of their opposition being ineffectual, that they allowed the whole of the shipping to pass without further annoyance.
It has been justly said, that “of the many expeditions up the bays and rivers of the United States, during the late war, none equalled in brillancy of execution that up the Potowmac to Alexandria[1].” “Captain Gordon’s farther success,” says Sir Alexander Cochrane, in his despatches to the Admiralty, “has exceeded my most sanguine expectations; having forced the populous city of Alexandria to capitulate, and having brought down the river in triumph, through a series of obstacles and determined opposition, a fleet of 21 enemy’s vessels. The difficulties which presented themselves to these ships in ascending the river, impeded by shoals and contrary winds, and the increased obstacles which the enemy had prepared against their return with a confident hope of obstructing their descent, were only to be overcome by the most indefatigable exertions. I trust, therefore, that the resolution and gallantry displayed by every one employed upon this service, which deserve my warmest applause, will be further honored by their Lordships’ approbation.” We shall only add, that the hammocks of the squadron were down but two nights during the whole of the operations in the Potowmac, comprising a period of 23 days. Happily, the loss in this “daring enterprise” did not exceed 7 killed and 35 wounded. Amongst the former was Lieutenant Charles Dickinson, of the Fairy; and in the latter list we find the names of Captains Charles Napier and David Ewen Bartholomew, of the Euryalus and Erebus. The latter vessel appears to have suffered more than any other of the squadron.
We are not exactly aware of the manner in which Captain Gordon was employed from the period of his rejoining Sir Alexander Cochrane, in the Chesapeake, until the month of December following, when he formed a junction with the naval and military forces proceeding against New Orleans; hut he is mentioned in the public despatches relative to that unfortunate expedition, as having afforded his “unwearied
- ↑ See id. p. 381.
the men that had belonged to Barney’s flotilla, regular troops, riflemen, artillerists, and militia; all flocked to the shores of the Potowmac, to punish the base incendiaries.’” See James’s Nav. Occ. p. 384.
