Probably the most humiliating military defeat ever inflicted on the
United States occurred in August, 1814, when British troops marched into
Washington and burned the public buildings. This was a punitive action
designed to teach the Americans a lesson and to demoralize the country.
Official Washington fled at the approach of the British, and in the
following letter Dolly Madison, the President’s wife, describes her
activities on the day before and her flight from the White House on the
day of the British invasion.
Dear Sister—My husband left me yesterday morning to join General
Winder. He inquired anxiously whether I had courage or firmness to
remain in the President’s house until his return on the morrow, or
succeeding day, and on my assurance that I had no fear but for him,
and the success of our army, he left, beseeching me to take care of
myself, and of the Cabinet papers, public and private. I have since
received two dispatches from him, written with a pencil. The last is
alarming, because he desires I should be ready at a moment’s warning
to enter my carriage, and leave the city; that the enemy seemed
stronger than had at first been reported, and it might happen that
they would reach the city with the intention of destroying it. I am
accordingly ready; I have pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks
as to fill one carriage; our private property must be sacrificed, as
it is impossible to procure wagons for its transportation. I am
determined not to go myself until I see Mr. Madison safe, so that he
can accompany me, as I hear of much hostility towards him.
Disaffection stalks around us. My friends and acquaintances are all
gone, even Colonel C. with his hundred, who were stationed as a guard
in this inclosure. French John [_a faithful servant_], with his usual
activity and resolution, offers to spike the cannon at the gate, and
lay a train of powder, which would blow up the British, should they
enter the house. To the last proposition I positively object, without
being able to make him understand why all advantages in war may not be
taken.
_Wednesday Morning_, twelve o’clock. Since sunrise I have been turning
my spy-glass in every direction, and watching with unwearied anxiety,
hoping to discover the approach of my dear husband and his friends;
but, alas! I can descry only groups of military, wandering in all
directions, as if there was a lack of arms, or of spirit to fight for
their own fireside.
Three o’clock. Will you believe it, my sister? we have had a battle,
or skirmish, near Bladensburg, and here I am still, within sound of
the cannon! Mr. Madison comes not. May God protect us! Two messengers
covered with dust come to bid me fly; but here I mean to wait for
him.... At this late hour a wagon has been procured, and I have had it
filled with plate and the most valuable portable articles belonging to
the house. Whether it will reach its destination, the Bank of
Maryland, or fall into the hands of British soldiery, events must
determine. Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll, has come to hasten my
departure, and in a very bad humor with me, because I insist on
waiting until the large picture of General Washington is secured, and
it requires to be unscrewed from the wall. This process was found too
tedious for these perilous moments; I have ordered the frame to be
broken, and the canvas taken out. It is done! and the precious
portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of New York, for safe
keeping. And now, dear sister, I must leave this house, or the
retreating army will make me a prisoner in it by filling up the road I
am directed to take. When I shall again write to you, or where I shall
be tomorrow, I cannot tell!
Dolly.