It is difficult to regard the capture of Washington with the seriousness which that lamentable episode deserves.
The city was greatly surprised to learn that the enemy actually intended a discourtesy so gross, and the Government was pained beyond expression.
But beyond this display of emotion nothing was done.

The war was now two years old but no steps whatever had been taken to defend Washington, although there was no room for doubt that a British naval force could ascend the river whenever it pleased.
The disagreeable tidings that fifty of the enemy's ships had anchored off the Potomac, however, reminded the President and his advisers that not a single ditch or rampart had been even planned, that no troops were at hand, that it was rather late for advice which seemed to be the only ammunition that was plentiful.

Quite harmoniously, the soldier in command was General Winder who could not lose his head, even in this dire emergency, because he had none to lose.

His record for ineptitude on the fighting front had, no doubt, recommended him for this place.

He ran about Washington, ordering the construction of defenses which there was no time to build, listening to a million frenzied suggestions, holding all manner of consultations, and imploring the Governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to send militia.
The British army was less than five thousand strong.