The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812

by Jane Hampton Cook

Overview

It's unimaginable today, even for a generation that saw the Twin Towers fall and the Pentagon attacked. It's unimaginable because in 1814 enemies didn't fly overhead, they marched through the streets; and for 26 hours in August, the British enemy marched through Washington, D.C. and set fire to government buildings, including the U.S. Capitol and the White House.

Relying on first-hand accounts, historian Jane Hampton Cook weaves together several different narratives to create a vivid, multidimensional account of the burning of Washington, including the escalation that led to it and the immediate aftermath. From James and Dolley Madison to the British admiral who ordered the White House set aflame, historical figures are brought to life through their experience of this unprecedented attack. The Burning of the White House is the story of a city invaded, a presidential family displaced, a nation humbled, and an American spirit that somehow remained unbroken.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621575498
Publisher:	Regnery Publishing
Publication date:	08/16/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	231,935
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

JANE HAMPTON COOK is an award-winning author who brings history and biographies to life. Jane is the author of nine books, including America’s Star-Spangled Story and American Phoenix. Cook served former president George W. Bush as a webmaster for five years, including three in the Texas governor’s office and two in the White House as deputy director of Internet news services. Cook is a frequent guest on Fox News and numerous other television, radio, online, and print outlets.

Read an Excerpt

From Chapter 22

Wonder what little Jemmy thinks of his war now? Such was the contemptuous attitude of George Cockburn as he beheld his pearly white treasure the night of August 24. Though disappointed to find the Madisons weren’t at home, he was still as happy as he could possibly be. Here was the opportunity to bring glory to England.

Cockburn and Ross gave orders. Some of their men invaded the President’s House, while others stayed outside and prepared to launch their rockets or fiery poles.
Many, especially the officers, strode the steps and boldly placed their boots onto the floor of the entry hall. They quickly scattered throughout the rooms. Cockburn couldn’t have been more delighted to tour this mansion and see the beautiful rooms decorated by Mrs. Madison.

Soon his nose overtook his bulging eyes. While noting small engraved drawings of Dolley and the president hanging on the walls, Madison’s fine dress sword, her gowns, and other valuables, what attracted the most attention that night was the dining room. Why? Because it was full of something that Cockburn and his men hadn’t had seen much of all day long—food and wine. Though abandoned, the White House was set and ready to entertain the admiral as if he’d received an invitation.

Lt. Scott described the feast that awaited them: “A large store of super excellent Madeira and other costly wines stood cooling in ice in one corner of the spacious dining-room.”

While she was as absent as could be, Dolley’s hospitable presence was very much felt. The optimistic effort she’d made to prepare a victory celebration for her husband and his officers took the form of a table set for a party of forty, complete with silver bowls covering the plates. To Cockburn and Scott’s delight, the $500 china set along with silver knives, forks, and spoons glistened while fully-cooked food rested on the hearth.

“We found the cloth laid for the expected victorious generals, and all the appliances and meals to form a feast worthy the resolute champions of republican freedom.”

Cockburn did what any leader would do. He put the primal needs of his officers ahead of their mission. They could wait to finish the job. Hence he ordered them to partake of the providential feast. After all, they’d had a very long day, from marching from camp at daybreak to marching again at sunset. Setting fire to buildings was hard work.

Scott was very pleased by his boss’s decision to enjoy the moment. “Never was nectar more grateful to the palates of the gods, than the crystal goblet of Madeira and water I quaffed off at Mr. Madison’s expense.”

A feast like this wouldn’t be complete without one key thing: a toast. And Cockburn knew exactly who should join him: an American who owed his paycheck to the happenings of Capitol Hill.

Table of Contents

Author's Note xi

Part 1

1 The Pirate 3

2 Mighty Little Madison 11

3 Hello, Dolley 23

4 Dueling Strategies 33

5 Knickerbockers 45

6 Torpedo 59

7 Chesapeake Fever 67

8 Snubbed By Dolley 73

9 Washed Up at Craney 91

10 Atrocious Hampton 99

11 Dear Dolley 107

Part 2

12 The White House 123

13 Hospitality and Hostility 131

14 Noses For News 141

15 Not Your Average News Day 151

16 Superabundant Force 161

17 Twenty Thousand Reinforcements 173

18 Hanging Madison 183

19 Invasion 189

20 The British are Coming 201

21 Spyglasses 213

22 Bladensburg Races 225

23 Capitol Conflagration 235

24 White House Inferno 246

25 Displaced Or Conquered? 255

Part 3

26 Phoenix Spices 265

27 Phoenix Multitude 275

28 White House Phoenix 287

29 Dawn's Early Light 299

30 Relocating The Capital City 309

31 Poor Mrs. Madison 323

32 Presidents' Club 333

33 Uplifting News 341

34 Rise of the First Lady 353

Epilogue 361

Acknowledgments 369

Bibliography 371

Notes 381

Index 421

Editorial Reviews

"The Burning of the White House is an important look at one of the most underappreciated and perilous periods in our past. This book does a wonderful job of capturing the great leadership of not only President Madison but First Lady Dolley as well . . . Great job!"

BRIAN KILMEADE, cohost of Fox & Friends, host of Kilmeade and Friends, and author of Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates

"Jane Hampton Cook once again brings to vivid life stories of the White House and its occupants and the times in which they lived. In her latest book, we learn about the figures around James and Dolley Madison-both historical and ordinary-who were witnesses to the divisive time in our nation's history when we came dangerously close to losing the capital city and perhaps the Union itself."

ANITA MCBRIDE, assistant to President George W. Bush and chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and executive in residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, School of Public Affairs at American University

"The Burning of the White House tells the exhilarating story of a pivotal moment in American history. Jane brings to life the fascinating men and women who helped our nation survive its second war for independence, and offers a captivating look at the burning of our capital city."

CALLISTA GINGRICH, president of Gingrich Productions and author of the New York Times bestselling Ellis the Elephant Series

"Never have I read a more compelling rendition of the plots and subplots leading up to the dastardly burning of Washington, D.C. by the British in 1814, and its horrific destruction followed by the somber aftermath to rebuild a city by those whose very lives had been broken. The author is a master storyteller who makes history a true page-turner that contains all of the elements of a drama. She cleverly weaves pages seamlessly filled with quotes that become readable dialogue to flesh out protagonists, antagonists, intrigue, and conflict. This is real history that allows the reader to feel the emotions nearly always lacking in nonfiction."

LUCINDA J. FRAILLY, director of education and special events coordinator, First Ladies National Historic Site, National First Ladies' Library

"From the moment Jane Hampton Cook first toured the White House as an employee there, she herself was lit by a fire to tell the untold story of the woman who could be called our Founding Mother, Dolley Madison. Jane possesses both the scholarship and storyteller's passion for bringing new generations into the intimate, immediately daring intrigues of our nation's history. In short, she brings The Burning of the White House story alive in a way that emboldens us now to be better citizens, and to count our blessings for our forebears' acts of great courage and prescience to imagine a better world for future Americans who will find themselves surprisingly inspired by the tales of those who built our democracy."

BOBETTE BUSTER, story guru, former adjunct professor, University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, writer/producer, and author of Do Story: How to Tell Your Story So the World Listens

"Author Jane Hampton Cook has done it again! She has written a well-researched new book entitled The Burning of the White House-James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812. It is filled with historic facts, figures, and insightful stories about the buildup to the war, the lives of the fourth President of the United States and the First Lady, and the Executive Mansion. It is a wonderfully documented study of one of our nation's early historical events."

NANCY THEIS, presidential writer for President Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush

"Jane Hampton Cook has emerged as one of America's leading and important historians, especially on the country's early days. In her new book, The Burning of the White House, Cook reveals new facts about that awful event which were previously unknown. Her writing is lively and engaging, honest and fresh. Cook asks the reader to simply enjoy her book and no doubt many will. I did!"

CRAIG SHIRLEY, Reagan biographer and presidential historian

"Jane Hampton Cook's latest book proves to the reader to look to our past for the strength to guide us in our country's future. In The Burning of the White House, the Madisons, through their commitment, bravery, and love of country, provide us an excellent lesson in hope and a determination to save our beloved nation. This book is more than an excellent tribute to people of substance; it is a reminder of what we nearly lost and must preserve."

DR. LINDA SUNDQUIST-NASSIE, retired American history teacher and author of The Poetess of Song: The Life of Mary Shindler

"The Burning of the White House is a lively, engaging read. It's told through some characters we don't often meet, such as Senator Rufus King-Federalist and bitter opponent of President Madison-and offers a unique, fresh twist on a familiar story."

MATTHEW GILMORE, editor, H-DC, Washington, D.C. History Network

From the Publisher