Raise the White Flag

In the early 1800s Alexandria was part of the District of Columbia and an important port with its own militia. In summer 1814, however, Alexandria’s militia had been sent to defend Maryland from the British invasion. On August 28, four days after the British burned Washington’s most important federal buildings, defenseless Alexandrians saw enemy warships approaching up the Potomac River. To prevent similar destruction, Alexandria Mayor Charles Simms and members of his vigilance committee rowed out with a white flag of surrender. The committee had recommended this course because there was no sufficient force to oppose the British with any reasonable prospect of success and because they sought the best terms for the safety of persons, houses, and property. In the summer of 1814, the United States had been at war with Great Britain for two years, and after their victory over the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland, on August 24, British troops marched on Washington with devastating results. One of seven British vessels carrying a total of 128 guns that sailed up the Potomac to Alexandria was HMS Euryalus, commanded by Captain Charles Napier.

Alexandria, Virginia · United States