Burning of Washington Capitol dome to match the diameter of 86 ft. With the reconstruction of the public buildings in Washington, the value of land in the area increased dramatically, paving the way for the expansion of the city that developed in the years leading up to the American Civil War. Burning of Washington The Burning of Washington was a British invasion of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, during the War of 1812. On August 24, 1814, after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, a British force led by Major General Robert Ross burned down buildings including the
HMS Pictou (1814) HMS Pictou (1814) HMS "Pictou" was the American letter of marque schooner "Zebra" that the Royal Navy captured in 1813. The Admiralty purchased her in 1814 and she served on the North America station during the War of 1812 before the navy sold her in 1818. On 20 April 1813 the British frigates and captured "Zebra" off the west coast of France as "Zebra" was sailing from Bordeaux to New York. At the time the British frigate was in sight. "Zebra" carried ten guns and a crew of 38 men under the command of Captain L. Bourne. By 26 July