an Englishman, a vice-admiral, a baronet, he was nevertheless a barba rian. He sent Lieutenant Pratt, of the navy, to burn the President's house, from which Mrs. Madison had just fled, carrying away the portrait of Washington in her arms to save it from the marauders. The Treasury buildings, the Arsenal, barracks for soldiers, the office of the National Intelligencer, private houses, and hotels-all were licked up by the flames. At midnight the British silently stole away, leaving their wounded for the Americans to care for. They reached their ships, sailed down the river and along Chesapeake Bay, sending expeditions on shore to plunder the people and burn the dwellings. Sir Peter Parker, commanding the frigate Menelaus, Admiral Cock burn and General Ross, and other officers, went on shore at a little village where there were only women and children. "I give you ten minutes to get out of your houses before I set them on fire," said Cockburn. One of the officers wrote to his friends in England about it. "We most valiantly," he said, "set fire to the unprotected property, notwithstanding the tears of the women, and, like a parcel of savages, as we were, danced around the wreck of ruin. We came to a dwelling-house on the beach. Like midnight murderers we cautiously approached the house. The door was open, and we unceremoniously intruded ourselves upon three young ladies sitting quietly at tea. Sir George Cockburn, Sir Peter Parker, and myself entered the room rather suddenly, and a simultaneous scream was our welcome. "Sir George was austere, but Sir Peter was the handsomest man in the navy, and to the latter the ladies appealed. Cockburn told them that he knew their father to be an American officer-a colonel of militia-and that, his duty being to burn their house, he gave them ten minutes for removing what they most desired to save. The young women, on. their knees, begged the admiral to spare their house. "The youngest, a girl of sixteen, and lovely beyond the general beauty of those parts, threw herself at Sir Peter's feet and prayed him to interfere. The tears started from his eyes in a moment, and I was so bewildered at the afflicting scene that I appeared to see through a thick mist. MRS. MADISON. "Cockburn was unmoved, with his watch on the table, measuring the fleeting minutes. The other girls were in tears, asking for mercy. Sir Peter had opened his lips to plead for them, when the brutal Cockburn stopped him, and ordered his men to bring the fire-balls. Never shall I forget the despair of that moment. Poor Sir Peter wept like a child, while the girl clung to his knees and impeded his retreat. Admiral Cockburn walked out with his usual haughty stride, followed by the two elder girls, who vainly implored him to countermand the order. In a moment the house was in flames. We retreated from the scene of ruin, leaving the three daughters gazing at the work of destruction, which made the inno cent houseless and the affluent beggars. . . . By the light. of that house we embarked and returned on board. It was a scene which impressed itself upon my heart, and which my memory and my hand unwillingly recall and publish." "I must have a frolic with the Yankees," said Sir Peter Parker, and he crossed the bay and landed his marines to plunder Moorsfield. He landed in the night, marched toward the village, but suddenly was confronted by a flashing of guns. The citizens of Moorsfield had turned out to defend their homes. Nineteen of the British were killed. One of the number was Sir Peter. "I shall make my winter-quarters at Baltimore," said General Ross SAMUEL SMITH. as the fleet sailed toward that city. "It is a doomed town," said Vice-admiral Warren. Baltimore had forty thousand inhabitants, and would be a delightful place to winter in. At midnight, September 11, General Ross landed at North Point, fifteen miles from Baltimore, with nine thousand men. He would march to the city, while the fleet would sail up and demolish Fort M'Henry. General Samuel Smith, who had been appointed to command the troops which were to defend Baltimore, was cool-headed, brave, and ener getic. The citizens determined to make a brave fight. General Smith had nine thousand men. He sent General Stricker, with thirty-two hun GENERAL STRICKER. dred, down the road lead ing to North Point, to annoy the British in their advance. General Stricker posted his men where there was a creek on one flank and a marsh on the other. He sent one hundred and fifty riflemen down to Mr. Cole's store, to see what General Ross was doing. Two of them, Daniel Wells and Henry C. M'Comas, had been in the battle of Bladensburg. They concealed themselves in a hollow, and soon discovered the British army advanc ing. Admiral Cockburn was riding with General Ross, and they were very jolly over the prospect of soon being in Baltimore. The one hundred and fifty riflemen suddenly open fire, and the British reply. General Ross rides up to see what is going on. Daniel and Henry fire at him, and he falls from his horse mortally wounded. moment both of the brave men are shot down. The next Colonel Brooke takes command of the British, who rush on to avenge |