that they quitted the field."
Therefore, in the battle of Bladensburg, the blue-jackets won nothing
but honor, though the results of the battle were so mortifying to the
national pride of the people of the United States.

On the 25th of August the British left the smoking ruins of Washington
behind them, and made for their fleet lying in the Patuxent. They
feared that the outraged nation would rise upon them, and turn their
march into a bloody retreat, like that of the British soldiery from
the historic field of Lexington. Accordingly their departure was by
night, immediately after a furious storm of rain and wind. Strict
orders were issued to all the Americans in Washington, warning them,
under penalty of death, not to leave their houses until the sun rose
the next morning. Then the British stealthily marched out of the town.
"No man spoke above his breath," says subaltern Gleig. "Our very steps
were planted lightly, and we cleared the town without exciting
observation." A two days' march brought them to Benedict, where the
fleet lay in waiting for their reception.

[Illustration: The Burning of Washington.]

In the mean time, a portion of the British fleet had ascended the
Potomac as far as Alexandria, and, finding that town defenceless,
proceeded to dictate to the inhabitants the terms upon which they
could save their village from desolation. The British demanded that
all naval stores and ordnance, all the shipping and its furniture, all
merchandise, and all provisions in the town should be surrendered.
Several vessels had been scuttled, to prevent their falling into the
hands of the enemy; these, the British demanded, should be raised,
repaired, and delivered to them Time, however, did not permit the
fulfilment of this condition; but to the others, harsh and humiliating
though they were, the inhabitants were forced to accede. Heavy laden
with the spoils of the village, the pillagers weighed anchor and
started down the Potomac. But they were not destined to carry away
their booty unmolested. News of the expedition reached Baltimore, and
a large party of the sailors at the navy-yard were sent to the banks
of the Potomac to cut off the enemy's retreat. They were officered by
four men famous in American naval annals,--Perry, Rodgers, Porter, and
Creighton. At Indian Head, just below Mount Vernon, the Potomac River
narrows and flows swiftly between densely wooded bluffs. At this point
the Americans threw up redoubts,