inform you our loss consists only of 1 seaman, belonging to the Dragon, killed; Captain Gell, of the 29th, and 7 privates, wounded; 1 rank and file missing. * * * * * *. I can form no estimate of the enemy’s absolute loss. From different stragglers I learn that, exclusive of killed and missing, upwards of 30 lay wounded in the woods. I have the honor to be, &c.
After the failure of the Baltimore expedition under Rear-Admiral Cockburn and Major-General Ross[1], the command in the Chesapeake again devolved upon Captain Barrie, whose subsequent proceedings were conducted principally with a view to harass the enemy’s troops, by keeping them on the alert; and to create a diversion in favor of the operations then going on in other quarters.
In Nov. 1814, he proceeded up the Rappahanock river with the boats of his squadron, and part of that excellent corps the Royal Marine battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm; landed on the 29th at Tappahanock, and brought off from thence a quantity of flour and tobacco, together with a stand of colours, some arms, ammunition, and baggage, which had been left behind by the enemy’s troops in their hasty retreat to a neighbouring hill, from whence they afterwards retired in confusion on being attacked by the British.
On the 4th of the following month, Captain Barrie landed at the town of Tappahanock; and learning that the Americans had assembled 600 armed militia at Farnham Church, about seven miles from the place of debarkation, he proceeded thither, and attacking the enemy in a strong position, drove them into the woods, with the loss of several men killed and wounded, captured a large field-piece, and released several negroes who had been confined to prevent them from joining the British. It is worthy of notice, that the colours taken during this expedition, bore on one side the inscription “Down with the Tyrant,” and on the other the American eagle, with the motto “Death or Victory.”
Soon after his return from the Rappahanock river, Captain Barrie was ordered by Rear-Admiral Cockburn, who had
