Battle of North Point

Battle of North Point
Part of the Battle of Baltimore and War of 1812

The Battle of North Point by Thomas Ruckle
DateSeptember 12, 1814
Location
North Point, Maryland
39°16′44″N 76°29′15″W / 39.2789°N 76.4876°W / 39.2789; -76.4876
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United States United Kingdom United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Samuel Smith
John Stricker		 Robert Ross  †
Arthur Brooke
Strength
3,200[1] 4,000[1]
Casualties and losses
24 killed
139 wounded
50 captured[1]		 39–46 killed
251–295 wounded[1][2][3]
1 missing[4]

The Battle of North Point was fought on September 12, 1814, between General John Stricker's Maryland Militia and a British force led by Major-General Robert Ross. Although the Americans were driven from the field, they were able to do so in good order having inflicted significant casualties on the British, killing Ross and demoralizing the troops under his command. Some of Ross's units became lost among woods and swampy creeks during the battle, with others in similar states of confusion.

This combination of setbacks prompted Colonel Arthur Brooke to delay the British advance against Baltimore, buying valuable time to properly prepare for the defense of the city as Stricker retreated back to the main defenses to bolster the existing force. The engagement was a part of the larger Battle of Baltimore, an American victory in the War of 1812.

  1. ^ a b c d Erlandson Liston, Kathy Lee. "Where Are the British Soldiers Killed in the Battle of North Point Buried?". 1814 British Dead. MyEdgemere. Archived from the original on April 4, 2004.
  2. ^ James (1818), p. 513, reproducing in its entirety "Return of the killed and wounded, in action with the enemy, near Baltimore, on the 12th of Sept., 1814, Public Record Office, WO 1"
  3. ^ James (1818), p. 521
  4. ^ The London Gazette, Issue 16947, October 17, 1814. p. 2079