Pressed by the British attack, some of the militia units broke under fire and fell back, leaving the 5th exposed to the full weight of the enemy. Sterett's men "gallantly" held their ground, pushing the British back at bayonet point, but the 5th was soon flanked by the advancing enemy and Brigadier General Tobias Stansbury soon ordered a full retreat. Although the 5th had "evinced a disposition to make a gallant resistance", it was out-flanked by the redcoats and eventually forced to retreat in some disorder. After the battle, British forces entered Washington DC and burned many public buildings in the city.