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A map of Major General Robert Ross’s route to burn Washington, 1818  (White House History 35)

A map of Major General Robert Ross’s route to burn Washington, 1818 (White House History 35)

Credit
National Archives and Records Administration

A map of Major General Robert Ross’s route to burn Washington, 1818 (White House History 35)

The British column was led by Major General Robert Ross from Benedict, Maryland, into the City of Washington where they would burn the Capitol, the White House, and other public buildings. Though many government papers were destroyed, Clerk Stephen Pleasanton helped to save the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights. This map was published in 1818 to illustrate Ross’s route.

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