The Storm that saved Washington

My husband and I have just returned from honeymoon, we spent three weeks away visiting Washington, New York and travelling back to the UK on the Queen Mary 2. We flew to JFK and intended to get a connecting flight to DC but a once in a decade event prevented this; DC had a tornado warning. Luckily the trains in the US are better than in the UK, rather than cancelling it just went slower through the storm. This made me think of a historical storm which saved the American capital.

The year was 1814, and the United States was embroiled in the midst of the War of 1812 against Great Britain. It was during this conflict that one of the most iconic events in American history unfolded—the burning of Washington, D.C.

To understand the burning of Washington, D.C., one must first appreciate the context of the War of 1812. Tensions between the United States and Great Britain had been simmering for years, with issues such as trade disputes, British impressment of American sailors, and British support for Native American tribes exacerbating the situation. In June 1812, the U.S. declared war on Britain, marking the beginning of the conflict.

In August 1814, British forces launched a two-pronged invasion of the United States. One force moved towards the Chesapeake Bay, while another set its sights on the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. On August 24, 1814, British troops under the command of Major General Robert Ross and Rear Admiral George Cockburn descended upon Washington, D.C.

The American capital was ill-prepared for the onslaught. President James Madison and his government fled the city, leaving it vulnerable to the British. On August 24, British troops captured Washington with little resistance. They proceeded to set fire to several government buildings, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Library of Congress.

The burning of Washington, D.C. sent shockwaves through the young nation. It was a humiliating blow to American pride, and the destruction of important government structures symbolised the vulnerability of the United States in the face of a powerful enemy. Nevertheless, it also galvanized American resolve, leading to increased support for the war effort.

The occupation of DC only lasted 26 hours after the British were forced to withdraw by bad weather. A sudden hurricane force storm hit the capital, killed many of the troops and damaged their ships. There is debate around the impact of the storm on the British and whether they planned to fully occupy the city or merely destroy the main government buildings. Nevertheless, the storm escalated their departure and became an American folklore legend.

The War of 1812 continued for several more months, but neither side achieved a decisive victory. Finally, in December 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, officially ending the war. Interestingly, news of the treaty's signing did not reach the United States until after the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815, which is often considered a post-war battle.

The burning of Washington, D.C. left a lasting legacy. It served as a stark reminder of the nation's vulnerability during a time of war and led to a renewed focus on national defense. The subsequent rebuilding of the capital also provided an opportunity for the city to be redesigned and modernized, resulting in the cityscape we see today.