COLONEL ARTHUR BROOKE, BRITISH ARMY, TO
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR AND THE COLONIES EARL BATHURST
On board H.M.S. Tonnant
Chesapeake Septr. 17 1814
My Lord
I have the honor to inform your Lordship, that the division of troops under
the command of Major General Ross effected a disembarkation on the morning
of the 12th. September near North point on the left bank of the Paptapsco
river, distant from Baltimore about 13 miles, with the view, as I have been subse-
quently informed, of pushing a reconnoissance in cooperation with the naval
forces to that town, and acting thereon as the enemy’s strength and positions
might be found to dictate.
The approach on this side to Baltimore lays through a small peninsula,
formed by the Patapsco and Back river, and generally from two to three miles
broad, which it narrows in some places to less than half a mile.
Three miles from North point the enemy had entrenched himself quite
towards which (the disembarkation having been across this neck of land.-

completed at an early hour) the troops advanced.
The enemy was actively employed in the completion of this work, deepening
the ditch and strengthening it in front by a low Abbatis,- both which, however,
he precipitately abandoned on the approach of our skirmishers, leaving in our
hands some few dragoons, being part of his rear guard.
About two miles beyond this Post our advance became engaged.- The coun-
try was here closely wooded and the enemy’s riflemen were enabled to conceal
themselves.- At this moment the gallant General Ross received a wound in his
breast which proved mortal.- He only survived to recommend a young and un-
provided family to the protection of his King and Country.
Thus fell at an early age, one of the brightest ornaments of his profession,
one, who whether at the head of a regiment, a brigade, or a corps, had alike dis-
played the talents of command,- who was not less beloved in his private than
enthusiastically admired in his public character, and whose only fault, if it may
be deemed so, was an excess of gallantry, enterprize & devotion to the service.

If ever it were permitted to a soldier to lament those who fall in battle, we
may indeed in this instance claim that melancholy privilege.
Thus it is, Sir, that the honor of addressing your Lordship, and the command
of this army have devolved upon me, duties which under any other circum-
stances might have been embraced as the most enviable gifts of fortune; and
here I venture to solicit through your Lordship, His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent’s consideration to the circumstances of my succeeding during opera-
tions of so much moment, to an officer of such high and established merit.
Our advance continuing to press forward, the enemy’s light troops were
pushed to within five miles of Baltimore, where a corps of about six thousand
men,’ six pieces of artillery & some hundred cavalry were discovered posted
under cover of a wood, drawn up in a very dense order and lining a strong pal-
ing which crossed the main road nearly at right angles.- The creeks and inlets
of the Patapsco and Back rivers, which approach each other at this point, will in
some measure account for the contracted nature of the enemy’s position.
I immediately ordered the necessary dispositions for a general attack.- The
Light Brigade under the command of Major Jones of the 4th. consisting of the
85th. Lt. Infantry under Major Gubbins and the Light companies of the army
under Major Pringle of the 21st., covered the whole of the front-driving in the
enemy’s Skirmishers with great loss on his main body.- The 4th. Regt. under
Major Faunce, by a detour through some hollow ways, gained unperceived, a
lodgement close upon the enemy’s left. The remainder of the right brigade
under the command of the Honl. Lt. Colonel Mullins consisting of the 44th.
Regt. under Major Johnson, the Marines of the fleet under Capt. Robbins, and
a detachment of seamen under Captain Money of the Trave, formed line along
the enemy’s front.- While the left Brigade under Colonel Paterson, consisting
of the 21st. Regt. commanded by Major Whitaker, the 2d. Battalion Marines by
Lt. Colonel Malcolm, & detachment of Marines by Major Lewis, remained in
column on the road, with orders to deploy to his left & press the enemy’s right,
the moment the ground became sufficiently open to admit of that movement.
In this order, the signal being given, the whole of the troops advanced
rapidly to the charge.- In less than fifteen minutes the enemy’s force being
utterly broken & dispersed, fled in every direction over the country, leaving on
the field, 2 pieces of cannon with a considerable number of Killed wounded &
prisoners.
The enemy lost in this short but brilliant affair, from five to six hundred in
Killed & wounded, while at the most moderate computation he is at least one
thousand Hors de combat.- The 5th. Regt. of Militia, in particular, has been
represented as nearly annihilated.- Had we but 300 hundred cavalry, scarcely a
man should have escaped.
The day being now far advanced, and the troops (as is always the case on the
first march after disembarkation) much fatigued we halted for the night on the
ground of which the enemy had been dispossessed.- Then I received a com-
munication from Vice Admiral The Honbl. Sir Alexr. Cochrane informing me
that the frigates, Bomb ships & flotilla of the fleet would on the ensuing morn
ing take their stations as previously proposed.- At day break on the 13th. the
army again advanced, and at ten o’clock I occupied a favorable position, east-
ward of Baltimore, distant about a mile and a half, & from whence I could re-
connoitre at my leisure the defences of that town. Baltimore is completely sur-
rounded by strong but detached hills, on which the enemy had constructed a

chain of Pallisaded redoubts connected by a small breast work.- I have how-
ever reason to think that the defences to the northward and westward of the
place, were in a very unfinished state.-Chinkopin hill, which lay in front of
our position, completely commands the town;- this was the strongest part of
the line, and here the enemy seemed most apprehensive of attack.- These
works were defended, according to the best information which we could obtain,
by about Fifteen thousand men, with a large train of artillery.
Judging it perfectly feasible, with the description of forces under my com-
mand, I made arrangements for a night attack, during which the superiority of
the enemy’s artillery would not have been so much felt, & Captain McDougall,
the bearer of these despatches, will have the honor to point out to your Lord
ship, those particular parts of the line which I had proposed to act on.
During the evening, however, I received a communication from the Com-
mander in Chief of the Naval Forces, by which I was informed, that in conse-
quence of the entrance to the harbour being closed up by vessels sunk for that
purpose by the enemy, a naval co-operation against the town and camp was
found impracticable.
Under these circumstances, and Keeping in view your Lordships instructions,
it was agreed between the Vice Admiral & myself that the capture of the town
would not have been a sufficient equivalent to the loss which might probably be
sustained in storming the heights.
Having formed this resolution, after compelling the enemy to sink upwards
of 20 vessels in different parts of the harbour, causing the citizens to remove
almost the whole of their property to places of more security inland, obliging
the government to concentrate all the military force of the surrounding
States, harassing the militia and forcing them to collect from very remote dis-
tricts, causing the enemy to burn a valuable rope walk with other public build
ings, in order to clear the Glacis in front of their Redoubts, besides having
beaten & routed them in a general action,- I retired on the 14th. three miles
from the position which I had occupied, when I halted during some hours.
This tardy movement was partly caused by an expectation that the enemy
might possibly be induced to move out of his entrenchments & follow us, but
he profited by the lesson which he had received on the 12th. and towards the
evening I retired the troops about 3 miles & a half farther, where I took up my
ground for the night.
Having ascertained at a late hour on the morning of the 15th. that the enemy
had no disposition to quit his entrenchments, I moved down and reimbarked
the army at North point, not leaving a wounded man behind, and carrying with
me about Two Hundred prisoners, being persons of the best families in the city,
and which number might have been very considerably encreased, was not the
fatigue of the troops an object principally to be avoided.
I have now to remark to your Lordship that nothing could surpass the zeal,
unanimity and ardor displayed by every description of force, whether Naval

Military or Marine during the whole of these operations.
I am highly indebted to Vice Admiral Sir Alexr. Cochrane Commander in
Chief of the Naval forces, for the active assistance and zealous co-operation
which he was ready upon every occasion to afford me.- A disposition

conspicuous in every branch of the Naval service, and which cannot fail to ensure

success to every combined operation of this armament.

Captain Edward Crofton Commanding the brigade of Seamen, appointed to
the small arms, for the animated and enthusiastic example which he held forth
to his men, deserves every approbation. As do also Captains Nourse, Money,
Sullivan & Ramsay R.N. for the steadiness and good order which they main
tained in their several divisions.
I feel every obligation to Rear Admiral Cockburn for the council & assistance
which he afforded me, and from which I derived the most signal benefit
To Colonel Paterson for the steady manner which he brought his column
into action, I owe my best thanks.
The Honbl. Lt. Colonel Mullins deserved every approbation for the excellent
order in which he led that part of the Right brigade under his immediate com-
mand while charging the enemy in line.
Major Jones commanding the Light brigade, merits my best acknowledgements for
the active & skilful dispositions by which he covered all the movements of the army.
The distinguished gallantry of Capt. De Bathe 85th. Lt. Infantry has been par
ticularly reported to me, & I beg to record my own Knowledge of similar con-
duct on former occasions.
To Major Faunce 4th. Regt. for the manner in which he gained & turned the
enemy’s left, as well as for the excellent discipline maintained in that Regiment,
every praise is due.
The exertions of Major Gubbins commanding the 85th. Lt. infantry, & of
Major Renney commanding the Light companies, were highly commendable.
Capt. Mitchel Comdg. Royal Artillery, Captn. Carmichel a meritorious officer
of that corps, and Lt. Lawrence of the Marine Artillery, are entitled to my best
thanks.– as is Capt. Blanchard Commanding Royal Engineers for the abilities
he displayed in his particular branch of the service.
To Lieutenant Evans, 3d. Dragoons Ag. Dy. Q M Genl. to this army, for the
unremitting zeal activity and perfect intelligence which he evinced in the dis-
charge of the various and difficult duties of his department, I feel warmly in
debted;- and I beg to solicit through your Lordship, a promotion suitable to
the high professional merits of this officer.
Captain McDougall A.D.C. to the late General Ross (& who acted as Asst. Ad-
jutant General, in the absence of Major Debbieg through indisposition) is the
bearer of these despatches, and having been in the confidence of General Ross
as well as in mine, will be found perfectly capable of giving your Lordship any
farther information, relative to the operations of this army, which you may re-
quire.-
He is an officer of great merit & promise, and I beg to recommend
him to your Lordships protection. I have the honor to be My Lord Your Lord
ships Most Obedient And Most Humble Servant

Arthur Brooke
Colonel Commanding