MARCH
But the stillness of night soon passed away, and at three o’clock in
the morning every ship in the fleet began to lower her boats, and the
soldiers were roused from their slumbers. The same precautions which
had been formerly used to cover the landing were again adopted, several
gun-brigs laying themselves within cable’s length of the beach, and the
leading boats in every division being armed with carronades, loaded and
ready for action. But, as had been the case at St. Benedict’s, they
were unnecessary, for the troops reached the shore without opposition,
and leisurely formed in an open 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 4th
regiment, led the advance; then followed the artillery, amounting to
six field-pieces and two howitzers, all of them drawn by horses; next
came the second brigade, then the sailors, and last of all the third
brigade. Flank patrols and reconnoitring parties were likewise sent
out; in short, the same admirable dispositions regulated the present
march which had governed our march to Washington.
The column being put in motion, advanced, without the occurrence of any
incident deserving of notice, for about an hour, when it arrived at a
piece of ground which appeared as if it had been lately in possession
of the enemy. It was a narrow neck of land, confined between the river
on one side, and the head of a creek on the other, measuring, perhaps,
a mile across. From the river to the creek a breastwork had been begun,
and was partly 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 itself was dug, and the commencement of what resembled
an enfilading battery in the centre, showed that a considerable degree
of science had been displayed in the choice of this spot as a military
position. And, in truth, it was altogether such a position as, if
completed, might have been maintained by a determined force against
very superior numbers. Both flanks were completely 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; because a fire from it would have swept
the whole, both to the right and left. In its present state, however,
it was untenable, unless by a force as able to attack as to defend;
consequently the Americans, who acted solely on the defensive, did
wisely in choosing another.
But the aspect of the ground was such as led us to conclude that the
enemy could not be very distant. The troops were accordingly halted,
that the rear might be well up, and the men fresh and ready for action.
Whilst this was done part of the flank patrol came in, bringing with
them three light-horse men, as prisoners. These were young gentlemen
belonging to a corps of volunteers, furnished by the town of Baltimore,
who had been sent out to watch our motions, and convey intelligence to
the American General. Being but little accustomed to such service, they
had suffered themselves to be surprised; and, instead of reporting to
their own leader as to the number and dispositions of their
adversaries, they were now catechized by General Ross respecting the
strength and preparations 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 accounts of prisoners are generally
over-rated, we took it for granted that they made their report only to
intimidate.
ATTACK
Having rested for the space of an hour, we again moved forward, but had
not proceeded above a mile when a sharp fire of musketry was heard in
front, and shortly afterwards a mounted officer came galloping 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 silence. 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 detached
parties alone, or by the outposts of a regular army, we could not tell;
because, from the quantity of wood with which the country abounded, 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 the spot
where we stood.
We were already drawing near to the scene of action, when another
officer came at full speed towards us, with horror and dismay in his
countenance, and calling loudly for a surgeon. Every man felt within
himself that all was not right, though none was willing to believe the
whispers of his own terror. But what at first we would not guess at,
because we dreaded it so much, was soon realized; for the aide-de-camp
had scarcely passed, when the General’s horse, without its rider, and
with the saddle and housings stained with blood, came plunging onwards.
Nor was much time given for fearful surmise as to the extent of our
misfortune. In a few moments we reached the ground where the
skirmishing had taken place, and beheld General Ross laid by the side
of the road, under a canopy of blankets, and apparently in the agonies
of death. As soon as the firing began, he had ridden to the front, that
he might ascertain from whence it originated, and, mingling with the
skirmishers, was shot in the side by a rifleman. The wound was mortal:
he fell into the arms of his aide-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 before his
bearers could reach the boats.
It is impossible to conceive the effect which this melancholy spectacle
produced throughout the army. By the courteousness and condescension of
his manners, General Ross had secured the absolute love of all who
served under him, from the highest to the lowest; and his success on a
former occasion, as well as his judicious arrangements on the present,
had inspired every one with the most perfect confidence in his
abilities. His very error, if error it may be called, in so young a
leader—I mean that diffidence in himself which had occasioned some loss
of time on the march to Washington, appeared now to have left him. His
movements were at once rapid and cautious; nay, his very countenance
indicated a fixed determination, and a perfect security of success. All
eyes were turned upon him as we passed, and a sort of involuntary groan
ran from rank to rank, from the front to the rear of the column.
By the fall of our gallant leader, the command now devolved upon
Colonel Brook, of the 44th regiment, an officer of decided personal
courage, but, perhaps, better calculated to lead a battalion than to
guide an army. Being informed of his unexpected and undesired
elevation, he came to the front, and under him we continued to move on;
sorrowful, indeed, but not dejected. The skirmishing 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 from appearances, 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
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-house, with its outbuildings and stack-yard; and near to the right
ran the main road. Their artillery, which could not greatly exceed our
own, either in weight of metal or number of guns, was scattered along
the line of infantry in nearly the same order as had been preserved at
Bladensburg, and their reserve was partly seen, and partly hid by a
thick wood.
The whole of this country is flat and unbroken. About half a mile in
rear of the enemy’s position were some heights, but to occupy these as
they should be occupied would have required a much greater number of
men than the American army could muster. Their General, therefore,
exhibited some judgment in his choice of ground, but, perhaps, he would
have exhibited more had he declined a pitched battle altogether. Yet,
to do him justice, 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 be taken from him with
very little resistance; for on the arrival of the column at the ground
where it was to form, it was in the occupation of our advanced guard.
He was likewise to blame in not filling the wood upon our left with
skirmishers. In short, he acted unwisely in merely attempting to repel
attacks, without ever dreaming that the most effectual mode of so doing
is to turn the tables, and attack the assailants.
As our troops came up they filed off to the right and left, and drew up
just within cannon shot in the following order. The light brigade,
consisting, as I have formerly stated, of the 85th regiment and the
light companies of the other corps, in extended order, threatened the
whole front of the American army. The 21st remained in column upon the
road; the 4th moved off to the right, and advanced through a thicket to
turn the enemy’s left; and the 44th, the seamen and marines, formed
line in rear of the light brigade.
While this formation was going on, the artillery being brought up,
opened upon the American army, and a smart cannonade ensued on both
sides. That our guns were well served I myself can bear witness; for I
saw the Shrapnel shells which were thrown from them strike among the
enemy, and make fearful gaps in the line. Our rockets likewise began to
play, one of which falling short, lighted upon a haystack in the
barn-yard belonging to the farm-house, and immediately set it on fire.
The house itself, the stables, barns, and outhouses, as well as all the
other stacks, one after another caught the flames, and were quickly in
a state of conflagration; and the smoke and blaze which they emitted,
together with the roar of cannon and flashes of the guns, produced
altogether a very fine effect.
In the meantime the American artillery was not idle. Pushing forward
two light field-pieces upon the road, they opened a destructive fire of
grape upon the 21st regiment, and such of the sailors as occupied that
point. Three other guns were directed against our artillery, between
which and several of our pieces a sort of duel was maintained; and the
rest played without ceasing upon the 85th and the light companies, who
had lain down while the other regiments took up their ground. Neither
was their infantry altogether quiet. They marched several strong bodies
from the right to the left, and withdrew others from the left to the
right of their line, though for what end this marching and
countermarching was undertaken I am at a loss to conceive. While thus
fluctuating it was curious to observe their dread of every spot where a
cannon-ball had struck. Having seen the shots fall, I kept my eye upon
one or two places, and perceived that each company as it drew near to
those points hung back; and then assuming as it were a momentary
courage, rushed past, leaving a vacancy between it and the company
which next succeeded.
All this while the whole of our infantry, except the 4th regiment, lay
or stood in anxious expectation of an order to advance. This, however,
was not given till that corps had reached the thicket through which it
was to make its way; when Colonel Brook, with his staff, having
galloped along the line to see that all was ready, commanded the signal
to be made. The charge was accordingly sounded, and echoed back from
every bugle in the army, when, starting from the ground where they had
lain, the troops moved on in a cool and orderly manner. A dreadful
discharge of grape and canister shot, of old locks, pieces of broken
muskets, and everything which they could cram into their guns, was now
sent forth from the whole of the enemy’s artillery, and some loss was
on our side experienced. Regardless of this, our men went on without
either quickening or retarding their pace, till they came within a
hundred yards of the American line. As yet not a musket had been fired,
nor a word spoken on either side, but the enemy, now raising a shout,
fired a volley from right to left, and then kept up a rapid and
ceaseless discharge of musketry. Nor were our people backward in
replying to these salutes; for giving them back both their shout and
their volley, we pushed on at double-quick, with the intention of
bringing them to the charge.
The bayonet is a weapon peculiarly British; at least it is a weapon
which in the hands of a British soldier is irresistible. Though they
maintained themselves with great determination, and stood to receive
our fire till scarcely twenty yards divided us, the Americans would not
hazard a charge. On the left, indeed, where the 21st advanced in
column, it was not without much difficulty and a severe loss that any
attempt to charge could be made; for in that quarter seemed to be the
flower of the enemy’s infantry, as well as the main body of their
artillery; towards the right, however, the day was quickly won. The
only thing to be regretted, indeed, was that the attack had not been
for some time longer deferred; because the Americans were broken and
fled, just as the 4th regiment began to show itself upon the brink of
the water which covered their flank; and before a shallow part could be
discovered, and the troops were enabled to pass, they had time to
escape.
As soon as their left gave way, the whole American army fell into
confusion; nor do I recollect on any occasion to have witnessed a more
complete rout. Infantry, cavalry, and artillery were huddled together,
without the smallest regard to order or regularity. The sole object of
anxiety seemed to be, which should escape first from the field of
battle; insomuch, that numbers were actually trodden down by their
countrymen in the hurry of the flight. Yet, in spite of the short
duration of the action, which lasted little more than two hours from
its first commencement, the enemy’s loss was severe. They stood in some
respects better than at Bladensburg, consequently we were more mingled
with them when they gave way, and were thus enabled to secure some
prisoners, an event which their more immediate flight had on the other
occasion prevented. In the capture of guns, however, we were not so
fortunate. Their pieces being light, and well supplied with horses,
they contrived to carry off all except two; both of which would have
also escaped but for the shooting of the leaders.
I have said that the number of killed and wounded in the American army
was very great; in ours, on the other hand, the casualties were fewer
by far than might have been expected. The 21st and seamen suffered a
good deal, the 85th and light companies a little; but had our gallant
General been spared, we should have pronounced this a glorious, because
a comparatively bloodless day. In the loss of that one man, however, we
felt ourselves more deeply wounded than if the best battalion in the
army had been sacrificed.
In following up the flying enemy the same obstacles which presented
themselves at Bladensburg again came in the way. The thick woods
quickly screened the fugitives, and as even our mounted drivers were
wanting, their horses having been taken for the use of the artillery,
no effectual pursuit could be attempted. We accordingly halted upon the
field of battle, of necessity content with the success which we had
obtained; and having collected the stragglers and called in the
pursuers, it was resolved to pass the night in this situation. Fires
were speedily lighted, and the troops distributed in such a manner as
to secure a tolerable position in case of attack; and the wounded being
removed into two or three houses scattered along the ground, the
victors lay down to sleep under the canopy of heaven.
Having thus given a distinct and connected detail of this affair, I
shall beg leave to finish the present chapter with one or two
anecdotes, which may not be unamusing. It is said that when Admiral
Cockburn, who accompanied the army, and attended General Ross with the
fidelity of an aide-de-camp, was in the wood where the latter fell, he
observed an American rifleman taking deliberate aim at him from behind
a tree. Instead of turning aside, or discharging a pistol at the
fellow, as any other man would have done, the brave Admiral, doubling
his fist, shook it at his enemy, and cried aloud, “O you d—d Yankee,
I’ll give it you!” upon which the man dropped his musket in the
greatest alarm, and took to his heels.
It is likewise told of an officer of engineers, that having overtaken
an American soldier, and demanded his arms, the fellow gave him his
rifle very readily, but being ordered to resign a handsome
silver-hilted dagger and silver-mounted cartouch-box, which graced his
side, he refused to comply, alleging that they were private property,
and that, by our own proclamations, private property should be
respected. This was an instance of low cunning which reminded me of my
own adventure with the squirrel-hunters, and which was attended with
equal success.
One other anecdote, of a different nature, and for the truth of which I
can myself answer, may likewise be related. In strolling over the field
of battle, I came unexpectedly upon a wounded American, who lay among
some bushes with his leg broken. I drew near to offer him assistance,
but on seeing me the wretch screamed out, and appeared in the greatest
alarm; nor was it without some difficulty that I could persuade him he
had nothing to fear. At last, being convinced that I intended him no
harm, the fellow informed me that it was impressed upon the minds of
the American levies that from the British they might expect no quarter;
and that it was consequently their determination to give no quarter to
the British troops. The fellow might belie his countrymen, and I hope
and believe he did, but such was his report to me. To convince him of
the erroneousness of his notions, I removed him to one of our
hospitals, where his leg was amputated; and he saw himself, as well as
many others of his wounded comrades, treated with the same attention
which was bestowed upon our own soldiers.