city is now regarded as coextensive with the District, though there are some differences in taxation between the ‘urban’ and the ‘rural’ parts.
On August 24, 1814, an English force of about 5000 men under General Ross and Admiral Cockburn defeated an American militia force of about 7000 at Bladensburg (q.v.), and, advancing to Washington, set fire to the Capitol, the President's house, and other public buildings, all of which, however, were replaced within the next few years.
During the Civil War Washington was repeatedly threatened by Confederate armies, notably in July, 1864, when General Early, after defeating Gen. Lew Wallace at Monocacy, only thirty miles away, advanced to within a few miles of the city. Early in 1861 work was begun on a system of fortifications which when finished consisted of “68 inclosed forts and batteries, having an aggregate perimeter of about 14 miles and emplacements of about 1120 guns; of 93 unarmed batteries, having 401 emplacements; and of 20 miles of infantry trenches.” These works have been since unoccupied with the exception of Fort Myer (q.v.) on Arlington Heights. Throughout the war Washington was a vast depot of military supplies; long trains of army wagons were almost constantly passing through its streets; immense hospitals for the sick and wounded were erected, and many churches, public institutions, and the Capitol itself, were at times given up to this service. During the period 1861-65, however, much work was done on the public buildings. On May 23 and 24, 1865, Washington was the scene of the greatest military display ever witnessed in America, when the Federal veterans of the war were reviewed by President Andrew Johnson.
With the year 1871 began what has been called the Renaissance of Washington. Under the lead of Alexander R. Shepherd, Governor of the District, vast improvements were effected throughout the city: pavements were constructed, a sewage system devised, shade trees set out, grades equalized, parks beautified, and a new system of water supply provided. In consequence of the expense entailed by this reconstruction of the city, which was carried out with great waste, arising in a great measure from corruption, the territorial debt increased from $3,000,000 in 1871 to $20,000,000 in 1875; and largely on this account Congress (1874) changed the government. Georgetown, which had been settled as early as 1695, had been laid out as a town in 1751, and had been incorporated in 1789, was annexed to Washington in 1878, its charter having been withdrawn in 1871.
Bibliography. Todd, The Story of Washington (New York, 1889); Varnum, The Seat of Government of the United States; A Review of the Discussions on the Site and Plans of the Federal City (Washington, 1854); Porter, The City of Washington (Baltimore, 1885); Crew, Centennial History of the City of Washington (Washington, 1892); Records of the Columbian Historical Society (ib., 1897); Mackall, Early Days of Washington (ib., 1897-1903); Bryan, Bibliography of the District of Columbia (ib., 1900); Wilson, Washington, the Capital City (Philadelphia, 1902); Cox, Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of Washington, 1800-1900 (Washington, 1901).
WASHINGTON. The county-seat of Wilkes County, Ga., 75 miles northwest of Augusta, on the Central of Georgia Railroad (Map: Georgia, D 2). It has Saint Joseph's Academy and the Mary Willis Library. The village is the commercial centre of a district producing cotton, grain, and lumber, and has cotton mills, carriage factories, foundries and machine shops, and manufactories of fertilizers, cottonseed oil, engines, furniture, etc. The water-works and the electric light plant are owned by the municipality. Population, in 1890, 2631; in 1900, 3300.
WASHINGTON. The county-seat of Daviess County, Ind., 85 miles southwest of Indianapolis, on the Evansville and Terre Haute and the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern railroads (Map: Indiana, B 4). It is the commercial centre of a farming and stock-raising region, especially noted for its deposits of coal, kaolin, and fire clay, and manufactures lumber, flour, brick, tiling, underwear, and veneering. The Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern Railroad also maintains repair and construction shops here. There is a public library. The city owns the electric light plant. Population, in 1890, 6064; in 1900, 8551.
WASHINGTON. The county-seat of Washington County, Ia., 66 miles southwest of Davenport, on the Chicago. Rock Island and Pacific, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, and the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul railroads (Map: Iowa, F 3). It is in a fertile farming section, which also has important horse-breeding and stock-raising interests, and manufactures flour, carriages, mittens, and gloves. There is a public library with more than 5200 volumes. The water-works and electric light plant are owned by the municipality. Population, in 1890, 3235; in 1900, 4255.
WASHINGTON. The county-seat of Beaufort County, N. C., 127 miles east by south of Raleigh, on the Pamlico River, and on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (Map: North Carolina, E 2). It is favorably situated for commerce, and carries on a considerable trade in cotton, corn, rice, farm produce, lumber, and naval stores. Oyster-fishing and ship-building are important industries; and there are also steam gins, planing mills, etc. Population, in 1890, 3545; in 1900, 4842.
WASHINGTON. The county-seat of Washington County, Pa., 25 miles southwest of Pittsburg, on the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago and Saint Louis, the Baltimore and Ohio, and other railroads (Map: Pennsylvania, A 3). It is the seat of Washington and Jefferson College (q.v.) and of Washington Female Seminary and Trinity Hall. The Citizens' Library has 6000 volumes. There are also the Washington County Law Library and that of the Young Men's Christian Association. Washington is of considerable commercial and industrial importance, being situated in a section known for its oil wells and deposits of coal and limestone. The leading manufactures are flour, carriages, tin, brick, steel, car springs, foundry and machine-shop products, and glass. Originally called Bassettown, Washington received its present name in 1784. It was incorporated as a township in 1810, and was chartered as a borough in 1852. Population, in 1890, 7063; in 1900, 7670.
