oceedings during the incursion to
Washington, with this exception, that more science was displayed
now than formerly in the distribution of their forces along their
principal position. At Bladensburg, indeed, there existed no
works, and the troops were badly arranged in an open country:
here there were not only fortifications, but fortifications
constructed in a scientific manner, and troops drawn up in such
order, as that, even without their works, many cross fires would
have protected their front. But they neglected numerous
favourable opportunities of harassing both our advance and
retreat. They felled trees, but left no guards to keep them from
being removed, and took no advantage of the delays which their
removal created. They risked a battle with a part of their army,
when there was no necessity for it; in a word, they committed all
those errors which men generally commit who are not soldiers, and
yet love war.

CHAPTER XV

THE PATUXENT.

HAVING once more received the troops on board, the fleet remained
quietly at anchor till the 17th, when, at an early hour, we set
sail and stood towards the Patuxent. In this voyage we passed
close to Sent Island, and again threw the inhabitants of Anapolis
into alarm by approaching almost within gun-shot of their town;
but at neither place were hostilities attempted, and on the 19th
we arrived, without any adventure, at our former anchorage in the
river. Here we brought up, and parties were sent on shore to dig
wells in the sand, to which the boats resorted in great numbers
for water. Cattle and sheep were likewise purchased from the
natives; some of the flour which had been captured was converted
into biscuit; and every preparation seemed to be making for a
long voyage.

To facilitate these operations, the fleet now separated, part
remaining here, and part proceeding under Admiral Malcolm to the
Potomac; whilst Sir Alexander Cochrane, in the Tonnant, with
several frigates and gun-brigs, quitted us altogether, and set
sail, as it was given out, for Halifax. But our situation was by
no means agreeable. The climate of this part of America is, at
certain seasons, far from healthy; and the prevalence of
dysentery through the armament proved that the unhealthy season
had already commenced. Neither did there appear to be any
prospect of further employment. No one talked of a future
enterprise, nor was the slightest rumour circulated as to the
next point of atta