“In closing my statement of the arduous and highly important operations of this last week, I have a most pleasing duty to perform, in assuring you of the good conduct of the officers and men who have been serving under me. I am particularly indebted to Captain Wainwright of the Tonnant, for the assistance he has invariably afforded me whilst on this service: to Captains Palmer and Money, for their exertions during the march to and from Washington; and to Captain Nourse, who has commanded the flotilla during my absence: my acknowledgments are also most justly due to Captains Sulivan, Badcock, Somerville, Ramsay, and Bruce, who have acted in it under him. Lieutenant James Scott, now first of the Albion, has on this occasion rendered me essential services; and as I have had reason so often to mention to you the gallant and meritorious conduct of this officer, I trust you will permit me to seize this opportunity of recommending him particularly to your favorable notice and consideration. Captain Robyns, who has had, during these operations, the marines of the ships united under his orders, has executed, ably and zealously, the several serviced with which he has been entrusted, and is entitled to my best acknowledgments accordingly; as is also Captain Harrison, of the marine-artillery. Mr. James Dobie, surgeon of the Melpomene, volunteered his professional services an this occasion, and rendered much assistance to the wounded on the field of battle, as well as to many of the men taken ill on the line of march.”
The battle of Bladensburg, by which the fate of the American capital was decided, began about one o’clock, and lasted till four P.M. The loss on the part of the English was severe; Colonel Thornton, who commanded the light brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, commanding the 85th regiment; and Major Brown, the leader of the advanced guard, were all severely wounded; Major-General Ross had a horse shot under him, but he escaped without any personal injury.
The forces employed in the brilliant expedition against Washington, were re-embarked at Benedict, on the 30th August; and on the 6th Sept. the fleet under the command of Sir A. Cochrane weighed and stood towards the Chesapeake. The wind was fair, and the whole speedily cleared the Patuxent; but, instead of standing up the bay, as was generally expected, the Vice-Admiral ran down a few miles below the mouth of that river, and there anchored. A signal was then made for all the ships and vessels to send to Sir Alexander a return of the number of seamen whom, in ad-
