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
USS Mohawk (1814) Chauncey for service against the British on Lake Ontario, "Mohawk" departed Sackets Harbor on 31 July 1814 in Chauncey’s squadron to challenge the British squadron of Captain Sir James Yeo, Royal Navy, for control of the lake during the crucial Niagara campaign of 1814. Sailing up to the head of the lake seeking the British squadron, the American ships found the enemy had retired to Kingston, Ontario. In mid-July, "Mohawk", in company with the full-rigged ships USS "Superior", USS "General Pike", and USS "Madison", began a blockade of the Canadian port, remaining there for 45 days, providing valuable support for