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Vice-Admiral Cochrane, who had been overseeing the successful blockade of US Atlantic ports returned to the island to meet with the officers of the task force. There, a letter from Sir George Prevost was brought forward. He reported a US expedition which had crossed the border at Lake Erie and which had pillaged and fired private properties of no military value. He asked for a punitive expidition against the Americans which would 'deter the enemy from a repetition of such outrages'. The Ambitious Admirals and Generals soon settled on an opportunistic attempt to strike either, or both, the US capital itself, or Baltimore.
The plan was dependent on close timing, and was almost scuppered at the outset when the condition of the wind prevented the largest vessels from exiting the colony's protected waters via Hurd's Channel (the Narrows).
The only remaining exit was a treacherous path through the Northern reefline, normally only used by small boats. The only pilot familiar with this passage, Joe Hayward, took the Royal Oak out with the most supreme skill, followed by the remainder of the fleet.
Before its arrival off the US coast, the fleet was joined by Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn. The brother of the Somers Isles governor, he had been placed in charge of naval forces in Halifax, but had spent some time reconnoitring the area of the intended attack, disguised as a traveller.
On the 17 August, the Royal Oak dropped anchor in the Patuxent. It was decided the Frigates and smaller vessels would proceed up the Patuxent to find a landing for the army. The US Navy had a flotilla of gunboats, under Commodore Barney, which had been for some time been blockaded in the Patuxent by the Royal Navy. This force proved no threat, however, as the Americans burned their own vessels and fled overland, toward Washington.
Carrying on up the river, the British vessels landed their troops within 36 miles of Washington DC, and, guided by the intrepid Admiral Cockburn, they followed the fleeing US sailors.
The following day they met the enemies defenses at the town of Bladensburg, within view of the capital. President Madison rode out, in fact, to oversee the preparations of the US general Winder.
1,500 British troops would be employed in the furious attack on the American positions, with General Ross leading from the front (he would have two horses shot out from under him). Facing them, the Americans had 3,000 regular and militia troops, reinforced by Commodore Barney and 400 marines. A further 2,00 militia troops were nearing the field when the battle began. Conventional logic dictates a three-to-one advantage is required when attacking an enemy in prepared positions. Despite the serious numerical disparity, the British forces would carry the day-but not without a heavy price. They suffered 64 killed and 185 wounded ( to the Americans' 26 killed and 51 wounded,) but by nightfall the British force was encamped on the outskirts of Washington DC, and making preparations to burn it. Ross was reported to have shied at the uncivilized idea of burning the capital, but his able deputy Cockburn set forth with a gleam in his eye. By midnight, the incomplete US Capitol building and the President's house were in flames. Meanwhile, the
Admiral Cockburn was keen to burn the entire city to the ground, but was held in check by the General's who considered who would only allow his depredations to fall on public buildings. That night, he stole out with three men and put the Secretary of State's building to the torch, also.
Remaining in occupation could never be a consideration. The following morning the retreat to the ships was begun via the same route as the advance. The rejoined the fleet on the 27th., having also lavished their attentions on the City of Alexandria.
They brought with them a fair amount of booty stripped from the American public buildings, and elsewhere, including portraits of King George III and Queen Charlote Sophia, which now hang in Hamilton's Council Chamber and House of Assembly.
Ross reluctantly set forth, with 3,200 men, as the navy sailed to place Baltimore's defences under bombardment. The US defenders proved to be too well prepared and,despite the army's tenacious efforts, realism set in and the attack was abandoned. The naval bombardment hadn't affected any particular advantage the soldiers might exploit either, and the ships collected the troops for the return to the Somers Isles-but not General Ross. He had been felled by an American sniper before they had engaged the enemy and been suceeded by one of his colonels. The American defenders were at least as numerous and their positions far beter prepared than at Bladensburg. The British losses were far heavier.
There is a lingering reminder of this chapter, today. It is said that the US President's House was so badly blackened by the flames it has been necessary, since its reconstruction to white-wash it. The White House.
