re able to accomplish after the British had worked their will, very
much of what then seemed highly interesting to us of the Avenger, must
be passed over with but few words.

Perhaps it is well that it should be so, for we moved here and there
without apparent aim or purpose until every man and officer was on the
verge of exhaustion, and then, when it required no slight effort
simply to remain on our feet, we were forced to meet the British army,
which had advanced by short stages to the end that the men should be
in the best physical condition for that struggle which decided the
fate of the nation's capital.

We had no sooner struck our tents than word was brought that the
President was on his way from the Potomac to review our troops, and at
such information Darius grumbled loud and long, therefore we lads
knew full well that Commodore Barney was opposed to such
monkey-shines, otherwise the old sailor would not have dared to voice
his complaints so stoutly.

When we might have been resting preparatory to the extraordinary
fatigues that were before us, all our little army were forced to
remain in line a good two hours, when President Madison was ready to
begin the review, after which we marched and countermarched in front
of him when three men out of every four were unable to understand the
words of command.

It was a most ridiculous performance, as can well be fancied, and if
the chief magistrate of the land was well pleased with the result, it
is more than can be said for the officers in command.

By the time this mockery of a review had come to an end, scouts
arrived with information that the main body of the enemy was still
resting comfortably at Upper Marlboro, whereupon we were allowed to
remain in line while the general sent couriers to the different
commanders under him, directing them to move in the direction of the
British camp.

We remained on parade from shortly after sunrise until ten o'clock in
the forenoon, when we were as tired as if from a long march. Then we
were dismissed; but since all the tents had been carried away in the
baggage-wagons, there was nothing for us to do save lounge around in
the open field exposed to the burning rays of the sun.

Nothing more was done in the way of throwing up breastworks, therefore
we who had been the last to leave the fleet, were not called upon to
handle pick or shovel.

An hour before noon General Winder, escorted by a troop of Laval's
cavalry, left t