Battle of Baltimore

Battle of Baltimore
Part of the War of 1812

The bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British, engraving by John Bower[1]
DateSeptember 12–15, 1814
Location39°15′48″N 76°34′47″W / 39.26333°N 76.57972°W / 39.26333; -76.57972
Result American victory
Belligerents
United States United States United Kingdom United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
United States Samuel Smith
United States John Stricker
United States George Armistead
United Kingdom Robert Ross 
United Kingdom Alexander Cochrane
United Kingdom Arthur Brooke
Strength
North Point:
3,000
infantry,
militia
Hampstead Hill
10,000 regulars
2,000–5,000 infantry militia,
100+ Guns
Fort McHenry:
1,000 infantry militia

20 artillery pieces[2]
Additional Defense:
8,000 militia
150 artillery pieces
Total:
22,000–25,000
Land:
5,000 infantry
Sea:
19 warships[3]
Casualties and losses
North Point & Hampstead Hill:
24 killed,
139 wounded,
50 captured
Fort McHenry:
4 killed,
24 wounded
Total:
28 killed,
163 wounded,
50 captured[4]
North Point & Hampstead Hill:
39–46 killed,
251–295 wounded[5][6][7]
Fort McHenry:
1 wounded[8]
Total:
39–46 killed,
252–296 wounded

The Battle of Baltimore (September 12–15, 1814) took place between British and American forces in the War of 1812. American forces repulsed sea and land invasions off the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland, and killed the commander of the invading British forces.

The British and Americans first met at the Battle of North Point.[9] Though the Americans retreated, the battle was a successful delaying action that inflicted heavy casualties on the British, halted their advance, and allowed the defenders at Baltimore to prepare for an attack.

The resistance of Baltimore's Fort McHenry during bombardment by the Royal Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry", which later became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.

Future U.S. president James Buchanan served as a private in the defense of Baltimore.

  1. ^ Laura Rich. Maryland History In Prints 1743–1900. p. 45.
  2. ^ Borneman, p. 245.
  3. ^ Crawford, p. 273, quoting a memo from Rear Admiral Codrington to Respective Captains dated 11 Sept 1814. The warships present were Tonnant (80), Albion (74), Madagascar (74), Ramillies (74), Royal Oak (74), Severn (50), Diomede (50), Havannah (42), Weser (44), Brune (38), Melpomene (38), Seahorse (38), Surprise (38), Trave (38), Thames (32), Rover (18), & Wolverine (18). Also present were the troopships Diadem, Dictator & Regulus.
  4. ^ Borneman, p. 246.
  5. ^ Liston, Where Are the British Soldiers Killed in the Battle of North Point Buried? Archived 2010-11-26 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ James, p. 513.
  7. ^ James, p. 521.
  8. ^ James, p. 325.
  9. ^ James, p. 321