The burning of the White House

[Grunty]

The White House was burned by British soldiers in 1814. I read somewhere that the deed was done by a unit from Shropshire. Can anyone confirm this? I have asked the White House; they didn't know but they hoped I had a nice day.

[Chessman]

Go to www.eyewitnesstohistory.comwashingtonsack.htm glad you asked this question, facinating stuff.

[Chessman]

Sorry, missed something out, lets try again.

www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/washingtonsack.htm

[LordyGeordie]

as is mentioned in the link, the white house was not called the white house at that time, it was known as the president's palace.

it was only after the raid when the building was heavily white-washed to disguise the smoke and soot stains that it became known as the white house.

[Peter Pedant]

Funnily enough this question came up in University Challenge [university co++up, as we used to say] this evening, London School of Economics v Trinity Coll Oxford. Mon 12 Dec 05

Having watched the tape I have scrubbed it, sorry.....

[Grunty]

Thanks for the replies. I shall now order Gleig's book from the library. My daughter probably watched University Challenge. I don't often watch because she keeps her score and shames me.