On August 24, 1814, American militia and troops were positioned for the arrival of the British forces, who sought to burn Washington in retaliation for the burning of York (modern-day Toronto). The battle was a spectacular loss for the Americans who were led poorly, mismanaged, and intimidated by the superior British forces. Commodore Joshua Barney and his Floatillamen, assisted by Miller's Marine
s, managed to hold off the British for several hours until Barney was shot and wounded. This time gave leaders in Washington time to flee and remove major historical documents, including the iconic portrait of George Washington. The British would march into Washington, burning major governmental buildings. On their withdrawal, several British soldiers were held by locals in Upper Marlboro. Learning of this, the British commander took Dr. William Beanes, a local elder, on board to use for trade for his men. Frances Scott Key, the DC District Attorney, was sent to coordinate his release. Key took with him letters from soldiers who wrote of the compassion showed to them at Bladensburg. Key, who witnessed the bombardment of Baltimore at Fort McHenry, was given Beanes release and would publish his poem written during the bombardment - the Star Spangled Banner.
