Daily National Intelligencer

From the Alexandria Herald.
CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON

The official account of Gen. Ross is now before the public, and in introducing it to our readers we shall notice but a few particulars, as we find it to be as correct in detail as was expected, except in the exaggeration of the numbers opposed to him. It appears that a demonstration upon Washington was not intended till the 22d, and that the march to Upper Marlborough was to co-operate with Cockburn in the destruction of the flotilla under Barney, at Pig Point, only about two miles distant. While there, however, the general "ascertained our force was such as might authorise an attempt upon our capital," and he accordingly determined to make it, for which purpose the troops were put in motion on the evening of the 22d. And it will no doubt occur to the reader what connexion this might have had with the fortunate residence of the agent for British prisoners at Bladenburg.

But what most astonishes us, is the unblushing manner in which he announces the destruction of the public buildings including the President's palace, and proves that what we were willing heretofore to ascribe to the ferocious character of Cockburn was his own deliberate act, and that he justly merited the subsequent fate that awaited him at Baltimore, which is a striking example of the singular chastisement inflicted by Divine Vengeance upon the principal perpetrator of an act that must be viewed by all nations with abhorrence, who cultivate civilization or the improvement of the arts and sciences, and destroys that character of a soldier, which the energy of his enterprize would otherwise have entitled him to, as an honor to his profession.

The account of their loss is thus headed, 'a list of the killed, wounded and missing.' In the estimate however over which this is placed, they appear but two descriptions of loss, to wit, killed and wounded now what has become of the missing!--Were there none, or was the number so great that they feared to let it be known? It is well known their greatest loss was in deserters.