The Brits Are Coming: The History of The Battle of Bladensburg

The War of 1812 is both fascinating and confusing. It’s not really even clear which side won—either could claim it as a victory. Certainly it changed America, persuading the government that both a standing army and navy were necessary and establishing our country as a world player. It forged a stronger identity for the new republic, and provided us with a national anthem. In European history, it’s overshadowed by the Napoleonic Wars. (1812? That’s when Napoleon invaded Russia!)

Here in the States, we all know about the burning of Washington by the British in 1814, and the decisive Battle of New Orleans that ended the war a year later. But the prelude to the invasion of Washington, the Battle of Bladensburg, is less well known, representing as it does an enemy invasion and victory on American soil.

In other words, it was not our finest hour. (Nor was it that of the British, for that matter, whose destruction of Washington was roundly condemned on both sides of the Atlantic).