11. The Battle of Bladensburg (1814)
On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces led by Major General Robert Ross and Rear Admiral George Cockburn advanced toward Washington, D.C., aiming to retaliate for the American burning of York (now Toronto) the previous year. The American defense, commanded by General William Winder, comprised approximately 6,500 troops, including regulars and militia. Despite numerical superiority, the American forces were poorly trained and ill-prepared. The British swiftly overwhelmed the American lines, leading to a hasty retreat. This defeat exposed Washington, D.C., to British invasion, culminating in the burning of the White House, the Capitol, and other public buildings, marking a significant humiliation for the United States (smithsonianmag.com).
