The Last Battle Lost by USA on American Soil
Major General Robert Ross Set Fire to Washington in 1814
Mar 14, 2009
The Ross Monument, erected in his honour by his fellow officers, and standing on a prominent site on Carlingford Lough in Ireland, commemorates the exploits of Major General Robert Ross. The local Council, Newry and Mourne, have recently spent almost $200K renovating the Monument and its surrounding grounds, recognising his significance during the Napoleonic Wars and his time as leader of a commando army of the British Forces in USA.
Major General Robert Ross
A native of Rostrevor in County Down, Ross rose to fame during the Napoleonic Wars as a member of Wellington's all-conquering army. Wellington eventually despatched Ross to America in command of an army of 4,500 men to initiate raids along the coast and in this way divert the attention of American troops from other areas of activity.
Ross is now known as Ross of Bladensburg, following the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814, where the American Militia broke and fled before the attacking British infantry and which later came to be known as The Bladensburg Races.
The Burning of Washington
Ross advanced on Washington but gave strict instructions that only public buildings were to be targeted. Both the Capitol and President's Dwelling were included in the Government buildings that were razed to the ground during the attack.
Popular history has it that Major General Ross ate at the Executive Mansion before it was destroyed by fire, President Madison having fled.
Later, Dolley Madison, the First Lady, was so distressed at the smoke blackened building , that she had the exterior painted white; hence the name The White House, although it was not officially called this until President Teddy Roosevelt began to use the name.
Following the sacking of Washington, Ross moved to assault American forces at Baltimore, Maryland. Ross' troops were still in high spirits as a result of their easy capture of Washington and expecting more easy pickings.
The Battle of Baltimore
Unaware of the huge force that he was facing, Ross is reported to have said before the battle, "Tonight I'll sup in Baltimore or Hell". Riding at the front of his forces, Ross was hit by a sniper. The bullet passed through his right arm and into his chest. He was removed from the field and died shortly afterward beneath a tree on the farm of Robert Gorusch.
It was intended that his body be shipped back to Ireland for burial and consequently, his body was removed to the flagship HMS Tonnant. In order to preserve the body during the journey, it was stored in a barrel of Jamaican Rum. However, the upcoming Battle of New Orleans prevented the return of Major General Ross to his native soil and he was transferred to the HMS Royal Oak and subsequently buried with full military honours at St. Paul's Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Nonetheless , the Ross Monument in Rostrevor looks vigilantly out to sea awaiting his return.
Sources:
Heritage Trail of South Down Michael Durkin 1995
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