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The Pearl Harbor of 1814 5,000 British troops landed in Benedict Maryland on August 19th, target Washington. On that very same day, Winder . . . Having almost no direct forces, got help from an unexpected quarter. A dozen dragoons left Washington to scout the situation. The group's commander . . . None other than Secretary of State James Monroe (Who also happened to be a Colonel in the Virginia militia)! After scouting the British camp, Monroe reported to General Winder's headquarters at Woodyard, south of Washington. Local troops were arriving, but they were ill prepared, disorganized and unable to find equipment and supplies. Panic was beginning to spread. It appeared that Winder would have only about 400 effectives to stop 5,000 British. The 1,800 arriving would be little more than spectators. The concept of the Minuteman arriving just in time to save Washington was collapsing before Monroe's eyes. A local farmer summed up Winder's chances: He'll be whipped.
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