The Battle of the Capitol (August 24-25, 1814) was a crucial symbolic and strategic victory for the United States during the War of 1812. During a battle that lasted from sunset to sunrise, a ragtag group of militia, regular United States Army, and some Cherokee soliders under the command of Captian Sam Houston and Lt. Patrick Driscol (both of whom had recently been part of critical U.S. victories on other fronts) prevented British forces from setting fire to the Capitol Building. In so doing, the Americans actually inflicted a substantial defeat upon the British, halting their planned drive on Baltimore.