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1814.]

Destruction of Washington.

Total Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Right Division, in the Assault of Port Erie.

Killed. Two lieutenant-colonels; one captain; one lieutenant; one serjeant; one drummer; 51 rank and file.

Wounded. One deputy-assistant quarter-master-general; one major; eight captains; eleven lieutenants; two ensigns; one master; twelve seamen; twenty ser jeants; three drummers; 240 rank and file.

Missing. One deputy-assistant quartermaster-general; one captain; three lientenants; two ensigns; one midshipman; one adjutant; seven seamen; forty-one serjeants; three drummers; 472 rank and file.-Total 388.

Names of Officers killed, wounded, and

missing.

Killed.-First, or Royal Scots, Captain Torrens. 8th regiment, Lieutenant Noel. 103d, Colonel Scott. 104th, LieutenantColonel Drummond.

Wounded.-General Staff, Captain Powell,deputy-assistant quarter-master-general, slight contusion. Navy, Captain Dobbs; Lieutenant Stevenson, slightly; Mr. Harris, master, severely. Royal Scots, Captain Rowan, severely; Lieutenant Vaughan, slightly. 8th regiment, Lieutenant Young, slightly. 41st flank companies, Captains Glew and Bullock, severely; Lieutenant Hailes, slightly; Ensign Townshend, se verely. 89th regiment, Captain Barney, severely. 100th, Volunteer Frazer, severely. 103d, Major Smolt; Captains Gardner, severely, and Colclough, severely and prisoner; Lieutenants Follon, severely, Charlton, severely and prisoner, Cuppage, jun. dangerously, Meagher, slightly, Burrows and Hazen, severely; and Ensign Nash, severely. 104th, flank companies, Captain Leonard and Lieutenant M'Laugh lan, severely.

Missing.General Staff, Captain Elliott, deputy-assistant quarter-master-general. Navy, Mr. Hide, midshipman. 41st, flank companies, Lieutenant Garner and Ensign Hall. 100th, light company, Lieutenant Murray, wounded and prisoner. 103d regiment, Captain Irwin, Lieutenant Kaye, Ensign Huey, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Pettit.

Downing-street, Sept. 27, 1814. Captain Smith, Assistant AdjutantGeneral to the troops under the com. mand of Major-General Ross, arrived this morning with a dispatch from that officer, addressed to Earl Bathurst, one of his Majesties principal Secretaries of State, of which the following is a copy.

Tonant, in the Patuxent; Aug. 30, 1814. MY LORD-I have the honour to communicate to your Lordship, that, on the MONTHLY MAG. No. 261.

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night of the 24th inst. after defeating the army of the United States on that day, the troops under my command entered and took possession of the city of Washington.

It was determined between Sir A. Coch rane and myself, to disembark the army at the village of Benedict, on the right bank of the Patuxent, with the intention of cooperating with Rear-Admiral Cockburn, in an attack upon a flotilla of the enemy's gun-boats, under the command of Commo dore Barney. On the 20th instant, the army commenced its march, having landed the previous day without opposition; on the 21st it reached Nottingham, and on the 22d moved on to Upper Marlborough, a few miles distant from Pig Point on the Patuxtent, whère Admiral Cockburn fell in with and defeated the flotilla, taking and destroying the whole. Having advanced to within sixteen miles of Washington, and ascertaining the force of the enemy to be such as might authorise an attempt at carrying his capital, I determined to make it, and accordingly put the troops in move ment on the evening of the 23d. A corps of about 1200 men appeared to oppose us, but retired after a few shots. On the 24th the troops resumed their march, and reached Bladensburg, a village situated on the left bank of the eastern branch of the Potowmack, about five miles from Washington.

On the opposite side of that river the enemy was discovered strongly posted on very commanding heights, formed in two lines; his advance occupying a fortified house, which, with artillery, covered the bridge over the eastern branch, across which the British troops had to pass. A broad and a straight road leading from the bridge to Washington, ran through the enemy's position, which was carefully de fended by artillery and riflemen.

The disposition for attack being made, it was commenced with so much impe tuosity by the light brigade, consisting of the 85th light infantry and the light in fantry companies of the army, under the command of Colonel Thornton, that the fortified house was shortly carried, the enemy retiring to the higher grounds.

In support of the light brigade I ordered up a brigade under the command of Col Brooke, who, with the 44th regiment, attacked the enemy's left, the 4th regiment pressing his right with such effect as to cause him to abandon his guns. His first line giving way, was driven on the second, which yielding to the irresistible attack of the bayonet, and the well-directed discharge of rockets, got into confusion and fled, leaving the British masters of the > field. The rapid flight of the enemy, and his knowledge of the country, precluded the possibility of many prisoners being taken, more particularly as the troops had, 2 Z

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during the day, undergone considerable fatigue.

The enemy's army, amounting to eight or nine thousand men, with three or four hundred cavalry, was under the command of General Winder, being formed of troops drawn from Baltimore and Pensylvania. His artillery, ten pieces of which fell into our hands, was commanded by Com modore Barney, who was wounded and taken prisoner.

Having halted the army for a short time, I determined to march upon Washington, and reached that city at eight o'clock that night. Judging it of consequence to complete the destruction of the public buildings with the least possible delay, so that the army might retire without loss of time, the following buildings were set fire to and consumed:-the Capitol, including the Senate House and House of Representation, the arsenal, the dock-yard, the treasury, the President's palace, the rope-walk, and the great bridge across the Potowmack: in the dock-yard a frigate nearly ready to be launched, and a sloop of war, were consumed. The two bridges leading to Washington over the eastern branch, had been destroyed by the enemy, who appre hended an attack from that quarter.

The object of the expedition being accomplished, I determined, before any greater force of the enemy could be as sembled, to withdraw the troops, and accordingly commenced retiring on the night of the 25th. On the evening of the 29th we reached Benedict, and re-embarked the following day. In the performance of the operations I have detailed, it is with the utmost satisfaction I observe to your Lordship, that cheerfulness in undergoing fatigue, and anxiety for the accomplishment of the object, were conspicuous in all

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An attack upon an enemy so strongly posted could not be effected without loss. have to lament that the wounds received by Colonel Thornton, and the other officers and soldiers left at Bladenburg, were such as prevented their removal. As many of the wounded as could be brought off were removed, the others being left with medical care and attendants. The arrange ments made by Staff-Surgeon Baster for their accommodation, have been as satis factory as circumstances would admit of. The agent for British prisoners of war, very fortunately resided at Bladensburg. I have recommended the wounded officers and men to his particular attention, and trust to his being able to effect their exchange when sufficiently recovered. (Signed)

ROB. Ross, Major-General. I beg leave to inclose herewith a return of the killed, wonnded, and missing, in the action of the 24th inst. together with a statement of the ordnance, ammunition, and ordnance stores taken from the enemy

between the 19th and 25th of August, and likewise sketches of the scene of action, and of the line of march.

Total Return of killed, wounded, and missing.

1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 5 serjeants, 56 rank and file, 10 horses, killed; 2 lieut.. colonels, 1 major, 1 captain, 14 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 10 serjeants, 155 rank and file, 8 horses, wounded.

Names of Officers killed and wounded. Killed.-85th Light Infantry-Capt. Ha milton, Lieut. Codd.

4th, or King's Own-Lieut. Woodward. Wounded.-85th Light Infantry-Col Thornton, Lieut.-Col. Wood; and Major Brown, severely (left at Bladensburg).

21st. Capt. Rennie, severely (not dan gerously).

4th.-Lieut. Hopkins, severely; Lient Mackenzie, slightly; Lieut. Staveley, se verely, (left at Bladensburg); Lieuts. Boul by and Field, slightly.

21st.-Lieut. Grace, slightly.

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85th.-Lients. Williams and Burrell, se verely; F. Maunsell, slightly; O'Connor and Gascoyne, severely; Hickson and Gleig, slightly; Crouchly, severely.

4th. Ensign Buchanan, severely, (left at Bladensburg); Ensign Reddock, se verely.

Return of Ordnance and Stores taken between the 19th and 25th of August, 1814.

Total amount of cannon taken 206, 500 barrels of powder, 100,000 rounds of musket-ball cartridge, 40 barrels of finegrained powder, a large quantity of ammu nition of different natures made up.

The Park and Tower guns were fired in honour of this event; and a letter from Viscount Melville to the Lord Mayor, early posted at the Mansion house, announced the particulars, as sub joined:

Admiralty-Office, Sept. 27, 1814 acquaint your Lordship, that Captain. "MY LORD,-I have the satisfaction to Wainwright, of his Majesty's ship Tonnant arrived at this office this morning, with dispatches from Vice-Admiral Sir A. Coch tion, by his Majesty's forces, of the City of rane, announcing the capture and destruc Washington, on the 24th ult. after a severe, but decisive, action, at Bladensburg, in advance of Washington, in which a very superior number of the enemy were driven from a strong position, and totally routed, with the loss of all their cannon. dore Barney's flotilla, a frigate of the Commolargest class on the stocks, the dock-yard, arsenals, and all public property and buildIt is with ings have been destroyed. pleasure I can add, that the British loss is small in comparison with that of the ene my, and in consideration of the services performed.

To the Lord Mayor.”

MELVILLE."

REPULSE

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REPULSE AT BALTIMORE. Admiralty Office, October 17, 1814. Captain Crofton, of his Majesty's ship the Royal Oak, arrived this morning with a dispatch from Admiral the Hon. Sir Alexander Cochrane, K.B. inclosing the following dispatch from Rear-Admiral Cockburn:

His Majesty's Ship Severn, in the Patapsco, 15th Sept. 1814. SIR,-In furtherance of the instructions I had the honour to receive from you on the 11th instant, I landed at day light of the 12th, with Major-General Ross and the force under his command, at a place the General and myself had previously fixed upon, near to North Point, at the entrance of the Patapsco, and, in conformity with his wishes, I determined on remaining on shore, and accompanying the army to render him every assistance within my power during the contemplated movements and operations; therefore, so soon as our landing was completed, I directed Captain Nourse, of this ship, to advance up the Patapsco with the frigates, sloops, and bomb ships, to bombard the fort, and threaten the water approach to Baltimore, and I moved on with the army and seamen (under Captain Edward Crofton) attached to it, on the direct road leading to the above-mentioned town.

We had advanced about five miles (without other occurrence than taking prisoners a few light horsemen) when the General and myself, being with the advanced guard, observed a division of the enemy posted at a turning of the road, extending into a wood on our left; a sharp fire was almost immediately opened upon us from it, and as quickly returned with considerable effect by our advanced guard, which pressing steadily forward, soon obliged the enemy to run off with the utmost precipitation, leaving behind him several men killed and wounded; but it is with the most heartfelt sorrow I have to add, that, in this short and desultory skirmish, my gallant and highly-valued friend, the Major-General, received a musket-ball through his arm into his breast, which proved fatal to him on his way to the water side for re-embarkation.

Colonel Brook, on whom the command of the army now devolved, having come up, and the body of our troops having closed with the advance, the whole proceeded forward about two miles further, where we observed the enemy in force drawn up before us, (apparently about six or seven thousand strong); on perceiving our army he filed off into a large and extensive wood on his right, from which he commenced a cannonade on us from his field pieces, and drew up his men be hind a thick paling, where he appeared determined to make his stand. Our field

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guns answered his with evident advantages and so soon as Colonel Brook had made the necessary dispositions, the attack was ordered and executed in the highest style possible. The enemy opened his musketry on us from his whole line, immediately we approached within reach of it, and kept up his fire till we reached and entered the wood, when he gave way in every direc tion, and was chased by us a considerable distance with great slaughter, abandoning his post of the Meeting House, situated in this wood, and leaving all his wounded, and two of his field guns, in our pos session.

The night being fast approaching, and the troops much fatigued, Colonel Brook determined on remaining for the night on the field of battle, and on the morning of the 13th, leaving a small guard at the Meeting House, to collect and protect the wounded, we again moved forward towards Baltimore, on approaching which it was found to be defended by extremely strong works on every side, and immediately in front of us by an extensive hill, on which was an intrenched camp, and great quan tities of artillery, and the information we collected, added to what we observed, gave us to believe there were at least within their works from 15 to 20,000 men. Colonel Brook lost no time in reconnoitring these defences, after which he made his arrangements for storming, during the ensuing night, with his gallant little army, the entrenched camp in our front, notwithstanding all the difficulties which it presented. The subsequent communications which we opened with you, however, induced him to relinquish again the idea, and therefore, yesterday morning, the army re, tired leisurely to the Meeting House, where it halted for some hours, to make the necessary arrangements respecting the wounded and the prisoners taken on the 12th; which being completed, it made a further short movement in the evening towards the place where it bad disem barked, and where it arrived this morning for re-embarkation, without suffering the slighest molestation from the enemy, who, in spite of his superiority of numbers, did not even venture to look at us during this slow and deliberate retreat.

GEORGE COCKBURN.

The total loss of the army was 3 officers, 2 serjeants, 35 rank and file, killed; 7 cap tains, 4 subalterns, 11 serjeants, 299 rank and file, wounded.

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Names of Officers killed and wounded. Killed, Major-General Ross. 21st Foot.-Lieutenant Gracie. 44th Foot. Capt. Hamilton Greenshields. Wounded. 21st Foot. Brevet-Major Riene, slightly; Lient. Lesvocq, severely. 44th. Brevet-Major Currie, slightly; Captain George Hill, Lieut. Rich. Cruice, and Ensign J. White, severely. 822

85th.

85th.-Captains W. P. De Bathe, J. D. Hicks, and Lieut. G. Wellings, slightly. Royal Marines.-Captain John Dobbins, severely. Killed, wounded, and missing of the NAVY, on the 12th of September. 14 killed, 92 wounded, and 1 missing.

CAPTURES ON THE PENOBSCOT. Downing-street, October 8, 1814. Major Addison arrived yesterday with a dispatch from Lieutenant-General Sir J.C. Sherbrooke, K.B. addressed to Earl Bathurst, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, of which the following is a copy:

Castine, at the entrance of the Penobscot, September 18, 1814. MY LORD, I have now the honour to inform your Lordship, that, after closing my dispatch on the 26th ult. in which I mentioned my intentions of proceeding to the Penobscot, Rear-Admiral Griffith and myself lost no time in sailing from Halifax, with such a naval force as he deemed necessary, and the troops as per margin, (viz. 1st company of Royal Artillery, two rifle companies of the 7th battalion 60th regiment, 29th, 62d, and 98th regiments,) to accompany the object we had in view.

The fort of Castine, which is situated upon a peninsula of the eastern side of the Penobscot, near the entrance of that river, was summoned a little after sun-rise, but the American officer refused to surrender it, and immediately opened a fire from four 24-pounders upon a small schooner that had been sent with Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls (commanding Royal Engineers) to reconmoitre the work.

Arrangements were immediately made for disembarking the troops, but, before a landing could be effected, the enemy blow up the magazine, and escaped up the Majetaquadous river, carrying off in the boats with them two field-pieces.

As we had no means of ascertaining what force the Americans had on this peninsula, I landed a detachment of Royal Artillery, with two rifle companies of the 60th and 98th regiment under Colonel Douglas, in the rear of it, with orders to secure the isthmus,and to take possession of the heights which command the town; but I soon learned there were no regulars at Castine, except the party which had blown up the magazine and escaped, and that the militia, which were assembled there, had dispersed immediately on our landing.

Rear-Admiral Griffith and myself next turned our attention to obtaining possession of the Adams, or if that could not be done, to destroying her. The arrangement for this service having been made, the Rear Admiral entrusted the execution of it to Captain Barrie, royal navy; and, as the co

operation of a land force was necessary, I directed Lieutenant-Colonel John, with a detachment of artillery, the flank companies of the 29th, 62d, and 98th regiments, and one rifle company of the 60th, to ac company and co-operate with Captain Barrie on this occasion; but, as Hamden is twenty-seven miles above Castine, it appeared to me a necessary measure of precaution first to occupy a post on the western bank, which might afford support, if necessary, to the force going up the river, and at the same time prevent the armed popula ward and to the westward, from annoying tion, which is very numerous to the souththe, British in their operations against the Adams.

Having ascertained that the object of the expedition up the Penobscot had been attained, it was no longer necessary for me to occupy Belfast; I therefore, on the evening of the 6tir, directed Major-General Gosselin to embark the troops, and to join me here.

Machias being the only place now remaining where the enemy had a post between the Penobscot and Passamaquady Bay, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Pilkington to proceed with a detachment of Royal Artillery and the 29th regiment to occupy it: and, as naval assistance was required, Rear Admiral Griffith directed Captain Parker, of the Tenedos, to co-operate with Lieutenant-Colonel Pilkington upon this occasion.

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On the morning of the 9th, Captain Barrie, with Lieutenant-Colonel John, and the troops, which had been employed with him up the Penobscot, returned to Castine. It seems the enemy blew up the Adams, on his strong position at Hamden being attacked; but all his artillery, two stands of colours, and a standard, with several merchant vessels, fell into our hands. This, I am happy to say, was accomplished with very little loss on our part; and your Lord." ship will perceive, by the return sent here with, that the only officer wounded in this affair is Captain Gell, of the 29th grenadiers.

Twenty-four pieces of cannon, of differ ent calibres, fell into our hands on this occasion, more than half of which the enemy had rendered unserviceable.

Brigadier General Brewer, who com manded the militia in this district, and some other respectable persons, had sent a letter addressed to Lieutenant Pilkington' and Captain Parker, offering to capitulate; the next day was appointed to receive those gentlemen, for the purpose of accepting the terms therein offered. LieutenantColonel Pilkington says, that, as soon as this is done he shall transmit me his official report, which I will forward to your Lordship by the first opportunity. The Lienténant-Colonel further mentions the great as sistance

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1814.]

Incidents in and near London.

sistance he received from Captain Parker of the Royal Navy, and the naval forces employed under him; and says, that the conduct of the troops is deserving of great praise.

I have great pleasure in congratulating your Lordship upon the whole of the country between Penobscot River and Pas

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samaquaddy Bay being now in our pos
session.
J. C. SHERBROOKE.
Return of killed, wounded, and missing.
Total. 1 rank and file killed.-1 cap-
tain, 7 rank and file, wounded.-1 rank
and file missing.

Name of Officer wounded-29th Regh
Capt. Gell, severely, (not dangerously.)

INCIDENTS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS, IN LONDON,
MIDDLESEX, AND SURREY;

With Biographical Memoirs of distinguished Characters recently deceased.

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ON the 17th, about half past five in the by it appears that such conference is war

afternoon, the iron hoops gave way rantable by the law, and custom of parof a Vat containing 3500 barrels of porter, liament." And hence upon the same great in the store-house of Messrs. MEUX and constitutional principle it was, that wages Co. in St. Giles's, and the sudden torrent, used formerly to be paid the members; for forcing down the adjoining walls of the we have the authority of Lord Coke, as brew-house, overwhelmed, the immediate well as historic record, for stating, that in neighbourhood with porter and ruins. The. the time of Edward III. the sum of 4s. per backs of several houses in Great Russel- diem was paid to county members, and 2s. street were thrown down or injured, and to burgesses." By this state of represen a young woman killed in the yard, of one of tation, an identity of interest was prethem; and the whole of one, and part of served between the constituent and repreanother, of the smaller and older houses in sentative, and our deputies became what New-street, inhabited by several poor fa- they ought ever to be, and what alone can milies, were beat to the ground, and many preserve the rights and liberties of the peowomen and children buried under the ple, " the general inquisitors of the realm, ruins. Unhappily from inattention, or for maintenance and execution of laws, and from the want of a suitable police for such for redress of divers mischiefs and griepurposes, the ruins were not removed till vances.' In the same spirit it has been the following day, when eight women and proclaimed by our best laws, and greatest children were found lifeless or irrecover statesmen, "as essential to the very being able! The total loss of Messrs. Meux and of parliament, that elections should be abl Co. was 9000 barrels of porter, worth about solutely free, and that all undue influences 20,0001. besides damage to their own upon the electors are illegal, and strongly and neighbours' premises of 50001. Of prohibited;" and "that the greatest danger course such vats ought to be placed below is-by the infamous practice of bribery and the level of the street, or built of stone corruption." "That it is our birthright to under ground, in the manner of Messrs. enjoy entire our rights and liberties; and Whitbread's. that the true excellence of the English government consists in this that all the parts of it form a mutual check upon each other." Before your committee proceed to delineate the violation of these principles, and deduce therefrom the necessity of reformation, they beg to call your atten tion to another great constitutional principle, founded upon the duration of parliament. And here they have the highest authority, no less than a law of Alfred, for asserting, that, in the earliest times, par liaments (called then councils,) were dained for a perpetual usage to assemble in London twice in the year, or oftener, if need were, to speak their minds for the guiding of the people :" that, in after times, parliament used to be convened "once a year," and that this continued the law of the land (though sometimes violated) for many centuries, till it was set aside by the triennial Act of William III.; which was the first direct statute that legalized such violation of the constitution; and which continued in existence only twenty-one

Report of the committee of THE HAMPDEN CLUB, appointed to take into consider ation the cause of PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. "It appears from the most authentic records of history, that the whole body of the freeholders, under the denomination of Thanes or Barons, had, from the earliest ages, an indisputable right of appearing personally in the great councils of the nation, and deciding therein, by vote, upon the arduous business of the realm; that this right was frequently practised; that when in subsequent times they chose deputies, or representatives, they did not thereby abridge their personal right, but that those deputies were appointed solely to carry the sense of their principals.". And so sensible were they of this their state of trust and responsibility, that Lord Coke has declared, that, when new subsidies were demanded, the Commons used to say: "They dare not agree with ont conference with their counties, and places which had put them in trust; where 4

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