The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-08-24
TODAY IN HISTORY
Washlnaton Burned by the British.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST "a, 1910.

Hardly an event connected with the
second war with Great Britain aroused
so universal spirit OF Indignation on
the part OF the people OF tho United
Statcs-so united sentiment OF hos
tilty against her ancient enemy-as the
capture and burning OF Washington city,
the federal capital, on August "a, 1914
The commencement OF this year was
distinguished by military and political
The British government decided TO lay
waste the whole American coast from
Maine 10 Georgia. About the middle or
August an English squadron OF between
fifty and sixty sail arrived In the Chesa-
pcako to strike the first decisive blow.
namely. an attack on Washington. The
British force was divided into three
parts. One division was sent up the Po-
threaten Baltimore. The main body as
cended the Patuxcnt, apparently with the
intention of destroying Commodore Bar
neys ilotilla. which had taken refuge Mt
the head of that river. but with the real
intention. as IL was soon discovered. or
attacking Washington. The head OF
reached on the 10th Of August, The fol-
lowing day the land forces debarked TO
| the number of 5000. BY the 2Sd the Brit
ish forces were within twelve miles OF
| the capital,
The American army that was available
| for defense OF the city was 1900 men.
with seventeen pieces of artillery. On
! the morning OF the cath various reports
were brought to tho United States head
quarters OF the movements and lnten-
| tions Of the British. Finally they made
their appearance and, although they were
| met with stubborn resistance, the raw
| American troops were not able TO re-
sist the seasoned British soldiers. and
the Americans were compelled TO retreat
at every point. Finally the British had
a clear field and marched triumphantly
into Washington and began 20 carry out
the threat Of the commanding invader
II Will make COW pasture OF these Yam
1 bee ~ fol ,6,IS
The British. after they had received
the capitulation OF the city, started tc
set fire to it, burning the capitol, the
buildings, An English narrator who was
present tells the story, in the following
descriptive way; The blazing OF houses
ships and stores, the report OF exploding
magazines and the crash Of falling roofs
was one OF the finest sights to be con-
| celved. The sky was brilliantly illumi.
mated by the contiagration The scene
was striking and sublime as the burn
ing of ST. Sebastians. Towards morn.
ing a violent storm OF rain. accompanied
with thunder and lightning came on
whose flashes seemed TO VIE In brilliancS
with the flames which burst from Tho
roofs Of burning houses, while the thun-
der drowned the noise OF falling wall:
and was only interrupted by the occa'
sion1 roar of cannon and OF large depot!
one. OF s'"po"aeF aS '"e' eAD''''D 'D0 y
On account of Washington being tn,
seat of government OF the American re
public. its capture occasioned great ecla
on the part of the British and mucl
chasrn and Indignation throughout TIN
United States-indeed. the whole civilized
world exclaimed against the act as
violation OF the rules OF modern war
fare. So overwhelming was rne effec
upon the people OF the United State
OF the wanton burning and plunder o
their capital that party spirit instantl!
vanished and with it the dissension
which had almost paralyzed the govern
ment and the whole country was in mo
ton. 1t was not long. however. after tn
burning Of Washington that the war wa
over and the public buildings in the capi
tai city were soon replaced by substan
tial structures.
On August "a occurred the destruction
Of PomDeii in rs. 1T is the date of tn
massacre of st. Bartholomew In 1872; an
the battle OF Bladensburg. Md, in 1S1i
August "A is the birthday OF Letizla Bona
parte, the mother of Napoleon Q750)
William Wilberforce. the philanthrops