lved upon
Colonel Brook, of the 44th regiment, an officer of decided
personal courage, but, perhaps, better calculated to lead a
battalion than to guide an army. Being informed of his
unexpected and undesired elevation, he came to the front, and
under him we continued to move on; sorrowful, indeed, but not
dejected. The skirmishing had now ceased, for the American
riflemen were driven in; and in a few minutes we found ourselves
opposite to a considerable force, drawn up with some skill, and
occupying a strong position. Judging from appearances, I should
say that the corps now opposed to us amounted to six or seven
thousand men. They covered a neck of land, very much resembling
that which we had passed; having both flanks defended by little
inland lakes; the whole of their position was well wooded, and in
front of their line was a range of high palings, similar to those
which intersected the field of Bladensburg. About the centre,
though some way advanced, was a farm-house, with its outbuildings
and stack-yard; and near to the right ran the main road. Their
artillery, which could not greatly exceed our own, either in
weight of metal or number of guns, was scattered along the line
of infantry in nearly the same order as had been preserved at
Bladensburg, and their reserve was partly seen, and partly hid by
a thick wood.

The whole of this country is flat and unbroken. About half a
mile in rear of the enemy's position were some heights, but to
occupy these as they should be occupied would have required a
much greater number of men than the American army could muster.
Their General, therefore, exhibited some judgment in his choice
of ground, but, perhaps, he would have exhibited more had he
declined a pitched battle altogether. Yet, to do him justice, I
repeat that the ground was well chosen; for, besides the covering
of wood which he secured for his own people, he took care to
leave open fields in his front; by which means we were of
necessity exposed to a galling fire, as soon as we came within
range. Of one error, however, he was guilty. Either he did not
possess himself of the farm-house at all, or he suffered it to be
taken from him with very little resistance; for on the arrival of
the column at the ground where it was to form, it was in the
occupation of our advanced guard. He was likewise to blame in
not filling the wood upon our left with skirmishers. In short,
he acted unwisely in merely attempting