U. S. Congress for his part in this action. He held several other commands and ended his long career as Commodore of the U.S. Navy’s Home Squadron. The obelisk marking his grave is pictured on the front of this brochure. Brig. Gen. Robert Young (1768–1824) was an officer in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the latter, he commanded the 2nd Brigade, DC Militia, participating in the defense of Fort Washington and in the Battle of 12 13 14 16 17,18 the White House near present-day Fort 15 21 19,20 11 10 22,23 24 Belvoir, as well as providing a military 7, 8 9 escort for acting Secretary of War James 6 5 3,4 Monroe. 25 26 27 2 1 WAR OF 1. Pvt.Josiah Hewes Davis 15. Pvt. David Dick 2. Pvt. John Richards. 16. 1st Sgt. Hugh Smith 3. Ens. John Harper 17. Pvt. Andrew Kennedy 1812 4. Pvt. William Harper 18. William Bartleman 5. Pvt. John Cripps Vowell 19. Pvt. Robert Anderson 6. Lt. John Thomas Newton 20. Pvt. Peter M. Gregory 7. Brig. Gen. Robert Young 21. Pvt. William Dunlap Burials 8. Lt. Phillip Richard 22. Capt. Chas. McKnight Fendall 23. Capt. John McKnight in the 9. Pvt. Joseph Harris 24. Lt. Leonard Adams 10. Pvt. Robert Nash 25. Pvt. George Wise 11. Thomas Vowell 26. Pvt. Presley Jacobs Presbyterian 12. Joseph Dean 27. William Gregory 13. Pvt. Robert Allison, Jr. Cemetery 14. Pvt. Anthony Ramsay Presbyterian Cemetery & Columbarium 600 Hamilton Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 adjacent to the Alexandria National Cemetery 703.549.6670 u www.opmh.org uring the Napoleonic Wars in Chesapeake Bay region. Encouraged present-day Fort Belvoir. A battle ensued, Europe at the beginning of the by the weak resistance to these raids, in and several men were killed on both 19th century, the British Royal 1814 Britain dispatched a large force up sides. DNavy began to harass American shipping. the Bay to escalate the violence. March- On 12 September 1814, some 4,800 Completely ignoring the sovereignty ing overland in the stifling summer heat redcoats landed near Baltimore. By this and neutrality of the United States, they from a Patuxent River landing, the Brit- time, the Americans had been able to interfered with American trade with ish army sacked and burned Washington, prepare defenses for the city, and the France, intercepting and confiscating ves- DC, on 24-25 August. British attack was repulsed. Early the sels and cargo, and impressing American A second force advanced simultaneously next morning, the British fleet began a sailors into service on British ships. Years up the Potomac, forcing the abandon- bombardment of Fort McHenry that of diplomatic efforts failed to curtail ment and destruction of Fort Washing- lasted into the night. This attack provid- these actions, and the United States de- ton and menacing Alexandria. With no ed the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s clared war on Britain on 18 June 1812. means of defense, the city capitulated “Star Spangled Banner.” This attack, too, While most of the military action during on 27 August. As the British ships began was repulsed, and by 14 September, the the next two years was concentrated their return a few days later, they were British began to withdraw. along the border between the United fired upon by hastily assembled groups The War of 1812 was formally ended States and Canada, a British naval force of militia from the bluffs overlooking the by the Treaty of Ghent, signed on 24 also blockaded the Atlantic seaports and river at the White House, a home near December 1814. sent raiding parties around the entire Burials in the Robert Allison, Jr. (1787–1814) and Charles Samuel Bowen served as privates in the McKnight Presbyterian Cemetery 1st Regiment, (1774–1853) Records indicate that some 48 members DC Militia. served as a cap- of the Meeting House congregation were Both were tain in the D.C. veterans of the War of 1812. Nearly killed on 5 Sept Militia for the two-thirds are buried in the Presbyteri- 1814 at the Alexandria Inde- an Cemetery. Scores more congregants Battle of the pendent Blues. who are interred here served in support White House Notably, he of the American war effort as civilians— and were buried commanded the as members of Alexandria’s Common the following last body of troops reviewed by General Council, Committee of Vigilance, and day in the Pres- Washington. byterian Ceme- other capacities. The cemetery map Lt. John T. Newton (1794–1857) served tery in a service included in this brochure indicates the on the USS Hornet, which sank HMS led by the Rev. locations of a number of these graves, Peacock off the coast of South America. Dr. James Muir. Bowen’s grave has since and brief biographical sketches of a few He was awarded a Silver Medal by the of them are listed below. been lost..