<p><b>An insightful re-examination of one of the most dangerous moments in US history, the British assault on Washington, DC</b></p><p>Perhaps no other single day in US history was as threatening to the survival of the nation as August 24, 1814, when British forces captured Washington, DC. This unique moment might have significantly altered the nation’s path forward, but the event and the reasons why it happened are little remembered by most Americans.
<I>When Washington Burned</I> narrates and examines the British campaign and American missteps that led to the fall of Washington during the War of 1812. Watson analyzes the actions of key figures on both sides, such as President James Madison and General William Winder on the US side and Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross on the British side. He pinpoints the reasons the campaign was such a disaster for the United States but also tells the redeeming stories of the courageous young clerks and the bold first lady, Dolley Madison, who risked their lives to save priceless artifacts and documents from the flames, including the Constitution. The British invasion was repulsed over the coming weeks and months, and the United States ultimately emerged stronger.
General readers interested in the history of Washington, US history, and military history will be fascinated by this book.</p>
eBook - ePub
When Washington Burned
The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation's Rise from the Ashes
- 312 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
When Washington Burned
The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation's Rise from the Ashes
About this book
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Map
- “Bladensburg Races”
- Contents
- List of Illustrations
- Preface
- Prologue: The Sacking of York
- Part I: The Chesapeake Campaign
- Part II: Destruction in Washington
- Part III: The Future of the Capital
- Part IV: Rebirth of a Nation
- Appendix A: Extract from Dolley Madison’s Letter to Her Sister, August 23, 1814
- Appendix B: Account of the Burning of Washington by Capt. Harry Smith, Adjutant to Maj.-Gen. Robert Ross
- Appendix C: Account of the Burning of Washington by Lt. James Scott, Adjutant to Adm. George Cockburn
- Appendix D: Extract from Stephen Pleasonton’s Account of Saving National Treasures
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- About the Author
- Plates
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Yes, you can access When Washington Burned by Robert P. Watson in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & Military & Maritime History. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.