British in the Bay: The Washington Campaign

Plan of the Battle Ground at Bladensburg

The British Attack Bladensburg and Move Onto Washington

There are other reasons for the attack on Chesapeake Bay. The Americans have burned and pillaged Canadian property during their raids on York and Port Dover, and the intensity of the war has been rising. The British want to retaliate by striking at the heart of the United States. Baltimore is also an important shipping and commercial center; if it can be sacked there, will be a considerable amount of prize money to go around.

Close to 4,500 British soldiers land at Benedict, Maryland on August 19, 1814, and march towards Washington, about 60 miles away. In the August heat, General Robert Ross doesn’t push his men. They take five days to cover the roughly fifty miles to Bladensburg.

On August 23, Ross receives a message from the overall leader of the British campaign, Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, advising him to turn back. But Rear Admiral George Cockburn thinks they should continue. After much discussion, Ross agrees. The Americans, after all, don’t appear inclined to defend their capital. The villages they have passed through along the way have largely been abandoned. Even the bridges are still intact, and the only force they have encountered has run away. The road to Washington appears wide open.

It is noon on August 24, before the British enter Bladensburg. In the distance, they see clouds of dust and realize the Americans are marching out to meet them. Bladensburg itself is empty of American soldiers. This is good news for Ross’ soldiers who would rather not have to engage in street fighting. On the heights across the east branch of the Potomac River, they can see the enemy waiting. For some reason the Americans haven’t bothered to destroy the bridge.

Colonel William Thornton and the 85th Regiment lead the charge across the river. Without waiting for the rest of the British force, Thornton impetuously orders his regiment forward. The 85th quickly drives off the American riflemen, but then finds itself facing the main body of Maryland militia. When the Americans counterattack, the 85th is pushed back towards the river and most of the regiment’s officers are killed or wounded.

By now the main body of the British force is across the bridge. General Ross orders the use of Congreve rockets. The rockets are extremely inaccurate, but they make a terrifying noise as they whistle over the heads of the terrified American militia who have never heard or seen anything like it. The militiamen drop their weapons and run.