Cockburn had reached Benedict, Maryland via the Patuxent River with his warships; the troops then disembarked and marched to Washington to mount the attack. The 4,500 troops, commanded by Major General Robert Ross, successfully captured the capital city on 24 August 1814. Cockburn accompanied Ross and recommended burning the entire city. Ross directed the Burning of Washington but decided to damage only public buildings, including the White House and the US Capitol, sparing nearly all of the privately-owned properties.