Diaries, letters, and memoirs are used to take an in-depth look at a painful but lesser known chapter in American history, when during the War of 1812 British troops routed American forces from Washington, leaving the capital and the White House in flames.
Here’s an excerpt from The White House Is Burning:
“General Ross and Admiral Cockburn entered Washington to the long, loud roll of a drum, the signal that they were ready to discuss the terms of the capital’s surrender. They were prepared to be generous, so long as the city surrendered peacefully, and they were a little miffed when no one seemed to be paying much attention. In truth, there were few people left in the city they had just invaded. The president and his cabinet had escaped and the militiamen had fled, as had most of the residents.Those who were left gave quick evidence of what they thought of the enemy’s generous offer.
“The British had just reached the open space in front of the Capitol when a volley of gunshots sounded from a house on their right. General Ross’s horse fell dead on the spot, One of the British guards was killed as well, and another wounded.
“The British were furious.”
(Charlesbridge, 120 pp.)
