Today we take a look at the War of 1812. We will start with educanon.com After that, take a break.
Watch the video above.
We will pick up with a class reading of the following materials.
Britain was upset that the United States had declared it's freedom, and was further upset that it had maintained an alliance with the French, Great Britains biggest rival. As a result of this, the British started harassing the U.S. shipping industry. Mainly, they were stopping American ships and forcing the Americans to join the British navy. The U.S. decided retaliation was necessary and began attacking British forces, which ballooned into a land war fought on American soil. This is the last time a foreign nation has fought a war on U.S. mainland soil (this doesn't include Pearl Harbor). Early on the U.S. struggled to win against the Brits. The U.S. had a small, poorly trained military. It wasn't until a sea battle near Erie, PA that the U.S. finally won and started gaining some traction. In 1814, Napolean was defeated and the Brits turned their full attention on the U.S. They sent 18,000 soldiers to the U.S., with the initial attacks occurring in the Great Lakes region (Lake Erie to be exact).
At Niagara, however, American forces, outnumbered more than three to one, halted Britain's invasion from the north. Britain then landed 4,000 soldiers on the Chesapeake Bay coast and marched on Washington, D.C., where untrained soldiers lacking uniforms and standard equipment were protecting the capital. The result was chaos. President Madison narrowly escaped capture by British forces. On August 24, 1814, the British humiliated the nation by capturing and burning Washington, D.C. President Madison and his wife Dolley were forced to flee the capital--carrying with them many of the nation's treasures, including the Declaration of Independence and Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington. The British arrived so soon after the president fled that the officers dined on a White House meal that had been prepared for the Madisons and 40 invited guests.
Britain's next objective was Baltimore. To reach the city, British warships had to pass the guns of Fort McHenry, manned by 1,000 American soldiers. Waving atop the fort was the largest garrison flag ever designed--30 feet by 42 feet. On September 13, 1814, British warships began a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry. British vessels anchored two miles off shore--close enough so that their guns could hit the fort, but too far for American shells to reach them. All through the night British cannons bombarded Fort McHenry, firing between 1,500 and 1,800 cannon balls at the fort. This is where we pick up our story.
You may look at the "Action Report" link, or just scroll down. It is the same stuff.
There are many stories to be told about the War of 1812, but today we will just focus on one. This will lead us to our discussion in tomorrow's class.
The Honble James Monroe
Secretary of War
Washington
Fort McHenry 24th September 1814
Sir-,
A severe indisposition, the effect of great fatigue has prevented me from getting you an account of the attack on this Post—On the night of Saturday the 10th the British Fleet, consisting of Ships of the line, heavy Frigates, and Bomb vessels (ships) amounting to a number of 30, appeared at the mouth of the Patapsco River with every indication of an attempt to attack the City of Baltimore. My own Force consisted of one Company of U.S. Artillery under Capt. Evans, and two Companies of Sea Fencibles under Captains Bunbury and Addison, of these three Companies 35 Men were unfortunately on the Sick list and unfit for duty (35 men weren't able to fight). I had been furnished with two Companies of Volunteer Artillery (cannons) from the City of Baltimore under Capt Berry and Lieut Commandr Pennington—to these I must add another very fine Company of Volunteer Artillerists under Judge Nicholson, who had offered their Services to help in the defense of this Post whenever an attack might happen. Also, a Detachment from Commodore Barney’s flotilla (Navy ships) under Lt. Rodman. Brigadier GenlWinder had also furnished me with about six hundred Infantry (ground soldiers) under the Command of Lt Col Steuart & Major Lane, consisting of detachments from the 12th, 14th, 36th, & 38th Regiments of U.S. troops. The total number of troops amounting to about one thousand effective Men.
On Monday morning very early, it was perceived that the Enemy was landing troops on the East side of the Patapsco, about 10 miles away. During that day and the ensuing night He (the Brits) had brought Sixteen Ships (including five Bomb Ships) within about two Miles and an half miles of this Fort. I had arranged my force as follows: The Regular Artillerists under Capt. Evans, and the Volunteers under Capt. Nicholson, manned the Bastions in the Star Fort. Captains Bunburys, Addisons, Rodmans, Berrys, and Lt. Comdt Penningtons commands were stationed on the lower works, and the Infantry under Lt Col. Steuart & Major Lane were in the outer ditch, to meet the Enemy if the British decided to land troops on the shores.
On Tuesday morning about Sun rise, the Enemy started the attack from his five bomb vessels, at the distance of about two Miles. When finding that his Shells reached Us, He anchored (stopped moving forward), and Kept Up a constant and well-directed Bombardment (The Brits were shooting fast and accurately). We immediately opened our Batteries and kept shooting quickly from our Guns and Mortars, but unfortunately our Shot and Shells all fell considerably Short of the British; this was, to me, a huge concern as it left us exposed to a constant and tremendous Shower of Shells without the most remote possibility of us inflicting damage on the enemy. It affords me the highest gratification to State, that although we were left thus exposed, and thus unable to shoot back, not a Man Shrunk from the conflict (none of the men ran away from the fight).
About 2 OClock, P.M. one of the 24 pounders on the South West Bastion under the immediate command of Capt. Nicholson, was dismounted by a Shell (knocked off the carriage that held the cannon up), the explosion from which killed his 2nd Lieut and wounded several of his Men; the scurrying people that were working on removing the Wounded and remounting the Gun probably made the Enemy suspect that We were in a state of confusion, because He then brought in three of his Bomb Ships to what I believed to be good striking distance (close enough that we could hit them with our guns); I immediately ordered my men to start shooting, which was immediately obeyed by everyone in the whole fort. In half an hour those intruders again Sheltered themselves by withdrawing beyond our reach (moved away to get away from our guns). We gave three Cheers and again ceased firing (stopped shooting...since we couldn't hit the enemy).
The Enemy continued throwing Shells with one or two short breaks, till one OClock in the Morning of Wednesday, when it was discovered that He had hidden himself in the darkness of the Night and had moved a considerable force to our right; they had approached very close to Fort Covington, when they began to throw Rocketts.(Rockets create light.) I presume they intended to give them an opportunity of scouting the Shores, as I have since realized, they had sent 1250 picked Men with Scaling ladders scaling ladders are for climbing up and over walls) for the purpose of Storming our Fort. We once more had an opportunity of shoot our guns at them, and Kept up a continued blaze for nearly two Hours, which, again, had the effect of driving them off.
In justice to Lieut Newcomb of the U.S. Navy, who commanded at Fort Covington with a Detachment of Sailors, and Lieut Webster of the Flotilla, who commanded the 6 Gun Battery near that Fort, I ought to State that during this time they kept up an constant and very destructive fire, to which I am convinced was a major reason for our victory over the Enemy. One of their sunken Barges has since been found with two dead Men in it, while others have been seen floating in the River. The only means We had of directing our Guns was by the blaze of their Rocketts, and the flashes of their Guns. Had they tried to do the same thing in the day time, not a man would have escaped without injury.
The Bombardment continued on the part of the Enemy until seven OClock on Wednesday Morning, when it ended and about nine. Their Ships left and Stood down the River. During the Bombardment, which continued 25 Hours, (with two slight breaks) from the best calculation I can make, between fifteen to Eighteen hundred Shells were [shot] by the Enemy. A few of these fell short, a large proportion burst over us, throwing their fragments among us, and threatening destruction, many passed over, and about four hundred fell within the Works. Two of the public buildings are majorly damaged, but the others only are slightly damaged. I am happy to inform you (wonderful as it may appear) that our human loss amounts to only four Men Killed, and twenty four Wounded, and the latter will all recover (the injured will recover). Among the Killed, I have to lament the loss of Lieut Clagget, and Sergeant Clemm, both of Capt Nicholsons Volunteers, two Men whose fate does not make me happy, not only for their personal bravery, but for their high Standing, amiable Demeanor, and spotless integrity in private life. Lieut. Russel of the Company under Lt Pennington received early in the attack a severe contusion in the Heel, but He still remained at his post during the whole Bombardment.
Was I to name any individuals who signalized themselves, it would be doing injustice to others. Suffice it to say, that every Officer and Soldier under my Command did their duty to my entire satisfaction.
I have the honor
to remain respectfully
Your Ob Servt
G. Armistead
Lieut Coll U.S.A.
Honble James Munroe
Secty of War
1. How long after the battle did Armistead submit his official report? What reason did he give for the delay?
2. How many men did Armistead have to defend the fort?
3. How did Armistead feel when he ordered his men to stop shooting back at the British? How do you think you would have felt if you had been in the fort?
Watch if there's extra time.