Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight-- Part 1: The Burning of Washington, D.C.

From Wikipedia.

Sappers and Miners of the British Royal Engineer under Captain Blanchard were employed to burn the principal Washington buildings.  Blanchard reported at the White House that it appeared that President Madison was so sure  that the Americans would be victorious that he had prepared a handsome entertainment and feast.  he said he and his sappers had thoroughly enjoyed that feast before they set fire to the building.

The U.S. Capitol was the only building in the fairly new city  that was "worthy to be noticed."  It was a prime target of the British because of its aesthetic and symbolic  value.    Prior to setting fire to it, they looted it which at the time, besides both houses of Congress, contained  the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court.  One of the items taken was "An account of the receipts and  expenditures of the United States for  the year 1810."

The British intended to burn the building to the ground.  They set fire to the southern wing first, but it burned so quickly they were unable to gather enough wood to burn the stone walls completely.

--Brock-Perry