ers had removed the obstacle. So great,
however, was even this hinderance, that we did not come in sight
of the main army of the Americans till evening, although the
distance travelled could not exceed ten miles.

It now appeared that the corps which we had beaten yesterday was only
a detachment, and not a large one, from the force collected for the
defence of Baltimore; and that the account given by the volunteer
troopers was in every respect correct. Upon a ridge of hills, which
concealed the town itself from observation, stood the grand army,
consisting of twenty thousand men. Not trusting to his superiority in
numbers, their General had there entrenched them in the most
formidable manner, having covered the whole face of the heights with
breastworks, thrown back his left so as to rest it upon a strong fort
erected for the protection of the river, and constructed a chain of
field redoubts which covered his right and commanded the entire
ascent. Along the side of the hill were likewise fleches and other
projecting works, from which a cross fire might be kept up; and there
were mounted throughout this commanding position no less than one
hundred pieces of cannon.

It would be absurd to suppose that the sight of preparations so
warlike did not in some degree damp the ardour of our leader; at
least it would have been madness to storm such works without
pausing to consider how it might best be attempted. The whole of
the country within cannon-shot was cleared from wood, and laid
out in grass and corn-fields; consequently there was no cover to
shelter an attacking army from any part of the deadly fire which
would be immediately poured upon it. The most prudent plan,
therefore, was to wait till dark; and then, assisted by the
frigates and bombs, which he hoped were by this time ready to
co-operate, to try the fortune of a battle.

Having resolved thus to act, Colonel Brook halted his army;
and, secured against surprise by a well-connected line of piquets,
the troops were permitted to light fires and to cook their
provisions. But though the rain still fell in torrents, no
shelter could be obtained; and as even their blankets were no
longer at hand, with which to form gipsy-tents, this was the
reverse of an agreeable bivouac to the whole army.

Darkness had now come on, and as yet no intelligence had
arrived from the shipping. To assail such a position, however,
without the aid of the fleet, was deemed impractic