Commentary: Historically, D.C. No Stranger to Attacks

Edward C. Smith
American University

September 20, 2001

In putting into perspective the September 11 terrorist attack on
America, historian Edward C. Smith recalls how the British burned
down the White House and the Capitol and how Washington could so
easily have been invaded by the Confederacy after the first battle of
the Civil War. The world wars of the last century turned Washington
into a world capital. It is, Smith writes, a city defined by
war.

America's victory over the British during the Revolutionary War created a new republic and also created the need for a permanent capital.

Although "conceived" in 1790, Washington was not born (meaning the presence of buildings and residents) until 1800. And because George Washington "Was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen" the city was named in his honor and located on the Potomac River very near his estate at Mount Vernon. The quote is from the funeral oration for Washington presented by General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee.

In 1812, partially as an attempt to regain their lost colonies, the British invaded America for the second time. The war was waged throughout the country and during August 1814 the invaders captured the capital and immediately began to set the city ablaze.

For the sole purpose of humiliating young America, the U.S Capitol, the White House, the Navy Yard (founded by President Thomas Jefferson and the first such federal facility in the country), and many other public buildings were shamelessly and utterly destroyed. The citizens of the city—and of the nation—were devastated by the large-scale and wanton destruction.

During the days and weeks following the ravaging of the city there were many spirited conversations among congressmen regarding Washington's safety and its future as the country's capital.

There were many members of congress who felt that Washington was in a very vulnerable location, only 35 miles (40 kilometers) from the Chesapeake Bay. Consequently, some serious proposals were made to relocate the nation's capital to somewhere in Ohio or some other place in the Midwest where it would not be accessible to an amphibious attack.

However, as time progressed, the government resolved to remain on the banks of the Potomac and like the Phoenix bird of Egyptian mythology, the capital city rose from its ashes to soar again. Thus, as "terrorists," the British Army failed miserably in its mission to rob America of its cherished independence.

Capital Across the River from the Confederacy

After the firing on Fort Sumter, Virginia and three other states seceded from the Union. As an immediate consequence of Virginia's action, the northernmost confederate state was across the river from the nation's capital.

Lest we forget, during the four years of war, from 1861 to 1865, 60 percent of all Civil War battles were fought on the blood-soaked soil of Virginia. General Robert E. Lee only fought two battles outside of his state and they were at Antietam in Maryland in 1862 and at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania in 1863.

Early in the war, the Confederacy moved its capital from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia, only one hundred miles (160 kilometers) south of Washington, D.C.

It was a masterful political stroke by President Jefferson Davis and his Congress. After all, Virginia is synonymous with revolutionary patriotism. It is the home of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, and Patrick Henry. Thus the confederates characterized the Civil War as the second American Revolution. For them, those in rebellion were the true sons of 1776.

After the Union defeat on July 21, 1861 at the first Battle of Bull Run, which is located only a few miles from Washington in the Virginia countryside, the city could have easily been captured by the confederate victors who decided not to pursue the panic-stricken Union soldiers fleeing in full retreat. To protect itself from invasion, Washington would become the most fortified city in the western world. Sixty-eight forts would eventually surround the city. One of the forts, Fort Stevens, located in Washington, near Silver Spring, Maryland, was attacked by Confederate General Jubal Early on July 12, 1864.

Maryland was a slave state that had not joined the confederacy but was very divided in its loyalties. Lincoln, fearful that she may indeed secede (thereby surrounding Washington with two states in rebellion) executed many drastic (some consider unconstitutional) measures to prevent Maryland from leaving the Union.

Not only was Lincoln actually present at the Battle of Fort Stevens, but it was there where he was nearly killed. Confederate sharpshooters easily recognized the president (from seeing his photograph in newspapers) and fired upon him. Although they miraculously missed him, a soldier, standing only three feet (one meter) away from Lincoln, was shot and killed.

Structural reminders of the fort remain and there is also a commemorative plaque at the site between 13th Street and Georgia Avenue Northwest.

During the 20th century war has continued to define the character of Washington.

As a consequence of America's participation in World War I and World War II, Washington became a world capital. In decisively defeating the Germans and Japanese the United States also destroyed, hopefully forever, any desire on their part to pursue regional domination through invasion and conquest of neighboring countries.

Both expansionist Germany and Japan evolved from social orders that worshipped the cult of the warrior. Neither country respected the American military and, to paraphrase General Eisenhower, entirely underestimated the power of an enraged, focused, and disciplined democracy.

For 13 days in 1962, nearly 40 years ago, Washington stood defiantly in the face of a different kind of terror during the Cuban Missile Crisis. All of those, like myself, who lived in Washington at the time, calmly prepared ourselves for the very real probability that we would be the first target of a nuclear attack against our country.

Washington survived that frightening period and grew into an even stronger capital city as a consequence.

The terrorists who attacked the United States on September 11—along with their sponsors and hosts—are the Ku Klux Klan (U.S. domestic terrorists of an earlier era) of the Middle East. The killing of unarmed, innocent individuals, traveling in airplanes and working in office buildings is no different than bombing to death black children while they attended Sunday school.

The KKK still exists, but mostly as memory. As an organization it is a shadow of its former self and today exists as pure theatre, providing a perverse form of "entertainment" for a pathological audience of hate lovers.

The task ahead in waging war against global terrorism will be long and arduous and will require unrelenting resolve.

America must develop, and forcefully implement, a strategy of assault that will terrify the terrorists into submission.

Sadly, the recent events of September 11 will remain seared in America's national soul forever. Nonetheless, the U.S. will rise to the challenge before it, as it has done so many times in the past, and it will—with the support and aid of its allies—defeat and destroy its enemies and make the world a safer and better place to live.

The "noble eagle" has left his nest, let the prey beware.

Professor Edward C. Smith is a third-generation Washingtonian who teaches at American University. He is a regular contributor to National Geographic News.