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Letter to Thomas Jefferson
A letter from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect in charge of restoring the Capitol, to former president Thomas Jefferson, describing the extent of the destruction.
A Concise and Impartial History of the Capture of Washington, and the disease which sprung from that most deplorable disaster
Dr. Ewell’s purpose in writing this “concise and impartial history” was to justify his patriotism. His house was used as General Ross' headquarters in the city and he cared for the British soldiers wounded in the explosion at Greenleaf’s point. These…
When we remarked
Most of the content in this issue of the National Intelligencer was reprinted from the Baltimore Patriot. The offices of the Intelligencer were torn down and the printing mechanisms destroyed by British soldiers at the express orders of Admiral…
Sewall House
Owned by Mr. Sewall, 1814 the house had been rented by Albert Gallatin and further sublet to local residents. Americans, possibly members of the retreating militia, fired shots at the British as they entered the city. No British soldiers were wounded…
A narrative of the campaigns of the British army at Washington and New Orleans
George R. Gleig left divinity school in 1813 to join the British army in the fight against Napoleon Bonaparte. After Bonaparte's defeat, Gleig was sent to the United States for the final months of the War of 1812. He not only participated in the…
A Colored Man's Reminiscences of James Madison
Paul Jennings was born into slavery on the family farm of James Madison, who was president during the War of 1812. During Madison's presidency and retirement, Jennings served as a "body servant," or valet, to Madison. After Madison's death he…
Patent Office
Although the building which housed the Patent Office in 1814 was called Blodget's Hotel, it was never actually a hotel. From 1800 to 1810, it was the home of the first theatre in Washington. In 1810, both the Patent Office and the Post Office moved…
Greenleaf's Point
Also called Buzzard Point, this piece of land at the juncture of the Washington Channel and the Anacostia River has been used by the United States military since the early 1800s. During the War of 1812, the area housed magazines for cannon and gun…
Destruction of the American Capitol
The Daily Federal Republican had originally been a Baltimore newspaper, but moved to Georgtown in 1812 after a mob destroyed its offices for printing anti-war statements. The paper was run by members of the Federalist Party, which was the opposition…