10 pieces of cannon, killing great numbers, and making several prisoners; among the latter was Commodore Barney, who was also wounded.
President Madison, the Secretary at war, and the Secretaries of state and of the navy, are said to have been present at the beginning of the action. The loss sustained by the British in this decisive affair, was 63 men killed and 185 wounded. Immediately after the action, the remains of the American army retreated through Washington, and across the Potowmac into Virginia. Having halted a short time, the British troops advanced; and, notwithstanding the resistance made by the enemy, took possession of Washington.
All that evening and night, the invaders were employed in destroying the public buildings, stores, and property to a great amount. The enemy in his retreat had set fire to the dockyard and arsenal; a frigate of the largest class ready for launching, and a sloop of war already afloat, were also burnt. The destruction was completed by the British seamen next morning; but private property was respected, and strict discipline observed.
In addition to the dock-yard, &c, already mentioned, the States’ rope-walk, and an immense and costly assemblage of naval stores of all kinds, together with the vast and splendid public edifices that had so lately adorned that maiden capital, the Palace of the President, the Senate House, the House of Representatives, the Treasury, the War Office, and the Great Bridge across the Potowmac, were devoured by the flames, blown up from their foundations, or otherwise destroyed!
The object of the expedition being effected, a retreat was commenced on the night of the 25th; the army reached Benedict on the 29th, and re-embarked on the following day, having met with no molestation on its return.
The following is an extract from the despatches of Sir Alexander Cochrane, relative to the above enterprise:– “I have before had occasion to speak of the unremitting zeal and exertions of Rear-Admiral Cockburn during the time he commanded in the Chesapeake under my orders; the interest and ability which he has manifested throughout this late arduous service, justly entitle him to my best thanks, and to the ac-
