War of 1812
Episode45
November 30, 2020
War of 1812 E45 Washington in Flames: The Day the Capital Fell
By the summer of 1814, the United States was on the defensive. The British had tightened their grip on the war, blockading ports, raiding towns, and forcing the U.S. military into retreat after retreat. Washington was now in their sights, and the American response was scattered at best. This episode covers the events leading up to the burning of Washington, the last stand at Bladensburg, and how a handful of Marines and sailors fought against impossible odds.
References
- Abbot, W. J. (1899). The naval history of the United States. New York: Peter Fenelon Collier.
- Brenton, E. P. (1970). The naval history of Great Britain: from the year Mdcclxxxiii. to Mdcccxxxvi. London: H. Colburn.
- Cooper, J. F. (1856). History of the Navy of the United States of America: continued to 1856. New York: Stringer & Townsend.
- Dundonald, T. E. of. (1860). The autobiography of a seaman. London: Bentley.
- James, W., & Chamier, F. (1847). The naval history of Great Britain, from the declaration of war by France in 1793, to the accession of George Iv. London: R. Bentley.
- Marshall, J. (1835). Royal Naval Biography: Or, Memoirs of the Services of All the Flag-Officers, Superannuated Rear-Admirals, Retired-Captains, Post-Captains, and Commanders. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified.
- Miller, W. M., & Tyson, C. A. (1965). A chronology of the United States Marine Corps. Washington: Historical Branch, G-3 Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Roosevelt, T. (2011). The Naval War of 1812, or, The history of the United States Navy during the last war with Great Britain: to which is appended an account of the Battle of New Orleans. United States: publisher not identified.
Explore the battles from this episode
Find every engagement on the Bloodline interactive battle map.