Sewall House
The British entered Washington from the north-east, approaching the Capitol building along what is now Maryland Avenue. As they passed the house owned by Mr. Richard Sewall shots were fired by an American or Americans at the British troops. General Ross' horse, which he had rode in Spain in the war against Napoleon, was killed. British troops entered the building and set it on fire, one of the few private buildings to be torched by the British during the capture of the city. But how many shots were fired, and just where did they come from?
Daily National Intelligencer, August 31, 1814: "Among the private buildings destroyed, was the dwelling house owned and occupied by Mr. Robert Sewall...from behind which a gun was fired at Gen Ross, which killed the horse he rode"
George R. Gleig (in 1821): "[General Ross] did not march the troops immediately into the city, but halted them upon a plain in its immediate vicinity, whilst a flag of truce was sent in with terms. But whatever his proposal might been, it was not so much as heard; for scarcely had the party bearing the flag entered the street than they were fired upon from the windows of one of the houses, and the horse of the General himself, who accompanied them, killed."
Sir James Scott (in 1834): "We were just on the point of entering the open space where the Capitol stood, and abreast of a large house on left, (I believe an hotel,) and Mr. Gallatin's, on our right, when were assailed by a volley from three hundred men who had sheltered themselves in the Capitol, and a cross fire from the houses on either side of us. The General's horse was killed on the spot, and several of the guard that accompanied us. After this wanton display of irritating hostility, the Americans cheered, and retreated down Capitol hill"