In August 1814, British ships carrying approximately five thousand soldiers entered the Chesapeake Bay and quickly caused hysteria in the nation's capital. British troops burned the White House, the capital and a newspaper office. Afterwards, instead of holding the city, they decide to head north and attack Baltimore. However, due to the fierce defense of the Maryland militia, the attack on Baltimore was unsuccessful. That same month, British troops made mistakes that cost them battles on Lake Chaplain. Five months later, in January 1815, a number of British troops landed in Louisiana. The troops encountered General Andrew Jackson and his militia just outside New Orleans. They defeated the British troops and Jackson quickly became the hero of the Battle of New