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In August of 1814, British forces entered Washington, D.C. after the Battle of Bladensburg. They found the navy yard had already been set ablaze by retreating Americans to prevent the invaders from using any supplies, and with no resistance, the British set to work torching the rest of the city. British Captain Harry Smith, junior Adjutant to Major General Robert Ross, recollects, "We entered Washington on the barbarous purpose of destroying the city. Admiral Cockburn would have burnt the whole, but Ross would only consent to the burning of public buildings ... As it was considered the total annihilation of Washington would have removed the seat of government to New York, and the Northern and Federal States." When the soldiers arrived at the White House, an empty home with a dining room full of fine food, wine, and place settings for 40 people awaited them. Little did they know that Dolley Madison, perhaps in her denial and desire to uplift her spirits, had arranged for a society dinner but fled when danger loomed. The soldiers satisfied their appetites and set the house ablaze. "I shall never forget the destructive majesty of the flames as the torches were applied to the beds, curtains, etc. Our sailors were artists at the work," said Smith. After the fire, only the exterior walls of the White House remained, and James Hoban was again hired to reconstruct the entire building. The British also inflicted severe damage on the Capitol, the Treasury, and the War Office. Harry Smith, a career soldier for the British Army, went on to fight in the Battle of Waterloo, and eventually became the governor of Cape Town, South Africa from 1848 to 1852. |
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