Surrender the Night (52 page)
Read Surrender the Night Online
Authors: MaryLu Tyndall
“Then when we found you gone, lass,” Mr. Drummond added, “I’m afraid we were quite distressed. We intended to head out at first light.”
“We were in Washington.” Rose said.
Amelia gripped her arm. “We heard the British set fire to the city!”
Rose exchanged a sorrowful look with Alex. “Indeed they did.”
“Oh my.” Amelia covered her mouth.
Mrs. Drummond withdrew a handkerchief. “Oh the shame of it.” She dabbed her eyes. “Mr. Markham informed us he could see the flames from Federal Hill. But, dear, you overcame your fear and went to find us?”
Rose clasped her aunt’s hand. “What else could I do?”
Mrs. Drummond’s eyes glistened. “Oh you poor dear. You must have been terrified.”
The kitchen door flew open, and Cora sped into the room, halting as her eyes settled on Rose. “There you are, child.” She ambled forward and stood by Mr. Drummond.
Rose smiled. “Good to see you, Cora.”
Alex winked at the cook and the woman rolled her eyes.
“But do tell us what happened?” Mrs. Drummond waved her handkerchief through the air. “How did you come to wear this hideous uniform?”
“It’s a long story, Mrs. Drummond.” Alex took Rose’s hand and glanced at Uncle Forbes. “God rescued us and the entire city.”
“Indeed?” Mr. Drummond cocked his head, then moved beside his wife. “Come, let us sit down in the parlor. I cannot wait to hear it. Cora, bring some tea and biscuits.”
Alex squeezed Rose’s hand. “First, there is a matter that cannot wait.”
One gray eyebrow rose on Mr. Drummond’s face.
Casting a glance at Rose, Alex cleared his throat, suddenly feeling more nervous than he had during all the terrifying events of the past week. What if the man said no? For the first time in his life, Alex had nothing to recommend himself—no land, no money, no prospects. In fact, why on earth would Mr. Drummond accept his proposal? Sweat blossomed on Alex’s forehead and neck. “Sir, if I may.” He glanced at Rose who prodded him on with her eyes. “If I may.”
“If you may what, Mr. Reed?” Mr. Drummond smiled.
“With your permission.” Alex blew out a sigh. Better to get it over with. “May I have your niece’s hand in marriage?”
Mr. Drummond grinned and slapped Alex on the back. “Yes, indeed, you may! I thought you’d never ask.”
“Marriage? Oh my.” Aunt Muira shook her head and gripped Amelia for support.
Cora chuckled. “Heaven be praised.”
Amelia squealed in delight and hugged Rose.
Alex faced Rose and found her looking at him with so much love and admiration, he nearly fell backward. Mr. Drummond, Mrs. Drummond, Amelia, and even Cora crowded around the couple, offering words of love and congratulations as they welcomed them home.
Home
. Alex smiled as warmth spread through him.
He was home at last.
SURRENDER THE
N
IGHT
—A
UTHOR
’s H
ISTORICAL
N
OTE
I
n the early evening hours on August 24, 1814, after defeating the Americans in battle at Bladensburg, British Major General Robert Ross and Rear Admiral Cockburn led some fifteen hundred British soldiers and sailors, unhindered, down the streets of Washington DC. The troops halted in an open field east of the Capitol building and waited for someone in authority to emerge and discuss surrender terms and prize money. But no one came. After the Americans blew up the naval yard, Admiral Cockburn led a party of men into the Capitol building. Thus began a night of revenge, drunken mayhem, and devilish destruction as British troops went on a rampage through the capital city, stealing valuables left behind by its citizens, and setting fire to every government building they could find. Among the buildings destroyed were the Capitol, the Library of Congress (housing 3,000 volumes along with many maps and charts), a home owned by George Washington, the president’s house, the War and Treasury building, and the office of the
National Intelligencer
newspaper (which had slandered Admiral Cockburn).
Dolly Madison, the president’s wife, barely escaped her home before the troops arrived, carrying as many paintings, documents, and artifacts she could hold. (Although, there is no record of a British soldier or lady from Baltimore in her house on that day, the possibility exists!) Admiral Cockburn, in a raucous display of vengeful arrogance, did indeed partake of the dinner Mrs. Madison had laid out for her husband’s men, as well as offer a multitude of insulting toasts to the president whom he referred to as “Old Jemmy.”
Early in the morning of August 25, the British aroused themselves with the intent to set fire to any remaining buildings and wreak as much additional havoc as possible. But this new day would not afford them success. At two in the afternoon, a detachment of two hundred redcoats marched to Greenleaf Point to finish off the arsenal and destroy any remaining buildings left by the Americans. However, before leaving, the Americans had concealed a large quantity of kegged powder in a dry well near the barracks. One of the British artillerymen accidentally dropped a lighted portfire into the well. The resulting explosion rocked the city, unroofed houses, and shot pieces of brick, stone, and earth into the air. Twelve British died and thirty were wounded.
Soon after the explosion, a terrifying storm struck the city. One eyewitness commented, “Of the prodigious force of the wind, it is impossible for you to form any conception. Roofs of houses were torn off by it, and whisked into the air like sheets of paper. … The darkness was as great as if the sun had long set … occasionally relieved by flashes of vivid lightning streaming through it, which together with the noise of the wind and the thunder, the crash of falling buildings and the tearing of roofs as they were stript from the walls, produced the most appalling affect I ever have or shall witness. … Our column was completely dispersed as if it had received a total defeat.”
The two-hour storm not only doused the remaining flames, but killed thirty British soldiers, scattering the rest over the landscape. The British gathered their survivors and quietly withdrew from Washington.