Burning of Washington 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 White House (known as the "Presidential Mansion"), the Capitol, as well as other facilities of the U.S. government. The attack was in part a retaliation for the recent American destruction of Port Dover in Upper Canada. The Burning of Washington marks the only time since the American Revolutionary
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