- Date:
- September 12, 1814 - September 14, 1814
- Location:
- Baltimore
- Maryland
- United States
- Participants:
- United Kingdom
- United States
Battle of Baltimore
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What was the Battle of Baltimore?
The Battle of Baltimore, a land and sea battle during the War of 1812, took place September 12–14, 1814. British forces, after burning Washington, D.C., planned to capture Baltimore, a major shipbuilding center. Baltimore's citizens, however, had spent a year strengthening the city's defenses, including Fort McHenry, which guarded the harbor entrance.
British troops landed north of the harbor on September 12, encountering Maryland militia, and their commander, Major General Robert Ross, was killed. Simultaneously, sixteen British ships bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours beginning on the morning of September 13. The British eventually abandoned their attack, unable to overcome the fort's defenses.
Witnessing the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, Francis Scott Key, who was detained on a British ship, was inspired to write a poem that became the lyrics for the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".
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When and where did the Battle of Baltimore take place?
The Battle of Baltimore took place from September 12 to 14, 1814. British forces, following their burning of Washington, D.C., sailed up the Chesapeake Bay to strike Baltimore, a major American shipbuilding center.
The British initiated a land-sea pincer movement, landing troops at North Point while bombarding Fort McHenry from the harbor. On September 12, British troops encountered Maryland militia, resulting in the death of their commander. Simultaneously, sixteen British ships began a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 13. American lawyer Francis Scott Key, watching the bombardment, was inspired to write a poem that later became the lyrics for the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".
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Why did the British attack Baltimore during the War of 1814?
Following the burning of Washington, D.C., in August 1814, the British, led by Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, Rear Admiral George Cockburn, and Major General Robert Ross, aimed to strike Baltimore, a significant American shipbuilding center and a hub for privateering vessels that had been seizing British ships. The British anticipated a swift capture of the city and harbor, similar to what occurred in Washington.
However, Baltimore's citizens had spent over a year strengthening the city's defenses. Fort McHenry, guarding the harbor entrance, was under the command of Major George Armistead and a regular garrison. The harbor entrance was fortified with a large chain and sunken ships. The British launched a land-sea pincer movement, attacking from land while bombarding the fort from the harbor.
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What happened at Fort McHenry during the battle?
During the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814, Fort McHenry, commanded by Major George Armistead, played a crucial role in defending the city from British forces. The British bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours, starting in the early morning of September 13. Despite the heavy bombardment, the British ships could not reach the fort due to a large chain and the fort's artillery. An attempt by British marines to land was also unsuccessful.
On September 14, the British realized a successful attack was impossible and decided to withdraw. The American flag still flying over Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which later became the U.S. national anthem.
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How did the Battle of Baltimore affect the overall outcome of the War of 1812?
The Battle of Baltimore, fought from September 12–14, 1814, was a turning point in the War of 1812. After occupying Washington, D.C., the British planned to capture Baltimore, a major American port and shipbuilding center.
However, Baltimore's citizens had spent a year strengthening the city's defenses. Fort McHenry, guarding the harbor, was well-manned, and the harbor entrance was blocked. The British attacked by land and sea but were repelled, and the bombardment of Fort McHenry failed to capture the city.
The successful defense of Baltimore boosted American morale and thwarted the British plan to strike a major blow against the U.S.. The battle also inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which became the U.S. national anthem, further galvanizing American patriotism.
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Why is the Battle of Baltimore remembered today, and what famous song was inspired by it?
The Battle of Baltimore is remembered today as a pivotal moment in the War of 1812 because the American defense of Fort McHenry against a British attack prevented the capture of the city.
During the bombardment, Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet, witnessed the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn on September 14, signaling American defiance and victory. Key then wrote a poem titled "The Defence of Fort M’Henry" to honor the occasion, which later became the lyrics for the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
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Battle of Baltimore, (12–14 September 1814), land and sea battle of the War of 1812 that spurred the writing of the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the U.S. national anthem. Following their occupation and burning of Washington, D.C., in August 1814, the British-led by Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, Rear Admiral George Cockburn, and Major General Robert Ross-decided to sail up the Chesapeake Bay and strike the port of Baltimore, America’s third-largest city and a centre of ship-building, as well as an entrepôt for privateering vessels that harassed and seized British ships. The British expected the city and harbour to fall quickly, as Washington had done.
Baltimore’s citizens, however, had worked on the city’s defenses for more than a year. Fort McHenry, south of the harbour entrance, was the city’s main guardian, commanded by Major George Armistead with a regular garrison. Militia manned other earthworks. The harbour entrance was blocked by a large chain and scuttled hulks. Against these defenses the British pursued a land-sea pincer maneuver, attacking from land while bombing the fort from the harbour.
In the early morning of September 12, some 4,700 troops under Ross landed at North Point, north of the harbour. Opposing them was Brigadier General John Stricker’s brigade of nearly 4,000 Maryland militia. In late afternoon, Ross’s infantry—made up of veterans who had recently defeated the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo—encountered Stricker’s skirmishers. Ross came forward and was killed. Taking command, Colonel Arthur Brooke attacked, first firing Congreve rockets, famed for their “red glare.” Brooke’s forces, spearheaded by the Kings Own Regiment of infantry, turned the American left and assaulted the center. After a sharp but short battle, Stricker retreated to a second defensive line, and with nightfall and the onset of heavy rainfall the British stopped, and Stricker withdrew into the city.
Meanwhile, sixteen British ships approached Fort McHenry, its five bastions giving the fort the shape of a star. In the early morning of September 13, they began a 25-hour bombardment of the fort. Brooke advanced to within sight of the city’s strong fortifications and concluded that only a night attack supported by naval cannons could succeed. The ships, however, were unable to reach the fort because of the chain and Armistead’s artillery, numbering 23 heavy cannons inside the fort as well as batteries below it and to the east across the Patapsco River. That night an attempt to land marines was driven back. On 14 September the British decided that a successful attack was impossible and departed, mindful of the need to conserve men, ships, and ammunition for their planned assault on New Orleans. The final British cannon shot was fired at 7:30 on the morning of September 14.
Watching the bombardment from Baltimore harbour was American lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key, who was detained on a British ship throughout the attack. When he spotted the American flag still flying over the fortress at dawn on September 14, signaling that the Americans had not been defeated, he wrote a poem, completed later that day at a Baltimore hotel, in honor of the dramatic occasion. Circulated as a handbill on September 15 and titled "The Defence of Fort M’Henry," it became the lyrics of the U.S. national anthem.
Losses: U.S., 28 killed, 250 wounded, 50 captured; British, 46 killed, 300 wounded.