American republic, was greater facility of access, and the destruction
of Commodore Barney's powerful flotilla of gun-boats, which had taken
refuge in its creeks. This flotilla, snugly moored in a situation only
twelve miles from Washington, was fallen in with by Admiral Cockburn,
on the 23rd. The Americans then seeing that it must be captured set
fire to it and fled. Out of sixteen fine gun-boats, fifteen were
totally consumed, but one gun-boat missed destruction and it, with
thirteen merchant schooners, was made a prize of. The troops now
marched rapidly forward. There were about 3,500 men, with 200 sailors
to drag the guns, to oppose General Winder, who, with 16,600 men, had,
on the faith of a hint received from Ghent, taken measures to protect
the capital. When the British approached, however, General Winder had
only 6,500 infantry, 300 cavalry, and 600 sailors to work the guns,
which were twenty-six in number, while the British had only two. He
took up a position at Bladensburg, six miles from Washington, so as to
command the only bridge over the little Potomac, by which it could be
crossed, and the highway to Washington being directly through his
centre. He directed all his artillery upon the bridge. But the men now
opposed to the Americans knew well how to carry bridges. General Ross,
having formed his troops into two columns, the one under Colonel
Thornton, and the other under Colonel Brooke, ordered the bridge to be
crossed. Hardly was the order given, when in spite of artillery and
musketry, Thornton's column had dashed across, carried a fortified
house at the opposite side, and being quickly followed by the other
division, had spread out sharpshooters on either flank. The militia of
the United States soon got into confusion, and soon after fled. Indeed
Commodore Barney and his sailors made the most gallant resistance, but
he was soon overpowered, wounded, and with a great part of the seamen
under him fell into the hands of the British. Ten guns were taken, the
whole army was totally routed; and the enemy were fleeing past
Washington, to the heights of Georgetown, horse and foot, as fast as
fear could carry them. The day was oppressively hot, and the British
army uninfluenced by fear were not able to continue their advance until
the cool of the evening. They had not "suffered" at all. The entire
loss was only 61 killed and 185 wounded. By eight at night they were
within a mile of Washington, and the main body h