to follow up the advantage, and Ross having ral lied his men, extended his front so as to attack the marines in front and on both flanks. Being thus assailed, the marines could not hold their ground; Col. Millar having been wounded, Capt. Sevier ordered them to retire. Barney, no longer sustained by the infantry, was unable to maintain his position, though his gallant sailors worked the guns until they were surrounded and some of their number bayonetted at their posts. Then, only, they retired, leaving their gallant commander covered with wounds in the hands of the enemy, who, admiring his gallant resistance, treated him with great consideration. 17. The main body of militia and a body of regular cavalry and infantry, eager to join in the fight, in the moment of victory, by the folly of their officers, were ordered to retire. When once undisciplined troops look back, a panic seizes them; it was so at Bladensburg; an unwilling retreat became a rout. 18. Washington thus fell into the hands of the enemy, who burned the capitol, the president's house and all the public offices. They then returned to their shipping at Benedict, having lost in the expedition four hundred men, killed and wounded, and five hundred prisoners. The loss Questions.-17. What is said in this section? 18. What did the British do at Washington? How many did the British lose? How many the Americans? of the Americans was about thirty killed, fifty wounded, and one hundred and twenty taken pris oners. 19. The squadron under Capt. Gordon ascended the Potomac as far as Alexandria, which was plundered of all the merchandise of every description, whether in town, or removed within the past ten days. 20. Sir Peter Parker, who ascended the Chesapeake, was not so fortunate as the other officers. He landed at night, in the neighborhood of Moor's fields, near Belair, Kent county, with the view of surprising a party of militia under Col. Reed. In this he was disappointed, for the militia, having heard the approach of the barges, were prepared to receive them. Sir Peter Parker landed with two hundred and thirty men. The militia under Colonel Reed consisted of one hundred and sevSir Peter was repulsed, and soon after died of his wounds. enty men. Questions.-19. What is said of the squadron under Capt. Gordon? 20. What was Parker's success? 1. General Ross now turned his eyes upon Baltimore. Anticipating his design, the governor had ordered the militia of the State to hold themselves in readiness, and large bodies were marched to the city for its defence. About seven hundred regu lars, several volunteer and militia companies from Pennsylvania and Virginia, increased their strength to about fifteen thousand men. Questions.-1. Where did Ross now turn? What had the gov ernor ordered? Who had assembled? 2. They were commanded by General Samuel Smith, who had distinguished himself in the revolution by his gallant defence at Fort Mifflin. One division of the army was confided to General Winder, the other to General Stricker. 3. As soon as it was announced that the British were approaching the city, the militia flocked in from all quarters in such numbers, that neither arms, ammunition nor provisions could be supplied them, and the services of many were necessarily declined. 4. The fleet threatening Baltimore consisted of about forty vessels-the largest of which anchored across the channel—and landed troops at North Point, about fourteen miles from the city. 5. On the 12th, eight thousand troops were ready for marching, and sixteen bomb vessels proceeded up the Patapsco, and anchored within two and a half miles from Fort McHenry. 6. The defences of the city consisted of this fort, commanded by Lieut. Col. Armistead; two batteries were erected on the south side, one at the Lazaretto, under Lieut. Rutter, the other a six gun battery under Lieutenant Steuber. Lines of entrenchment were hastily thrown up; along these Questions.-2. By whom commanded? How were the divisions commanded? 3. What was the effect of the announcement of the approach of the British? 4. What did the fleet consist of? How many troops were landed? 5. What is said in this section ? 6. Of what did the defences of the city consist? breastworks were stationed about four thousand men. 7. As the British advanced towards the city, General Stricker was ordered forward with three thousand two hundred men, to oppose their progress. He took a position about eight miles from the city, his right resting on Bear Creek, and his left covered by a marsh. 8. In a skirmish with the rifles, who were thrown in the advance, the British commander, Gen. Ross, was killed. Among these rifles were two apprentice boys, named Wells and McComas. There is a tradition that these boys, concealed behind some bushes, fired upon the General as he was advancing, and that then rising to see the effect of their shot, themselves received the fire of a whole plaTheir remains are buried in the City of toon. Baltimore. 9. General Brook, the second in command, continued to advance, and, at half-past three, action commenced with the main body by a heavy cannonade. 10. The fifty-first regiment having fallen into confusion, while executing an order, failed to keep its ground, and by its retreat the American force was reduced to about one-third of the enemy.Notwithstanding this disparity the line maintained - Questions.-7. Who was ordered forward? 8. Who was killed? What is said of Wells and McComas? 9. Who succeeded him? 10. What is said of the fifty-first? |