1574863 A view of the Capitol after the conflagration of the 24th August 1814, 1814; (add.info.: A view of the Capitol after the conflagration of the 24th August 1814. A view from the southeast of the fire-damaged U.S. Capitol building, a result of the War of 1812. On August 24, 1814, British general Robert Ross led his troops into Washington with strict orders to burn only public buildings. On August 25, a tornado blew through the city, bringing torrential rains that quelled both the fires and the British desire to pursue further action in Washington.); Universal History Archive/UIG; out of copyright.