In the hot, humid summer of 1814, British troops advanced on Washington, DC. Their only obstacle was American troops guarding the heights at Bladensburg, Maryland, ten miles outside the capital. After a brief battle, the Americans took flight in their most humiliating defeat of the war, and British troops captured Washington.
"as soon as they arrived on even ground with him, he fled in every direction" British commander describing fleeing American soldiers
Last updated: May 24, 2016