This is a little known story about how a tornado saved the United States from the British in the War of 1812 as they started to burn Washington, DC. Just having come from there for ICCC6, and this being Independence Day, I thought this story would be appropriate. Back then, they called it an “act of God”, if it happened today, we’d have the alarmosphere squawking that it was “climate disruption” caused by CO2. Enjoy the story – Anthony
The Tornado and the Burning of Washington, August 25, 1814
This is an excerpt from the book Washington Weather
During the summer of 1814, British warships sailed into the Chesapeake Bay and headed towards Washington. The warships sailed up the Patuxent River and anchored at Benedict, Maryland on August 19,1814. Over 4,500 British soldiers landed and marched towards Washington. The British mission was to capture Washington and seek revenge for the burning of their British Capitol in Canada, for which they held the United States responsible. A force of 7,000 Americans was hastily assembled near the Potomac River to defend Washington. During the afternoon of August 24, in 100°F heat, the two armies clashed.
The British Army quickly routed the less disciplined American volunteers, mostly due to a series of American blunders and a new British rocket that did little damage, but unnerved the raw American troops with a very loud, shrill noise. President Madison and Secretary of State Monroe, who had led a group of officials to watch the battle, were almost captured in the confusion. It was noted that the 100°F temperatures added to everyone’s discomfort.
After the battle, the British Army marched quickly into Washington while American soldiers, United States government officials, and residents fled the city. There were no officials left in Washington from whom the British could seek terms of surrender. The British admiral ate dinner in the White House, then gave the order to set fire to Washington. Within hours, the White House, the Capitol, and many other public buildings and residences were burning.
On the morning of August 25, Washington was still burning. Throughout the morning and early afternoon, the British soldiers continued to set fires and destroy ammunition supplies and defenses around the city. As the soldiers spread fire and destruction throughout the city, the early afternoon sky began to darken and lightning and thunder signaled the approach of a thunderstorm. As the storm neared the city, the winds began to increase dramatically and then built into a “frightening roar.” A severe thunderstorm was bearing down on Washington, and with it was a tornado.
The tornado tore through the center of Washington and directly into the British occupation. Buildings were lifted off of their foundations and dashed to bits. Other buildings were blown down or lost their roofs. Feather beds were sucked out of homes and scattered about. Trees were uprooted, fences were blown down, and the heavy chain bridge across the Potomac River was buckled and rendered useless. A few British cannons were picked up by the winds and thrown through the air. The collapsing buildings and flying debris killed several British soldiers. Many of the soldiers did not have time to take cover from the winds and they laid face down in the streets. One account describes how a British officer on horseback did not dismount and the winds slammed both horse and rider violently to the ground.
The winds subsided quickly, but the rain fell in torrents for two hours. (There may have been a second thunderstorm that followed quickly after the first thunderstorm.) Fortunately, the heavy rain quenched most of the flames and prevented Washington from continuing to burn. After the storm, the British Army regrouped on Capitol Hill, still a bit shaken by the harsh weather.
They decided to leave the city that evening. As the British troops were preparing to leave, a conversation was noted between the British Admiral and a Washington lady regarding the storm: The admiral exclaimed, “Great God, Madam! Is this the kind of storm to which you are accustomed in this infernal country?” The lady answered, “No, Sir, this is a special interposition of Providence to drive our enemies from our city.” The admiral replied, “Not so Madam. It is rather to aid your enemies in the destruction of your city.”
Hours later, the British forces left Washington and returned to their ships on the Patuxent River. The journey back was made difficult by the numerous downed trees that lay across the roads. The war ships that lay waiting for the British force had also encountered the fierce storm. Wind and waves had lashed at the ships and many had damaged riggings. Two vessels had broken free from their moorings and were blown ashore.
President Madison and other government officials returned to Washington and began the difficult process of setting up government in a city devastated by fire and wind. Never again would the British Army return to the city, and only rarely would Washington suffer damaging tornadoes.
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The 26 hour occupation of Washington DC
I found this short description on Wikipedia interesting:
Less than a day after the attack began, a sudden tornado passed through part of the city, killing British troops and American civilians alike, tossing cannons, and putting out most of the fires.This forced the British troops to return to their ships, many of which were badly damaged by the storm, and so the actual occupation of Washington lasted about 26 hours.
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Ed, should’t it be Pike’s Peak then?
Anyway, shouldn’t we (U.S.) demand reparations? How about granting Windsor Canada (and its famous ballet) to the City of Detroit? /sarc
Excellent post, thank you for this history lesson.
“may be that in 1814 all strong storms were referred to as hurricanes” Correct. Many maritime nations like Britain often called strong winds hurricanes or cyclones. On June 30, 1912 a tornado ripped through Regina Saskatchewan killing 28 people and destroying millions of dollars worth of property. To this day it is referred to as the Regina Cyclone.
If the British Army tried that today our Washingtonians would steal their hubcaps.
Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.
James Sexton says:
July 5, 2011 at 7:25 am
jason says:
July 5, 2011 at 1:48 am
Rhoda, you are correct, I was half awake and thinking of the AWI ! My main point is WUWT is international, so I am uncomfortable with Anthony being so nationalistic at times, let’s stick to climate rather than posting about showing the stars and stripes and bashing the Brits?
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Nonsense. It’s history. There isn’t any “bashing” of Brits in this story. It is simply a re-telling of history, something of which this world is in desperate need.
As pointed out by an earlier poster it’s actually a rewriting of history:
“The British mission was to capture Washington and seek revenge for the burning of their British Capitol in Canada, for which they held the United States responsible.”
Why so mealymouthed? It should be “for which the United States was responsible.”
Not to mention that the British were furious about the undisciplined looting by the American troops and the destruction of non-military buildings which was contrary to established behavior.
The initial sentence by Anthony is wrong however, “how a tornado saved the United States from the British in the War of 1812”, the US wasn’t saved, the British achieved their objective which was retaliation for the American abuses in York. There was no intention to occupy Washington, the British made sure that only the public buildings were destroyed, causing one building to be torn down brick by brick rather than burned to prevent damage to nearby houses.
The account of the battle is reasonably accurate, known as the ‘Bladenburg Races’, because of how fast the American defenders ran away!
My history education is such that I hardly know about the war of 1812. I know about other wars including The Spanish American war, but the war of 1812 was only talked about as if it was just one battle that didn’t amount to anything. I think I ‘m going to have to learn more about it.
Following the comment by Ian L. McQueen at 7:53 am, here’s a different perspective from a fading memory.
The English, and later British, traditionally made their money from trade and not occupation. The Royal Navy protected the shipping with the Marines protecting the ports.
Parliament had three main reasons for opposing American independence. ( The King may have had other reasons but parliament had a history of removing the Head of State, literally! )
First, they believed that wealthy landowners should make some contribution to the cost of saving their lands, and possibly their heads, from the French.
Secondly, they believed that they would be unable to honour agreements they had made with the native inhabitants.
Thirdly, they would be unable to ban slavery if the colony was given independence.
During the War of 1812 the British released thousands of slaves and gave them land in the Indies.
As part of the settlement following the war the Americans demanded, and received, compensation for the loss of their slaves.
Being a second generation native Washingtonian, I would agree with the hurricane actually being a severe thunderstorm. We get these storms more often than most think. If it was a hurricane, Baltimore would have experienced it at the same time. Ft. McHenry was under fire during the Washington burning and I have not heard or read of any hurricane while Francis Scott Key was held prisoner on the British ship in the Bay. Baltimore is only 35 miles away. Severe thunderstorms can effect one city but not the other. Also Washington experiences tornadoes often (you just don’t hear much about them–just locally). The bigger tornadoes seem to run along the same paths. The 1814 tornado went also through Takoma Park then. There have been several severe tornadoes that have taken this path, several years (generations) apart. Recently, there was an F4/5 that went through Arlington, skipped over DC (where the Fed Bldgs are) and went through College Park, killing 3 people. In the 1930’s there was a severe tornado that took this similar path.
For the history buffs, much of the US government went north to a little town called Brookeville. Dolly Madison stayed at a white house, that still stands today. They stayed for a day then went back to DC. Meanwhile, there were things going on in Baltimore……
Forgot to add, that all this took place Aug 25-26, 1814. Temperatures in Washington get to be over 90 too often for me.
R Shearer is closer to the truth than he seems to realise when he raises the issue of compensation.
The American troops behaved so badly at Toronto largely because of their disapointment at the behaviour of the Canadians:it was revenge because they fought well and did not welcome their “liberators”.
The British complained to the US Govt that the destruction of Toronto was a breach of the laws and practices of war , invited them to acknowledge this and to undertake to pay compensation for civilian losses.
The US Govt failed to agree this , the British threated a reprisal , the threat broght no change and the reprisal was carried out , but in a much more orderly and less destructive manner than the depradations of the Americans at Toronto.
Phil. says:
July 5, 2011 at 12:15 pm
James Sexton says:
July 5, 2011 at 7:25 am
As pointed out by an earlier poster it’s actually a rewriting of history:
“The British mission was to capture Washington and seek revenge for the burning of their British Capitol in Canada, for which they held the United States responsible.”
Why so mealymouthed? It should be “for which the United States was responsible.”
Not to mention that the British were furious about the undisciplined looting by the American troops and the destruction of non-military buildings which was contrary to established behavior.
The initial sentence by Anthony is wrong however, “how a tornado saved the United States from the British in the War of 1812″, the US wasn’t saved, the British achieved their objective which was retaliation for the American abuses in York. There was no intention to occupy Washington, the British made sure that only the public buildings were destroyed, causing one building to be torn down brick by brick rather than burned to prevent damage to nearby houses.
The account of the battle is reasonably accurate, known as the ‘Bladenburg Races’, because of how fast the American defenders ran away!
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Oh my, Phil, and I took such pains to write such a conciliatory comment.
Yes, we Americans do tend to act a bit boorish when sailors are enslaved, aid and comfort is openly given to our enemies, other parties are bribed to engage in war against us and treaties willfully ignored. So, I wonder who ran the fastest? Stansbury’s or Pakenham’s?
Caleb: I don’t know why I am wasting my time on this, but the word is “laid” not “layed.”
Thank you for this fascinating bit of history. I find it most appropriate that the British anchored in Benedict.
James Sexton says:
July 5, 2011 at 7:25 am
Hear, hear!
(esp. “Anthony is proud of his nation and heritage. This is something to be encouraged in all cases.”)
I am a bit embarrassed by those who call themselves British and then show incredibly thin skins. “You started it – no you started it – no you started it.” Folks, it’s over! I know it is only yesterday in terms of British history but we are all one big happy family again.
James Sexton says:
July 5, 2011 at 2:56 pm
On the other hand you should quit while you’re ahead mate.
This may be a little off thread but perhaps on this July 4th it may be appropriate. John Adams & Thomas Jefferson were comrades in arms in the early. days of the American revolution but fell into rescentment. Abigail Adams, however, remained in contact with Jefferson. Jefferson was, essentially, the author of the Declaration of Independence which they believed was accepted on 7/4/1776. Adams would become the 2nd president of the new US. Jefferson would follow him as the 3rd. There was a planned gala celebration of the D of I on it’s 50th anniversary on 7/4/1826. Jefferson’s health was failing so he sent the last letter he would ever write. In it he wrote that “the general spread of the light of science has already laid open the palpaple truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on there backs, nor a favored few, booted & spurred ready to ride them legitimatley by the grace of god”. I wonder if he would be turning over, perhaps spinning in his grave if he knew that the ‘light of science’ was being used through AGW to put those saddles again on the backs of mankind. BTW Jefferson lapsed into a coma in the evening of July 3rd. He would awaken and ask if it was the 4th. Informed that it wasn’t he lapsed back into the coma. Sometime after midnite he awoke and asked again if it was the 4th. Informed that it was, he quietly died. John Adams awoke in the early dawn of July 4th that same day in 1826 & his last words were, “Thomas Jefferson still survives”. The 2nd & 3rd presidents of US both died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We need to know our heritage.
The mountain has changed names and altitudes a few times in the past 205 years. It used to be “Pike’s Peak,” but the Federal Board for Making Everything Have One Name (part of the USGS, IIRC) had a campaign to exclude punctuation, so “Pikes Peak” it is.
— Ed
And the Americans weren’t real happy that most of their casualties (including General Pike) had been killed or wounded after negotiations for surrender had begun.
— Ed
History really depends on where you sit. Take the Vietnam war. An American history book would talk about defeat. A Vietnamese history about victory. History, you might say, is just one damn thing after another
Many years ago I was on my way down to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and on the plane I was reading a book about the War of 1812. The author opined to the effect that he wondered if the British troops found their first continental thunderstorm as frightening as the American troops had found Congreve’s rockets – primitive missiles that caused mayhem on the battlefield. I absolutely scoffed at this as being just typical American exageration. What does the man think? We dont get thunderstorms in England!.
The first time James Spann came on ABC 33/40 and told us we needed to go to our “place of safety”, NOW! I got the picture!
jh
Phil’s Dad says:
July 5, 2011 at 4:47 pm
James Sexton says:
July 5, 2011 at 2:56 pm
On the other hand you should quit while you’re ahead mate.
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lol, Just responding in kind. I firmly believe my prior comment. The latter was just my little dig to the ones with a thin skin. 🙂
As an Englishman and a Canadian I’d like to say “prrrrrrrrr” 🙂 we won! Hey, we are on the same side now; happy birthday!