Armistead T. Mason

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Determined To Attack Baltimore

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"The British now determined to attack Baltimore. After Gordon had rejoined the fleet, the vessels, under a great press of canvas, ran for the mouth of the Patapsco. Meanwhile the inhabitants of Baltimore, under the leadership of the mayor, had set to work vigorously to strengthen the defences of the city."

Map Of Maryland

From Leading Events of Maryland History:

Battle Of Baltimore

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See the Wikipedia take on the Battle of Baltimore here.  

Also see Attack Upon Fort McHenry, Rodger's Bastion, Baltimore and Defender's Day In Baltimore.

Battle Of Baltimore Map

A (partial) map of the Battle of Baltimore from Johns Hopkins' Sheridan Libraries site:

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Landing On Cumberland Island

As seen at the Cumberland NPS Museum exhibit:

A battery on Point Peter was established in 1796 to protect the mouth of the St. Mary's River and the adjacent islands from unwelcome ships.  Cumberland Island was an attractive landing spot, offering easy access from the ocean, and the nearby town of St. Mary's had amenities such as fresh food and supplies.  After a period of vacancy, a blockhouse was built and the battery was garrisoned for protection during the War of 1812.

It was not until [January 10] 1815 that Point Peter was tested.  Official military correspondence tells the story of Rear Admiral George Cockburn and the British fleet landing on Cumberland Island soon after their attacks on Washington and Baltimore.

Attack Upon Fort McHenry

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Fort McHenry

The approach to Baltimore by water was guarded by Fort McHenry by obstructions sunk in the channel of the river and by two heavily constructed batteries between Fort McHenry and the city.

Here however the British met with an unexpected repulse. The bombardment of Fort McHenry began at sunrise, on the 13th [September], and continued throughout that day and the succeeding night, though without reducing the fortress. Under cover of the darkness, several rocket vessels and barges ascended past Fort McHenry, but being detected were received with a heavy cannonade. [Source]

Rodger's Bastion, Baltimore

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From the Friends Of Patterson Park website:

On Hampstead Hill, the ridge where the Pagoda now stands, Baltimoreans rallied on September 12, 1814 to protect the city from the threat of a British invasion. By water, British troops entered the Patapsco River and bombarded Fort McHenry. By land, they amassed forces at North Point. As they marched on to Baltimore and looked up to Hampstead Hill they saw Rodger’s Bastion – including 100 cannons and 20,000 troops. This sight led the British to return to their ships and leave the Port of Baltimore.

This blog has a nice map on the post entitled "The British Route from Washington to Baltimore in 1814," including Hampstead Hill.

General John Stricker

The Battle of North Point included  portrait of General John Stricker (1758-1825).

General Stricker was instrumental in the Battle of North Point.

British General Robert Ross

British General Robert Ross, the man who captured Washington, D.C., was killed at the Battle Of North Point (a part of the larger Battle Of Baltimore).

Part of the poem about the Battle Of North Point depicting the fallen General Ross who was said to have been shot by American soldiers Wells and McComas:

With sunshine streaming face

McComas walk'd the steps through air.

With Wells departed out of sight.

They passed to distant climes afar.

 Unbounded by the shades of night 

The wounded Ross by friendly arms 

Was laid beside the crimson road.

General Ross's body was preserved in a barrel of rum with the intent of being returned to Ireland.  The war interfered with those plans and his body was shipped to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Defenders Day In Maryland

September 12th is Defenders Day which is celebrated in Maryland.  It commemorates the Battle of Northpoint (and encompasses the Battle of Baltimore and the events at Fort McHenry).

According to the National Park Service site:

On September 12, 1914, the 100th anniversary of the British attack against Fort McHenry, 6500 local school children cloaked in red, white and blue, formed a giant replica of the Flag, which was appropriately named, “The Wonderful Human Flag.”

Here was the itinerary for Defenders Day 2012.

A YouTube video of the Defenders Day celebration in 2001 here and 2011 here.

The Coin Of The Realm - Star-Spangled Banner Edition

From the U.S. Mint's website:

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act

The Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act...requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 100,000 gold $5 coins and 500,000 silver $1 coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of our national anthem.  According to the law, the designs shall be emblematic of the War of 1812, particularly the Battle of Baltimore that formed the basis for the lyrics of "The Star—Spangled Banner."