The burning of Washington and its Capture

Today in history, I will talk about the memorable day which happens in the War of 1812. We knew about the British troop’s campaign against this era for America. But one of the most memorable moments was that of burning of the Whitehouse, the home of the American Presidents. The British militiamen burned the White House this day in history, through the efforts of General Robert Ross. It all started when the American troops was defeated in the Battle of Bladensburg in Maryland and continued their march towards Washington D.C. . . Most of the congressmen that time fled from the area, including President James Madison together with his wife, to whom early in the morning that day, have seen action fighting against the British in the Battle of Bladensburg.

When the British troops arrived, they have dined that night in the White House. And when they realized that they have the hold of the place already, they set the White House in flames, including the area’s private homes, federal buildings, the Congress and the House of Representatives. To most historians, it is in revenge for the American troops burning of Canadian government buildings earlier in the war. The entire city was busted with flames and the structures are almost gone with its ashes. It’s like the city was totally burned down due to the uncontested force for the British

militiamen.

Two days later on August 26, General Ross ordered a withdrawal of their troops in Washington. The next day, President Madison came back from the ravaged and the burned Washington, promising to restore the beauty of the city again. With the help of the original architect of the White House, named James Hoban, help reconstruct the executive mansion and was completed around 1817. The White House was then considered as the home of the most powerful leader in the world centuries after the incident.

Credits: Images from google