Chesapeake Bay and Landed Their Expeditionary Army of Territories in North America
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War of 1812: The Unfinished Revolution 1814 Battle Sites The Burning of Bombardment of The War of 1812 represents the definitive end of the to poor coastal defenses, financial problems and a disorga- Washington Fort McHenry American Revolution. Although 30 years had passed nized military. The early war years saw the defeat of the since the end of the revolution, the British continued to American military as it entered Canada and the successful On August 19, 1814, 50 British warships entered the restrict trade, impress American sailors and occupy British blockade of the U.S. coastline. Chesapeake Bay and landed their expeditionary army of territories in North America. Throughout 1813 and 1814, the British campaigned in 4,500 troops at Benedict, Maryland. Within five days, the Chesapeake Bay because of its importance as the Ameri- these troops had destroyed an American gun boat flotilla can center of government as the nation’s capital was relocated and defeated the American army at Bladensburg, Mary- here in 1800. It was also an important economic center. The land. The Battle of Bladensburg lasted four hours and in excellent soil, favorable climate and navigable waters of the the end the American militia retreated “like sheep Bay region provided for agricultural and slave economies. The chased by dogs” into the Virginia and Maryland coun- port of Baltimore, the third largest city in the nation, support- tryside. The victorious British continued their advance ed the ship building industry, international trade and became into Washington, D.C. the home of privateering, the practice of private licensed ships In retaliation for the burning of York, the provin- Photo: The History Channel attacking enemy vessels. cial capital of Canada, Major General Ross ordered the President James Madison The August-September 1814 British Campaign on the government buildings to be burned in Washington, D.C. Chesapeake comprised of a naval duel with the Chesapeake President James and Dolley Madison fled separately, On June 18, 1812, President James Madison and Flotilla; the burning of Washington, D.C.; and a combined narrowly escaping capture. As Dolley Madison left the the Congressional “war hawks” declared war even land-sea attack on Baltimore. Unlike Washington, D.C., White House, she saved the original draft of the Consti- though America was illprepared to fight the British due Baltimore prepared earthworks, gun batteries and fortifica- tution, the Declaration of Independence and the Gilbert tions. Also unlike Washington, the Americans stood strong Stuart portrait of George Washington. In Baltimore, 40 in defense and repelled the British assault overland and naval miles away, the fiery glow of the capital could be seen. bombardment. Because of the destruction, the American capital was Photo: The History Channel “Bombs bursting in air…” The victory in Baltimore on September 12-14, 1814 and temporarily moved to Brooklandville, Maryland. the publication of a national song “The Star-Spangled Ban- ner” provided inspiration to the struggling nation. With addi- On September 13, 1814, British Vice-Admiral Sir tional American victories along the Canadian border, both Alexander Cochrane ordered the Royal Navy to attack nations signed the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war on Fort McHenry. The fort, commanded by Major December 24, 1814. George Armistead, defended the entrance to Balti- more’s harbor. The British planned to pound the fort into submission and then assist their army in an assault on the well-prepared American entrenchments east of the city. In a 25-hour barrage, the British fired more than 1,500 mortar bombs and Congreve rockets at the fort, but were unable to drive the men off or silence the guns. A final naval effort to attack the fort from the west with twenty longboats packed with 1,200 Royal Photo: The History Channel Marines was also stopped by the men and guns of The burning of the White House [President’s house] rvice Battery Babcock, Forts Lookout and Fort Covington. Photo: The History Channel Having been repulsed in these three separate attacks, An overview of British Signing of the Treaty of Ghent advance in the Summer the British commander ordered a withdrawal early on of 1814. the morning of September 14, 1814. The Battle for Tangier Island Baltimore was over. Photo: Se National Park British ships in a naval engagement on the Chesapeake Bay. Battle of North Point All Hearts and Hands Mary Pickersgill Francis Scott Key Outcomes of the 1814 Chesapeake Campaign In August 1813 as Baltimore pre- The war had served as a crucial test for a young democ- In the post-war generations, American popular pared for war, Major George ratic government. Unprepared for war, under-financed, media prompted an outgrowth of myths, stories, and Armistead, Commander of Fort threatened by secession and acts of treason, America nar- legends that continue today. Foremost is the folklore McHenry wrote that “it is my rowly survived the challenge of foreign invasion. Ameri- surrounding the original Star-Spangled Banner and its desire to have a flag so large ca’s victory over Great Britain confirmed our indepen- author; the origin of “Uncle Sam;” the origins of “Old that the British will have no dif- dence; established clear boundaries between Canada and Ironsides;” and First Lady Dolley Madisons saving Photo: The History Channel ficulty in seeing it from a dis- the U.S.; and ended trade restrictions. In 1814, Ameri- Washington’s portrait by Gilbert Stuart and original Brigadier General John Stricker tance.” Flag maker Mary Pick- cans took pride in their victory at the Battle for Balti- copies of both the Declaration of Independence and the Photo: Service The National Park On September 12, 1814, General John Stricker learned ersgill was given the task of more. The flag and the song––which later became the U.S. Constitution. All of these factual events have be- that the British were landing at North Point. In re- assembling two flags, a 30-foot by National Anthem––came to symbolize the nation. For come part of our American folklore. Mary Pickersgill sponse, he positioned 3,200 American militiamen be- 42-foot garrison flag and a 17-foot by the first time, many Americans began to think about Photo: 25-foot storm flag. Having learned tween Bear Creek and Back River to block their route MD Historical Society what it meant to be an American and a sovereign nation. to Baltimore. The landing was part of a British two- her craft from her mother who made The War of 1812 and especially the British Chesa- pronged land-sea attack on the city. During breakfast at flags for the Continental Army during the Revolution- peake campaigns of 1813 and 1814, generated several a local farmhouse, British General Robert Ross boasted ary War, Mary sewed the flags in just six weeks inside Congressional debates on issues such as moving the capi- that on that evening, “I’ll sup in Baltimore tonight––or her home, which still stands today. The flags were so tal; American southern dependence on slavery compro- in hell.” Soon afterward, he was killed by sharpshoot- large that she took them to a nearby warehouse to com- mising the strength of the economy, which raised further ers in a skirmish before the main battle. After a fierce plete the job. On the morning of September 14, 1814, questions about the institution; our inadequate coastal two-hour engagement, Colonel Arthur Brooke, who re- after the bombardment by British ships, Francis Scott defenses, the volunteer state militia and maintaining a placed Ross, ordered a flanking maneuver. The Ameri- Key was inspired to write that “the flag was still there” The rooftops of Baltimore, a thriving port-town, whose residents regular army and navy. All of these issues became impor- can left-flank collapsed and Stricker ordered a retreat in the famous poem that became our National Anthem. ably came to her defense. Photo: Banner Museum The Flag House & Star-Spangled tant for the nation to consider as it looked westward and The flag is on display in the National Museum of Amer- back to Baltimore. The British had won the battle but Francis Scott Key witnessing the bombardment of extended its economic trade to the world. the Americans had made them pay. The British losses From the docks, rooftops, farms and hills of Maryland’s tide- ican History. In 1907, the flag was bequeathed to the Fort McHenry. exceeded the Americans with 46 dead and 295 wound- water, citizens witnessed the sounds and sights of battle and Smithsonian Institution by the Armistead family. armies on the march. Each did their part for patriotism, sur- ed, while the American toll was 24 dead and 139 For nearly 200 years the words of “The Star-Spangled vival or profit; a flag maker, blacksmiths, laborers, carpenters, wounded. Banner” have been the inspirational epitaph of a Mary- merchants, farmers, seamen, bankers all formed a collective land lawyer who had witnessed “the rockets red glare” unity that prompted a citizen to comment, “All hearts and over Fort McHenry in September 1814. Photo:Arts Academy of Fine PA hands have cordially united in the common cause.” A native of Frederick, Maryland, Key was asked to On September 30, 1814 citizen-soldier George Douglas, First Lady, Dolley Madison obtain the release of a friend being held captive aboard a Channel a private in the Baltimore Fencibles, wrote to a Boston friend, British warship soon after the capture of Washington, “I give you joy, my dear friend; after a tremendous conflict we D.C. Securing his friend’s release, Key was detained until have got rid of the enemy…Baltimore has maintained its hon- after the attack on Baltimore.