William Winder's Bladensburg Battle

William H. Winder was born on 1775 in Summerset County, Maryland. Growing up William became a great lawyer in Baltimore. When the War of 1812 started he was sent to the Niagara frontier as a colonel. After a year he was appointed to Brigadier General, shortly after William was given 800 men to pursue the British army, that was retreating towards upper Canada in Burlington Heights. Williams was met up with General John Chandler and had a combined 1,600 troops. Soon after the British counter-attacked the American at the Battle of Stoney Creek. John Harvey a assistant Adjutant general reported "the enemy's guards were few and negligent; his line of encampment was long and broken; his artillery was feebly supported; several of his corps were placed too far to the rear to aid in repelling a blow which might be rapidly struck in front." (George, Christopher T. "CaseBook." http://casebook.thewarof1812.info/People_files/Winder/people_summary.html.)
William did not know it yet, but by allowing this to happen he had already lost the battle before it began. All William had to do was put more guards
This event was known as the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American arms. In the fighting, the British lost 64 killed and 185 wounded, while Winder's army suffered only 10-26 killed, 40-51 wounded, and around 100 captured. Pausing in the intense summer heat, the British resumed their advance later in the day and occupied Washington that evening. Taking possession, they burned the Capitol, The President's House, and The Treasury Building before making camp. Further destruction ensued the next day before they began the march back to the fleet. William never lived down his less then brilliant defense of Washington. He went back to legal practices in the Northern frontier. He later died in 1824 at age