NEWRY historian and Abbey teacher Dr John McCavitt got the invitation of a lifetime when he was unexpectedly summoned to the White House while carrying out research on Rostrevor-born Major General Robert Ross. Dr McCavitt spent three weeks in Washington and Baltimore during the summer for work on a forthcoming autobiography on Ross, who is famed for his role in burning down the famous residency in 1814.

During his visit, Dr McCavitt received a call from the White House curator who invited him to a private tour of the building’s archives - a chance he jumped at. “I was delighted to have been afforded private tours of the US Capitol and the US Navy Yard on the trip,” he said.

“The highlight undoubtedly was being given special access to the White House as I wanted to research the incident when President Madison and his wife Dolley were forced to flee from Washington before the forces of Ross.

“During my visit, the curator afforded me access to a file of primary and secondary sources about the burning of the White House.

“There is only one small remaining piece of scorch damage that I was permitted to see and photograph. I hope one day to have the photo published in a biography of the general that I am co-writing with Chris George from Baltimore.

“I was then conducted on a tour of many of the most famous rooms of the White House and was intrigued to see a portrait of Dolley Madison, (pictured left), on display. She is considered both the archetypal ‘First Lady’ in American political history and as a national heroine for her role in saving the portrait of George Washington, (pictured left). “And I came across a rare description of what the interior of the building was like in 1813, just one year before it was burnt, which I intend to post on the website in due course.”

Wednesday saw Dr McCavitt launch a website he developed with Newry and Mourne Council on Ross’ life and exploits in America and Europe. History will remember Ross for inspiring his troops to victory in the Battle of Bladensburg and the capture of Washington in 1814 when many public buildings in the city were burnt.

He was killed less then a month later during a confrontation with American troops near Baltimore. The 100-foot Ross Monument outside Rostrevor was erected in 1826 and there are also monuments in St Paul’s Cathedral in London and Kilbroney Parish Church in Rostrevor.

For further information on Ross’ life log on to www.themanthatcapturedwashington.com