History of Washington, D.C. problems, and plans for further construction to reach the Ohio River were abandoned. During the War of 1812, British forces conducted an expedition between August 19 and 29, 1814, that took and burned the capital city. On August 24, the British routed an American militia, which had gathered at Bladensburg, Maryland to protect the capital (see Battle of Bladensburg). The militia then abandoned Washington without a fight. President James Madison and the remainder of the U.S. government fled the capital shortly before the British arrived. The British then entered and burned the capital during the most notably destructive raid of
Blucher (1814 ship) Blucher (1814 ship) Blucher was launched at Boston in 1809 under another name. The British captured her around 1814 and new owners renamed her. She traded with India and South East Asia under a license from the British East India Company until she wrecked in 1818. Laing & Co. purchased her as a prize. She first appeared in "Lloyd's Register" in 1814 with Kennedy, master, Laing & Co., owners, and trade London–Newfoundland. The next year Fullerton replaced Kennedy as master. In 1816 her master changed from Fullerton to C. Kerr, her owner was Goldie & Co., and her trade was