Show I Left Capital Vulnerable One hundred years ears ago the residents of Washington were seriously disturbed disturbed dis dis- dis by rumors that the British were Vere planning an expedition for tor the thc capture of ot their city Grave as was the danger the authorities were slow to move After Atter considerable dela delay a I fleet of gunboats and barges were assembled assembled as as- and lind placed under the command com cons mand of the veteran Commodore Hal Bar I ney who had served with distinction In irs the Revolution But the land deI defenses de do deI I tenses were almost totally neglected Though the government called for 15 15 I troops the actual defense force about the national capital consisted of or orI i but a few hundred militia In conseQuence consequence conse quence when the British finally II marched on the city In midsummer I they encountered little opposition i i I |