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Commodore Joshua Barney's Account of the Battle of Bladensburg We took our position on the rising ground (American 3rd line) . . . and awaited the approach of the enemy, during this period the engagement continued the enemy advancing, our own Army retreating before them apparently in much disorder, at length the enemy made his appearance on the main road, in force, and in front of my battery, and on seeing us made a halt, I reserved our fire, in a few minutes the enemy advanced, when I ordered an 18-pounder to be fired, which completely cleared the road, shortly after a second and a third attempt was made by the enemy to come forward but all were destroyed, the enemy then crossed over onto an open field and attempted to flank our right, he was there met by three 12-pounders, the Marines under Capt. Miller and my men acting as infantry, and again was totally cut up, by this time not a vestige of the American Army remained except a body of 5 or 600 men posted on a height on my right from whom I expected much support , from their fine situation. The enemy from this point never appeared in force in front of us, they pushed forward their sharpshooters, one of which shot my horse under me, who fell dead between two of my guns; the enemy who had been kept in check by our fire for nearly half an hour now began to outflank us on the right, our guns were turned that way, he pushed up the hill, about 2 or 300 towards the corps of Americans stationed as above described, who, to my great mortification made no resistance, giving a fire or two and retired, in this situation we had the whole army of the enemy to contend with. Our Ammunition was expended, and unfortunately the drivers of my ammunition wagons had gone off in the general panic, at this time I received a severe wound in my thigh . . . finding the enemy now completely in our rear and no means of defense I gave orders to my officers and men to retire. Sent to Secretary of the Navy William Jones August 29, 1814.
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