Battle of Bladensburg: America's Humiliating Defeat in 1814

Introduction: The Forgotten Battle

One of the lowest points for the United States during the War of 1812 came with the Battle of Bladensburg, which led to the devastating burning of the Capitol. The British victory on August 24, 1814, left Washington vulnerable to attack. You don't hear much about the War of 1812, and you rarely hear about the Battle of Bladensburg. If the Battle of Bladensburg was such a significant event, why don't we hear about it? The battle to protect the heart of America failed, and we prefer not to remember what has been called "the most humiliating episode in American history." (Howe, p. 63.)

Causes and Context of the War of 1812

This paper examines the Battle of Bladensburg and the aftermath of the battle. Although a small and short engagement, the Battle of Bladensburg was "the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms." (Howe, p. 63.) By examining the background of the battle, we can understand the reasons for the war with Britain and the actions taken at York that would disgrace Washington. The mistakes made and lack of well-trained troops would affect the outcome on the battlefield. Finally, this paper will cover the aftermath of the battle and an unlikely hero.

The Battle of Bladensburg was only a small part of the greater picture of the War of 1812. To understand the reasons for the battle, we must examine the main events that led to it. The United States declared war on Britain in 1812 for many reasons. At the time, Britain and France were at war with each other, which placed trade restrictions on the United States. Additionally, the British practiced impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy. The British also supported American Indian tribes against American expansion. The United States launched many invasions into Canada and gained control over Lake Erie in 1813.

The Battle of Bladensburg: August 24, 1814

On April 27, 1813, during the Battle of York, the United States made a grave mistake that would play out in the aftermath of the Battle of Bladensburg. During the battle, American forces carried out acts of plundering and set many buildings on fire. After the British defeated France in 1814, they adopted a more aggressive strategy in the war. Major General Robert Ross was redeployed to Chesapeake Bay to "effect a diversion on the coasts of the United States of America in favor of the army employed in the defense of Upper and Lower Canada." (Hitsman, p. 240.) John Armstrong, the Secretary of War, didn't believe the British would attack Washington, but they eventually did.

On August 19, 1814, seasoned British troops commanded by Major General Robert Ross landed near the Patuxent River and marched toward a fleet of gunboats commanded by Commodore Barney. The size of the British force caused Barney to destroy his 15 gunboats and retreat toward Bladensburg in hopes of establishing a defensive position to protect the capital. This left Washington highly vulnerable to attack. General William H. Winder was appointed commander of American troops in the district. General Winder had very little honorable military experience and had been captured early by the British during the war. Under his command were approximately 1,000 regulars and 15,000 militia members. At the time the British landed, they had 1,500 to 1,600 men, and because of the belief that the British would not attack Washington, most American forces were positioned near Baltimore.

General Winder's response to the British advancement was poorly executed. As the British pushed toward Bladensburg, Winder failed to act decisively and retreated toward Washington. Barney's 400 sailors and Marines took up a defensive position that was joined by General Tobias Stansbury's 1,450 militia members and 420 regulars. On August 24, 5,000 more militia members arrived, and General Winder took command just before the British attack. Although the British had only 2,600 troops, they were all experienced regulars. The American defensive position's weakness was the lack of regular troops. When the British began their attack on the militia, the American soldiers stood their ground only briefly before retreating. Only Barney's sailors and Marines remained to fight until they were outflanked and ordered to retreat. Barney was badly wounded during the fight. The battle ended as quickly as it began, with a British victory.

The Burning of Washington and Its Aftermath

The defeat at Bladensburg left Washington exposed to attack. As the British advanced toward Washington City, the population abandoned the city. Soon even President Madison fled to the surrounding countryside. Determined to avenge the burning of York earlier in the war, the British set out to burn the Capitol. In all the chaos, Dolley Madison rose to the occasion, saving priceless documents such as George Washington's portrait and the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Dolley Madison became a hero at a time when women were rarely acknowledged as soldiers or active participants in warfare. Severe thunderstorms forced the British to retreat to their ships, allowing the United States to reclaim the capital.