both of horse & foot, who nightly patrol the streets. The members of congress have determined to join the citizens, in case of an attack & there are many old experienced officers amongst them. The affair of Hampton,* which I disbelieved until the publication in the Intelligencer, inspires us with a terror we should not otherwise have felt. There were 300 French men at that attack & it was chiefly these wretches who perpetrated these horrors. Their intention was to desert to our side & they march'd near to our militia with a view to surrender, but were fired on & so obliged to fight in their own defence, 20 did desert & are now at the fort. The French prisoners taken from the English jails, will it is supposed, & the Irish likewise all desert the moment they are landed. Mrs. Seaton behaves with admirable self command, I quite admire her composure & serenity, as I am certain loving as she loves her amiable husband, it must require great effort. We one & all resist the intrusion of useless anxiety & alarm. We go on regularly with our every day occupations. I spend the morning in my family affairs & school. Ann sits with our guests & after dinner we all assemble & while the rest sew, Miss Gales reads some amusing book. If we did not resolutely adhere to this plan of occupation our fancy would augment our fears & we should be sad enough. As it is we are quite animated, each strengthens the resolution of the other & since we have been so well provided with fire arms, my apprehensions have quite ceased. For those whom I fear'd are easily intimidated. Mr. Smith has this morning gone in to the Bank, & Mrs. Seaton & Miss Gales, to see Mr. Seaton who has come up to arrange the paper. If Susan is with you, read or show her this letter as you think proper, or if at Princeton & you think it may allay her anxiety, please to send it. Ann is quite a Heroine. She makes no protestations but her cheerfulness & freedom from unnecessary alarm shows that she is not easily intimidated. She is a dear good girl. I love her every day more & more. And if danger comes, I shall not think of or risque more for my children than her. We expect Mrs. Clay, her sister Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Catting & many others to come to us in case of a serious alarm. At present all

*The village of Hampton. Va., was sacked June 25, 1813. by the British and given over to pillage and rapine by Cockburn's orders.

the members & citizens say it is impossible for the enemy to ascend the river, and our home enemy will not assail us, if they do not arrive. M. H. S.

To Mrs. Kirkpatrick

August [1814], BROOKVILLE [MD.]. On Sunday we received information that the British had debark'd at Benedict. They seem'd in no haste to approach the city, but gave us time to collect our troops. The alarm was such that on Monday a general removal from the city & George Town took place. Very few women or children remain'd in the city on Tuesday evening, altho' the accounts then received were that the enemy were retreating. Our troops were eager for an attack & such was the cheerful alacrity they display'd, that a universal confidence reign'd among the citizens & people. Few doubted our conquering. On Tuesday we sent off to a private farm house all our linen, clothing & other movable property, in the afternoon Dr. Bradley's family came from the city & took tea with us, the Dr. said several citizens from the camp brought information of the enemy's remaining quiet at N. Malborough, but that 3 of the volunteer companies, Davidsons & Peters were order'd to attack the Pickets & draw the B-on to a general engagement. This was the last news; until we were roused on Tuesday night by a loud knocking, on the opening of the door, Willie Bradley called to us, "The enemy are advancing, our own troops are giving way on all sides & are retreating to the city. Go, for Gods sake go." He spoke in a voice of agony, & then flew to his horse & was out of sight in a moment. We immediately rose, the carriage & horses were soon ready, we loaded a wagon with what goods remained & about 3 o'clock left our house with all our servants, the women we sent to some private farm houses at a safe distance, while we pursued our course. I felt no alarm or agitation, as I knew the danger was not near. I even felt no distress at the idea of forsaking our home. I could not realize the possibility of the B. gaining pos session of the city, or of our army being defeated. We travel'd very slowly & as it

* Illegible

†The battle took place August 24.

was dark I walk'd part of the way. Ann was equally composed. At sunrise we stop'd to breakfast at Miss Carrol's & then pursued our journey. The girls were quite delighted with our flight, novelty has such charms at their age, that even the exchange of comfort & peace, for suffering & distress, has its charms. Even for myself, I felt animated, invigorated, willing to encounter any hardship, calmly to meet any danger, patiently to bear any difficulty. I suffer'd considerably pain during the ride, & fear'd every moment being taken ill, but happily I was not, & we all reach'd this place at one oclock in perfect health. We received a most kind reception from Mrs. Bently, & excellent accomodations. The appearance of this village is romantic & beautiful, it is situated in a little valley totally embosom'd in woody hills, with a stream flowing at the bottom on which are mills. In this secluded spot one might hope the noise, or rumour of war would never reach. Here all seems security & peace! Happy people may you never be obliged to fly from this peaceful spot, which now affords so hospitable a shelter to our poor citizens!

Thursday morning. This morning on awakening we were greeted with the sad news, that our city was taken, the bridges & public buildings burnt, our troops flying in every direction. Our little army totally dispersed. Good God, what will be the event! This moment a troop of horse have enter'd, they were on the field of battle, but not engag'd. Major Ridgely* their commander, disapproving Genl. Winder's order, refused to obey, left the army & is taking his troops home. E. Riggs, who was likewise there has given us a sad detail. He was in Loughbourough's, who with ten men form'd a reconnoitering party, & Riggs was employed in carrying messages from Winder. His account was that the first skirmish was near Malborough, where Peters, Davidson's & Strul's (?) companies were ordered to attack the enemies picquets, but on finding how inefficient their force were, order'd to retreat, which they did in great disorder. Winder finding the enemy marching on the Bladensburg turnpike, forsook the posts he had taken & march'd towards the city, where they station'd themselves on the hills near Bladensburg bridge. The

* One of the Maryland militia officers.

enemy march on in solid column & attack'd with coolness, & order. The 5th regiment from Baltimore commenced the attack & stood their ground firmly, but for a short time only, they were almost destroy'd & our whole troops gave way & began a disordered retreat. The President who was on the ground, escap'd & has gone into Virginia. Winder with all the men he can collect are at the court house. He has directed our poor broken militia to make the best of their way to Baltimore. Every hour the poor wearied & terrified creatures are passing by the door. Mrs. Bently kindly invites them in to rest & refresh. Major Ridgely's troop of horse all breakfasted in town, that not a man was left to breakfast in the tavern. Ann & I hasten'd to assist Mrs. B. in getting their breakfast,-and Julia & Susan wanted to do something, help'd to set the table, &c.

Noon. We were much alarm'd by Mr. Milligan, who called & told Mr. Smith, Genl Winder had ordered him to come here for an express, that Montgomery C. H. was burnt by the British, who were then on their march for Frederick. But a person who knew him assured us he was crazy, his account afterwards proved untrue, as a great many have passed since. Our men look pale & feeble but more with affright than fatigue, they had thrown away their muskets & blankets.

Just as we were going to dinner, a tremendous gust arose, it has broken the trees very much, in the midst of it, a wagon came to the door with a family going they knew not whither. Poor wanderers. Oh how changed are my feelings, my confidence in our troops is gone, they may again be rallied, but it will require a long apprenticeship to make them good soldiers. Oh my sister how gloomy is the scene. I do not suppose Government will ever return to Washington. All those whose property was invested in that place, will be reduced to poverty. Mr. Smith had invested a large portion of his in bridge stock,—both the bridges are destroy'd,-it serves to beguile the time to write, so my dear sister I will write a kind of jourral to you, & send it when I can. I wish you to keep it. If better times come, it will serve to remind me of these.

Thursday evening. Our anxiety has been kept alive the whole day. Our poor men are coming in some two or three, sometimes

a dozen at a time, just now another troop of horse have come in, they have not been in the engagement, as they did not arrive until a retreat had been order'd. Mr. Carr one of the clerks of the Bank was here just now & has given us the most correct account we have yet had. Our position was a bad one, so placed that neither the artillery or cavalry could act. Barney* took a position on a hill, the enemy had to pass & as they ascended rak'd them prodigiously but they never halted one moment, but marched on in solid mass, disregarding the dead bodies that fell before them. Barney & his men did not leave their cannons until they were within 5 yrds, then spik'd them & retreated,-Barney badly wounded. They [the enemy] never left the turnpike but enter'd the city after our retreating army. They first march'd to the navy yard which is wholly consumed; then to Capitol Hill. They had great difficulty in firing the capitol, several houses on the hill were burnt by cinders from the Capitol, but none by design, the President's house, the Potomac bridge, & all the other public buildings. Mr. Lee went to their camp at Malborough (as a citizen unmolested) conversed with the officers, several of whom he had known in London. They told him that resistance would be vain; that instead of 7000, they wished we had 40,000 militia, as it would make the greater confusion. They bade Mr. Lee tell the citizens that private property would not be injured, if the houses were not deserted, or private persons molested, that they intended to destroy the public buildings & shipping, & then to march to Baltimore on one side while Lord Hill with his fleet would attack it by water. I left our house with reluctance, but when I urged Mr. Smith to let me remain to protect the house, he would not hear of it, his duty called him away, & my situation being so critical, he said no consideration would induce him to leave me, for altho' the troops when under their officers might behave well, yet small parties or drunken soldiers might alarm or injure me in my present situation. And Ann declared she would not leave me if she were to die by my side. I had therefore to yield. I am afraid the consequence of leaving the house empty will be its destruction. Our house in the city too is unprotected &

*Captain Joshua Barney, U.S.N., was the only man who reaped glory in this, the greatest disgrace to American arms.

contains our most valuable furniture. In a week more & we may be penniless! for I count little on the continuance of Mr. S.'s salary. God only knows when the executive government will again be organized. But I can say with truth, the individual loss of property, has not given me a moment's uneasiness. But the state of our country, has wrung tears of anguish from me. I trust it will only be momentary. We are naturally a brave people & it was not so much fear, as prudence which caused our retreat. Too late they discovered the dispreparation of our troops. The enemy were 3 to 1. Their army composed of conquering veterans, ours of young mechanics & farmers, many of whom had never before carried a musket. But we shall learn the dreadful, horrid trade of war. And they will make us a martial people, for never, never will Americans give up their liberty. But before that time comes, what sufferings, what reverses, what distress must be suffer'd. Already, in one night, have hundreds of our citizens been reduced from affluence to poverty, for it is not to be expected W ever again be the seat of Govt. Last night the woods round the city & G. T filled with women & children & old men & our flying troops. One poor woman, after wandering all night, found at day light she wander'd 10 miles, -a lady in our neighbourhood, the wife of one of Mr. S.'s clerks, went out of her senses, her son was in the army. Mrs. Genl. Mason,* that lovely woman whom you knew, is likewise laying dangerously ill. Her husband was in the engagement & her anxiety has render'd a common fever dangerous. I am going tomorrow to see her.

will

were

Night, 10 oclock. The streets of this quiet village, which never before witnessed confusion, is now fill'd with carriages bringing out citizens, & Baggage waggons & troops. Mrs. Bently's house is now crowded, she has been the whole evening sitting at the supper table, giving refreshment to soldiers & travellers. I suppose every house in the village is equally full. I never saw more benevolent people. "It is against our principles," said she this morning, "to have anything to do with war, but we receive & relieve all who come to us.” The whole

*Wife of Armistead Thomson Mason, then colonel of a cavalry regiment. He was killed in a duel by his brotherin-law, John M. McCarty. They fought with muskets at six paces on the famous Bladensburg duelling ground.

settlement are quakers. The table is just spread for the 4th or 5th time, more wanderers having just enter'd.

I know not when you will get this letter. I suppose the mail will be impeded. How is Maria, is N. Y. menaced. My health is improved, thank a kind Providence, the event so dreaded has not taken place & I now begin to think I shall continue well.

I have not yet read this letter. I know not what I have written. I thought you would be anxious for intelligence, for tho' you were no friend to Washington, yet the recent event is interesting to the nation. The enemy are in the centre of union!

I will now bid you good night,-let Maria & Susan Smith know we are safe. Susan particularly, she will be miserable.

Farewell, dearest sister. God grant this letter may contain more news, than I may ever have occasion to write again. Farewell,

To Mrs. Kirkpatrick

BROOKVILLE [August, 1814]. Saturday morning. On Thursday evening I closed my letter to you. The next morning soon after breakfast I went to see VOL. XL.-46

She

Mrs. Mason. She had found refuge in a farm house, with a poor but respectable family, about 4 miles from this place. had her 3 eldest daughters with her & 2 servant maids. She was very ill, of a highly inflamatory billious fever. When I enter'd her chamber her spirits were much affected. She was too ill to talk, but when I offered to stay, gladly accepted the offer. She felt cheerless & desponding, had no confidence in her young physician or servants, who indeed seem'd very ignorant. She thought herself in danger, if not of her life, yet of derangement of mind, so continued & violent was the pain in her head. I immediately took on the functions of a nurse & being much accustomed to her disease, I soon succeeded in procuring her entire relief from the pain of her head, & other alarming symptoms. I did not leave her a moment during the day & sat up part of the night. Dr. Worthington, her physician arrived. He distress'd me excessively by his conversation. He exulted in the defeat of our army in the capture of our city. "Did I not tell this," said he, "I suppose, Mrs. Smith, your wise men will now believe a standing army a necessary thing & a navy in the bargain." "If they do" (I answer'd)

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