46 Naval War of 1812 



really between these 1,500 British regulars and the 

 American flotilla men. These consisted of 78 ma 

 rines, under Captain Miller, and 370 sailors, some 

 of whom served under Captain Barney, who had a 

 battery of two i8's and three I2's, while the others 

 were armed with muskets and pikes and acted with 

 the marines. Both sailors and marines did nobly, 

 inflicting most of the loss the British suffered, which 

 amounted to 256 men, and in return lost over a hun 

 dred of their own men, including the two captains, 

 who were wounded and captured, with the guns. 36 

 Ross took Washington and burned the public build 

 ings; and the panic-struck Americans foolishly 

 burned the Columbia, 44, and Argus, 18, which 

 were nearly ready for service. 



Captain Gordon's attack on Fort Washington was 

 conducted with great skill and success. Fort Wash 

 ington was abandoned as soon as fired upon, and the 

 city of Alexandria surrendered upon most humiliat 

 ing conditions. Captain Gordon was now joined 

 by the Fairy, 18, Captain Baker, who brought him 

 orders to return from Vice- Admiral Cochrane; and 

 the squadron began to work down the river, which 

 was very difficult to navigate. Commodore Rod- 

 gers, with some of the crew of the two 44's, Guer- 



36 The optimistic Cooper thinks that two regular regiments 

 would have given the Americans this battle which is open 

 to doubt. 



