Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, was an unlikely war-time President, but he comported himself well and became the only President to actually direct troops in battle while he was President. Confronted with the fall of Washington City in 1814, Madison and his beloved wife Dolley attempt to meet the challenge of escaping capture by the British intent on destroying the very young city: the need to simultaneously preserve the country's artifacts (Dolley) and its constitutional government (Madison). Madisons love for Dolley dominates his passions even as he deals with the incompetence of his appointed subordinates.
