^ except the tops of trees, with, occasionally^' a Wind- mill, or a light-house; but die view of our own fleet was, in truth, so magnificent, as to prev«Wit any murmuring on that account. Immediately ttn entering, we were joined by Admiral Cockbilm with three line of battle ships, several frigatesj and a fev!' sloops of war and gun brigs, by whfbh means, the squadron could now mustinrabovetwen- ty vessels entitled to display the pendant, besidesan equal, if not greater number 'of victuallers and transports. Nor were we streng^iened by tlfis addition, in the naval part of the expedition iii^ilb. On board these ships was embarked a p6w«ffid '^ reirtforcement for the army, consistii^^ of a %atta* lion of seven hundred marines, an hundred negroes lately armed and disciplined, and a division of marine artillery ; so that we#ould now oaloukite en landing a^rps of at least four thousand men. The sight was therefore altogether as grand* and imix)singas any I ever beheld; because one^tioiild not help remembering that diis powerfi^ Aeet^was saving in an enemy's bay, and was Bifed widi troops for till invasion of diat cfteiaf's cOioDitry. Thus, like a snow-baU, wc had gathered as we . X % «? ># %'■ .:^^* \ ■>% ^\0 . '-V 1 f I'^'Wy * i\ t * 1- ■' *? m ' < m ♦ Ml tid '^ ■v^ Ch *r- * an r md :• his USfw- *- ^ "^ fcta* oes # # ^of ' "'i ''* '"^ ■ lattf ^ > len. Rlld Hid was vidi itiy. -# # wc m''^' ^ ^ jWWwww^wWWiJu^iy > «9 ^f^ ti Jili lKil^i ^ i ]ttf%!|fet;Qnt a «iiae hnidful iteiUi^ny wife whT' l^^come an aimy fennklable friM»it8nuiniM»»^i» will^iaMisviplme. ■ it^^mijtl^ 1P)l6iihottl»flfid«mdrlM»ka, which abound Oil &e |biitflid» oC the bay, continue to encumber .ihe aa\i^tion after it is entered ; and the con8fi|||«^e was) that^ fleet was compelled to anchor every Qigtlt* This was, of course, the occasion of mu^ tdehiy«/The first day's sail cairied us to the mouth ^ the James river ; and the second to the mouth eC the Potomac; but, on both occasions, we brought i|]» at too great a distance from the beach, to |«rmit- a perfect or distinct view of either of these rivers. Opposite to the latter, indeed, we remained ^r a night and a considerable part of the follow- Ing day, and the sky being remarkably clear, we 4b^ something more of it, than we had been aUe to see of the other river. It appeared to be a fine pi^ce bf Water making its w^ through the centre of huge forests^ and, though the current is in reality strong, flowing on without any appaient motion. But it Would have bee^lr impossible to trace its course, ' %v6n had we been nearer the shore, above a few "^ fnSesy on a|eount of its numermis windings, die^first ^ which) overshadowed as it is with wood, shuts it out fi^dm fiurther observation. By continuing here BO long, we had begun^to conjecture that a landing somewhere on die banks of this ikrer was in con- Ifemphition. In diis, however, we wore deceived, !«*■ i'^ f» 4 w i V >-., !•'■ -^.. A- ■%\ %*? '* " ^ , W^ t- •M. '* J'- -i.>- '^.m ^ "•ji. '*.*■ J.*-. ^ *■.••> ^ ^ t ** -'41 *-■ m. .ti r r4 <«». * iv rV t -uM *' ■f*^/ ..% I #' ,1i^ ■ .V' ■^ *H.. m\ :T- ^S'^~ / Kt ♦^ A m% /'it(9W8 #^tfifr4li0it luiMrHmtpftsturftf-i^vMle'the '%WM %doden hoiistB of' (M 86lllert, ait« tff thetti pjfiArtM «Mle, And surrewkMI #M) erchlidft ind gardens, presented a striking contrast toth«%b6iifid- 1e«i f(1t«at8 iviiidi formed a back ground to the K^He, There was, m shorty the most deli|^ul *" .4Afaaure of art and nature that can possibly be con- ieehfed; difierent in every respect from what T ^ i leen towards the skirts of the pine- woods in F e. 4 ,7 There, the country looked as if it had been ^ ^ * 'Cleared, and as if there had not been ttm^ ^o ^ jsemove liie furze, heath, and underwood, nor yet > j|o bum or grub up the roots of the trees which ^ihad been felled. Here, there was the most com- ^iplete line drawn between the regions devoted to ■eulthration, and diose still in a state of nature. i|iRhe*foanks of the river being tolerably high, and fdojl^g gradually di^'vi. to meet the water, the whole '^^hm inclination is ^i-'^irely cleared and cultivated, > ^ not a'Temnant of the original forest being left, ex- 'CNEfpt te much as isrequired toform the most beautiful ^ «hedgfr«row« and bnundaries between the diflPerent '^elds andferins. Thesame appearance coAtinues to ISte'^dkManoejff perhaps half a mile from the water^ itiiiii»«liBd«v«rA' '«*. 'V 4 1.^ m\ % ^ .* 4 *» \ .%. '''sy ,^ ^ V{- •:^ > ■^. ■#; ^■ ( « #; # ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4p \^ .<^ 1.0 1.1 11.25 m m U 11.6 Photographic Sdmoes Corporation 23 WKT MAM STRUT WaSTIR.N.Y. I4SW (7U)S73-4S0» ^pV ^ ^ ^ C^ m^ -.1 -^y .♦ M' TV .*,♦ 1 r-«* ,1.^- "*i' . , • I* ii9 1^ -#■■ ■ ^ # ** uodic^^ dominioii^ of e\4tui!e andvdirMis^^ appear only^ike p^y thefts, fipgm the^wfltfe baiKi' aad wiUer htiman inhabitants of ihaf aa f amllij which they care not to resent, l^caineHhtyipetiHr wor^y of thdr notice. HMM«pfiis& , i4' need not inform you, ^t in AmeriG%T««^iiill as in allodier late discovered countries^ the faltfto^ of "^vigable rivers are the first pIace&|ieopled4Bid cleared. The causes of this, you are as mudbiwini dP as I am ; namely, thaTthe fiicility with^wiudlK tiiey can rid themselves of tetiee^ asii thfl^andperhaps, in somedegii6e,th( constant supply of fish fipomdie streaaiwi^^ , , j^iettlers to seleot such situations, in others further in the interior. T\i^vm^piik$r. ilily, the modves whichfii^t influenced tfaeip in iMr cMoe of spots, on w^ talgptow theirMspri ^#pd» if they have an eye t» fykt^tfriimj^miSkfm t^fl that die same e9$acrmkkh$i^^ '.op^ljidoiis mt^smai^^^^^f^i^^^ ^ «t home or abftM^ "Atafl up ■m^,:S$-%mm§l^- AiperiGaJif, th«re|iDrsf < 't ■0i .¥ i^. .« • ;f .■* y' ,■ 'V :i2 '^ '1 K* :#' k»4 4-. f • i t «JP-.. :ij' ii W i t III lljlii ^lirii^-llirte t>euiidii of pa^tMtim giMitndftludf dfbiacuit, wereeodEeft^«id|iviil li|(||>Hfin»ii -Ay cAiioudi bt)x«i ii^erae^i^^ illiliirii iiiiiiiiiiililiiilr ««^ '•^■■ >f" I i Kfij ^ If. "^t rr^ ^■'^, -^. ^^ % ■Si. « #i8tiiiiied1ov|ittvte#ieihcM^^«^ itioored foit ttid aft whli'S{)ri^fi«atAil«^ib*«Wll ihoglther as manageable as if she ■fai^ tti i u'lli i W ' ^. '-iTlie rest of the ships were^ 8eveililiiil||lft lower donii^tfiestreaiiaP,5omeof^efii%efii9l»l^^ atlfai^istance of four leagues frofn this poiitlH!>i>t die boats were <^kfy hoisted outfirofft everf «Mb Uglftiem, and the rif^ was covered-in a tnd^ ^ W^dl-manned and warlike flaltila* a^tkm was eonducted widi^die id dispatch. Though ^ stre«vthat % threesfiielec|^^#l ^alMiiywas iande^ H' '^IHiRi'What il^i IfiM^io ib6^ and !'=^Qffilradk Her • •^ t f \m > '■ *• •■* '•^■'09'' :& — ».J 'mF' yJ • ■* •#■ *^ -H^iiWPMN^I^ *ii^ 91 1^ ' '*■■ ^jt^;^^^^,.,.,^;.^^, ^^^^,^^ g 1^* VI 1^ meet., ki j|g>| gp »j i » ij^ f ftfr .ydi tahep p^sAcysfion qf b]m9> p i MiiW t clMi i ii^ fnMght have been a«pne.up<^.tlne AlWlg^pt^ndrivi^ towards Ae beach ; batey;q| Al^vriiiiiyiiiave been triaing, because, u^ iM||^aidf?kiiure to hefiA their shot, no ptHl^ryviii J|^||ifi>{(«9y^ before the fiie «l|lMa glin-brigt anned as this, v^as, fori^he oc- jiniililii jiri^lpig thul^Ttwopoiiii^efs. Each boat- llpd ,gf«(a(4<%aB» likewise, ,df^w up the vu«fi^g0 ifillSii^^ without any ^i||l#fiiri^^ whilst E«^ lliMtltttBRlly^^^tfi^ed to reconnoitre,^ inKi^ iidlijiiBession of every house* as well as to lii^ i!tl^K«^ llia% coMi^on {trudence re^if^; piimiimtBeeisaisrj'^nqe; there watiiot only tm>$0: _ th#*hosiHtal4Ki|^ ^ li^ght up,.4»Mliai.ik **"'^r *'?W ^^^^^^^^^^ ' ^•# ^-. $ A . >• :#. r. <♦ • V. »i i**-*" T ^i; .* .» ■^ ■ r ?^ IF fah An iTTmt finMi ■ft rii ) i ii" liM ii . '•^•* ;, f^UGh WW divided iwto n^gqiPp, and a con^aiiy (^ joftriipi^^i ^to abf^t eleven hiradiedlB^ r to^ #iii!ii|pri^ (tf. ,whic^ qd; i^t^, <)f Oielll^Mi^l wasappQiiiteili, JJlhcaecmdbilff^^ g^lBT fpurteeii^hiiilj^ «id sixt^r ^c»| WAS oomijiumdfid by Col. iN|i|»i,iiC t||^^ t^Ji^d wasmfide up o|^e 2|il»j i^: (^n^ianded l:^ Col. F«liO|pQB)(i!| jp^ftl^liir %Niiiand md tMi>i|i||| p^t^ :.r.' fl 1 -^^^ 0'* 1"^--" ->" ^: v. % ''k.^ ^teiii^iillMi ilBiaili' ■'ill •" i"hiiaiii'^ririiiiitif li -jyo*.. -»■> jl<.,.^>^ . » 4ii|ta^«»iii¥futed «t^^fe^ five h #Mto^I<^^army was posted upoif a heigjtl li|p|t f^ingfol^Wai^A chamofsentfa^ of Oie forest. The right d|^^ |4>^ils protected by a &rm-house urit^ itft" aiid oiit-btkildings, and the left of the hill^ or rafter mouad^ tfM^^Aupfdy ended. On the brow of ^ aikil«9*^#e^eentee of the liQe^ wfpe placiid^ '¥,,*«. •*^ ^ r.?'^ ■4^ : : ='* r-^ *» '^ ( •''•■•.I 4:3 ,^ y^ Pfe ^^ '^Itfi!|«i4||||^i9, upRi^: py 00196 downlo i^l^ s ^fc(T .V '9: 7* *<^> ' !*£'^M ' '■'^:^f '^v..^ i^iV ,» '**'*»*i^ ^?&- :*• **. ^AT ' r^^^ 1. not MxM»t^\ip»k \Miag m^ dun in fixNit, the ehiki ^ |>i(|dii #it '#Mi ^ ioiin|l,Mk flanki^Midte imttigeid,llMt qo ittiiip|ft « couIdlMknwdetoget b^vir^ > >t> > f^'Pl^lli^withcmtdutiy^^ # ^;?Iv^ lUidppevent i^. < jEvfiy thing, in, short, vi^'i«^o Iptnged Wiethe: u^tiQst skill, sn^cvo^vohainiisr^ %li|il|pQ8e,^jp^ but^lbi^ffjig[|lthg^ in quiet, hdr wss ah opportunity ;afibsde4 of <;ing,,^ very soldier-like diHpositionfcri bipen,inade. a .■*^. ' m ^. ■/■-^c rW'"^: ■r ^ * '%' ■# • vT* •I** •_. ■■■»'■■■,. . ■ ^^' ''tmf< ft. '^^te^j.*^. vv "■'4?'- #,^;, '•Wt^'jlf^*''*^-' ^,F .■*j[« ^ .■<*•„ ■■:<* ■L f i' '*' »."■ .#■ .m i". •tP* # 4 ^^ *f yw' '-^^ 4 :.^' k^ ,jf .^ #^, ££TTER'' Vnii ' '• ' ' ' ■" '•'' ''''^'- %mt^fiiMi% tfie trobpi, lb is d!(|^N^^ ifpl'itateljf *attiye irafikre; #tte un^ ^uM4 1^ llefbre'ddr^-light ; and rtiMidhed ih pttilibil the'sun had risen. It was theif donlSd^ that the column wdtild be put in mo*. lMM^^!hoti|h m what directim h'^i^ proceed, «r what i^fftheibjeet of tht^^i^, none bult AiiGtneiil himself appeafedlifl^ov^. A rumo^, ItHlii; prti^^, that a flotilla of gun-boats upbn AlWkll&emf commanded by the AmericaiiTcom^' iMp^ Bfiniey, was*the point of attack ; and thi^ iMt'^ land force advanced up the river 1||> ^eir retreat, armed boats from the fleet igetfaem in front. That i^h wis i^^i^likii^l^lmary object of tie ^ dl^'l iJNHBti II ji' ii|iiil'ir6l)elief e, though tilhcumst l^'bring about a ^W ^peratiohs.r|^Ne^theie, 4ia^%mm '^l^iim beetle they aie^. ii 4 4 ■ij ■he<^- ^ 'V ^ I, i SjTa^V'-rf ' w fc. f^^ * i,' > V i»iy t l |p|inii tiona» was vpiilin^ I dMfliknvii^ ;^.^ ^^l^'^Vilyr hid occupM dpiriog the iiigfat,^«Bd>il|||r ; '^ thiar«Mun|Bd it»inne face 11^^ •r .•^. :^ft' tf '^« ;. ■ IT* ' '.J ■■^ ,!>* ^'^ »' li^tUi at|t» affiOra nnntimirii till ftwif nf ijnyili th^altornooiiy whtD thegentiai bitiiljpearaaof Ji^'^lfae camp, tht biiglaa \m ''^'^ andtbe legiili^liJvmedm Q^dMrfbr ghieiH and %^l|^y.i|»|gBn t»4^^ direction of tlot^^^plM, a t^^^ fwrer, where it was understood thp ^,i»fi||| alaoffaor. The mardi waa JXtOaiM «ff>ii0l$ ^^ ^e^ctiuliQl^ and good oMliiliiafth^ > of ground for encamjiftig^ -i^ . - ^^ ^ '^^^^ ^.thiB troops in poaitiQii. 7h»t^ t |plifdQ«0sistiiig of three conipmiieft :>#;^: :^' ;ii *•' *x ■H ,% 1^ tm i»feiitf fiddi##l^^ Mtfly hiir aniillg^ Mir tht tdvatic^ g«iii>d, teiviiif m kl»^^ i^Ml dTltliii^^ an himditd tffd fil^ phbff ^MgiHie'UgllC ai^ { Whidi, «8 well ii iir^idlillce,'^Miit out (lttifc«iir»ld setijre ittii i|lili#tilibiiieiilln. Next 11 if; agfgiii, marched lilMlilliood brigade, moving attidU)riinpiiiil leavii% (i^». ilit^lilrmklfUii^' and reconnoitring tt» those in rtito^lBftme the^artillmy, cqnajsting, as I have itttidi k£ one^aix am^lwblbree-pounder by teamen | and^liii^tjf all came the ^ga detaehmint it the same ^jjHance fifom^dite tear of the cbliiiB^^ aa the ad- ii>cfe -> .1 -^i-ltf. t^i^a i ;«-^ **iS''*'' t m ,1 1 M ^ ^■i: '«<. .<•> •^ ' C% I :• * * .'.*• % '^ k> • f ll*' c . "^ lis, ought fl«Mu<»#ifiMi»l 16 iilp^ik^^^ III reached wiite^apiit at leasr moil l ei iitte- dii i tfiereat OOT iliifiii to-day wai» ufP^^Mt^lii ^l^e, etffjlli(j|Hd**l, the titx^lllLillfl^hinfMlf had aiTiVia^il'ft fMng poutid, diMM^«Mii^M# than six miles from the polBC wliaiMiiliie9%|^ 1, (X»t ; and hay l^l^ttioned die |||||et% sentinels^ Md^mi^Wih*cAim die oase refsil^i^ ' aufieredto^dfi^' '^ ^.^: ^'. :;■•# It may siift sMge, but it ia rtayci iaaeii ||||| dMit during diia sKort nlarGh of sAiMi^iti^0Mk n^nber of soldiers dropped outofthe4!l|#l|Mi f^^iehind, from fat%uclri|M I reco Hirt 'i tj fa|i| ( iMWi li any mai«ii in die Pettinsula of Mlpi^ diirad|K|i|^ The fact is, diat die men jr s w{| i »4ii| ^ l»6fii %|0lig coqxd up in ships, aad^ mfUM^ csti^^ir baggage andarms^ wembMO|A»«ia» 1, hl^a^eiipated, to a degM M^| ( lh s r mm^ ;';£;g|M|l^^^^ addled to iSt» €aimMif9,9(aill^mm Mi^-'^m^^Mck ' -eitceedcd- anything up Jiad load whj^ i^ canied, t&olrlNli ti^ipj|^^iii€e,1«depeiidc^ *W # •1 "^.-S . ■? .»? # ♦ .^ ^ , ti ». ' 7, I, h % * ' ?• 168 K'^?' !*t' > ifciiiiaiBiiiiMkdttniittinina'ihiftii iJMyrii ntnrHfinB jy| l |i»rliili mdaom»cnorwoodcn keg,PiBitAF gfouiid,!^ wJUiih we bivouacked, thougli ':piSlimti^i^^ i^ strength, wm precisely such .#MMJiht M^ a general, to halt, jfvhp found his :gpenweaiyi and in danger of b^ blighted. It %«gaili|e eminence, ;^ted by «n open and countiy, and crowned with two or three bams and walled gardens attached 9tKfh Qould be said to rest upfi|^ ^Im^fSillit peculiarly well defended, but they wip IPIIj (mp>wlj because, by extending or coodtnsin|; . -ii>lili|Si'"i>iiiiit any one of these housai Jnig^lie . ^ Kviif»fii^riBd^|g|M protecting redoubt Xh^ mH- ■ , W^^> WmlM^ ^^ arranged d^Per^y»||iift, J« <|il|pfpN|iJ^tlie.two,^t^ , *» **^. -.;*; ;t 1^1 .%.< > ^< •VI 1^. ipp^ity oC^ei^ia Mn||| jM*- ^i^|w#iin^the lines* ^^nfer- ►^*"j *#' "l^-^- fll>, •1' '. J» V". ■ M-. ,%."•*:■ u.. #• ^. ,jfcisffitiJ2i.ii '■w^J* ir:^*'' - 'M *^" 'r ■m- ^f ^% # -^^f. ;«^. 3- ,> It ~ * k his a|>pea|aQce, even to re9pioiti«^|j|||4^y«l H ^nnpt be s»id |h«it the iii|^t,was ptued||i|i.ii|#|p t^pted qul^ for the troops bail ^pureeljr^ 4jM^f w^^ ^cy ^^ disturbed hff^ teenteQiiJMip) ^Sm of thuQfler and lightning, accoci^Mm^edii^^ leavy faUol^iil^ The effect of the li§^tniiig^|il| glanced for a moment upon the bivoi;|p^«nd^i||tv ''f^ ^ P*^ * '^ ^ ^^>^®^ *® firelocks piled in xegiAir oe^er, i^HM^ ' J^'- .^cn stretched^ like so mn^ CQipi^ be^kb^llMMifc was extremely fine J the e|^iP||y|^failH' ^J^^ ever, was |i^ sp Jlgnp^blel for bi *» ^, destitute of |helter, we were. spee^lj^l^^t^^ skin ; and the remainii|r of our refl^lig^lime rendered thereby the reverse of4^mfortahb. the feeling of fretfulness natun4\§n s ..sion» issted no^ longer th^^^t91 the ^ * '^%p^.^t Jine of march was again formed; ,^eirfo)|i;n.er good humop returning, and iii some degree, by the fatigyes|sfiyei| troop inov^d on in exc^ent ^^]^ fuid^ m the l^j^St'Spil^^. • ?^,, . ^''' :#::.„.,;-. ■ ^^^>qutet^day was difibrent, iD^i^f^vesDeietiit it of^yeste^ay. In the first place,. jn^l^^ f^ i^t ll^on^ the stretch of cultivation, 4^ proce»ding1^ugh forest^of immeai^iiidske ^, gI itself, gaye a vmy t, because hitherto,iFe " 6« t '*^ < >^ ,-.-■# )r|' '»^ .' »• T S •dj^fe .-w slia^;:3i :|?^ ^.^......-.'jf., ^^^ % n^l ^, 'A '''.^f.. Y- K- • 'i* '■11 ^^ lliil!|^i^^iimt|l^tf^ In the 0m^lhbib^i0t leatifhriilcmi sonle of the countip |lll(^,^i^ hii9 been htipressed as'f^ides intONOtlr ^ ttletiitniierbusddachdl bodiesof rifle-ijidi pimiMi^ amid the thickletsiafid the very -n», » > i* -J % #••••■ f ?••« .*• •:■ *' 1/ '. .i ■■ of sdtoietfaing to do, tmm'^ t^egeH^ liNltsil^ipiBfit Which, till how, we^had^iiot'expe^ ^**% ' V .,_j; ^#>. ^'* s.^ ..^if^ '■' ^<<» :.%. 1,^ ,<■ > 'C^- 9tfl«ll9ll4|N ^ iHook with me a party ofWldim, and fnp^ v^^ diracli^i pointed .. P f- -►. .♦. ■V ■i^i'V £•> i t ,)*■' .f-" m v-;*a ^r ^ V « ,#■ *. #-,^'^' »■'■• ^ flMraniniBioQ vViBMiHii^)' wiwii mcyioiiiM flffPSS^'^PniRlclISi 9||lnSumIuCfra u rach ^lkil'#X«tiii4 to (he prihbjpl nlii^ti^ dKhy lihd iio^iiidVainced wH^^ft few ibfl 1^ and t!ie hien wi^bejgiifogj^ idih sbm6 Akty, to ft li^fl^ ai liilM% ilei^d the capture of a few i^yt^I^ di^U^.to confirm the nimou^ Which, Ih ^;1iia^dt^ the whole of the lh^Mi,1i^ l^lni^moi'e chrcumispection bifrequis^ The da)^ was likewisfe ifllft;ihd;%rwas tobe expect^/ the ranks ^jjliyhg t^' be less careft% j^sl^hred, Wl^eiil ring in IKe wood opon the ri|||iCi|Of # ^]|^lteiir^1^^ energy to the sbiaidr^. fi/ " f;t^i^^mtrf Expected, diat «fe «ie^ It^a^d: The cobntri cfiMtel ii$ fib Wheel irito^e iti i'tiidHyii^ aiif waft dtir the ^\/ft;e .• !mt it pfo^eA'^ % TS6 imt^mtf a yeryyhiler betW€^ i P^^ irifli^i^imd the flank patTdkf; W shi9Qi, ^die enenSKftve ^li'ay^ ,rir' wltK^ hadiecMtiniiid to moye 1 ^ftlM^, •i" ffi- -* NOT«TXireRA'M. '4f * *^.< an^ildiiridiial was to be mob in thefiMet^ firS miihedin the houses; wfaderillieapptiiMMe ofl^ v' 3f sji^lf^'* fHhiiturc, fee, in some places the veiy bread. left *^'' J^ i^^ "^^^ ^^^* ^wed that it had been evacMledin «> ^ '^■' ^lUf haste, and immediately befoie our.Jbnval h% '•S^X„ ^ «»• •!►"%' 'iA '^ ¥ , - .1 haste, and > immediately befoie our. Anva^ IIk town Useif stands upon the bank^ o|Jhei9li|; tuxent, aiid j^ii|lidii of a l^mrann w)io sees his hl^jttnds . ^ , ^ #* '^ ailli^^iiaft evi#f reason to apjifeliend that 4 ^Sr^* ^ *; ■^^%^'#itescd|*e/" ■::•,■ Il^>h ^;:",. ,., Illfe poitfire^ the army cdntinJfe during tj^e A* V* '*, T ^> i having its right defended bg^ the river, aifl^ i^illilN^bni^ng considerably^ ^yon^t^ town; v I,^ ^ ed,as tisuat by a conneciwflliain off a '^ ^ * »' • »'.■■.. .Ik ^^ ■^. .^1 ; nor was it put in motion, ^hadbeeli Ihl^ day before, as soon as there was sufficient ,. ^ ^ .. ^^^^' "hobiects. Th^ seemed indeed , ^"^ -^'O hesitation as to the course to §« ,,, <^ . i^wheth^to follow the gun-boats, or to lh(B shipping; but, ||||ast, the formefi ingwtt resolved upon, aad fhe coljomn set about^if|i^t o'clock, in ^e dfeifstion of bipbgh, apdther village, aboUf ten miles be- i^^ghi^. TPhe road l^which we1r%» ^as ^ll'MSay as during thelRrilfple^ of^ 1^ remarkably^ good ; ini^mepht^ , from^beingcut dirou^ a sandy sotil| hued, dusty, 1^, to use ft sound bottom. Riumltig, yfat the nidst part, tfarouj^ the he^^^^^^ ^toD w^ shekif^^fifo^ tiii^P^^ I tk^isln^iiniil^ #ii4^iffl din^ is of li^ a Miil iniirtM ice. llo-idbi^ elir whoi^ I •*f! * .-■« i , .h/; ..;'^ ^^•1. ^ ^\ Mahi ndr did ,^ reach W ^ ly WaS"^ "•qpa Mcsbi ^uuiif i«w *»»»» ,^»» »v»v»» • f », • '^^:' TO 4' *m v^ if f . . j'j, ■ >«V^- ■ " •-;^.^ >; i,vS# *.'. " • . '• * ||ofMiugibiicMigb; t^ £' -:j^ # gi^ndwllbh had been lttthMtop^%i4l^i|^ . fi^ i t] '^^ brdken into the m6st gracdUl l#flill|%dM '*•' '* ti£^ ^y clearedif wood to within a Mil ^ii3e js* v*^ %».•.; «,;' hh l*%- •■*. J :.♦■ ■-S i||b summits, and tAien crowned wiilliyir.iiidi«# n^ble fc|M. The village itself lli||iii] formed |i|pli««uch hills; Ihe distance biise of 6h in the afteniQc^f ta|Mng„ ^ I. I>uring thia^^y^ W^ t akirmis^lllg than had yel ocK0mif, got alx^e. three, ' ^^PKgey p^hen lite .ailyanced guard felj of riS!e»^|ieB, who maintained a sl^ur^ way. Tlie, cotpmn, >i '•■"*■ *W-i »l» o^..a^hfi TjiB c^^lui^ of Washingmi w»s pow^^t^ tvi o|l^Vt|^QMr Evasion, biit Ae G«i>eii||||» piBfe perieoced officer, was desirous of keepi^li^ iTv / *" my Mthe dark, af^t^^&jiIa^QCfpeial^^ ' • .Jie advanced guard, therefore»^iii&f«Kpd ^.t^ * the resflJfplrSrmy wh^led;i> the \^^ the road wnich leads, not to )y<\j>^yi?$lfwu Alexandria. Thescmoyements were not * tjie enepiy ; who, observing by the. dust ^rection the main body had filed of ij to retreaV^iithout waiting^|br.t|)e ||gp^ jQie detachment sent against them^^ A? |^" ^^. ^cended the hill, however, ihejf wa^r^,^^ ' II. 1 4 ^ *9V •*■■ 4,' l' r*»» ■ ♦^ •H H oC halting: andforming a line. Our npien, ^dily oi|, in cohimn, covered b]^ in e^tt^inded order along the firont, b jg' -J- ••■.■• -•« " oaving merely thrown a few round s |m^ion,fmongthe skirmishers, brqf ' "[o raaipl^nj; order, i^d were q^ucklj l^l^und. Ais sopnas.th^y hi^d «4vapc^ halted ; and having feii||^^ fyf ajl^ " on Jlittle bjJV^to jfat(^^J^ ^fi?ii.^^^ M'^ ^.followed *J?e,tJ»|f j^^|E4fe| they foi|n4,^^vai)ta| ^jtti ..'■♦^i # ■<«* M tj^;.;. (li|iiJ3f ^ fiSrrisions, was odw bivoiiackfel^i|S(^ \ as||pch (|Kaetscf8|& a» usuld^ ^i^$i9^g$.m *\ I #'tl ■ ■if-'^St k. „ *' . . ii*-: % ' 'i i%' ' :4 •» V m MA««||,t|>^4r^irGT0N. ^I^JSp^ff^ neWifT had tifep * (^fpif|^<^untry m the nwg^bo^ ^ pps^on.. The out-posts were, theippfl^ Vjj iit^ of constant anxiety by ^tl^^ir^|p|| Se t^mall parties of the ^iimy/v|||^^ ut^ f l^l^fc r with the d|^^ C9|i|(|, "vKU^'m the piquets^ Vft^tever uieir intensions might ll**^l^^ of the Gentries contrived to rendet; thei Qor didany thiQg occur, dviringthe|iii|;ht tii^Q of serious alarm ; and the fol)ofiring < j(un«d jby the coq^Qy which came up in sifpty^ column was again in motion, I|iastenuig ac| CKpitry into the high road, Mfh^^Ji |(|ii||;w^j||^ sorted for no other, purpose than.jto S. ■• . < ..,: Qayitig Started, on the 24th, at f^i ^ march was,, for aomc tim^ agreeable. The roafl, if coad it w^cl fpr the Jrst five mjilf^ ^t^:9^|j|, 0i^eimJl^s\, and belm^ ]|««|qr \ pj|lGting%ranchc8pfti^^,|Q.cr 4 .*. ^ '# '"V:* > {f' *t KAse^fb Vi^iKf^Tow ilfi ' ' , s ^ l4p#|^and'WMds oti botfi sittet |rlft, ^ AM^MiM^ which, had it been leu cOniMdy t^ii^ tu ^ nnkmi iittremely pleamit Sofar,thdl^ : ipy luflliWjj^ wifttut experienciii^any'Mh«r m- difeiiiiMiB was produc«it|b|^^e daiift> fttlipmOBpll#e which we areMw|l but no . IBT liid mi fiiigan to Werge from ^e woods, Mfm^tk thi( open country, than an oveTpoir* ge was perceived. Thd ^un, froih had been hidieito defended, now beat Iti ftlll Ibrce ; and4he dust rising in thick #Ml iinddr our feet, wililout a breath i)f (li^^tNKspcne it, ilew directly into our faces^ occtf- sfii^-lh#' greatest inconvenience bodi t6 dvr djfib iiid respiratidn. I have stated this to you, iit r#bgi|jr because 1 do not McoUMt a period;^ im$r ! im|ta^I suffisred ware severely froib hint ifid Itflii; journey of a f«w miles, "und^^' e^ tells tnbre than one of diri# iiii#yyefiairii<^ liiiih|li i itt» ^i^^ oTin^ biigan tb fidl ^ r 'vmri^ipiiiilM'ilid^^ '&:t.JUL i li «■ i '^•' "tl ^^\ ^' Ji • 4. 1*^ MAICH TO WA^SfllKCTON. ,t ♦t |.'\, ,U ti *f % t ai> mtt hfs forcei for «« jrap^ 44»^ in defence of Us ca^i ^ iruA'of^^iBae rumours we had no caoi^ii doulNI^' cdnfirmed M they were by what we fcadoiJratlvit' ilyhnessed only the evening b^ote, ■n#tiie aip^ of various fields on each siddof thl'hi|;h milL {which fmjpA now regained^ i4l|||^^a^^ ^adies, boljlk of straw,' and ieninm of broUli' victuals were scattered about,^imilsiied diat crni^ siderable bodies of troops had passed '1&«iiight,4ii' diis neighbouihood. The appearance ofl itself, likewise, imprinted as it was wil marks of many feet and hoofs, proved thit'lHiii tfbops could be no great way before us; whilst dir > very proximity to Washington, being;i|ow dislaiife from it not mole than ten or twelve miwi, ail tend- ed to Insure us, that we should at least American army before dark. :.ll was now diat we experienced the fulness of our ba#y mounted Dtiere called bf^the private soldier^^i T^ country, fiom being ext^emefydol^ '0A- open in every side Ipi considei^e i^kgroy^, upteadof hed|li|fttqu6rttif ielj^iNttnanptlier. This was exifetl|r which ot^iinBlpy .x^ £■■ r J' \^ ' ^^ m h e ^' ■ -y -i. »l^liira«gh wiii8ha«v«ril ggnMU l^^kip I and 1iivionM||iNM jfk^ :yiilutbm ih|lt^ i tlM ii , '• .^ kt the inouiitecMrt#)s» bft* "If mefiil. Thej wera divided inl» ■iv^ or eight, and lent mH in di& ^ to^ Mconnoitre, twa o# diem ge^ poet at every Miepieioiii eoiaMi- iiites^ fivetiotictf to dU^coluraiMwUk the motioiisof aa^eneaipw} « td thait these pracaudona wiAk or |k|r whatever might he die atMagdv «f in cavalry, dieir Geneialj^nifp it k'haras^ingour naidiit^ tlkit i^t every ^#ang«r was pi9*>^ ^^hat they ooold >«flbe atlackMl ^ 0mm^W %^fMiMmi. make-reid^j |«««'tE».l|» • -•' » 41 1" ^ ,,'V I W ^"1 ♦ ^1'^ * 1 '■*' ' % .St ;* » '•I'lfirliltrt-i ''i'--" ¥ ft m. "i * ♦ • * ^m., X ^ .^ 1 . ™ '# ■ .^ ^ikiiiKliiBl^ •i-^ .y* :«J- -JS**' ■* ,.,^' If' f • t I iliit a iqimm&f of durt as of ^ '^i fRenlj|iMfeady Men to th6 rear, j^ ^ii«K(^; ^uld \i!th diifictdty keep up; "C^oMl^^ ire pushed on much further viMioilf fi^^^^ lis Hm -Ji^; 6hanc«^ were that at least one wouM b^^ behind. To Tffev&i^Sllfk fixmM ,peffing,:liAdlogive time for ^ straggl^ (br^i t(ike theS cohimn, an halt wvl'daiii'n^i^^pi^ tod being led forward to a Spot t| woode|dl, and watered by a stream wJiR Hie roadi ;^e troops were ordered to selves. Perhaps no halt ever arrived t^Y than this, or bid fair to be productive Of beneBfiat effects ; and yet so opprafi^e was He heat, that w&^ad not resumed ourifl^^ itbtyvtan ltoui^;fi^en tiie banks by th(e way siile wdPt't^jbik (Qoyet^d witii stragglers; some of the fin^ ^ stouteat men in the army being Uteralfa^fedbiJ^^ go on. * The hodf bf noon was ajopKYNicmwiM^ t heavy dto^ of dust, appmitly not m }^ci:^y in gfies«i|i|, i^ fdad mBoay AiiiM^ MoK iuRiike was d^mged inlb efBmk^$0i on turning su|deft^ foitf mor|^, twoon each side of theri|iML| j^ardy in the same direction, and partly whole oir i^e slope into the^streets of Bl The rest were scattered, with no|;reat j| it^g me second line of mfantry, >fc^ > • ^ '"7*v*-^ ^.,,..-^. HP W di the stream, w^6reup6ii' It in ihoibn, and ihastiort t^ In^^Meets of Bladehsburg, and wiltiiii :^dr'the Atnerican artery. ImiAediatelj on ,^^ jfaphinglliis^utt, several or^ieir -fiMis opc^ lii^liHhis^and kept up a quick dnd wdll^irect^ idejIibAi which, as we were again coni- Id halt^ the then were directed to d^slHr Imuch &8 possible beJbbd the hcMlsieNi. bi£!l of tHi^ halt, it was conjectured^ ivas §> rW ^^ ittrniHk ^- « t # ■ik; .i f '^ i i mv!^-"y:'>- tf 4^ ./ to play. Then, indeed, it $d|p c^||^- ~ with tremendous effect: tor at the first; clifl^ ^^most an entire company \^as swc;pt dpira: whether it was that the guns had been laid with measured or f^nrves^ pf the gunners became afterwards unsi e succeeding discharges were much lesn fs he nflemen likewise now galled us finom^thie wooded bank, with a running fireof musk/Clry^ an * it was not wimout trampling upon um 'dead and dying coihrades, that the estaiii^ed itself on the opposite siideof Che stream. < When once there, however, eve^ thing 4(I$p appeared easy. Wheeling off to me right u» ^CKof the road, they da^ed into the thicket, jnd quickly cleared it of the American skHUdishei:^ : who fi^HjC^ ^t^ with precipitation upon ihe first f|lo disorder befbre it Ikd &;ec|^a Imc, *• ^g— .■;^ .aft*-f4V '^ ;-rt». '^5" »■-» *. . --iVsl" ■'^'ybf-'-*^- ^1j^- • fc'V 4m^m^MWtMl^ mk^^iimm;''-'' ■■-•, ^.-V'- itustlr the army cattie up, &i^ VffimM mmmM»'^ ^irowmg away their IctiapMiiil lllttMvel, ls,^at, with the exception of a party of sailors frdlff iie gbn boats, under the command of Commddclre Mt/mey^sio troops could behave worse - than ^ey'' dMi l^e skirmiihers were driven in as sbbn as^ aHacMr^ ft^t Une gave way without oflferingf^ the di^test resistance, and the left of the tstaai^' body was broken within half an hour after it ^tvivtf^^ seriously engaged. Of die saHors, however, ii^ would%e BijustiGe mH to speak in the terms whidl^ dieir eenduct menta, lliey were employed as gi|piR(, and not enfy did "^ey serve their guns wiAr a quickness and preokiioa ^^a^tfMsM V' "%■ -^ '•■*•■: 1^. 't- # %. f V* •I ■4; ii.^ t '^ V .i?.^'*- t # w sRies Dy me^i Wi^tespect to liMictiaiicni be Wn. AU did|||r do^, ita iiilemoril*g*UantIy than the rest; and ti(pi||ll#e iriiil^jiif the affiiir fell u|^ the light hrl^O^^Mi ^iia owing qhiefly to the circumstinoe of IMgl Jtfllii'heBdof the column, andpei^a|iS^Jl|(||% %)iiii» degree, to its own rash impetticil^^^^Wb ^ iirtiHei^, indeed, could do Uttk ; b<^g uraftjitio ahob ftsctf in presence of a force a^ aupefiaf | "" Ibotd^^-pounder waa iieiMelesa faroH^iliilD .^^tMoD^^ a corps of rot^tetfe ptov^d'of aliidlig "litfli^ ^ '- ,■ ■■^-:. Our troops bei^ worn iaHii fiont fti^P^ ^ %f oourae as ignorant of thelBountry, ti^ie 'Alii' iJcatis weifi^ the reverse, dte|i|iMilit^t«|^ noilie eontiniited to any distance. #eltlier ^^^^^ Undedwkhtnuchslaughlir. Dhring inlilth#re- cesses of die forests, imd covering diemselvea l^di .^Pemen, die enemy were qpiddjpbeyoid^ur %ach rand having no cavi^^ scour «liif die Wfj^ibiid, tenof Aei^htesf^ - ^ earned •*" >#<#>' -^il ^»siiiNi»^-'l^fl^iitvi!t^-»5i-'« '•^'-.t' %^m^ m»^lsf^ >- i? irt'^'*^*'' ^mi^li'^. W- ^iS'W'*!' *<-^- : ■■'^ % « " i'*^ 4% <' :*«-' >. *.-t , A v^ ■%?.?•■ ^..■ji^::^" „::> • » 4- # 'if. ^M 1: * ■^«W^t' V*' 'j^yv ■"JT" ,'*> r ^ *. *" -l^l^- /• ^».* 1^ ^ "^t # >•**' -v* A ■«^#^- '.j*m--^ •• -• ' '■^■--' %^fi^to,»CQver thdrord8r,4K Mfci i rii<|f ii ilv )|Ad%1ll)94lhe rfserve, an^ was congti| W i n| h m» l||C^,g|lll^,the kad, and pushed 4'iii') 11111111 w^^^l0til^m^^ Wftsjbingtoni. i mc; Mt« >l^ Rotthe.intentioifirf^tthgjIhi tw J Njg i ^i!Pim»vwdl apppB^^at, with a handM of men, he cqidd'^ppt pralgMlvito establish hiiiisnlf,^.for any Jl^gdNif ^|p%: 1^^ enemy's capital^ tie ^Mffrimt^tmAiif iUio44r contribution, and to reimm quiet|5rria te '^ s^^pjipg,. Nor was there any Aing qmMthp«f t^e character of a British officer, in thisdileflilMpt- tijgip. .By all Uie custpips of wait, whateveg^iMir M pcop^ty may chance to l^e in a captur^loi^ Jat- c^ntci, confessedly* ^e just spQ^ of 4)e coiMi»li^f and ip^tj^s proposing to,apc«^ a c wlmms^^ ' n^oney %u^u of , ik$i^^ss;ssmy^ ^m^mi^filimm is true, that if tj^y chose tp reject his tsfiiii^,)|ie M 4 1 W*^- •-9 . . ^*' Mi i* ^%" • w ' r^" ^''•- ft m ,,M . IV^ «i^ ^- 'djMiiev -fi^iitiiit' ' am^iB^.-p, ii^firoyhig it ; and thi]%||0ugh we slioid^ipb ^ 'UNM i i g, the American govemmei^ w6idA> loie ^fiobtbly to a much greater amount than W^limf HiA^ ogfeed to purchase its preservatioif»|)g^^li|ft ^iMmey demanded.' ^^ '>'^'^^|||# - "^'^Ml^bemg die intention of Genend ^ildi#'^ "€11^ inarch ihe troops immediatel3riiiiaidiiviilf , ^.Imt halted diem upcm a plain in its imfliidiHte vi- ^iNi)^^ayiit a flag of truce was s di- iHWHi^mach «r die iaw of nations, roused die iliitgrtitidivofeveiy individuaK fitim die General hliiil#dib«Fn to^^the private soldiar. All theugHts - «* *-/^\ ♦Vi' ¥ ■s "i i ■ :l 1-^ -f^*. .»^ 4: i ''\ «i ^. •V 41 ilJ i f:5 • i : j > p 'Ml *> r*f fi. li. r .5! mliodpiUluyiiorai.toBieliiiiidMp' A ihMHMfiilfti a fine firiga^ piirc^/|iir iiil!)r:§|M| :>' / "Hi' '^ 4%i/t«iaor«thii9« publiDfope- ihMHMfiilftiafi uM^VitaNMMi]^ to be laundied^ Mveial^guig^iip. aiid4Kqnid^ecliogiMBi| witb anaiio^ «(^|i|Pf;Mil mAaiMiUflraft The powder auigasdn^lMPCiitfii ■mrw aftoniife, and ezplodad wilb a tfpini|i|in. emMlmwriiig down many l^uaea in tMi,#iMi w|§i|wrtiy by pieces of dw walla stitfMwgiilieq^ '*' ^' • va^'t^ "^ fP% *>y tharcoBcmaioii #4 die ai t»< |t il i m ^ ^^ ^ ^iwititlQaef shot, 8heU«.aiid)iandi9Re|ia4«a, wlli* o«idd n0t otherwise be reBdemA < Mli i li i t% jm# thrown^Mo the river. . ln,de8 iOm0Hkdi %f^ \- ,* • V radier a sniaU«oiaibffe, : ,was vfMtehed upof execQtioiisr^ the rest r and bifeni !i,igi!|||iwidi ball* was fired,^^aiid^lhii8 hint «ut Chilli Many| howdvyr^^tiotilwin yinn «i t < id ^icqi^i l ! «tj^ '«■• and-^ tniMd^ to - ikmmtlftik^i^dkihp, fiJifii ># "'^ 'yf' V ..• ■-i K »f-#- "i; J ■x * «' ♦ * '■v-^-; ■*« ■^«' * % c^^ ^•fh 'It fiiMiMttHtfiMiiiiiiBdiid^liMlMM[iL«4i^^ jMlitli^iliitiiiiuOiii fl^voii lar Ao muili it * ^IfilMiir # dh ippwb>tion« Bill wiiltiiMt^^ il^^^Mt tiip hcpt$ a noble libnry, levtnl pfttiig rftett) iwMI the nalioiiid iiehhres were lft«ii^0aB»> iaitttd to tfie ftmiei, which, though uoMeiibMlli I^RfsrCf ofgovemmeist^ might better htf^^heen IglMed It*l»i|»t, however, my intention to joiR t|«0iitci3r» which will probably b^nkaii^^/ikm if^'lhi^^a^enn a line of conduct at tmm^im^ Wmvu ^» -*^N 4? 1!^ 4. ■^■^ ' '•^■' i:- ■j^ * "^^r '^C '5r >1t ./ /. !^ *■ <• p. . f I'- •A m 1 1 .' ?' f^.. t> f iiii .«•'■ ^. '•■^fi « 4«% •T* '9 ,4t ' tiiiNBl%|^%tifiQli'6 Hifey quitted th^ sfdfOBi tiie fepdtt «fi^h#faUing roofe, idform^dlheni, ais t^^pri^' iotti^, ^ ysb*^^ ^"^^ goingforward. You cancdft* >iei^>iiotNi^ finer than the sight which met theili^ , a»lli«]r*drew near to the town. The sky was bril- ' liantly iHumine#by the different conflagratiiH^; and^ dark red light was thrown ufmn the> UNt^ .«y||carat to permit each man to. vfew distirtdi^ l^etmtf»de^8 face. Except the burning^ Bt Sm^ 49iistiaR's,I do not recollect to lfiv# wltiiiiBes^ Hk af^ period of my life, a scene xs^lHtf strikiiifW nlPl^ssoblime. -:,■ %..)^?,- :*v|feving advanced as far as theplain> '#etierv]p had previously paused, the first i brigades halted ; and, forming into cldse oobimn, passed the night in bivouack. At fii^ Iliis'^Sl ^ agreeable enough, because die air ifneiiSU^taM weariness made up for what was wanting in twiliiS^ foiid., Buttowwds morning, a violet stoiMi^^ rain, accompanied widi^ thunder and n^^ti^ng, came on^ which disturbed the^rpst of att^ioee wild ,. wereexposed toit Yd^%8piteofliii^^ ^' '-"ablenesB oC/«e«tmg^Jl|^^ a|inot''t«i9^M^iiM disposed ili^^iimblt'^p^ Iniefrtt^^ peai|gvdiaty^atih«(i^ftiiiiyi|ildiiii'l^^ '•f". •'"V *|.»? / 1 r ^r^s-'. i5-)w-«; %'t m ■^^ Sf r ^. # -^1, i V I briHiiiM^, 'With die ^INl«ii» wlriob buiic f^ raifir ^ bufsifi|f^lvtas«il^ ii^UewM^ i3 i K i iM lrt r^ #iftiiei8^t^itfii»yi^ wftMsi aUd wa#' onlpi m Bf tiipUil l % iho^ occssHNisa rovr i^ommmiii sad ^)me»4epi3m ^gmnpow^i "^^^ ciRiil^ Is ^iW t d 'flgatcdyobsBnre, ^t the cORStema1iap|^:i^ (^HtmmlMiitaxts was con^)lete^ ||Mliln(4o thc#f^^ ddiii«B»« 01^ ^terror. SoconiklenllMdlti^ btflRof tbe nioceaB^of their tCfX)ps,thiitfiMKr of IttS^ liBi^dMtwiftf qnilthig ^eir hotises, m%bsn^^s0^ B%1l|r)#i^>l nor #as it tUtthe fugitives fvoMt^M^ biittBileglli tofilBh in, filling every jtoe as 4h^; cttne vHii dkmay, that fte President himsidft th< M |^#l p ro vidii^ for his safety. Thatge«[dt' niM^iii^|hras^*ei^blylBs1itt&^tai the British forces began to ntfft» lliei«i«pi|iearanoe. Whether the sight of .fciliNiiBiiiiJii^ceoied Mft counge or not^ I cannot sagi|NI)iM^$aMQri&% to n^Mormir, no. sooner^ ivsnilieg^^ing of oitf arats discer(libl6, tlwh hi^ bepiiKtBf;^iieovcr ihat>Hiv^f^ more m tn llnii mi^m^ vmt^ Hm^^ #i& ^e iUrn^ ; and hdmi^Milkm «ima|b' |^lll»^ '^fltni' -i^orted " «l^%l«B^I&do hia^it^P^ to his n i i i fc l Miii pihi^hi^HMght fra^ feast fc^^hm^ entertainment of his offiogrs^ when they s)^ t \ \ 4 ;r ^/ V**" ./c^: 4fV ■# * ^3^ ■•*., '1^ -^ •IP «!^. #• ■4' 4W *y ' i^** '*^# ill ?!t5v ■n." ■«. '!.■ **> fm. H(*«p 4 . .•k' * retunfTnniQfiDQs. ywix^xK ^ruin ot f^lNll^^iraiy^^ much I iib< t!it Mf^ ili^ lAtsttiaHy^IJIredy though, in* it^ftcfdf b^ihg devbU««a by ^InMcaii of&ceiti; it %i6fit«b satisfy th^ lesd deKi[^Mi^^{ipetiiiB^%f%^ "^jHr ilhglish soldiera. I'V^iih' the data«ihn«ii^ , l^tbitt to^es^y Mr;^Madi^'^%ouM, ent^- '^ ^liis dini»l| pailour, llky fotihd a ditvnetmiiAs ^Mpetidj and 66vei^ laid for forty g^«sii^ SevM '^' kinds dF'virinelin handsome cut^gl»to4Silea&l«M» Weft (^ling on the side-board ; (dii|tMiolder9itiM)fl t^^e'fitv-place, filled with iliittilt and pkillfiaf ^ iLiyves, Ibits and spcions, wele ln|^ttd for liii* ^ liySfete use ; in short, ^ery^Si^^mtlMtify^ f 0^entertAinment of a ceremoiiibas pi^^^Sich &el arrangements in the dining-rooav, \l!^t tiie kitchen were others answerabh iipXtit Mi in . ■#« •4> every respect. S^, loaded with yiklli^inlA' mi itxtts, turhed belbittr the fire) plils^ aMlie^ilii^ afid other culinary utensils, stdo^i^plfei \tKe j^iitb $ ^d lUr the other requisites for an Elegant iMl^ii>- 6tantial repast, were exacfly in a stttr 1*1110114(1^. dicated^atlSiiiy h&d been h^fefy and t|Mglip». IJ^'abanddiid. ' * ^^ You win reac^ imagine, that these pi tf^ tl l te were l^held, by a party of hangrfi dd ll itf# l fli no indifferent eyei^^k#eg«itttd^ considerabtf tyver-JNilld, was a li ,0C them, ^vXmx for sOMttt iHh^l ' •• ^,^ ^1 r ^ ^» 1 ^:*| .:^- ^.:r^ 7r^' » f •if' '/^/ *' :■.:>£ «7^y 41 t%£»e8 of the day, $|)pcia«il |ifi^|iiiy^i|yj^^ niiMt Qiader^ iMi|p(V«; Ml^ &^[|)^ixf thie ]iViVies» they fiiiisli^ by setting fire tt^yhflpfie which had s^,^^|m||^ ^^rt^^^^ }■; I* i >^Piit, 99 1 l||sK;^^|ust observed, this was a |ug|||v, Oli^wnuyitci^iahfibitantsof Was Theft Mfi^gft t» lw %< ?« ^ by surprise 5 nor Qould 11^**^^ aj^^ya} of j^e fljQiod be more, unexpected to the na^ Ijips Q|,jd^e antediluvian world, than the arr^y;^; vji^flf^^ army to them. The first impulse 04oQi|P)^t9m])ted them to fly, and the str^^i^:' ]p|p^. j^ ooi^iM]ilence crowded with soldiers an^ s^pi^lm iiail^womra^^^ horsies, c^r- « - ^j|9iH)n^aid0if^ loaded with household furniture, 1^ ,|t^taip?g towards a wooden bridge wMph ClUftf iitJtfaft Fotomac The confiifiian thus ^ccar «Mgiad was terrible^ an^ th« crowd' i^oathe hfidgp iHII^SHGh ^ to ^mdaoger its gl^ipg Way. But Mn Ajidiiproi lpyio§^ leaped amovg the.firsjt, was no .^' Mii%<|der| that 4i«,i|P ^uj4 1^ broken »■ f ' % LV^jW^**- * "'-4:^3^ '■'i •» iif> '-? *i.'* v^%^ ..i^ Til' ' 4^ .?; ^:: .#** .4 t J Y .si 3 "S- '/ J^'i^Wf-XiL , k' n« ■m. •¥ m wManm^^i^ ^ Mi^m *•* '•4 ' V ■ iHga^iniovcd into the citjr^ ilftib ^wiveMtVe^AI >iile^ %« faeigiit, about fafttf 'i niile Mk»^mm' Wawtiyer, nowremiiliied toflse domr^beesiiilfc ^tftiriglfiafked out {brdtfstnietioft, w«ftrtMii#|r ^ofittfiied. Qf the senat^-liouse; KkK:e, Ihik baigiek^, the dock-yard, &a^iio^fif% ^iould'be seen, except heaps of smoking rfiiilil% ind liven the bridge,' a noUe atruetme upwarda «f $itiile in length, was almost whoBji^denMlliML' «3^a«'was, therefore, no farttier i^iaea^ii 4& deit- .K0rthe troops, and they were abcordkgfy kaptio- ^ <¥J 'v:'-^^t^^*^ as much as possiUe on th6 Ca^piwNiiHp%. r i ^«^jN)r the city of Washington, I haif^^piaipdlt^ flIxJjped attemptiiy any minute dc8 iJi| >i toi!i r%M>> B&dse it posa^es no leading feailliii^aMtclllHg which otte nMght conv^ to a pe feitel i ii^ li|iM^ sbferi it, something like an ae^ufste Holloii^ >||ie X^ iilote. ^ft is, as you are wcii;ware, 0inii^iallly4fi ;t it^ Maitcyy feii^4)f ^ street8^%feiilg IbsifMkf-'^ %ukij^:6e»nt8itiing kiot moit than llnreevolti «lilir houses at wid6>ittM««ttl6 ^nmi^mi^ edUfi^ Mt y ^ fifom itt^^llidalion, k derives «v«7^ 'I ^^:^-'^ Unhed Stallftlbr caliaiy^ ft It 'S ■.i^l^'' ...'^. f >% 7 .. f •■ ^■i' .1* % s^ ^ i** ^% 4k' ■^^'' ^^•■^^■•W^^W^IW* 'W0 belter IMfboitf^lKnt Wttdiiaift(m» h^eindii^iiMir llie^foiomAq dm of tlM most navigsbleiof adl tte itvtfi Afttemirty dieiinehwdliitatlKtChtH^Mldui Jitm^it^^.^dt^ nrhicli b twfficient to float* irlg«i» HirB^qni wi^ abdve the town $ it iherefoii» f^ 4 eiliHe iBiiiiy &cmtk«&rthcc«iTyingaar^«Mie of its advantages, may appcif ifsitt^^ dkmieid i^one^^ho has just related die parti ^ Ivt llM^^imRrioaii 'government, and their tibsurd csjOiit 'Hi^i idffm<<|iit kiyoold never be attempted, th^n ll^* ^° < ' fip jg^errqiii#. Had the emergeiiey been con- ^ ^itete4i!il*< IP a proper manner provided agarost, ^' lll^ W^^^iiull and coumge been dUf^ayed mmm^^a^^JSi^o^^^ of our troops, the de^ Wij^ii §sgl^^ «t all» WKfM hm^ been either abaminHid iftiRMdisiielyi or amst have e^^ded.. |i .l|ie.talal^^#ealmptioAi3f.thft'iii|r«dera. . '^^^ .'-.:..t^ :m«;. ^ &«jN»ii^ia8nt I9«rna^ il ia btHMeonift^ 4iMMM«#buiM^ ^ S«nate t?- I- j?«' ■■4 X; ■tl^,^" M' > #' M>- "f ■•/< 'i^ .»:i^l ^m f \, ti s^ ■S' f im ■^ "1; "* •♦^ thfti^plik hiU, and new a s^-QionniBiailiieTiteisfinomwli^ thntft. modem fefxiblieaiis am led to flancp ihem- ariKreSi that the dajrs ai^ ^QOiii^ ijQi^^oWeri»dgBindevir th^ aenattt-hoase of Mi^ i^M^imaelf. It waalHiUt entirely gf (r j ^lMi i ^ , ! ^^pilitty^woEked and Jiif^y ^poUahed s m^ bim •jsHifiM, ks nntnerous windows^ waa Ugbted §Kmp a Plop% a lar^ ai^ handaomeipupola. Fmli^it .co|ild:notbeaaid,to belong, lo any decidad a^le: oCvlBcbiteclure ; b^ its tout-ensembk'ww lit^: a^n^w Elegant. After traversing a wide and^ 'f %pBioiis entrance-haU» you anrived at-i^ foot of a iinidsonie spiral hangmg staircase ; oq die rigbi of infllich were two magnificent apartn|eQi4 umi flf the other, which were oconpied fi»;^|tiBg bers, by the two houses of From thesevlianched off several fitted up as offices, and ^e various officers of the stata On^^' thestkircase, again, w^e twootiia^apartiiienfiCMpal ''■ in BKEe to those on the left, willk a like nttmbitP ^ smallaF rdcMAS) braiclyng off fitnn liteiik ^^[lieai^ were furnished aa« public libiMTv tlt^'^i^ l*rgif / beingn»«tt stocked widi val««tdebook«||iiDeipiBy m modern langtMiJIpfea^MddM^O^^ ai«hiv«s^ natioiiii alaipp, aoli # md naad ai Unfnmn^ m^tm '«-. ^% •Jfe": *«• # ■fe ^ ■#•: -v.-.. if"*^^,^^',^„^^ 1 .. Fft 't 1 f-l ?*;' ■ > (!« *■ iS «■• ■ • '% ML. \>^ 1 >:-■ MMk' '^ *l 'jm. ^' 1%' for Mai%, exc^jt th^ mto-^ tM6i»'iMAtaitkk Hn tftruet^fo. Irwai smiitt^ faic oi ii iiiodbosi aid |li4|; in no iy»p^bt likdy toexeito, ilie jwldoif «f a people" piedaKartjr ayene to all patnp ^pnd&j even;, M ti sdhool or college, all claiming to tfieAudiris the' distinction of public worths; but in them^iei« * in^'a |ilakness amounting almost to cdaraeness; aiid a genieral air of repuldicanism, by n^;fnef|iiA ifHipo^ng. '*'• If you ask nte respecting iheitaaij^ flf Inbabl^Mila ^ich Washington contains^il cq# v- fesi thM 'i^amKyt pretend to answer the questbn ' \^^ ^NMriiij^iexactness, but from the extent of ground l iwr^d j^what is considered as the town, IshcMlld vV^-^ 1^rill|il^wfaere about sixty thousand. Geot^'' t^ ' t#|i% the iquilher where the Prijfliident's bouse lii^^jatil^llpact and regular, containing, I should «ttiig|t>i«^ it leu twenty thousand souls within i^ iillfnoi^din the. population of the other quaiiterft Ijrcilt m ttea at lesff than double that niunber. ^^Siieh Is lUe ciQr ^ Washing^, 'bf wfaieh octt ^ . tki r and :pifri(Bndly visit did not allow us to lid» . 'i'ye^Diillfte ^ae¥. Ml sheets of paper; while the rain which accompanied it, resembled the rushing of a mighty cataract, rather than the ''-opping of a shower. The dark- ness was as great as if the sun had long set, and the k^t remains of tvifilight had come (»i, ocda- siotially relieved by flashes of vivid lightning streaihing through it, which, together with the noise of the wind and the thunder, the craslv of fallbig buildings, and the tearing of roofs as they were stript from the walls, jn'oduced the most ap» palling effect I ever have, and probably ever shaO, witness. This lasted for nearly two hours without intermission ; during which time, many oi th« houses spared by us, were blown down; and thirty of our men, besides several of the inhabitants, buried beneath tjiieir ruins. Our column was as completely dispersed, as if it had received a total defeat ; somf of the m^n flying for shelter behind walls and biilNtings, and others falling flat upon the ground. to^|irev«nt themselves from being carried away by the tempest ;jiay, such was the violence of the wild, that two pieces of cannon which stood upon the eminence, were fairly lifted from the ground, and borne several yards to the rear. ^;- Hif ^ *\ t s&- «*?"' ■.(^ j ' ** %^ ^4, 'HSf-f 'p' * » X'^ ..«r^v # ■.' t: m "•^imU '•w^ *•» f '■; t" WASHINGTON. LETTER XL . Wh e n the hurricane had blovm over, the cffllip of the Americans appeared to be in as great a state of confusion as our own ; nor couk) either party recover themselves sufficiently during the rest of th6 day, to try the fortune of a battle. Of this, General Ross did not fail to take advantage. He had already attained all that he could hope, and perhaps more than he originally expected to attain ; consequently, to risk another action, would only be to spill blood for no purpose. Whatever might be the issue of the contest, he could deirive from* it no advantage. If he were victorious, it Wbiild not destroy the necessity which exi|i^ of evacuHtftig Washington; if defeated, his ruin was certBiri. To avoid fighting was, therefcMre, his ol^j^ct, and per- haps he owed its accomplishment to the fortibate occurrence c "^ the storm. Be that, however, as it may, a retrea was resolved upon ; and we now only waited for night, to pijft the resolution into practice. There was, however, one difficulty to be sur- mounted in this proceeding. Of the wounded, many were so HV^ as to preclude all pbsslbility of jp^ 'sir' .^'. '..#; M t.*^ ■i»*-V ^% iS^-. .. "fe*! <'■/' WAtHJirGTON. 143 f ,p^' their removal, and to leave them in the hands of an enemy whom we had benten, was rather a mor- tifying anticipation. But for this there was no help ; and it now only remained to make the best arrangements for their comfort,ffand to secure for them, as far as could be done, civil treatment from the Americans. It chanced, that among other prisoners taken at Bladensburg, was Commodore Barney, an Ameri- can officer of much gallantry and high sense of ho- nour. Being himself wounded, he was the more likely to feel for those who were in a similar con- dition, and having received the kindest treatment from our medical attendants, as long as he continued under their hands, he became, without solicitation, the friend of his fellow-suff«:ers. To him, as well as to th^vOther prisoners, was given his parole, and ^ h|9^e were our wounded, in a peculiar man- l^t, intri^edit a trust which he received with the ikn^t willingness, and discharged with the most praiaeworthy exactaess. Among other terms, it waJ agreed between him and General Ross, that such ol^ our peofde as were left behind, should be considered as prisoners of war, and should be re- stored to tis, as soon as they were able to travel ; when he and his countryman would, in exchange, be released from their engagements. A3 soon as diese arrangements were completed, and darkness had come on, the third brigade, # ■^-L is*»j 'j^-K-'Mv-sjiiii'-' -i T' "#**». t -i ^■*f .^ % '4 S . .■*" "liifoiea 144 WASHINOtON. '.■I which was poMed ki the rear of our anny, b^gui its retreat. Then foOowed the guns, afterwards the second, and last of all the light brigade, exactly reversing the order which had been main- tained during the advance. Instead of an advanced guard, this last now furnished a party to cover the retreat, and the whole procession was closed by the mounted drivers. It being matter of great importance to deceive the enemy, ai\d to prevent pursuit, the rear oi the column d.d not quit its ground upon the Capitol till a late hour. During the day, an order had been issued that none of the inhabitants should be seen in the streets after eight o'clock ; and as fear renders most men obedient, this order was punctually attended to. All the horses belonging to different officers, had likewise been removed to drag the guns, nor was any one allowed to ridt^ lest a neigh, or even the trampling of hoofs, should excite suspicion. The fires were trimmed, and made to blaze bright ; and fuel enough left to keep diem ao for some hours ; and finally, about half past nine o'clock, the troops formed in march^ ing order, and moved ^qS[ in the most profound silence. Not a word was spoken, nor a single in* dividual permitted to step«i|e inch out of his place, and thus they passed along the streets peilbcdy unnoticed, and cjeared the town without any alarm being given. Yoit will imagine that our pac» was * % S. # i.:.-H. -=*wtl m -.iV... y i ^W '^ tf-'^^'^l, M- fe ■^^ k %■ I % '" wA^iHiireToii. 145 none of "^ viMt tvdjt coii8e(|u«itly h was not long btfore we roM^ed thf, ground which had been cccupied by the ofhcr brigades. Here we iMMid a second line of fires blazirig in the same ■MBiner l» th()se deserted by ourselves ; and the same precautions, in every respect, adopted to in- duce a belief that our army was still quiet Be- yond these, agaii:, we found two or diree sditary fires, placed in such order as to resemble those «f a chain of piquets. In short, the deception was so well managed, that even we ourselves were at first doubtful whether the rest of the troops had withdrawn. By the time we reached the ground where yes- terday's battle had been fought, the moon rose, and exhibited a spectacle by no means enlivening. The dead were still unburied, and lay about in every direction, completely naked. They had been stripped even of their shirts, and having been ex- fOied in ibis state to die violent rain in the morn- ings they appeared to be bleached to a most unna* tuial deglet of whiteness. The heat and rain tagcthftPy had likewise aifected them in A different ilDBdiMgri and die smell which arose upon the night ai^ waahorrible. ^ ^ Theie b som«diin|^i|i such a scene as this, ex- tremely humblbg, and repugnant to the feelings ti* human nature. During the agitadbii of a battle, itit ttoiliing to see men fall in himdreds by y6ar i-i. ■'«*/■ ■i4 h? •te' .^ft. ^^■v i. du»- .Hk ^.i»iR *!» ¥ ^■ST , ■■■> 4 *~t .-•% 1 •■-^ -^•^s 'li; ''■^"\-^- H. ^ ^l •St 146 mi.ASENSBU&G. side. ' Tou tn&f look at them, perhaps, for an in- stant, but you.do so flmost without being yourself aware of it, so completely are your thoughts car- ried away by the excitaticm of tfie moment, and the shouts of your companions. But when you come to view the dead in an hour of calmness, stripped as they generally are, you cannot help re- membering how frail may have been the coverii^ which saved yourself from being the loathsome thing on which you are now gazing. For myself, I confess that these reflections rose within my mind on the present occasion; and if any (»ie should say, that, similarly situated, they would not rise in his, I should give him no credit toe a superior degree of courage, but might perhaps be inclined to despise him for his want of the com- mon feelings of a reasonable being. %r In Bladensburg, the brigade halted {(x an hour, while those men who had thrown away their knap- sacks endeavoured to recover them. During this interval, I strolled up to a house which had beefn converted into an hospital, and paid a hasty visit to the wounded. I found them in great pain, and some of them deeply aflfectedat the thought of being abcmdoned by their comrades, and left to the mercy of their enemies. Yet, in their apprehen- sion of evil treatment from die Americans, the event proved that tbey had done injustice to that people ; who were found to possess at least one # •9^ <^ k ^W - *!.',. »** ■«»■■ •i-v 'A m ■ :- t)^^ % *^ ft 4 J XLADEI^SB 147 generous trait in their character, namely, ^at of behaving kindly and attentively to their prisoners. ' As soon as die stragglers had returned to Aeir ranks, we again moved on, continuing to mardi without once stopping to rest, during the whole of the night. Of the fatigue of a night march, none but those who have experienced it, can form the smallest conception. Oppressed with the most intolerable' drowsiness, we were absolutely dozing upon our legs ; and if any check at the head of the column caused a momentary delay, the road was instantly covered with men fast asleep. It is ge- nerally acknowledged, that no inclination is so dif- ficult to resist, as the inclination to sleep; but when you are compelled not only to bear up against this, but to struggle also with weariness, and to walk at the same time, it is scarcely possi- ble to hold out long. By seven o'clock in the morning, it was therefore absolutely necessary to pause, because numbers had already fallen behind, and numbers more were ready to follow their ex- ample; when throwing ourselves upon the ground, almost in the same order in which we had march- ed, in less than five minutes there was not a sin- gle unclosed iye throughout the whole brigade. Piquets were of course stationed, and sentinels placed, to whom no rest was granted, but exce^ tfiese, the entire army resemblibd a heap of dead bbdies on a field of battle, rather than living ineri. ■^ ¥^: ■HI .^ fi^u^ %^, -*#: **- .Ht * i«»' 1 m '■'mm-r^ 4 w*-^ # l r s ^ ■■*. i*'' # 0^ .ff. 148 NOTTINGHAM. "" In this situation we remained till noon, when we were again routed to continue the retreat. Though the sun was oppressively powerful, we moved on without resting till ciatk, when having arrived at our old position near Marlborough, we halted for the night. During this day's march, we were joined by numbers of negro slaves, who implored us to take them along with us, offering to serve either as soldiers or sailors, if* we would but give them their liber^ ; but as General Ross persisted in protecting private property of every description, few of them were fortunate enough to obtain their wishes. * We had now proceeded a distance of thirty- live miles, and began to consider ourselves beyond the danger of pursuit. The remainder of the re- treat was therefore conducted with more leisure ; our next march carr}'ing us no farther than Not- tingham, where we remained during an entire day, for the purpose of resting the troops. It cannot, however, be said, that this resting time was spent in idleness. A gun-brig, with a number of ships, launches, and long boats, had made xheir way up the stream, and were at anchor opposite to the town dn board the former were carried such of the wounded as had been able to travel, while the latter were loaded with flour and tobacco, the only spoil which we found it possible to bring off. While the infantry were thus employed, the §' V- i y ■'S f^■'. ■ -1.'" v»| « I*: P' 9 f#, ^-fr,*- m "»n-» IWV-TT 'rf # I' ,*. '^^*% ►>.-^.^-^ ; ^ it||?8yck«^i %^B|^ to il^lpipit^^t^ w«ll lor Uie few aficagglers i^i^ mj^ i X^iaugU th«rc sip^ear^ tp b^j^oji^ j||p||gQ,^the pait of the America^ general p PUT sliBps, and jto harass the jretrisut, t)|ie;ip- itS: of, tl^it village, at the instigation^ ,4|f^ ii|l$4ical.praptitiQner called 3ean, had riseii i^^np|s 9^ 8QQD as.we^ were departed ; and ialliii^g .t]|^ |Ddi individuaU as str^ed from ^e pohisftQ, ^t Ipn^ of Uieip |o death, and made others pfisoneri^. 4- sK>ldier whom they had taken, and j^hoJif^d ppjlljtt^* gs^y« this inforniation to the trooj^Der^just IU|;,they weriB About to return to head qw^grtj^r^j; * ||i^4iiq^Ci %ey immediately wheeled fi^t, ||d pillqtpilig into the village, pulled the dp(?|(f 9p^^ |^/be^,(far it was early in the morning^) an^P!^- ^Il^ejljbiin, by a threat of instant death,^ tp Ul^|p|e ||t^^ii$qi^ers; and mqunting him befori?, pnf ^,^ Hf^rty;. brought him in triumph to the caipp, ^-p ^.IPiev^Quiid^d, the artillery,, and plunder, beipg iHp^^^j^i^i^^dpp the 28th, at day-bi'eak on J^ l^t^^^e tpQk«|^, direction of St. il^ni&dict'^, wh^ > . t* |Ki4j||i«ed,x^i^out,j^i;^y s^dventure, at ^te hoHr ^ iij^«vew»g. I^^^^ai^ pccupied j|^ \^ of i|f|iiqh >% ^ d$9|^ t%R iiad been employed in the djjsemburltatioii, ^tfajey Bomoved us Avithin a few hours^ ahd wi^outHm occuirenceofany accident,to our respective vqn|^- ^ lining now detailed die psu-ticulars o£ 4^ blpliant. expedition, I may periu^s be, pardofie^, $Ji. finish the present letter with a- military revii^ qC the conduct of both armies 4urii|g^ its.C(% tinu^ce. In doing so, however, I am far fhxn wishing; to assume to myself any peculiar loiow:' ledge in these matters. The remarks which | shall make, are exaedy such as vifpdd be ws^ fa^ any man, whether s soldier or not, possessed of the slightest degree of penetration^; b^ause th^ errors committed, as well as tlie skill di^ayedi even by the British general, were too apparent^ ^cape notice. ^.^ 4tTo begin, then^ ^with the conquerors. - Tlj^ gFeat error of GeneriU Ross appears tohavebee»# want of sufficient confidence in himself* > ^lorlis St^surpri^g that he was^llivf difl|dent>$ b^t^ ^ugh an officer of gi?at couiiige and«oitsidef»hif experience, his service Kacytlen hitherto ,peffQCilt^ ed in^i subordintHfrsituation. AsgememlomRgiide undftTvliord Wellington, he M nosdoublllepiit .S^mf^ ■ f » *f. % ' I ■T- I f; ^^ -*-. # $ ( « ^' J^ tiie':^:Ofi^^ln an excd^ school; but he hadi w 5*t; teamed'onlf to ql^UJ^d being tlHDI miiideiilf eaHed upon to trust solely to his 01^ rtatiatceBf it would have been strange had he llot beeA in some degree apprehensive of the event A general of brigade, as every one knows^ is of^essed.wi^h no more responsibili^ than ii coI(»iel commanding a battalicxi. What- ever he is directed to do, must be done ; and let #ie result be what it will, he is in no shape an- swerable. But place the same man at the head of an inde]!fendent army, however trifling in point of number, the case becomes completely chang- ed; since he feels that upon his determinations depend, not only the success, but the lives and si&ty oC his troops. The# are few persons so gifted by nature with the talents of rwarrior, as not to experience, when first brought into this si- toationf a degree of anxiety which is sure to pro- duce vacillation. But in war there is nothing mra-e likely than this to occasion fatal effects j since it is better to persist in a plan, though not the best, than to distract the minds of your soldiers by con- tinue changing. • Of diffidence, General Ross was certsonly guilty, and exhibited it in theSoss, first of three hours at Mbttjn^m, and again of eight hours at Marlborou|ifc It may be said, indeed, that unless the capture of Washington was the original end of the inroad, he should not bp * ^' \ ♦. ^»-s' r n, ft*' *%i/^ ^ ■*^'^:;t yw Ain J. »t1 !, 4 l;^ :t riv V It V tf ■4 'H rsd SJ. »B1fS«14}T'S, ^ ^cu9d<9 of xMdelpiHby tMusing bdfeie'lM^ttmtoi^ took it. ; But lo thi» I canttcA agfcs ; because S general ought to make up his miifd in a ta&KnetkiT and surely, three hours affisrded sy|ieieiit time fcr tfiat purpose : andihe truth b^ that the cipturs of Washington was not the original end of tlw et^. fiedition. To destroy the fiotiUa, was the asl^ object of the« disembarkation ; and but for dic,iii' and »n a higher stale of discipline, the 'Jonsequenc<^ of this rash impe^ tuosity must hace been fatjrf; since out array \M^ 9- IT ■l#4,4- if 4- ^V^' ll»^* .« w. •«•■■ ^^"•S^iijj S\" H'" gade cat off ^iDgLy» befioA ^.d4kh niai^jOB '^^ •— --^ the <;il«i^ti^^ii^ I «. ^ oyStalte^g' ^^ 5% !^ '^^11^<^^> that %il'^JP» tb(j % pyeviouai|^ the ^ttle, we f(^ i^U^^t^ * ^^^"S }^y ^^ thi cn^my, to ^- cjjvewhojj,, we wheeled of fispn* the i^Mm |P0> ^iffeP^ ^ direction of Alexandria. Thp fa«|t ^P^ pmnpletely: ; for this party was i^ %t A| advanced guard of the main army. Thinklt^that ' Alexanoriai ajid not Washington, was thn^jpitdii^ the American general abandoned a strong ppsitiqii, ' l^^h hf.faad seized on the main road, haniS8e4 h|f troops by a needless march towards that tDw% ?U|4 discovered his mistake, only time enough to opcupy the heights of Bladensburg a very few Q^utes before we came in sight. ,: With j^espect to the Americans, criticism nc*- Icessarily degenerates into unqualified censure. I i'jcom the beginning to the end of the afiair, they aQted in no one instance like prudent or sagacious men. In the first place, they ought on no aGC9unt f p hav^ ri^ed a general action |p an open country, however strong* and steep ; and secondly, they deserved tp suffer mi^ch more than thflKdid, for p^m^ttmg an encm|rs ^pr^ to penetrate beyond Kott^gham. ,)n a^^ih|^^'us to land without opposition, they were^perhaps giHlty of no great >• .* -4* ■ f t > t. *i #■■ I ^ *,.-«' M. '■'^■it- *l: ••> >> ^ :^*^' ^*i ZJi-m^'^' BlHtDlCT'i. •**f*^ n fatted trees oit each sideV and prar^ ^m aciigii^ die road ; dug deep ditctles «t 'ojlaiiAjtqrvala ; in short, to have adopted tlk mqae dLjraHare to ivhich their own nabits, as well as t)^ »atur^ of d^ir country, invited diera. I(^ Aftterica, every inan is a shot from hia^Jf^j^ hoodp and every man ^serves in the, raU||i|»$ tt> brmg an army of raw niilitia-inen, howevflr :oelient they might be as shots, ijpito a.lair fi^ against regular troops, could end in nodiiog; but defeat When two lines oppose each other, vefl" little depends upon the accuracy with which indi- viduals take aim. It is then that the habit erf* act- ing in concert, the confidence which each man feels in his companions, and the rapidity and^good order in which different movements can be exe|^t, cuted, are alone of real service. But put thesw faw militia-men into thick- woods, and send yoi|r |> regular troops to drive them out, you will imn^e^ diately lose all the advantages of discipline, and reduce your battlf to so many single combais. ^ --^ Here, therefore, lay their great error ; i^d th^ left all J|^ar, and permitted us to advans- «ble fcnr us to ^ a step beyond. As soon as this "^iraiifiKited, they mis^thave skirmished withes •v 'f . «* •\ ^' -0^ n^, # '1* ■J i' ». V » ,e W ¥k% \ />■% VI m »>•, *% •4 S I * > sr* 9iNiDie7^||^^t in &^W^ ke^^^ur atteiitar#[s>idi 157 irtof thefir tiooJ#v^e^e re8t,acqittinteoii th^ doubts leflA w<^ with «very inch of the country, had got " " ''^^"^S and, by a similar mode of proceeding, into cut olTourretKiit. Thus we should have been taken in a snare, from which we could not extricate our- solvot, and should have been obliged, in all pitn fiilS^^, to suirender i|. discretion. ^ ; ' t But this obvious and natural plan of defenc^^' ti|ey chose to reject, and determined to trust^fl to the late of a battle. And here, again, they were guilty of a monstrous error, in not occupying the town of L.adensburg with part of their forces/ liie most open village, if resolutely defended, will cost many men before it falls ; whereas Bladens- biirg, being composed of substantial brick houses, nught have been maintained for hours against all ^ ^ur eflfortsi. In the next place, they displayed*' it want of military knowledge in the disposition, |oi both iheir infantry and artillery. There was not, in ^e whole space of their line, a single point • % where an enemy lyould be exposed to a cross fire. The troops were drawn up in three straight lines, X like so tiniany regiments, upon^a gala parad|^ while the gtins were, used a8^o|Becting links to a clu(in|^ being liosled in the sailie, prddr, by ones and twos^. at every interval. "* ' ^ In maintaining themselves, likewise, v^fji ft^ tacked, thei^xhibited neither skill nor resolution. TV*' ^^ % 4' .V. :*^ «». f^W: ■.t:*' ■%>■ 4^^ ■#- •l r :%' ''^. 4 . *»• .;. ♦ iTi 1" f^ ■i^ bividict's Of iKS |Mno^l;tc^ge of |l4 Amer^ettis, tfieie can be no mbt ; they are, ii^id|tfiUy taken, u brave a nation as any in the work|f ^ But' they ate not soldiers ; they have not the experi^Mlbr the* habits of soldiers. It was the heigj^df folly, '((lerefore, to bring them into a situation where no- thing except that experience and those habiti up avail ; and it is on this aG|piint that I repeat'Mit I have already said, tliat the capture of Washin)^- ton was more owing to the faults of the Amtricans ^^^mselves, than to any odier cause. ■H^. •■*/ / f I I .... is ■■ '■•''"'' r *, M M ■..■^'*- r V •\ MH- JH' '■J- h^- i$': < ■ t*-^ '^, '\ ■••;■*■■ W ^4'^ \ P iS^ ■,'■ i- ■ If- ^i ■■Vj,- »;/,•% 1/ ■f ^' ^ U9 LETTER xn. m 1' i * Whili the army was thus actively employed, *■ .■1 *. * PL, tj^ fleet did not remaiiydle. A squadron of frigates, WHih two bomb ships, %nder the command <)f^ap-,.^ tNO Gordon, of the Sea-horse, penetrated ^p the Potomac, and appeared before Alexandria. ,11i^' v whole of the militia of the district was at thirane / called away for the defence of t e capital, conse- quently no place could be less prepared tc resist i^a invader, than that city. A party accordiiigiy landed from the ships without oppos^ion, and havvig destroyed the barracks, public works, and l^all the cannon which they found on shore, they ^ " seized a number of schooners and other small craft, ^ tiieii lying in the harbour, and loading them with flour and tobacco, to a considerable amount^ pre- jj^ed to rejoin the fleet in the bay. But by this time the country was alarmed ; a ^ detachment was sent fro^ ^ the main army, and being joined by the reseri^c of miiitia, it was de- termiiied to intercept lib squadron on its return, ' With tlus vie)^, seV^r&l pieces of heavy cannon w^re mounted upon a steep part of the bank, where the river> in making an, angle, namoiljii cpn- '^^ ^ ■/ ■^.f 9, m **, ■■>. Ik 4. ■*■ *,- 4 1 r 1k\ .•>■ i 1 •!* h M^-.'-'V:^: ■; 5^'v' ■^ Mw i« •< ii W >" I' IS / I.' * Sr. 4 large L>dk;^«f!iimiitf7$>^n^ |llk niikking ^'t^ best arrangements r rt ' l^jN^iptic^t came amongst them, such as ic Vl^ impossible to withstand. A single broad- Mi^ was stifficient to secure the safe passage of squadron ; but with this Captain Gordon was Contented. Seeing the enemy driven firom leir cannon, he immediately landed his marines^ ;ed the guns, and blew up the expense maga- :^es^ when^ havltlig received them all safely on bc^ild again, he continued his vo3ra|ie, and re-' gained the 'Chesapeiike without farther molesta- tion. NtiT was this the ^hly operation ini^ich the navy were Employed, -^ruising about in every diredili, th^ threatendd'thl; whote line of c6^. from the enti#ce to !he viry ben^ of the bay f and thus kepl'tlld America in a consti^ jstete p.i .-* ■ 'i-' -*■■' "it of alarm. Wl^enc^f a" IkMraiM ^ • ■#• 0^' % \ ^^ ^' -'"^^ <* •> ■. JX ^^ JI4 fW 1 l^'^^. .%#■' fc. tw C* tiff, ispAiSJi^. .-. <»*« « ' H;iyk$iSfDtiA.^ ■•!* %^ . <§•(■ ^4 t p»$^ted itself; j^ies lan^, pliS^cfisred W de- / ^ sti^ed the g(^eTtttneinr ilbi%Sv Isii^ td\iriis i^ 4!^* ^ districts under cbn^bU^ and^i^ght oW WL ,* / *"/! the shipping which couldJBer«Sache(^^"fe^flwo^dj ^^^ the hosliHties cstrried oa**\a the Chesi^^k'e re- ' ^ sembled the expeditions of the andeint Btiiils i^iaihst Great Britain, radier than a modern befWeen civilized nations. But these hastjf'^ '*'^,.',**^ "^ cursions, though generally successfii^ were hot 'iff- •-♦> always performed ' without 4oss to the invadirS. ■t.- .' '-'wi- '" ^^^y "*®" ^^^ ^™® officers' were" kiBed aiM Y^-^'k-,.'', ' ' wfltonded, among whom was Captain Sir PetiBt W .Parker, of the Menelaus frigate, ari t)fficer distlii- ; guished for his gallantry and knowledge of navid tactics. Having learnt that an encampment of 3©@ men and six pieces of cannon had been formed^ Ip the distance of a few miles from the banksof the P0^, tomac,'and about nine leagues below Alexandria, determined, with part of his ship's crew, to surprii it, and to capture the guns. Running his frigate with this vtew up the river, he cast anchor opp«- , site to the place where the American forces lay ; and leaving on board only a sufficient number of sailors to manage the ship,^ and to guard against J| surprise, with the rest, amounting to ^00 seatnen and marines, he landed^ and marched rapidly to> wards the enemy's camp. 'But intelligence of his proceedings had already reached them ; patroles ji^j»|;|)iO¥eri%^tk^^ t^e cwist for > Jt -fkr^: K ■^m '*nf •.j|. '^"^ .* \^. %' .# ■A. ^ M-*- -I >■ '^^ .^i \ , • '!!■' i * f*r>, ' ■% ',(v *<- H'r* ' „ -s^' • factlifir lip 1|je country than pnidenee exactly war^ Vjfi i^tefi The houses and villas, u})on the imiiii|l|- diate banks of the riveri I found universally df^^ seited, and i^oroughly plwidered. .^|^1(1|| corl^ ^ jfr however^ was uninjured, and^venllxijdi^^she^ w^re seen grazing within a short dis^t^ce of Ihie wa^t(*y, i r jtected only by negro slaves.*^ .Of SKXie were taken without an equivalent being faithfully paid, as if diey had been sold in tlie^ market • place of New York 5 a circumstanfie wl^^ favoured the belief that the houses ha4 been ran- sacked, not by the British troops, but by the inha^ bitants themselves. Whether it was really so or ,~4 ».K«^ * r not i cannot say : but this I know, that firqm thft time df our arrival in the Chesapeake^ all acts, of individual plunder or violence wer^r strictly pro^ bibited^ and severely punished. , But this appearance of ruin and desertfpn ^ tended not more than a mile or two from the coas Beyond that, I found the cottages occupied by the|r owners, and every thing remaining as if no e\i«my were within a hundred miles. The young men^ indeed, were generally absent; because every man fit to IxH^r arms was now $0rving with the at my ; but the old men and the women seemed io live as ; CQfatfortably as if the iQost pn^ound peace had reigned throughout ^e State. Nor did I find ihem altogether so hostile to our ^^yterest as I had \ W «i . :%., i * ' ■;?»***# >ii M *- exited. They pKpfessed to kfs Fe<|eraUists : and ■p ■V»i. r 4^ • 4 if ;'■ . "^ . • * - *# <-.3 f.' ■xiit' .^' # "'k- * I, T4RB.«A^TI^A^T, iV *«' .m i- .' \ I ^1^ > -"" for lb «fb«!ti^no no j^ean$ |btt%hted, more especially as I perceive<^ tw^ st(pt lodkii^g men sitting at the door of one; \^ ot^^ cptti»ge^^ To redre, unobserved, was, how- * '^ ^fC' i^P<^^lc«;^cause the rustling whieh 1 ha^* nide amoxig the trees, drew their attention, and IP^y saW'|(ie, probably, before I had .seen tl^i&m* ^ICi^iving that their eyes were fixed upon me, I liined to put a bold face upon the matter; ^ aloud,' as if to a party to h^t, I ad- v^ced, v^ith my servant, towards iheni. They* ^ were dEe8Sf4: in .99%^' jackets and trowsers, and f 1 rose on my, ajlproach, taking oft' thiQir hat^ with .* ucK givUJty, On joining them, I demanded whether they were not E^lishmeti, aiid desert|p from the flei^t, sljiting that l$»s immg^ of twip persons vecy ik^l^%n^«|ing, their 49^9P^iQi^ ju They a^sureddSHe jtb^ tl^X >li£ ^kiH'^iap^^ Y ' * «♦ « r A ■"*' m '*^'M i >^1. ^ lid ^ .. :/^ % <*• "^^l-c V *jlf" «- ' * .>^WI 't- ,,'%* V. "^■'1 '*:i • J^^ ■A %\ I* .V' k 1 ^% •; V 166 ' IHE yATUXENT. ^«t \^*:' <». i^: * ^ %*f:^. f I?.;* \ i|6'^;ertpris; begg&ig thftt l^'Wotild 4>t tal awtff ; a request to which, i^EWa^^ time, >^k- sentted. They then condacte<| lii^ itit<) the hoili^ where I found an old man, and three nr^Kitifij wbt) entertaiaed me with bread, chet:s*Si% iW t«fw milk. ♦While I was sitting here, a third ^o^»+h, in ti^c clress of a labourer, entered, and whi^^ica to|s«»4;; . > 'of the siailors, who immediately roiiu to go dw^^9ot " I commanded him to sit still, declaring thattl priii, ^not satisfied, and should certainiy ii^il|fhilt«|ffj^ ^■ jittempted to escape. The man gjjipp^vr utkily ; *and the young labourer coming foryiiiitd, begged ^ i^i permission to examine my gun. This was a re- J Vfluest which I did not muCh relish, and with whith *^ I, of course, refused to comply ; telling the feUow ■that it was loaded, and that I was unwilling to I trust it put of my own hi^nU, on account of a wiftsJ^ : nes8 in one of the locks. ^ I had now kept up appearances as long as>th< could be kept up, and, therefore, rose to Withdraw • a measure to which I was additionally induced by' ^- the appearance of two other countrymen at the ^•^£. posite end of the hamlet. I, therefijfe, told the . . sailors that if they would pledge themselves to re-^!^ ' main quietly< at hom^ without joining the Ame- rican army,M would no^ molest &em; warning m A i< ,*V,.«i ^ them, at fhfsame time, not to tl^tui^ beyond the village, lest they should fall intoll^hsaids of other m Itv 50 in search i(!i4esertars. The • 'ti 4.- ■?'■' A ^- ■*lp- » * • #?" *-l 4 ^i^ ir i ■^: ^' THK FATUSiiSlTT. m V wiienTrq^^^l^^piiig my e^^ fmf|;unTe»dy cocked in my |iand^ wtilRed out, wc^aJife my servant. They conducted us to: . *' ni'dpor^|iid stood staring after us till we got to djie edge ^c^ the Wood; when I obserVi^ them tonprds their countrymen, who also gazed i^i|s., without either advancing or flyii|g. XiM^f. readily believe, that as soon as we found our- 0elw^ concealed by the trees, we lost no time itl end^cvourtiiig to discover the dire(?t way ^towards fte shippijq^i but plunging into the thicket, rai^ with all speed, without thinking of aught^excepk siil immediate escape from pursuit. Whether tlii^'' Americans did attempt to follow, or not, I cahnoH t^. If they did, they took a wrong direction, for in something more than an hour I found myself at 6 edge .frf the river, a little way above die ship-' ling, andretuhied safely on board, fuU;^ resolved |i^t JEigain to expose myself to such risks, without necessity. In this miannerthe time was spent, till day-break t pD die 6di,.of September; when the whole fleet got uttder ^&y, and stood towards the Chesapeake. ^ The wind wius fair, and we spee,dily clealed the f river ;i3iut insteaCof standing up the bay as we * had expected, we ran doWn,a few ii^s be|q,vir|he mouth of die IMixent, and mere anchored. A *. %■ ir ^^ . *■ «f ■'"* <.,* •is >' ' F . m ■ f \*i i 1*1 1 m 4* 3 * -» *m * i^. ♦ii»- ^ '■' ^,- * .«,■.*.. 'Vm*> "tdfii^k^^H^ij X*,'" ».ti fi- Jl' » ^ *\ m Tai$#^TA4FS&0. (^ jHims. £v^ §faip^».cK w was ai^otgc^ >{',• h^ ■,i^ ,r' Midit wu feutid that, besides tiM oui sary for CoBveying stores, <»d draggin^,gui^o||B -^^ousand sailors could be apar^ fiPMth^^ , i.^^s, in spite of our k>S6 at Bladen^rg, y^i^Vri enabled^ on ournext debarkation, to bring ii Ibe field about five thousand fight{ng!me% j^.f»^ ^f <^ * Nextmomiilg we again weired, Jti|ii|dJriBCti|d oiirco^e towards the Potomac. W#>t)teredtWl . rlvei' sdlin after mid^day , and continued tgt stem-die stream during the night, and till dusk iui ^e fid- le^dei!^ ,..»^- i6 deceive tile enem^, Httcl ^^"^ 'w^^ -* ^- > ■ 1* i* >. '*^.. ^: »■ i\ V «; ' --' j^B^^iiipl^ Butin tb» attainmotit of qiMp |i U , .^iinmil^0^ were liut piirUil^BiiOp «ltiiM^''|^frjtain it is, however, that t^ ^Imosl ep tt teynation prevailed in every townV village |t»i which .we made our appearance.* <^^:|I| Annapolis, a considerable town built i^juji ^1^ jbt^ and possessing a tolerable harbptiTrWe ^^|fi^|n^ clofie as to discern the inhabitant|flyiii|f llMitheiri|^mses ; carts and wagons loaded.wim fi9nkure;|||inrying along the roads, and horselinen galk^u^ aloi^ the shore, as if watching %ftjpai||^ fill moment when the boats should be hoisted otw" and the troops quit the vessels. Wherever a Jighf- iKiiise <^ signal station was erected, alarm-gims lirer^. fired, ^d beacons lighted. In ^ word, all ^1^ horrors of doubt and apprehension seemed to e8»ll|Hfr rawRbrn'tii^asceQil the river, because diji B&^^|i|0i t|t^br^d,i*farfrcih %epe,: It %.iii^fi|^u^i2)aliihaUow to as^t a line of battle « ,-# ' :«r ■^. * m- A * N » .==** C - "■■^tL*;-' fM_lEi t'ili A-Li^ •r 1 1# .■V i^ THB FATAPSCO. ASpimidt^ no one ooiild guew wb9|f| impedimenjts thfovin in the way to obetrupK tl^e navi- ice forbad tfaf^ five thousand men 8l^til|pe eptrusted to the convoy of j||u| tm^i^ vessel* alone. Besides, the distance £rpi|^^|MNint to BaltiiA^ did not exceed fourteen or mjiles ; a space which might easily be But while the land forces moved in this dkri tion upon Baltimore, it was resolved th^it gates and bomb*ships should endeavour to |bir90 their wav through every obstacle, and" to obtain possession of the navigation of the river, so as, tf possible, to co-operate with the army, by booobard*. iog the place from the water. A frigate was ac- cordingly dispatched to try the depth, and to take sounding of the channel, while the remainder of the fleet came to an anchor off the point In mean time all was again bustle and {xvpiration on board thie troop-ships and transports. Three days pi^visions were cooked, as before, and given tp the men ; and as we were now to carry every thing t^ a coup-de-numti twenty rounds of amniunifio^ were added to the sixty with which soldiers a^ usually loaded; and a smaller ouant^ of other baggage was directed to be taken on shop«. A blanket^ with a spare shirt and pair of^gm^, ^ps (Considered enough ibr each manm i' :#* .# > * 1>^ 4 ••i. i f^ 4' fn .\ r I., 11t|9i|||^id ^^l^&^ Wfittfttbiiiihesltfia other k^. 1t^#^t 'd«^iibh were ^^^^^^^^^^ me 'Scr0i^ what would raWr for thus the additional load of twei^hbart- i^iails^^fts'more than counter-balanold by the cloidiing and necs'ssaries left behind. ^ # #li^sk when we reached the anchorage, 'idiisequently'nolandii g could take place before e'inortbw. But as the boats were ordered to in readiness at dawn, every man slept in his Clothes, &t he might be prepared to start at a J moment^s'fcaming. There was something in this W state of preparation at once solemn and exditing; < That%e should obtain possession of a place so ini- portant as Baltimore, without fighting, was not to be expected; and, therefore, this arming, and this v^ buside seemed, in fact, to be the prelude to a Ixit- ^tle. But no man, of the smallest reflection, can p look forward to the chance of a sudden and violent S^ death, without experiencing sensations very differ- |§ ent from those which he experiences under any % 6ther circumstances. When the battle has fairly begun, I may say with truth that the feelings of j^hose engaged are delightful: because they are, in fact, so many gamblers playing for the highest stake diat can be offered. But the stir and noise* , and then the calmness and stillness inj^ these are the things which force a Jh t "'^•Ul' ■-. ■ .1^: f.T ■ , ^ '-'If i ■*ii' mihiils are said somethm^toa^iliieiBild^^ j||i#frfMloi» to tfa^ir execut^^ iiil to|;ive you a^egree of false Mibi^^fWr almOit said painful, from its veiy ^xdiail It Is agitation of the nerves, such as we majr madmen feel; which you are inclined to #iih te^ moved,^though you are unwilling to admit diit it is disagreeable. ; And jret, as if in mockery of tiese dea^ pre- parations, I do not recollect to ha^e seen a moie heavenly night than the present. The heat of tlit day was past, a full clear moon shone bl^ii%^ in a sky where not a cloud could be discerned, a heavy dew falling appeared to refresh the eanh S0[k had been parched and burnt up by the subi hiityat this time within two miles of the sh-:*,>1i' **. "^ '^ ■* w f ♦«, 4 ■■* / «;• THB VATAFSCO. 1^ •y \ t « tarsrbQat «iw«d ^ftckwards and fofwards to the KbiirB^salHp for ordm, sounded peouliirlf miiBi* qpURtheperfpctstinnctaofa calm night 'Though r I^ftr from givfaig the preference, in all rtspeets, " to » sailor's life, it must, nevertheless j be confessed ' that' it has in it many moments of exquisite de- HffxH and die present seemed to me to be of the iHnnbcr. * •*** I -5^ It '* :f.-.; 4 4h i' f- V -■ik' i if^- •ti' « H \ } " t fl 1' k4'>' ', \ */ ■•*w mArcit. .pip LETTER xm: •f* 174 ■J.-, i BuTthe stillness of night soon passed awayfand at three o'clock in the morning every ship in tni?.*^ . fleet began to lower her boats, and the soldiers were roused from their slumbers. The same pre- cautions which had been formerly used to cover k the landing, were again adopted ; several gun- brigs laying themselves within cable's length of the beach, and the leading boats in levery division being armed with carronades, loaded and ready for action. But, as had been the case at St. Benedict'is, they were unnecessary; for the troops got on shorC without opposition, and leisurely fcnrmed in anopeif. field close to the river. ^ It was seven o'clock before the whole army was disembarked, and in order for marching. The same arrangements which had been made on the late expedition, were, as far as circumstances would permit, again adopted on this. The light brigade, now commanded by Major Jones, of the 41st Regi- A ment, led the advance; then followed the artillery, **!.' amounting to six field pieces, and two howitzers, all of them drawn by horses ; next came the se- Pii W I ; *A %- •,^ *?, 5H I *-■ .j^?" ♦% ly was ( f The on the would igade, Regi- .;* ■ tilleiy, itzers, he se- t ;i "I) '^ ^v vy,;: *• '4 t ,»-... tiaiid brigftjid, tlieh tHe sailors, and' last of> alt the thifd brigade; Fbmk patroles, and recoanoitrin^ ' itt)rtie» were' likewise sent out; in short, & same sv^j^lli^ble disjjosidons regulated'the present niarch, Which had governed our march ta( Washington. The colunm bemg put in motion, advanced, M^but the occurrence of any incident deserving;** ofnotice, for about an hour, when it arrived at ar* ;4^|lece of ground which appeared as if it had been *^ately in possession of the enemy. It was a iiarro^ neck of land, confined between the river on one side, and the head of a creek on the other, mea- k suring, perhaps, a mile across. From the river to , * the creek a breast- work had been begun, and wa^ > partiy completed. In front of it there were lines - drawn apparently for the purpose of marking out the width of a ditch ; in some places the ditch * self was dug, and the commencement of what ^| ambled an enfilading battery in the centre^ j^ i showed that a considerable degree of science had ' * 11^ been displayed in the choice of this spot as a mili* tary position. And, in truth, it was altogether such a position as, if completed, might have been i: maintained by a determined force against very superior numbers. Both flanks were completely * iv protected, not only by water, but by thick wood, while a gentle eminence in the very middle of the line, offered the most desirable situation for the projecting battery which had been begun; beci^ise n. N, 4t '%^ Ks--' .V '^: ''■■^ 1 '1 ¥ * ii" ¥ '•- «♦• M •15 T ' . , -I» ! ^■•' -4<, SI 1 * - " -^ V-V f fl MiillGi, ,,«^' ||^* a i#e from k would have swisp* 4he ikhoie, iMflii t^ the ii|[ht and left In its present vtate, how^ iver, it W*s not tenable, imlegs by a farc#ai^«Mt to attack as to dtsimd ; consequeitflf Ihc Araeti- cans, who acted solely on the dafensivey did wisely In choosing another. But die aspect of the ground was such as led us ,4o conclude that the enemy coukl not be very dis^ tant. The troops were accordingly halted, that; the rear might be well up, and the men fresh and ready for action. While this was done, part of the flank patrole came in, bringing with them three light-horsemen as prisoners. These were young gentlemen belonging to a corps of volunteers fur- nished by the town of Baltimore, who had been sent out to watch our motions, and convey intel- ligence to the American general. Being but little used to such service, they had suflfered themselve*?^ lo be surprised ; and, instead of reporting to theif own leader as to the number and dispositions of their adversaries, they were now catechized by ^ General Ross respecting the strength and prepara- tions of their friends. From them we learned that a force of no less than twenty thousand men was embodied for the defence of Baltimore ; but as the vafccounts of prisoners are generally over- rated, we took it for granted that they made this report oidy * to. intimidate. ^iS^Ying lasted for tb« S|«©e ^ m homt, we 4 ,. ^^ '* ■* IV f y 'i^a&f , « > * * M, m MAACH. »77 if^ala i)6K»i»cl iibi^ward, but had not proceed above a mile, whw a sh^rp fin of musketry wm hflfK^in &oat, and shortly afterwarda .a moupted ofketof came f^Uoping to the rear, who desired us to quicken our pace, for that the advanced guard was engaged. At this intelligence, the ranks were closed, and the troops advanced at a brisk rate, and in profound Eolence. The firing still continued, though, from its running and irregular sound, it promised little else than a skirmish ; but whether it was kept up by detatched parties alone, or by the out-posts of a regular army, we could not tell ; because, from the quantity of wood with which this country abounds, and the total absence of all hills or eminences, it was impossible to discern what 'was going on at the distance of half a mile from where we stood. We were now drawing near the scene of action, when another officer came at full speed tow!irds us, with honor and dismay in his counte- nance, and calling aloi for a surgeon. Every mMi felt within hirnseh that all was not right, ilKHigh none was willing to believe the whispers €(f his own terroi . j&ut what at first we would not guess at, because w*". dreaded it so much, was soon real'.zed ; for the aid-4 iii. -1 n f m^ f'{{ i V ■ / :^ ■s>.. * •> #■■ m r * ,'« t* ^' ■'A 178 ATTiIlCK. tiRie given for fearful surmise^ as to.4ite intent df our misfortune. In a few mosnents we readied the ground where the skirmishing had ^:tafcen place, and beheld poor Ross laid, by the side^ef the road, under a canc^ of blankets, and appa-* rently in tlie agonies of death. As soon as the firing began, he had ridden to the &cmt, that he might ascertain from whence it originated, and, mingling with the skirmii^ers,. was shot in the side by a rifleman. The wound was mortal : he feU into the arms of his aid-de-camp, and lived only long enough to name his wife, and to commend his family to the protection of his country. He was removed towards the fleet, but expired b^tre his bearers could reach the Lc»«^. It is impossible to conceive the effect which this melancholy spectacle produced throughout the army. By the courteousness and condescen- 0'' sion of his manners, General Ross had secured the I absolute love of all who served under him^ from the highest to the lowest ; and his success (Mi a former occasion, as well as his judicious arrange- ments on the present, had ins{Mred every one with the most perfect confidence in his abilities. Hi« very error ^ if error it may be called, in so young l| leader — I mean that diffidence in himself which had occasioned some lo&s of time on the march to Washington, appeared now to have left him. His Biov^nsnts were at once rapid and cautkujs; nay, % # ,?8'^ 4*' m ^' r* e g/aSsr*^. » /». ■%tTACX. m »>'.•>!■■' % I 1^ vvrf eoKUitibnance indicated a fixed detetlici- iiationj and a perfect security of siuccete. AU eyes were turned upon him as we passed^ and* a sifWt of involUntuy groan ran from rank to ranky from the front to the rear of the column. By the fell of our gallant leader the colrtnmand now devolve upon Colonel Brook, of the 44th liegimentf an bJEcer of decided personal couraigf, but, perhaps, better calculated to lead a battalion, thsm to guide an army. Being informed of his unexpected' and undesired elevation, he came to the front, and under him we continued to move sorro\vful, indeed, but not dejected. The on "^' 1 . At skii^ishing had now ceased, for the American riflemen were driven in; and in a few minutes we found ourselves opposite to a considerable force, drawn up with some skill, and occupying a strong ^^ position. Judging fromappearances, I should say ) that *the corps now opposed to us amounted to six or seven thousand men. They covered a neck " of land, very much resembling that which we had ^.f / passed; having both flanks defended by little ,/ inland lakes ; the whole of their position was well wooded, and in front of their line was a range of high palings, similar to those which intersected the field of Bladensburg. About the centre, ^ though some way advanced, was a farm-housa» *'^* ; with its out-buildings and stack-yard ; and* near to the right, ran the main road. Their artillery, wMch '4 i *!^ 'f mte Li \L,ii< # ■s m # ii Mi ty*t~ „iim( i i i w ipi! > -^,ygm\W»''> fifil'ffv* ■fcJHi**sBi -s^^ W» iv- '■■*'^* H l'.f I )i^ ,\'- ^ ', /f' vv 180 ATTACK. couki QQt greatly exceed our own,, eit^ bweif^t of metal, or number of guns, was scattered along th^l^e of infantry in nearly the same<3rder as it h9d been at Bladen^iuurg, and their iss'?^^* yrnt partly seen, and partly hid by a thick ^^ood. \ The whole of this country is flat and unbroken* About half a mile in rear of where they stiood, ar^^ some heights, but to occupy these as they shouM be occupied, would have required a much greater number of men than the American army could muster. Their genera^ therefore, exliibited s(Mne judgment in his choice of ground, but, perhaps, he would have exhibited more, had he declin<;il a pitched battle altogether. Yet, to do him jus%ie, f I repeat that the ground was well chosen ; for, besides the covering of wood which he secured for his own people, he took care to leave open fields in his front ; by which means we were of necessity exposed to a galling fire, as soon^as we came within range. Of one error, however, he was guilty. Either he did not possess himself of the farm-house at all, or he suffered it to betaken from him with very little resisiance ; for, on the arrival of the column at the ground where it was to form, ii was in the occupation of our advanced guarjls. Kr- was likewise to blame in not filling the wood upon our hfi with skirmishers. In short, he acted foolishly in merely attempting to repel attacks, wit|jout ever dreanping thaf dje most ^ff^tual ••►.*. ^ ^ # IK <. * '4f •*s .t4x# mtMt^^Km^t^istitmtilht (Hbles, and attac|' Af our tfbO^i dfti^iijj, ^hejr iByi off to the*^ ti0^1Mt,mi attw up, jusrt within cannor^^' ^ iflf ^ ibUb^ing 6r^ The li^ brigade, ccinii8tii%, a&lliiiVe formerly stated, of the ^5th it, aiid ^ light companies of the other s, in exteh^tid order, threatened the whole' firt^ of the American army. ^ The 2 1 st remained'' in column upon the road ; the 4th moved off to iht tight, and advanced through a thicket to turn ihe ehemy's left ; and the 44th, the seamen and •IS, formed line in rear of the light brigade, me ihis formation was going on, the artil- lery being brought up, opened upon the American army, and a smart cannonade ensued on both sidifis. That our guns were well served, 1 myself fn bear witness ; for I saw the Shrapnel shells ^ iirkich were thrown from uiem strike among tite sifemy, and make fearful gaps in the line. Oix rockets likewise began to play, one of which, fil- ing short, lighted upon a hay-stack in the bam- ' yard belonging to the farm-house, and immedi- ately set it on fire. The house itself, the stables, bai'KS^ and out-houses, as well as £^1 the other stacks, scon caught the flames, and were quickly in a state of ccxiflagration ; and the smoke and Uajze which thpy emitted, together wJth the roar A a. At ^ ■*■ > •>-. y^ "#' ■r n 1' » * # # .• -t-.^ w 5^ "v^^frnpnMMM I" - . <i^ .^ lA I- 4 ^.< 1 I f*' V ■f. ^^^^^^^^p "^"M^* s .• V . ATtACk. .1» *. '!«' »• ■♦• rf' ■# » - j£ cannon smd flashts of th6 gudiy l^ether a very fine* effect. tn tite mean time the Amerid^ artiUer^' Was t i^e. Pushing forward two Kg^t fi^p|||^B ^ uiK)n the road, they (!^bned a destruc^e fii^^of . grape upon the 21st Regiment, Jlnd such' of Ihc f jifoilors as occupied that point. Three other g^ffs Were directed against our artillery, betwei?n wwrch and several of our pieces, a sort of duel wlis Tnili- tained ; and the rest played, without ceasing, lijpoh the 85th, and the light companies, who had ikin down while the other regiments took u|i their ground. Neither was their in&ntry altHHl^t quiet. They marched several strong bbdjl9HRbni the right to the left, and withdrew others from ;• the left to the right of their Ime, though for what end this marching and countermarching was'iii|R- dertaken, I am at a loss to ccHiceivc. Whiter IMI ^ .|uctuating, it was curious to ob8<^e i^isk (iRW of every spot where a cannon-ball had a^ntj^. Having seen the shots fall, I kept my eye ujion one or two places, and perceived tha| G^i^egjpe><^ pany, as it drew near to those points, h^g batfli; pid then assuming, as it were, a ittoinentary 4^*, ifege, rushed past, leaving a vacancy belwe«ni ii and the company which next succeedecU - ^W this while the whole oCour infantrj^ c^oept ■ tl*» 4t4i RegtmentfUay or stopj^ it|.|iOSfio«s «3cpe«- 4' .f. *^'*!P"' *■*''• ^ 4 \± m ^ jtr9*ie^ lis tM^QjpljA opdec to ^advance. .I'lu^iiowever, iltt 90^^^ till that regiment \M ntfchlid the thielBet -tfiiptigh which4^ was tomake itj^ wi^^j , Mi^Coipnel Brool^, with his Staffs having gd- Idj^ iMong the line to see that all was ready, cqnimanded the signal t^ be made. The charge liKa&accidrdingly sounded, and echoed back fVom ef^ bugle io the army, when, starting from the groun4 where they had lain, the troops moved on ill; a cl and orderly manner. A dreadful dis< cbarge o^ g^pc ^nd canister shot, of old locks, pi^es of broken muskets, and every thing which thev<.oouId cram into their guns, was now sent foliH^um the whole of the enemy's artillery ; and S^ome loss was oaour side experienced. Regard- less of this, our men went on without either quick- QOing or Retarding their pace, till they came within an hundred yards 6f the American line. As yet !7ifM| a musket had been fired, or a word spoken - on ^t^er side, but the enemy, now raising a shoutj fired ar volley h'om right to left, and then kept up a rapid and ceasdess discharge oif musketily. Nor ' were our people backward in replying to these saiutes ; hr giving them back both their shout and their volley, we pushed on at double quick^tf with the intention of bringing them to the chargf: . The bayonet b a weapon peculiarly British ; at>Ieast it is a weapdn, which, in the hands of a British soldier, is irresistiblet. Though they main- %' '^j iT rM 4 tt. * ^.^ #■ ■■■4 ''^*3 ¥ * •M,:.M . k- ** ■ - . ■■*; f.. '*s^V.1 "#.*. M^ f ^ mm n .* ilfi #^ iU .^Ttt^ktm, T J 4 :* ,i-» i < i 'f' a \i I -! v* V ^ f fV /^ tBiii0d^l])«n^«|ii«i wilh great difUiiiMmt9fmi,mfi Hopd to rtceive our fire till scarcely 4w9ii$3F]ran|f divided U8, jOie AiQiericaos woiilclt nft hawHrAfa charge. Ob oitf left, itideed, where the Sletpii- vanced m ooluinn, it w>>»iiat without imioh dUi- Gulty and a severe loss, that any attempt ts chai|{e could be made ; for in that quarter seemed to be tfie flower of the enemy's infantry, as well as lie main body of their artillery ; towards tl||» rigit, however, the day was quickly won. Thtvsnly thing to be regretted, indeed, was that the sttaksk had not been for some time longer deferred ; be- cause the Americans were broken and fled, jilst as the 4th Regiment began to show itself i9i|||^e brink of the water which covered dieir flank ; and befwe a shallow part could be discovered, and the troops were enabled to pass,. they had ti^me to escape. „ As soon as their left gave way, the whole Ame-| rican army fell into confusion ; nor do I ncoUect on any occasion to have witnessed a more confilete rout Infantry, cavalry, and artillery, were htid- died together, without the smallest regard to order or regularity. The sole subject of anxiety seenied to be which should escape first from the field of battle ; insomuch, that numbers were actually ' trodden down by their countrymen in the hiHry of the flight Yet, in spite of the short dura^on of the action, whiqh Jasted .little more than* two #s • '^^' -m "ft*" ■ \ *.T' ♦ •■ .*^; V . iWW» ' *' ^T/^fciM. s A^Tir««. M5 % ioorftilNiMl Hi ftrst c6mmencement, the enemy's tabs Witf severe. They stood, m some respecto, better tfuA they had done at Bladhisburg, c6fiie- jiuently we were more mingled with them when ilMty gave way, and were thus enaUed to secure some prisoners; an event, which their more imme- .diate flight had on the other occasion prevented. %k the capture of «^s, however, we were not so . fe rtun > it e . T pieces being light, and well^ supplied witi they contrived to carry off all except tv c^ which would have also escaped, but for the shooting of the leaders. j> But, considering the nature of the ground which llHpKcupied, the number of killed and Wounded in the American army was enormous; while in durs die casualties were much fewer dian might have been expected. The 21st and seamen suf- fered most severely, and the 85th and light com- panies, a little ; but had our gallant General been splured, we should have {Mronounced this a glorious, because a comparatively bloodless day. In the loss of *Aat one man, however, we felt ourselves more deeply wounded, than if the best battalion in -&e army had been sacrificed. In following up the flying enemy, the same ob- stacles which presented tliemsel ves at j^adensburg, again «ame in die way. The thick woods quickly screened the fugitives ; and as even Ottr mounted drivers were wanting, their llorses Mvtng been •V •At ■^> '4 I' § ''> ^ -*- ^k •». y-. .p 4l^ • » ■€ '^' «p* ^ ■ • - 4::- ■ »i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V 1.0 "^ 1.1 _M US Itt Itt |Z2 ^ tiS. 12.0 ■IHU |j|25|U|j^ 6" Photographic uClQlCBS Carporadon -^ <^ ^ .i^*^ .«v ''-i^ ^ V ^. 23 VOST MAIN STRUT wnSTIIl,N.Y. 14SM (7U)t7a-4S09 C^ 1^1^ :*> I k m .ifc' '^:' w' # Jit ai?rti|^ ; "^'n??^^^, ■«'£*'■'. ^t^ ■,>»■ b^liBdlMUjphiQaiiiier, as toseourea ^ im m case JKif atitack ; an4 the )i^oimded|fa|iM| fQinov«d iqto two or three houses 8(;iy^f|||^^ the ground^ the victors lay down to^ sleept^uli^ /^> the canopy br heaven. ^ j. ^f^ijfibving thus given a .distinoV and Qg|mee^4 • detail of this affii^*, I shall beg Imve tp finj letter ^ith me or two anecdote^, wl^ioh m^ Ti0t nnamusing. It is said ^t whea^ .V Cockburttf ' M^o accontpenied the aemyMifndMitl' tendi^ |Dor Boss with the fidelity of ah i^^ camp, wItt in the wood where the ktter, fi^ h^ obierved an American rifle-man taking delijbini^ aim af him from behmd a^ tree. Instead! of tuti^* ing aside/ dr discharging a pistd at the fttllbw, tii anijrother man wouMhave done, the brave A%ilis| doubliifg his fist, shook it at Ins enemy,^;ind[ Giliil^ aH^d^ " O you dMl Yankey^ I'll ^viMfm^' | upon whidi^^e man dcopped haa mwdBet int <||. greatest b!|^ and' took to his heels. , .,: ■*!; ,V /^ * ic-'W 'fl<"*WW«^ • " .«(. ,l#*«^ •^* 1* ^' 1, .•!•?■ pbg that: they were^vate pii^^gil^rj. ||id jliat l^hiqh rfm^idt^d my of ^my 9^, a^yeritu^ , squirrel-hunters, wd which was attend^^ %■ ■■'^ 1' i; 'i" ■>' % % yvnti egual success. One other anecdote of a different &^t^re,,^d fpr Hie jfruth pf iyhlch I can myself answer, jj^ay )3l|Ki^W^.»'^^%^^^* In strolling oyer ^%^% *pV, Imme unexpectedly uppti^^ wo^ndCl' " ' h^ l^y among some bushes wij^ % 1^ ^£ J drew near to offer him assistance, but * Pll^eing mp, thi^ wrench screamed 6^an^§^- xd »♦';■ 1* :»t *. % # i» i%,*ft?^ .1*|^T„4«>--.. r,ii«>f;^. • # rii -■/i^llffW^-' MAICH, ^ f LETTER XIV. l^ At an early hour on the 13th, the troops were roused from their lairs, and, forming upon the ground, waited till day-light should appear. A heavy rain had come on about midnight, and now fell with so much violence, that some precautions were necessary, in ordef to prevent the firelocks from being rendered useless by wet. Such of the nMMB were fortunate enough to possess leathern cases, wrapped them round the locks of their mus- kets, while the rest held them in the best manner 4iey could, under their elbows ;^no man thinking of h"mself, but only how he could best keep his tfms iii a serviceable condition. As soon as the first glimmering of dawn could be <&cemed, we moved to the road, and took up our wonted order of march ; but before we pushed f(Hi(vatd, the troops were desired to lighten them- selves spl fitfther by throwing off their blankets, which were to be left under a slender guard till &eir return. Thu was accordingly done ; and being now unincumbered, except by a knapsack almost empty, every man felt his sjni^ heightened in proportion to the diminution of hisjood. The M Bb -••/■'/fi fi t . • 4 ■* IIABCH. grief of solftji^ is seldom of lon^. duration ; ^d though I will not exactly say th|t pqor ^oss was already foi^gotten, the success of yesterday had ^^nciled at least the privates to the guidance of dieir new leader ; nor was any other issue antici-. pated, than what would have attended the expur- sion, had he still been it9 main-spring and direGlor. llie country through which we passed, resembled in every particular that already desoribed. Woodi and cultivation succeed^ each other at intervalsy though the former surpassed the latter in tenfold extoit ; but instead of deserted villagesvandcmpty houses which had met us on the way to Washings ton, we found most of the inhabitants remfti|^ng peaceal^ in their homes, and rdylng upon die assurance of {xx^tection givoi to them m our pf9>: clamatiens. Not had they cause to repent ci 1lia# confid^icie. In no insttuice were they intsuhec^ plundered, •>or ill-treated ; wh«feas every hous* which was abandoned, fell a pr^ to ths scouts $f^ reconnoitring parties. But our march to-day was not so rapid as our motions generally were. The Americans iiacl^ last adf^ted an expedient whioh^ if canf|ifi to it» proper lengt'i, mig^t have entirely stopped oov piogness. In most of the wooda the^^ hadfelM trees, and ^lown them across the. voadi bul as these abaltisjvere witfiout defendors^^^me ^qie* rienced no ether inconvenitBGe than w1ki||ukm» I. t m ml •r -# A •«L A' > firom loss wiaae ; bekig obliged lb taat on all sudi occaiions, tOl the pioneers had removed the obstade. So great, however, was even this hin- diance^ thai we did not come in sight of the mi^n >ann7 of the Americans till eveiiihg« although the distance travelled could not exceed ten miles. 'It now appeared, that the corps Which we Jiad beaten yesterday, was only a detachment, and not a Wge onr, from the force colleOted for the de- fence of Baltimore ; and that the accoint given bfr the volunteer troopers, was in eveiy respect correct. Upon a ridge of hills, which concealed the town itself from observation, stood the grand "^aftti^, consisting of twenty thousand men. Ilot trusting to his superiority in numbers, their general had ^lere entrenched them in the most formidable ttnnner, having covered the whole j^e of the heigfate; with breast-works, thrown bt^ Jiis left, so as to rest it upon a strong fort, erected for the I!rote(ption of the river, and constructed a chain of field redoubts, which covered his right, and com- manded the eirtkre ascent. Along the side of ^e Ml #efe lilie#ise jl^kes, and other projecting iFo^l^pm which a cross fire might be kept np; and iHI wete mounted thronghOut tfiis- ookii- idandii^ position no less than cie hundred pieces It would be abGRtfd to suppose; that the si^ of itions" so warlike, did not ki some degree i^^' \ ^ ^! 1^ i % t« # f n -./ •r. ♦ •^i, if p^l w:-/*^ .(,: ! I B* » irt^ I IP' V H4LT. cbmp the ardour of our leaders ; atltait it would have been madness to storm sudi works, wkhout pausing to consider how it might best be at- tipipted. The whole of the country within can- non-shot was cleared from wood, and laid out in grass and com fields ; consequently there was no cqdtt^' to shelter an attacking army from any part of the deadly fire which would be immediately poured upon it The most prudent plany thereo fore, wai to wait till dark ; and then, assisted by the frigates and bombs, which we hoped were^y this time^ ready to go-operate« to try the fortune of a battle. . Having resolfed thus to act. Colonel Brook halted his army ; and having secured it against sunvise b^ a well-connected line of piquets, the troops HfT^ permitted to light fires, and to cook the prcy^uKns. But though the rain sti^fell in torrents, no shelter could be obtained: and as evea^^ their blankets were no longer at hand, widi j^cfa to form gipky-tents, this was the reverse of an agreeable bivouac to the whole am^. Dai^ness had row come on> and as y^ n||atel« ligence had arrived from the shifting. fKiuail this position, however, without the aid of^t fleets was deemed ihipractica{ble ; at least our cbano&of success would be greatly diii|kBhed, with^t their co-operation. As the left of - me Ameriean army extended to a fort, Iplt i;^ the very br|^^ r, ' * f 1^ 1 the ilve^, irJl' clear, that, could the' ships fie brougil'to'bear nipon that point, Imd the fort be sitehcil by thehr fire, that flank ^Of the position would bi turned. This once eflfected^^there woul# be no difficulty in puling a coluitin within their works ; and is soldiers entrenchedf alwa^^ place inore reliance upon the strength of theit'entrehotii- mehts than upon their own personal exertions, the very sight of our people on a level with them, wotild In all probability decidis the contestr^ At all evetfit, as this column was to advance under cover of itight, it might easily^push forward and crown die hill above the enemy, before any effectual op- poeitibii'coulB be offered ; by whfdi means would be mclosed between two fires, and lose%e ad^tage which their present elevated situati'ql bestowed. AU, however, depended u^t^ the ability d^die fieet to lend their assistance, for*^^ c^pthout silencing the fort, this flank could scarcely be assti||(id widi any Jchance of succ^; and, therefore, th^ whole plan of operations must Bfc changed. ■ #;"' ' ^^ ^J^' to wkt^lpPr, wiHoui kiribwing whe^er he was \. to be suj^poiHbld, Colonel Bro^ determ&d, if Vom^;W<^ a commi&i^aiy»a high hedge. Like knigj^rrants of old, he then gave himself up to the guidance of his horse, which ^king him l^iwards the rew, soon^brought him int|| a narrow lane, that appeared to wind in the direction of the enemy's fort : this lane he dcitep> ^^inlne^il^foUoWy and holdmg a Oocked jHstol in his haol$> pushed on> not perhaps en^|ee]y ootp- < fortable, but desirous at aU hazards of exectiiH|* his cominission. He had not ridden far,^|||^n the sound of voices through the sjdashing of die rain 'llrew his attention. Pulling up,«^e listened in si- lent, and sOon discovered that thiey d|||| ;ftDm two Amerielin soldiers, whether stn^Mjm * tinels,'it wtks ipipeisible to divinet$^^u whoever they were, Ib^ se^sifid to be s^proMfeii|^^ ]^ now struck him, that luftl|||t qourairipoiild^'to con^i^ce the attack, an^navingthepfeibre waited tiUfl spr themjstop sheet, as if they^had I *» ■f^ 'f ■ " •I ■ i ^.■L^-W' #' ^ •.At ■'^, -•* Mb tamed dM fled, biiigal- hij^liipttd a )intd;^Biid?llib lilaiidy thrai# , |k£(r^hii file, and jiiUdedhiikiBelfpH^ the other, dashinginto a Ihicket, eidl^, probably lo tell that he had beai»'iilacked% a whole rag^ mmt of British cavalry. Having thus tikaitk ' ;' fliiner, my friend resolved to aiake him oC some UB%| with dtfs view^he oommandid hinRoky ■^JHHifrtUs thigh, and to guide him directly to the '^rivcr, threatening, if btii^ttempted to mislead or ta. betray him into the hinds of tli^ Americans, tfaiUiewoid|^tai% blow out hlllnuns. ^M-^ lag himaelf completely in my friend's power, %e feibw could not:refusfs to obey ; and aocoidin|^i^ Ihe man resting his hand upon the left thi|||0f th^ i^^ diteer, 4||p«ocettdeda]ongthelane£orsS&time, ey came to a part where it branched off in o diMBtions. i» My friend here stopped for a mo- ment, al^ again repeated his threat, swearing that the HMimt hoBUttected his guiding, should be theP^ listi|^ri|life, 3ha i^dier assured him thlHie'^ ^i^ottld k||JH ttoreover informed him ^t soMW q|r slnpa were almdlt withip gun- ahol . £$ 1im..Sm% a piece (^.ffliarttiaikm which was quickly <}0ipi^^ offiring, and the a p p< a^n i fe< g|aiieft8in^air. They now sgpck ^tlM^jk^t, and iq. half an hour gained di £rlnk *.. # 1^ %f m * * iM 1; 4 • f J?^ •» •■^ 4 * j^' '/ 4 V '<* f I ■W' F- 5 ^. ^ '■■§* ♦ ¥ .w ^»*» I tttd^WAR. t t Um '.V ^1 , of. tnl river ; ivheriiiny ftiewl roiptta landed from thf squadron, and preparfiig;^ uttk their way towiMl||be ounp. By then be w«a liMiducted II mm^fOn^ fton# whom he ku^ | that no effectual mt^m oo^ be given to '^ . bold force : lAr such wae the ibaUonmess of the^ liircr, that none except Ae Vely lignteii craft could mabe their way within six miles cf the town \ ipd even these were stopped by vessels sunk in4i chanirar, and dther artificial IBars, baldly wii||i a shell's longest range of die fort. With tW^ welcome news he was eloordingly forced to Re- turn ; and takbig his unwilUiijg guide along with ^binG^ he madellis way, witbolit any||9venture,1o dur advanced posts ; where, having thanked the g , fellow for his fidelity, he rewarded it more eifec^ ' tuallji^vi setting him at liber^. Havni^ brought his report to hea* council di war was instandy summcmed to berate i^on what was best to be dene, ^ithout ^e heip of the fleet, it was evident, WL adopt what plan of attack we could, ipr Ibss iftust be sudi as to counterbalance even 8i|pd|pNiielf; while success, under eH^stingcircuMKpe, was, to say the least of it, doubtful. 4indWen if we should succeed, whet wotdd be gained byit^ We could not remove %ny t^l^ fhpm Baltimore, for wai^lsf proper conveyai^f^. Had itflmiips been 4 able tolfeach the town, then, indeed, the <||uitity * A-" « *'%f IS' 1^. •*, I' t 'i> .-^ife ;*?* ,,,,«KV' f Wl^l .>#r^^ P7^»^, 1 1 i I Will iipf|iii .* ( I T **•/ ■o Hi dear I %hiwea8^if w^liilid^itwus h|Plr , ^j^l^ >#irii9i^,|||^i|.4ho p^ %tt dis >||||||ljMll>|oaiwMd destryctioft,^ I \j^war to difci^ that|||ljiea ^ attiming eneii^t %e9^4liflM Todr|w # t^kdjdittfmiMCUiflr ^, •#' (I* • d require manoeuvring, s timeiflHi delay,8 j^^ id could isibly IIP U^..£v|;qr hour brought m reinforoei to their army» wlifr^9a 9urs lyi^ no - ^ttl^ J^ to i^cruit its losses ; ijH|^.waiB, '^demed prudent, since we.-||pu!d' nol 'g milfcp pce> jtQwlose no time in retitminir to the c «a jjft^ inidn%ht, the troo|| ^^ ^uppn the raadi an^Algan '^ *^ ' finem^|(P|ifoU05^ The ram, % iJ f Mi W N ^ '^yi^^ shooe »«H bri|i||iilj^#iar. |p'' ' ^KL^'< , #il ^m Ik iWfe ^- ■» T ■^ ^^^hL* * ,^ t>'?f^ 4 . :fii Mm iiMBjil iE- ■ 1 *■- ■' 1 our qtreoglh. ■ n|* and WA^ffipt qn in % i)Qi|| where ifae 'Ibattle 4ip t^ t, w«,4ieheUI th^ ^ad scattered ^Ixni^ and still ilnbufied ijM so|ar ^erent frop tlNj^p^rl^' whioh^jj^d S9^ at Pladeiraillrg, ihaf^i^ey yi^ J^ not slfippel) eM|r> man lying as ^ ^(W|4|l(te^ J^^ ink jne as cunous. ^JhL- il 1» One object,, however, me a% cuppas. J^-^ ii ^pp ^^ - ~ 9 r 'X> w •"•i- saw several men hang^ lifeless tn^^^gj^ '^<^ <^^ '^ttl»»^^ learoylmt , who'^mee, during thiixHittl<||' aejar^ in these elevated flituatieiiii,,,|ar |i;||^CQ|p^ fcmeq punMesof securing a good aim» atld avcud- • ingdaMP Whatever might b^e tfaeic :gj|gess>4iiL; vJ? Ilic fiist of these designs, inthe Jast tlil|paU<| lot our n^ soon discovered iht^^^RdtHi mg the|Rmg as unfair, jrefused to gi ^pRTter, and shA them on 4ieir pf|dbf^.;i|^g,^ . J^|pwe paused for ^ll^^' ^Uifl^||!C ' ^ ^ »l 4 M'^ :\y'^% 1^-^^* \$t ' ^. ■ %'\^' * *^m^^,' ^ jl^'ftar, «ld Hfinkdiitely V^^«ii»#hsir(}. ft an ifistaiiil|» iRMi iie^ *"^ Wjiace^ and Afc r^ttnetitB Wliieelod4iita,Mne fitGrng V%>wafds di« feiiihy. ^he artillo^ tom^d round \ ^fitlA adviliieil to ^d^ ifont> A did i ever a|| a ~, tiuAioeuvrelnbiie coolly or more stendifyperflgimfd iliii a parade ki England, than this tally. The ilwrm, hoivever, tftmed out to be grou^ess, be-. l|ll|pM. ca8ioned only by the siidden ^yptfairance of s^ %#ituifcon of horse^iiliich had been sent out by* iSto MlsedBnem general to track our steps. These '^mb^m^'p charge the rea^|fuard, andi sue^ "^in^ making two prisoners; but »/sl||gie checked their further advanee, and s^nt fjneHL back at full speed to boast of thc^rave e3B- » >|i|«t^uch^y had performed. ^ f j|^ Se^g that no attack was seriously intended ^ f tlie Many bf€ke oince mtxe into the Ime^of matdi, ^4 ^'{Miproceeded to a favourable pieqti^if ground^ >4iear1il& micfmpleted* positKMi which I have^ $ where we pasaedthe nigl||under made with blankets and ram-rods. No alurniiiSeuini^^ nor any cause if delay afipearing, ftlday-'ilieak^ipe again gbt^underacms, and pushed t^^'Qii towaMb die #|^ing, which, in two hours, .-^dre VV i ■I *'* F-A 'l*a( ^ Ppi IM' L». im Ic^ ^Jr-' m ■.o^H R 11 ■«■ .K ^If. i'*^ .'♦'v / ,f: #* ;/ PI' ^artiU^ry wa|; ah^ G0|i>i;eiyed oil board iheflM^^^sooii^tl||^ vwi^dpnc^briga^^ after brigade fdl |w?k-to«^r ;i||^er's edgfi, aii4 lew^Mfked, tUl fliAaUy all, exGept^ .^^ light,treq;)Sy were^j^t off. ^hes^bebg leih^ toqov^jthe embarkation, ^cn'm^%epi5ie^i9i(iTQS^ th^entirp^^ce Which but a little beftMn contained^ ifaS^Mrhole army ; but asv no attempt was^ ijoadj^ $0 ; .'molest thepi, they h%d only the honour of «beiiigi»«, the lastH quit the sh6re. * W ^aviyng ventured to give my opinion cin|||iNB||t skill and military knowledge displayed on ibpji^'/ sides, during the late expedition, it may, pMlwiKiii ba. expected thi^l^ should do the saitie|^.4pP^^ se«t occasion. The fact is-, however, thatliii^ la here but little room for criticism ; an4 <3M^INIiil? WQuld bo^^lmost a recapitulation of what has be^ already safe. On the part of the BMtish jttD[e|id« ^ I am not aware of a single error that ^anbojli noticed. Poor Ross, indeed, tttfew.himsdfAwa^ % jby exposing hi^ person unnecessarily in a trfflihg* skirmish ; but who will blame a soldier £biHN»x^efi» of coupge, or a leader for excess of h»^||||b*$? Like other able men, he was iinwilling jtff*^ ^ the report of his^subf^tepis, whei^it wailln his n power tQ,.,ascertain what • he sought fo. Imowd^^ personal observf^tioii i and« ^Igother Ulye mmr he would not be deterred from prosoftitiiig hl^ design t^ the appfohensim of danger. <»j{ijthe< « \4 t" A: ■•'< %^ ■*» m .iA;:::. H niicJifttet^ Ibit^ by ii» at- tempt ib^ifeind ^e^iver^ hd chose to laJid^ #lie^ Ii# was l^eaiit likely to theet td^ imniecllatfr oppo^*^ afHbnf ; tlhd iiu^h ^as ^i^^cetetiQr tif his nkotions, iSi& hii'he liv^df the chancel are that we ^tdd hAvefiilight tWobattliss in one day. Butof wlgK «k yih titiglkt'have d6ne/I have nothiiig to say ; let^inenrther do Justice to his successor and Wa Ji^visers. Of these latter, tiiere is one v^m it jVrbfiil br'irtip^ menticm bynami0-^I mean DtiUtenant Evans, Deputy Assistant Quar- ><^eral. The whole arrangement of in Gtder of battle wa#conimitted to biii f^iiEd'^ thi judicious method in which diey ilirii^ drawn up, proved that he was not un- worttiy the thist. With respect to ^ det^- tniMrtiMtipf the oouncil of war, I cho^ to be IBent; G^flain it is that the number of our forces 'wiovld Jiamfiy auAorize any desperate attempt; and if govemment regret the issue of the expiedi- tiQnifi#h^|tnbfy conceive that the fault is, in a ^great ii^a^ate^ their own, in sending out a force aoin(ida|(tt[^ble., -'X^n such subjects, however, I do aot ^Hw'to dweH $ ihl^ugh every onie must be sensible &at K),00& men might have accomplish- ed what 5y000 Goul^iik venture to atttem^. ^ the part of the Americans, agaiui nearly the slme^^blunderB were committed^which marked .v % ifA #r ■^t -"f-' V ,i •if 51 '\ 4 ^ kit » > -/ 'U^. :^^' ^^Ev* r triti' • / fKy' H i /*'' ^^K ^B*< [ ,'W .•«.• i^ '/ *■ ^'- -^ ■pj^** igs itiflPing^ilie,iMMPIlBii to WMpi- ii^^; though wm^frnm^^iiS^ ^k^ki tbe dkrtnlmtMm i^P iieir feftet al^ ^Mir priiid|Ml positioii. At Bladenibiiri^ iinlgjjid* there were tto works ^ but th^ tro6p6%tor6 bM^y %inu)ged ; here there were not (xdv foitiittltililiH 'IP fortifications constructed in a scienii^'lHitf- prnTj and troops drawn up in^ siick^oider,' ^MtilMiS^iAmined quietlr at anchor tniHie im;- ^Mlivn^'^MMfiesiiyhourj wesetsaH and 8ted dt ( >W« h M ■ttpi-iPatUKent. In this voyage we passed dose td %m^ idMj'tiaiird aganr threw the inhabitahiTs of I afaum by approaching almost inriftift their town; but at nellher plactf^^#tfi^ lliMMitlittemptedj and on the 19th we «rtii4d, iMfeMM liij Adventope, at our former anch6raige inlfeifiver. V Heiia we brought u]^, {ynj^pdrt^ w«rd^iMi|.G«i^ihore to dig wells in Ui6 sand, tt$ Wllch die iitts fesorted in great nurtiberftfdir viUmttf ""■ Cattle and sheep were likewise purchased from^^IlM natives I some of the flour which had tott ^]^^if«d, libs converted inio biscilit, and c»c!l}^|i^|)l||^^ to b^ nuking for a long To &tffitate1iiWQp6ratioQs,:^e fleet now ig plii i idl part twnw mStpm pioceifid- itt^mAie Mtiam Miconiie to the Potomac ; while Sir ^icMdsr €och^ne, in die Tomunt, with, seveilil IHij^iMea and fun^brigs, ^uitted^us #^ •4' •^■5 ■ ^^ ■i,# . ,1 j\\ m ■w y^ *.^- IN^' t1* I"»?.s1 « '*' ■"-^''t % H ■ m «.•*. ^^A m TKV FibVUXBllT. '*,*•'' Haliftx. f Btit^our siliiatiQii waa by ndy^milyi aigtiMablo. lliecliiiiBteofthivi;)irtof^AlBterii^i|) %t certuli Maidntt, for ftoritieaHlqr; and|he^|(lp^^ Mtnce dfd]rseiite(3rlhrou(^ the amaBMitt, pvmiod tiMit'^ utiherithy season had afareadjr. conuBMiced. Ijfeillier did there appear to be i^Qj^pnptpeetviBf Ihr^d^ m the 85tfa ' Rbgimeiit ^agvaed to pass 8^ day tbgether at afann-hptil^^jillbttt a quarter of a mile from the stream ; ||nl ts^^apg widi diem ten 'sddiers> lAUUrmed, to « row «^ boit, a few sailors, and % yoning midshiyiBliiy not more ' thin twdve yem fM age, they pm* ceeded to piit their #btermki|itiaa into ^nictitfi. Leaving the men imder the eonuMfid of their A ■» ■Z fy ^*W«l»F^ 'l^- immm^ ■ ''■•'WJv«|»Ml^ 1 1 wiJt, pvowd H :QiinBiiMf^!Oprjd with great fidelity, and havingdirected his co^Kitry- men towards another farm-house at some distance from hi^ own, and in an opposite, quarter from where hi^^ests lay, he waited till they were out of sight, and then joined his new.ftiei^ls in dieir concealment. Bringing with hi^ sli^ proviaioiis as he could muster, he advised t^ieib to keep quiet till dark, when their pursuers having departed, he conducted them to^theriver, supplied th^qii^ith a Hirge canoe, and sent them off in perfec^iisafe^^ die fleet Q|) reaching their ship, they foijnd the 85th Re- giment, under. arm$,apd preparing toJandj for t^e purpose of either rcleaung their, coinrad^ fro ni captivity, or infliqtitig e^<^l|i^7 pun^hincnt uppi^ ;!t 'mt ,-#:• '#•** ■•*;>■ ♦.Jf .,*■.. it •'*4i inpw^ of. the I the wfitef^f canoe whiph a tree. The firing attthe ler; l)uVthe tber totheii is lirtle bark, dfffgardless lOut hioi, re- ed, the other itioQ of Clip ept ||>w«3H)d his co^Kttiy- >ine distance quarter firom »ey vere out pds in their ^provisions ;o keep quiet departed,^ he themi^itha ecl^safetyto heSi^Je- tandifortfae '"V?W3 E^... ■## t*ff^ r -• 'fitr¥oT6^M. m suffer^ But When the pai'tic of his behaviour were irefatefl^' ^e lattb^ alterna- tive Was ^ once abanddned f and it Was detemiined to 'folce a dismissal of tfie captiyes/by advandmg uj^ the country, and laying waste every thing With fire and sWord. Hie whole of the light bri|;ade was accbrdlngly carried on shore, and hamd on the heAdn, whilst a ihessenger ilas sent forward to demand back the prisoners. Such, howeVer, was the effect of his threatening, that the demand Was at bncei^mplied witbf and they returned on board wS^ With iand engage the force there stationt ed. With this view, two britifades were landed on tne night of the 4th of October, and ^^ushed forward at a brisk pace, but the enemy being cm the alert, had timely notice of the movement, ahf reared ; by whibh means our people retufhei] q| the 5th, without effecting ^y thingl By thfs time the whole^eet wis once more col- lected tc^gethier) and crowded thtf Potiiiac^lth .** 4!t ■^[^' 'M ■m I- *" ^. 11. v • »' >w ,4^ r- (i-i ^T *ft r J t^ p 1 I ■1 1' t! I ' Kr'' 1 w i1»r $f<- 1 : ^'^" f 1 If- 1 WS' HHI c » . » • ■I is ; a; .? i^ fll 1 _ 111 .'' * mM'* « -^ ^^^KkSl^Liii ' ;^i^U(Ch: /^>u<«itkMe >• .,'4 JAIfKflL mvEK. t|>tirlcMk« T)ieJ>i»demh0UjigaaQldtUpartddi ' bid Miler, it was determined to remove ioMD ^f t|^ ti<«ppi which she h»d formerly carried, to ftU heii with American prisoners, and to scfidher.ti IJpgland^ The Menelaua yrta likewise dispatched with such officers and soldiers as required the Im^ ne^t of their native air, to complete lH^ cure of their pounds ; and th^ rest gifting undffr weigh on the 6th, stood directly .tpwards the mouth of the Chesapeake. When we reached the Ji^mce River, we anchored, and were joined by an Amevi- can schooner bearing a flag of truce. Shi^ll^iight with hisr Colonel Thornton, Lieutenant-C^otoRcl Wopd, and the rest of the officers and ll|l|(i.;WlK> had been left behind at Bladensburg, aij^d^lkising under the guidance of Commodore Barney,' tha^ genitleman^ was enabled to (^harge his trust «vei| to the verjr letter. ' , • , It niay readily be supposed that the meeting be> tween friends thus restored to each oth^« was very agreeable. . But there was another source of com- fort which this arrivivl communicated, of greater importance than the^ pleasure, besj^ed upiM;i^di- viduals. In Colonel Thornton we felt ti^iat we h^f^ .recovered a dafihing.and enterprising officer ; qp^ a& Wje]l calculated to lead a cprps^of light tfiofijps, and to guide the advance of an,^rmy, §^ aayM iH;^ service. Pn the,whi||^, thqreforp^ tbeAmerica% r.Mfas^ ■J^% ■\m.: ^ »#' ^ <% A*,- *■■ '^%S - V' Jt\ K s THE GSIIANAKI. fftt iw»#*«vMiAMwHliwhilbitteiii«ilfrfi«M r ^|%e vromdcd b«i»g now lait off^ tnd CoIomI Woo^ M^PBg tht number^ the rtmaiader of .the fleet again aet aatl, and reached the mouth of die bay without intemipCion. Here they were met by a 1ngat^«nd two brigs, which spoke to the Ad- mini, and apparently communicated aome impor- tant intelligence ; for we immediately put about, ai^ stood once more iit> the Chesapeake^ Tho wind» however, blew with great violence, and d^ redHy against us. After beating about, therefore, for «09|ie4hnQ, without gaining any ground^ we tm n ec ^l fUr heads towards the ocean, and, flying between die Capes with amazing velocity^ stood out to sea; directing our course towards the &S.E. ; and proceedii^ at the rate of seven miles an-hour onder bare poles. The sea ran' tremen- dously.higK and the sky was dark and dreary ; in6bmucb4hat bf a landsman the gale might safely be aQCounteda storm* Under these circumstances, tbe^p roUing«a9 if she would dip her top-mast in ' the traicr^ and ^ waves breaking in at the back wkid6wa «f,^.diec;abin, nodiing remamed to be dld^ but to go to bedr 'tidier viMt of us, ae-, eofdiiiglyaijepairedi and» holding ourselves in our aittii^ hf watching^^ dve^^ a|^^ atoola, IMoh *f^< ami lilHyjJiiihir ai ihay luHid - V fv , ■% S^ * t »^- •'•■•V»t- sift ^■' m 4T IIA. imjiBitKlljr frtmi one side ^fl^fir^ earned ittt^iln^^ Here ijre.wnR^v^d, according to ouftom, by Neptune attd hie wife ; and, as the cerepony of ihaving Hl^y, perhape, be unluiown to you, I ahall beg letye to relate the particulars of, this visit A clever, active seaman, dressed up grotesquely i^ vsrious coloured rags, adomed with a long - beard made bf the ^stuff which sailors «all spun- Yf^, and armed with a tri-pronged harpoon, }nates the God of the Ofcean. Anotkt^ sea- S, arrayed in like manner, except that, instead of a^be^, he wears an hideous mask, peifbprms the per^.oif the lady. These are attended$$)y a trppi^tf |Msa-gods and nymphs, similarly equipfMK^; and, a^vancing^fipom the bow of the vessel as if just stepped on board, they come forward to the mainmast, and sumi]|)q| before them all sujch ptfr- ions as have ne^erusworn the oaths, or previously visiteddieir capitoL At the foot of the mast is placed a large tub full of sea-water,, and covered * ■ » 'V' , by a piete of canvas, which is held tight by four of theip attenda||ts* ^Upon this unsteady throne is t^e luckless wi^^ whom they design to initiate, Qompdled IP sit ; an^ being asked sevfnal queisr tipQSr which ne cannot answer, and.t^ing several oat^ very, much resembling those said tpbe adr Iwinisterii^At J^ghg!|te, ile^e prpceejjs j^cqn:^ ^j?on him ik .honoiir pj^Hiationi byt^^ m process. TwOpf tlie^j|^|^^3i|^|^ .« #■■ ■*■■ ^. ■V' I^^^w I'- il ■f. ^112 AT SEA. ^ generally tall stout fellows, pinion his arflln' to hi^ sides ; and another; bringing a bucket filled ^ith grease and slops from the kitchen, sets it down at his godship's feet, putting a small panting brush into his hand. Neptune now dips his brush into the filth, and proceeds to spread a lather over the f^ce of the novice, taking care to ask questk)ns during the whole [M-ocess ; and if the adopted be simple enough to reply, the brush is instantly thrust into his moiith. As soon as a suffigient quandty of grease is laid upon the face, Neptune next' seizes a piece of rusty iron, generally the broken hoop of a water cask, with which he scrapes (^all that has been applied. If the novice take all this patiently, his face is washed, and he is per- mitted to descend from his throne in peace, being dignified with the title of Neptune's son. But if he lose his temper, which most men are inclined to do, a bucket of sea-water is poured upon his head. If this be sufficient to cool his wrath, he suffers no more ; but if it only increase his indig- nation, bucket after bucket is emptied over him, and, at last, the holders of the s^il-cloth suddenly retiring^ he is plunged, over head, iftto the tub. To crown all, the unfortunate wretch who has en- dured these miseries, is fined, by his tormentor,' in a gallon of rum ; a fine which the force of custom v'iompels him to pay. It must be confessed Aat iht».iii a barbarous amusement, much resembling ym>^ 'I ^^ ^' If?*-. ¥h TAI west XMl^ISS. bovf, i»thejal?le rfthf Jjoya.and the _, ^_0Ueh vCT? agreeaDlic to those who act to me looKers 0n, it is not so to him that ■i-'j£. ''y\i': 'tnt-^i In this mapner many persons. were treatec^ till ^en|g;th Neptune growing weary from me iiu^- Po^ novicets, was content to admit the rest to the ilegescdf initiation, at\ condition that the fines should be punctually paid; an agreement, mto trliich most of us very thankfully entered. ' a. •J^Kxt ihominfiC) the first object which met qi^r ^es, was the land of Caycos island. We eso ose to pie shore, when day-light discovered it, e wind been at all adverse, we must qn- l^ve struck ; but being assisted by a ^ and gentle breeze, the ships put about imme- j|li|tely, and escaped the danger. Standing out to sea| the fieet now doubled the promontory, and il^rmg round by the other side, sailed on without losii^ sight of land, till late in the evening. C^ tl^ following day, a signal was made from the 4^di)||kaPs ship, that the Grolden Fleece trans- .port, under convoy of the Volcano bomb, should pocfed to Port Royal* while the rest of the fleet held their course towards Negril bay. These two vessels accordingly set all sail, and pushed forward by diemselves ; while thjf others kept on at a more ,j|\|^frate rate, that none might stray from the con- voy 5 for the West India seas at this time swartn- Ee ^ \ •i \ m t ; vl M^ ■]i^ 4 ]*M^ t * ■ v^ '»•« i 8' '? ' \ ► 'f: I ■ \ i '. ' 'fi 4 ••^'r s ^■.i" N ^ U' n i. P t r i; I 1 1 ■^# m >% H. i /,)• 4 ''^.mM*'' 0- H n it^- XRl WEST IN Oils. idg wi^ American privateenL it wai^' trans in the m^lcue of tne It SO chanced, that I Iook my pass the two ships which went forward by thenisdves. The wind was fair, and we made g|eat pft3apSB% insomuch, that before dark the hidiland a ^ DominfiK), (HI one side, and the mount^ns of Cucli on the btKer,>^ere discernible. In sjMte of the heat, therefore, our voyage soon became truly dei|gnjt: ' t^. Secure of getting .on under the iimu«n« c^ the trade winds, we had nothing to di||R|ct o|||r thoughts) or keep us from feasting our eyes up^n the glorious shores of these two islands^ ^jjfhjlei^ addition to the sight of land, which of it^,,|^ cheering, we w||^ amused with water-spouts, ap- parently playing about us in every direction. Qoie of these, however, began to form within a'littte distance of the ship, and as they are dangerous as well as interesting, a cannon was got ready^ to W break it, before it should reach us. But it did not complete its formation, though I cannot tdl why $ for, after one spout had rben into the air soine height, and another bent down from the clouds, t(l meet it, they were suddenly carried away in dif- ferent directions, and fell into the sea with the noise of a cataract. Among other sources of amusement, pur aflfn- tbn was drawn, on the 29th, tq a shark,. which -% ife-r ?• *>■ ■■•^ -*% ' VK W » ■«1 ^ • ^ i*»# ■■ t- f^t th<^ 9lem pf the vessel % v^ iiiini^9C|i9^^ prepared, and baited. |P^S|i^c of suit pprk, which, being throiim av^t ^ l^^^y S^P^ ^y the voracipus moh- iier. But, as mum as he fett the pain occasion^ b^^vUlb hbok^in his jaws,^ he plunged towards the l)Q|tti^ (^ the'sea with such violence, as to cend^ the yejy. taffarel hot, by the rapidia ^ fjthe cpr^l gliding over it. Having permitted him to go a ceiltun length, he was again hauled up to the siir- fi»ce, where he remained without offering further f^siatafiOe; whilst a boat was lowered down, and a ^^t^jAg llDQae thrown over his head. Being thu^ jiiadl'lut id the gunwale of the* boat, he was brought round to the gangway, when the end e noose being cast over the iif|in-1^ard, he was led out of the sea and swung upon the ship's Hitherto he had suffered quietly, offering Qp resistance, and apparendy stupified by the pain- of Ids jaiw $ but he began now to convinceSis that nei^er life nor striength had deserted him ; lashing with his tail with such violence as speedily ti|plear the quarter deck, and biting in the most furious manner at every thing within ||s reach. One of the sailors, how;ever, Who seemed to linderstand tfiese matters more than his convades, look an axe, and watching his opportunity, at one bkiw chopped offhis tails He was now perfectly harmlenMi^s indeed, one had chosen to Jiirust oner's h m|g nto ■^ i * t 0^ ^' ' ■4' * 'fe fi Aifi ^^i tJ*4 - ■'>:.«■• ■' i1 # H.ir**". •v-j :Wt8T IlrDfM. his iiiooth I «id the samfe sailor «< coeded to lay him open/ r and to- taice outJ trails. And now h was that the tenacitjr of ^y peculiar to these aninials> displayed itself. Aifter his heart and bowels were tfiken'o4t) the shark st^ continued to exhibit proofs of animation, by bNoig ividitts much force as ever, at a bag^ofcarpenttir's todls that hanoened to lie within his reaqlu Being cut up, he was distributed in porliofiy amoQgthe soldiers and ship's crew. The tail paft only, waa reserved as the cluef delicacy foaepw^ cabjn, which, though dry and hard, wl& Uttiq flavour or taste, was on the present occasioa cum' sidered as agreeable food, because.it waaliu^;. ■5^- 'f-S^ np^^tM. '^- , ■ ''V. t,-* ' > » *,» ^V^^' ,*»",. i/''''\ <*»»,,. "•'WltW^.s b» 9'' ' : -.!%• , ■'i « • ... '^■ •* mi^ LEtTKEXVI. ^ BvT what I principally relished, in thi& pmi^ our vbyage; was the exquisite beauty of its nij^H-^ s^nery. To an inhabitant of Great Bri^it*,' the |pl^d6Ur<}f a night-scene in these climates iff alto« gether tinknown. Shining broad and fullin a sky ]p0rfeociy^€loudless> the moon sends for^ a clear Btt^j^yiO^^w lustre, little inferior, in point of sti!^Af|^o the foil twilight in England. By this Ifieans you never lose sight of land, either by night ||j]ay, as long as your course livb^ween Cuba 0i Saint Domingo; whilst the delicious coolness, ifdiich follows the setting of the sun, tempts you, k spite of all the whispers of pmdence, to expose . yourself to dews and damps, rather than forego M iSbost (deasures of which they lure the bane. Be- sides, you have constantly the satisfacttip, of oinerving yourself move steadily on at the most agreeable of all rates, about fi||e or six miles an hour; a satisfaction far from trifling iti a sea life. Then the ocean is so smooth, diat scarcely a rip- ple is seen to break ihe moon-beams as they faU;. whilst the quiet dash of little waves aga^ the ship's side, and the rushitig noise occt .4 =1 '■%, >. ..»#^ i v.. jEli! Lii^? 5 L -"SX t^^. i .'> . f . * %■ ■i i^ .♦ iii Till WIST IHJ>;i|% I 4-4 fi-4 ♦ if */ il .1 ! i^ 11/ f WWI ^]U\ ;, >'' f ' i '^ dnetnoviqg of her J^w throughthe waiar, |pX||^ ^* / al^)ge^er an flTopt which^ may, without i^f«S(^ "^ tion, be tisrmed .absolutely iiej&eghiQg.. It wmniy CQinmon practice to sjt for hours after night Jatl upon the tafiarel, and straiQ my eyes in the attepipt to' distinguish objects on shore, or strange sai)^ 41 llie distance. ' ^t so happened, that on the 30th I was tempifci^ to indulge in this idle but bewitching emplpymerjl^ even ;beyt>nd my usual hour for retiringi ^and did not quit the deck till towards two o'cloclm the morning of the Slst. I had just entered lu^ cabin, and was beginning to undress, when a Gcy from above, of an enemy in chasle, drew pe^ in- stantly to the quarter deck. On looking a-steiHk I perceived « tliBsel making directjy after us, aod was soon convinced of the justice of the*alaim| by a shot which whistled over our heads. AQ hands were now called to quarters, the gmall^itj^ || were talnn in, and having spoke to our comjpamc^ and made an agreeinent as to position, boUi s^p| cleagd for action. But the strangqr seeing h^^ fig^ nal ofaNeycdwithso much alacrity, likewise sjaclcf^ ' > ed s«Q, and contiiwidg to keep us iiiview, follow,^ our vfike without approaching nearer. . In tfi^ state thmgs c(xitinued till day-break, we still hold- iog our cours6, and he hanging back ; but as soq|| s^itwds light, he set more sail aad ran to wiiid<- waBd, pi^vipg jusl^out of gun-shot, in a parallel ^- T^^V^^^^M^ Vt ^■fc5*'-^4* ■f V, •'■« THB WBST INDfBS. US. It^vM now. nec^ssMiy to fall upon s W deeifvifig lub, cnhtirW&^there was ^ifi^lhiU Iw wcmk^k^ W^ I, theheig^t of the bulwarks Served to li^ some of Il\e men ; but in the transport no s^^creen existed. The troops were, thtirefor^, oir^ed below, and only the sailors, a few blacks, and the officers, kept the deck. The same expe- dii^t was likewise adopted, in part, by Captam I^rice, of the Volcano, and, in order to give to bis ship a still greater resemblance than it alreacijr^had to a merchantman, he displayed an old faded scar- J^teiisign, and drew up his fore and mainsail in #hat sailors terni a lubberly manner. . .Ml,- ► - ^ ' " ' "As yet the stranger had shown no colours, biit from her build and rigging, there was little doubt alto her country. She was a beautiful schooner, |lfeSentihg seven ports of a side, and apparently ^wded with men, circumstances which imme- Hktely led us to believe, diat she was an American pnvateerl^ The Volcano, on the other h^ti^ was a clumsy strong built ship, carrying twelve guiis^ aid the Golden Fleence mounted eight ; so IKt In pbiiit of artillery; the'advanlage was rather on our siBe ; hut the American's sailinjg was so much su- ^|ior to that c^ either of us, that this a!^v^ntage was more than counterbalancedi ' ',ttaving dod^d lis till eight o'clock, ancj recon- hoid^d with great exactness, the straogiif Jiiimn •*?. rh^ J,.\- t M t ■|S" '^r- ''i)» W t |„ ■' '4| i.' [• s, •■*''* ;^. f/ .*: ^ /A ex-' .»t '.? 4: WEST INDIBS. IP Steer gra^bHilljr nearer and nearer, tfll it Wnglli iri^ herself thus assaulted, she iiib# tfite^'tStfUft di^ise, and hung out an American ensigi^ i^fa, ^fti^lfltei'helmupy she poured a brttodsid^lHth tVbHey of musketry, into i he trahsiwk; anttt along iiide of the bomb whicn sailed tb windU^. . As soon as her flag was displayed,' and htlr ili>^ tintion of attacking discerned, all hsfncis' tiHe^ ordered up; and she received tv^ well-dnttetii|i b^sidsides from th& Volcano, ad well% )k ivalm iAsit from the Golden Fleece. But^^MOh^ iM die celerity of her motion, that she wis aldi^ side of the oomb in less time than dm^tif ilniagined ; and actually dashing her boViH iigafiiil' die odier, attempted to carry her l}ybbiirffi%. Captam Price, however, was ready to ''^^(^10 ^ tfienK "^Tlte boarders were at thirir fSHft^i© ini^ •Ip JcMiadjan findings fo usd" t V^ '^ jp^^^t he had caught a Tart^ l^Sfif^ ti^i^his men upon UirVblcario's^^^ ' §of5^$^iiy|^ fe ^wj^lsheered off with die same %edd \«[i x^M^'ti^i^down. In aftemi^* Uiapiyht uiiiivoiilably idtt knihcwlwt tb'^ii^^ ^ cxjk^a th«^whote ol his deck toihe i|^% t : ^\ Si "f^WH^ni., \ THl WIST INDUS. 2S1 ]|l^a|hi|bluite4 to work his vessel. ^ ^ Xhe Volcano had, by this time, filled a^d gave chace, firing with great precision at his yards and rigging, in the hope of disabling him. But as fortune would have it, none of his important ropes or yards were cut ; and we had the mortificatioD to see him, in a few minutes, beyond our reach. '\J^ th|s afi^, a marine ofBcer and two men were hiPipd 0% board the bomb ; and some of the tack- Uog, was shot away. The transport suffered n^ing, in kUled or wounded, having been in a great degree protected from the enemy's fire, by ht^ commodore ; and only one rope, I believe a maii^stay, was destroyed. JThp battle being over, and the chace given up as fir^idess, we continued our course, .without any odicr adventiiiie ; • and before dark, were a^ tp distiqguish the bUie mountains of Jamaicai thit^yen tl|^ Fyreni^ niagnificent as they are,.wcre[nQt to be compar^ in point of altitude, to the hills now iDefQie Qie ; and early in the morning, while yet the n>ists hung ypm their sumirnits and concealed them, the ii;iaa- gination was left to picture to itself what it chose ; even the gates of heaven restbg upon their tc^. It was, in truth, a glorious scene ; and as the wipd blew light and uncertain, we were permitted, fkpva the slowness of the ship's proj.'ess, to enjoy |^ to the full. Towards evenings, indeed, the brqeze died entirely away, which compslled us tofuodpr about eight miles from the harbour of Port Roy^« In spite of the little rest which I had pcocur(^ during the preceding nights, having sat up ^ ^ early hour this mciing, to watch several strange sails that hovered about us, I could not bripg n^- self to quit the deck till after midnight, so be^|i' fill, in all respects, were the objects arouhd me. The moon shone with her accustomed briUiaoCj^, and exhibited every crag and tree upon the lan^/ changed and confounded in sliape, but still plainlj^ while the perfume^ borne off upon the brees^ W9l^ odoriferous in the highest degree. . The sound of the waves, likewise, breakiog upon the rocks, and the occieu$ipnal cry of seam^, as they adjusted ropes and sails, together with the sight of several ? f *' ■Jit: fi liiaiHiiii' ' •' x > <■■■', ^f P4MlTB#rAfc. wnlsMrhieh took advaniige of ilie iiight. - ^.iit •*it •P4 ■>{rs- ■% I > '* ', i k 1 « s fit /^ ( • • at* KlMiTQil. 1 *; ■^ U' %' v only deiiipUih(»d giwt pttt clothe town^^^figfl Boyal, but UkiiHai coviMd H wHh thf im | % nhich meaii9» the Vite oC tii$ iMrbpiir wat aoi*' fleitly cliaiigsd, and that wbieb^nvas fonaiBify dk|r land, and a town, became part of the ci|ttar»M of the bay. Having doubled the .promontories, a rich and extensive prospect meets the eye. You find your* self, at it were, in a large inland lake, the banks ;^ which are covered with plantations of sugiu'-caii^ groves of cocoa-nut and plantain trees, and othAT woods peculiar to these regions, beautifully inttir* spersed vi*ith seats and villages. On your f^|(bt, is the town of Port Royal, lying nearly on a Wfrel with the water, and strongly protected by fov^ cations, while in various other directions arc castM and batteries, adding an appearance of security to that of plenty. The l)anks, though not lof^ slope gently upwards, with occasional fidU-fV glens, and the back ground is composed, m ^Hub" nd, of the rugged tops of distant mountabs. ^ Having waited till the ship dropped anchor, I* put myself into a sort of barge rowed by four ne* groes, aod proceeded to Kingston. Thoufjl$ii0i0$ the capital'of the island, Kingston is the larg(|itte|b in Jamaica. It stands upon ihe brink of fFKH about nine miles above Fprt JIdyal ; «nd thence cfi|py^s an the advaniages of ^e chief mart in ifeas 7 i> 35i* > ■-m' ■ j't 1* f %' i -*.' uJkg.MWHf ji LUwiuoitot h iriiiwfeiBtaisqh .|H(|g;iliitiin^^Hhoill iiMift f^gaHl to regultn. wma^Hi etogAlM, bi6if%€oM|KMM itnMsf enthiijr of ffbeden houses, snd by ib meiite rtmirkable JbrefintoUnesB. Of publie buildii^; h'^sesses none worthy of notice. Its inns are, howevel', e)l»^ilait$ and though certainly not modei^te in dieir charges, they are at least more so than th<^ tf Bermuda. In a word, it is exactly such a town is <>ne would ex|)ect to find, holding the principal - *t ' lH 1 k / ifai'^WicW.: '^%% 1^ W 'ot^ EiasSiki f% A ■«»•««» ft M / ,♦ ■♦•■•^ *: JAMAIQA. 237 ■5. ^^ transported, stood .ki .the v^y to obstcuct my design. . « ♦ Having made iip*n^ mind to this journey, I waited till sun-set^on the 9th, when starting ki the cool of the evening, I reached a little tavern ^' called the Plum-tree, about half an hour after dark. My ride carried me through an c^n and fertile countryi covered with sugar canes, coffee, and. such other plants as are cultivated in |he low grounds of Jamaica. It was a short one, not more ^lan twkve miles in extent ; but I was forced to ^ halt where I did, because I had now ^ined the fo^ii;^ the- mountains ; and if I passed the Plum- tree, weU known as a sort of half-way house on such tours, I might travel all night without finding any place of accommodation. As darkness set in, one of the beautiful pecu-^^ tiarities of a tropical climate, which I had not pre- vbusly wimessed, came under my observation. The air was filled with fire-fiies,, which emitting ft "^ l^osphonc light, something similar to the light of tlie. glow>w<»m, only more red and brilliant, danced around me like sparks from a smith's anvil, len he is beating a bar of red hot iron.; These ^carqUures flutter about with a humming noise,. and frequency settle in large swarms upc^ branches of trees, giving tp'them the semblance of so many pieces of timber taken newly out of a fire« Wbeii vitwed by day-light, th^ are in no way remarka- # IK k^.. '"Wfi^ % • -.^ ■"^•:t^ ^-'«-" ..;:'*. ■* • w A' ■■m n ■^ jt; '4 'fi \* *' m '1 'I '^ *^ t:^ ,*J ?» \ : f ■V'-« m i 4 u •^ im jAUftkiCA. i c %> t% if. hh for Uieir elmn|Bi r«s atitt|)e dp the'body »^lo!ig-|)«4|b; which |nay be seen inli|l fields sAs^siih-set, wiihocii^l^ps orsdales^ ' 1^ -0 colour they Q»^; a dingy bfd\vi|lll,iike the gldvl^ '^ woi;^C!toy tfi^ir light in the tail. As t had not befbre chanc&d to see any dMHgf'of the kifiiii^ and forgot at the moment thi^t1iui^% inseet as Ae fire-fly existed, I wa<^%r a few lidl^ nUtes(;at a loss to what cause to attribute the phfe^ nomenon $ and was at last indebted to A%fQegr(^ guide for refreshing my memory on the ^jec# The eiffisct, however, cannot be conceived, %iihD<]rt;- being witneissed. A cluster pf two or three g^iynr- worms shine so brilliantly, that they will fumiih subject for the commendatory eloquence of anp* one fortunate enough to perceive them togetherV bu% their brilliancy is as a farthing candl#^to the sun, when compared with diat of the fire-fly. Not two or three, but thousands of diese creatures ''dance around, filling the air with a wavering aiid uncertain glimmer, of the extreme beauty of which no words can convey an adequate cqO! ception. Having passed the night at thirlavem, a si cottage kept lyjra free negro and his wife, I itlfe two hours before dawn, and prosecuted|ny joum^^ Ffoin die moment I quitted th^Plttm^^e; I bs^ gan gnduiUy to asCend, till, at day-breik, 1 1bux0^ m^delf kk the iDldst of dlft tnost gkirious seen^ s t u )< .'. *' 1 ^^-^ifc-. A.' ^ i-M:^ -W "V:, -.tjT'&S'X' *1 -^m4^ /jfB BLV£ |CQ^)f?AI|rs. 339 tha^t the imaginalion of a man can eoiieeive. Every thiy^ around was new and romantic. The hillQ, iDW^ing into the very sky, were covered from top to bottom widi the richest herbage, and the most luxuriant wood. Rarely could a barren crag be discerned, and when it did appear, it was only a sharp p6int, or a bold projection pushing itself forward from 4ie midst of the tliickest foliage.. But what to me formed the most bewitching. part of the prospect, was the elegance of the trees, and their perfect dissimilitude to any I had previously beheld. The cocoa-nut and plantain were mingled wiUi die wild-pine and lime-tree; while the cashew and wild-coffee, with numberless other shrubs, loaded at once with fruit and blossom, formed the underwood to these graceful forests. .^ As yet I had been favoured with a wide and good road, but now it began gradually to narrow, till at last it ended in a path little more distinct than the sheep-tracks over the hills in Scotland. Winding alcmg the sides of the mountains, it brought me frequently to spots, where the wood parting, as if artificially, displayed deep ravines, to k^down which,without becoming dizzy, required no little strength of head ; whilst above, the same hin continued to stretch itself to a height, far be- yond any I had before gazed upon. Presently after, it conducted me gently down into vallies completely shut out from tile test of die world; and G g ■# < "I #% ^'' *rr %> V* %■ ^ w| V w LtPr* % m, 1 si' ' i ' 'i . i» ^ . 1 * * /i " si #■.<•■ i*, |s£i f M i.-5 'i*. V •* ^' ,>i^^- f:^:^ « *^ # THE BLVIE MOITNTAI'RS. as I descended^ I could hear the roar of ^ater, uiough neither the st||am rior the bottom of the glen, coi^d be perceivedii On one of these occasions, after passing through a thick grove, I beheld a rive^ of some width, dashing along the glen, and chafing so as to produce the noise of a mighty waterfall. Towards the brink of this river my guide conducted vine ; when, plunging in, we madi our way, with $»ome difficulty, to the opposite bank, and again began to ascend. > For several hours, the same scenery sunounded me, only varied by the occasional appearance of clusters of negro huts. Than these, it is impossible to imagine any species of huts or dwellings more beautifully picturesque. They are constructed of strong limbs of trees, thatched over with straw, and usually ending in a cone ; having no iw^indows, but only two, or sometimes four dooris, for the pur- pose of admitting a free current of air. The spots chosen for their erection, are generally small plat- forms or terraces in the sides of the hills. A little path, similar to that along which I travelled, winds down from their doors to the bottom of the valley, .^d conducts to the edge of thej^ver, from whei^ the inhabitants are supplied with wat^. ^ Otml tracts likewise branch off in •different directions, some towards the summit, itfid others along the sides of the mountains ; leading, probably, to the t^elds or spots where the inhabitants labour. These I*'*- %• *' % « * 1^ •*^ <:\^: A- ■*'«iii»t.. s. i i water, though he glen, cotitfd :casions, aftfr held a rive^ of n, and chafing jhty w^iterfall. lide conducted our way, with nk, and again ry surrounded appearance of t is impossible wrellings more constructed of ;r with straw, g no windows, rls, for the pur- r. The spots lily small plat- hiUs. Alitde avelled, windis i of the valley, , from whei floater. V 6tl ent directions, lers along the obably, to the abour. These 1 r,. « ,1^*^ M %' s TIi:^ BLUE MDVNTAINSf 231 huts have no chimney, but cmly ^J|||ge hole in the rocfl to give free passage to the^molEe, ^d I could perceive, by its rise at present, that fires were con- stantly kept burning. It ivould be labour lost, were I to attempt any more minute description of this delightful journey. Every step I took presented something new, and something mor^ e;rand and sublime than I had just quitted; while me continual fording of the swollen river, (for I crossed the same stream no fewer than eight and twenty times,) gave an additional interest to the scene, arising from the sense of danger. The rainy seasons having just ended, this stream, the Wag-water, a most appropriate name, had not as yet returned to its natural size; but at the fords, which in general would not cover a horse's. knees, the depth was such as to moisten the saddle-girths. So great a quantity of water, in a furious mountain-torrent, pouring on with all the violence produced by a steep descent, occasioned no slight pressure upon my steed ; nor was it without considerable floundering on his part, and some zxaiagXy on mine, that once or twice we succeeded in making good qj^ passage. i^ '< *; * ■^^r# ' V #.- ■^>- -. ^ j ^^H> '^% :>l" ,, ih^^^^mm ^HliM^^^^^^ii^^L ^>* 1^ • . -f' « * -& fv \ ■%'■ % % <:^ ...j»*-. '• • J^^ 0^ 1'^^ 332 LETTE^l XVII. 'i.K i*v. lt.«, .^;^ ^•l^ I -y^ h'iU '4^ #^ ' Noon was approaching when my sooty fellow- /^traveller directed my attention to a neat cottage, Romantically situated on the top (^ a ) m mound, which stood alone in the middle of stupendous motrhtains. It commanded one of the most ex- quisite prospects that fancy can represent. A sort of glen surrounded it on every side, richly and beautifully wooded ; behind, rose some of the iltost lofty of the blue mountains ; on the right there was in opening, which admitted a fine view of Annotta Bay ; while in the other direction, the hills sloping gradually upwards, presented an inclined plane, covered with fields of sugar-cane, and ending at a considerable distance, in one abrupt and broken ■^ rid^. The cottage in question, was the resiilsnce of my friend, and th« resting place whither my steps were turned ; nor did I expeilillice any fegin^ at finding myself so near my journey's end. T1& ,heat had for some time' b«en almost intoler- able, and having eaten no^mg since the n%bt before, nature began to ciy otit for repose liiid re- pletion. ** In truth, the^ welcome which I tTspe- 'i#, i 4. ,S^ m % . nfca, sf f 11^ ".* j nature, u to take away a}\ deqir^ of wandering fartHer. .We had not ^ 4 ' met fctf mahy years, and since that time, some me- "^ lancholy change? had taken place in my friend's family ; but he received me with all the cordial hospitality which a warm heart produces, and for- got his own private sorrows, that he might not • throw a damp over my enjoyments. v; Feeling that I had taken sufficient exercise fpr ,,one ^Yt I did not go out till the morrow ; wheit ?. we rode together round several estates, saw the {NTOcess of making sugar, and visited several hos- pitals, with which each estate is supplied for the rteaptiltm and cure of sick negroes. I likewise made many minute inquiries as to the state and condition c^ the slaves, inspecting thek huts, and even examining their provisions ; and I must con- ^fiess that the result of these inquiries was such, as to destroy much of the abhorrence which I had befdre felt to the name of slavery. There is some- thing in the idea of bondage veiy repugnant to the feelings of men bom to freedom as an inhe- ritance ; mx are there any evils which such men would not uiS^fi'iSO ^o preserve that inheritance. Rut after all, the misery of the one state, and. the Lappiness of the other, is but ideal. As far as real ccnnforts goy I ^tould pronounce the n&gro slave, in Jamaica, a luip{»er man than the peasant in England. Like a soldier, he i| welt fed, Applied / 1 m ■M V„- <■ I **■ i- il •»,1< #'• ■'t i ^■. f'nv 234 I: I "''*"' THE BLVB M6l7NTAINS.*»f| • J •#■ v. I rn' <«» with what clothing he requires, has a comf^^ble bed to sleep on, is distressed with no cares for the, support of his family, and is only ob^lpe^ in re» ^' turn for all this» to labour a certain number dt hoifrs in the day. It is true that he may be beftt- en, and cannot resist ; but he never is beaten, un- less he deserve it : and to a man afflicted, or if you please ennobled by no fine feelings of honour, a beating produces no pain, except what may aris^ ; from the strokes themselves. With respect to the treatment of slaves, ifgain, the outcry so general in England against the cruel^ of overseers is quite absurd. No m^, however wanting in humanity, is so foolish as IQ, render useless his own property. If he have no better principle to direct him, the same policy which prevents an English farmer from over- work- ing or abusing his horse, will prevent a West Indi^i^ merchant from over- working or abusing his slave. N^or are the slaves prohibited from earning some- thing for themselves. A certain number of hours in each day are at their own disposal, when,^ if they choose to work on, they are paid so mujch fqir their services ; if not, they are pem^tted tx^amiise themselves in any manner they please. Their foo^^ though coarse, is wholesome, andsuch as dii^y have been all their lives accustomed^to ; their houses, though not elegant, are.in no r^ispect inferior to, the gen^j^jil^of cQ|ts|ges, allowed to the poor by parjii^ •m # 47V »• THE 1LUE ItOUWrAINS. 235 officefB in England; and when they are sick, they are Jx'\ removed to wy hospitals, where as much attention • is paid to #' m, as if they were people of rank and consequence. But, above all,. thev are never dis- tressed with anxiety for their families. They know that their children will receive the same treatment 'i that they have received, that they will never want food, clothing, or an home, and therefore, they^die without any of those harrowing dreads, 'vhich'So f frequently madden the death-bed of an £nglisli labourer. ^ . ff" But, it will be said, they are slaves ; and in the "" ^Mrord slavery are comprehended the worst evils that J iskn befal a human being. This is all very well in |9^ f^ ; theory, and no doubt every man bom free wbuld risk his life to preserve his liberty ; but the most of these slaves have never known what freedom is; and it is absurd to talk of a man pining for he knows not what. Latterly, indeed, thanks to cer- tain humane individuals, who, without possessing ttie slightest personal knowledge of their situation, hav^ pitied them so loudly, that their compassion- ate expressions have crossed the Atlantic, they have begun to consider themselves as hardly treated, in being refused the common birth-right of man. The consequence is, that many negroes, who' were befor^^eerful and happy, are now dis- contented and gloomy, and ripe for the n)ost de- sperate attempts. Yet, as a proof of thfeir folly 1 f tf. 4 ! '•», I" % » ^- Tf 1' i*« V 1 fi t ii4 r 0r |.':f i%' 't y236 X THE MAHOOKS. in desiring free>fled for refuge, the present generation is a sort of mongrel race, partaking, in most cases, as much of the negro, as of the Maroon feature. From what part of the world these Maroons have originally come^ I cannot pretend to detehtiine. In their features and form, they certainly bear d grJeater resemblance to Asiatic, than the African negroes ; and yet I am not aware, that slaves were at any time transported from the shores of Asia to the West Indies. It is most probable, however, that these people, from whatever quarter of the globe they may have been brought, were, at one time, subject to the same bondage as the present cultivators of the soil. But the event prov^) tliirt *they were more high-spirited than dieir flat-nosed brethren ; for they soon threw off the yoke, and I established themselves in the wilds lind mouit^ " ' tainous districts of the island. After an ^i&listie- cessful attempt to reduce them, they were leftiHk possession of their freedom and their fiMtoesse^ ; and now live peaceably and quiedy, carrying on a little ^ffic in feathers, \Mi& and skirts, wiHf their 0" *»■■ "i. J JH% MAIOPNS. 239 / £uropeui«nyes are^nin reality^ more happy than the free negroes, is pipved by the different luode in whjich they, employ themselves,, .In pa{wing through ^ villagi^ of the former, after the work of the day is finished^ you will alwi^ys find them di^ncpg^pr amusing themselves in manly and athletic games. i\ Jjp ; -^ #v * (I ■ />!': .9 % ».-^'-Jt^-»*-^*- -*•« * ' *v-. ^•.. », \ . ... m- !»■ 4t; whjpj^^vjll^ you fiwy diaiuKi. tp ,t^¥m^A Maropa tow![i,^y6u ivriU ^ Ihe i^habitao^ts sittpg in lazy mdoleQce at the doors of ,tl^v t^^i^ins^ so completely oppressed with w.hat^,jd(]|9y b(( termed ei^ui, that they will hardly take the trouble to lift up their eyes to stare at you as you gp along. Except when driven by hunger to seet the plaiit^ ^^es, they seldom stir beyond dieir own habi)^ tbns ; i^ess it be to lead back some fugitiye to his master, and to claim the reward. Even the^ little trade is carried on with those who come amcnig them; few of them thinking it worth wJb^e to look for a market, where they may ^posQ of th^ commodities. As it was late before I started, my ride tp-d^ was extremely toilsome, on account of this hea|. I did npt, therefore, push on to Kingston at once, but stopping at a place called Stoney-hill, p9«s«^ the night there; and rising early, reached t|iat town by breakfast time, on the following day* ,1 fo^ind the ships preparing to sail, ,th& 9e|^stop|L embarked, and officers hastening on hoard^b'Jp^^Pi congratulating myself on having aiTiv<$4 at^a ,£[^- H^nate nioment, I made my way tp the liarbpuf^ and once more took possession of J^y cabi%; ..ig- It happened, however, that the $hip$ did fiptiiiil spsQpB as was ^i^^pocted. j^mo w^^jkm^^ given raci t» examine the, itoWB of Port ^o^, a circi^fttfuiice;^! wliif^b (idid 4iot M iP^y^i^ my- self. Not that there is in this smalltown, much ■*:iv -■a "■'Mfct, 'P roKT Roir'At. S41 ^i^coitipcii^ ttie trouMe tif examination, per- fermed is laeh^ examihation must be, under tHe lays of ^ vli^cal sun ; but to one little used to a sea pe, tay diing is better than remaining cooped up within the narrow compnss of a ship. . Port'Royal is cjuite the Wapping of Kingston. FuH of bustle and confusion, its streets are gene- rail}^ crowded with dnmken sailors, labouring n6-^ gm»,^d noisy task-masters. The houses ^e .n^an, and the inhabitants of the lowest order; nor is it remarkable for any thing, except the strength of the works by which it is de&nded. The bairacks, indeed, are good and exten* ve, »*/ being meant to contain about a thousand moai but besides these, there is no building in die|l3ace iKrtMrthy of notice ; for though, likewise, the dock- yard be of some importance, and rich in stores, it is but little ornamented with architecture ; and i^e only churdi is as plam and unadorned as pos- sible. * Theitown itself, being built upon a promontoiy, is ivaahed on three sides by the sea; and is^ besides, surrounted by regular fortifications, wdl supplied witb heavy ordnance. Close to each of thjB guns which point' towards the water, are Himaoes for heating shot; and within die ram- parts »e arranged, at proper intervals, from one another, many mortars of lurge calibre. In A word, if you view it as a to^, your sentinef wiH w 9 '■^i^ # #- «■ #*. ■>« i*K '1 m ■ 'cl\''^ ; , f 342 NB&BU. BAT. <\ V V H i» .#^ V H' ^,4acknowl«]ge «tl]%t ^ IS wfll calcutod If tibit tb^ purposve for «Kli|i^ It was fitted; ilwit is, tQ prompt the p^i^pAA harbpiir Jo iaroaica, * from insult ... ^ At length, on the momiug of the l7ft,W4^* got undfr weigh, and stood to -sea. Coast:|ig along with a fair wind, we. arrived on ^11^ at Hpgril bay, the place of rendezvous for the whole armament. Here we found great part of the fleet at anchor, the hwses landed, and every thing in a state which promised some fardier delay. Neither ^^' Sir Alexander Cochrane, who was expected to re- join us with reinforcements from England, nor Admiral Malcombe, were in the bay; and the command remiained at present with |)be Captain dt the Asia. The shores, on thb side of Jamaica, are mon^ flat and tame than any I had yet seen* Th!l quantity of wood, however, with which they are covered, even to the edge of the water, |^fijBS Dq t£|ema rich and beautiful appearance ^il^b^t||i sw^p of the bay itself is striJringly fine.^ Sugi%, jcane seems to be the ut^versal produce of ^ sqil^ . wherever it is capaUe of i^oducing anyv.^^||g|. <; even IncHan com being but little cultivate ' Q| this last there wpe here a few fields, aiid'bQl^ few, iiUiiBrspersed amoi^ many of the other; as v# as some pM^ure^Upon which sheepan^ cattle *. % f :/ ^M ...; -V .. > ¥ ■t ^ "T 24S ^#ere IMKng^ flte ijtwep, I bdidve, are bred iti the idand t birt ihe 0at^^ aie brttughc over fiom Aw Spai^^itiaiti ; few |)ersons attempting to en- cotiMge ihi^^ propi^tioii^ so much are they found td degenerate. p Seemg all things quiet/ and no likelihobd of an immediate' change, I determined to go on shore, and having, together with a friend, put my resdlu- tidii into practice, we provided ourselyes with hdrses, and rode some way up the country. But 'i^^ thing appeared insipid after my joume}^ ^irough the mountains. The sceneiy, though 'iich^ was^not grand ; and -but for the view, which &om various eminenues, we were enabled to pro- cure of the anchorage crowded with shipping, ^ioiuld Inr^'e been uninteresting. . Our ride was not, therefore, protracted, so as to k^0 any risk of being left behind, for having ^Hiehetrated only about ten miles from the beach, ' ii^^tumed our horses' heads, and retraced our 9ti^ps^t6^^e fleet. .idk^ state al&irs continued till the 24i&tJ ^ wffift, about nine o'olock in the momin,,, the topA \ ^maits df di huiherous squadron could be discerned 6\^ *1 \\ -^ . \ f .% *A i'KT 1 1. ! #' \. «^ , ' in^omi^ thatu^ey had QcavcjBly ^b^o^^ ^^iben #^ J9^are boarded Jn^Mi t ql^idiff. ships which Aey came to join;- * »v -t-^^v^ tit ap^ned that thifr pdwerfbl rai«fM!«o«iM^ consistedof the lollowing fofces. Tlm99d^Rigl^ ment, a fine corps ci Hig^Uanders^ mwttnogujnttl^ Itundred bayonets; six ''.omp^ies of llii^Di^ ri§e corps; two West India Regiments^ tsie|i^ifglt|« ^ hiiildred strong ; two squadrons of. thelittii^fii^' gOQ|[is . dismounted ; detachments ofi^^afiSII^ rockets, sappers, and engifiejrrf recruits i6r iKe dil^rent corps already in this fiart df Ihfr. it^QCl9| and thoiij^ last, not least, Ms^ Get^ral %^lul}, lAm-^ which . :^« • .^* •Xl^ ^4 %' 4 » KLrf"-- -■ ?■ -•* ..H' Ktf ^ 4- ^."Y^ %5 y/; 246 NECRIL BAY. ' abundant stores of amniitiition, some clbf' tfie troops, and tents tp be used when an oppor- tunity should oflfer. There were also numdipii^ Itdditions to the commissariat and medu»l de- A partments; in short, the material of the furmy was mcreased m proportion to its increase ot number. ' To find himself in the chief command of this force, exceeded the expectation, and perhaps the desire, of General Keane, Being a young attd dashing officer, he had been selected as most fit to serve under Ross; and having sailed from England before the death of that gallant chief was known, he reached Madeira before his elevation \(ras communicated to him. Young as he was, 'however, his arrival produced much satisfiiction throughout the armament; fcr Ihou^ no one entertained a doubt as to the personal courage of Cfolonel Brook, it was felt that a leader of more experience was wanted on the presti^ iixpfe- djtion. ' ^ As soon as the newly-arrived squadron had ^ anchored, the Bay was covered widi boats, which conveyed parties of officers from ship to ship, "' hastming to salute their comrades, and t^iiiiuitt into the state of |diings at home. I^tteirigs Qiid hearty embraced were interchanged between friends thus again brought together ; and a few ^pessingejaculationsof sorrow bestowed upon thqse •»*Vk ?^ » .*■ S '' •s* 1 I ' ifr •# > Jl ^M ■:'. ^ , 'dk/m *,, . ^jO^igV •^■^ . ^ ^ i/ '^ n oppor- dical de-^ the Wf^ icrease o* 1 lid of this ^m i ■• erhaps the "7 ^^B ^ ■ roung ahd IS most fit •V* iUed from t chief was IS elevation as he was, satisfaction ^ liO cttii ^ % courage of iCTOf mSE \ '■^"'*1! ^'^ ^' T^-. ■ .i^.Mi^ # ^■■ H¥ ■■**,■;* ■.^- '■-^.-■V-' ^M SI48 n' » AT aJLA. >.it mt -'t' C v.. '-.ilff LETTER XVm. " K ,i*- .^,- . ** ;i' '#* But the period granted for such indulgence was not of long duration, for, on the following morning, the Tonnant, Ramilies, and two brigs, stood to sea, and on die 26th, the rest of the fleet got under weigh, and followed the Admiral. It is impossible to conceive a finer sea- view than this general* stir presented. Our fleet amounted now to upwards of fifty sail, many of them vessels of war, which* shaking loose their topsails, and lifthig dieir an- chors at the same moment, gave to Negril Bay an appearance of bustle such as it has seldom been able to show. Li half an hour all the canvas was set, and the ships moved slowly and proudly firom dieir anchorage, till having cleared the headlands, and caught the fair breeze which blew wit|iout, :kfii§y bounded over the water widi the speed of eagles, and long before dark, the coi^st of Jamaica had disappeared* i , There is something in rapidity of ]^otion>^l the»r it be ali^g a^b road, or across the (^p^ jixtremely elevating; ;^nor wasjts effect unpeccelpr- ed pQ the present occasion. It is true, that there were other causes for, the hig|^ sj^ints which nqw H' 0^ ,♦ ^ '•#■- ^v*. ^^, lulgencewas ing morning) igs, stood to eet got under is impossible s general' stir vsr to upwards )f war, which* Eting their an- NegrilBayan i seldom been he canvas was 1 proudly from heheadtlands. blew wili^out, I the speed of 3ftst of Jamaica ►fipotioiirfr»i|" cross Ac ^Bspt f-ct unpercehF- true, that there pts which PQW A^ IBA. 249 pervaded th« armament, InH I question if any one WAS more efficient in. their production, than the astonishing rate of our sailing. Whether the busi- ness we were about lo undertake would prove bloody, or the reverse, entered not into the con- templation of a single individual in the fleet The sole sulject of remark was the speed with which we got over the ground, andlhe probability that existed of our soon reaching the point of debarka- tion. The change of climate, likewise, was not inthout its effect in producing pleasutBble sensa- ttilivns. The farther we got from Jamaica, the more cool and agreeable became the atmosphere; which led us to hope diat, in spite of its southern^ lati- tude, Ncity, a canoe neverthdess ventured off from the shore, and making its way thMH\|^ waves which looked as if th^ would ^w«ll<^itup, succeeded || reaching our vessel. it contained a white man mid two negroes, mbo brought off a quantity of fine turde, which they pavt us in eiM^hange for salt pork ; and so j^at M- -^■ "' . -fi ft r\'- V ■4" I* ''J t"^ H r., \'i ) I ^». il m * ^ Ci^ ^i 250 AT 8&A. vmB die value put upon salt proyisions, that the^ bartered a pound and a half of the one for a pound of the other. To us the exchange was very ac- ceptable, and thus both p^ies remained satisfied with their bargain. Having lain to till our turtle merchants left us, we again filled and stood our course. The land of Cayman was so^n invisible ; nor was any otb^ perceived till the 2d of December, when the western shores of Cuba presented themsejve^ Towards them we now directed the ship's ||j|fkdf and reaching in within a few miles of the bi^f;)^ coasted along till we had doubled the promonl^ whidi forms one of the jaws of the Me;(ican gu)f. Wh2e keeping thus close to the j^ons, our sail was more interesting than usual, for though this side of Cuba is low, it b still picturesque, from J^e abundance of wood with which it is ornament^ There are likewise several points where, hugf rocks rise perpendicularly out of the wat^, pre** senting the appearance of old baronial castles, wldi ^ir battlements and lofty turrets ; and it wiU easily be believed, that none of these escaped our observation. The few books which we, li^d %ou^ to sea, wereall read, many of them ^ice and three times throp^ f and there now i^main^ nodiing to amuse, except what the variety- of the voyage could produce. ;^ Butthe shores of Cuba were quM^Vlypassedy'on^ -■#. #. Af^ SEA. 351 flie old prospect'of sea and fiky again met the gaze. There was, however, one cfacnmstance, from which inre experienced a considerable diminution of doiiifort. As soon as ire entered th6 gulf, a short disagreeable swell was perceptible ; differing in some respects irom that in the Bay of Kscay, but to my mind infinitely more unpleasant. So great was the motion, indeed, that all walking was pre- vented ; but as we felt ourselves drawing every hour nearer and nearer to the conclusion c^ our miseries, this additional one was borne without much re', ning. Besides, we found some amuse- %lent in watching from the cabin windows, the quanti^ and variety of weed with which the sur- fece of this gulf is covered. Where it originally grows,^^! could not leam, though I should think Most probably in the gulf itself; but following ' ^e cdiffse of the stream, it floats continually in 'line ^lectioi ; going round by the opposite coast ^bf Ctiba, towards the banks of Newfoundland, and extending sometimes as far as Bermuda and the Western Isles. It is not, however, my intention to continue the detail of this voyage longer than may be interest- big iFihall therefore merely state, that, the wind ahd'^eather having undergpine some variatbns^ it was the 10^ of December before the shores of America could be discerned. On that day we foundourselves opposite to the Chanddeur Iskuids, ** ^M M ^ m- f" 'im <^ * ^* 1% ^i W .,fe' ,1' # - I'' 4^ ^■■^ ff^ '4^ *, «, NEW ORLEANS. and near the entrance of Lake Borgne. There thtf fleet anchored, that the troops might be removed from the heavy ships, into such as drew least water ; and from this and other preparations, it appeared, that to ascend this lake was the plan determined upon. But before I pursue my narrative farther, it will be well if I endeavour to ghre some account of the situation of New Orleans, and of die nature of die country against which our operations were directed. New Orleans is a town of some note, containing from twenty to thirty thousand inhabitants. It stands upon the eastern bank of the Mississippi, in MP north latitude, and about 110 miles from th^ Gulf of Mexico. Though in itself uitfortified, it is difficult to conceive a pbcc capable of present-' jng greater obstacles to an invader; and at thcf same dme more conveniendy situated with respect to trade. Being built upon a narrow neck of land, confined on one side by the river, and on the idler by impassable morasses, its means of defence tt* quire litde explanation ; and as dieae morasses extend only a few miles, and are succeeded by Lake Pontchartrain, which again communicates through Lake Borgne^* with the sea, its peculiar * These are, properly speaking, one and the same lake. From the entrance, however, as far as Ship Island, is called by |^(^A||^tants Lake Borgne, and all above that point ^^P- under the name of Lake f- " #4S «r-r-Wl»»s% '-:'"■>■ if' '"'■m, J' * *>■•■>. 9 m' 9fS lis byiMawMf %iMMr«MHw Ukes, ii |||f. n||9i;^ll|pe iiM^M«NM4«lM|wm the city |Bi|p of IM ccwnlry, a Bayeu or Bayoufce, iwwi ilMMor nfSfiela drawuig less tiuin tbc feet waler, lifH^g W #WN^ Ae iiHursh, ^nAm^Mm y^m^ ^^^ ^om* The n me of ihie \^k i%tt^ Slif»«I^NiW|»cting that mighty river upa; vhifib^jt i|Ml4l%3^^"ifw>PI>i> (a corruption tf th^Woli ^fe^li^liHi signifying, in the language of the n» t|liPr^#MB9Aker of rivers/) i» allowed tobeinfe^ ^mWm^^ sj»e and geneilRl.«iavi{r^brHty, t9 %MiSi P lH< ^igthe world. Aeeording to the Stom i|idi^|||ijrt9]^es4ta9 fise from d hvge awAmp« and 'illMillsedby many rivers >emptyiii|ptlMflMidl«tf H^I&M9NQi|H»e«8€u^a84heM ^^Mmmvmmim ^ipwa^t^ )£^8^»e!ij|MtidMB# Iqig^ilMttits^aDutce. Bat tfabfelHijivihM^^ %iiiilQl'll ioc|^i|vor?'i>'a8roaa'.^iehSgiKeH^^ •>h ( HMlHpli i> $Bft f jffiMldi^Mkif iw4N^ ii l^www ^|« ^ huadi^,lW|piea£irpp die stK^^^i^ vsiyiug from ISf f9^6^te # 'Aw- >r ttr. •'^1 /^/l #... 5-» ■•«-| ■3 I; I J f-M. 254 NEW 0RJ^:^Afl5, i# thtifferie the whcjj^ course gftl\|g|i^issij^, Ipni it&^i^ing to its mout^^ may be pomputed at litde short of 5,000 miles. , „ ^ ^ • Below tlj^ fall of ^t ^pthony, a|^« the Mi^ sissippi is joined by a number ofsriyi^i^ pqnddei^ blein point of ^ze, ik^d leading.out of almost eviei^« part of .the contipent of America. . Tliese are ^Ip St. Pierre, which comes fijr.i the west; St. Crc^i^, fipm the east; the Moingona, which is said to run % 150 leagues from the west, ^d ^rmsi a juncticHi H' about 25^ below the fall; and the. Ulinois, whic]^ rises near the Lake Michigan, ^OOieagues eaft of the Mississippi. But by far the most impprtant qf .thes^ i^xili^ streams is the Missouri, the source of which is as little known as that of the Father of Hiye|:^bii|)s^^ Jt has been followed by traders upwards, of 400 leagues, who traffic with the #ibes whiqh dwell o v: ■^- ■■■■*-■ -; •%♦-. upon its banks, and obtain an Immense retuipnfpr Jplu^peaQ goods, u The, mouth of this river is fi,vs.« leagv^S below that of the Illinois, and. is supposed . to Jb^ 8Q0irom its source, which, judging fr^in the ^OT«r^pt its waters, lies in, a north-\vest ||irection from d^e. Mississippi. It is r^madj:al^e eji^ug^, ^t thie' watei^ of this riyer are bls^ck and i|^|^y, |nd prevail oyer those of the J^ississipi)^,^ wl^c^), Cjp^^g with a linear and gen^^ stream tilUt,;^eets ^th |iis|d(JitiQi^ beconp ftp^^^at Uii^j^ ^i^im^mv'^- '^flif^mi- ■'■^■^^- -^ ^ I., J %^M *;■• ♦ V r-w i .Ejm: 25^ it little dtopn junction W s, which ajLixiliaiy hi{^isas •$hii|sel£. ich 4well er is%:e suppos(?d g frpm the direction e eu^ug^, ilUt^eets #V,.>- V *v m -. .*' The ^xtJM^ note is the Ohio, which^ taking lis rise near iMe E^ii^Vund from the north-es^t to die south-ivest, and idinf^ the Mississippi about severity lieagues below the Missouri. Besides this, there arie the St. Francis, an inconsiderable stream, ^lip the Arkansas, which is said to originate in the same latitude with Santa F6 in New Mexico, and which, holding its course nearly 300 leagues, ^^ ^ falls in about 200 above New Orleans. Sixty leagues below the Arkansas, comes the Yazous from the north-east ; and about fifty -eight neater td iflie^city, is the Rouge, so called from the colour of its waters, which are of a reddish dye, and tinge ihos6 of the Mississippi at the time of the floods, lb spurde is in New Mexico, and after running itovA 206 leagues, it is joined by the Noir thirty H^s above the place where it empties itself into tfte Mississippi. ' *^ ** ^Of 411 these rivers, there is none which will not ^ti^er the purposes of commerce, at least to a very ' tohsidiirable extent; and as they join thfe MisSis- . sfppi above New Orleans, it is evident thafthis city mky be considered as the general mart of the whole'. Whatever nation, therefore, chdhces to possess this place, po jisessesfin reality the cothmarid of il greater CMent of coilrttty than it iricMded Wi^in the boundary line of th# wh6l6 United ^ States ; since from evei^ dir^tiofi are goods, the produceef East, West, South Atiieric^' * X' ' m \ f m ^,.,..>, ,(i M 'J '^ y -T- >^ :^ lrii||r|he Detour des Anglais towards New Or- leaitii^tt^faoe of the country undergoes a^lltec* «tioiib • The swamp does not, indeed, end, bat it iMrrows off to the I'igMfijlMlS ^ ^P^^ ^ ^^ |f:jiyei^^Jj^|jjn(a^py j and can lw(My supply foot- ing foir infitntry, «&r less for the tr^msportaticn pf artillei^. Of these, ho^v^verr t}|^&^ not above qf^pr %yvo whjich coujji 1^ so used. The Bayou of S^.:^9h&is,one; but it is too weU def^ndipd, and ^ 'carefqlly gwardfid for s|^:at^pts ; and the !|jp^on of Catilpe is another, about ten miles below ^|^4;ity.f That this last might be found useful i^ an ^i*ack, was proved by the landing effected by our army i^t diat point; but what is the cons that J. should |tate its j^d-, i^nt^ges i^jh^ ajjp owing solely to the climate. %'■ m # .4** ,*»>«• if ^ ' P ^'■l 4 1 ^' il n- ■'-B i- 'k m ».■* hv/ « # £60 IPW <^LEAM% From the swamp widi which it is |»i|raiiiifM, there arise* diningithe summer menths, exhalationi extreme]^y fatal ti^ the hrnUh of its inhalitanta. For some months of the jieai^ iodee^ ^ deadly, jup tl^d eflfects of 1^ atmosphere, -im the gaUR^spn is with^wiij am most of the fau)ilie»rr!i;tir? IVaiqi ^ir houseis to more genial spots, I^vnig the ttnp asmucKdesertedy as if k had k t^en visite4 fey la j^. tilence^ Yet, in spite of th^epreGaur^ons, agues acdintennittent fevers abound here at al tio<«& Nor i&it wonderful that this should be th(^ case; |br BMiependent of the vile air which tii;s vicmjly of if so xnany putrid swamps occasicms, this country is more liable than perhaps any other, to sudden an^ severe changes o£temperature. A night of kmn fix>st, sufficiently powerful to produce ice, a quarter of an inch in thickae^is, frequently folloii^s ^da|p of intense heat; while heavy raipis and bright su%- i^ne often succeed each other several times, m ikt course of a few hours. But these ch^gesi as may be supposed, occur only during, the Ayinte^; Ate summer being one continued series of intoler« able heat and deadly fog. #Of all these circumstances, the conductors,<;^t(|^ present expedition were not ign(uaii1;> To re^u|| the forts which command the navigation of t^ rivc^r^ it vfoa conceived^ was a task too dlilp^ciilt t!P be a|ttiemptedr>and for any s|iips tp^ pa^ wj^pi^t tere4MCtion,waspipossible. Tlimjjp^tiaier^r^ # •'>«i *■ t^\ti- ' ■1 • iliiiM, i\9Xiam Utam. ^.. • vdlyim phm h m f^m ■ hetv.-^. y*i» s/agues '11 ^m> ^i .,_.««< case;|ur ■ icinity of I ountryls I Aden and tof koen a quarter tiiaes, ill ^ges,W » ft ; wiotfl ; ^ 1 )f int^ler- 1 t^ % Al^Ct HOH^MBii 291 that the dbject of the enterprize was unknown to the Aine#ioefi8, Sir Alexander Cochrane and Ge- neral Keane detennined to effect a landing some- i^ere on the beuik^ of die Lake ; andpushing di- iecdjr oh to take possession of the town, before any -effectual preparation conld m made for its defence. With this view the troops were re- moved from the larger into the lighter vessels, and these, unde^ convoy of such gun-brigs as the shal- lowness of the water would float, began on the 13th to enter Lake Borgne. But we had not pro- ceeded far, when it was apparent that the Ameri-> cans were well acquainted with our intentions, iuhd ready to receive us. Five large cutters, armed #idi six heavy guns each, wenfeseen at anchor in ^ distance, and as all endeavours to land, till these wen captured, would have been useless, the tran- sports and largest of the gun-brigs ^t anchor, while the smaller craft gave chase to me enemy. But these cutters were built purposely to act upon the Lake. They accordingly set sail, as soon as the English cruisers were within a certain dia» tance, and running on, were quickly out of sighti leaving the pmsuers fast aground. To permit them to remam in the hsmds of the enemy, how? ever, would be fatal, because, as long as they com^ inanded the navigation of the Lake, no boats could . irentifre to cross. It was, therefore, determined at a^^zards, aoid at any expense, to ta^ thein; and n • • ■A*. ^ ... # Tr^ %l % m w 4 i # ^. iff.. •I ,1... */ k'l •I *... ■M .*^i ¥^ y # :» 288 ^^.: LAK-f s«aGif8# #■ sinoeour Ughtfst craft, could not Host wliere thay sailed, a flotilla of launches and •hip's baiges was got ready for the purpose. This flotilla consisted of fifty open boats; most of them armed with a carronade in the hour, 'and well manned with Volunteers fixHn the different sht|p of war. The command was given to Ci^ t^n Lockier, a brave and skilfiflofficer^ wlblmmo- diately pushed off; and about noon, came in sig^ of the enemy, moored fore and aft, with the broad- sides pointing towards him. Having pulled a ccmsiderable distance^ he resolved to refiresh his « men before he hurried them into action; and, there* fore, letting fall grappliogs just beyond reach 6f the enemy's gun9||he crews of the different boati coolly ate their dinner. i^^ As soon as that meal was finished, and an hoiflp spent in r^g^ng, the boats again got ready to ad* vance. But, unfortunately, a light breeze whidi had hitherto favoured them, now ceased to blow* and they were accordingly compelled to make way only with the oar. The tide also ran strong against them, at once increasing their labour, and retard- ing dfieir progress; but all these difficulties a^ ' peared trifling to British sailors f and givni^an hearty cheer, they moved steadily onward in Oiie extended line. ■^'^ wasnG| long before the enemy^s guns o{)eff«d upon l^em, and a tremendous shower of balb >l^. '•^mii ■S *'.... ^ ' V ttliey » was ;motl ifferent immO' i broad- uUed a esh lus J, thenre* reach of ;nt boats 'fX se ianhoiii' " toad* to bk>wt nakeway . g against id retard- jJl iiltics ap-^ giving" an ird in ott» * tis'o|MsfMM of baHs **?' .".} $»hited thf ii ftap ti tfoi ch i ^^86m« boMi xrerd' sink, others diaabled, ^and tittny men^wei^ MWed and wounded ; but the rest pulling with all theintaight, ami'* oceaskMiaUy returning the discharges from their comrades, succeeded, after an hbur's hbour, ki closing with the Americans. The maiines now beg^n a deadly discharge of musketry ; whtli^e seamen, sword in hand, sprang up the vessels' aides m spite of all opposition ; and sabring every roan that stobd in (he way, hauled down the Aihcf^ rioan ensign, and hoisted the British flag in itsplicie. .'«'^'One cutter, however, which bofe the cdmmo^ don's broad pennant, was not so easily subdiied. Having noted its pre-eminence. Captain Locki^ ^Urected his own boat against |t; and happening to have placed himself in one of the lightest and fitttest ssnling barges in the flotilla, he found him- alblf along side of his enemy, beforf|«ny of the eNhers were near enough to render him the smallest suppmt; But notnuig dismayed by odds so fear,, f ^: '-f «*■' ^ji-*<..'^' 'flavfaig' thtflT'dkStroyed all opposhion' in tfiir quartef, the fleet again weighed anchor, and stood ^ lip the Lalee. But we had not been many hours v;< under sail/ when tdiip after ship ran agroundt SUch as still floated were, therefore, crowded with the troops from those which could go no farther, till'llnally the lightest vessel stuck fiist; andL|he boats were of necessity hoisted out, to carry Is a distance of upwards of thirty miles. To be conir fined for so long a time, as the prosecution of Ais voyage would require, in one posture, yfzs of itself MO very agreeable prospect ; but the confinement was but a trifling misery^ when compared with that which arose from the diange in the weather. Iik* stead of a constantjsracing frost, heavy rains, such as an inhabitant of England cannot dream of, and Jdwidi Earther, indithe ry TO a be eatit 1 of dais of itself inefnent jviththftt er. Inc *l8,9UCh a of, and ^^^V •otecticM^^ Bopsen^ orts, and . irs, land- lied Pine the whole e, main. Qf ima^ne im' med weMj^M PlMlbltlAVB^^ atf # ^4rRter; but theM were so .dimiiiutive in.siaefas hardly to deserve an higher daaaification than among the meanest of shrubs. The interior was the.resort of Wild ducks and other water fowl ; and tiMipools and creeks with which it was intercepted abounded in dormant aligators. ; Upon this miserable desert, the army W9§a9- lemoled, without tents oi huts, or any covering to belter them from the inclemency of the weather : and in truth we may fairly affirm, that our hardships had here their commencement. After having been exposed all day to a cold and pelting rain, we landed upon a barren island, incapable of fumish- jng even fuel enough to suj^ply our fires. To add to our miseries, as night closed, the rain generally Ceased^ and severe frosts set in ; which congealing ^mr wet clothes upon our bodies, left litde animal warmthteP^ keep the limbs in a state of activity . md the consequence was, that, many of the Wretched negroes, to whom frost and cold were altoge^er new, fell fast asleep,^ and perished be- fore morning. For provisions, again, we were entirely depei- dent updn the fleet. There were here no living creaturts which would sufier themselves to. lie icmightf^even the water xbwls being so timotoup, imiat it wasi imi)ossibie to approach the^wit^ ^usket shot ■. S% raeat. and ship biscu||^i|p9e; ¥^me£otc, ourfood^moistenedby ^psOAll^aUowaiice i>» ".^,1 if ■V ■<«. .i § f > « ♦, « ■vll )* r *"4* ^1 $. M of fum } farq, whkh, though no daubt very whoMjk spme^ w«8 not si|ch as.to reconcile us to the cold and wet under whicl^ we suffered. « On the part of the ntny, aggin,^ all these hard* ships were 'experienced in a ' four^fold de§|ce. Night and day were boats pulling from the fleet to dK island, and from the island to the fleet ; Jv it was the 21st before all the troops were got on snore) and as there was little time to inquire into men's turns of labour, many seamen were four or five days cpntinually at the oar. Thus, they had not only to bear up against variety of temperature, but against hunger, faugne, and want of sleep in additionl three as fearful burdens as can be laid upcm the human frame. Yet, in spite of all this, not a mur- mur noi; a whisper of complaint could be heard throughout the whole expedition. No man ap-< peared to regard the present, while^very one looked forward to the future. From the General down to the youngest drum-boy, a confident antkv cipation of success seemed to pervade all mnks^l and in the hope of an ample reward in store tor them, die toils and grievances of the moment were ^ forgotten. Nor was this anticipation the mere off- w ^l^g of an over- weaning confidence in themselveat. Sf^yeral Americans had already, deserted, who m»f- tertamed,i|f) with accounts of the alarm e:(pQ#^ ri^i§ed at Kew Orleans. TIi|y assured us th^ there were not at present 5»O0Q soldier»i^ifi>^l^ # H' '* i.--. nrhoilv '" lecoldi * be fleet 1 shore I ^s turns • ire days tonfyto tagainBt dditioQS iipon the ttamur- • 3e heard man iqN* pery onfr General^ ent antip^ Iranks^ store for kent were mere off- imselveii. who iQitti. m ej^ppi^ usth^, t'* V 1? • '^ > • .#■■, I •' .■■«-. ftiAftitxAirb. i^ ^:.. r ^te $ thillheiirincipal inhabhftiits had bng ago Mt the pUiNfj diat such as tamaintfd w^ rt^df to join us as soon as we should app^'iimong them ; and that, thefeforc|| we might lay our ac- eonnt w iih a speedy and bloodless t:6nquest. The same persons likewise dilated upon the wealth and hn|b[tatice of the town, upon the large quantities dl^vemment stores there collected, and the riah booty which would reward its capture; sub- jjbots' well calculated to tickle the fancy of inva^ §tf^ and to make them unmindful of immediate afflictions, in the expectation of so grefit a re- fomlMnse. - :c'\- t0- -J^li t I- ■:^ St** -%v. ^V^ m- m- ss J f'4 « *rr- WM Iv,:. ,^ ..Xi. m iji "•> AND. LSl^l^^ XIX. ^€- 1$ « f.i *■■ y^mhi. the troopswere thus .assembling, ai j|Mn» bassy was dispatched to the Chactaws, a'tnlr^^ ■ S Indians vvith whom our government €haiicf:4:r|o be ip alliance* Along with tihisembassage.l^;i^ the good forti'.ne to be sent; and a most amusing expi^^tion it proved to be. . r ->^ We set sail in alight schooner, and tunning along die coast till we came to a distridt «not fsi$ from Apalachicola, pushed our vessel into^ creekf and landed. Proceeding a short distance from ^S^ shore, we arrived at a considerable settlement 9C these savs^ges ; as singular a collectiQ||Qf bumap ' habitatioiis as ever I beheld. It consisted of 411^ wards of thirty huts, composed df teecj^ j^ branches of trees, erecjed in the heart of a ,►*! '*^%:: ^ ,#^ I I * m »i % . • 1-^ 1 # AmericMlmiian, most Englishmen are well ac- q)Kiinted. In stature, they hardly come up to the common height of an European, and in appear- ; ance of robustness they are greatly inferior, being generally spare and slender in their make. . Nor, indeed, do they at all equal the natives of Europe in strength. Their agility is superior to ours, l^it •7 in muscular power they fall much short of us. Their complexion is a dark red, resembling bricfc- dufit radier than copper ; their hair is universally long, coarse, and Wack ; they have little or no ' jeard, and the body is entirely smooth. Tbeil' ffi«. 1-K ft- ■ M'. ,->«•■•' / V • PIN£ ISZ.AND. feaflures are bi|^, and might perhaps be regular, were nature left to herself; but they/ are usually twisted and dii^torted into the most frightful shapes, with the view of adding to the ferodity of their looks. Their dress is of the simplest kind, consisting partly of the skins of wild beasts, and party of a scarf, made of cotton cloth. For their lepand feet they have no covering, and instead of a cap, they wear^their oun'^hair twined iiito a knot, and ornamented with various coloured feathers. Besides the tomahawk and scalping knife, each man is armed with a rifle or firelock, in the use of which they are exceedin^^ly dexterous. The women, again, are as much the reverse of beautiful as it is easy to conceive. Being forced by their husbands to undergo the greatest fatigues, st&d to perform the most menial offices, their air has in it nol})ing of the commanding dignity which characteriz<^s #at of the men. On the con- trary, they are timid and sen'ile, never approaching the otfeer bex without hum prostrations ; while their shape is spoiled by hiird labour, and their features didigured witli ornaments. Whenever the tribe marches, the re baded with the children, and all culinsury uteusMs, the haughty warrior con- descending to CMTy na<:hiifig except his arms ; and as soon as it halts, they i*e condemned to toil for the benefit of the men, who throw themselves upon the ground, and doze till daeir meal is pre- pared. M % . I « # ~-^1 «" • i» 3 i #' 27R VI|rS ISLAND. , « But I must not attempt to descnbe the maiHMfft and customs of this strange people, which have been so frequently and so much better described already. I would rather relate such incidents as fell under my own immediate observation, without suffering my simple narrative to aim at a dignity to which it is not entitled. |, Having brought with us an interpreter, we #tee informed by him that the king declined entering . upon business till after the feast. This was speedily prepared, and laid out upon the grass, con^ sisting of lumps of Buffalo flesh, barely warmed through, and swimming in blooo; with cakes c^ Indian com and manioc. Of \js and plates, there were none. The meat was brought in the hand of the females who had dressed it, and placed upon the turf; the warriors cut jlices from it with their knives ; and holding the flesh in one handy and the cake in the other, €iey eat, as I thoughti rather sparingly, and in profound silence. Besides these more substantial viands, ttierc were likewise some minced- meats of an extrawdinary appearance, served up upon dried hides. Of these the company seemed to be particularly fond, dipping their hands into them without ceremony, and thus conveying^ the food to their mouth. ; but for my own part. I found it sufliciently difficult to partake of tl^i■ f/^. ♦ t-'-jfi. (I # i ,XNy IStANDb .:.'v smbnQd^teel-boundcockedhsits^andslioes* Trpw- smi they would not wear, bi|t permitted thund not so muc^ > mi^ ' single ^sentinel posted ; *but having landed 'his"m<;r: sit two pliceSf abovs tand J^lovrthe hu^wMcH tlie^ inhabited, extended his ranks so as to surround it, and closing gra- dually in, took them all fast asleep, withq||^|M|iae « or resistance. ^^ v When such time had been allowed as was deemed sufficient for the accomi^idbnif||t ol ikk^ undertaking, the flotilla again weighed anchor, sad 'Without waiting for intelligence of success, p#- sued their voyage. Hitherto we had been hohlld aU mg at a rapid rate by a fair Iveeze, bled us to carry canvas; but this and we made way only with rowmg. Our pco^i:9S^ was, therefore, considerably retarded, and tht^iOsk of discovery heightened by the noise which ^t labour necessarily occasions ; but in spifee>4:|f,.all tiiis, we reached the entrance of the Grse]||,.by dawn; and about nine o'clock, wer^e safip^on > seze, whic^|<|ini« > lis nowJk^i^lis, \ e. ^ 'Ther place where we^landed wasj^ wiidiiiit is possible to imagine, i Whereveflke Ipoj^^ no- ^-"^ thing warto be sem excipl one huge marsh, ,co- * *>we« mig^ eflkctanOy conceal ourielves fioBi^iioiice ; because) from the appearance of all avoui^ it was easy to perceive that the place^hich icune oeeupied was seldom, if ever before marked with akj^uitlan footstep. Concealment, however, was tpefnihing of all >- hers which we required, for be it rememberer' it there were now only sixteen htmdte<|vmen on tb laiiiland. The rest woce still at Pine Islam ,iici^ they must remain till the boats which had transported us should return for ^their conveyance, consequently many hours ^i^stclapse before this small corps could be either i^llftittpd or suppcMTted. If, therefore, we had sought for a point where a descent might be made^ ift secrecy and safety, we could not have found one better calculated for that purpose than the present; because it afforded every means of con- cesdment to one part of our force, until the others should be able to come up. It was, therefore, confidently expected, that no movement would be made previous t the arrival of die>i^other Ongades ; but, in our expectations of quiet, we were deceived. The deserters who had come in, and accompaniedfis as guides, assured the 1|pieral that he had only to show himself, when the wholedisttict would submit. They re- peated, that there were not five thousan^jnen in irmT' " i 4 L'l \i i } \ '4 "ft •^1 "f I .'■■:■ **■ . IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) Ae»derto push-: hmi0lijkllf^. mmih¥- ' im^^paaxmiRttj, As ▼•nee wm^ fonne^iwd Ibp ' Iteggn^^ur inarch, flawing m i|^ J» edge <^ a ditch of wc;f;f^ without many cheq]|j|,^t^^n^., to^oceifd. Odier ditches, :iimUarl|» course we pufsuicd, frequeot|§,st Hi^g!^ a cro8s4ire(ii$«i, Q|)d firiUngil^^ ^es. These were tab>wi||i^li»lMfi||i# 1i|idl1^ep tQ^>be forded ; eons6queDllf^«ii44l'filik clpeii^ooSfthiiii troops weirobliged to hak, 4^ ^di|p||^i»ihaQtily QOQstiucted ol^^i^ h^iik^ *»■!»■• .«C* J^fesBniiAiittiKt' * I- -'''■£ ,•* j^" ^ /■».'< m .ii#Si » - t could ii0t;fal«%r<]C# » tei goers' wfaore dieylayi 4pl|Qiir ilpWP II ial h I^ettllttlves; on passing^ whiob^if!!!^ «||^|IM(9K9ii tpspFtaingyUie inhibitaQli^^inid ^^tanP^^'ibui^rbceQiiMiig^ifilliii^' ^49ii||HiaitQ««i»' t^ ■ > I if^ 7 '^'^,.iv , ■ T. I •^' ,-*.. .1* ) ' 4 ^^' .''■(■.■ '"^k- «; >», •k ' 1 ^hMkiM,' bM in padto*? and^i »tf Mted uiusttred thricrQ|||r<] Qig 4lps were IHLewise qui«lK(KiedyAiit^,ij 0^ tfifioisible, some advan liy ii a fiplti^ #]iiM. we might be able Ip tf»t might attack us; aiid at the main road# whii l»| p Mp i tw^OxiBam. Taming to dKNli|^^ advaliie# b the direction of that town faf i ah fg |i '' mil«^ might eoCMMip • MA^c^ littte «d hallc4Mto » il lipft i tf ^ #^.|ffm«^itod a legular tM»the course of thia ati«aMi«U %ieanBr Between the^nlad^Bd a lof^ and sttui^enillMlHll- rilpit^ l^ilmilap^^pitfpoatt^ b^ niiiiis #^ 'iWi'itlKMIlplf'll'i iw iiiiiiiniiirinin uiliiiW» ' ^inBnppnnii'^nui^'vpp*«pwHKai'viniR$^BM|gii|W*^ >' W h: n if :' *^iP|B^^i'f^^^ff'ff^''^^^^P^^J^'f^W^ I'V,. ■4 ..♦ vf At t:^.i!te*- «. w",^ 2te while ^ right and rear were ^wHfjr without covar. Ifcough we occu^ this^eld, ther^**" fore, and might have looM well in a pe^eablff^ ' district, it roust be coilfiMSed that our situa^' ^ed the title of a miUtaiy position. f IP*" '# \t 't 1 1 ^ \ "1 ■'• -Jk^ \ 'I 1 %': It Li" .^ H A ""a. i tf -■W: I*. «>, 1* i^ .0^ ' -r'-ii Ott'^ ** * M ■■I ■ * » -♦ , » « .■;^'ifc<- i^m- ^ '9 f '■ «? ^,.-^, y \jk ^ •■ # ;j ' ^ n^ ^ff- !^. HALT. \ . ^t ■f* ►. >* ;v- LETTER XX. '^■ en 4 NoaN had just passed, when the word M^ugiv to lifth, and therefore every^portunity was af- forded of postihg the piquets with leisure and ^t- «tention. Nor was this deemed enough to seciKe tranquillity ; several parties were sent out in all directions to reconnoitre, who returned with an account that no enemy nor any tracet:^ an enemy could be discerned. The troops were accord^i^ suffered to light fires, and to make themselv^ com- fortable; only their accoutrements were not taken off, and the arms were piled in such form as to be within reach at a moment's notice. 4^- As soon as these agreeable orders were, ifsi^ed, the soldiers proceeded to obey them both in jletter ^^^nd in spirit. Teuring up a^numb* \4. >a* ¥ fr ♦ .« k ♦'r ..»> JIALTJ Iter and nam reeeived too large a quanli^. la diis divi&ion of good thmgs> they were not unmmdfiit , of their officers ; for upon active Hvarfare the biU cers aie considered by. tiie privates as comrades, to #h^||fe8pec( and obedience are due, rather ^an ^ as flRers. It was now about three o'clock in the afternoon^ and all had as ^iftremained quiet. The troops Having finished their meal, lay 'stretched beside their feres, or refreshed themselevs by bathing, for" to-day the heat was such as to render this latter employment extremely agreeable, when suddeiuy a bugle frdm the advanced posts sounded the Ji^anrf, which was echoed back from all in the army. Starting up, we stood to our arms, and pre- paired for battle, the alarm being now succeeded l^ some firing; but we were scarcely in order, viHiih w^---. ^ t^>^ •♦" #1 r itttk ■# .» '.J 1. "^'?. ^ # . ^f^W ' Attack. f- evening meal wts eat, and we prepared to altep. But about half-past seven o'clock, the attention of several individuals was drawn to a large vessel, , - fvhich seemed to be stealing up the river till she came opposite to our camp ; when her ancbjillMrti dropped, and her sails leisurely furled. At IK we were dpubtful whether she might not be one of our own cruisers which had |MI^^ ^^® ^^^ unob* . served, and had arrived to renoEr her assistance iK OUT future operations. To satisfy this doubt, she wa9 repeatedly hailed, but returned no. answer ; . ymtn an alarm spreading through the bivouac, aU thought of sleep was laid aside. Several musket shots were now fired at her with the design of ex»'< acting a reply, of which no notice was taken ;ti)i' at length having fastened all her sails, and swung her broad- side towards us, we could distinctly hear some one cry out in a commanding voice, * Give them this for the honour of America.' The wbrds were instantly followed by the flashes of her guns, and a deadly shower of grape swept down numbers 'm the camp. Against this dreadful fire we had Inothing what- ever tGH^ose. The artillery \^ieh we had landed' was to^^ght to bring into competition with an adversary so powerful ; and as she had anchored wijthin a diort distance of the o^||psite banki no musketry could reach her with any precision or eftct. A few rockets, were discharged, whic^ . ' * • . ^* . .... v .-;%* 9 ( w6rds what- anded (rith an chored nk, no ion or whkli >k: / v'l Vi ) J \ il ft /. ATTACK. 4^^ 1 ift9 limde a beautiful appearance in ^a Air ; but the rocket ia an uncertain weapon, andilkse deviated too far from their object to produce even terror among those against Whom they were directed. "tliA^ these circums^tarices, as nothing could be doneoffensively, bur sole object was to shelter the men as much as pqissible from this iron hail. With this view, they wl||fcommanded to'leave the fires, and' to hasten uffder the dyke. Thither all, ac- %. cordingljr, repaired, without much regard to ordii: and regularity, and laying ourselves along wluve- ever we could find room, we listened in paimul silence to the pattering of grape shot among our ..^uts, atid to the shrieks and groans of those who lay wounded beside them. ' *^ The night was now as dark as pitch, the moon being but young, tind totally obscured with clouds. Ottr fires deserted by us, and beat about by the enemy's shot, began to bum red and duU, and, ex- cept when the flashes of those guns which played upon us cast a momentary glare, not an object ' could be distinguished at the distance of a yard; In this state we lay for nearly, an hour, unable to move from our grotind, or offer any op{Mqption to those who kept us there ; when a straggling fire of mtiisketry called our attention towards the piquets, and warned nmto prepare for a closer i&hd more dssperate strife. As yet, however, it was |«Bo ^ ^ilitifin from what cause this dropping fire arcS^. ; V' A- ^7' i vah,- .!* ' * .; J'i' i li ■/« i P. 'fc %. ■ 1 1- 4 ^ ATTACft, It might fjiOQeed from the ientinels, Who, ttumed tyjr.tfie camiifeiide fttiro the river, mistook every tN^ for aa Aimniism i and till this should be more Ibliy tscertained, it would be improper to expoM Ike troops, bjrmoving any of them from the 4tf tel^ which the bank aflfbided. But these doubts were not permitted to continue long in existence. The dropping fire having paused iir a«few moments, i. was succeeded by a fearful yell ; and the heavens Wbre illuminated on all sides by a semi-circular bkM of musketry. It was now dlear that We w3e surrounded, and that by a veiy superior force; and, therefore, no alternative remainin]|, but, eitlicr to surrender at discretion, or to bea^. back the assailants. '• The first of these plans was never for an instaht thought of; and the second wis immedntely ptit into force. Rushing from under the bank, the 85th and 4)5th flew to support the piquets, wBile the 4tht stealing to the rear of the encampment, formed close column, and remained as a reserve; But to describe this action is altogether out of the ^ question, for it was such a battle as tne anoals of modeiMrarfare can hardly m^tch. All order, all discipline, were lost Each officer, as he Was aBle^ ta pollect twenty or thirty men round him, Ad- vanced into the middle of the enelljr, wheii it was Jjljgbt hand to hand, bayonet to bayonet, ahfl V^A /■ ■J' \'*\ ? N B.-;**-*'*-." % ■!i« » i*' Si?* f. #' •&'!* A' ^ 4Tmjc«. 8fii •' " •iford to iword, with the tumiill and ferocky of one of Homer's combats. ' • ' To ^hre some idea of this extraormiwry combat, I shall cletail the adventures of a friend of mine, ^\^ diMiceo to accompany one of the first parties seWoi'it. Dashing through the bivouac under an heavy discharge from the vessel, hn party reached the hlK, whichjns forded, and advanced as far 1j 1 vjpi ia the house wiWb General Keane had fixed his headquarters. The moon hail by this time madP her way through the clouds ; and though only in her first quarter gave light enough to permi|l|ieir seenigy dioug^ not distinctly. Havfng now gone Su enough to the right, the party pushed on to> wards the front, and entered a sloping field of Jtjtobblc; at the uj^er end of which they could distinguish a dark line of men ; but, whemer they were friends or fiaes it was impossible to determme. ^ tAiw^Ung to ire, kst he should kiftiny of our ^own people, my friend led on the volumeers whom 1^1^^ got roundlka, till they reached aome thick files of i€eda, about twenty yards from the object of thck nalfoc. Here they were sfduted by a sharp '^ydlGiy» and being bow confident that they were jneafiea, he commanded his men to fili^. But a W biod^er officer who accompanied him, was not so oonvmoed, Muring him 1^ they were sql^ieia ^ of the 95th» upon which they agreed to divf'^*^^ ■ " fofses ; that ha ^iflto double^ ahoidd f '^-f -I- r% f:* ^^ % .V '??4 ,^-: vw'wiir' ''^rm^ *■'/' ... ..f ^ I • 'i '>%. •A »5- .tf- < » I^LIGHT DF ^HE ENEMY. \ • one party where he was, w^iile my friend, with the rc^, shotildj^ round upon the flank of this line, and discovercertaiidy to which army it belonged. Taking with him about fourteen men, he ac- cordingly moved off to the right, when falline in with some other stra^leili, he attached theni^e- wiife to his party, and advanced. Springing over a high rail, they came down upcA the left of those concemingwhom the doubt had existed, and found em to be, as my friend had supposed, Americans. Not a moment was lost in attacking-, < but having goit^||lperceived, within a few feet of wjliere they stooH, they discharged their pieces, and rushed otk to th6 charge. In the whole dourse of my mili- tary" career, I do not recollect any scene at all re- sembling that which followed. Some soldiei;a|^ having ibst their bayonets, laid about tftemi with tlksi butt end of dieir firelocks; while many a sword, which till to night liad not Arank blood, be» cani which I have stated as surrouhdihg a fiii^ hbusie upop the right front of our original positba. Heijp t^e;^lbunda consideiable number of pur own m^, ^MiP or two officers taken, and guarded by a nt oif Americans. These they imme<*^ 1%" V'l A.. t fl '^ /■» v. ,;'**^ V. » ** #*. -;*f - ■*■■ ^ ^ ^ *'.:. J .^ *.!> .5 ■( « ■it'V ♦^i •'^TsS' ^ • »^wjt the F^i ne. « ed. 7t ac- r ike- V • 3ver V . lose »und ■ :f-: jans/ vihg' they r id oa . f ■ mill- Jlre- ldie% with any a • I, be* dura^ it, the • them -• huts> kbuse i Im^ti, 1 by a name^ ' A <^0 i .'V. ALT. 2# .M^ i$ 44. ' " diate.y released, who, catching up what weapons^ they^could find, foHowed thei^^libeiaton ip the chase of the flying enemy. Biit, having now got as fer in advance m among them called out not to fire, because they were Americans. But my firiend hra more in view than merely to discover what countrymen diey were, and therefore, answering as one of themselves, he demanded to what corps they belonged ? To this the speaker re^oed, tli|t diey were the 2d fa(|palion of the 1st Hegimeiit^ , and requested to be informed what had become of the Ist battalipn. Still imitating the American twangy my fiiend again made answer that it was upon his light ; and assuming a tone of aa^ority, HlMLmanded them to remain as they were, till he should join them^widi a party of which he wa^t the head. . Having ended this conversation, he f^tumc die viMage, and forming his party in line, Isd tf Pp SP :a K .-^^-' - ..-**%i "^■i'XautlSRUaJjKI' 3^- / I t 4: i I f^iWPil^^^W^W" ^" fffW .i'' .. ' -I m .0 ...^' ^'^i ^:.- r if ;t^ 41 ■ 4 COMBA^ on in deep silence toward the 2d battalidn df the 1st Hegiment.. A's tliey drew nfear he called o*it for the commanding bfficer, or him who had spojcen, to.conte forward, adding that he had something to communicate ; upon which an elderly man, armed widl a huge dragoon sabre, advanced to meet him. As soon as they were together, my friend seized his sword, and desired him to^iurrender, dodaring M that he and his regiment ^ere surrounded, and that resistance would only occasion unnecessary bloods «The man was completely confouifded,- And ^ned his sword immediately ; whpn,,tumiii(^to another officer he demanded his. This person, however, was younger, and appeared to have his wits more about him, for instead of giving iq> hi^ weapon, he made a cut atmy friend's head» which he had scarcely time to ward of. Their Country- men, lyjcowise, who ha^hitherto ^tood motionless, took cd£%e at the deed, and began firing 'y when, as all cpiibe of cheating th^ihto a surrender was at an end, our soldiers dashed amongst them, and once more renewed the combat hand in hand. But though the enemy had so far recovered firom their ^inic as to refuse a surrender, their resolution did not prompt them to any determined resistaa^ ^arged as they were upon the flank, it is. not \vonderful that tfiey sooin fell into confusidh^ and ig ci&Iy pressed by the brave little party, had no time given to hdly. In less than an \ / ^^ 1 * . «»', -*■,#• m # <*^, '^iltiiiiii-rr"'*''^ — ••*^" ■ '•'•'■'^^ 'V.-. Jf^ M f ( ^ £i m. ^COMSAT. a&5 ^KMVV jtl^r#}vct» they began to fly f and as my irifsiid ^qi|tid|p«4 i^^ ^^ had been rash enough in attacking » foice so superior, with a handful of meivlie did n^t add to tfiat rashness, by con- tinuing , the pursuit too far; .but hjiving chased thein a Jitde way, recalled his followers, and re- tuined to ^e hamlet. &, giving a detail so minute of the adventures ,t tonoeival^e jthat order, or the rul^s of disci- fiined war could be preserved. We w^^ mingled wkh the Americeu^, frequenUy before we could till whether diey were friends or foes ; because speaking the same language with ourselves, dieito was no mark by which to distinguish them, at least none whose influence extended beyond the dk- ^ tence of. a few paces. The consequence was, that more feats of individual gallantry were performed ' in the ;0>urse of this ii%ht, than many campaigns 'might have afforded an opporrunity of perf< '^lAlile vie^ising the affair as a regular act|< ^n\ #: %♦ Mr '•# •% r « i m V V » ■#»■' EAi'«.* 'V « .n^ 'i. /■. * ^ j;,.*.., % If V r^ ^^ A^ /'•#• 3^ eai'9AXf<»^ »/ ■>' 'V f '* n . V.-- * Ml can Ij^ junagined moic ftill of bl|i||d«f aii4. fusioD,. Nq iKian.,ci|uId tell wtNaf,ii«9 goni#ipr-> ura^^in any quai$er, except whpe .he himself chiuiced iiiipe^|^(te]y.tq.s|9U»($vno$ one |)^^ the line could bring aasistimce to anotherv-beoause^ in i. tn^ih, np line existed. It was in one wovd^a pe^ feet ^niult, rambling, except in its faial cme^^ . quences, diose scenes which the night of an^ Irish ^if us^fUly exhibits, much more than an engage-, ment between two civilised armies. 3^ night was far spent, and (he sound clfi|^t- -^' in^Hd begun to die away, when my friend onet more established himself among the huta. Here, ^ likewise, considerable numbers of our people as*' sembled, from whom he learned that ibitw^^pof* were repulsed on all sides. The combat»li||peeil#' long and obstinately contested, having btipifi^ at ^ eight in the evening, and continuing till' jdw^ ii the momin|, but the victory was decidedly aom^m iat tfie Americans retreated in tlmgreatestdtsorder,^ leaving us in possession of the field. Our tosi$ ' however, was enormous. Not less than '500 Ifeten had fallen, many of whom were oue finest- soldiers and best officers, and yet we could not but con- sider ourselves fortunate in escaping from die tcHle^^ -i^ ^ £ven at the expense of so great a sacrifice. i The recal being sound^tour troops wec^«oon bjMMH tog«pther« and filing to the left^ ietmed "^tU/jk^- oCtt^f^grpund, whej^e we^|^ at int 4 T^ t-^j *"i : . * ^»^ A •V f ifff^' *f»J^ iik'' -Ir fiZlV'IdriAftTLB. 2# eMiMipedS il^fe! Wfe remunftfrrad^ffbrilliktever mi^ occur fHHnom, wlieii; ttHMrbid the fire of die vcwel, we igain belfol^oiiMdives «b«^e bank, and kqrd&iwii. For Mlnt> Hbun paat, indeedv aome hours worn out with fatigue and want «|^||e^^and shivering in the cold air of a nioniii^, widiout being able to light a fire, ^ pTefNHfr a morseiof provisions. Whenever aii atten^t of die kind was made f as soon as two at "^ tfarenineiKbegan to steal from shelter, the sdioon' er^^guns immediately opened; and dius was the D^ole division kept, as it were, prisoners, for " the «p9ce il^ an entire day. WMle, our troc^ lay- in this uncomfortable sU tusi^it^ I stole aw&y with two or three men to find out an(|bii^a friend m^o* vvas^mong the shiiik^ In wan^Mi^ over die flIN for this purpose, -tiie ^mqpt sbo^^ng and.^sglusting sights every -^ freieflted diitnaelves. I have fi^iiendy' « '» '*' *4i ■* y 1^: &■ i*.* ■i*w*^ ¥ < FIELD 'Ot BATTLE. in|#- >% *,»■ *1. ,1 .« ■"* boinpass, lfi6ug|li tbese, indeed, w«re tiuriiil0« eiiidifgh, but wtn«ri04 itieir^NKiifig^ingtnr finefiehdr^ rible, I cattsMy n^vir 'widiessed; ^ A muoiv shot ' llirdttgltliie llead or heai^, lies as if he w9K in ^ deeptliiVnb^ insotnuoh, thtit wheiryoit gazeupcm him, ymi experience little else than pity. 0)M of these many hiid? ntet' their death irom My^et H Utrouiids, sabre cuts, or heavy blows from the butt dlds of muskets ; and the consequence yns, ihat not only were the wounds themselves excmlngiy Drightfui, but the very countenances of the dead ediibited ^e most savage and ghasdyexpres^ons. ft Friends and foes lay together in| pay that tribute to his worth and quf firientdship^ * wbkh^ however unavailing it may be, t))ey both deserve. •*. -fi^. >%»:,■. <'«Wlten in the act of looking for him, 1 had flat^ tened mysdf, that I shoukl be able to bear his 1q^ || ivilh amnething like philosophy, but when I ber held nm pale and bloody, I found all n^resoluti^n evaporate; I threw myself on the gi!ound beaifb ll him,, and wept like a child. But this was no time liEur the indulgence of useless sorrow* Like tlie royal bio^, I knew that I should go to him, but he Mid IMM vatum ta me, and I could not tdl whediar■■- ■- ■-•■«*+., ..A ^' /^' ,,» -^H m I*' >%-> soa aOSPITAL. €.•< ^^^h'^ ,-H w* f wbinded. It isliere that war tostsro g r a ii d B u i' and show, ahd prtMents only a real pictulrcf l£if \H %fiecti. ) Eveiy foom ki the house was crowded with wretclieaihangled^ and'apparentljrin^e most. ^ exdruciatkig agonies. Prayers, ghxms, and I grieve to add, the most horrid exclamations, smote upon the ear wherever I turned. Sotne Tajr, tft len^ upon straw, with eyii half closed, aid .f§ Umbs motionless ; some endeavoured to start iip^' shrieking with pain; while the wandering fl|e tihd incoherent speech of others, indicated thrres^ of reason, and usually foretold the approach of death; But there was one among the rest, whose appear- ance was too horrible ever to be forgotten. He had been shot through the wind-pi]ie, and idie breath' making its way between the skin and1|ie'flS^h,1i1id dilated him to a aise absolutely terrific. His head and fece were particularly shocking. £vfery fea- ture was enlarged beyond what can well be iiiui^ gined ; while his eyes were so completily hi9 f M , I ■ '•" :* . . . ..^. ■^"f- *.* -J -f i sm - (|ldtr which Miy.lWefMM^ AMfN»<4ft«M, some ifvvere^ iuidr>oiltai > ^f i>^t Jul h«v^ already dwelt stfliiA. iipoO'^a^ tMQflll •ubjcqt, I eMl oidy upistiuiqes would allow ; and thit lliti ^^,9iedicBl attendants were such, as die grateful thanks of evm _ ^ *"ffw«B Jthemsdvar. ■^ L-^-:^;^' ^^ ■P' ^4 '■ *■■•* m w '^ ■!■: I i • k ^:' ' ■ ! ■# !9 ^ %\ A'OViiim:^* ^f* .«-■•• . H^ •I? 1 ' LEttfip xxif. ♦ ^ *■ ■ ^. ■ *- > *; w *>■■ •'* # V lNt^meanti^etherestofthetroo|ii|^|r9]|pH|r In^ a^ fastis po|^ible, a^d hastenvig t^^jpiHt|||^ qomrades. Though the advance bad«et «^t^ J*i|ie Island by themselves, they didnot ocei the boats in the fleet. Part of the second.' r therefore, had embarked about twelve hows tp^„4eparture; and rowing leisurely ^^i^;-^^ considerably more than half way across Haijai^!^^ when the action began. In the stillness of .ni|^ ' m However, it is astonishing s^ wlint 4 , noise is heard; Though they must have l)eeip*, «Ni at least twenty tmies from the Bayou, .w|i'ep;tfae m •?' fchooner first opened, the sound of ||ri|^t^achii^ them, and roused the rowers from thi^ filing with all their might, ihey npw hur^^|l|^ while the most profound silence reigned among i&s^ troops, and gaining the creek in little ^CNre^ui^ lliree hours, sentlresh reinforcements to s&re In ' {^|NbPger and glory of -the night. ' Npr was a moment lost by the jailors in fetum? . ing tq the j^^i^* Intelljgence of SJMS^ like llpl^firei the boats w< ', ■^■^' . ■if *.* W» ..»? "W'-iH n I } Im^f^ The ^ll^iaia 4irdJ)ri|iidea,,the^^ n6vir l|pokup t||in^|(p>^nd upoB the spot wli«^!^|j|ate battle ^pi idVSi^t fif^ resting th!9||^|i^t upon the wood^ ^|||MI#<^« IlKiWl^^ might continue the «'' )il^|ifMmJie.wlirP plain. ^I^|l||»in9t«ad. of taking part in this forn^tiqa,]^ IJpljilP^ ^sitiU fettered to the bank, fronvwhicH I^IITfl^ jdd}tiQj|B(JH^ prevented from moving by the li4vi4^ano^r large ship, wl^ich ca$t jwQl|qr ||fift Ih^ shipping^^the wb^^ A ■■■t. )»• ♦1 ' V V \'i I #c., H » -Jit f • • (• ♦ 1 ' / . .' " .f ll|nt «^ l||pl^^^ lih^ Qiir,|^iidM^ l^hose jiyinpMi» w^ .|i|d before liiii n p d ?Wkli w dity, iMxfwpther' confidence w«r repoaadt ,>lH|# perfectly evident, either that they hid pmfm0l$ l^c^ived us, or that their infornntioa watgadifiMl itpjfn a most imperfect source; theNf«fCylh«l|||^ they were not exactly placed in oonfinemeiAptliigr were strictly watched, and treated Hiorc»lihi they sfDOd.- Hoping everything, therefore^ li!W»aliiciM, knhres 9^ forks th^e wa^|| d&- mm mal scarcity, nor could ow fare boast of much e^ %' <»* 4' #t- XK- l-".'. '- ■-'■n . •-. . l^ti^,f...:%ii. ^ "0^ f w^v-<*" •f- i>-' ^ k^^ ii- -I v - ^ .f) ¥ '^: X ^m ■>€•' ■ifi i» *• #■ *... ^ »">. # ^T#ffj t|e^ il^ Wbpl^.lpQgtV' fopiped part of di|i^|p(PK% flf^olb^FoNW^ ra^ of futuirelRteiij||yt%|i|9pf i^pved to tc^ic^md now aQd«tlijpiiii<%M«fioi|| the fciipOiier drew our attention to ours«Iye^}^iji| tboughloo far removed from the river tcbir/^ mvL^ danger, we were stilt within cannonf^hol: flf our enemy. Nor was she inactive in^JMf atteteiptB . to mdest* Elevating her guns to » grean^^eefS, sh(s contrived occasionally to strike the ws buflding within which we sat; but the fonse ball was too far spent to penetrate, . and i(loii|i therefore produce no serious alarm. f While we were tlius sitting attable, a loudsbrKk was heard, after i)ne of these explosions« and on running out, we found that a shot had ti^^ii'^&jiit in the body of an unWunate soldier^ this incident, because I never beheld being so great a tenacity of life. 1 „_ ^ cut in two at the lower part of the belly, 1|ie wretch lived for nearly an hour, g&^ing for ^ath^ £md giying signs evm^of pain* But to return to my,i)arralive : as s^^^hi reached the camp, Sir Edward proceeded-tb exs^ mine, with a soldier's eye, every' |)oinf i^iji^tfu^ within viev^ Of the Ameriom ttm^H^lfig Iftver ^tdd be.piv0eive% exclpt ft«oi^of ob$> V- 4 ^' jSS».- n %* 4-. [/ •*—■ ' ■■y.rl '1»' « ' ■♦ .^.'•«' •'*>■ , 10( '4k «^ ■■*'• • > 'vV'-'fe •f' M# t '» "Vf- .-»l. imj isucceec ^ j5ir^ckicm,,il^ fpi^^pj;^ her j^ It injury^ and Ili4 not a»^to a| 1^ ^panflg IM reioao^ftU ai ' inpis, he ai * '" '^ "*^^* ^'- >d of one,' and General Keane |o c^anoili led .# *? > • '4 tit j^' *♦ -# •# h ^^.: 1^ ATTACK. 30& to act as circumstances and llie nature of the ground would permit ; while the dragoons, few of whom hadais yet provided themselves with horses, were appoinipl to guard the hospitals, and to se- cure the wotjnded from any sudden surprise or molestation from the rear. But the day was too far spent in making these arrangements^ and in clearing the way for future operaticms, to permit any movement before the morrow. The whole of the 26th was therefore spent in bringing up stores, ammunition, and a few heavy guns from the ships, which being placed in battery upon the banks of (he river, secured us against the return of our floating adversary. All this was done quietly enough, nor was there any cause of alarm till after sun-set ; but from that time till towards dawn, we were kept in a constant slkte^ ot anxiety and agitation. Sending down ||1|aaU i^l|lpes of riflemen, the American General j^rfj^oc^^r piquets, killed and wounded a few of die fletitinelS) and prevented the main body from obtaining aiiy sound or refreshing sleep. Scarcely had the troops lain down, when they were roused by a sharp firing at the outpoits, which lasted only till they were in order, and then ceased ; but as soon as they had dispersed, and had once more addressed themselves to repose, the|ame cause of alarm returned, and they were again called to their ranks. Thus was the entire night spent in watch- R r :W ^. .'*.* 4 ;ifi^l w .y ^^ M *.» JFft« # '310 ATTACK. ing, or aibest in broken and di^Uirbed slumbers, than which nothing is more trying, both to the health and spirit of an. army. ^ With the piquets, again, it faBJ i^W ren worse. For the out-posts of an army to sleqpiB (i^t all times considered as a thing impossible ; but in modem and civilised warfare they are nevertheless looked upon, in some degree, as sacred. Thus, while two European armies remain inactively facing each other, the out-posts of neither are molested, unless a direct attack upon the main body be intended ; nay, so far is this tacit fpod understanding carried, that I have myself beheld French and English sen- '4'*''''" '■»* tinels not more than twenty yarifs apart. But the Americans entertained no such chivalric notions. An enemy was to them an enemy, whether alone, or in the midst of five thousand comps^iions ; and they therefore counted the death of cypty indivi- dual as so much taken from the strexij^ of the whole. In point of fact, they no doubt reasoned correctly, but to us at least it appeared an unge- nerous return to barbarity. Whenever diey could approach unperceived widiin proper distance of our watch fires^ six'&r eight riflemen would fire amongst the party that sat round them, while one. or two, stealing as close to each sentinel as a regard to their own^ety would permit, acted the part of assassins ramer than of soldiers, and attempted to murder them in cold blood. For the officers, like- i • I ■■■I \ / % limbers, i 1, \i to Uie w 1 worse. 1 Eill times . 1 modem M s looked ■ rhile two I ng each a ], uiiless I itended; 1 carried, 1 ;lishsen- 1* J3utthe 1 notions. 1 er alone, 1 ins ; an^d 1 Y in^vi- ■ 1 of the 1 reasoned - I m unge- ■ ey could ■ tance of 1 mid Ere I rhile one. 1 a regard 1 e part of m npted to fl ^rs, like- S' MAECU. 9^ wise, when going their rounds, they oonstantiy lay m wait; aiid thus, by a continued dropping fire, they not only wotmded soine of those against vih0tii thelgiipi^as directed, but occasioned consi- deiiEAe alraKiand uneasiness throughout the whole line. Having continued this detestable system of war- fare till towards morning, they retired, aiid left us at rest But as soon as day began to break, our P|iquets were called in, and the troops formed in order of attack. The right column, under General Gibbs, took post near the skirts of the morass, throwing out skirmbhers halfway across the plain, while the left column drew up upon the road, co- veted by the rifle corps, which in extended order met the skirmishers from the odier. With this last divison went the artillery, already well sup- pljpd with horses ; and, at the signal given, the whole moved forward. It wisi a clear frosty morning, the mists had dis- pessed, and the sun shone brightiy upon our arms when tire began our march. The enemy's corps * of observation fell back as we advanced, without offering in any way to impede our progress, and it was impossible to guess, ignorant as we were of the position of his main bodyj at what moment op'- position might be expected. Nor, in truth, waf it matter of itiuch anxiety. Our spirits, in spite j»f die troubles of the night, were good, and our ex- ■*♦?■ I:. "^r^ •# -.^. ■# :,.^'. •v«.-.» : WW %' ..Ay '•y ■ 'Win^Sj^ ^•^1 >" m 31S llAltCfl. ' pectattofiii of success were high, 'Oonsequent^ muiy rude jests were bandied about, and manjr careless words spoken. For soldiers are, of all classes of men, the freest from iMl^tod on tiJMit accdbnt, perhaps, the most hapipg^p^iag obn- tinually exposed to it, danger witnlnem ceases tO) be fri^titful ; of death, they haVe no mcni terrOT tfian the l^sts that perish, and even hardships, such as cold, wet, hunger, and broken rest, lose at least part of their disagreeableness, by the ire- " quency of their recurrence. %A. Moving on in this merry mood^ we advanced % about four,or five miles without the smallestcheck or hindrance ; when, at length, we found ourselves in view of the enemy's army, posted in a very^< vantageoi^s manner. About for^ yards in thdr front was a canal, which extended from the mo- rass to within a short distance of die high roid. Along their line were thrown up breatst-works, not indeed completed, but even now formidable* Upon tl^ road, and at several other points lisr^ . ' erected powerful batteries; while the ship, with a large flotilla of gun-boats, flanked the whole posi- tion frotn the river. When I say diat we came in sight off die enemy, I do not mean that he was gradually exposed to lis in such a manner, as to leaVe time for cool exa- mination and reflection. „On ^;>cight, indeed, he was seen for some time, but oi^ the left, a few r* ■■ " .*• # » -' > "% * • ftj -«, . . houses bniltat ai tHrnittg m thettMd, ^tirelj con- cealed htm ; nor was it till ^ey had gahied that turning;, and beheld the rtiiiz2les of his guns pointed towflrab thdijipit those who moved in this direc- tion were awi|^<|l their pnuclhiity to danger. But that danger wtis indeed near, they were quickly taught' ; for sdircely had the head of the column ptssed the hduses, when a deadly fire was opened fitom both the battery and the shipping. That the Americans are excellent shots, as well with artillery as with rifles, we have had frequent c^use to ac- knowledge; but, perhaps, on no occasion did they assert their claim to the title of good artillery-men more efiectually than on the present Starce a . ballet passed over, or fell short of its mark, but all sticking full into the midst of our ranks, occasioned •i terrible havoc. "Hie shrieks of the wounded^there- foil'e; the crash of ^relocks, and the fall of such as ;^ weire killed, caused at first some litde confusion ; and what iidded to die panic, was, that from tf# houses beside which we stood, bright flames sud- dbfidy burst out. The Americans expecting ^lll''^ attkck, had filled them with combustibles for the purpose ; and directing one or two guns against them, loaded with red-hot shot, in an instant set ^ them on firfe. The scene was altogether very ^ si)|bliine. A tremendous cannonade mowed doilm^^' our ranks, aiid de^lened us with its roar; ■if^ .■ ■■*. J* .*>-• |. i**- ^-A*' I?''*-,. * «--^;-:i*,.'* *~.i.'Iii3fc- ^ f '>■. I Z'. 314 ||TTACX. two burge chateaux and thdlr out-buildmgt, abnoft scorched us wHh the flames, an •■■t ti. ■->■ * ^^^..■" # ■m f *»\ PAUIl k 1* t \ ^f \^ 316 PAUIB«- about two miles from the canal, where it wu sup. posed that we should be beyond reach of annoyance fr^m the American artillery, we there established ourselves for the r^ght, having sufpsied less during the day than, from our exposed situation, and the enemy's heavy fire, might have been expected. .^ The ground which we now occupied resembloil» in almost every particular, what we had quitted. We agam extended across the plain, from the |» marsh to the river ; no wood, or cover of any de- scription concealing our line, or obstructing the Tiew of either army ; while, i^th in firont and rear, was an open space, laid out in fields, and inter- sected by narrow ditches. Our outposts, however, were pushed forward to some houses within a few hundred yards of the enemy's works, sendirfg out advanced sentinels even farther ; and the head- - «. ' > ■ quarters of the army were established near the spot where the action of the 23d had been fought In this situation we remained inactive during the 28th, 29th, and 30th ; but not so the enemy* Day and night we could observe numerous parjils employed in strengthening his lines ; while from the increased numbeirof stents, which almost every hour might be, discerned, it was evident that strong reinforcements were continually pouring into his qamp. Nor did he leave us totally unmolested. By giving to hi| guns a great degree of elevation, he contrived at last to reach our bivouac ; and thus # t ^' .Si % ^K'h PftUNftftAt^C^tk 3 7 wwi wwctMRUfiincier ft c)tintMii»< which, WNi|pi it oM littM exwniiony 'pravwnwfiRnattli '^tMhiidy aimoying. BbidttrM^lltf ilbMbbi^ torcMtt batMpi on the opposite bUik ofllle Mver; ftcMHi whicbWiikiog filt^toMld^be thf^^lrittos in^ JMite iro^i of his positibn. In sitort, he t^fTf prateafcrtioif which prudeilce could \% and for th^ reception of which; the n&ture ofJiif^ post was so admirably adapted. , Under these circumstances, it wtts evident that the longer an attack Was delayed, the kii likely 'wav.it to succeed ; that something must be done immiwately every one perceived, buthow #pio- m behlhid ihlrir eiiflisnchments, was a thing altogether Out of- the ^estioib There seemed^ Ihereforey to be but one '^ibracticable mode ff assault : wlifch ivas, to treat Jhese field-works as one WQuld^treat a tegular ftri^ m(»tion ; by erecting breaching bat^liries agi^st ,th(BRl,'and »igM:ing, if it were possible, at least ^^ifte^iof thek^U^ f 6 this plan, therefore^^^id iMtt resort ; a»dr'1#t0nseq1jilhce, the #!k>le df 4M Ihree days '"^ftrs bihploj^ed in'lii^g ai^^itit(initid>' ptred for th6ir defence. -^ The night was dark, and our people nrnintaki^d a profbupd silence ; by which rnean^ hot f^i idea of whirt was going on existed in the Ameijcan * camp. Labouring, therefore, with aU^diligenoo^*, six batteries were completed long before dawn, in whi^h were mounted thirty pieces of heavy cannon; when, &fling back a U^e way, thb force umt«d itself to th# rei^Mdnder of thcynfantry, and la^ ^wn behind somi rushes, in readiness to act, as soon as.il should be wanted. ^ In the erectbn of these btttterie&^Afiircumstance occurred worthy? of notice j onlacelunt of its sin- guburhy. I have alreai^tatMfed, that th^^^iele oft" tt^#rtrict was covered wil^ ibe9tttbUem«(|gar- caj^;".^ I mi^ haveadded,- that every^^lbre-; ho|tteM»iltb«ni^pac|led to the different marilions' scattered over i^ \vas filled with battels oT^^iirir. i » 4^ .* • f ■• 4. CNHPr ee nd Imvo gdcMHrQ nd'pra-'' tetalMiiey wemitoed i^righl uilM.i»»p«tt Ql4|ift bttteriM ; «iidit vm covifmte^f that sugar m* thA vidijie'cC many thousand 4>oiinda sterling was ^lhu» diflpoled of . •^ t'%1. •* 4* "•V'tl ntali^ iMiidoi najican'' %eno«|t^ awn, in iannon; unitt^ nd la^ act, as istan'ce its sin- Vi.- ■i*» •*• ■■'.»* a* 1% 'i^ ;.,**^*1|^ ^^.' « ^•/^* >*. % 'Hi ^|il H ,.i *'i '•-mMW* *^ W^ n- .<« AT;XAfiJi. 'S *», j'tp' 2,?J!-il.:#i^>:ii4f.«i«V -■*^ ...•■ »)#k.«.-. *»-*i»#iM'*> ..'■•il fe V" m i:'- V*. *'' ■I .■T' \ 14- «» '*■ *: -♦J ::»';-v,A.*. K , '■«r*'« -(fin*. ^■i LETTER XXII. ^'^^ •»r ■ The uifantry having retired, and the gunmr^*' taken their station, dawn was anxiously expected. But the morning of the 1st of January* chanced to be {)eculiarly*gloomy. A thick haze obscured for a long time the rays of the sun, nor could objebts^*^ . bediscemgd with any accuracy till a late hour. But, at length, the mist gave way,ind ^ Am^eir wtiUeiy remained silc^ ; but as soon asihe fbrmer rallied, they also reclNrere^cohfid^ce^ and answered our salute witti great rapidity and pifeeision. A heavy cannonade therefore commenc- e#cm bbth sides^ and continued during the iVhble of Hie day ; till, towards evening, our ammunition began to fail, and our fire in conseqiieiiditr lif slacken. The fire oi the Americans^ on Ilie otfUbf httid, was vedouUed : landinga number^f fgatik fifom the flotilla, they increased th^ir artilleiry td a prodigious aniount; and directing, sit the mt&t .thtie,^e whole force of their cannon on the %p6^ site bank, against the flank of our batteries,'^^y soon convinced us, that all endeavours tolsiirp^ them in diis mote of fighting, would be useless^ Once mc^^ therefore, were we obliged to retire^, leaving our heavy guns to their fate ; bit as no attempt w^s made by the Americans^ to secure them^ w(8ii^g parties were again sient out' lifter dark^ and such as had not been destroyed, were removed.' -%^.. "-*'^ ■ '■■ ^ Of the fatigue undergone during these opera- tions by the whole armyj from the General ddVi^ to the- meanest sentinel, it would be diffiCul^li form an adequate conceptidn. For twc|-?Whp^ nights and days, not a man haid^tosed iul -hftf *-,'] ^» it #&. ■^ » *. * i-, ^>\ %i j| % f i-"' ■$■ ^ 1 k«> V -vgf,tef.:Ai&^,. m PAVS£. i W' »): ■ f ;# #. «k« %i e^Hf^pl «Mq)| .^as wi»!« cool enough tpnslfiep^^mftiit showers of cannon-ball $ and v during i}ie da^y, scarce)^ a ORoment had been alio we,d| in whiclvwe were #fc^ 30 ipiich as tp br^ oi^r fast. We J9r ll^t^fre^ore^llit only baffled and disappoin^f^ but in spFne .degree disheartened and discontented. All oui;.plan^ |)^ as, yet proved abortive ; evcp this, , upon whi^h so much reliance hafi t^fsea pla£ed» was found to be of no avail ; and itifiiu9t hie cojpfessed, that something like murmuringbegan to b^ heard through the camp. And, in tsudi, if ever an army might be permitted tomurmux^lt was this. In landing, they had borne gre^t hardr ^ip|^ not only without repining, but with cheei!'' fi3lE|#$; their hopes had been excited l^HJsft^ rmortSy as to the practicabili^ of the attempt in which they were embarked ; and now^they found themsdives ^entan^led amidsttdifficulties firom which there appeared to be no escape^xcqpt by victory^ In their attempts upon.the enemy's/liae, however, they had been twiq^ foiled ; in artillery, they perceived themselves so greatly OYermatcheds ttiat th visions being derived wholly from the fleet, wjre ^i^th scanty and ccprse ; and their rest was con* tinually broken* For npt only did the cannon and nq^ps^ from the main of t^' enemy's jjpsitioit ||ay uBptmitting^ upon them both day and ni| b^t 9iey weretQi;ewpe exposed to ^ d<^c A, It If ■'** 1> 4'^ y^mmt^ if. I* • %., * M ^ t* .v chrwe r , r •••'V .. >inted> ■^1^ 4' ^ »^V9E. 323 *.«^ *> %; fiN»n the oppoiitebftnlt oFthe river, where no less thati eighteen pieces of artillery were now mounted, and sw^t' the eiitire line of our encampment. • Besi^ all this, to utidertake^the duty of a piquet, Wlts^a^ dangerous as to go into lltion. Parties of Afneriean sharp-shooters harassed and disturbed ti|b9e appointed to that service, from the time they tOSik possession of their post, till they were re- Ire^d^f' while to light firbs at night, was impossi> ble^ because they served but as certain marks for the enemy's gunners. I repeat, therefore, that a little murmuring could not be wondered at. Be it observed, however, that these v/cre not the mur* mursof men anxious to escape from adisagre^ble jMituation by any means. On the contrary, they ittsembled rather the growling of a chained dog, " when he sees his adversary, and cannot reach him; for in all their complaints, no man ever hinted at ati-eteeat, while all were eager to bring matters to the issue of a battle, at any sacrifice of lives. Nor was our gallant leader less anxious to fight than his followers. To fight upon something like equal terms, however, was his wish ; and for this purpose, a nevpcheme was invented, worthjf, for its boldness, of ^e school in which Sir Edward had ^ll^iedfliis profis^ion. , It was detenpihed to di- j^bt the- army/ to slod pah across the river^^hD Id seize the enemy's guris, amt turn'^Aj^ <§^ iselv^s; while the remidnder should af^e ^ % x i» - ■ y »iiii 1i.., ^ | |^ fc ,A .-^i.- ♦» •■~^- ^ ■*: •Iv ♦ fr^t '' iU» x#^ :^ *. ^ ,1 *■ 4i f 'i # 324 ATTAC«. sune time make a general assault along ^ewimle enbrenohment. But before this plan could be put into execution, it would be necessarjr to cut a ca^ across the entire necb of land from the Bayo de • Catiline to the rilfe-, of sufficient width and deplh to admit of boats being brought up from the laktf. Upon this arduous undertaking were the troops immediately employed. Being divided into fimr companies, they laboured by turns, day and hlg^t; one party relieving another after a stated nuniAier of hours, in such order as that the work should nevei be entirely deserted. The fatigue under- gone during the prosecution of this attempt,^ nd words can sufficiently describe ; yet it was pursued without repining, and at length, by unremitti^ exertions, they succeeded in effiMsting their pwtfpoiie by the 6th of January. # ?- While diese things were going on, and men's minds were anxiously turned towards approaching events, fresh spirit was given to the army by die unexpected arrival of Major General Lambert, widi the 7th«nd 43d; two fine battalions, mustering each eight hundred effective men. By this reinforceriie^ together with the addition of a'|ody W asildirS and marines firom tlie fleet, our numbers antouiPeted now lb Iktie. short of eight thoi||bld menj a ibkt| wh£l^i hi almost any other 4«irter of i|puld^^^ye been irresistible. Of the nui ^^enemyj again, villous reports w^ in d ml. ■4 h h w,. ....5/» b^*l) '%^-^:^ % * •^s'^iii^ bw4i .^ i..# »«?•_ A,JmACK. tm a .^ J*' .'4'' a |iEii;'SQineiatetingtlieni itt^ «pdiailihMr9at30,000; fi^t. ^ik^ I may come neur^ the tmth, if I llihi0QMM^niiU€kdl9 €!0i}r8«, andsuppone «li«ir whole %m'W' be>iitliout^5y000 men. It is at least cer- . Ilio, flial ^y 4aEceeded us in liurabcra as much Iki they did in resources; and that scarcely an hour -^liiMed^illiich did not bring in new levies, to their Z^;^ Th7th and 48d remained in reserv^ ready to act as circumstances might require. But in storming an entrenched positfoti^ solfiething more than bare courage is requirea. Sca^ng lad- dci's and fascines had, therefore, been prepu'ed, with which to fill up the ditch and mount the ti^all; and since to carry these was a service of danger, re- quiring a corps well worthy of dependence, the 44th was for that purpose selected, as aiegifnent of sufficient numerical strength, and already a<||i||; tome np boats hadi airived; hour after hour elapsed .'t)^ore thqr came ; and when they did come, the pi\i9for(unes, which I have stated above were dis^ CQverf^, for out of all that had been ordered up, <^4y a fey^ made their appearance. Still it was a}>soIute)y necessary that this part of the plan ^shpuld be cafiried into execution. Dismissing, therefore, the rest of his followers, the Colonel put JUlim^fat the head of^ his own regiment, about ^i^ seamen, and as many marines, and with this small force, consisting of no more%an 340 men, pushed off. But, unfortunately, the loss of time nothing couldvepair. Instead of reaching the op- posite bank, at latest by midnight, dawn was beginning to. appear before the boats quitted the canal. It was in vain that they rowed on in per- fect silence, and with oars muffled, gsikiing the pQUit of debarkation without being perceived. It in vain lliat they made good their landing and ie4 i^p tenirtg witb the great6st'> anxiety for the 4lriii^* wkoh 6t||ht iilovirto be heai^ on tiMs'dpiMiiite hailk^) But^is attention -wfa exerted in vaiiif and day dawned upon them JoAg before they desi»6d itii^«|9^^ pearartce. Nor was Sir< £dward Palienham dis^^ aj^inted in this part of his plan alone. Instead of ^rceiving every thing in readiness Hqt the as-* satilt, he saw his trodps in battle array, indued, but not a ladder or fascine upon the field. The44diy> which was appointed to carr}'them, had either mis- undi^Btood or neglected their orders; and Hoir- headed the colt|pn of attack, without any >fh(E»ili^ being provided for crossing the enemy^^ ditch, or scaling his rampart. . The iikdignation of poorPakenharIt onjthiaocca: sioh may t>e imagined, but c^nnpt be described* GalAping towards Colonel Mullens, who led the 44th, he commanded him instantly to return with his regiment fotvthe ladders, buv ^e opportunity of planting them was lost, and though they were brou^it up, it Was only to be scsttefecfcover the field by the frightened beardrs. F6r lBMi piii m we ti lhirtnrte^^ ftdccnlwim giv« the word lo «^««iioe,«iid>lbe 6thOT rfpmmnif "mving the 44th with the kddeM and fii0cili«Bbehind theilif rushed on tytheassault. On the left, « dettKJhment of the 95thf 31st, end 4thj stormed atfiree gun battery and took it. Here tfiey nmoained for aome time in the expectation of sup- port'} liilit none arriving, and a strong column of thto eneiny forming for its recovery, they deterv robed to anticipate the attack,* and pushed oi# T4ie battary which they had taken was in advance of the body of the works, being cut off from it by a liKleh j across which only a single plank was ithiown. Along this plank did these brave men atteinpt to pass $ but being opposed |t>y overpower- ing numbers, they were repulsed; and the Ameri- cans, in turn, forcing dieir way into the battery, at length succeeded in recapturing it with immense slaughter. Qn the right, again, the 21st and 4th being almost cut to pieces and thrown into solne confusion, by the, enemy's fire, the 93d pu^d on and toc^ the lead. Hastening forward, our troops • aooii reached the ditch ; but to scale the parapet .wi|||piit ladders was impossible. Some few, m* dceflji^j^ mouHtii^ one upon another'aahoulden, succeeded in entei^i^ the works, but th^Mr were tevidy overp^nr^r^d, anofitof them killed, aild^e tJb. tftken^ while as nnany »§ stood withoiMnMraf^ expoied io ft sweeping fire, which^cut them down :^ .•; Jf «i I-*'- v1 *r mm'*^ »* -,-- J JTJ .''*' «ft If.; «'. .«V' v«-. 'o-^ jSd ' ATTACK. fagr^HMc oompMHQi. vlt was in rm Dmt Ik moit dbitiwlfrrOQonfe wm dispbyed. "OnqTM bfifac hinds of maiiKrlioni i^Mh^^tiyMm am i iatt>iht f Ainiricans» ii4^o«t . m omiqIi ,99 Hftmg dm faces above tli^faiiipai^ swung thfir fifeloeks^ one arm over tiie wall, an<|^|^sGl|ii|ped thtm directly upon tlieir heads. Thpwh^ofUhe . guns, likewise, fifom the otpfiosite bank» <1m^ «ip 3 well directed and deadly caimonada uf^qn thei^ flank ; and thus were • Aey destroyed without an opportunity being given of displaying their vakw, or obtaining so much as revenge. < / ,i i yo or Pakenham saw how things .^rsit going, and did all that a General could do to rally hisv broken troops. Riding towards the 44th,^wl|iQh had returned to the ground, but in great disordq*, he called out for Colonel l^ullens to advance; but that officer had disappeared, and was not to be found. He, therefore, prepared to lead them on iiil&self, and had put himself at their head for that '|>urpQBe^ when he received a slight wout^ in the knee from s musket ball, which, killed his horse. Mounting another, he again headed the '44th, wheu « second ball took e^t more fy^y, aiid he dipped lifeless into the arms of his aide- de-cui^pi** I*^or were General Gibbs and I^ane biaGtiijL Biding through the ripksy diey strove bp|^ means to encourage the assauants and recal the tugitiyes; . " . ... ■ ^* %• #■ 1^ i \ * ATTACK. 331 till at lengdi Ikith were wounded^ and bomb off the field. ^^ was iioiv^€Qa6iiiQa^Mi^.<&iia^. Witheut leaders, ignovant of what in«» tc^lie done, the trdops first haiti^ and then began Id fCtire; tUl "finally the retfeat was changed kito a flight, and they quhfted the ground in the utmoet dlaoidir. Blithe nUteat was covered in gallant style? by the leaervei Making a forward motion, the 7th and 43d pllaented the appearance of a renewed attack; ^ty which the enemy were so much awed, that they did not venture beyond their lines in pursuit df the fugitives. >4. While affiurs were thus disastrously conducted in this ifiKirter, the party under Colonel ThorolQO had -gained the landing-place. On stepping a-shii^ the first thing they beheld was a rocket thrown up as a signal tiiat the battle was begun. This unwelcome sight added wings to their speed. Forming in one little column, and' pushing for- ward a single company as an advanced guard, they hastened on, and in half an hour reached a canal/ along the opposite brink of which a detach^ ment df Americans was drawn up. To didodge them was the work of a ntoment; a boat with a car- ronade in her bow, got upon their flank, gave them »sing^ dbcharge of grape, while the advantpid guard extended its ranks, and approa^d at ^^iilible quicl^timet But they scarcely wii^ till ti lal^ were within |ange, when, fi^'ill •-♦^ *fc>ji^.f^i^*-Ji'* 4 i 1*1 4' a f 4.V if'* ATTACK. voUfey, thcyfled m confusion. Tbas» hoRvtivtr, wuottly an output* The main body wia some way in tear, and amountou to oo fewer than 1500 men. It was not long, however, before they likowise preiented themselves. Like their countryanen on the other side, they were strongly i i#iiiiihtj^d| a thick parapet with a ditch covermg their finont,; while a battery upon their left swept the whole position, and two field pieces commanded the,road^ Of artillery, the assailants possessed not a single piece, nor any means beyond what nature gave, of scaling the rampart. Yet nothing daunted by the obstacles before them, or by the immense odds to which they were opposed, dispositions for an imme- diate attack were made. The 85th extending its files, stretched across the entire line of the enemy, the sailors in column prepared to storm the battery, while the marines remained some little Way in rear of the centre as a reserve. These arrangements being completed, the bugle sounded, and our troops advanced. The sailors raising a shout, rushed forward, but were met by so heavy a discharge of 'grape and canister, that- for an instant they paused. Recovering them- selves, however, they again pushed on ; and the 85th dashing forward to their aid, they received a heavy fire «i musketry, and endeavoured to charge. A smart firing was now for a few mi- if. .i 1 1 ' fi « HALT. 333 mitfll kefyl upon both sides, but our people had no time to waste fai distant fighting, and accordingly hurried on to storm the works ; upon which, a panic seized the Americans,* they lost their order, andfled, leaving us in possession of their tents, and of eighteen pieces of cannon. In Ais fHrair our loss amounted to only three men killed, and about forty wounded, among the latter of whom was Colonel Thornton. Nor could tKer loss on the part of the enemy greatly exceed our.own. Had they stood firm, indeed, it is hardly conceivable that so small a force could have taken an entrenched position ftom numbers so superior ; at least it could not have been done without much bloodshed. But the fact is, that they were completely surprised. An attack on this side was a circumstance of which they had not dreamed ; and when men are assaulted in a point which they deem beyond the reach of danger, it is well Imown that they defend themselves with less* vigour, than ^here such an event was antioi- ^ted. When in the act of storming these lines, the S^cidwas passed through our ranks, that all had gotewel^on die opposite bank. This naturally td&id to'^e vigour of the assault ; but we hfd not followed our flying enemy above two miles, whiiiiire Were commanded to haft. The real Uu W' ;.% )4 .•i * " V •n d9 ' '%■ *■ *♦' 't 4 \:\ |>i^HHlli brought IHiiillbein €rder tordMrn. ^ %^*#* (^uykl^ ic^)l»^^!t)^ was throwii a wqdbnlWil^ furnishing, a|)^rently, the only iheansv^pMslngi At die oppo^ie «nd of this bridge, sla|iik ittbHic- ^n of w(xm|pb ^pottages, aitd one. chateau df^some iize. Here a compiany was stationed to 9ejpve#el» double purpose of a piquet, anda rear-guard |wli^ the rest of the troops, having rested foe li||^ '$ hour) began their march towards the point w1k(9N; diey had landed. As soon as the main body had got stifficieatiy on their way, the piquet likewise preparedto Ibl? low. But in doing so, it was evident liiat some risk must be run. The .enemy having ralHcd, began once more to show a fronts that is to say, :^ inrttes of^sixty or a hundred men now apfMrokched 'to reconnoitre. These, however, miist be jde- ceived, othenvise a pursuit mig|lt becommeneii^v' an&lhe re-embarkation of the whdev*corps hoffk ' dered or prevented. The officer commanding ^ piquety accordingly formed his men, tod nuHll^f akow of advancing. Upon which their AjneriqHif $^) when wheeling about, JMrsetlfire. t«^ifiiie ch^ileau,; iand, under cover ofthesippkOi^^ < 9t |<| .t % • '^ .* '* 1 ' # • ( «- ^tffr: _ ♦ •. 1 * 1 it .. , ^,.,i..lk - .Jl£ ^i»- *....:iA iM" !!,J.UJBB^' T 4.^>a*i...|». ^^ Jf f ^— ^wia;^ 'f ^J r lS«lS»JMIKiAf|ail. ^tlief ^Ki^begiin t6 ettibn^ti'f^eti'the Uttte ^4i6l^ being once tnofe united, entef^d their bbats^ RMft f0a6h6d the ophite (isiink without nidles- lawQit. . ,- ■ . '. ■%■ 1^ .^^ ■#-j*^ fci'', tf ji*^*' '4 (*, : H . w .'.%"' # ,!«?*• '■^.., l«R 'it(*^\ >V ' K ••^v V '«»■■ "w* me FI££d Of tAtTLE. • J* tl^ s''^ ■ _i';?.. .?'■;** .. ' .7ni%., •AS soon as the whole army was re-^uhitad, attd the broken re^ments had recovered their orderja ffag of truce was despatched with proposals fen* the burial of the dead. To*accompIishthisend,atruCe of two days was agreed upon, and parties wet^e iih: mediately sent out to collect and bury tlieir fallen comrades. Prompted by curiosity, I mounted my horse, and rode to the front; but of all the »|^ts I ever witnessed, that which met me there #as beyond comparison the mosr shocking, ahd the most humiliating. Within the small compass of a few hundred yards, were gathered together nearly 1[i thousand bodies, all of them' arrayed in British uniforms. Kot a single American was among then^'; all were English ; and they Were ^yrown by dozens into shallow holes, scarcely deep «nou{ to furnish them with a slight covermg of ea Nor was this all. An American officer stood B/^ smoking a segar, and apparently counting the>> ^^lain with a look of savage is^ultation ^ and re- .peaitihg over and over to each individual J^t lip- ^x)ached hirh, that iheh* loss atil6uhtei %ily to eight men killed, tKid fourteen wouhded. 1 i:«i •»* # %■ 1 cotifes^^t when Ebehetd thi ic«he^ I hung down my ^d half in sonrow^ ind half m anger. With my officious Mormant I had eVarf inclina- tidtt to pick a quarrel ; but he was on duty, and an armistice existed, both of which fl^bade die measure^ I could not, however, stand by and repress iny choler, and since to give it vent would * have subjected me to more serious inconvenience, than a mere duel, I turned my horse's head, and galloped back to the camp. But the change of expression, visible there in every countehance, no language can pourtray. Only twenty hours ago, and all was life and ani» mati(Hi ; wKerever you went you were enlivened by vti^ sound of merriment and raillery; while the expected attack^^ks mentioned in terms indica- tive not only of sanguine hope, but of the most perfect confidence as to its result. Now gloom and discontent every where prevailed. Disap- pointment, grief, indignation, and rage succeeded es0ii oHier in all bosoms; nay, so completely were ;^ the troops overwhelmed by a sense of disgrace, fthat, for a-while, they retained their sorrow with- )3ut so much as hinting at its Q^se. Nor was this dejection occasioned wholly by the consciousness of laurels tamishid. The loss of comrades was to the full as affiicting as the loss of honour; for out of more thii^WOOO men brought On this side into the field, , no fewer than 2000 had fallfii. Among tliese were '.f- • ■ * %• ■#'■; 1 #. tBt » N t ,v ^f- L^ l^ i i^ 'US*/' .#. .1 ir » •^J " - fs IMS, CAIIF, ':Hb*Jf IVl cUvHuid sDfvived|rwlil» ^ loss c^, some psamculvf <$a>A ii?eiyK»o^;>ee^ia|iuibn.- .... ..^.... ■.. .. -h;.^',|i^ \ Yel itiis most certtun tliat amid all this varidty. of confiioi^nig; fiassiofts, no feeling bordann^' upon despair, or even terror, found room, j^veh. antbni; the private soldiers no fear was ejcperienced^ for if • you attempted to converse with them on 1i^ subject of ihe late defeat, they would eod wHh a bitter curse upon those to whose miscon^ct^y attributed their losses, and refer you to the future^ when they hoped for an opportunity of revengie. To the Americans they would allow no CifHli^ laying the entire blame of theHlEre upon c«4a|ii individuals among themselves ; and so gre^was the indignation expressed against on<^ corps, that th^spldiers of other regiments would hardly ^^-^ change words with those who chanced to wear ^lai unifornn. Though deeply afflicted, thsrlfere^ i;k0 were hy no means disheartened, and eveii|r<;taii4<* ; cipated with an eagerness far exceeding what waQ felt before, a renewal of the combat. ** - l^utGenersd l^mbert, on whom the chief qo^m- mand had devolved, v&fy pru«||ntly determin9-s ^^ if- .N';^ ■ A*- , ir j^9i;4 to prevent ^^4»ii|g.pg|ii |p|^|iqreasc^,^^Jbsid(^^ be citing # |ka«a|i# pf a 4iiB» If agf^m dWealldy ;9yli^: sav^ f»|ir army from destrqetioji* s^ JUiql^S^Si it retceated in force, no , retreat c<||^J)f . ,f fl&ct^4 A retreat, therefore, ^Jiile j^t t|i|,ffiieasare appeared practicable, was i^e^olvj^ |p|^j,an4 towards that end were all our. fiitur*^ ^pii^aons.direejtt^:- . .',^..^^^f:.^^:'■nf^ ^.' '• • . , TfW^e accoi^ishment of this deshrable ob^ctii hiawfever, one great obstacle existed;— by what ipoiui «^ tile troops to travel, and In whatorder ||e^itiie]f,to.l'egau) the fieet. OnfiiiMiding, we had .|]^,|l^ water within two lAiles of the cult^. id^CQuntry. But to adopt a similar course m 0|i|;j^r!^twjat wasJmpossible. In, spite of our Ipjss^St tt^.^ei^ not througliput the armanoieat a sufllci- 9j(^j(|^i|^b««r (^^^ tf^ transpc^t sd)ove one halJt^f a ^e« II^ bowevar, we ^o^d sepa* ohaiu^es were ^tlioth p^iiBj|i!|«rp^d be m IP %;^'' ¥ '1^ H m n % 1 ,# ' ,.Jai M *<, ■i y \A ^* H \\ ^% '■€. »t- ^ PRBPAftATIONS^fOIl R] *»■*, left Ixiud w0iild be» ofe^ligPlp the efiplAmencanfon^. riie^id%^ ^^t i^e^^eriGBns miglit be repul^t^^ it jii«x»ttkm 1^ to takf to v^r, 691^ h^ th^ pre^hoe; i^^us ftt least oi|e/divisi0n^ if^^ botli, "* Hi M » f Kithil ^^tlt: •• r ^ .»>*, I tlinr aihrosis ihe i^tJONS fOR REYREAT. 341 qUAgmire ; by whieh means, at least tilie Ambiance of a road* was produced, hoiire^tBr Wanting m firmness and solidity. But Mfiiire broad ditches came in the way^ many of vAiMi intersected the morass, the workmen were iiecessarilj|L obliged to apply more durable mate- rials. For these, bridges composed in part of large bhmches bH)ught with immense labour from the woods, were constructed ; ^ they were, on the whde, little superior in point oS strength, to the rest ofthe' path, for though the edges were supported by timber, the middle was filled up only with reeds. To complete this road, bad as it was, occupied ^e space of nine days, during which time our ainMy reitaiained in position without making any attenipts to moleift the enemy. The Americans howiever, were not so inactive. In the course nS two days, six guns were again mounted upon the bank of the river, from which a continual fire was kept up upon our camp. The same mode of pro- ceeding was adopted in front, and thus, night and ^i^ltty were we harassed by danger against which ^ -thtere was no fortifying ourselves. Of the extreme ' unpleasailtiiess of our situation, it is hardly possible to' convey any adequate conception. We never closed our eyes mpeace, for we were sure to be awakened before many minutes elapsed, by the splash of a round-shot or shell in the mud beside us. Tents we had none, but lay some in the open "!■ Xx l>;' «V'v V' • wv ^^.. .f> ^0 .,«i- W / i ■# 4i m 4 V *■* m )^ *#• f^ ..^-i »" /^ J t» ■*#* :ftir 342 PREPARATIONS FOR RBTii^T; air, and some io huts ta^de of boards, d^, terials that could'be procured. YHm xh^Mx^ ment of qur l9ndir||;, not a man had undress^%if- c^pting t(^b|the| and many had wom^ih^ sifthe shirt for weeks together. Besides a|l thli, hiai^ rains now set in, accompanied With vid|entslortlls of thunder And lightning, ivtiich Ikstin|; d^irtotlie entire day, usually ceased towards darK, arid ^ve plf^ce to keen frosts. Thus were we altetiiately wet and f^zen ; wet all day, and frozen all' |^t. With the oi^'l^sts, again, there was con9t«btlt)i- mishing. With what view the Americans Wl^^ to drivie them in I cannot tell ; but every day ll»lare they attacked, and compelled to maintain their ground by dint of hard fi^i||* In one 1$M, none but tfiose who happen Ato belong to lllis army can form a notion of the Wdships whieh it endured, and the fatigue which it underwent. Nor were these the only evils which tended to lessen our numbers. To 6ur sdldieta every inducement was held out by the (snerti^^ desbi!^ Printed papers, offering lands and mdnej^8s1i| price of desertion, were thrown in td>thd'pique#^ \(^ile individuals made a practice of a|^^r6achii^ ^^ our |)osts, and endeavouring^) persuade #ie very sentinels to quit their stations* Nor could'it be expected that bribes so temptmg would alwa^'be refused. Many desertions began daily to^ke place, and became before long so frequent, that the evil rose to*be of a serious nature. K 4. ■•"k i. ^.• f«. , ■> \ 1.*- s fV « k'S^ n .*■ • ^l\ .%' ■4^' y* fb Smilt atohiis iil^ tlie d^ve iitiiktdy w^6d \yiikrt n their to ^18 ^hiehit nt. ded to every iiesert, I veiy it be 5%be take that 'f » -^■^ .V*, \ *|^ FRgfA&ATioirt FOR r''btr«aV. 349 •^Tlier9 oeeinred, liO|nv«!l OM intlance of lARgMpdmcwi .fidelity, ^'# 1|^-p<^ of a Britiali 8oMW» lirhich I, cannot resla^ tfie inclination of repeating. A private <)f the »$5di^* wkoee name I should have jo;^uIly mentioned had I not for- gotten ity chanced one day to stand sentinel, when he was addressed by an American o^cer. The American offered him a hundred dollars and a quantity of land if he would come over ; repre- senting, at the same time, the superiority of a democratical government, and railing, as these perscms generally do, against the title of king. Though the Englishman heard .whftt was said dis- tinctly enough, he nevertheless pretended to be deaf, and begged his tempter to come a little near- er, that, in his o'^MrWords, " he might tell him all about it." Jonathan, exulting at the prospect of drawing this fine fellow from his duty, approached within twenty paces of where he stood, when just as he had opened his mouth to renew his offer, the sentind levelled his piece and shot him«through the arm. Kor was he contented with inflicting this punbhment Walking forward he seized his wounded enemy, and reproaching him with dis- honourable dealing|||f}rought higi in a prisoner to the cam^t. But unhappily conduct such as- this was rare ; in the course of a week, many men quitted their colours, and fled to the enemy. In the mean time, the whole of the wou«ded, # ■ m ■♦ ' ,'( >Kvji«^:r. *4 *• w ^ctpt such M wne too. ,ev««iv k.-* ^ ^ '' ■ off^.Uie6eet N«« fey--.. * TZ "^^ *^ count »», taken. Thev w«. .h-T "'"•»«••«• fore detenninisd to leave A- T\. . ""^• were accordingly IZZ ?!"" ''"'' ' "«» ^ .,to the last ^ ^^"^ •'^""■" *«•> »«a.io» . . -P«cep.thei„I:rCLT.:r''!l'"- ••yed only tin 4. abandLed 17.1^°!*' unservi«wble on th. - • ^ *** '«>'*«»d began its re.«;tTril^°'*' "*'""«> a-y. -soonlAr^i^"^"' ""'" '.V '#^ e Si "%•;■«■** '■ '^■ ^' ii 1 1^ 1- ■' t - ' p H' ■ if afMi#K ff, ' ft Mill life wa i i i> i *«»y»t»*^ ^iflfe^ t o i| Bhjpi.j p yq il l6 f noise wtf^toTlte fc t rtdl t n thfe #i »ft dl dlwi i i .wffc^phntedwiii<^ pMW^ilt itBjiji|#MMt fliii^Mngor 6Qha« »Nor «vii«^ftx^ HiM «RUtiQii ip juif respQot^ uaneccMii^»<^Ih 9^ .«f eveiy endeavour to thecontnuy, ^rumQiMF of «a»!inleiided movement had reached the ^mik ficans $ for we found them of late watchful and pi^g, whereas they had been formerly contem Ipiiook only to themselves. ^^■■ Forsome time, that is to say, while our route lay alon^ :he high road and beside the brink of the rivt^, die march lyas agreeable enough ; but as soon as we began to enter upon the path through^ the marsh, all comfort was at an end. Being con- structed pf materials so slight, and resting upon a foundation so infirm, the treading of the first eoi^ uaavoidaUy'beat it to pieces ; those which fioUowed were therefore compeUed to floiiBder on ki the best way they could ; and by the time the rear of die column gained the moriiss, all trace of a way had entirely disappeared. But not only were the reeds togi ipnder and sunk by the pres*' sure of those who had gone before, but the bog ^itself, which at first might have furnished a few spots of firm footing, was Sodden into the consist- ency of mud. .The consequence was that every >v f m ■">#: ,«.: ■■<;, '^ ♦ i '^ , *■>» ^^T^^F r 4 '1 t" MAICH. steirtmik us to lh«1tnees, and ff«qiiaillfb1rf(ihBr» Near the ditchet^ indeed, many spota oodim^ which we had ^e utmost difficulty in €roishi9«t «I1 ; and as the night was dark, there beingtio moon, nor any light except wha^e atafsauppUei^ it was difficult to select our' atepa, or even to follow those who called to us that they were safe on the opposite side. At one of these places I myselT beheld an unfortunate wretch gradually sink till he totally disappeared. I saw him floun- der in, heard his cry for help, and ran forward with the intention of saving him; but before I had taken a second step 1 myself sunk at once as high' as the breast. How I contrived to keep m3rself from smothering is more than I can tell, for I felt no solid bottom un<^er me, and continued slowly to go deeper and dee^r, till the mud reached my arms. Instead of endeavouring to help the poor soldier, of whom nothing could now be seen except the head and hands, I was forced to beg assistance for myiillf ; when' a leathern canteen strap being thrown to me, I laid hold of it, and was draigged out, just as my fellow sufferer became invisible. Over roads such as these did we continue Our journey during the whole Jp ^ night $ and in the morning reached a place' called Fisherman's Huts, upon the margin of the lake. The name is derived from a clump of mud-built cottages, situ- ated in ais complete a desert as thaesM^of man was' '?'; J* '*' ■■ » ■ 'i'Mi i f^ *t '»•• 34? ecurrti • 9^M «ngrlte iPpHe^ wtn tn trewi^ 4 aces 1 dtiaJJy floua- lwie& riMd high' \y9tlf [felt )»vly Iray poor 1 :ept nee ing * ■ ■ lur •^ in it'' 's is 1- # '- « ' M s' '.^ I. ^^l^'' •4'.^ »l. If dfe filter, Ipbii ftfMt iTiie monlss rather mott fifis thill ^1l# irtIL Not a tree or both df any d^tvlpQif |P«ws iMv Aem. "As far as the eyc^ Idfifik perftct ocean of reeds fevery where Ixcept on that side where a^riew di^Afil^ chUtiged whhoiitfertilizing the prospect, l/pfe'itoy set of hufe beings condemned to ^flt^tllilr lives here, I should consider their fate yi/nille superior to thdt of the solitary captive ; ^Vilidif%ighMinymonthsof tli6 year, thesplanted, Ittid^e soldiers were s **, ^i*'; A^ ':% y^'^^ ,' V 'v\\ ' *i •.. «..? ' %; •^4 V •*«"• $!« ioHiei's ilii|r i^ reeds ; Vi3ps^id/tMiL But y^'aR^^^iiv^ib^^ fi^ what 4^g<^^| <^bti^ ^^ d^peiidende was upon Ia]^tea^t6 itiiEeiVe i^tt ^m-^i^<«i:-^r^* halt CM^ught with diem only: ie* it #a^ theitfbre fleet M i<^filet and retinrn %Hh; ^Thish us with what wOd mu^ W %*. .* i # I" ■!■■> r HALT. iiS; 349 % These immerous grievances, however, were without remedy, and we therefore bore them witK patience f though for two whole days the only prgivisions issued to the troops were some crumbs of biscuit smd a small allowance of rum. For my own part I did not fare so badly as many others. Haying been always fond of shooting, I took a fii^e-loc^ and went in pursuit of wild ducks, which abounded throughout the bog. Wandering along «| tiliis; quest I reached a lake, by the margin of v^ch I concealed myself, and waited for my prey ; nor wasf it long before I had an opportunity of firing. Several large flocks flew over me, and I was fortunate enough to kill three birds. But alas ! those birds, upon which I had already feasted in inu^ination, dropped into the water; my dog, HKK'e tired than her master, w^ld not fetch them out, and they lay about twenty yards ofi*, tantaliz- ing me wi^ the sight of a treasure which I could not jireach. Moving off to another point, I again took my station where I hoped for better fortune ; but tl^e j^me evil chance once more occurred, and the duck&v^U into the lake. This was too much for a hungry man to endure ; the day was pier- ingly cold, and the (ui^of the pool was covered with ice; but my 1 ppetite was urgent, and I resolved at all hazards to indulge it. Pulling off my clothes, therefore, I broke the ice and plunged in; and though shivering like an aspin leaf, I re- Wr^ '4 m i. # W -r%liitl*^-^ ►¥¥, -<' :>^7! ( -.;: 'S-^^\ f^ «^' ^''m ^• nkht. turned safely to tihe camp widi a eouple of birds. Next da^ 1 adopted a similar tourse, with like suc- cess; but at the expense of what was to me a serious misery. My stoitikhigs of warm wool n^ere die cmly part of my dress which I did not strip off, and to-day it unforturiately happened that one was lost. Having secured my ducks, I attempted to huid where the bottom was muddy ; but my iJtg stuck fast, and in puUkig it out, off oamethlt storing; to recover it wa& beyond my power, fcr the mud closed over it directly ^ and the coniet quence was, that till I regained the transport only one of my feet could be warm at a time. To those who can boast of many pairs of fine etfim and woollen hose, this misfortune of mine mt^ , appear light, but to me, who had only twa stock- ings on tAiarCf thefloss of one was viery grievous;; and I therefore request that I may not be sneered at, when I record it as one of tlie disistious coor sequences of this ill-feted expedition. ^^ii :A|I». 351 ^.s'*** «• ' ' rm^ i^TTIlRXXIV. Aft sooif as the boats returned^ regiment after ,^ tt^tHmt embarked, and set sail for the fleet ; but llm difttBftc(§ being considerable, and the wind foul, xQAAy! days elapsed before the whole could be got <]#^ lExeqjting in one trifling instance, however, ao accident occurred, and by die end of the month, wie were all once m•'■ *>' -■* 4 ^'■ 41 at" i 3^52 TH£ L4X£i Itf lake, wheiVv ^ bp^t mom^tiog a caKC^nade in J|ts bow, suddenly daited froni acrisek^ a^ made.^ wards them. To escape, was impq^sijble; for their barge vv^s too hoftyiiy lade|i,to fi^ve^at a rate of ,iyca%tnod^x^te rapidity ; and to fight^ was equally out of the question, because cf the stiperiori^y wliach tbe|r cannpri ga.y e to the. Apiericans. ,1^e whole party was accordingly compelled tp^jsm^ render to six men and an officer; an^ hAvi||g thro^fii their arras into tl^e lake, their^jtK^ajt.wfs taken in tow, and they were parried aw^ijj|j sopors. o& This, liowever, was the only misfprtuAP ^hiis}ji occured. Warned by the fate of their cqinradl^,^ ^C rest kept together in litde squadrons^^each ft^ ti^nd by one or more armed launches | and tj^ rowing, steadily j)n, tliey i^ined the shippij^^ \ifj»thout so much as anotlier attempt at b^ingmade. -^Oa reaching the fleet, we lound diatli < able reinforcement of troops had arxivedlriptm ^X!^^ land. It consisted of the 40th Foot* a £ae vt^mmt containing nearly a thousMid me;n, ^ibjob^ ignorant of; ^h^ f^l^l issue of our attack, M «iKK^d the l£|ka», on)|rr4obe s^nt back toJie ^>iiipf r^wi^ much as s|teppi^g on shore' 'Hie circumstance, how^ fyfT, pr$4ucfd little s^tl^te. We felt that the Cffl^n^^g of thnce th9^,9«^ber ^cf)i^^^ re^sovfr M^at mm i^^^ifip^ |^,eveate; §|)^#ifpete U mmt 4the how- it tlie 1^ ■r f*'if #*' ■f>j|#X'*,ic-». ^; S*' "«^. 'A-.. aiS^ A Adrejoicitig m^as heard, jOT tihe ^^test i^gard paid tn tin occurrence. Nay, so great was thei despond- ^^ ency which had taken possession of men's tnindk, ■v that not evmi jj^futtionr respecting the ne?:l point of xittaek,^ obtaiMkl circulation ; while ^flliHen oarele»sness, a sortof indifference sus to^whati^^iif^ght !ui|i|)»)e9i, sdemed to have succeeded all out wonted 4f|lliosity, m^ confidence of success, in ev«ry un- ^ %» this sttate we remained wind-bound tStl the 4lfli ' .1 # :# r # 'H 'If % m n w ^. !» It nu^ appear, childish) but I ccpfiMs tfiat the sig^^i^doHMstic peace iburisMrig, aa^t-wefe, in th^Midst of wars and tuinuits, f;xtreindj delighted me. #^^hiler we continued at archorvtkcariftipii^ I paid fivc^uent visits to tl^i^ cottage^ ai^d. rfQ?.i»jQg^f« sort of acquaintance with the old man^, soof) ■'gpuh. sesse^ myself of hifrUttle history. Hip had^in|-:^ grated firom Spain manf years ago, mct mcf i?e4i|i Ameiica. Having been unsficces^f^ in bufiines>9i /hie 1|m1 saved from die ^;rf«ck of bib prop«r^«fiiil|r ' f nough to hire lal^ourers, by whose assistance his present cottage was erected, and his little farm . clenced; when, with his wife and three children, ''then very youi^» ha had wUhdrawnirpm^society, and lettled himeel'f here, where he hacU^HPf^UDed ever since. Once a year, he or his son visited the main taseU their wool, and^^iStchase such iificca!* saries as their island could not produce ; but^e)(' cepting on these occasions, or when a iishi|||%p]t arrived jniiis bay, which rarely oqcu)||Pfl, he Jiad 1^ no intercourse with any human being, besides his i^wyi family, for a great lapse of tii|e. As noay be im^igined, I foui|d this tribe as »|jpe in their ideas as in their mode of livingi Of reading j»pd vmi^a^ all except the patriarch himself were igno^ mumm 4id they seem towpte a thought ii^{fj9 % ■)*> « *i ^ thieir Idee tth0 e, in bted '% 0DI9P shis farm iiied ides heir ilt SBi. 355 a^y subject tkit Ifiiml^iatdy cdtmeeted with their bc^y wrtits. They professed, indeed, tb be Christians, and would have been prdbabF^ shocked* had I questioned theh* claim to sound Cathblicism, Aough I much doubt whether they in thC'sJ^htest degree understood the meaning of either term. ^ Having remaked h6re till the 7th, We again to6k advantage of a fair wind, and stood to sea. As sdon as we had cleared the lake, we directed our course towards the east, steering, as it Was ru* fboured, upon Mobile ; nw was it long before we came in sight of the bay which bears that name. This is formed by a projecting head-land, qalled Point Bayo, in a large island called Isle Dauphin* ^ Upon the first is erected a small fort, possessing the safhe title with the promontory^ which commands the entrance ; for though the island is at least five milts from the main, there is no water for floating iL ship of any burthen, except within a few hundred ytods of the latter. The island is, like Cat Ishind, tininbabited, except by one family, and unprovided Wltll Spy works of defence. Al the attack of Mobile was professedly our ob- ject, it was cliear that nothing could be done pre- viOiis, to ti|e reduction of the fort. The ships ac> cocdingly 'mipped anchor at this mouth of the bay, and immediatie preparations Were ihade for the siege. But the fort was^ttx) inC(>risideriiKble% point of size to require the iempbymem of &11 our .ni"! 4f v< '*■ ■ r Mif ..%^- ■n..»..iiJ>V-< ■ **i^ f<^",*s«-)r«' >• V . * fr I' > m Ik- «ia»N.»<||l' W'"' * ■ ,'..^:#' 956 8IBO.«. ««. foffict l» its iQveMiiMnit ^{A¥^^^ brigidip, ^lOrtforA #M allotted to^thiB a«n^c9,.lhejce«j^||Pi»> ^eededuitst&blishlhemselvea^the island, #here» cany inglqitsiaid other c^nveniMiqes OB shofc, tl^ first iflgularencaii^MnentwhkAiw^li^d^^ aince our arrival ip this hemisphere, was formed. The spot ^ groun^j of which wie had now taken |)os£iessioni extended twelve miles in lengthy; mmI fVom one to three in width. Its soil is in genecftl dry iBoiid sapdy, well covered with grass, and omar mented by continued groves of pine, cedar, oaKaiisi laurel. On one side only is there a awamp,lHit QOt ,9f sufficient size to contaminate the atmospheie of the whole, which is considered so peculiarly healthy, that the place is generally used as a depot ^ for the sick in the American army. At present^ as I have- said, it was tenanted by no more than %., single family,>the master of which wasa mid^lp^ man in the American navy, and banished hither for some misdemeanour ; but w^lt was to i^s.of no^iseh greater importance, it was likewise stocked J^ cattle resembling in appearance the of the highlands of Scotland, and notfa^ind'mem in point of ji^Udness. , While the remainder of the arm]L«)ent theff time here, the 4tl||^ 21st and 44th, Pmg laMed above. the>|oF^ were,l)i|sicd ,in< the siege. This sms^lfWorksta^ds, asl have stattd, at the extre- mitjr fl f fianioi||(cp^#> ^ixwf rd9 the ^^ its , fqr|i* r '<#- 1* -.'^w'lsLi --•r,. it' im. ^m* 357 4Jf ■ fications ftfe rai|^1iit;»|e enough, bi^t on the land|i skIq: it h litde Wtter t^ Ttii fftnlpttfil being oomifjMed of sand, not more thmi three feet in thickness, and faced, with plaplif are barely cannon jiroof; while a sand-hill risingfl^ith- mj^istolJshot of the d^tcb, completely compfjpds '' Within, again* it is as much wanting jnac- imodation, as it is in strength., There are no roof barracks, nor any hole or arch under wjbiich men might find protection from shel||^ in- iek»], so deficient is it in comnlion lodging rooms, that great part of the garrison slept in tents. Tp^ reduce this place, therefore, occupied but a sho^, titne^ The troops having assembled on the 8th, # drove the enemy's within their lines on the 9th, and ^ hi&it ground the same evening. On the 10th, four eighteen pounders with two howitzers were placed in battery upon the top of the sand-hill; on the iM^t the fort surrendered ; and on the 12th,' the garris^, oonsis|||g of 400 men of the second ^^fterican regiment, marched out with all the ^jn^u^i oC v<^}' and laid do^n their arms upon the glaoisJ.;,-^^ '' - /■ - ....,,,, With the reduction of this trifling yvork ende^ all#pstiligg in this quarter of America, for D^ army had iSrcelyre-assembledi when intelligenipe arrived from Ej^gland of peace. Thepews reaph^, usonihe 14th, and|shi^Qot deny ths^kMfa%|eiR^ ce^ed with^inu(^~||ti8fiictioiii. ,Xhpn|g^«i^ the soldier's harvest, yelrit must be confessed^^iat ■^ V- ■■ -A -t,#i. -^''- '% ■' . ♦%. ..t •n*f» % 331 PEACE. % when curied on as it had of la^ been conductec, it is a harvest of which men soon become w|p%; {^d many of us having iJeen absent for elferal years frpm our native shores, experienced absolute - delig^ at the prospect of returning once more to the bosom of our families. The qommitnication wa^ therefore welcomed with unfeigned joy, .n;9r^ could any other topic of conversation gain atten* tion throughout the camp, except the anticipated re-enibarkation. Hts^ But as the preliminaries only had been signed, and as Mr. Madison's approval was required be- fore we should be at liberty to depart, our army still continued stationary upon the island. Of die President's conduct, however, no doubts were en- tertamed, and all thoughts of future mipiry operations were in consequence laid aside. The sole aim of every individual was thenceforth to make himself as comfortable as circumsdmces would permit, during his sojoiiiiin diis wilderness. To effect this end various expedients were adc^tfto^ Among others, a theatre was ere6ted> in%bicli such oi&cersas chose to exhibit perfoi^n^for their own amusement, and the amusement of their friends. In shooting and fishing, likqAase, ni|ii^h of our time was spent ; and thus, by srabpting the usiml Qcpediepts of idle n\en, we contrived to pass son^ days lo a state of tolerable comfort. , er, soon grew JTh, ■*- *..:, ■A I p cted, tolute - ation ■',.'' , • lated Ibe- irmy ftfae The ti to QCCS less. heir iieir mi the ass in- 4 # *#4 /^' tMR^ ^S:^ ^ >' 359 9ipid,and it \, as firefore with sincere rejoicing that Mfe bMr f » *#»« ,. > ; I'-'^isfe-tLito W.A*'>-.* r '• i'^|«C^^:;^3v^^^v?-?*«^^ ' . m\ii||»,they8oofi^m;' tured to approach the ver|^ F^i^ctvof theayngii. One of them 'at length entired a tent, in wRich only i woman iiid a ohild chanced to be, and hav- ing stared round as if in amazement, walked out again without offering to commi| any violence* * But the vbit was of too serioiis a nature tb bl^ overlooked. Parties were now formed for^^tlieic destruction, and it was usual on ^their return, in- stead of |sking how many birds, to demand how. many snakes and alig^rs they had shot. Of the former, indeed, great numbers were killed, and of the latter not a few,'1lie ftffgest of which measured about nir.5 ftlJprom the snout to the tail. Another employment, also, deserves to be n^dt because it is truly characteristic of the boyish |9Hty «f young soldiers. Wearied with a state of idle*- ness, the officers of the 7th, 43d, and 14th drfgoons made an attack with fir-appltt^pon, those of the 85th, 93d, and 95th. For thi^pace o^ipme tfiey l^ted each other, from morning, till ii|gl laying ambuscades, and exhibiting^ ort a* stnall. scale, all the stratagems of war; whlrle^|l|e whole army, not even excepting the Generals themselves, stood by and spurred them on. .^.■'^'* ^ But to continue a detail of such proceedings, would only swell my narfative,i^ wi^oiit amusing you ; I shall therefore* cbntent mysel^Mw^ith m observing, that things ire; % inl^ state tin i ■ * i'HWlIt ' ^^ VJ '.''■•', /• i* •'^ 1 ,i h^ VllOlLH. ■-*\ r * >* the |4th of Ma^; when th« l6ng*Ibokid for fii^ ||t^||leni^liTived^ the 15th;' the fir^ diviHn of the army Whberking, set sail tor Eng- kBid. The wind, however, was fdul, lior iflid the ahips make tkiy way till the 17th, when a fresh biteze springing up, we stood our course, and by o^clock on the 21st, could distinguish the high Unl4^ Cuba. But the violence of the gale having driven tis considerably to leeward, we were forced to beat* up, and beat along the coast, on which ac- count it was not till the 23d mat we came opposite to the port of Havannah. ' ^^ rrH ■ *• *» ' ■ . Than the approach to Urn <3ty, and its first ap- pearance from the water, it is impossible to con- * c^^Bl^y ^^i"S ^^'^ grand and imposing. A little * bay, extremely narrow at the entrance, forms the* harbour. On each sidi of it stand forts of prodi- gious ^ngth, particularly those on the left, where, the ground is consid<||^bly elevated, white the city r, with its ramparts and towers, its numerous sleei^es, spires, and public buildings, gives ait as- jsuhmc^ of health and magnificence peculiarly striking. When we entered, every tower was sur- mo^eltby a national banner half mast high, a ciremnsaKi which at least did ilbt diminish the effect of a fiiit view ; and the guns from the forts answering o«r patutd, shewed us how despc^rat^ liui^t W^e condition of ah enemy that should %*^rewithktlfeirAmge. Whythiflagushdbld #. i * « »'^ « *■ -V' }'^.>-*' 4 ■TV> ^^ i k ^ . , f 1 1 € # % IV ■ It. SAVANHilH. i '"^«. #^ ■■^'» lit^^ihdt^ate'a general ^ournii|g;, we wer^||t ft ioSsrib giifiss, till thfe^iljk'iniformed us i^ was holy wee|. ' Then, iimeed, we rem^fi^red that#6 hidre^medto a Roniah Cathojic countty, Wid 'rej6i6ed at die lucky acdidej^t which had brought us thithcir at siich a seiiseh. i As it was late before we anchored, I was prtfr vented from landing that night; but on dife^or- row' I went on shore at an early hour, with the intentiotnof seeing as much as my time would al< low. But in my pribposed visits to the diSereift • rints v/orthy of attention I was interrupted.' • It was Good Friday, consequently all public places were shut, and neither guides nor carriages could be procured. But if I was disappointed iRt^^» 'my disappointment was aniply compensated oy a ♦ \iew of the religious c<^rein6niesi peculiar to that day. "4t ' Walking into the largest^^hurch m the city, I beheld, beside the altar, a figure of diif SajiiFioi^^ lar^as life, nailed to a cross. Beside this figure stood a number of Monks, one of whom presented • a rod, with a sponge affixed to its moiith, while a second thrust appear into its side, from which c^me gut a liquor ha^g the colour of blo<^ flid water. This being carefully caught in a golden dish* the figiure was taken down froni the .cross, wrapped round with white lineii clothes, and l|i^upoii p bier, when en iniipdsing procesdbn began in iKe^ „^. %■ * «- 'J- '> ■-' . C ■w *^. * w 363 foUQwinfforjlar:, First inarched ft military band, fH^j^ M Efilow and solemn ||^usic ; next came a gus^4 of s(^pb, with heads^nt down, and arms revers- ed ^ thenfoItSwed about two hundttd Mpnj^s be- fing to' dilTerent orders, arrayed In their dark }, with hands and feet bare, and crucifixes sus- ided from thehrneicks. A short interval now suc- (, andaiiiotherparty of monks dressed in white, app^ed, singing hymns in honour of the Virgin. Next came a splendid couch surmounted by a cano- py, covered with white silk, tind sparkling with gold^ and jewels, upon which sata waxen image of the Mother of Godyclothed in jgorgeous apparel. Fol- lowing this was another party of white robed Monks, chaunting a requiem for a departed soul, and then '^a seic^d interval. At the distance of perhaps twenty yards from these came two Monks bearing two lar^ silver r.- HAVANNi^. 365 in Ihe town, wi^ a slow and measured pace. As all except the soldiers walked two and two, it co- veredjit should conceit e, little less than a mile in extent, and after winding from lane to lane, and from square to square, directed its steps towards a particular convent where the waxen image was solemnly deposited in a vault. It is said, but with what, truth I cannot pretend to determine, that a different image is made use of every year, and that the vault is now so full of waxen corpses, that it will be necessary before long to have some of them destroyed. Having now gottid of the most sacred part of their burthen, the Monks, bearing only the two couches, returned in procession by the same route and in the saiEie order as they had proceeded, only the bands struck up lively airs, and the singers chaumted hymns of rejoicing and hallelujahs. In- stead of walkir^ at a slow pace, likewise, they % step|)ed om almost in a tort of dance, and reaching the door rj the grrat chof'j), they there separated, each party hastening to ife a Iwuse to celebrate mass. Into one or tw«* rif dae convent chapels I like- . wise mitemLfl^ wr escnt during the perform- ance of thi^ very spu-iking service. I found them ornamented i'.i the ndjt>^ ms,^iificent manner. The rafters of many being gil *■ *• ty ■7 # 4 #-«» ■■»^*i *v 4: % > "m ^f^*^'W'9^ ■t. M 366 K^VAWNAH. daubs, there were also great numbers. In ft word, it seemed ad if I had reached the heart and capital of Roman CathQli:i& splendour. Nothing that I had beheld in the i^idther country could at all com- |iBre with wlfiit wsys now before me, and I returned in the. evening to my ship, not indeed a convert to ^e principles of that religion, but d«^dedly as- tonished and confounded at the aolemn ipign^- eence of its ceremoniesi % ' f .V*'*' »*♦■ M '-.^ y^ r ■'fv * m m » :<-* ,-• ■^ \ -i, ■J r .«■., HAVAVHAH. 367 •'V 4- ^■^ ",»<■ 5L»^:,^, BETTER ^XXV. ■^*- MkiiR earlfhour next mcming I returned to the <^itj^ liLd Ibittid that the face ef affiiirs had under- gone a complete reyoludrai. No more melancholy countenances, no closed shops and vacant streets vi^ere now to be seen; all was bustle and rejoicing, bells ringing, carriages rattling along, flags flying, and guns firing. The solemnity of Good-Friday ends, it appeared, atten o'clock on Saturday morn- ing ; and from that time lh j merriments of Easter have their commencement . The whole of this day I spent in strolling over die different walks, and points of viewfrom.whence ihe town and siirrounding country may be seen to most advantage, and I Certainly must pronounce it by far the mostmagnificent colonial capital I have visite(£ The streets are in general wide, clean, and airy ; the houses^ except in the suburbs, are composed entirely of stone, and being occasionally intermia|||Ml with convents, churches, and other public binlding's, produce a very striking and hand- some effect. Though surrounded by a rampart, Havannah has litde of the confined and straight- ened appean^nce by which fortified towns are "^v. lyL^ 4* ■"W:- \ A% m UAVANNAX. B •/ .# f. «f •t '-.5.'?^. ■ generaUy disfigured. The Wjorks being of gntatf extent, have left within theif cif«uiDfereno« abitti- ' dant room for th(? <|liplay of elegance and n^tness in its construction, a{) adv^itage which has not been neglect^; v*«iie Irofn ^iU^ situation ♦h^y command as glorious a prosj>ect as ean^well be imagined. WhcD you ascend a bastion which ovei4iuigtt4h%^ harbour, the city with all its towers and spires Up9 immediately and distinctly beneath your gaze. Beyond it, again, you perceive a wincUng of ^ bay, which washes three sides of the ]|;riromtrength and extent. Behind sweep the waters of the Gulf of Mexico ; and on the right is another view muchresen^ling th|tt which lies before you, only tliat it is more narrowed ; the high ground bearing in i^h direc- tion closer upon the city.. On the whole, I do not remember to have been more fprcibly sIKck by pny scenery, than that which I beheld from this bastion ; so well were town and country, castles aad convents, land ai^d water, hill and valley> combined. >* i..-,rj < # '» 'i:^ 'I i- -T rM ;i^^|;ipl'?»^"' ^T. KAVANNAH. 369 HaVing^^Upcnt some hours in wandering tf^ugh the city, I endeavoured io male my Way into the forttl and to examine the sUjfe of the works. But iif lK»th <€ diese attempt) I was interrupted. Without an order from the Governor I was inform- Jisd, none, even of the natives are permitted to enter the Moro, .^nd all applications on the pm of ftnreiigiiic^; flfre 'viniformly refused. There Was a ildegree Of jealousy in this, as needless as it was illi- beml, Imt indeed the whole conduct of thjS Spanish yftuthorities gave proof of their reluctance to admit ^^theiFold allies, even to the common rites of hospi- :tality. From the monient we entered the harbour the militia of the island were called out, many of the guns which conunandnd our shipping were ' shotted, and artillerymen with lighted fuses, stood constantly beside them. An order was likewise issued, prohibiting more than two persons to land at the same time from each vessel, and many other precautbns were taken, little complimentary to the good &iti) of those, to whom Spain must feel that sh^ owes her very existence. In spite of these drawbacks, however, I contrived to spend a week in this city witli much satisfaction. Tne Opera ' JKKJ TIpatre opening on Easter Sunday, and conti- nuing open during the remainder of our stay, fur- nished sufficient amusement for the evenings, while in walking or ridbg about, in examining the different churches aind chapes, and in chatting #4 •"*•'. T* ,jfr w •% ^ >■' *,#■•«. ^:- W*' *^i* -• w tA', Jb. . f ;«ii *- t» ^ 370 AT Slirl^ ■ f ^ j ' •■# } %' M % ?" I- r - 1 1 -<. 1" 1 s, i. # '^, # t with nuns through the-^gnte, or Mttftks D^HMh their cells, my mofniligB p a w ed away more tfsAc^ than I desired. '.w%*«flr^%»*- At length, oor fktuAlKng and Watering beh% completei on tlii 9tb of Ajirik #e hide adiea to the shores of Cuba, and runnbig atong With thft giUf ^ stifeam^ took our course towards Berthodii -The wBid ftvoured us great!^, and on the ITdf'^^ again reached these islands ; where we delayed tiU Uie SSd, when once more setting sail, we steered directly for England. During die remiind)^ of the voyage nothing of importance occurred tiB the 7ih of May, when reaching in towards H^ shores of Brest* we were astonished by beholding the tri-coloured flag floating from the citadel. Of the mighty events which had taken place in Europe, we were as yet in perfect ignorance. Though-surprised) thereibre, at the first vitW idi that beacon of war, we naturally concluded it to be no more dian a signal-, and passed on withotft enquiry. As we . \ . ...Ws.- ( ■>' »^^/ '.a,-' ■t # t. IP*. .3i 4^^ f ;** 1^ .^. >■ ^M \ %.. ■ 1 'Ik •^^ ^1 ''.-xsyj S?( 3?fi AKMAAKS. '4, I! m •t '^P- !■ ' f L' *v :^ % all probability^ would have been equally attended with succe^. Either he might have remained in the morass till the whole army was asienbled; or if this was deemed dangerous, he ought to have ad- vanced upon th« city, -^inth the first division alone*,^ If it be objected, that -j. force of 1,600 men was • incompetent for an undertaking so hazardous as the latter, I reply that there could be no more hazard in it than in the step which was tAkei#*^. New Orleans is not a regular fortification, requir- ing a large army, and a powerful battering train for its reduction. In obtaining possession oi \t^ there would have been no difficulty, because I have every reason to believe that the American troops really were, at the time of our landing, some miles above the city ; and surely it would not have been # more hard to repulse an attack within a town, than in the open country. But neither of these courses^ was pursued. The advance was withdrawn from concealment, and intelligence of the point threat- < eAed, communicated to the American general; the consequence of which was a well-directed attack upon oW bivouac, and an immediate commence^ ment of those works which afterwards resisted and repelle'^ all our efforts. The second error evident in tfiis business, was the selection of the schooner instead of the ship for destruction. Had the latter, which lay farther uf> ^ stream, been destroyed, it is clear that the V -^fi. »«*<• *,■>■■ %,. ' ■''% 1 .% ^_,^ ^^^•^•1-^-4^,, /■•♦ I' :4 ii^ ^0 um^it9- m beoQ qf ftmhfv wmojruife !%«*»■$ wh^mH ^ schooner b^.lyivpt, 4m |% was only i»ii(iovc4 oiitoftjb^ rmi^ fif daQ|;»r, and pc3st«4 where a||0 oQwldbftiiifimtel^ moreadvantageoinitoherfriendA, ttud^lN^ltientai to hier<,eneiiues. This m itself waa '^ a &tal ennpr, and beyond «# doubt coiitrib^lpdi m a yeiy ^^t Jegree, to the repulse ojn fliei dS^ k^ rfhfilhjrderFO'- undone which continued tpeij|^ * its kfimme ' '^hout the whole campaign* wi|8 the °^nch judgmcait as the American Clenera), Jackson, displayed in hb. first endeavours to / check an advance, would lose the jiK^ai^gea w^ch the. nature of his position a&r- ded^ That hc^ would fortify the neck of land, ]§- 4sil|, fifas exa(;dy what must have been expect^ g^ 4l;«Biefoc^ every hour during which an att|c|L was d^(^i7ed, contributed so mu^ tp Jj*|t|5^^ and ^ j^wj»kness. It is tru^l^ w?, shouW jhaw sufeed. |«d pKd)ably s^ffipred sqrJ^^ unquestionably our chances of su^^ring w^ dSffliinished |3>y d#ay, We ought, therer9r^^>. ,^stead of Ming bade, to haye pjirsucd oi^ gpf- %«!iions with vigour oqi thati day;, because the 4mfi$)can lines were nQt^^^^^ tenaWs,^. p^ 3B '^fS ■f 4- *.- 'f "^^ ^Wlt-^ ♦'11 m 1 ■V- %', M' i>!ll W .*<^ •—**»**••"• --*.,»(*■' > IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) *; 1.0 £1^ tt£ 6" *^^ ^ *.^ ^^^^> ^. /y '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WBT MAIN STRHT WnSTn,N.Y. I4SM (716)t72-4S(» ^^<\^ ^^^\ ^ ^ ^ ^ c\ cv mt .# '■W^ r««r. L<» ^ -'^ ^ vfH tilCAKS. % ■"*■ l'^* # ft'#ipN'i|^^ #yii^ a di&ientresult ifom^tv^l^^ |M» a|t«i«ied. But for its fattui^..^QQr Pttkeiihlili Hmsii^d^III^^ pradence ^i^^ovide ; iD|f^.the lim^^taaS^e battle maj^^some JMsoiv^^ta n^Kvttted*'^ ' ' ■■■ ■'■:4;h-'-' ^■*c''''-"'^-yN'j lilMii^ nras not wholly occasioiiQft^tfrltimnldii^ Ipiteio^deittp. For the conduct of iCokoMiii^ ^^pji#3||iiL^44^ Heghoent undecliiB eoMnuiil^ ^t I4o s^ Qi^ap oili wOMid 1^0^:^ ^S^'^ •#. i. n. •f ■fr^^ ■♦ Pl»A»»8- lea the prders 4 ,;> iBined biit^t, Mitbiendl ^ ill'liij^t dtigrte i9^|i0ifi^ hu regi^^ to bear tbe^^iscines xiCfeelliig a ffideat ^eWinour ipoo llieni» that officer fell into ikspiM^* stated^ in* tP^ hearing of the private ^^- \**- -t*- #"^ •4 .would, oot-ai^lisfi 0tmiSmfimi^^ifi0''''^J^^ ' - j^ust of coui^ remam as aiitttto^ Wn £1^^ opnuMi #tbat ifc ^^^ ^/IW idle fas^iiQs tiieiiti lit hahd to ' i|Ad ' the Ukddeis ti^ plant agaiiiaM*>i |s SQ90^asclay light appesa>e^^«9fiietil^^ Ittttle would haveended bfi»M}jk)r ofitheasitfUaii^^ but as jdbis was not the oast, isv^ ain^^wiiB under fire before these impi;einents were si| muefa as sought for, it is no W(»ide^%t>it8torf #^ared &r dte Anaericans.. To pM^lidders a^&seiins wopen day, and under a heav^ disdutfge'of muW ke%and artilleiy, requires mudi' cdobess and determiiiiation, neither of %ich wa» cviheed' by the corps to wl|ich that duty was as^gil^: ^ being deserted by their leader, and ignOfaiit|ef H^ |)oii^ whither they were to proeeed^^^ #^ JHeisIoi^ their ran]L% and 1^^ ^|i^l^Yen^ *icl| th^ :«i«P«^-- 4 W 4. »' *'**: ■.^' fit #' ^(r "* fftHAinrii lie i^anijr. Ho# tfiiik) ktifK»if|»tcj;iledtoe,thou^^^ '^ till wmMihis guke of phibsibility; hsf e be^cfas 0^iBSial^ The tmck t^xm New OrljeiM^i^ p^ im&Sfytt^ocTtt expedition ; so secret, miil^d^tlit It wts ^liM coihttiomcatedttAheMerior <^ •iolditsrs in the armaitienit^ till imtnediately^ifriivio^ to ouip^uitting iaaiai&a. ; To the Ameiyihs) ho#> «v6r,.it Hf^MHttfi tb liien9^^b^ ^fl^iQ^o^^. cause for these misfortunes, and tl|jf^ ^usc^ is surely one which has conti(|i|pl|j^^M|id flU our pliinB of American #ar&re» J Mfe haye loi^been habituated^ <^,d(ip«|e the 4|n^ipans; as ah enemy unworthy «£ imm^.^' I|;q, |his alone it is to fa^ o^rifci^' itij^ in^nned were {^Nnt out tojoopt^itl^ 4^^|^^p^e of contan)i0§> thenk wi#iin ^^bm 1^ 4p 4iis, also, the. : trifling han^£i|l8 4il to cond^G||tl^ sirar by jandi.^ ^ stead of fifyWiwiditd h|^M ^usai^^^^^^^l^ silled i[xmthe6ar«ine under Geoerali f (pfferei|^|ni§^ hel have acted! There haVerbeet tllflftmiiecessity i<^ le^ •^ 4 *• ^ l^|t,v,:l>* •,€■•■ '-'•,& ^- •'^^l^ ^i? i#** f.%,^ ^M ^. '0 < •■ * I 'f. W- ^ ? n fK> time givitf^ die IMbndbiXirBdtimo^^ nilffchi«g «criia ^ cdiititiy, he might have doiie '^ |S td'ftoftl^^^Ji^ to the ^oidd suffer '•#^' !lJ»V ri|&. %^ A * ic H A irjji. €^ ■#.'• # .#^ w iSb .'«* lIllAlKt, •« ^. most fl^rdlli^^d we aULknow how ftryrivalt soilplg goes to bSuence aman's public opinions. Asides, the veiy principle upon which the advo* tstes for the s^srtdness of pi|Mii ippfity pro- ceed, is flto(^er erroneoiia. liili^that, absolute monaiphies, where war is Hipf ] • ' the pQ9tj|DC of kings, than the desire 4l^bj< noti-ooinDieitants ought to be dealt with as hut^Maie^'' ly a^pNsible. Not so, however, ih Stall|p]N«m- ^ ed ^ popular assemblies. By oonnpeHil^J^ ^^9"^ stituents to experience the real hafdshipsllidin^^ series of warfare, you will soon compel tnl repra^ secjplves to a vote of peace ; and surely that lim of conduct is, upon the whole, most humaaii. ' r which puts the speediest period to the cruelties df /war. There are few men who would not ratl^ endure a raging fever for three days, fhan a slow and lingering disease for three monthi^, So it la :^with a demoQ^yat wir« Bum thdr housesi i plunder dieir property, block up their harbours^ ibd destroy their shippiiig in a^few pbces ; and }i$b^(B^\x have time to proceed to the rest, y^u wHl be itx^iped by entreaties fat peace. Where* as,^ if you do no mischief that can be avoided, if . yotioidy fight their fleets m^ ai^pnies wherever you meet them,S suffisr M |lbtt>itants to V^ jm^ undbt^ied tranquillity, they will continue i^**» ■ » ■>* ■H J^. u * ^'. -*? ^' ^. i ' '♦;■ • *. 14; ♦ J \ r ..■^■•V'.' ••7 tiiit*, '•< 9 < m '»\ exchsd ling tetters having mi it wmm^ in this e^p|tiy, tlis sdj^ of the w -^7^1Ni# i^pmitions of which they give 9^ iimtive^ * . ' ^l&ll^l^t thaf. an American ^ttUpii of * l^fifo^^ifjM vnk be unacceptable. 1^ 83& the ^rn^tial sfatinr dP the work has been considc^td 'pnn ^t)^ than is usual with British writers, when. their Subject b America; but whatever ^lay be thd disposition of the author, hiai KtlSfB jpiliitain soim^ gross* errors, wi^h it i^ deemed J^m&ait to"^ correct The publishos hi^ve, iherefbre, annezed to the piresent editiol^ a law notes, in #bich the principal mistakes of fitct afe iiointed Ai The efiiendations of die British ofl- •ers statn[tiant9, where theyWnot arise from a iomparison of lib own text, are in afl ihstances * jpmdnt mm cA^^ docunientr$;^and grnt iave been taken to libiain die moat fpKiniitioil* The reader wiir see, thatn^l^^^^ ^|i^1^ ^em attempt UiSn reddfying MHl>i|pt w S|^ Bsi^j»||cer'sopin^^ tfee^^neif ii^ai^^#« tiie de^to overreiikand ^ f f ^,» * i« na- ', •s.-.. ■ •* ^«;-A; . H :^ «'.\ *■ ,* .^ ;■ -li^ . < ' •#, *^»>- mL^.i 4 •■ At * ■■9^ ^^"^W < i^t '^!>t A-^ I • ^ ^ w * ♦ *»v #« ^ lW^» 4 moM destined to be h«iiouredand the slanderers s6]veik irhH coufiiif' •^ •• V t. V _ * :, » ^||^* % t ill |||^.^«< AmountiMyb Mat owvt orroimr, ,_,,_^^|ioiifpnd tn^,a.iiuX^ exactlj fumbling j^ tf|^i^i^» whtehi)ras.to attach 4(r%)»6mKe^ f^ this passa^, that the aoAor 80 fortonate as to meet whh an Amefii (|iir^cOO«ntaf th6 afiairof Bladensburg, inijrhich >ce oppued to the British, was staM ^t'tiMe if^d J a very convenient n|i||tber, as p(ovin|; ^ En^jbhmap was an over-match for two J^^^^iiBans. This statement of numbera ^ifk^, acf|iitet0, and the nine thousand Americans hayUi^ dt^ieen |t|6ked, veteran, discipli^d, regular^ l^pt, aoij^i^d as an army for a |q|% thnef, i|(c;i3stomed to abt in concert, fresh and n^^om tef any prevbus fatigue, and poasesM of |^ (^fidence in thetus^iyes andiibtheir cdfiia«|n4^ it^^ot surprising that so itnueh was Iki^ ^i^ vi^inEngM. Unhappily (or ^e |te3r|^ Oii conauerors, % most auj^entic docui^^ ^^sent the stfittl^ and natar|iof fRl^ (»% 1^ lit Blaa^buigv as very ^ffi 1^ wbuldrhe suppo^ by onetvhpTpiteirtb l^tfi^^ id^Biitish oii%and^ K;¥? 'i't,: fP' ^^ ■ / » < ■ "*■ "%!'*' # •!• A. 1 1 i ■1 "Vf n^ tit ^' ,.^' % i »j-'4^ ■#' 'f % ^1^.' '•'!#■ ■*- I' • I.> "i.* # •ill 4#- 1 »jj ^eciNon, I. Hie official UiVbk tjt Geam Winder to the Secretaiy of WaiL, dated ^nccji days after the engagement, represeigs Jhe A /B»R ^brc^ at about 5000, ** Amt%i the fit could he opt at my disposal h that li^and inakmg such (iUspositdons a^ I^daei calculated ^topesf^ the mc^t at Wi ■i .;f - point tte eneii|y^i^|it I^m emble^lyy the most active mhfa "b^^ the* troops to interposie befisr^ (iietttyllt fi}aden$bure about 5000 noen. WiSeicin % 3IP eegulars andf^ommodore Barney's comman Mudi th^ largef|t lo^rnkxi of this force arrived on '• ^mi^.Mm ^ enemy were in su^it, a^ v#t deposed oLjo Suiport m me best manner tli jjofltion >^yemg raw untutored lAffitia, all A r^i is- r #t # w '*^ '^: . «i ::?^^'^ «H* #*«^ii^,»if? K.i's^i? leinen »i«^r •■J*-' *i # w ft 'V ^ i APPENDIX. 389 ^ <<* Tb« ri;P»mcn, likewise, now giia«id us from tbe ^ wooded tmnf it^jj^ a nuiniQg fire of muaketry ; and ** it Vm not. »oii| trampling upon many of their %i^ead and i^ in^ comrades, that the light, brigade ^yiStablished itaeif on the opposite side of the »» X. Thie reader will be pleased '^ Jteep this statement P^'vieWf ttie better to appMlmte what is to come fti^a^r. It shews, that at the first onset, tie t^ps of .the republic displayed a becoming spirit It shews, that in the advance of the British to the bridge, when on the bridge, and during the whole of their efforts to establish themselves ** on the opposite side of the stream," the American guns to the left of the roady the battery on the road, and the riflemen placed on the wooded bank, performed their duty, and maintained the honour of their country. How- ever, when once on the right bank of the stream, saya the narrator, «* every thing else appeared easy,*' and accordingly, as he states it, the first line of the Ansf*., ricans soon gave way, falling back in confusion on thu aecoiid line, and leaving in the handa of. the British two pieces of cannon. They (the British) then rush- ed on to the attack of the second line— but jmnri.' ** The Americans, however, stood firm,fn^J|Aying >^the whole of their artillery, with the exception of ** those captured on the road, and, the greater part o£ ** their infantry in this line, they irst checked the ar- '< ((dour of the assailapts i^ a< heavy fire, and then, in ** their turn, advanced to recover the ground which "was lost." --A^ Here we discover ffom the text of the ** narrator^ ibfii **,every thing^'j^d not tifm out to be just quite ao U ea$y** as 'had been anticipated, for we find that ^Uige Americans, not satisfied, unaccommodating fel- lofi! with having ** stood frm*^ — nm sadsfied with : 3D w * X .>-♦' ■r'* %^ '/ -i'^ « #f s .p. a^ ^ ■*■ •%' V. '^^ "HP' h > ■J* ^w 4 f I Hb 390 A^FPENDIX. > 'i ik ^^ H ft. #■ ■'% * * %f w l'.f4 ■* ■L*" i' havii%^ .«« oAfc|i|^4be ardour fif the «a9$ill||itft hf » htavy fire/' (Jley woDl|}j^it 8een^|||do a/f (* teVQined obstinacyt repelling all attempts to drive «t theita through it ; and frequently following to with- ftf in a 'short distance of the cannon's mouth, such " parts of the ^inemy's line as gave way." All this is most important to the vindication of ^e American character, from the foul aspersion, I A'i'Hilliwhich, as it will be seen in the conelusion, this " ^^Murra^*' would overwhelm it. It is here to be ^«>ierved, lHat he admits a charge on the p(U| of- ibe Am<^a9t* £I« fuily admits, that the ai^t^ ,pf - J A«l|iHk(a, within the^stjliour they ever 8aw^#i|M>t firelyi|^aiper, obliged the veteran troops of. J^ng*' land^!p#^m the Eoropean continent, season^ by ^^yeara <» iifiMr, flushed with victory, and crowned wllb xoaipicst* Tfc^y duirged not only thtvetet^ troops of England, whiclf had been so instrumental in sub- di^i^ France, b!at:the vfirfpicil^ndjlower of those^ troops. They not only charged them, as we see:^ by the admissions o^^e " narrat^" bpt bore them back at ^e point of. the bayonet, f0 a considerable ^idis- Uioc9 from the second J|iif , ev^ai^^ tQ. the i^ery thii^ >«ii|ion the river 'sibrinle,'' where, we are to i^mnpN;, f^iHanywy thicket" wd t]|e nature (»f the ^pu!0« gave thennpm^ advantage, enabling diiim to^ake a i t > # i 6 • . 1 * i 1 ' -i ii ■si « ^ . \ -i , ^\ X m- •W^' *.< .^- A f ^-IT- 4^ ¥ ,A5 A*»mMBIX. 391 stand agaiott Ihcir Msailants, and frequemly to fol* ' iPi it nitilt iqaleili4$iMMMHii#b^ folly iM» ihillittad # th^ rtadi^i «^ wiU readily pe*ceW^ it.^ eonteiv^ tkii^tAlkiodof tliiie battle must have r^e9itrenii|3y pbstinate, of ccAaiderabk! duration, itaiiied |l^|ether 1^ the bayonet. It is ne- giMK&f to keep this in view, |c>l' Masons to be tfeen in ^ ||e. s^el. Bivt it should bf observed e 3*^3ranied. But oi^ their rtgHt^the eneiHy^aM kq^ « theif'ogr^d with *mach relolaimn^ nor waa it IHl <*the arriM of the 4th regiment, and the advance **lif the British iiKesIn firm arfay to the ^a^, *'*that they bei^n to waver." ^'^ Frotii this we leani^ that t^ battle raged ttpoa the^riverV brink^/ not only tiU thfe second British brigade hi^erosaed" and formed, but till it ^«d «ttc- cee ;-#■ ■■■*■■ ,*i* •^1^ '# •.»• * ■*< ~..*>«*»*'>nr^ -*iw '* HT* 4^ % '5- «j»' f- -^^ *^ W. APP»|l9Ik. to^bt ttplBd by and bye, it was aiuifaled to atit^hHik ^'tum the left of th« AoMi^Mita line. Bm. mmrk ^«giiii ! M On the right the Amerltui^t^ kefit tl^ir ground vnth much resoluHerif* nor was nl^as we>li^, tm the great body x>f the BKfiiah ftfrc^ advan^d^ii iront, whilethe 44^ api>eared ip'the rear, tkik^ right of the Amcri^'lHie «* be^^b «ra' /ett'^^li^ would liave been inoa|'extrao«dinify ihen> nideed;i k||i they not began tb romer under silich tti|^iMi|- sttuices. The wonder is, not thAt unseaaeiKM'J|l- litia did not do more^ bitt that they achieved*^80 much. They were raw, not merely unacquainted with the arts and hardships of war, not merely on- acquaidted with^i linifofm system of discipline, but unused to that steady and uninterrupted practice ^f discipline, without which soldiers can but ill perfi;^ all that is expected of them in a field'of battle. They wete not merely raw, the regiments' were alio siran- gMB to elich other, they had never had even the ad- - vantage of a^field day together. They were collect- ^ed hastily from different points ; the General had not time to examine the materiel with which hed^d^ to work ; he had not time to ascertain what reg^l1ri|^t8 were best suited to such aifd^such points of sejmce ; seme oCtiem were sinking widi fatigue, unrefi1tel»d, after loiig and rajnd marches ; one regiment arrrrt^ on th^ ground as the British entered Bladensburg^ and had they been up ten minutes sooner, tl^ regi- ment^' which had to eross'the bridge^ltbgain^e Ametican position, would have been' out off. Th|y fought under these and other disad«antageil^yet on summing up the wl||le of the account^ it will be seen tiiat they fought wW/. . r \ hetw then proceed to flMi how this account stands. It cannot be too freqtteB%'tmpnBS8ed Upon the minds of men interested for > the i honouTi^f their eoipit>y. ^i ^t # V r'' ■■*1M ■^-■•■..«^>, ^•sz;k,^,<¥ ■'^IS^ifJ ■R* #■ w,:i "< \ i' '■ >r -V Bk • lir » ^ * w, i ', »•<• \ i- ■" * .* 4*''^ M« ^ i(BP«%>l of ^ ii«tio«i#.«^U Wlfttiitd to tlw vfatli^ iHd the v^luf^f vii#^Wzeirftttd«tlM mI^ 'dier#' '■ "w'v- i»k'''» ■j;'-"'-' ■'•'* ''■■•H liniB, thc»* ilililjas «fc account. - . The ^ narrator" Hb, tbit on the advance of the*Brili(lh,tthe Asoie. tb the.l«ft of t^'road, kept up a t0iilliittr(/ V^^** ^ith sO^ eaecttti&i^^iiiat the battery on the «lNroad itself opened vittit^CTRffii^ta ^eef;" that . fpei^fe^ioen^aJKdtf/ them with a running fire ; that it illMtno!! without trampling on many of their dead I'lpdiS^Bg, that the British established themselves on < tte right bank of the stream ; Ihat hi^ng then d^ove in the first line, and taken«two guoi| ^th^ se- cond American line, notwithstanding the discomfi- tsre and confusion of the first, ** atood Jirm^'' checked ■i the ardour* of^ their assailants by a heavy fire, ad- vanced upon them, charged them, drove them bfck to the river, and there maintained the fight, bayliiet to hpyonet, tiU. a fresh brigade, having effected its -paM^pe of the bridge, deployed, repulsed the skir- .nilihers on its right, and after a conflict of *• half : an # hoiv^' out-flanked and turned the left of the-Amori- caiAine, the right oontibuii^ to keep ks^ground with intttih resolution, and only wavering ^iH^tfi< on >the point of being placed, by the events of tmB^, be- tween two^res. ''^^ . i:^ Such, aji far as we have gone^ is the amount ofiMas ' **narratoi%' admisstons-^hUurtavoidable admllfionv, 'for it is pretty evident, from the studied arti^ee and sophiiby of his^ whole narrative, he would ,«admit nothing favourable to Ameria|^that he cmtU avoid, or, as the editor of the Federal Gazette haa judici- ously observed, that d|^oot tend to enhances the merit of the British armpin overcoming diffieultiis. But is diene a Inan of cnadour or coimnoiv' aeiise) ^ **■-. ^5 '^ '4f* >** /<(5 ,^#^ r ■ •»* r .« r r. # ..1/ k.**- 'j^-.v**.*. .. MW I KWWW ^H t ti . i ■ !«».■ ■%' •'h i * >. •*♦¥ M I 1*^ % j^ 'k 'k. ABFlllBIJk 4 4 /^^ y thwt«fiu|r- . MT^itia, 1114 that a><9^^*nce would count upon, and if th(^.di<|' "^m^i^o a// that they themselves could have Jiri4i4><^i' i;^ to the peboUarly harassing aiidliiiaadvantl^j^oii cir-_^#'r ,*'''Jfe **■ ,?"•'-' , ja^ ■ ^*,w*w^ V .:m\. Pr(%^ % '-A:^ r< P 4i. * IS;*- -1 S9i5 lori .3^- 'f .«r ^.^•Mr^l^ en«my^intent|«»aUjyjo g.na^ jpce^ thiK batd^ of Blndeniburg in a iif 'vi]^,1ni08t favoural^V jpif^ii^ '^t>i*BncaM «i|ij^d|th»t day. I^ d»««gutrcU^^ the ^f*^r . |P?>f^^*4J^Pj«t wfittrclie would * **^? B.™«"-*»H««»?fttd,a laurtlvwhei^ jlld have plfnuid cypress, and with, an infatuited i«^y «6 'defame^ has raised' the chai^cter of the ericaQ^inilitia, fresh, buo)^aiil and unsullied, for , ,v« Ae'^iflhonp^rabletomb to which hepo^ld, for '^mmseff* so diagratefuUy consi^^i^;^ . ./ . ^ Harsh wprds do not, I kno\ir, ctmstitutc argument, boat8, under the command, of WHCiiiiiKkodore Barney, no troops could B£j|a^£ TIIAN,,THBT..«ID.'* " . SK^m^'-^ ;<4^ rc«der a^af|l«?4? I KO^fess Ijjp^^a first ingthe foregoing sentence. All di0 Receding 'piirt ol^ Ms sarrative, in it&ftion to the liatde of Bk- d^burg^^Hitmo-adtcts, une^uivQctilly. cdnn-adiiq^ iftis |KtP|»ifigl,^^is ui^lu^h^i^^faj^iisQ^di^r-Ukpi^eqii l^fO^ j||e gi|r|ES hc%%^»0 facts that njust be^liiJid in- cliisput|ble wii4b contiog fro^m an eneqtiy ; and then, %Mii&indf^ of tnlih, and4iis omp reputation, gives (|« •|ir»^pi«g t^^on in tl^ci» Vei^ teeth lil^^thos9 iaet8$^ ^i^h* ^$H%'fmMWpliM-f^^^.^^ ^^ ^eiM|e Jf, ^ he^a«||;f|»,^t^tt^ ^: - #i6rle than they [the AnKricans] did," how was it . 1,' ■■> - '^ 4. n fpi *>. '* > ■yu m ,f.-~- ■'^*8-' • *^ V A i •,^ 4. X * A., *''il' %■>. ^ % '*. f ■ >.^ cond Jt chaiUlfflhe ;^:^'^'* r* K dh»ye a^rcsh^niiule Nou^t vp for the purpose i If *«i^ tfo()|s could behave wort<^,*' how was it thgit 1^<( of the Americaoi frequenu^ repulsed the ttr of aenotts?'!]^' #Wf(,6|»»^;beji^^ ois.t|ressing eventf :ept their ground- With mucL. ._, a/l^m do^lhdSat^e^ atfichwi in tt^%' tOBd^mm^ I^H ''#^« 1|rm^-A^' t^ p Ik- * .,» ;t ^ w mentioned bth» laH notf, tcra deildency yCfpttp munition. st .i*^ •IV. '•<■ ^age 129.^*« Scal^cly Ijna thel»^'||^ the Hag entered tbe street, tlian they wer^fifpi upon from the wimlowt oC qae 6C t^ boi)9fli» .^ the horse of the Qeneral himsdf, w||o f^cpin- panied them, killed." w '<•• To the indignation excited by this ** ^.ble conduct," this " direct breach o^ the liiif o^ ^.^JMitions," the author, probably desirous of ligM^l ^g the disgrace of an act for nv^ich all ^^t 'll|^ cried shame upon them, atlribi^tes the revenge of hb countr]rmen. Hie repfpacl^.«f prep^editated outrage must nevertfielefli jjadq^pi^ to da^en the British character. Inooolsttilili pipoofs exist, that the design of destroying^ pull* lie buildings was resolved upon, befe^ the flag of truce entered the ciljjjtoiiil tlieae.proofs are de» rived from no less aumority, than that ofit||e officers by whom it was execialed. 1. On thr ;i8th of Au§;ust 1814, a ktler waaaddressoi bgr Admiral Cochiane to j|i|il(«idfiroe, tfao^ Secretary of State, announcing ^intpntkifi. '* to destioy, and lay waste, such' towoa tind districts upon the ITx :} w ■^ jk '^ ^ * ♦* • •• <$ li ^ ^ ♦ m mm^miulfUmn^timaMt^ Hii worthy ufliiMit^ ^m ttb Mhd^f ^pliBbt which bwathet » amdi twdeniBM tonwirds ** brctfnn of* com- mon detomt nd langutge/' wu not delivered it WaaNogton until seven days rfter the purpose h>4 bMn «itculid at that place. The nuu triv^Bm^ bf wfaioh ito appearance was held forth 16 die ^ikM^ if previous notice to the American fjjMXHimBXt tnd of an alternative having been ghrienlheilB, was wprthy ofdiose who planned it. S. In his official letter to Earl Badiurst, General tUm announces the destruction of the public buidiigs, as the conclusion of a previous determi- aatldn. « Judging it, (he says) of consequence < t^ o6mplete the destrnctioh of the«publia build-, ii|p^iih dirleast possible delay/' 8cc. and after jjippilig' with great apparent satbfaction the hfin/io^ a{id sp6il that had been committed, diia WCililJr^officer adds, <* The q^eetofthe expedi* it^Hlakring been accomplished^ I determined, ber fbrentfiy greater force of the enemy could be as- i^bled, to wididraw die troops;'' and con- i^dics, *' Sanguine in^'ibping for the approba- tion 6f his royal highness the prince regent, and dl^ majesty's ^vemiiient, as to the conduct of Mi M^iinder'my cdmmand, I hmt^ &c. In $is iiope€e W^ n0t disaj^inted. The thanks of'the t*atliamettt were( voted to die army, and a inonumcnt was erectfedlli Westmmster Abbey, .4 =4; V 1^ ,A ■•<- \t i n ^ '1 *, 1 €i ^ilD^ -V.11 ■■ bi ■i^- . -,,:A,..,4:?i;^^^--^'** ./.#*^^^'^r' f. vJ .-It -^ 4 1% ^ ^¥ l^-jk''' ^-.v Jk ^ m •#"^ :'^* "iF" «i- tb hononr 4iiM» artfeiBt)^ «ftc«r iii4ioie:«r9iiii^ exidoitt coiisisied In^^ iadbar <»F a body of (ir^ mersviiiid mecfttim^ cdlected toother i]ndei| itit name of an aimy, , with a stroiig ^orps d| veterans, and the ili^m>voked desiraotiQni diHe*- gislative halls, the- burning "of publifc Hbrari^^ and records, and the pitlage of printing t^i^esl As if this manifestation of the prince regeht's'ap^ I probation were - hot sufficient^ an augmdntatioii ^ of armorial bearings ha^ beeii granted t6 his fa^t- * ly, and his descendants have been " gracbuslyi permitted^" to style themselves, for the Cul^ ^ "Ross of Bladensburg.** Admiral Cdc*biM| the liaval leader on this memorable occasion, has ' %«jsince been characteristically promoted to the * ^" chief l^ommand at the priison of St Heleifti. 3.^K olhin' proof were wanting of the Monrectn^ of die intimation in the text, jthat the burning bit the public buildmgs was occasioned by die ilingi^: f upon the flag of truce, it is furnished by die fi:^ lowing extract from a letter written by Mr. J/M ^ ^ Skinner, post-master at Baltimore, to the [edito^ of the National IntelligHbier. ■a *„- « It is known to you that I was the agent appohited by the Comnq^ry Genewli for the exchange of pri- soners and (he medium of intercourse l^etWeen the government and the enefny in the waters of the Chesapeake, during the war. The duties of tMs service 'arough^rae vcryirpfy^flB^la company with Mi ■*ifc 4 m- i. .i -a- *#' ^ l.^' % JL*t M' lUoD of^ the Capitol and 'the J^esi^entV Houm, bMee^^gllaB ecMemttiidhylht ft tli%s such Hi the oveatido justified ; whereupon be^ who was 4c^ There are atrocides which strilce so forcibly <^ sensitive: and honourable minds, as to be' considerend incapable of a parami, till something more atroci^u^ still succeeds ; jind theni we wonder at our not haviilig taken ft more -extansiyovia^; of the dark side of ihe MtV m' ^ X 't ■m # M. »*;%*. '•AjU'?:'- "'■*!»•■ jMI^JKa.' ^, •W.-.^v...J'*-S',^-> .,vl- # *lri 4 ■!► f»W ■fW-. # Ife^ ^ 1^^ ^uHrikoisc hiiliaik eh«Mctw. IP^e iws thoeked and on r^iutiog^of tbe bumingsat Washington, anid con- ceive that aci^xelhr ooiore could be exeisuted tn the nilgite Southern side, tt Mutilated by Britons, On the 25th of August^ "» * 1814!" ' ^(' Cab the whole scope of that language which is common.tjp both nations ; can that language, so ricjN, , so flowing, and so energetic, fumilJ) terms suffi- cipitly stronjK to de^ct in appropcinte colc>urs, the barbarism ot ibis act t Jurists may write, define, and promulgate national law ; but i^ty will never say, thiit the burni&g of the civil buildingi or even of the ^ library in the Capital of the United States, equalled I # ■ * '# *- >"■<<-.»• ' ,^ '* ,-^,,H»*<*^,. .. #■ '...* #. •r ■•- > 4ni in iti^ity wii^ liqfftl«ssnet|^^ the mutilfitioii of U^if «<;Had it b«en ^ pi^ comtn^mbra^ve of somp of tlhe ij^jK American victarks ^v^r the £ng^i;ih themr a^vee, such Dtet aiigh^ be (^ercd by fd^y or wound- ^; pride, to palliatipn ; hut, .when it wae in record of ft deed; which Briton* would have been proud to emulate, and which they did eubsequently emulate ■fe Algiers, the shadow of an excuse did not present itself. Are we then to assume, that it sprang from nncour, the base ingredient of little minds, or from a spirit of vengeance, inspired by humiliations pre- viousiy inflicted by the arms of America i Had an qqpedition from the United States made an incursion into England, [and it.could have been easily effected] t^d'meeting with a monument erected to some of her nwval heroes, attacked and mutilated^that monument, what wpuld have been the exclamations and the curses of Englishmen i What would have been the>.^ language of their press i Would not the Amertcaiis'^ ** have been painted. as more barbarous than the .sa*> ▼age^; who, imtaught and ungovemed, range idif western wildernesses of this Continent ? Is there an epithet of opprobrium that would not have been cast, upon them with a lavish hand i Let then the author of the narrative under consideration, reflect on the '' fact I have stated, and sink to the earth in shame>^ let his countrymen reflect upon the foul deeds at- tached to the history of their campaigns in thif country, and they will see the wisdom of avoiding whatever may lead to a comparison of their arms with those of America. The ** narrative of an officer who served in the expedition" may gratify the loflal;- ed arrogance, and tickle the insatiate vanity of Hit British nation—- it may administer to England's well known hatred of America, and put mopey into the «!#■ .*•- i fti' »^ *^i W, U k m /a. V •#^«ytl' i" 4' , *t ' ^m^^^^mh !?• V'-H '4 ^ ,1^ liV. ■s^ }t seems better calciiUited |P bring o(li^m on %^, tb«n to shed a kittre upqa either. No work cdtold bctmore Jndit^lHit— >it has roused to life and actiop feelings in iV<>»«H<:P> Moi^ (haf time had liiUed.tp repose, and at Ihis U bttik,^ fieeblc ejqxMUK of Jt^ de- fonnity» its egotism and its fidsehood will doubtie|s be touched by mtaay an abler hand'—^it will have ^e withering merit of blasting the, cause |it would «»•- tain; for it will drag into noon-day light before otl^er nations, those infamies which England should wish to see entombed forever in the grave of Ross. ** But the writer of the narrative not only aa»erU what he himself had by his admissions previously shewn to be untrue* but he omits what would prove the British loss in the campaigns against Washing* ton to have be^n even more considerable than hb detul wcnild induce one to suppose t **He omits altogether the loss of at least one hua. 4ir«d men« occasioned by thexareless thjrowing of a mltch into a dry well„ it| the arsena} yard* in which f large quantity of gunpowder had b^en deposited. The havoc was terrible. Among the sufferers was ^Captain Blanchard of the royal engineers* He jiras dug out of the river a few days after, in i^ iform, his sword by his side, just as he was blo#n off aud covered by the explosion. In a small silver case, attached by a belt to his person, lA^ere found hit papers by which he was known. ^The case also.cost"- tinned the orders of the day, and a sketch of the , eiWQiitry through which the army hid passed. He ' was buried-— and the nal^ of his death was re- gretted by tlios^ wthose s<>d4e had invadedxh-wfaen once the batUe b o?cr, no soMitr can ever wish to see a soldif>r,,thOtt|^'aa eofmy* perish*— ^ The ••^jvurator" dko omiti 4he . H . %'^ 't- ^ %^'%iMtetts* iBftd U liwea ppinible for Geii«m Ilojiis to bave r«^une4 for ft week in Washington, ibvia' lilioutd not a battle* have Itatervened, he would HUi^l^Mlam^ mthi^umti dr^^/il-Aii it was, %^ii^ |irv#f^ ijhty, nfot lests than eleven hundred miH,^ aM fedme of his best officers. Upbn thte whole, ,v ;| m ' il P t .•■*s^s i * ^t / / X I J^' * •» ■ #itfl«n^afiJoii« of hit Clori/.' £fc. tie. ■*?■■ • ,*"■ V '' ' mn Such is the British idea oif the rencounter. It is amusing to contrast it with the actual occurrence. ^Xhe^Americans, who were a]l militia, few of w^m^ ^* had ever heard the whistling dT a ball," w^ commanded by CQjonel Philip Reed, an officer of the revolutionspr war ^ who transmitted an exapt statement of m#chgagprnent to>General Chan^- bers, of the Maiylatid mifitia. The whole tium- y. !.« "^Mli* * r 1* -* «* W ■' ''■■' >>^ '■■■■• " . ^. .^ bar«Q0*Amfeffieans present of ^att> descriptWM ivm 170. Tbe author of tte^Ksmtke/ admits ^ 1jili^ji»b fi)roe was 260 s«»nciiaad marioiBt. ^phe *^ little skinnishing" of which hespeftks» was ';4 well fought contest for the possession of the Alneiican camp, in which the British were, finally lieflpated, and forced to ietreat with the. loss of Ibeir commander $ and, as then^elves admitted, M killed, and 27 wounded. So precipitate was Ifaeir retreat from this scene of "triumph," that many of the wounded "compani(Mis of their glqiy" were left on the field. Of the Americans not one was killed, and only three were wounded. It should not be omitted, however, that the en- gagement was fought at night, and the British whovprobi^y "*♦ fencietd every bush an" enemy ^j?^ 'pi^have ceckoned the. host opposed to them^ mdie^ by the execution that was done, than b^'*^ oeakff testimcmy^ Thus fallacious are monu^ ments and die official letters, of British comii^ inttnden. ■f VII. P^ge 179.— "Judging from appearances, I should ^y that the corps now opposed to u< ampunted to M^ot seven thousand ineh." '" - -M':'^. '.i^ ■ The author is here, a^ usual, in the wrong as to the force of the American army. He is ** ill • #■ ■^ f» mf *'i * f -Sli^ a li"-"- s# — .^^^^^ *'**- "VtlJ^iSBI*! / »^ ■■• . IT 1*^4^ # ... \ .^ «^' iHfitrndbtn/' and seems to tfiink^ with AmMdo^ diat " reckoning fitteth tfie spirits of a tapster.** The oorpB opposed to the British at North Pofht, consisted, according to unquestionable authoritjfv of the 5th regiment 400 men, the 27th 500 men^ the 39th 450 men, the 51st 700 men, 150 rifle- men, 140 cavalry, 75 artillerymen wi^ six ibur pounders, making an aggregate on the ground of 12415 men of various descriptions, all of them however , militia or volunteers. The 6th re/iment consisting of 620 men, and 150 of the 5th, were posted as a reserve, about a mile in the rear. The nuiS)er of the British is not stated by &e author of the "Narrative'' in this place. He admits, however, at page 164, that diey were able to bring into the field " five thousand fighting men," notwithstanding the losa lik^ Bladensburg. We may reasonably conclude that the whole nttnl- ber of fighting- men was landed at North Pbtot, d that it escceeded c(Hisiderably the computa- tion of our aiithor. Geiib^ Smith, who com- manded in chief at Baltimore, estimated their strength at firom 6 to 7000 men, and takings iU estimates into consideration it may fairly be 6tiit&- puted at about six thoDsahdy movt'^an twice die number of the .^peificansptedent. ' ^ * # ■# f » ' If - . '"'*' P 4 $r f-- ]".« ' . '^Iff* Hftair*- ■-•*•' 'm' ^ "• r ■' t » t ^w 4:^^' A't'ltolfAMIt vai. *'lK|;e 185.— «• In spite of ihe ahorf duntioti'Sr the Action, which lasted little more than "two hours, (h^ enemy's loss was severe." '^The ofllcial return of the killed and wounded, signed by Leonard Frailey, Brigade Major, shew- ed the total loss of the Americans to have been 24 killed and 139 wounded. The loss of the * l^ritish, according to their official return, was 46 ^ killed and 295 wounded. * -# IX. Page 192,-r<*Darkness had now come on, and as yet no intelligence had arrived from the ship- ping -Tf*- » ^, It is remarkable that no notice liitaken jn these letters of the repulse of the British fleet from Fort |kil*Henry, an action which covered the garrison w|di glory^ and contributed essentially to the final retreat of the^cxpeditioii. tVhile room was found for the detail of every petty skirmish, in which the British arms could be nif^ to appear sue- cessful; the author has omitted all mention of an engagement, in the issiie of which the land forces t € ^ *^ ,, ** i u » ^X* I*- ., 1 «.' ■ >' *$*•,' .'/ f / p. *F. *?■ 4tfmilMXf ,« wiere iini|iediatel]r interested, which wumuntaki- ed with great obstiincf^ more than t^wenty-fiiur ^1^^ in w^h)^. surprising degree qj^.codq^t skill, and courage was displayed by the garrison) and from which the assailants were compelled to retire with immense loss. 31 «' n- 'i I" • -,'??^^ ^ #''* X. » ■ Page 254. — " The whole course of the Mis- sissippi, from its spring to its niouth, may be com- puted al; little short of ijOOO miles." The author seems to have a strange propen- si|^ to exaggerate whatever he meets with m Anima. ^^ The length of tfiie Mittlssippi was nftver supposed ^ exi?eed con^dbrably ,Mrer thousand miles; and Mr. Schoolcraft, in his , naff ttive, lately Dublishedi ha& dettr^iiined the diar nee from itlp)urce to its moutfi with accuracy^ ""^ilentire lengdi,'' says he, *< of this wonder^ river from Cassina lake (from which it t«ke»>i^ course,) to the gu^h of Mexico, is 3038 ntilaii^ more than half the diitanpe from die arcti&cii<^ to the equator." Niprfhre ottfae£xpeditioa under Governor Cass, pip 254. # *f •>' 'mm9»- >r:-7><;; ■1»- I <■ Y d,- -•-v?- '■ >' * .•M.\ V, - .» V 4f .V i^^iiiiix. *fcA^^^''»»^# jT ■«■■ ■T**' Xli #1^ 961-^<^ It was fhdrefbre detemuned at all.hakards to take them." ' . ^ |iThe defence made by Lieutenant Jones, coiU' inanding the American gun boats, was one of the most brilliant exploits of tlie war, and must have convinced the enemy that they were not likely to obtain possession of New Orleans, without a des* perate struggle. The American force consisted, according to the official returns, which agrees with the estimate in the text, of five |bn boats, carrying altogether 23 guns, and manned by only 182 men. The enemy's launches and barges, were, according to Lieutei^ant Jones, in number^-^ 45* but accor#ig tb the author of the " Narrative,*' 50, the number of their cannon was 42, and the flotilla was manned with 1200 men. Notwidi- standing this disparity of force and numbers, the' action was maintained for more tnan two hpurs, and the enemy only succeeded by dint of num- bers, and with the loss, according to the compu- tation of Lieutenant Jones, ot about three hun- dr6d men. The Briti^^ ^commander, however, only admitted n )o9^ of 94' ^en. • « ,*#' -rA.i% . , •■■-* ff * ■« # *!■ ■4' ■i 1 * ■ •y.-t *' f ^ •*^. -«,>.'*»--. 4 # 4 f. 'I I • I 'A ¥ i f f : f ■!■ ^, X. AfPiirou. ■n^ XII. Page 289.— Night attack of the aad of De- cember. In hit " Historical memoir of the war in Loui- siana/' 8cc. Major Latour, whose official situatioa gave him the means of obtaining the itiost accu- rate information, hasdetailed the principal e?ents cS. this campaign, with great minuteness. We are thus f#^ V'i ♦ .# ^ '■ie i*~ ♦ '%^* aK.K. •^v¥ #*#• • < \/,v^' «^ ■* V ft i •>•' X -.-^ :l '.-ii-f ■# t",^ ASMimic. rfWif^ »T ^'^^ O* 4ii«^tiififo«ti6i^ lfciit«ach4Begifiic«t ^M pm> tjr on board tl«B v<^fBlt, to^ak^vcare^af thit hagggigtf Ais Bometiinm Uks «ue, th#re w^ld stills rt^iam fbarthdo^uitt Ave httoiired dTeolhrc sum landeil e« tHe tSd belbr«'9N»*clockfln Ihe ^ycAing} and indeed several ttseounciiironi famak% Proi^denoe, and B^f* ttdda^ nakt the flimilNer amount to five thoasanii^/ '^^**^ Let us ii6\v see with what namlbep, and what lind of troofw, llie cewmander4a-chief» ipenoral fac^oo^ attaclxd; this «neiny, so powerful, so .inured jto Wajr* fare, preceded by a great reputation, and enjoyiog every possible advantage. ' ' ** The right,- commanded by generid Jaekson in p^ •< son, was composed of a detachineatof maiuiMa, uMer the Command of lieut. Belleyue A detachment of aitiUeiy with two six- poundeff'St t&der th» tpttmediate com- mand of pol. AI^Kea au^d lieut. Spotts 7t1h regiment, major Peire 44tb, commanded by captain Baker ** Major Piatic^i Batt^kl^n^ Carabtniers, capttain Roche Dismounted dragoons, major St. Geme Louisiana blues, captain White Francs, captain tiudry Chasseurs, capteia'CilibeFt The battalion of S^^ Dotningo men of ^ Qofour, majoA- Daquin Chactaws, captato Pierre Jpugeimt The left, commanded by general Coffee, was composed as follows : 66 m^ strong 32 465 331 - — 884 7% 31 3a 59 .. — fBdfr 210 Mississippi dragoons, iiia|(^<|^inds ■ *4V m 563 62 : lor -732 ^ In all 2131 r » >t % r ff •t v.'f- •# • ■S "f f km led fog »- I rag' %i * #1, '^ ' ■ -JiT ■ ■ ■ ^ ^^ . ' ; # iMnrawiMK* 4t;yi Mittissippii' (kagooiMr were im»| i|» the action, but wertif aft the time it lastectf io (the back ground qjf LaJ^eV {rfaftotidtt. Tvm Companies off Coffee's bri- ga they increased thsir artilleiy to ajf^ ^gious amount.'' •^ • An exact statement of this * prodigious ampui^f i| siven by Major Latour, in the following passa(^ of his Historical Memoir. : j&^'The artillery was distributed on the liircs in the fbUowing manner. Oil' the soil of the road within the levee was battery No. 1, f ommwuled by captun - Humphreys, of the U. S. artillery. It'ionflsted of twb brass twelve*pounders» and a six-inch howitzer, ^jbn fi^d carriailges i these pieces enfiladed the road >^lK>wards tht^^Hili. where the eneitny was posted, and ^Sieir fire g^^^uid die parapet of the flank of the rth doubt, towards the right. Battery No. 1, was se- venty feet from the bank of the river. The -two twelve-'pounders were, served by soldiftw^' ley, of the navy, and set-ved by part of the ereif oi the Carolina, had a thir':y-two-pounder ; its distutcci from No. 3, was twenty yards. "^ '**iBatl^ery No. 5, cbmmontled by colonel Perry and lieutenant ICtorr, df the artiltery, had two six-pound- ers, its distance from No. 4, was bne hundred mud niqety yards. ** Battery No. 6, commanded by general Garrigues Flaiujeac, and served by a detachment o^ the com- pany of Francs, under the immediate command of lieutenant Bertel, had a brass twelve-pounder; its • .distance from No. 5, was thirty-six yards. 1^ ^ ^'^: t* Battery No. 7, had a long brass eighteen pound ^ Cttlverine, and a six-pounder, commanded by lieu* ^ants Spotts and Chaveau, and nerved by gunners of the U. ^ Artillery ; its distance from No.. 6, was one hundred and ninety yards. «* The 8th battery had a small brass carronade, which rendered very little service, on account of the ill condition of its carriage ; it was cooimanded by a corporal of artillery, and served by militia men of general Carroll's command ; its distance from No. 7, was sixty yards." •€ .»* *[ m ^ -.^ :.% Page 324.— **By this reinforcement, together with'the addition of a body qf sailors and marines from the fleet, our numbers now amounted to little short of eight thousand menP ' " .^ Few subjects have been more misrepresented thto the relative numerical strength of the Ame- ^ «^ ^ \ ^ •a -"^^mi*iii^:s. \^.^ ft ■^ AFFENDIX. ^ *i?:l» lieuitiid British armies. Even in this cdtmtry nt' has-been pretty generally believed that t)ie supe- riority of num^rs was oin the side of General Jackson ; and of the distiEMrtion of the truth in England, we may form some idea ffx>m the above |nssage, in which the number of British is stated at short of 8000; and from the following sentence in pages 320, 321^ " of the niimbers of the ene^ ttiy, again, various reports were in circulation ; some stating them at 23, and others at 30,000 ; bat perhaps / may come nearer the truths if I choose a middle course, and suppose their whole force to be about 25,000 menJ^ It was natural that men^ JH y% »*-'J ■n ♦ .">%' ¥ m HI A.*,. ^^Kf !.'[ f ti ). ^^■ S ^ 1 '.'At ^. 4-' \' 4^ .» APPENDIX. *.*X' t * '*' ^* . Brought forward IGOOstrpng 1^ ■ ,14th regiment, Duehess of York's own, ^ 0*S^''<^'^Soon8) lieutenant-colonel • T^-' •% CM. Baker % 350 "^ 31at* do Royal North Britain fusi- liers, lieutenant-colonel W. Pat<- terson . 900 Jl 40th do. Somersetshire^ lieutenant- plonel H. Thornton lOOO 48d do. MonmoiSth (Hght infantry) lieutenant-colonel Patrickson 850 44th do. East Essex, lieutenant-co- 1,^ ,.^, lonel honourable Thomas Mullen /50 ^l)-' ^ ^ j» 4$!*^ 85th do. Bucks volunteers (light in- fk ^^f* ^^ .^ fantry) lieutenant-colonel WiUiam '^'^ > ^ Thornton 650. 93d do. Highland, lieutenant-colo- nel Robert Dale liotb 95thf do. Rifle corps, major Samuel Mitchell 500 ,1st do. West India, lieutenant-<:o- ^ lonel C. W. Whitby TOO 5tK .do. West India, lieutenant-co- lonel A. M. K. Hamilton "\ ^m A detachment froln the 62d regiment Rocket brigade, artillery, drivers^ en- gineersy sappers and miners Roya\ marines Sailors taken from the fleet ] 700 350 1500 1500 $000 Total 14,450 ^fflftk :S. f "•*: »,-»•, "»■ :» \ ^ M-i ■.0 J' * ■Uv ■ ■y* V iH r^ 4; i.i. % ! * Of this reginent we hare aeen two retnrni signed by D. Demit, adjutant j of the 17th Deeember and Sth Jauuary, eaeh of which justify the amodnt here given— its establishment was one thonsaod two hundred and eight. t This regiment oonsisti of three battalions, of one flioaari&d men ' 4ph, of n^hieb only a demi4>attalioq was tmt to Looisiaiuu" w V|/ %^ #r- •Bt' m ■* •# #* A I d % % * "-"SjH^lp^,. *? Vi ."3> "Vi .^, APPENDIX. i 4^1 4^ f •I'. -'» r *'* ^t/ ) This statement is corroborated by theVoIlow- ing letter. ^ " iVirw Orleans, April 8, 1815. *< Sir,— During my detention in the British fleet, the officers, both navil and military, with whom 1 had an opportunity to converse, always estimated their force here on the 8th January, at ten thousand regular troops at least. An incident occurred relat- ing to this subject on the evenit^ of the 7th January, ^hich you mj|y think worth communicating. This day I had accidentally omitted to wear uniform: while at supper with the ward-room officers of the Gorgon frigate, a military officer, (whose name I disremember) 'was introduced as coming directly from camp ; he took a seat at table, and began to talk freely about the situation of the army, his business in the fleet, and addressing himself principally to me, he having taken up the idea I was first lieutenant of the ship. After various inquiries about the two lines, I asked the number of British he supposed might be on shore, he replied, when the last rein- forcements would be landed (which he had met three days before near Yillere's canal) there would be, marines and atilors inclusive, from thirteen to fifteen thousand men ; he was certain of this, for he had seen some returns previous to his departure ; this was an intelligent officer, having the grade of captain, who had been sent by the commander-in« chief to ascertain the quantity of provisions in the V fleet. I am, &c. Robert Morrell, M. D. United States Navy," Instead of e^ht thousand, we have therefore ihe best authority for estimating the number| of tfie British, at " little short cS^' fourteen thousand. 3H # kl /^ w * t ^1 .■•• ♦ '"ik^. •• ¥ ^ ** ,■5. * u ^ AI22 APPENDIX. nV -k- i^ k K V # The misreprdsentation of the American force is yet more striking. It is unquestionably true^ that the whole number oj Amencamfiwithin General Jackson's lines f on the 6th of January ^ did not ex- ceed three thousand Jive hundred; not one fourth of the British strength. This fact, which appears from a variety of ^uments, is fully established by the following passage of Major Latbur's Memoir. *• ■0\ ♦•'* % * «. -/ ■# *■# r.i ^. *f V 0^ i^ *^ In order to give a correct narrative of the aflair ^ of the 8th, I must previously make the reader ac- quainted with the respective position of thie diiTerent ^-t* corps stationed at the lines; that he may perceive^^ * that if a considerable part of the troops exhibited no active valour, it was owing to the attack's not bein^ made on their position; for had it been general^ there can be no doubt but all would have equally vied iti ardour and bravery. 'K*'* The redoubt on the river, in front of the extre^ * mity of the line on the right, was guarded by a com- pany of the 7th regiment, commanded by lieutenant Ross. The artillery Mras served 19f a detachment of the 44th, Under the Command of lieutenant Marant.'^ Within the line, at the extremity of the right, be*-**' t^een battery No. 1, and the river, was stationed the New Orleans volunteer company of riflemen, about thirty men strong. " The 7th regiment covered from that battery^ battery No. 3, taking in the powder magazine, built since the 1st of January, as also battery No. 2, com- manded by lieutenant Norris. T^is regiment, four hundred and thirty men strong, was commanded by maj<*Peire. .:.A^> »^ .,**^ _ .. - < ■w ** APPENDIX. M^ -0^ ■^ *^ ^i •1 ;4 vfc V<.. •/■' ^,. ■ifi I .v^<. 't -n* ■i I l« «- :-?* .-f r ^'« if. *< The ioterval between that battery and No. 4, commanded by lieutenant Crawley, was occupied by major Plauche'i battalion of volunteer uniform com- panies, and by Aiajor Lacoste*s battalion of Louisi- ana men of colour. The former was two hundred j^ eighty-nine men strong, and the latter two hun- %red and eighty. .^ " From battery No. 4, to colonel Perry'", No. 5, the line was defended by major Daquin's battalion of St. Domingo men of colour, one hundred and fifty men strong, and from that out by the 44th, two hun- dred and forty men strong, commanded by captain '^'j^aker. All the corps, from the 7th regiment to the 44th inclusively, were under the command of colonel Ross. ** Two-thirds of the remaining length of the line, were guarded by the troops commanded by major- general Carroll. On the right of battery No. 7, com- ^'mknded by lieutenants Spotts i.nd Chauveau, were Stationed fifty marines, under the command of lieu- tenant Bellevue. "On the preceding day, part of the Kentucky troops, under the command of general Adair, had gone to re-enforce that part of the line. The order ia which they were ranged may be seen on the plan. AU those troops formed a force of about sixteen hundred men. " The troops under the command of general Coflee occi\pied the rest of the length of the line, as also that part which turned off towards the left into the wood ; their number was about five hundred men. ^■4"* <* Captain Ogden*s company of cavalry was sta- tioned behind head-quarters, and a detachment of the Attakapas dragoons was posted within the court- yard, together about fifty men strong. " During the attack, captain Chauveau's company tit i r.: 4 .Y*f- 1:4' i If '•A, 3 ■ i." ^ •A' — - "^i**» • *^ .IK *'*-. *>*. X ':^. '**, f •1 % 494 Ar?INDIX. ?-( f '^■Hf ¥. * ;'*^^ f*i *f S 5fe'' ■ of hone volunteers, about thirty men strong, huted from town and drew up in the same court-yard* to bq ready for a sortie, should it be thought expedient. "* ** The Mississippi cavalry, comnnanded by major Hinds, one hundred and fifty men strong, was en- campKid in the rear, on Delery^s plantation. Our outposts extended about five hundred yards in front of the line. ** Different detachments, making an aggregate of ^ two hundred and fifty men of colonel Young*s ribgl- ' ment of Louisiana militia, were stationed at conve« nient intervals, on the skirts of the wpod, behind the line, as far as the Piemas canal. " Four hundred yards behind the line, a {(uard * was posted on the road, to prevent any one's going out of camp ; and a line of sentinels extended from that post to the wood for the same purpose. ** Although the above details show the number of our troops to have ^amounted to about four thousand men, including one hundred artillerists wKo did not •, belong to any corps, it is nevertheless true, that ge- neral Jackson's line was defended by only three thousand two hundred men, the remaining eight hun- dred having been distributed into various detach- ,^^ ments, and posted behind to guard the camp, for the \. defence of the Piemas canal, and on the outskirts of . , the wood." ^ ♦»' A ^^A. t / V "i ^J., f .1. 1,. x- 4' - / ^ *'; . f I .1 If » it '^HI^ Vu ■f. v> 'te I ^ ¥<{ \n ' 4' u ■f I K i #/' ^ 4:'^ v*% V >.' iJkPPENDlX. m XVI. 41 Bige 330.— "The Americans, without so mtfch as lifting their faces above the rampart, / swung their firelocks by one arm over the wall, and discharged them directly upon their heads." M Never was there made a more ridiculous asser- , . tion than this. Destitute alike, of truth and pro- 4^ bability, it must be considered absurd even in . England, by those who have paid any attention to.the circumstances of the action. The great disproportion in the number of British officers killed and wounded, proves that good aim must hrve been taken at the assailants ; a thing not easy to have been e£fected, without <* lifting their faces abovt the rampart." The rampart must, one would suppose, have been rather too broad to admit of a firelock being ** swung over it," and discharged on the heads of the enemy imme* diately under it ; and the author, and^ those who put faith in his assertion, must possess an exalted opinion of American strength to suppose it easy to swing a firelock "with one ar>. " over a wall, and discharge it upon an enemy. This anony* mous " officer," who has attempted to fix a stig« •* « '4! 'i ,i % • .^ 'kif > *•♦•*■ !'■ in* I: m ■!*f t, •^v # fc< <* ■ri : ■H i>\ ,\ ^^ n- ■^: ^h .^% ■•;-. ♦'<•• -00'' V.^ ■^ 4id ^w APPKNOI](», •^ V « f ^ ^V^^ . ^.. i .1. .*». » >> 4 /t •H '^ . "i: •^, # tv ., ''iMwJKK^ W ma of cowardice upon the defenders of New Orleans, seems to be as deficient in judgn\ient as in hpnour ami honesty, for in proportion to the want of courage, displayed by their enemy, was the shame and disgrace of their own defeat en- hanced. ^"^ In his official letter, General Lambert commits a more serious error, by stating that as the Bri- tish troops advanced, **a continued and most galling fire was opened from every part of the line." Now it is certain that little more than one half of the line was engaged. The majority of ^ troops under General Coffee, did not fire at all ; the engagement was almost exclusively confined to the right and left of the lines, and scarcely a shot was fired from the centre. See Latour's Memoir, page 244. I XVII. ^ Page 331.—" Making a forward motion, the 7th and 43d presented the appearance of a renew- ed attack; by which the enemy were so much awed, that they did not venture beyond their lines in pursuit of the fugitives." All accounts represent the rout of the British, as a total and most confused and disgraceful one. Nothing was less calculated to excite " awe," • wk *w *.v A APPENDIXt -Av- 427 than the appearance of th^se veterans, after the fire of the line had been opened upon tliem ; and if the approach of the main bodjfHiad failed to intimidate our troops, it is not easy to believe, ^^^ that tfie advance of the reserve could have pro- duced that effect. It is true that General Lambert, in his official letter, speaks of " placing the reserve j. in position/* on his making the discovery that ** it was impossible to restore order, in the regi- ments, where they were," yet this " position" fRiems to have been any thing but a "forward cme." It is called by Major Latour, appropriate- ly, " a supine position," since ** the reserve and " jf all those of the advanced columns, who escaped '^' * slaughter, were ordered to crouch down in the ^ stubble, where they lay flat on their faces till " night. This new evolution was executed, in or der to avoid the fire of our artillery."— vl/>j&. p.cM. a ■ # ♦ - ^ $* *\«i 1 1 4 f *•• V* '■ I ^ i <*' ' XVIII. Page 332.-— " The main body . . . amounted to no fewer than 1500 men." The number of effective men on the right bank, did not exceed eight hundred. The British force was about equal to this, all regulars, well armed and disciplined. The Americans were nearly all new TV j^' f^ £^ ■'■■*#- (?***»• '% !&• *f^ .f t" '■t^. ^. '428 * I #^'. t 1 I* <^ \* ^. i»> '^^ 'H h* 1^ <*» 1^ ^ .# 4' ^■ k tk. i ■t .fS"- APPENDIX*. militia. The force stationed on the right, which first gave way, was a corps of 250 Kentuckians, who, observ » I i*» *» •'•3. .1^ a^W -»i>r ^.n\ i F ¥ »■ • APPENDIX. 429 'i" vhich 1^. Icians, t with taken ofthe e line d. It ^ 1 con- f their * ig but ■!*■ pected' haust- ' t an the' I thick while asitiooi f Qrgan's Its as a itour. f those he stao id com- lengthf whole fo thou- k'- '■^ t % I ? sand yards to the wood. Thus all that part on the right of the space of two liundred yards, where a breastlirork had been^foegun, was w^out any other defence than a ditch, and exposec|P> be turned ; this,weshaU see, is what actually happened." — />. 166. _^*< Colonel Davis took his station on Mayhew's canal, about a mile in advance of Morgan's line, his left resting on the riyer bank. Oh the right of his detachment was stationed that of major Arnaud, consisting, as I have already observed, of one hun> dred men, of whom fifteen were without arms,, and the others were armed with fowling-pieces. The eijiemy arrived in coAsiderable force, and attacked that positioih with the troops that had landed, while his boats fired grape-shot at our flank. Colonel Davis m^de his troops fire two or three vpUeys, not without effect ; but finding it impossible to maintain his ground any longer, as the enemy had already out- flanked hinn on the right, seeing himself abandoned by the detachment of Major Arnaud, which, in spite of all the major^s efforts to rally it, had taken to the wood, he determined to make his retreat on Morgan^s lines, where he took a position on the- right, along the canal, beyond the part that was fortified. It is to be observed, that owing to some cause to me unknown, there was a space unoccupied between the right , of colonel Declouet, commanding the detachment of drafted militia, and colonel Davis's left. The troops under the latter's command, occupied a considerable front, the men were placed severalfeet from each other; and finally, on the same canal, but two hun* dred yards further to the right, was stationed lieute- nant-cot n 430 APPENDIX. a detachraent of sixteeii 'Inen. The disposition of the troops on these lines, when colonel Davis todk his station vhec^was therefore as follows : The finst regiment of talf/^* on jhe river ; on its right the *M' cond regiment ; ,on the rig^ht of (his last, the drafted mililia of Louisiana. These corps occupied the whole length of the fortified line. Next to this was a space unguarded, extending to the left of colonel Davis, whose command' occupied on the canal three hundred yards in front ; and finally two hundred yards from his right was stationed colonel Caldwell with sixteen men ; the whole forming ^ total of about six hundred men, one-third of whom, as before observed, were ill armed. There were mounjted on thope lin^ three pieces of cannon, one a twelve-powider» coiH- manded by midshipman Philihert, and two six- pounders, the one cdtanmanded by Mr. Batique, for- merly a captain of a vessel, the other, by Mr. Hos- mer, both these gentlemen belonging to the first re- gitnent of militia. " The enemy advancing rapidly by the road oppo- "^Ite the left of the line, the artillery played on him with effect, and as soon as he approached near enough, the musketry also began to fire ; which hav- ing obliged him to fall back, he nexl directed his attack against our right, one column moving towards the wood, and the other towards the centre of the line. It was now th&t was felt the effect of the bad posi- tion that we occupied. One of the enemy's columns turned our troops, at the extremity of colonel DaVis's detachment, while the other penetrated int.o the un- guarded space between that detachment and the drafted militia. On this the Kentucky mili|ia gave way, nor was it possible from that moment to rally ,,them, though their officers and general Morgan made 4 IT t --*< ? it » ♦ ' d ^ V appeTndix. ' 431 \r every exertion for that purpose. Confidence had vanishedi and with it all spirit of resistance. If, in- stead of extending over so considerable a space^ those * troops had l^en formed in close cohimn) the confu- sion that took place might easily have b^i'en avoideu; .•« ^ and in case of a retreat's becoming necessary, it > w. '. fit might have been made in good order, our troops # • Instill keeping up their fire. — ff, 170. Ag t * # ■4 , ^^f* i #' •^"M- # :^ THE END. .JJT ^^ff ■* .» .''f. 'i^' ^j f.^' ^ # H ^ Erratum in the Appendix. Page 383, line 16, for aU read mott. .|^^. f * * 4" -.1 1< V 1«- ^^^%V^ "^ « jt •>^ f # \- '■ "ra— i fcii i > w i ni ^ # ■*