Existing comment:
The Battle of Bladensburg:
On 24 August 1814, 4,400 British troops met a patchwork group of 7,000 American troops with 490 Sailors and Marines at Bladensburg, outside the capital city. Despite the brave actions of the sea servicemen under Barney, the British forces easily overwhelmed the American forces. After forcing Barney to retreat, British forces advanced on Washington DC.
"But the fact is, that, with the exception of a party of sailors from the gunboats, under the command of Commodore Barney, no troops could behave worse than they did."
-- George Robert Gleig, a British officer, on the performance of the American forces at Bladensburg |