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War of 1812 - The Burning of Washington

On a very overcast and cold November day, we took a tour with the indomitable Ed Bearss.  His tour was on the War of 1812 and the burning of Washington.  We parked at the Air and Space Museum and boarded our bus for the Smithsonian sponsored tour.  I took along my 7 and 12 year old nieces, Rachel and Lisa.  They loved every minute of it and learned something in the process.  As always, Ed was in rare form and braved the rain and cold with no umbrella.  He hates umbrellas because they remind him of Neville Chamberlain whom he detests!  He's definitely a Churchill fan.

The girls at the shores of Benedict, MD where the British landed

Ed explaining about the Brits use of their newfangled rockets.  He drew how it was fused in the sand.

Benedict, MD

Ed at the shores of Benedict, MD

Ed explaining the troop movement at Mt. Calvert

The girls in front of the antebellum house at Mt. Calvert.  The house is one of the oldest in Maryland and dates back to the late 1600's.

Rachel in front of Ed at Mt. Calvert

Ed explaining the Bladensburg Races near the bridge at Bladensburg

Rachel in front of Ed at Bladensburg

A replica of a longboat at the Museum in Bladensburg

Bostwick House, Bladensburg, MD

The dueling grounds at Bladensburg.  Stephen Decatur was mortally wounded here on March 22, 1820 in a duel with James Barron

Ed explaining the history of Congressional Cemetery

Congressional Cemetery - many of the key players of the war of 1812 are buried here

At the end of the tour Ed poses with 7 year old Rachel and 12 year old Lisa

We then proceeded to the U.S. Capitol and White House.  However, due to the rain and dark, my web camera was not cooperating.  I did use my 35mm camera and when I use up that roll I'll post those photos later.  I have an amusing Ed story for those who participated in the Hodge March 2000.  Ed and I discussed the march and he asked what I thought of his uniform.  I told him it tickled me that he portrayed a good old tar heel because my ancestors were in the 49th North Carolina Infantry.  I also told him I was still in awe that a man his age marched the 6 miles.  He stated that his shoes were too tight on the march and that he lost his toenail from his big toe!   But, "toenails only hurt for one day, I got over it the following morning"!  God, you gotta love that old marine!

All photos by Ann Collins

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