BRITISH BOMBARD FT. McHENRY
Baltimore, Maryland (JFK+50) On September 13, 1814, a British fleet of 19 ships began the bombardment of Fort McHenry outside of Baltimore. British guns fired 2000 rockets and mortar shells for a period of 25 hours before withdrawing out of range of American return fire.
One thousand American soldiers under command of Major General George Armistead* waited out the bombardment. Amazingly only 4 Americans were killed during the siege.**
*George Armistead (1780-1818) was born in Caroline County, Virginia & was commissioned as an ensign in the 7th US Infantry in 1799. GA was promoted to Lt in 1801. During the War of 1812, he served at Fort Niagara before being assigned command of Ft. McHenry.
Upon arrival at the fort, GA ordered the manufacture of a 42 x 30 ft. American flag so the British could see it from far away. The strain of leadership during the siege took its toll & GA died 3 years later at the age of 38.
**The Battle for Baltimore (September 12-15, 1814) was part of the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. The American Fort McHenry held and the British withdrew. The battle is best known for the writing of the poem by Francis Scott Key which became Our National Anthem.
SOURCE
"The Battle for Baltimore," National Park Service, www.nps.gov/
Major General George Armistead
Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD.
Photo by Midnightdreary (2008)
