Evening star., 1945-08-19
BV John Clagett Proctor

We are last approaching the ami
versary of one of the most tragic and
humiliating days in the history of
Observation-Disclosures "a, 1814-when the
British captured the Capital. burned its
public buildings, and destroyed much
public property. 1t was the elements,
not our Army, that finally compelled
them to leave. 1t is said that it is an
Ill wind that blows nobody some good,
and surely the big blow of the second
day of the invasion, did the people con-
siderable good, for it was this which
practically blew the invaders from the
city.
Another thing which tended to dis
rupt the British forces besides the storm
was the terrific explosion at the Green
leaf Point Arsenal. on July 25
British captain it seems, had been
sent with company of soldiers to the
arsenal to destroy the powder magazine,
which however, upon reaching, they
found empty, the powder having been
taken out the day before and thrown
into a dry well. Naturally, not aware
that this well contained explosives, one
of the British soldiers threw lighted
match or a light of some kind into it,
and a most violent explosion occurred,
resulting in the killing of some British
officers and about 80 men. Many were
shockingly mangled and died later,
while still others were manned for life.
One report of the occurrence tells US
tnot ylroe 10 Will ncln hot
some of the unfortunate victims were
said to have been seen flying through
the air to great distances, others being
buried alive under tons of earth thrown
upon them.
Caring for the Wounded
So far as known, the throwing of the
powder in the we'll was not intended to
result as it did, but, since all is fair
in war and love, if it was done in
tentionally, it was justifable under the
circumstances. There seems to be a
certain amount of humanity in every
mans soul. however, and so it was in
this case. for the survivors of the ca
tastrophe were taken to Capitol Hill and
those in the most distressed condition
were lodged in CAROLS buildings, ad-
joining the residence of DR.. Ewell, who
alone gave At of them surgical and
medical attention.
Gen. Sir Robert Ross in his report of
the capture of Washington says: The
enemys army was under the
command of Gen. Winder, being formed
of troops drawn from Baltimore and
Pennsylvania. His artillery, 10 pieces of
which fell into our hands, was COM
manded by Comdr. Barney, who was
wounded and taken prisoner. The artil-
lery directed to be destroyed
Having halted the army for a short
time, I determined to march upon
Washington, and reached that city at s
O'Clock that night Judging it of con-
sequence TO complete the destruction of
the public buildings with the least pos
sible delay, so that the army might re-
tire without loss of time. the following
buildings were set fire to and con-
sumed-the Capitol, including the Sen
ate-House of Representatives the ar
senal, the dockyard, Treasury, War Of
fee, Presidents Palace, rope-walk, and
the great bridge across the Potowmack;
in the dockyard a frigate nearly ready
to be launched, and a sloop of war. were
consumed
THE two bridges leading to WASH
tngton over the Eastern Branch had
been destroyed by the enemy, who ap-
pretended an attack from that quarter
The object of the expedition being ac-
complished I determined. before any
greater force of the enemy could be
assembled, to withdraw the troops and,
accordingly, recommended retiring on
the night of the 25th. On the evening Of
the 29th we reached Benedict, and re-
embarked the following day"
Gen. Ross. himself, had a very pleas
ant visit in Washington, with one ex-
ception-when he was fired upon when
passing houses near the Capitol. ac-
companied only by some officers Here
he and his party received heavy fire
OF n1usketry from the Capitol and two
other houses, according to the report
of Rear Admiral Cockburn, who saws:
These were therefore almost immedi-
stely stormed by our people, taken pos
session of and set on fire, after which
the town submitted without further re-
slstance." Upon this occasion Gen. Ross
horse was shot from beneath him.
Drank His Majesty's Health
However, that night, according to a
British statement, when the con-
they found the table laid for a grand
supper. The champagne was in coolers
"a 1ne dessert set out on the side
boards so the officers ordered in
the supper, and Gen. Ross drank his
maJeSty's health at the head of the
table with the Presidents wine"
Congress was not then in session, the
second session of the Thirteenth Con-
gress having adjourned on April 18, four
months s*iars But the executive
branch or the Government was here
or at least had been here until the
British came within sight of the Cap
tai, when 1t became conspicuous by its
absence and only saw at safe distance
the light from the burning public build
ings, the same light by which some of
the English officers quartered at Mrs.
Suffers nearby, ate their supper In
deed, any number of officials close to
President Madison were anxious to ac-
company him to a place of security.
The Capitol, too, where was then
housed the Library of Congress- was
soon put to the torch and soon de-
stroyed. And an item from a contem-