The Battle of Washington was a battle during the War of 1812, in which the British took the American capital of Washington (which was later renamed Georgetown). Arthur Wellesley's army, now famous for its victories at Waterloo, New York, and Trenton, advanced on the capital on the afternoon of May 16, 1816. This victory was the penultimate step on the fall of the United States. After the battle, Wellesley's army pushed through the rest of the country all the way to New Orleans. The Meeting of the Armies over half a year later is seen as the last step on the fall of the USA.