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The Battle of Baltimore
On June 18,1812, the United States declared war on England, then the
greatest power on earth, to preserve "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights."
The British, while at war with France, had interfered with our trade and
had boarded American ships, pressing our sailors into service on their
ships.
It was not until 1814, after England had defeated Napoleon, that the
British would test a stubborn, determined people in Baltimore. To attack
the city successfully, the British first had to seize the key to the city's
defense, Fort McHenry. Patriots were ready to risk their fortunes and their
lives.
Late summer 1814 was a critical time for the United States during the
War of 1812. After two years Canada still remained unconquered. One newspaper
called the attempt "an unbroken series of disaster, disgrace, ruin and
death." The British blockade was taking effect and trade was critically
diminished. To make matters worse, war weariness had set in. Some segments
of the country, particularly New England, proposed settling on a separate
peace with the British. Not surprisingly, the British were looking for
opportunities to inflict a major morale blow to the Americans. Such an
outcome would bring a speedy end to the war in England's favor.
Of the many possible targets, Baltimore appeared the most likely. The
city had openly proclaimed its hawkish anti-British stance days after war
was declared. When the Federal Republican, a Federalist newspaper, criticized
America's going to war an angry mob destroyed the building where it was
printed and severely beat the editors. Baltimoreans also struck at the
British directly. During the war years the city's economy was sustained
through privateering. Swiftly sailing schooners seized British merchant
ships and transported limited cargoes to foreign ports. Other cities adopted
this practice, however Baltimore alone accounted for about thirty percent
of all British merchant ships captured by the US during the war. Baltimore
earned the nickname "nest of pirates." Although initially successful, the
privateers were no substitute for the city's thriving pre-war trade. The
blockade resulted in stockpiles of goods along the city's wharves. Shipbuilders
avoided bankruptcy by building blockade runners and vessels for the US
navy. A large frigate, the USS Java, was nearing completion
in the Fell's Point Naval Yard. Potential to strike a decisive morale blow,
capture goods, a frigate and settle a score may have influenced the British
decision to attack Baltimore.
The city fathers foresaw a possible attack. Preparations were made as
early as 1813. A committee of public supply was established to raise funds
for various construction projects. Citizens began digging a huge earthen
entrenchment along the outskirts of the city facing east. Large gun barges
were constructed for harbor defense. The city militia was called out for
periodic drill. The regular army assisted also. Col. Joseph G. Swift dispatched
Capt. Samuel Babcock to supervise improvements at Fort McHenry. The improvements
included: mounting a battery of 32-pound cannon along the water's edge,
construction of hot shot furnaces, fortifications at Lazaretto Point, and
additional gun batteries along the Patapsco River.
Unfortunately, little was done to protect Washington, D.C. General William
Winder was assigned the task to mobilize the defenses. Unfortunately, he
had no support from Armstrong, the Secretary of War. Armstrong prohibited
Winder from calling out the militia for practice. Winder was also given
no administrative staff He spent much of his time traveling from place
to place inspecting outposts and discovering that the number of actual
defenders was far smaller than the number on paper. The most effective
fighting force in the area was the squadron of gunboats of the US Chesapeake
Flotilla. The flotilla had harassed enemy ships in the Patuxent River and
the British were eager to neutralize this force. It was the British attack
on the flotilla that resulted in the overland campaign to seize Washington.
By the time the Americans concentrated their force, it was too late. British
forces defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg. Although the
US troops were put to route, a stand was made by the US Chesapeake Flotilla
and about 100 Marines. Following their Washington victory, the British
turned their attention to Baltimore. An outline and map of the Baltimore
campaign is included in the packet.
On the morning of September 12, 1814, the British landed over 3,000
troops at North Point. They marched north and west to attack the city.
That night, after the Battle of North Point, they reached Hampstead Hill
where 10,000 Americans blocked their path. British troops waited for the
navy to subdue Fort McHenry and sail into the harbor to shell the city.
At first light on September 13, British ships of war began firing bombs,
rockets and cannon balls at Fort McHenry. Above the Star Fort flew our
young flag, its 15 bright stars and broad stripes waving proud defiance.
The British hoped the Americans would panic, evacuate the fort and leave
Baltimore defenseless. For 25 hours, as lightning flashed and rain fell,
they bombarded the fort, firing between 1,500 and 1,800 rounds, causing
but four deaths and 24 wounded. Major George Armistead and the 1,000 patriot
defenders fired back with their cannons when the British ships sailed within
range.
Realizing their attack had failed, the British sailed down river to
North Point to pick up their retreating soldiers. The Battle of Baltimore
was over. In this most dangerous period following the Revolutionary War,
patriots faced and defeated a vengeful foreign power on our shores. The
War of 1812 has been called our second War of Independence because it forged
our national character and demonstrated that Americans would unite not
only to win liberty, but to keep it. The courage Francis Scott Key witnessed
inspired him to write the words we sing today as our National Anthem. Fort
McHenry, home of the "Star-Spangled Banner," still flies the 15-star flag
proudly every hour of every day above its ramparts.
To assist you in interpreting the events leading up to the capture of
Washington and the Battle of Baltimore you may wish to read:
The Dawn's Early Light by Walter Lord, ISBN 0-393-05452-7
The Battle for Baltimore 1814 by Joseph A. Whitehorne, ISBN
1-877853-23-2
The Rockets' Red Glare, The Maritime Defense of Baltimore in 1814
by Scott Sheads, ISBN 0-87033-363-1
"Preserving
The Legacy"
