Battle of Baltimore

The Battle of Baltimore took place between British and American forces from September 12 to 14, 1814, during the War of 1812. It happened near the big port city of Baltimore, Maryland. The American defenders stopped British attacks by land and sea, protecting the United States' third largest city at the time and ending the British Chesapeake campaign.

The fighting began at the Battle of North Point. Although the Americans had to fall back, they slowed down the British advance and hurt many of their soldiers, including the British general Robert Ross. This gave the people of Baltimore time to get ready for more attacks.

When the British tried to attack Fort McHenry from the sea, the strong defense inspired a man named Francis Scott Key. He wrote a poem called "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which later became the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.

In this battle, a future U.S. president, James Buchanan, fought as a private soldier helping to defend Baltimore.

Background

Until April 1814, Great Britain was fighting against Napoleonic France, which limited its goals in North America. During this time, British forces mainly defended themselves and stopped American attacks on Upper Canada and Lower Canada. In 1813, Americans took control of Lake Erie and captured parts of western Lower Canada. In Alabama, General Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek nation at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.

After Napoleon was defeated in early 1814, Britain changed its strategy. They wanted to make the United States agree to peace. Thousands of experienced British soldiers were sent to British North America. Most went to defend the Canadas, but some were used for attacks along the American coast. Britain blockaded American ports and carried out raids, hoping to weaken the American economy and force them to negotiate.

The British planned major attacks on three big American ports: Baltimore, New York City, and New Orleans. Each attack had over 10,000 soldiers. One of these attacks was aimed at Baltimore, a busy port that the British thought was home to ships raiding British trade. They planned to attack from land at North Point and surround Fort McHenry, the main defense of Baltimore Harbor. The defenses of Baltimore were organized by Major General Samuel Smith.

Opposing forces

American

10th Military District

• Brigadier General William Winder, U.S. Army

British

• North America and West Indies Station: Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane
• Rear-Admiral Pulteney Malcolm
• Rear-Admiral Edward Codrington - Captain of the Fleet

Battle

Main article: Battle of North Point

The Battle of Baltimore happened in September 1814 during a big war between the United States and Britain. British soldiers landed near Baltimore, Maryland, and marched toward the city. They first fought the American troops at the Battle of North Point on September 12. The American general tried to slow down the British so more defenses could be built around Baltimore.

The British kept moving and reached a hill called Hampstead Hill. The Americans had built strong walls and placed many cannons to protect the city. On September 13, British soldiers tried to attack but found the defenses much stronger than they expected. They decided to go back to their ships instead of fighting directly.

The final part of the battle happened at Fort McHenry. British ships tried to attack the fort with rockets and bombs, but the fort was well protected. After a long night of attacks, a huge American flag was raised over the fort the next morning. This showed that the Americans had successfully defended Baltimore against the British.

Aftermath

After the battle, Colonel Brooke's troops left the area, and Admiral Cochrane's ships sailed away to prepare for future attacks, including the later Battle of New Orleans. Armistead was promoted to lieutenant colonel but passed away a few years later at the age of 38.

Several U.S. Army battalions today carry on the legacy of the regiments that defended Fort McHenry. The state of Maryland also honors the memory of its soldiers through the Maryland Army National Guard.

The battle is remembered at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Star Spangled Banner

Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and poet, was helping to free a doctor named William Beanes, who was held by the British. Key showed the British kind letters from wounded British officers thanking Dr. Beanes for his care. The British agreed to release Beanes, but Key and Beanes had to stay with the British until the attack on Baltimore ended.

Key watched from a ship in the Patapsco River. In the morning of September 14, he saw the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry. This inspired him to write verses on the back of a letter. His poem, called "Defence of Fort M'Henry," was printed and shared.

The poem was later set to music from a British song called "To Anacreon in Heaven." This music and Key's words became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1931, the U.S. Congress chose it as the national anthem of the United States.