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
Potton (1814 ship) to reach land on the 20th. On the 29th "Falcon", Littleworth, master, took the survivors and arrived at Dover on 18 June. Notes "Citations"' References Potton (1814 ship) Potton was launched in 1814 and shortly thereafter made one of two voyages under charter to the British East India Company (EIC). Between voyages for the EIC and after she was a general trader until she foundered in 1829. "Potton" enters the "Register of Shipping" in 1815 with Fairburn, master, changing to Welbank. Her trade was Hull—London, changing to Hull—Bengal. EIC voyage #1 (1815-1816): (1) 1814/5 Bengal. Captain Thomas Wellbank sailed from