File:The history of our country from its discovery by Columbus to the celebration of the centennial anniversary of its declaration of independence (1881) (14786280283).jpg

Identifier: historyofourcountr00rich (find matches)
Title: The history of our country from its discovery by Columbus to the celebration of the centennial anniversary of its declaration of independence ..
Year: 1881 (1880s)
Authors: Richardson, Abby Sage, 1837-1900
Subjects: United States -- History
Publisher: Boston, Houghton, Mifflin and Company
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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he Americans. A second charge and theywere over, and had gained another step on their journe3^ There has been a great deal said about the battle of Blagdensburg,and the folly of the country in allowing the British to get so farwithout check. It certainly seems, when we look at the matter, asif 7,000 men, even if part of them were undisciplined, might havekept back a force so much smaller. But the Americans had heardvery exaggerated reports of the number of their foes, and did not gointo battle with the confidence which is a part of success. Aftertheir first line was broken, the English troops easily drove back thesecond and third line, and in less than four hours they had driventlie last detachment of the Americans to retreat to the forests wherethe enemy could not pursue them. By eight oclock that eveningthe invading army marched into our national capital. President Madison and his cabinet had been on the field of bat-tle during the day, but as they saw the certainty of their defeat,
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THE iNEW VCKKWBLiClifcRARy FRKSH VICTORIES AXD DEFEATS. 837 they rode hurriedly back to Washington to save what they could.Mrs. Madison had loaded a cart with her valuables, in readiness todepart. JiLst before leaving she remembered the great portrait ofWashington which hung on one of the walls of the presidential man-sion. The frame could not easily be taken down and carried away,and the energetic l;idy cut the canvas from its frame, and rollingup the picture, took it with her into safety. The whole party fledacross the Potomac, and sought refuge in a village there for thatnight. When the English officers entered the White House, they foundthere an excellent dinner which had been prepared for the presidentand his party. The table was spread with the best dishes, tablelinen and plate, the vrine waiting in wine coolers, the plates in platewarmers before the dining-room fire, and the roast meats turning onthe spit. The conquerors sat down and ate ^vith very good appe-tites. I wish it li

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