| Existing comment:
Destruction of the Fort: The War of 1812. In August 1814 the British launched a two-pronged attack on Washington, DC. The main force of 4370 men marched overland from Benedict, Maryland, and burned the White House and other government buildings on August 24. Meanwhile, six British ships moved up the Potomac. As they approach Fort Warburton on the 27th, the fort's commander withdrew his 57-man garrison and blew the powder magazine, destroying the fort. |