Chesapeake resembled the expeditions of the ancient Danes
against Great Britain, rather than a modern war between civilized
nations. But these hasty excursions, though generally
successful, were not always performed without loss to the
invaders. Many men and some officers were killed and wounded,
among whom was Captain Sir Peter Parker, of the Menelaus frigate,
an officer distinguished for his gallantry and knowledge of naval
tactics. Having learnt that an encampment of 300 men and six
pieces of cannon had been formed, at the distance of a few miles
from the banks of the Potomac, and about nine leagues below
Alexandria, he determined, with part of his ship's crew, to
surprise it, and to capture the guns. Running his frigate with
this view up the river, he cast anchor opposite to the place
where the American forces lay; and leaving on board only a
sufficient number of sailors to manage the ship, and to guard
against surprise, with the rest, amounting to 200 seamen and
marines, he landed, and marched rapidly towards the enemy's camp.
But intelligence of his proceedings had already reached them;
patrols of horse hovering continually along the coast for the
purpose of watching the motions of our fleet. When, therefore,
he arrived at the point of destination, he found the bivouac
deserted, and the rear-guard in full retreat. With these a
little skirmishing ensued, and he received a rifle-ball in the
thigh. Not suspecting that the wound was dangerous, he continued
to push forward, till he fell exhausted from loss of blood; when,
on examining the hurt, it was found that the femoral artery had
been cut; and before any proper assistance could be afforded, he
literally bled to death. Seeing their leader killed, and the
enemy retiring, apparently with the design of drawing them away
from the coast, the sailors now halted; and taking up their dead
commander, returned to the river without being able to effect
anything which might, in any degree, console them for their loss.

THE PATUXENT.

In the meantime the army continued, for some days, quietly on
board the ships in the Patuxent. The wounded whose cases
appeared most desperate were removed to vessels fitted up for
their reception, and sailed, some for Halifax, and others for
England. The dispatches were likewise made out and sent off in
the Iphigenia, whilst a sort of breathing-time was given to those
who had been of late so actively employed. Whilst this sabbath