actics of squadron evolutions. On the 1st of that
month occurred the first brush with the enemy. The American flotilla
was then lying in Chesapeake Bay, a little below the mouth of the
Patuxent; and, a portion of the enemy's squadron coming within range,
Barney ordered out his forces in chase. The British, outnumbered, fled
down the bay; but, though Barney was rapidly overhauling them, he saw
his hopes of victory shattered by the sudden appearance of His
Britannic Majesty's seventy-four gun ship "Dragon." Thus re-enforced,
it became the turn of the British to pursue; and the Americans
retreated, firing constantly as they fled. The British continuing
their advance, Barney was forced to take shelter in the Patuxent
River; and he was gradually forced up that stream as far as the mouth
of St. Leonard's Creek. The enemy then, feeling certain that the
Americans were fairly entrapped, anchored at the mouth of the river,
and awaited re-enforcements. These soon arrived; and on the 8th of the
month the enemy's forces, consisting of a frigate, brig, and two
schooners, moved up the river to the mouth of the creek. Farther they
could not go, owing to shoal-water; but they fitted out a small
flotilla of barges, and sent them on up the creek. With this enemy
Commodore Barney was ready to come to close quarters; and he moved
down upon the British, who quickly retreated to the shelter of their
ships. Two or three such sham attacks were made by the enemy, but not
until the 10th of the month did they actually give battle to the
Americans.

On the morning of that day the British advanced in force to the
attack; and the peaceful little creek was ablaze with flags and bright
uniforms, and the wooded shores echoed back the strains of martial
music. Twenty-one barges, one rocket-boat, and two schooners formed
the British column of attack, which moved grandly up the creek, with
the bands playing patriotic airs, and the sailors, confident of
victory, cheering lustily. Eight hundred men followed the British
colors. Against this force Barney advanced with but five hundred
sailors. His sloop and gun-vessels he left at anchor, as being too
unwieldy for the narrow shoal-waters of St. Leonard's Creek; and he
met the enemy's flotilla with but thirteen barges. The enemy opened
the action at long range with rockets and howitzers. The former were
terrible missiles in an action of this character, corresponding to the
shells of modern naval warfare. Some i