The Burning of the White House

During the War of 1812, many events have occurred, including

the burning of the White House. On August 1814, Washington D.C.
found out that they are being targeted by a British army coming from
Chesapeake Bay. Even though the capital itself have not much of a
strategic value, the British hoped that the burning would cause a
psychological impact on the will of the Americans. As a British army of
4,000, many Washington D.C. residents have fled the city.
On the 24th of August, President James Madison was routed in a
battle a few miles from the city, in Bladensburg, with other American
defenders. Although the president was not present when they found
out that the British was burning down the capital, Dolley Madison, the
first lady at the time, was there. When Dolley was told from a
messenger that the British was coming, she and the staff quickly fled
to Potomac. While she was leaving, she took the full-length portrait of
George Washington torn off a wall with her.
In the evening, the British arrived at the capital and began their
destruction. The British troops have planned to destroy anything that
was connected with the government. They burned down the Senate
House, White House, an extensive dockyard and arsenal, barracks for
thousands of men, storehouses full of things stored for the naval and
military, and many others. Soldiers have found a dining room ready for
entertainment in a ceremonious party. Since everything was ready, the
British soldier decided to make a feast out of it. After taking the food,
and stealing the wine, the soldiers put the house on fire.

By: Elaine Wong