One instance of this occurred during the War of 1812. The city was captured by the invading British army. The President at the time was James Madison. He fled from the capital to Maryland before the British arrived. Madison’s wife, Dolly Madison, was able to take many important valuables with her before the British arrived, including a portrait of George Washington. …show more content…
They burned many important buildings such as the White House and the Capitol Building where Congress met. Ironically, the city of Washington, D.C. was actually saved by a terrible storm. A tornado swept through the city which forced the British to retreat to their