Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1915 — American Victory In War of 1812. [ARTICLE]

American Victory In War of 1812.

One hundred years ago occurred the "battle of the barges," between a force of English from the blockading squadron in Chesapeake bay and a flotilla of barges and gunboats designed to aid In the defense of the city of Washington. Commodore Barney, in comnknd of the American flotilla, being threatened with 1 attack by several large British warships, had taken his boats up the Patuxent river and found a refuge in St. Leonard’s creek. The British followed with a superior force of barges and small schooners. Having no guns with, which to wage a fight at long range. Commodore Barney dashed forward info the midst of the enemy. Soon the barges were engaged in desperate hand-to-hand conflicts. For more than an hoar the motion raged, both sides fighting with vigor and gallantry. But the Americans having pierced the British line, the enemy abandoned the fight and fled precipitately to their ship*.