At the time, it was the most devastating military disaster to ever occur on American soil. On August 24, 1814, British troops marched into Washington, the capital of the United States, and set key buildings ablaze. These included the White House, the Capitol, and finished off what was left of the Navy Yard.
The Barracks of 1814 Stood Firm Amid Defeat
What was miraculously untouched, however, was the Marine Barracks and the Commandant’s House. No one really understood why these buildings were spared. In the days and years that followed, however, a legend grew that the reason was simple: it was respect.
When the War of 1812 kicked off, most Americans, especially President James Madison, were confident they could easily seize Canada with state militias and enter into negotiations with the British shortly after. Britain was, after all, mired in a war with Napoleonic France. Things clearly didn’t go that way. Some militias refused to fight outside the United States. Serving in the Army didn’t pay very well, either.
Despite its slow start, however, the U.S. saw some initial success. Most notably, it managed to sack and burn the city of York (which is called Toronto today), the capital of Upper Canada. But its successes wouldn’t last. In 1814, the British war against France came to an end, and Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. Britain was then able to send its hardened veterans of that war to fight the Americans.
The Barracks of 1814 Saw a Heroic Stand
The British captured Maine in 1814, renaming it the colony of New Ireland. They then moved into the Chesapeake area of Maryland and routed the local militias. With complete control of the sea, the redcoats could move almost at will. At Bladensburg, Maryland, some 4,500 British soldiers met 6,500 Americans in a battle that should have been a costly one for the attackers, but the American defense crumbled and fled the field.
The one shining spot at Bladensburg was the handful of United States Marines fighting alongside Navy Sailors. At a time when there were only 500 Marines and the Corps’ commandant was a Lieutenant Colonel, the Marines held off the thousands of advancing British for two hours. Their stand gave political leaders in Washington critical time to flee and preserve important documents and relics.
The Barracks of 1814 Survived While Washington Burned
Even the Marines couldn’t stop the British from moving into Washington. As they did, the redcoats burned the capital in retaliation for the burning of York. The only thing that saved the rest of the city was an advancing hurricane that made landfall the following day. When all was said and done, the Marine barracks at 8th and I, along with the Commandant’s House, were among the few buildings left standing. According to Marine Corps lore, the buildings were spared out of respect for the Marines’ determined stand at Bladensburg.
The truth is that no one really knows. The Commander of the Marines and Sailors at Bladensburg, Commodore Joshua Barney, was captured that day. In his memoirs, he wrote that the British complimented his leadership and his troops. Is that why the Marine barracks were spared? If you ask Marines, the answer is yes.
Read About Other Military Myths and Legends
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