Capture of the City of Washington.

Capture of the City of Washington.

on the 22d, and the 5th Baltimore regiment, including the artillery and rifle corps, on the evening of the 23d; and, at 12 o'clock at night, Colonel Monroe, in passing through Bladensburg to the City of Washington, advised General Stans

"WAR DEPARTMENT, Aug. 23, 1814.

"General Order:

"All the militia now in and marching to Alexandria, besides Colonel Minor, will march imme

bury to fall upon the rear of the enemy forth-diately to Washington. These orders will be with, as it was understood that he was in motion communicated by Colonel Tayloe. "JOHN ARMSTRONG.” for the city. General Stansbury having been ordered to take post at Bladensburg, did not think he was at liberty to leave it; but, independent of this consideration, the fatigue of the troops under Colonel Sterret made it impracticable.

On the 18th of August, General Van Ness ordered General Young to call out, en masse, the brigade under his command, including the Alexandria militia; the same day, two troops of cavIt is here proper to state, that, on the 22d, the alry, attached to the brigade, were ordered to Secretary of War, in a letter to General Winder, rendezvous at Bladensburg; on the 19th, at four which closes their written communications pre- o'clock in the morning, to accompany Colonel vious to the 24th, except a short note of that Monroe, Secretary of State, and to be subject to morning, states that he had ordered Gen. Doug- his order. On the 20th, in the afternoon, Gen. las to march with his command to the District, Young's brigade was ordered by General Winder without seeking a rendezvous with General Hun- to cross the Potomac, opposite Alexandria, and gerford; that a detachment of the 12th infantry encamp in the best position, and wait further had arrived; that it should be armed, equipped, orders, which was effected-the brigade consistand march to the Woodyard; that the Baltimore ing of four hundred and fifty-four men, two brass brigade would arrive at Bladensburg that day, six-pounders and one brass four-pounder. On the and suggests the propriety of throwing Bar- 22d, early, General Young, by order of General ney's seamen and some other troops on the Winder, marched his brigade and took a position right of Nottingham-a demonstration which on a height near the head of Piscataway creek, would menace the rear of the enemy, and his about three miles in the rear of Fort Washingcommunication with his shipping, which would, ton, where the ground was favorable for a small if not stop, much retard his progress. On the detachment to defend the country against a much morning of the 24th, in a short note to the Sec-greater force, and remained in this position until retary of War, General Winder says, the information up the river is threatening; Barney, or some other force, should occupy the batteries at Greenleaf's Point and Navy Yard, and wishes counsel from the Government or the Secretary of War. Upon this note there is an endorsement in the handwriting of General Armstrong to this effect: "Went to General Winder, saw no necessity for ordering Barney to Greenleaf's Point or Navy Yard, advised the Commodore to join the army at Bladensburg, and ordered Minor's regiment to that place."

On the 21st, late at night, Colonel Tayloe arrived in the city from the Northern Neck, where he had been charged with orders in relation to the Virginia draughts, and reported himself to General Armstrong, who issued the following general order:

"General Order:

"War Department, August 22, 1814.-12 o'clock.

the morning of the 24th, when several orders were given to him; first, to march towards the Eastern Branch bridge; second, to cross the Potomac to the Virginia side, &c. This brigade was intended, in its dispositions, to aid Fort Washington, the town of Alexandria, and to be in a situation to join General Winder.

On the morning of the 24th, General Winder established his headquarters near the Eastern Branch bridge; detachments of horse were out in various directions as videttes, and reconnoitering parties, and arrangements made to destroy the Eastern Branch bridge. Colonel George Minor, with his regiment of Virginia militia, composed of six hundred infantry and one hundred cavalry, arrived at the City of Washington in the twilight of the evening of the 23d: he called on the President, who referred him to the Secretary of War for orders; the Secretary informed him that arms could not be had that night, but gave orders to report himself to Colonel Carbery early in the morning, who would furnish him with arms and ammunition, as he was charged with that duty by General Winder. From early in the morning till late in the forenoon Colonel Minor sought Colonel Carbery diligently, but he could not be found. He rode te headquarters and obtained an order from General Winder upou the arsenal for arms, &c., marched to the place with his regiment, and its care he "Lieutenant Colonel Minor will repair to found committed to a young man, whose caution Washington, with the regiment under his com-in giving out arms, &c., very much delayed the mand, with the utmost despatch. He will report on his arrival to Colonel Carbery of the 36th regiment, and make a requisition for arms and ammunition. "JOHN ARMSTRONG."

"General Douglass will assemble his brigade at Alexandria, and hold it there subject to orders. "JOHN ARMSTRONG."

Colonel Tayloe executed this order, and Tuesday night, the 23d, again reported himself to General Armstrong, who issued the following

orders:

"General Order:

"WAR DEPARTMENT.

arming and supplying this regiment. An instance is here given, when the flints were counted out by the officers of the regiment, to expedite business at this crisis, the young man would

Capture of the City of Washington.

count them over before they could be obtained. mounted men arrived, and were placed on the left Colonel Carbery arrived at this moment, apolo flank, and some small distance in its rear. Gengized for his absence, and informed Col. Minor eral Winder now arrived, and told General Stansthat he had the evening previous ridden out to bury and Colonel Monroe that his whole force his country seat. Colonel Minor was again de- was marching for Bladensburg, and approved layed some small length of time, in having to the dispositions which had been made of the remain to sign receipts, &c. His men were troops; at which moment, it had become impracordered to Capitol Hill. In the meantime, vari-ticable, in the opinion of the officers, to make any ous reports were brought into headquarters, as to essential change: for the two armies were now the movements and intentions of the enemy. coming to the battle ground, in opposite direcThe President and Heads of Departments col- tions; and the enemy appeared on the opposite lected at headquarters in the following order: heights at Bladensburg, about a mile distant, and The President, next Secretary of State, next the halted fifteen or twenty minutes. This was about Attorney General, next the Secretary of the twelve o'clock. The troops from the city were Navy, and last the Secretary of War and Treas- disposed of as they arrived. Captain Burch, with ury together. Colonel Monroe had left head-three pieces of artillery, was stationed on the exquarters, upon a rumor, that gained ground, that the enemy was marching upon the city by way of Bladensburg, with a view of joining General Stansbury, advising him of the rumor, and to aid him in the formation of a line of battle to meet the enemy. General Stansbury, for reasons given in his report, had marched from his position in advance of Bladensburg, and occupied the ground west of that village, on the banks of the Eastern Branch. Here the front line of battle was formed by General Stansbury and his officers, with the aid of Colonel Monroe, on the presumption that General Stansbury's brigade and the command of Colonel Sterret included the command of Major Pinkney and Baltimore artillery.

treme left of the infantry of the first line; and a rifle company, armed with muskets, near the battery, to support it. About this time the Secretary of War arrived, and in a few moments after, the President and the Attorney General, and proceeded to examine the disposition of the troops. In the meantime, as the enemy advanced into Bladensburg, the officers were forming rapidly the second line. The command of Commodore Barney came up in a trot; and formed his men on the right of the main road, in a line with the command under Colonels Beall and Hood, with a considerable vacaney, owing to the ground. The heavy artillery, Commodore Barney planted in the road; the three twelve pounders to the right, under Captain Miller, who commanded the flotilla men and marines, as infantry, to support the artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Kramer, with a battalion of Maryland militia, was posted in the wood, in advance of the marines and Colonels Beall and Hood's command. The regiment under command of Colonel Magruder, was stationed on the left of Commodore Barney, and in a line with him and Colonel Beall. The regiment under command of Colonel Brent, and Major Warring's battalion, and some other small detachments, formed the left flank of this second line, and in the rear of Major Peter's battery; and Lieutenant Colonel Scott, with the regulars, was placed in advance of Colonel Magruder, and to the left, forming a line towards Major Peter's battery, but in such a manner as not to mask it; other small detachments in various directions.

There is a bridge over the Eastern Branch at Bladensburg, and a large turnpike road leading direct to the City of Washington. About four hundred yards from this bridge, some small distance to the left of the road, the Baltimore artillery, six pieces of six pounders, occupied a temporary breast-work of earth, well calculated to command the pass over the bridge. Part of the battalion of riflemen, under Major William Pinkney, and one other company, took position on the right of the artillery, partially protected by a fence and brush; and on the left of the battery, leading to the rear of a barn, two companies, from the regiment under Colonel Shutz, and the other part of the riflemen from Baltimore. Colonel Ragan was posted in the rear of Major Pinkney, his right resting on the road; Colonel Shutz, continuing the line on the left, with a small vacancy in the About half-past twelve o'clock, while the seccentre of the two regiments; and Colonel Sterret ond line was thus forming, the enemy approached, formed the extreme left flank of the infantry. At and the battle commenced. The Baltimore arthis moment, Colonels Beall and Hood entered tillery opened a fire and dispersed the enemy's Bladensburg, with the Maryland militia from light troops now advancing along the street of the Annapolis, crossed the bridge, and took a position village, who took a temporary cover behind the on a most commanding height, on the right of the houses and trees, in loose order, and presented obturnpike, about three hundred yards from the jects only occasionally for the fire of the cannon. road, to secure the right flank. In the meantime, The enemy commenced throwing his rockets, and (about eleven o'clock) certain intelligence was his light troops began to concentrate near the received at headquarters, that the enemy was in bridge, and to press across it and the river, which full march towards Bladensburg; which induced was fordable above. The battalion of riflemen, General Winder to put in motion his whole force, under Major Pinkney, now united gallantly with except a few men and a piece of artillery left at the fire from the battery. For some minutes the the Eastern Branch bridge, to destroy it. The fire was continued with considerable effect; the day was hot, and the road was dusty-the marchenemy's column was not only dispersed while in was rapid to Bladensburg. The cavalry and the street, but while approaching the bridge they'

Capture of the City of Washington.

were thrown into some confusion, and the British officers were seen exerting themselves to press the soldiers on. Having now gained the bridge, it was passed rapidly, and as the enemy crossed, flanked, formed a line, and advanced steadily on, which compelled the artillery and battalion of riflemen to give way, after which Major Pinkney was severely wounded. He exerted himself to rally his men, and succeeded, at a small distance in the rear of his first position, and united with the fifth Baltimore regiment.

by the cavalry or horsemen, although the enemy to the left were in open and scattered order, as they pursued or pressed upon our lines, and a most fortunate moment presented itself for a charge of cavalry and horsemen.

It may be proper here to observe that General Winder states his exertions to direct the retreating line to the Capitol, with a view of rallying. This intention is corroborated by Colonel Sterret; but it appears as if this determination was not generally understood by the officers or men. It appears from reports of several officers, Stans Colonel Kramer, posted on the right of the road, bury, Pinkney, Law, Sterret, &c., that the com- and in advance of Commodore Barney, was next mand of General Stansbury was three or four drawn from his position, after having maintained hundred yards in the rear of the battery, and Major his ground with considerable injury to the enemy, Pinkney's riflemen and some other small corps to and retreated upon the command of Colonels Beall the left of the battery; of course this small party and Hood, on a commanding eminence to the had to fight with the whole force of the enemy right. After the retreat of the militia under Coluntil they retired, and the enemy occupied the onel Kramer, from his first position, the enemy's ground they left without any considerable resist-column in the road was exposed to an animated tance, as the enemy marched on without halting discharge from Major Peter's artillery, which conafter the bridge was passed. Captain Burch and tinued until they came into contact with CommoColonel Sterret were about the same distance, dore Barney; here the enemy met the greatest rewhen Colonel Sterret was ordered to advance to sistance, and sustained the greatest loss, advancing support the first line. One of the pieces of artil- upon our retreating line. When the enemy came lery was abandoned, but spiked previously. The in full view, and in a heavy column in the main enemy soon took advantage of the trees of an or- road, Commodore Barney ordered an eighteen chard, which was occupied or held by the force pounder to be opened upon them, which comwhich had just retreated, and kept up a galling pletely cleared the road, scattered, and repulsed fire on part of our line. Captain Burch's artillery, the enemy for a moment. In several attempts to and a small detachment near it, now opened a rally and advance, the enemy was repulsed, which cross fire upon the enemy. Colonel Sterret, | induced him to flank to the right of our lines in with the fifth Baltimore regiment, was ordered an open field. Here Captain Miller opened upon to advance, and made a prompt movement, until him with the three twelve pounders, and the floordered to halt, as at this moment the rockets as- tilla men, acting as infantry, with considerable suming a more horizontal direction, and passing effect. The enemy continued flanking to the near the heads of Colonel Shutz and Ragan's re- right, and pressed upon the command of Colonels giments, the right gave way, which was followed Beall and Hood, which gave way, after three or in a few minutes by a general flight of the two re- four rounds of ineffectual fire, at a considerable giments, in defiance of all the exertions of General distance from the enemy, while Colonel Beall and Winder, Stansbury, and other officers. Burch's other officers attempted to rally the men on this artillery and the 5th regiment remained with high position. The enemy very soon gained the firmness; the orchard obstructed their fire; but flank and even the rear of the right of the second notwithstanding the enemy's light troops were, line. Commodore Barney, Captain Miller, and for a moment, driven back by them, the enemy some other officers of his command, being woundhaving gained the right flank of the fifth, which ed, his ammunition wagons having gone off in exposed it, Burch's artillery and Colonel Sterret, the disorder, and that which the marines and flowho commanded the fifth, were ordered by Gen- tilla men had being exhausted; in this situation, eral Winder to retreat, with a view of forming at a retreat was ordered by Commodore Barney, a small distance in the rear; but instead of retir-who fell himself into the hands of the enemy. ing in order, the fifth, like the two other regiments under General Stansbury, in a very few minutes were retreating in disorder and confusion, notwithstanding the exertions of Colonel Sterret to prevent it. From reports of various officers, exertions were made to rally the men and to bring them again to the battle, which partly succeeded in the first instance, but ultimately, and in a short time, all attempts were vain, and the forces routed; and the first line, together with the horse, were totally routed, and retreated in a road which forked in three directions; one branch led by Rock Creek Church, to Tenleytown and Montgomery Court-house, another led to Georgetown, and a third to the City of Washington. It does not appear that any movement was made or attempted

The second line was not exactly connected, but posted in advantageous positions in connexion with and supporting each other. The command of General Smith, including the Georgetown and city militia, still remained in order, and firm, without any part of them having given way, as well as the command of Lieutenant Colonel Scott of the reg ulars, and some other corps. The enemy's light troops had, in the meantime, advanced on the left of the road, and had gained a line parallel with Smith's command, and, in endeavoring to turn the flank, Colonel Brent was placed in a position calculated to prevent it; the enemy also advanced and came within long shot of part of Colonel Magruder's command, which opened a partial fire, but without much effect; and, at this moment,

Capture of the City of Washington.

his forces, and to interpose for the protection of Baltimore, in case the enemy marched upon it as was anticipated by him. On the 23d, General Winder despatched an order to the commanding officer at Fort Washington to place patrols on every road leading to the garrison; and, upon the event of his being taken in the rear of the fort, to blow it up and retire across the river. On the 26th, the army at Montgomery took up the line of march about ten o'clock towards Baltimore: General Winder proceeded on to Baltimore. On the 27th, General Smith's brigade marched to this District.

and in this situation, General Winder ordered the whole of the troops, then stationary, to retreat, which was effected with as much order as the nature of the ground and the occasion would permit; these troops, after retreating five or six hundred paces, were halted and formed, but were again ordered to retreat by General Winder. General Winder then gave orders to collect and form the troops on the heights west of the turnpike gate, about a mile and a half from the Capitol, which order was in part executed, and the forces formed by General Smith and the other officers, when Colonel George Minor came up with his regiment of Virginia volunteers, and united his forces The distance from Benedict to the City of with General Smith's command, having been de- Washington, by Bladensburg, is upwards of fifty tained, as before stated, in obtaining arms, am- miles. The enemy was without baggage wagons munition, &c.; but, while in the act of forming, or means of transportation; his troops much exGeneral Winder gave orders to retire to the Cap-hausted with fatigue; many compelled to quit the itol, with the expectation of being united with ranks, and extraordinary exertions used to keep the troops of the first line. Colonel Minor was others in motion; and, as if unable to pursue our ordered to take a certain position and disposition, forces, remained on the battle ground; the eneand cover the retreat of all the forces by remain-my's advance reached the city about eight o'clock ing until all had marched for the Capitol. The in the evening, the battle having ended about troops were again halted at the Capitol while two o'clock, or before. The main body of the General Winder was in conference with Colonel enemy remained on the heights west of the turnMonroe and General Armstrong. pike gate.

Doctor Catlett, the superintending surgeon, who was admitted to attend upon the wounded, and who passed through the enemy's camp, and remained at Bladensburg until the city was evacu. ated, had the best opportunity of estimating the loss on both sides, as well as a good opportunity to ascertain the number and force of the enemy. His estimate is as follows:

The first line and cavalry, except one troop of Colonel Lavall's, had taken a route which did not bring them to the Capitol; the most of them had proceeded north of the District of Columbia, and others dispersed and returned home, and sought refreshment in the country. The Commanding General represented the diminution of his force, the dispersion of a large portion of it, the want of discipline, the great fatigue of the troops, and be- Of the enemy.-On Capitol Hill, seven hunlieved that it would be impossible to make effec-dred; Turnpike Hill, two thousand; wounded at tual resistance to the invasion of the city; nor Bladensburg, three hundred; attendants, three did he think it would be proper to attempt to de-hundred; wounded and attendants in the City of fend the Capitol, the troops being without provisions, and which would leave every other part of the city to the mercy of the enemy, and the prospect of losing his army. In this consultation, the Secretaries of State and War, it appears, concurred in their views with General Winder, and advised him to retire and rally the troops upon the heights of Georgetown; this produced an order for the whole force to retreat from Capitol Hill through Georgetown. On receiving this order, the troops evinced the deepest anguish, and that order which had been previously maintained was destroyed. General Smith in his report uses this language: "when the order for a retreat from Capitol Hill was received, the troops evinced an anguish beyond the power of language to express." The troops were halted at Tenleytown, and an attempt was made to collect them together, which only partially succeeded. Some returned home, some went in pursuit of refreshments, and those that halted gave themselves up to the uncontrolled feelings which fatigue, exhaustion, privation, and disappointment, produced. The force thus collected were marched about five miles up the Potomac, and, early in the morning, Thursday the 25th, orders were given to assemble the troops at Montgomery Courthouse. General Winder seems to have taken this position with a view to collect 13th CON. 3d SESS.-49

Washington, sixty; killed at Bladensburg and the city, one hundred and eighty; total force, three thousand five hundred and forty. This statement is corroborated by all the information in his power, besides his own observations. Mr. Law estimated the enemy, on its march, at five thousand; but, from the best information, his estimate would be about four thousand five hundred. Colonel Monroe, who viewed the enemy on his march, estimated the number at about six thousand. Generel Winder states that the best opinion at the Woodyard made the enemy from five to seven thousand. Our forces are variously estimated; and, indeed, from the manner of collecting them, and their dispersion, makes it difficult to ascertain the number with perfect accuracy. General Stansbury represents Colonel Ragan's regiment at five hundred and fifty; Colonel Shutz's regiment at eight hundred; Colonels Beall's and Hood's at eight hundred; Colonel Sterret's regiment at five hundred; Major Pinkney's command, including two companies of artillery, three hundred; making two thousand nine hundred and fifty-three; but General Winder estimates Colonel Beall six or seven hundred; deduct one hundred, this leaves two thousand eight hundred and fifth-three; to which add the command of General Smith, and militia that united with him