BGuthrie Photos: MD -- Bladensburg -- Waterfront Park -- War of 1812 Visitor Center

MD -- Bladensburg -- Waterfront Park -- War of 1812 Visitor Center:

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. BLADWV_140606_003.JPG: Welcome to Bladensburg Waterfront Park Battle of Bladensburg Visitors Center Commemorating the War of 1812 in Prince George's County
2. BLADWV_140606_007.JPG: The War of 1812 The possibility of another war with Great Britain had been looming for years. Not only had Britain's ongoing war with France resulted in numerous trade restrictions against the United States, but England had also continued the impressments of American sailors into the Royal Navy; had offered support to American Indian tribes to stave off American expansion in the west; and, most importantly, had challenged our national honor repeatedly on the high seas. In June 1812, James Madison became the first US President to ask Congress to declare war.
3. BLADWV_140606_019.JPG: The War Hawks: In 1810, the twelfth Congressional elections brought "The War Hawks," a radical coalition of southern and western states, to power. Seventy young politicians between the ages of 28 and 39 were elected to the House of Representatives. One was appointed as Speaker of the House and others to powerful committees including Foreign Relations, Ways and Means, Military Affairs and Naval Affairs. They were a new generation of American politicians who wanted war and land. What their states had in common were sparse forests, depleted soil and a fear of Indians, who, they believed, were receiving British support from Canada. The War Hawks planned to preemptively invade and conquer Canada.
4. BLADWV_140606_022.JPG: War is Declared: On June 1, 1812, President James Madison sent a message to the Congress recounting American grievances against Great Britain, thought not specifically calling for a declaration of war. After Madison's message, the House of Representatives deliberated for four days before voting to declare war, and the Senate agreed. The conflict began on June 18, 1812 when Madison signed the measure into law. This was the first time that the United States had declared war on another nation, and the Congressional vote would prove to be the closest vote to declare war in American history. Madison had not made any serious war plans. He called upon Congress to put the country "into an armor and an attitude demanded by the crisis," specifically recommending enlarging the army, preparing the militia, finishing the military academy, stockpiling munitions, and expanding the navy. Although the outbreak of the war had been preceded by years of angry diplomatic dispute, neither side was ready for war when it came. The British were occupied with other wars in Europe and the United States was hard pressed to find competent senior military commanders. The Treasury discovered the war was almost impossible to fund since the national bank had been closed and major financiers in the Northeast refused to help. Madison believed the US could easily seize Canada, making for a good bargaining chip at the peace talks, but initial invasion efforts failed. Madison had assumed the militia would rally to the flag, but the governors in the Northeast failed to cooperate and their militias either sat out the war or refused to leave their states.
5. BLADWV_140606_036.JPG: Causes of the War: Impressments and National Honor: In 1803, Great Britain and France went to war and the Royal Navy found itself short of manpower. They began boarding American merchant ships in order to seize the British seamen serving on these American vessels. Although this policy of impressments was supposed to reclaim only British subjects, between 1806 and 1812 about 6,000 American citizens were taken against their will ("pressed") into the Royal Navy. Tensions grew when British frigates stationed themselves just outside US harbors and searched ships and impressed men in full view of US shores. "Free trade and sailors' rights" was a rallying cry for the United States throughout the war. Free trade, and sailors' rights: The British practice of impressments came to the forefront with the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair in 1807. The American public was outraged by impressments and many called for war in order to assert American sovereignty and national honor.
6. BLADWV_140606_040.JPG: Impressments and National Honor: In 1803, Great Britain and France went to war and the Royal Navy found itself short of manpower. They began boarding American merchant ships in order to seize the British seamen serving on these American vessels. Although this policy of impressments was supposed to reclaim only British subjects, between 1806 and 1812 about 6,000 American citizens were taken against their will ("pressed") into the Royal Navy. Tensions grew when British frigates stationed themselves just outside US harbors and searched ships and impressed men in full view of US shores. "Free trade and sailors' rights" was a rallying cry for the United States throughout the war. Free trade, and sailors' rights: The British practice of impressments came to the forefront with the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair in 1807. The American public was outraged by impressments and many called for war in order to assert American sovereignty and national honor.
7. BLADWV_140606_044.JPG: Stages of the War: The war progressed through three distinct stages. In the first, lasting until the spring of 1813, England was so hard pressed in Europe that it could spare neither men nor ships in any great number. The United States was free to take the initiative, to invade Canada and to send out privateers against enemy shipping. During the second stage, from the spring of 1813 to early 1814, England was able to establish a tight blockade but still could not materially reinforce the troops in Canada. In this stage the American Army, having gained experience, won its first successes. The third stage, in 1814, following the defeat of Napoleon, was marked by the arrival of British Regulars and naval reinforcements, which enabled the enemy to raid the North American coast almost at will and to take the offensive in several quarters. At the same time, the American forces fought their best fights and won their most brilliant victories. The Fighting Begins in Canada: Summer of 1812: Battle of Lake Erie: One of the world's major powers was engaged in a war with the young United States, but on the basis of available resources the two belligerents were rather evenly matched. With most of Britain's forces tied up in the war against Napoleon, very little military and naval assistance could be spared for the defense of Canada. When the war began, Maj. Gen. Isaac Brock, the military commander and civil governor of Upper Canada, had 800 militiamen available in addition to his approximately 1,600 Regulars. In the course of the war, Canada put a total of about 10,000 militia in the field. The support of Indian tribes gave Canada one source of manpower that the United States lacked, 3,500 Indians were serving in the Canadian forces by the fall of 1813, probably the largest number during the war. In September 1812, three months after the outbreak of war, Britain had no more than eleven ships of the line, thirty-four frigates, and about an equal number of smaller naval vessels in the western Atlantic. These were all that could be spared for operations in American waters, which involved the tremendous task of escorting British merchant shipping, protecting the St. Lawrence River, blockading American ports, and hunting down American frigates.
8. BLADWV_140606_051.JPG: The Fighting Begins in Canada: Summer of 1812: Battle of Lake Erie: One of the world's major powers was engaged in a war with the young United States, but on the basis of available resources the two belligerents were rather evenly matched. With most of Britain's forces tied up in the war against Napoleon, very little military and naval assistance could be spared for the defense of Canada. When the war began, Maj. Gen. Isaac Brock, the military commander and civil governor of Upper Canada, had 800 militiamen available in addition to his approximately 1,600 Regulars. In the course of the war, Canada put a total of about 10,000 militia in the field. The support of Indian tribes gave Canada one source of manpower that the United States lacked, 3,500 Indians were serving in the Canadian forces by the fall of 1813, probably the largest number during the war. In September 1812, three months after the outbreak of war, Britain had no more than eleven ships of the line, thirty-four frigates, and about an equal number of smaller naval vessels in the western Atlantic. These were all that could be spared for operations in American waters, which involved the tremendous task of escorting British merchant shipping, protecting the St. Lawrence River, blockading American ports, and hunting down American frigates.
9. BLADWV_140606_057.JPG: "Mr. Madison's War" The United States' declaration of war passed Congress despite intense opposition from the Federalist Party which was particularly strong in the northeast. The American shipping embargoes preceding the war had seriously depressed seaborne commerce in New England and they opposed the War on economic, political, and religious grounds. The Federalists called the war "Mr. Madison's War."
10. BLADWV_140606_061.JPG: A sketch for the Regents speech on Mad-ass-son's insanity. By George Cruikshank, published by Walker & Knight, 1812 Gabriel blowing a message "A bad news for you" at James Madison, who is standing between Napoleon and the devil, as two women symbolizing Great Britain and America, and British soldiers look on.
11. BLADWV_140606_065.JPG: The Baltimore Riots: Many members of the Democratic-Republican Party viewed opposition to the war as treasonous. This sentiment was especially strong in Baltimore, which had a large population of French, Irish, and German immigrants who especially hated the British. On June 18, 1812 (the day after war was declared) the anti-war Federalist newspaper the Federal Republican published an editorial criticizing President Madison for going to war without adequate funding, troops, ships or fortifications. The papers offices were destroyed by a mob and its editors, Jacob Wagner and Alexander Contee Hanson, fled to Georgetown. When they returned to Baltimore five weeks later, they were tarred and feathered in the streets by an angry Baltimore mob. WAR IS DECLARED and every patriot heart must unite in its support! One witness noted, "During this whole time the Mob continued to torture their mangled bodies, by beating first one and then the other; sticking penknives into their faces and hands, and opening their eyes and dropping hot candle grease into them." The Washington National Intelligencer
12. BLADWV_140606_073.JPG: The Military Militia The Baltimore Riots: Many members of the Democratic-Republican Party viewed opposition to the war as treasonous. This sentiment was especially strong in Baltimore, which had a large population of French, Irish, and German immigrants who especially hated the British. On June 18, 1812 (the day after war was declared) the anti-war Federalist newspaper the Federal Republican published an editorial criticizing President Madison for going to war without adequate funding, troops, ships or fortifications. The papers offices were destroyed by a mob and its editors, Jacob Wagner and Alexander Contee Hanson, fled to Georgetown. When they returned to Baltimore five weeks later, they were tarred and feathered in the streets by an angry Baltimore mob. WAR IS DECLARED and every patriot heart must unite in its support! One witness noted, "During this whole time the Mob continued to torture their mangled bodies, by beating first one and then the other; sticking penknives into their faces and hands, and opening their eyes and dropping hot candle grease into them." The Washington National Intelligencer
13. BLADWV_140606_079.JPG: The Maryland Militia was divided into 12 brigades, each composed of 4 regiments. Each regiment was made up of 2 battalions, and each battalion was comprised of 5 companies. Every company was to consist of 64 privates, 4 sergeants, a drummer, and a fifer or bugler. Thus, a full-strength brigade could muster nearly 3,000 men. On paper the militia defense of the Patuxent-Potomac axis consisted of nearly 9,000 infantry and 1,150 cavalry. Unfortunately, few if any of these units were to operate anywhere near full strength in any given period of time. It was painfully obvious from the very onset that those enrolled in the militia of Southern Maryland, including Prince George's County, were only half-heartedly in support of the war effort.
14. BLADWV_140606_085.JPG: Causes of the War: Embargo Act of 1807: The embargo was designed to prevent American ships from going to sea, so sailors could not be impressed and other violations could not occur. The embargo was a defensive measure to prevent the United States from being dragged into a war that it was ill prepared to fight. Jefferson and James Madison saw the embargo as an offensive use of economic coercion. It was believed that the absence of American trade would so harm England and France's ability to obtain needed war supplies that both would eventually repeal their restrictive trade acts. By 1809, the embargo had become so unpopular in the United States that it was repealed. America had avoided war with England, but at great economic cost. As an example of the impact of the Act, it is estimated that United States exports fell from $108,000,000 in 1807, to $22,000,000 in 1808, while imports declined from $138,000,0000 to $57,000,000 in the same period. During the embargo 55,0000 sailors and 100,000 laborers were out of work in the United States. Customs revenues fell from $16 m to virtually nothing. The effects of the embargo were also felt strongly by the population of Southern Maryland, where huge quantities of unsold tobacco collected in the warehouses. In northern Maryland, the price of wheat fell from $2.00 to 75 cents a bushel."
15. BLADWV_140606_089.JPG: The Happy Effects of the Grant System of Shutting Ports Against the English Cruikshank, 1808
16. BLADWV_140606_096.JPG: The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was a naval engagement which occurred off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, on June 22, 1807, between the British warship HMS Leopard and the American frigate USS Chesapeake. It began when the crew of the Leopard pursued, attacked and boarded the American frigate looking for deserters from the British Navy. The Chesapeake was caught off guard and unprepared and after a short battle her commander James Barron surrendered his vessel to the British after firing only one shot. For crew members were removed from the American vessel and tried for desertion and one was later executed. When the Chesapeake returned home, James Barron was court-martialed and suspended for five years from command. The boarding party found four Royal Navy deserters among the Chesapeake crew: Daniel Martin, John Strachan and William Ware, from HMS Melampus; and Jenkin Ratford, from HMS Halifax. Of the four, only Ratford was British-born; the other three sailors were American citizens who had served in the Royal Navy. The Leopard carried the men to Halifax for trial. The British citizen, Ratford, was sentenced to death and hanged from the yardarm of the Halifax on August 31, 1807. The tree Americans were sentenced to 500 lashes each, but the sentence was later commuted.
17. BLADWV_140606_103.JPG: USS Chesapeake By F. Muller
18. BLADWV_140606_109.JPG: The American public was outraged with the incident. James Monroe, then a foreign minister under Secretary of State James Madison, demanded British disavowal of the deed. He further called for the restoration of the four seamen, the recall of British Vice Admiral Berkeley, the exclusion of British warships from US territorial waters, and the abolition of impressments from vessels under the United States flag. This was an insult to the country, and had President Thomas Jefferson chosen to go to war with England, he would have had considerable support. Instead he decided to clamp an embargo on American trade. In New England, scores of prosperous shipowners were ruined, and a number of thriving seaports suffered an economic depression from which few recovered. While the rest of the country stored up resentment against the British, maritime New Englanders directed their anger at Jefferson and his party for the hardships they had created. One month after the outbreak of the War, the schooner HMS Bream returned the last two of the alleged British deserters to Boston. Victory of frigate United States over the Macedonian by William S. Davis
19. BLADWV_140606_131.JPG: Causes of the War: Trade Restrictions: In the early 1800s, the fledgling United States of America was political independent from Britain, yet severely hampered economically by Britain's insistence on unfavorable trade restrictions with its former colonies. In 1807, Britain introduced a series of restrictions impeding trade with France, with whom Britain was at war. The US contested these restrictions as illegal under international law. it seemed that Great Britain simply did not respect the United States as a sovereign nation. British Intervenes in the West: The Northwest Territory, comprising the modern states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, had been an area of dispute between the Indian Nations and the United States since the passage of the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The British Empire had ceded the area to the United States in the Treaty of Paris in 1783; however, British troops continued to occupy the territory along the Great Lakes and were suspected of backing Indian raids against US settlers on the frontier.
20. BLADWV_140606_139.JPG: Trade Restrictions: In the early 1800s, the fledgling United States of America was political independent from Britain, yet severely hampered economically by Britain's insistence on unfavorable trade restrictions with its former colonies. In 1807, Britain introduced a series of restrictions impeding trade with France, with whom Britain was at war. The US contested these restrictions as illegal under international law. it seemed that Great Britain simply did not respect the United States as a sovereign nation. British Intervenes in the West: The Northwest Territory, comprising the modern states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, had been an area of dispute between the Indian Nations and the United States since the passage of the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The British Empire had ceded the area to the United States in the Treaty of Paris in 1783; however, British troops continued to occupy the territory along the Great Lakes and were suspected of backing Indian raids against US settlers on the frontier.
21. BLADWV_140606_147.JPG: A Scene on the Frontier as Practiced by the Humane British and their Worthy Allies Political cartoon by William Charles, 1812
22. BLADWV_140606_151.JPG: God Save the King, by a new set of performers, being their first performance these twenty years Colored engraving by William Charles, published 1805
23. BLADWV_140606_159.JPG: The Chesapeake Flotilla On July 4, 1813, Joshua Barney, an American Revolutionary War naval hero, proposed a plan to the Secretary of the Navy, William Jones, to build, purchase, outfit, man, and command a flying squadron of 20 barges to defend the Chesapeake Bay from further British incursions. While this flotilla's engagements at Cedar Point and St. Leonard's Creek on the Patuxent River during June 1814 did not stop the invading forces, their battles did divert British resources and bought some extra time for Washington and Baltimore to bolster their defenses. Faced with imminent capture, the flotilla-men were ordered to scuttle their vessels at Pig Point, Maryland in August 1814, and valiantly joined the militia at Bladensburg in a last ditch effort to save Washington DC. "Thus, we have beat them and their rockets, which they did not spare... The moment the enemy ran off, we moved up the river, so that thanks to hot and cold shot, the blockade is raised." -- Joshua Barney, quoted in American & Commercial Daily Advertiser, June 29, 1814 Battle of Cedar Point: On June 1, 1814, the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla encountered the 12 gun schooner HMS St. Lawrence (the former Baltimore privateer Atlas) and boats from HMS Dragon and the HMS Albion near the mouth of the Potomac River at St. Jerome's Creek. After a brief encounter, referred to as the Battle of Cedar Point, Barney withdrew into the protection of the Patuxent River, which the British promptly blockaded. Having faced little naval opposition in the Bay until now, the British realized after the Battle of Cedar Point that Joshua Barney's newly organized flotilla was a potential threat. Rear Admiral George Cockburn decided to divert some of his forces engaged in the blockading the mouth of the Chesapeake and harassing coastal towns, to destroying the fledgling American squadron. He ordered the frigate Loire, Captain Thomas Brown, and the brig sloop Jaseur, Commander George E. Watts, to join Captain Robert Barrie's force in the Patuxent River. As British reinforcements converged on the Patuxent, Barney recognized that the larger British vessels would hold the advantage in the river's open waters and withdrew his barges into St. Leonard's Creek. A series of skirmishes, all ending in stalemate, preceded the first Battle of St. Leonard's Creek.
24. BLADWV_140606_166.JPG: Barge Sketch by Joshua Barney, 1813
25. BLADWV_140606_169.JPG: First Battle of St. Leonard's Creek: On June 10, 1814, Captain Barrie's sailed his British barges up the creek to entice Barney into a fight. Barney took the offensive and managed to ground the schooner HMS St. Lawrence. Neither side had much success, however, and Barney returned to the head of the creek. These engagements are known as the First Battle of St. Leonard Creek. To draw Barney out, the British, and for the first time a detachment of the Black Colonial Corps, conducted raids up and down the Patuxent River plundering and burning Calverton, Prince Frederick and Lower Marlboro in Calvert County, Benedict in Charles County and Magruder's Landing in Prince George's County. Second Battle of St. Leonard's Creek: On June 22, the Daily National Intelligencer reported that American land forces -- militia, army, and marines -- were marching to the mount of the creek to support Barney. On June 26, after the arrival of these troops commanded by Colonel Decius Wadsworth, the army's Commissary General of Ordnance, and US Marine Captain Samuel Miller, Barney attempted a breakout. A combined attack form land and sea on the blockading frigates at the mouth of St. Leonard's creek allowed the flotilla to move out and up-river to Benedict, though Barney had to scuttle gunboats No. 137 and 138 in the process. The British entered the then-abandoned creek and burned the town of St. Leonard. Scuttling the Flotilla: Instead, Secretary Jones ordered Commodore Barney to take the squadron as far up the Patuxent as possible and to scuttle the vessels should the British appear. Barney moved his flotilla as far north as Pig Point, near the present Route 4 bridge. Having heard that the British had landed at Benedict, Barney left the flotilla with a small contingent of men and marched, with about 400 of his men and with such cannons as were movable, to Upper Marlboro. On the following morning, having heard from General Winder that he was with his army at the Woodyard, they continued their march to that place, where they were joined by Captain Miller, of the marines, with 80 men and five more pieces of artillery. On August 22, 1814, the British attempted to capture the Flotilla, and Barney's men ordered its destruction.
26. BLADWV_140606_176.JPG: In his report of the affair, the tactical commander, Admiral Sir George Cockburn wrote:
  "as we opened the reach above Pig Point, I plainly discovered Commodore Barney's bread pendant in the headmost vessel, a large sleep and the remainder of the flotilla extending in a long line stern of her. Our boats now advanced towards them as rapidly as possible, but on nearing them, he observed the sloop bearing the bread pendant to be on fire, and she very soon afterwards blew up. I now saw clearly that they were all abandoned and on fire with trains to their magazines, and out of the seventeen vessels which composed this formidable and so much vaunted flotilla sixteen were in quick succession blown to atoms, and the seventeenth, in which the first had not taken, was captured."
27. BLADWV_140606_180.JPG: The Chesapeake Campaign: During the first two years of the War of 1812, the conflict seemed far removed from the citizens of Prince George's County. Great Britain overthrew Napoleon in April 1814; consolidated its forces against the United States and the fighting moved down the Atlantic coast towards the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay region was a center of international trade, shipbuilding, maritime related commerce and government during the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, the excellent soil, favorable climate and extensive navigate waters were the foundation of a thriving agricultural economy. As such, it became a target of British military strategy during the War of 1812. Privateers: During the War of 1812, President James Madison attempted to supplement the small size of the US Navy by issuing Letters of Marquee and Reprisal to private ship owners. This document allowed its holder to arm his vessel and act as a privateer, or, in essence, a legal pirate, representing the United States. Privateers were permitted to prey upon the merchant fleet of Great Britain, and take captured cargo and vessels as prizes. By legalized privateers, the government could mobilize armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers. They could also raise much needed revenue by taxing the goods seized by the privateers. American privateers, many of them sailing out of Chesapeake Bay in Baltimore Clippers captured or sank some 1,700 British merchant vessels during the war.
28. BLADWV_140606_184.JPG: "A Nest of Pirates" Baltimore was the home port of many of the most famous and successful of the privateers, including Joshua Barney's Rossie which reportedly took 15 British vessels worth over 1,500,000 in one year. The British so hated Baltimore they called the city "a nest of pirates." Estimates suggest that over 500 privateers were commissioned during the War of 1812, of which at least 122 were commissioned in Baltimore. During the War, fifty-five Baltimore vessels were lost to the British Navy or to the sea. Baltimore privateers captured 556 British ships, of which 169 finally made it to port for adjudication. In 1812, Baltimore's population was about 55,000 people. Of these, between 4,250 and 7,500 individuals were directly connected with privateering from the great merchants who purchased the shares to build and outfit the schooners, to the newspapers who printed the advertisements of the sale of captured goods.
29. BLADWV_140606_188.JPG: Thomas Boyle and the Chasseaur (The Pride of Baltimore) One of the most famous privateers was Captain Thomas Boyle aboard the Baltimore Clipper, Chasseur. On his first voyage as master of Chasseur in 1814, Boyle unexpected sailed east, directly to the British Isles, where he unmercifully harassed the British merchant fleet. In a characteristically audacious act, he sent a notice to the King of England, by way of a captured merchant vessel, that the entire British Isles were under a naval blockade. This notice sent the shipping community into panic and caused the British Admiralty to call vessels home form the American war to guard merchant ships. In all, Chasseur captured or sank 17 vessels before returning home. On Chausseur's triumphed return to Baltimore on March 25, 1815, the Niles Weekly Register dubbed the ship, her captain, and crew the "pride of Baltimore" for their daring exploits.
30. BLADWV_140606_193.JPG: American privateer "General Armstrong" Capt. Sam C. Reid Lithograph by N. Currier, 1904
31. BLADWV_140606_196.JPG: The Chesapeake Bay Blockade: As a result of the effectiveness of the Maryland privateers, the Lords Commissioners of the British Admiralty issued a directive on December 26, 1812 for a blockade of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. To enforce the blockade, fifty-six year old Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren was appointed to the command of the North American Station. "I do hereby certify to all of whom it may concern, that the ports and harbors of the Bay of the Chesapeake are this day put in a state of strict of rigorous blockade Given under my hand, on board the San Domingo, in Lynnhaven Bay in the Chesapeake, this 5th day of February, 1813. Captain George Thompson, Royal Navy." -- The London Times, October 1812 The "Campaign of Terror": On February 4, 1813, the British fleet entered the Chesapeake Bay bringing with it Rear Admiral George Cockburn [co - burn] on board the 74 gun Marlborough. He had entered the British Navy as a boy of nine. Now forty-one, energetic and ruthless, he would soon become the most hated of the British leaders who campaigned on the Chesapeake. He commanded a fleet which included four ships of the line, six frigates, several sloops and a landing force of 1,800 men. Cockburn's frigates attacked towns of the Upper Chesapeake including Elkton, Frenchtown, Havre de Grace, Georgetown, and Fredericktown. In the spring of 1813, the British ships moved slowly up up the Chesapeake. Cockburn sent his barges into most navigable inlets, burning houses and barns and plundering the livestock. The citizens around the bay were terrorized. The Prince George's County militia was repeatedly called to action but they could provide little protection against the British. They were usually disbanded as soon as the immediate danger was past. Before now, the people of Prince George's County had not really felt the effects of the war, though business had slowed and the compulsory militia service had brought hardship on some. After the blockade was effectually established, conditions became much worse. Merchant vessels could no longer come into the Chesapeake and the price of food increased enormously. Many businesses came to a standstill as they no longer could receive shipments of goods to sell. "The American navy must be annihilated -- her arsenals and dockyards must be consumed: and the turbulent inhabitants of Baltimore must be tamed with the weapons [bombs and rockets] which shook the wooden turrets of Copenhagen.... All the praying about maritime rights, with which the Americans have recently nauseated the ears of every cabinet minister in Europe must be silenced by the strong and manly voice of reason -- America must be BEATEN INTO SUBMISSION!" -- The London Times, October 1812
32. BLADWV_140606_206.JPG: The Burning of Havre de Grace, May 3, 1813 by caricaturist William Charles
33. BLADWV_140606_207.JPG: Maryland Invaded... it appears the enemy have taken possession of Kent Island, and that the inhabitants of every description have removed to the main land... From the circumstance of landing cannon on Kent Island, it appears to be the intention of the enemy to keep possession of it for some time; and certainly a more eligible situation could not have been selected for their own safety and convenience or from which to annoy us. -- Captain Charles Gordon, USN, August 13, 1813 Before now, the people of Prince George's County had not really felt the effects of the war, though business had slowed and the compulsory militia service had brought hardship on some. After the blockade was effectually established, conditions became much worse. Merchant vessels could no longer come into the Chesapeake and the price of food increased enormously. Many businesses came to s standstill as they no longer could receive shipments of goods to sell.
34. BLADWV_140606_211.JPG: The "Campaign of Terror": On February 4, 1813, the British fleet entered the Chesapeake Bay bringing with it Rear Admiral George Cockburn [co - burn] on board the 74 gun Marlborough. He had entered the British Navy as a boy of nine. Now forty-one, energetic and ruthless, he would soon become the most hated of the British leaders who campaigned on the Chesapeake. He commanded a fleet which included four ships of the line, six frigates, several sloops and a landing force of 1,800 men. Cockburn's frigates attacked towns of the Upper Chesapeake including Elkton, Frenchtown, Havre de Grace, Georgetown, and Fredericktown. In the spring of 1813, the British ships moved slowly up up the Chesapeake. Cockburn sent his barges into most navigable inlets, burning houses and barns and plundering the livestock. The citizens around the bay were terrorized. The Prince George's County militia was repeatedly called to action but they could provide little protection against the British. They were usually disbanded as soon as the immediate danger was past. Before now, the people of Prince George's County had not really felt the effects of the war, though business had slowed and the compulsory militia service had brought hardship on some. After the blockade was effectually established, conditions became much worse. Merchant vessels could no longer come into the Chesapeake and the price of food increased enormously. Many businesses came to a standstill as they no longer could receive shipments of goods to sell. "The American navy must be annihilated -- her arsenals and dockyards must be consumed: and the turbulent inhabitants of Baltimore must be tamed with the weapons [bombs and rockets] which shook the wooden turrets of Copenhagen.... All the praying about maritime rights, with which the Americans have recently nauseated the ears of every cabinet minister in Europe must be silenced by the strong and manly voice of reason -- America must be BEATEN INTO SUBMISSION!" -- The London Times, October 1812
35. BLADWV_140606_215.JPG: The Corps of Colonel Marines in the Chesapeake: On April 2, 1814, Vice-Admiral Cochrane took command of the British North American Station and issued the following proclamation to encourage those blacks who so desired to enlist in his Majesty's Corps of Colonial Marines. Within the year, an estimated 300 blacks joined the British army. On September 3, 1814 the Corps were joined with part of the 3rd Battalion Royal Marines to make a new 3rd Battalion Royal and Colonial Marines. The Corps served in many actions in the Chesapeake during 1814, including at the Battle of Bladensburg where one man from the Corps was killed and three others were wounded. The Colonial Marines did inspire hatred and fear among the Americans. The corps took part in the burning of Washington and skirmished against American forces all along the coast. The British commander-in-chief said they were "infinitely more dreaded by the Americans than the British troops. WHEREAS, it has been represented to me, that many Persons now resident in the UNITED STATES, have expressed a desire to withdraw these from, with a view by entering into His Majesty's Service, or of being received as Free Settlers into some of His Majesty's Colonies. This is therefore to Give Notice. That all those who may be disposed to emigrate from the UNITED STATES will, with their Families, be received on board His Majesty's Ships or Vessels of War, or at the Military Posts that may be established, upon or neat the Coast of the UNITED STATES, when they will have their choice of either entering into His Majesty's Sea or Land Forces, or of being sent as FREE settlers to the British Possession in North America or the West Indies, where they will meet with due encouragement. Given under my Hand at Bermuda, this 2nd day of April 1814. ALEXANDER COCHRANE. God Save The King.
36. BLADWV_140606_219.JPG: African Americans in the War of 1812: African Americans made up at least fifteen percent of he US naval corps during the War of 1812. Although official US policy at the start of the war forbade the recruitment of black sailors, a chronic shortage of manpower compelled the navy to accept any able-bodied man. These black sailors had a reputation for fierceness in battle. When Captain Oliver Hazard Perry complained about having blacks on his ship, Commodore Isaac Chauncey replied, "I have nearly fifty blacks on this boat and many of them are among the best of my men." Perry later wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, praising the black seamen's courage. Life at sea was, by necessity, an egalitarian existence. Living in small quarters, away from shore for months at a time, the men developed a comaraderie and mutual respect based on performance, not skin color. Black sailors made their mark on both official vessels and on the privateers where more than half of the crew might be black. In March 1813, Congress passed "An act for the Regulation of Seamen on board the public and private vessels of the United States" allowing "persons of color" to enlist. A few of the African-American Marylanders who are known to have served in the Chesapeake region during the War of 1812 include: ...
37. BLADWV_140606_230.JPG: Bladensburg Dueling Grounds: The American second line in the Battle of Bladensburg was near this location although most of the battle occurred on the north side of present day Bladensburg Road. Nearly fifty duels were fought at the Bladensburg dueling grounds between 1808 and 1871. Located just beyond the District of Columbia line, it was a convenient place for the gentlemen of Washington to settle their quarrels, beyond the reach of federal law. Among the men to duel and die here was the naval hero Stephen Decatur, killed on March 22, 1820 by Captain James Barron. Thirteen years earlier, Captain Barron had been court-martialed and suspended from the Navy for five years for his part in the Cheseapeake-Leopard Affair. WHen he sought reinstatement in the Navy in 1818, Stephen Deccatur, the nation's greatest naval hero of the War of 1812 and who had served on the court-martial, opposed Barron's reappointment. Rancorous letters were exchanged between them for years until matters escalated and a duel was challenged. The two men met at the Bladensburg dueling grounds where both men were shot: Decatur died the next today. Captain Barron was reinstated in the Navy and died in 1851, at the age of 83. Daniel Key, the son of Francis Scott Key, also died in a duel at the Bladensburg grounds in 1836.
38. BLADWV_140606_234.JPG: Bostwick: Bostwick was built in 1746 for Christopher Lowndes, a Bladensburg merchant and Town Commissioner, and was later the home of Lowndes' son-in-law, Benjamin Stoddert, first Secretary of the Navy. Probably the earliest surviving building in Bladensburg, Bostwick stands high on a terraced lawn, and is a prominent landmark in the town.
39. BLADWV_140606_237.JPG: George Washington House: The George Washington House was once an inn along a major north-south turnpike route between Washington and Annapolis. It was reportedly a stopover for George Washington when travelling between his Mount Vernon home and Philadelphia or New York. During the War of 1812, the British established their artillery position near here consisting of one 6 pounder and two small 3 pounder cannons.
40. BLADWV_140606_240.JPG: Market Master's House: Built by Christopher Lowndes of Bostick around 1765 on a lot overlooking the adjoining market space, the Market Master's House is a unique example of a stone building in the area. It was used for a time as a post office and store and is one of four surviving pre-Revolutionary buildings in the town of Bladensburg.
41. BLADWV_140606_243.JPG: Ross House Site: The Ross House was built around 1749 and was the home of Dr. David Ross, Jr. in 1814. After the Battle of Bladensburg it served as a hospital for both American and British wounded. It is believed Commodore Joshua Barney was treated at the Ross House after initial attention at the Spring House at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery. At least 18 wounded British were treated here including Lt. Col. William Wood and Col. William Thorton, Jr.
42. BLADWV_140606_249.JPG: The Magruder House: Built for William Hilleary and visited by George Washington in 1787, the Magruder House is one of four surviving pre-Revolutionary buildings in Bladensburg. It has been owned or rented by a series of five doctors, including Dr. Archiband Magruder. The house is located directly on the main road through Bladensburg and during the War the British marched past the house on their way to the engagement at Bladensburg bridge.
43. BLADWV_140606_254.JPG: Darnall's Chance: When several captured British soldiers were incarcerated in Queen Anne, General Robert Ross demanded their release and threatened to burn the town of Upper Marlborough in retaliation. John Hodges of Darnall's Chance was asked by his neighbors to negotiate the exchange. This was accomplished but Hodges was indicted for treason for his actions. At his trail [sic] in 1815 he was defended by the illustrious lawyer, William Pinkney and found not guilty by a jury who considered that the "circumstances under which he acted formed a good and sufficient excuse."
44. BLADWV_140606_258.JPG: Addison Chapel: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, also know as Addison Chapel, was built about 1809 replacing two previous chapels. The Chapel was first established in 1696 as a chapel of ease for St. John's Church at Broad Creek. It was named for Colonel John Addison, of Oxon Hill plantation, a leading proponent of the Anglican Church. His descendant Walter Dulaney Addison, who was for a term Chaplain of the Senate also served as rector here. St. Matthew's is situated in a large graveyard containing some early stones, the most notable being that of Benjamin Stoddert, the first Secretary of the Navy. On August 24, 1814, Addison's Chapel was reportedly used as temporary British headquarters as they marched up Addison Road prior to the Battle of Bladensburg.
45. BLADWV_140606_261.JPG: Fort Washington: The site of Fort Washington was originally selected by George Washington in 1794 as the location for a fortification to protect the new capital city. It was originally named Fort Warburton after the Warburton plantation, owned by the Digges family, on whose land it was built. The fort was finished in 1809 and re-named in honor of George Washington. Fort Washington is strategically located along the Potomac River where the channel narrows. The 1809 fort no longer exists but can be detected in aerial views of the site. It was located in front of (on the riverside) the present fort and was star shaped with a circular gun battery. The British described it as "most respectable." Fort Armaments in 1814: * Two 32 pounders * Two 50 pounders * Nine 24 pounders * Approx. Ten 18 pounder Columbines In August 1814, the Fort was manned by 49 men under the command of Captain Samuel T. Dyson, US Army. On August 27th, with British forces in Washington and British warships, under the command of Captain James Alexander Gordon, heading up the Potomac, Captain Dyson ordered the fort destroyed to prevent its capture. Captain Dyson was arrested, relieved of his command and court-martialed for his actions. He was found guilty of destroying government property and abandoning his post. In his defense, Dyson stated that he was acting on orders from Brigadier General William H. Winder. Twelve days after the destruction of the fort, orders were issued to construct new defenses; the work was finished by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1824.
46. BLADWV_140606_269.JPG: Mt. Welby: During the War of 1812, Oxon Hill Farm, then called Mount Welby, was the home of Dr. Samuel and Mary DeButts. Their farm was perilously close to the scene of battle as Mary DeButts described to her sister in a letter dated March of 1815: "The termination of the War has cheered Hearts of thousands but its bitter consequences will be long severely felt. I cannot express to you the distress it has occasioned: at the Battle of Bladensburg we heard every fire (that place being not more than 5 or 6 miles from us). Our House was shook repeatedly by the firing upon forts and bridges, and illuminated by the fires in our Capital." According to Dr. Samuel DeButts, Admiral Sir George Cockburn's British fleet "lay directly before our House." Indeed, the setting of Mount Welby would have afforded its residents a clear view of the city of Alexandria as it capitulated to British Naval forces. At one point during the war, the Debutts "found three Rockets on our hill evidently pointed at our House but fortunately did not reach it." Though the war had come terrifyingly close to the DeButts family, they emerged from the conflict unharmed. However, "a most dreadful epidemic" swept through the region during the winter of 1815 killing Dr. DeButts.
47. BLADWV_140606_273.JPG: Riversdale: Riversdale was constructed between 1801 and 1807 for Henri Stier, a Flemish aristocrat who had fled the French Revolution, and completed by his daughter Rosalie and her husband George Calvert, grand-son of the fifth Lord Baltimore. The Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814 directly affected the Calverts as Rosalie described in a letter to her sister soon after the Battle. After the battle, George Calvert, with the help of the field hands from Riversdale, went to the battle-ground to bury the dead and assist the wounded. The Calverts became friends with several of the wounded British soldiers left behind in Bladensburg.
48. BLADWV_140606_277.JPG: Dr. Beanes Grave: Dr. William Beanes' home in Upper Marlborough was used by the British as their headquarters during their occupation of the town. Dr. Beanes was an ardent Federalist and reportedly had dinner with Major General Robert Ross at his home on August 22, 1814. Rear Admiral George Cockburn was also at the Beanes residence on the morning of August 23, 1814 where he met with Major General Ross to discuss the advance on Washington. When several British deserters were imprisoned in the county jail, British General Ross was furious. He believed Dr. Beanes had betrayed him and had Dr. Beanes captured and held onboard a British ship until after the Battle of Baltimore.
49. BLADWV_140606_284.JPG: George Roberts: In the fall of 1812, the African-American sailor George Roberts served onboard Captain Richard Moon's privateer Sarah Ann and was among six American seaman accused of being British subjects and taken prisoner when the Sarah Ann was captured by HMS Statira off the Bahamas on September 13, 1812. Captain Moon denied that Roberts was British "I know him to be native born of the United States and of which he had every sufficient document, together with his free papers. He entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore where he is married." Eventually, Roberts and the other American seamen were released. Later in the war, Roberts served as a gunner on board Captain Thomas Boyle's privateer Chasseur and was with Captain Boyle when they engaged the British schooner St. Lawrence in February, 1815. In this battle, in the words of a writer decades later, Roberts "displayed the most intrepid courage and daring."
50. BLADWV_140606_288.JPG: Frederick Hall / William Williams: In the Spring of 1814 the slave Frederick Hall ran away from Benjamin Oden of Bellefields in Prince George's County. On April 14, Frederick, alias William Williams, enlisted as a private in the 38th US Infantry. Federal law prohibited the enlistment of slaves in the army. However, he received his bounty of $50 and was paid a private's wage of $8 per month. During the summer of 1814, Williams served during the Battle of St. Leonard's Creek, when the British navy engaged the US Chesapeake Flotilla and later at the Battle of Bladensburg. In early September 1814, he was at the US Infantry's encampment on Hampstead Hill in Baltimore. At Fort McHenry, Williams was stationed in the ditch surrounding the fort with orders to repel any attempted landing by the enemy. Records indicate that Williams was severely wounded having "his leg blown off by a cannon ball." He was taken to the garrison hospital at Fort McHenry where he died. His final resting place remains unknown. After the war in 1833-34, Mr. Oden petitioned the government for Williams land bounty, but since Williams was a slave, and "therefore, inasmuch as a slave cannot possess or acquire title to real estate by the laws of the land, in his own right, no right can be set up by the master of his representative." Mr. Oden's claim was therefore dismissed.
51. BLADWV_140606_297.JPG: The Battle of Bladensburg and War of 1812 in Prince George's County
52. BLADWV_140606_302.JPG: Peace Ink and watercolor by John Rubens Smith, ca 1814
53. BLADWV_140606_305.JPG: December 24, 1814: The peace treaty was signed in the City of Ghent in Belgium on Christmas Eve, 1814. Word of the treaty found its way to the citizens of the nation at the speed of the times. The New York Gazette published the story of Sunday, February 12. Philadelphia picked it up on Monday. In Annapolis, The Maryland Gazette announced the news in its edition on Thursday February 16, 1815.
54. BLADWV_140606_309.JPG: Significance of the War: Military events in the Chesapeake Bay had far-reaching effects on American society and our country's cultural identity. America emerged with a greatly enhanced international reputation on the world stage. The new nation had successfully defended itself against the British Empire and the world's most powerful navy. The War of 1812 was a crucial test for the US Constitution and the newly established democratic government. Though the nation was divided on the decision to declare war on Great Britain and was ill prepared to do so, ultimately, the new multi-party democracy survived the challenge of foreign invasion. The War established clear boundaries between eastern Canada and the United States, set conditions for control of the Oregon Territory, and freed international trade from the harsh restrictions that ignited the war.
55. BLADWV_140606_319.JPG: The Star Spangled Banner: The British withdrew from Washington the evening of the 25th, retracing their steps back to Bladensburg, where they left most of their wounded. They arrived in Upper Marlboro at dusk on the 26th. By August 30th, the British had madde their way to Benedict and were back on board their ships. As the British returned through Upper Marlborough, deserters began plundering nearby farms. Dr. William Barnes and other Upper Marlboro residents seized six or seven of the deserters and confined them at the jail in Queen Anne. One of the prisoners escaped and informed Major General Ross of the arrests. A contingent of British marines returned to Upper Marlborough and arrested Dr. Beanes and others, and held them in exchange for the release of the British prisoners. The Americans were subsequently released except Dr. Beanes, who was considered the instigator of the incident. In violation of the existing rules of war, he was placed in confinement aboard HMS Tonnant. Francis Scott Key, US Attorney for the District of Columbia, was urged to seek Beanes' release. Key and the US Agent for Exchange of Prisoners, John Stuart Skinner, set sail to meet the British fleet, and boarded HMS Tonnant under a flag of truce. They showed Major General Ross testimonials from wounded British soldiers from the Battle of Bladensburg attesting to American kindness and the proper medical treatment they had received. General Ross, who had ordered the arrest of Beanes, agreed to release him after the planned attack on Baltimore. Beanes and Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry from onboard the truce vessel. Key was so moved by the scene of the battle that he composed a poem that eventually became the National Anthem. Key set the poem to the tune of "To Anaereon in Heaven" by John Stafford Smith, because it was a popular American and British melody. Handbills of his poem were quickly printed and copies distributed to every man who was at Fort McHenry during the bombardment. Key's poem was first printed on September 20, 1814, in the Baltimore Patriot and Advertiser under the title "The Defense of Fort McHenry." By the end of the year, the poem and the tune were printed across the country as a reminder of the American victory. In 1931, the US Congress enacted legislation that made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official National Anthem.
56. BLADWV_140606_323.JPG: Myths, Stories, and Legends During the War of 1812 and in subsequent years, the reminiscences of veterans and the popular press prompted an outgrowth of myths, stories, and legends. Foremost among these are: * The stories of Francis Scott Key * The identification of the flag as "The star-Spangled Banner" * The origin of the legend of Uncle Sam * The bestowing of the name "Old Ironsides" on the indomitable U.S. Frigate Constitution. * The saving of the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington All of these factual events became combined with legend and myth in the realm of American folklore. The events of the campaign have taken on a legendary quality that makes them memorable for many Americans. The Legend of "Uncle Sam" is based on a Troy, New York meat packer named Sam Wilson whose company supplied rations for the soldiers during the War of 1812. His packages were labeled "E.A. -- U.S." When someone asked what that stood for, a coworker joked and said "Elbert Anderson (the contractor) and Uncle Sam," referring to Sam Wilson, thought it actually stood for United States.
57. BLADWV_140606_331.JPG: The Attack on Washington August 24, 1814 Immediately after the battle, Major General Ross sent a party under a flag of truce to Capitol Hill with the British terms for an American surrender, but they were attacked by citizens near Second Street NE. This was to be the only resistance the British met within the city. The interiors of the buildings housing the Senate and House of Representatives were destroyed, which included the Library of Congress, and the buildings were set ablaze. Only a torrential rainfall the next day preserved the exteriors. Thomas Jefferson later sold his personal library of more than 6,000 volumes to the government to restock the Library of Congress. Ross' troops headed towards the White House. US government officials, including the President, had fled the city, however, First Lady Dolley Madison remained behind long enough to save the portrait of George Washington which hung in the White House parlor and some other valuables. This act increased her popularity with the American public, even though her courage was somewhat embellished by the newspapers. When Major General Ross and Admiral Cockburn arrived at the White House they helped themselves to the dinner which had been laid out for the President's own party. Then they ordered the White House burned. The next day, Rear Admiral Cockburn destroyed the building housing the DC newspaper, the National Intelligencer, and ruined all of the "C" type, "so that the rascals can have no further means of abusing my name." The British also burned the United States Treasury and other public buildings. Much of the Washington Navy Yard had already been burned by the Americans to prevent its capture of stores and ammunition. Less than a day after the attack began, a sudden heavy thunderstorm put out most of the fires. It also spun off a tornado that passed through part of the city, killing both British troops and American civilians. The occupation of Washington DC lasted only about 26 hours. The Royal Navy reported that in the attack, it lost one man and six others were wounded, of whom the fatality and three of the wounded were from the Corps of Colonial Marines.
58. BLADWV_140606_337.JPG: Washington. [A] representation of the capture of the city of Washington, by the British forces under the command of Major Genl. Ross and Rear Adml. Sir I. Cockburn, August 24th 1814, wherein are shown, the fort and the flotilla.
59. BLADWV_140606_341.JPG: Taking of the City of Washington
60. BLADWV_140606_348.JPG: Prince Georgians Who Served in the War of 1812
61. BLADWV_140606_352.JPG: US Army Uniforms, 1812: US Army Regulations issued in February 1812 called for a single breasted "coatee" with red collars and cuffs. The 10-button front closure was to have binding lace of white for infantry and yellow for artillery, with white or gold metal buttons respectively. A coatee is defined as being a "short-tailed" coat. The cylindrical cap, sometimes referred to as a "Yeoman Crown Shako," was also introduced. With regard to uniforms,1812 is a confusing year. Because of the shortage of blue cloth, coatees made of drab, black, brown, or gray cloth were issued to various Regular Army infantry regiments during the winter of 1812?1813. These were made in the same manner as the regulation coatee with red cuffs and collar, and in most cases with the white binding (the 25th through 28th Infantry Regiments received blue coatees with red cuffs and collar, but with white binding lace on the collar only). In February 1813, the white binding was dropped altogether. In May 1813, uniform regulations were again revised. The new uniform coatee was single breasted with a 10-button closure in front. The red collar and cuffs were eliminated and lace binding was to be on the collar only in either white for infantry or yellow for artillery. The regulations also introduced a new cap or shako copied directly from the Belgie-type cap worn by the British Infantry. This uniform would remain in service with only minor alterations into the 1820s.
62. BLADWV_140606_369.JPG: The Hartford Convention: The Federalists had no control of national policy and as the war dragged on, they grew increasingly frustrated. Eventually, some in New England began to advocate constitutional changes that would increase their diminished influence at the national level. The Hartford Convention, with 26 delegates from the northeast, was held in December 1814 to consider remedies. Its final report called for several Constitutional amendments. However, the war was soon over and the pre-war status quo was essentially restored.
63. BLADWV_140606_382.JPG: The 1814 Campaign: Napoleon was defeated in October of 1813, which released thousands of seasoned veterans and allowed Great Britain to consolidate its forces against the United States. The British Admiralty ordered the aging commander of the American Station, Admiral Warren, to step down. He was replaced by Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, under whose decisive leadership the British Admiralty hoped to gain a speedy and victorious end to the campaign in the Chesapeake. In late May, 1814, rear Admiral Cockburn, now aboard the 74-gun Albion, returned to the Chesapeake Bay. He was accompanied by ships and men to strengthen the force which had remained in the Bay during the winter. "Now that the tyrant Bonaparte has been consigned to infamy, there is no public feeling in this country stronger than that of indignation against the Americans." -- The London Times
64. BLADWV_140606_385.JPG: Commodore Joshua Barney: Joshua Barney was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 6, 1759. He served with distinction in the Navy during both the American Revolution and the War of 1812. A seafaring life began early for Barney, who at eleven joined the crew of a Baltimore pilot boat. By sixteen he distinguished himself by assuming command of a merchant vessel whose captain had died during an Atlantic crossing. The nautical skills and commercial acumen Barney developed just prior to the American Revolution were redirected to serving his country during the War. As an officer in the Continental navy, Barney engaged the British in numerous battles, was captured three times, and successfully implemented a daring escape from Mill Prison in England. Employing several disguises, he returned to America, whereupon the state of Pennsylvania appointed him to command the Hyder Ally. While convoying merchant vessels in Delaware Bay, Barney engaged the superior General Monk and succeeded through skillful naval tactics and a ruse to capture this British ship. After the Revolution, Barney joined the French Navy, where he commanded a squadron. He returned home in 1802 and, early in the War of 1812, captained the privateer Rosie which captured 18 British vessels valued at 1.5 million.
65. BLADWV_140606_388.JPG: Two more engravings, printed about midcentury in books of eminent Americans, attest to Barney's resilient popularity. The one (above) by J. Gross, a reputable engraver of portraits, was done in 1859 for the publishers of The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans. The similarities with the Isabey miniature are evident, but notice that while the French uniform is retained, American-style epaulettes and the lower arms, hand, and sword have been added. Another engraving of Barney (left) that is also reminiscent of the rendering by Isabey was published by Evert A. Duyekinck in the [sic] 1862 in the two-volume series, National Portrait Gallery of Eminent Americans. The setting for this seated Barney, who is wearing a French uniform, is a room replete with the accoutrements of a naval officer -- charts, globe, log book, swords, and pistols.
66. BLADWV_140606_391.JPG: Sir George Cockburn: Sir George Cockburn played a major role in the War of 1812 as second in command to Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren until the end of March 1814 and then to Warren's successor, Admiral Sir Alexander Cockrane. Cockburn cruised unremittingly up and down the Chesapeake Bay and other parts of the Atlantic coast in 1813 and 1814, seizing American shipping, disrupting commerce, raiding ports, burning homes, and barns, and absconding with livestock and supplies. From April 1814 to the end of the war, Cockburn was responsible for carrying out his government's instructions to encourage the emigration of the enslaved Black population. In addition he implemented his own plan of recruiting a Corps of Colonial Marines from among the Black population. Cockburn was a highly capable commander and brilliant strategist. He understood the advantages of a hit-and-run amphibious campaign and avoided extended land operations. The farthest he went from his ships while in the Chesapeake region was during the attack on Washington. Cockburn underestimated Americans, however, and seemed unable to understand their resistance to a British invasion. He punished the civilian population mercilessly whenever they took up arms and allowed brutality by his men. "At a banquet in Annapolis the following toast was given with great enthusiasm: "Admirals Warren and Cockburn: May the eternal vengeance of Heaven hurl them to some station that will terminate their inhuman butcheries and savage cruelties -- they disgrace human nature." $1,000 Dollar Reward: For the head of "the notorious incendiary and infamous scoundrel, and violator [of] all laws, human and divine, the British admiral COCKBURN -- or, give hundred dollars for each of his ears on delivery." -- James O. Boyle, "naturalized Irishman," Pugh Town, Va. -- Niles' Weekly Register, Baltimore, August 21, 1813
67. BLADWV_140606_395.JPG: The artist Charles Willson Peale may have painted this portrait of Joshua Barney in 1788 during one of Barney's frequent visits to Philadelphia that year. The image depicts a young Barney, twenty-nine years old, in a Continental Navy uniform. Before his 1802 discharge from the French navy, Barney engaged the services of the French republic's court painter, Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855), who specialized in miniatures. About 1800 Isabey rendered a watercolor on ivory (three-inch diameter) of Barney's likeness. This metal-framed image depicts Barney in the naval uniform of the French republic. On either side there is a faint hint of a line of ships on the horizon.
68. BLADWV_140606_397.JPG: This engraving by Cephas G. Childs and Thomas Gimbrede, after a painting by Joseph Wood, appeared as the front piece in "A Biographical Memoir of the Late Commodore Joshua Barney," published by Barney's daughter-in-law, Mary Barney, in 1832. Wood painted portraits of a series of heroes of the War of 1812 for popular journals during and soon after the war.
69. BLADWV_140606_404.JPG: Barney's detailed plan, entitled "The Defense of Chesapeake Bay," was complete with sketches of the vessels he suggested be built. He proposed a flotilla of inexpensive, easy to construct, shallow-draft row-galleys, which could patrol the entire Bay and take the offensive against the British. The enemy was using row barges to mount their own attacks; the frigates and ships-of-the-line being too large to get close to land. Secretary Jones accepted the plan and appointed Barney "Acting Master Commandant," answerable to Washington, not the Navy. The task of building the flotilla was hampered by a lack of funds and sufficient manpower, however, by May of 1814, Barney had assembled 18 vessels. On May 24, the US Chesapeake Bay flotilla sailed south from Baltimore to engage the British at their naval base on Tangier Island. On May 31, the flotilla was anchored off Drum Point, at the mount of the Patuxent River. Commander Joshua Barney painted by Charles Willson Peale, 1814
70. BLADWV_140606_407.JPG: The March of the British Army: August 14, 1814 On August 14, 1814, Rear Admiral Cockburn's forces were joined by 22 British ships carrying Vice Admiral Cochrane back from Bermuda with an additional 3,000 seasoned soldiers fresh from the war with Napoleon. Their huge fleet of 45 large vessels and numerous smaller ships began their ascent up the Patuxent River towards Benedict, Maryland. The long-awaited and feared British invasion fleet had arrived. Aboard were "Wellington's Invincibles," men of the 4th, 44th, and 85th Regiments, veterans of the Peninsula Campaign in Spain and known for their part in the victory over Napoleon. Also aboard were 1,000 men of the veteran 21st Regiment. Together with the Royal Marines and a contingent of trained naval personnel, the invasion of Maryland and the attack on Washington was to be carried out by no less than 1,500 crack troops.
71. BLADWV_140606_411.JPG: The three agreed that Baltimore, not Washington DC, should be the final objective of their campaign. Ross wanted to bypass Washington altogether as it was a small city of little military importance, while Baltimore was a major port and the nation's third largest city. Ross pointed out that he had only 3,000 infantry, no cavalry, no artillery, and absolutely no knowledge of the fortifications which surely must have been constructed to protect the capitol. But Cockburn was adamant on the subject of taking Washington. Far more flamboyant than Ross, the Admiral desired the glory of riding triumphantly into the enemy's capital. He was quick to assure Ross that whatever resistance the Americans offered, it would be both, half-hearted and short-lived. In the end both, Ross and Vice Admiral Cockrane agreed to take the risk. The plan called for Ross' force, augmented by 1,000 of Cockburn's sailors and marines, to move north keeping parallel with the Patuxent River as far as possible before turning west towards Washington. Cockburn would keep pace with him via the river providing naval gun fire as needed until the river became too shallow to allow the ships passage. On August 19 and continuing through the 20th, Major General Ross's landing force of approximately 4,370 British troops began coming ashore at Benedict, just over the Prince George's County line in Charles County. After a night there, Ross began their march towards Washington only to discover his men were exhausted and suffering from the heat. They traveled only 6 miles before camping in Patuxent City, also in Charles County.
72. BLADWV_140606_421.JPG: March of the British Army from Benedict to Bladensburg
73. BLADWV_140606_428.JPG: Forestville: In 1814, the small community of Long Old Fields boasted about five houses, a post office, three taverns, a race track, polling house, and a church. On the night of August 22, 1814, American troops, of about 3,200 men, camped at Long Old Fields (now called Forestville). It was a location chosen by General William Winder because it covered the main road to Washington and allowed for a fast response to a British advance from any direction. According to Major General James Wilkinson the camp was "open all night as a race-field, and the sailors and militia were as noisy as if it was a fair." At about two in the morning, the camp was awakened by a false alarm as cattle, supposedly donated by Major Oden of Bellefields, were driven in. On the morning of August 23, President Madison and three members of his cabinet arrived at Long Old Fields to inspect the troops. After this inspection, General Winder ordered his troops to withdraw to the Washington Navy Yard with some troops stationed at the Eastern Branch bridge. The British troops under Major Ross rested briefly at this same spot on their march to Bladensburg on the morning of August 24, 1814. The British accounts reported that the American camp's fires were still smoldering and other evidence that "considerable bodies of troops had passed the night."
74. BLADWV_140606_432.JPG: Andrews AFB The British camp at Andrews was near the present day intersection of Fechet Ave., and Old Marlboro Pike which at that time was near the small village of Centerville (also called "The Meadows") and on or near the estate of Beall Chance.
75. BLADWV_140606_444.JPG: Bellefields: Bellefields, also called Sim's Delight, is an early example of a Maryland Georgian country house. It was built around 1720 by Dr. Patrick Sim who had fled Scotland after the 1715 rebellion to settle in this country. In 1814, it was the home of Major Benjamin Oden. On August 22, 1814, from a vantage point at Bellefields, Brigadier General William Winder and his army, accompanied by Secretary of State James Monroe, watched the British forces under Major Ross march north on Croom Road. The destination of the British was not yet clear to the American command. If the British continued north it was believed that they were heading towards Washington via an eastern approach or possibly continuing north towards Baltimore. If, however, they turned west on the Bellefields roads, they were probably heading towards Washington via a southern route, possibly attacking Fort Washington first. Ross turned his troops west towards Bellefields and the American forces withdrew to Long Old Fields. Ross then reversed his course and continued north to Upper Marlboro.
76. BLADWV_140606_447.JPG: Melwood Park: Melwood Park, along Old Marlboro Pike, is significant for the prominence of its early owners and its early construction date. It was originally built by Ignatius Digges (1707-1785) around 1750, and was subsequently raised to its present two stories by his widow, Mary Carroll Digges, in about 1800. The British forces marching to Washington camped near Melwood on the night of August 23, 1814. Reportedly several British officers, including Major General Ross, invited themselves for dinner with the widow, Mary Carroll Digges. An American scout Thomas McKenny observed that Major General Ross and Rear Admiral Cockburn slept or rested in a shed near the Digges estate after dinner.
77. BLADWV_140606_450.JPG: The Woodyard: The Woodyard plantation was the site of Henry Darnall's early 18th-century mansion called Darnall's Delight, and was later the home of merchant Stephen West and his Revolutionary War supply factory. It served as the temporary headquarters of the American troops during the British invasion in 1814. The American forces, which were gathering from Washington, Annapolis, and Baltimore, marched to join their commander, Brigadier General William Winder, at the Woodyard on August 21, 1814. At this time, it was the home of Richard West, Francis Scott Key's brother-in-law. Winder's forces were joined the next day by Commodore Barney and about 400 of his flotillamen and Secretary of State Monroe who marched with them to Long Old Fields that day.
78. BLADWV_140606_454.JPG: St. Thomas Church: Saint Thomas' Church was built between 1743 and 1745. The original church building was constructed by Daniel Page and until 1850 was known as Page's Chapel. The church was the home church of Bishop Thomas John Claggett, the first Episcopal bishop to be consecrated in America. An east channel and stained glass windows were added in the 1850's, the bell tower in 1888 and a small sacristy in 1905. During the War of 1812, as the British were marching to Washington, they passed St. Thomas Church. Here they conducted a feint, first turning west towards Bellefields and the Woodyard, then doubling back and heading north to Upper Marlboro. St. Thomas Church is mentioned by General William H. Winder several times in his correspondence; once as a place to meet Lt. Col. Frisby Tilghman with the cavalry. There may be seven British soldiers, who died from heat stroke on their march to Washington, buried in the cemetery of St. Thomas in unmarked graves.
79. BLADWV_140606_458.JPG: Upper Marlboro: Upper Marlborough was established in 1706 by Act of the Maryland General Assembly and has served as the Prince George's County seat since 1721. The town was named in honor of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. As there is another Marlborough town down the Patuxent River, they are distinguished as Upper and Lower. The American commander Brig. Gen. William Winder stayed in Upper Marlborough on the night of August 8, 1814 while he was scouting for encampment sites for his troops. (He decided upon Long Old Fields and the Woodyard sites.) He was also in Upper Marlborough when he learned the British fleet was advancing up the Patuxent River on August 15, 1814. Commodore Joshua Barney and about 400 of his men passed through Upper Marlborough on August 22, 1814 after scuttling their fleet and while on their way to join the American forces at Long Old Fields. On the same day, August 22, 1814, Admiral Cockburn and his 400 men, who had landed at Mount Calvert, joined Major Ross and his 4,370 men as they marched up from Benedict. They camped at Upper Marlborough that night. On their return from Washington, on August 26, 1814, the British again camped at Upper Marlborough. The Maryland State records had been moved to Upper Marlboro from Annapolis earlier in the war for safekeeping. When it was feared Upper Marlborough would be occupied, the records were moved to Mount Lubentia plantation.
80. BLADWV_140606_461.JPG: Trinity Church: Trinity Church in Upper Marlborough was established in 1810 by Bishop Thomas John Claggett. The church was altered in 1846 and the bell tower was added in 1896. The Church register book of Trinity Church was damaged by Gen. Ross' British soldiers in August of 1814 when several pages were torn from the book. The clerk of the vestry, John Read Magruder, recorded the event. "To their eternal disgrace, Be it recorded," John Read Magruder
81. BLADWV_140606_465.JPG: Mt. Calvert: A town was established at Mount Calvert in 1684 and when Prince George's County was organized in 1696, it became the country seat. It was named Charles town after Charles Calvert, Third Lord Baltimore, and was a thriving place with a court house, Episcopalian church, several houses, inns and stores. In 1721, the county seat was moved to the more centrally located town of Upper Marlborough and Charles Town declined. Mt. Calvert House was built around 1790 as a plantation home for Upper Marlborough merchant John Brown. From 1835-1858, a veteran of the War of 1812, Lt. John Brookes of the 34th US Infantry, owned Mt. Calvert. On August 22, 1814, at Mount Calvert, British Admiral Cockburn dispatched a contingent of marines to join Major Ross' men at Upper Marlboro for the march to Washington DC. A British rear guard occupied Mt. Calvert until the return of the troops. After British forces moved on, Mount Calvert served as a US Navy marshaling area for materials salvaged from the scuttled flotilla. The USS Asp was stationed at Mt. Calvert for the salvage operations during September and October of 1814.
82. BLADWV_140606_472.JPG: Nottingham: The community of Nottingham was established when the General Assembly of the Province of Maryland passed the "Act for the Advancement of Trade and Erecting Ports and Towns" in 1706 and 1707 in order to establish commercial centers along the rivers in Maryland. In 1747, Nottingham was designated as a tobacco inspection site and the town began to grow. Between 1791 and 1801, more than 8,340 hogsheads of tobacco where [sic] exported through the port at Nottingham. In 1814, Nottingham was in its heyday. There was several non-residential buildings, including the warehouses, several stores, a post office, blacksmith shop, and a couple of inns. Nottingham was the site of several American and British occupations during the summer of 1814. Before the British march on Washington, on June 16, 1814, a British raiding party had attempted to land at Nottingham but had been repelled by an artillery unit. Commodore Joshua Barney and the US Chesapeake Bay Flotilla anchored at Nottingham several times during July and August of 1814. The British, under the command of Major General Ross, camped at Nottingham on the night of August 21, 1814, while 30?40 [sic] barges from Admiral Cockburn's fleet anchored offshore to protect the encampment. Major Ross expressed his reluctance to continue with the march on Washington to Admiral Cockburn while they were at Nottingham (he did not want to stray too far from the safety of the ships), however, he was overruled by Cockburn. Nottingham was the site of the British rear guard camp from August 21 to August 29th. British vessels anchored here on August 27-29 to take on wounded and artillery from the Washington campaign as well as supplies. Two merchant vessels belonging to Nottingham merchant Captain Edward Griffin were reportedly sunk by the British during the occupation of the town.
83. BLADWV_140606_476.JPG: Magruder's Landing: On June 17, 1814, the British raided Magruder's Landing and burned the Moir and Magruder Tobacco Warehouse and hundreds of pounds of tobacco. Aquasco: Located between Swanson's Creek and the Patuxent River, Aquasco developed as an agricultural center for the production of tobacco. In 1814 the village had a grist mill, several small stores, a tavern, blacksmith shop, school, post office, and several churches. On August 20, 1814, Secretary of State James Monroe, accompanied by about 30 dragoons from the District of Columbia, witnessed the British fleet landing at Benedict. To expedite communication between southern Prince George's County and Washington, Secretary Monroe ordered that dragoons be placed every 12 miles along the main road to Aquasco.
84. BLADWV_140606_480.JPG: Benedict: Benedict had been the site of two previous British raids during the war. The British continued their advance on August 21st, marching through the town of Aquasco, in southern Prince George's County, and continuing north to Nottingham where they camped for the night. TO keep the Americans off balance, Admiral Cochrane sent a small squadron of bomb ketches up the Potomac River with orders to shell fortifications on that river's banks while a frigate and two schooners were ordered up the Chesapeake Bay to take positions above Baltimore. The intention was to force the Americans to divide their forces. This raid up the Potomac River would later result in the bombing of Ft. Washington and the plundering of Alexandria, Virginia.
85. BLADWV_140606_488.JPG: The Battle of Bladensburg: British: On August 24th, the British broke camp and moved northwest to the town of Bladensburg where they knew they could easily ford the Eastern Branch of the Anacostia River and cross into Washington. Here, the 4,000 seasoned English forces easily routed the American defenses led by General Winder and his larger but mostly raw force of 6,000 militia, 1,000 regulars, 400 men under Commodore Barney, and 114 marines. The defeat at Bladensburg allowed the British to continue unopposed into Washington DC where they sacked and burned many of the public buildings, including the Capitol, the President's House and the Treasury Building. Ross and Winder both reached Bladensburg around noon. Ross' main force waited outside of the town while a small group of soldiers scouted ahead for snipers. There were none, but the maneuver resulted in an hour long delay that gave Winder time to position his men.
86. BLADWV_140606_491.JPG: Around 1:00pm, Ross ordered his First Brigade across the bridge. The British advanced in neat, orderly ranks and as the American artillery opened fire, Ross answered with a battery of newly invented Congreve rockets. The rockets were terribly inaccurate, but were terrorizing to the inexperienced American militia. For a short time the American front line not only held steady, but subjected the enemy to a surprisingly high and accurate volume of fire. For a moment it appeared as though the British advance might crumble as its forward ranks broke and ran for the cover of nearby buildings. A cheer went up from the American side, but it soon subsided as Ross' First Brigade regained its composure and stormed across the bridge. It was too much for the defenders. The tip of Stansbury's wedge broke and ran for the apple orchard. Ross' Second Brigade advanced. Consisting of some 1,400 men formed into two regiments, Ross took personal command of one and moved to flank the Americans on the right. The second regiment advanced on the left while Cockburn moved his rockets to within 140 yards of the defending line.
87. BLADWV_140606_495.JPG: American: The first of the battle's players to reach Bladensburg on August 24 was American Brigadier General Stansbury in command of 2,200 Baltimore militiamen, which he placed in a wedge shaped formation on the western side of the Eastern Branch. Three hundred and fifty yards to the formation's front was the Bladensburg Bridge, with the town itself just across the river. On the wedge's left flank was the road to Georgetown, on the right, the road to Washington. Stansbury's forward defensive line consisted of a small series of earthworks. Here he placed two battalions of riflemen and his battery of small 6 pounders. Behind them an open field extended for 50 yards ending in an apple orchard where Stansbury positioned his second echelon troops. Winder used the bulk of his force to establish a third line, well behind the "Monroe line." The line's right flank was positioned atop a small grassy knoll; the remainder simply stood in ranks in the center of a broad open field. There were two small detachments sent forward; a battery of three cannons placed on Stansburg's left flank, positioned to rake the orchard so as to cover any retreat of the forward line; and an additional battery of two cannons placed well forward on the Washington road to impede enemy movement down in. Barney arrived shortly after Winder's main body and positioned his men directly in the center of the third line.
88. BLADWV_140606_497.JPG: The Bridge at Blandensburg: Like his English counterpart, General Winder spent the morning of the 24th moving towards Blandensburg. With him and his forces were the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney-General. President Madison also rode for the town armed with a brace of pistols. Ahead of all of them rode Secretary of State Monroe.
89. BLADWV_140606_503.JPG: Battle Ground at Bladensburg
90. BLADWV_140606_507.JPG: Sketch of the march of the British army under General Ross from August 19-29, 1814. From a sketch by D. Evans, Lt. 3rd Dr'ns Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General.
91. BLADWV_140606_511.JPG: Observing this, General Winder, who was with Stansbury in the Baltimore militia's second line, ordered two thirds of the line, a total of some 1,300 men, forward into the orchard. They never reached it. Cockburn had been quick to raise his rocket fire and it was now falling on the slowly advancing American second line. Between the rockets and the sight of the routed first line, these men too fled for cover. General Winder and Brigadier General Stansburg repositioned themselves with the third American line. Once again the British advanced. The British took three volleys of heavy fire and then turned off the road and charged Winder's flank on the right over an open field. The American artillery fire became more intense and the charge slowed. Seizing the opportunity, Barney led his 500 sailors and marines in a rush against the center of Ross' force. The British were driven back to a wooded ravine, leaving several of their wounded officers in the hands of the Americans. Colonel William Thornton, who had led the British column was severely wounded, and General Ross had his horse shot from under him. Barney and his men were the only remaining resistance to the British advance and General Winder ordered a retreat. This order never reached Commodore Barney but with no ammunition, flanked on the right and deserted on the left, Barney ordered his own men to retreat. Captain Miller had been wounded and Commodore Barney had received a musket ball in the thigh. They were taken prisoner by Major General Ross.
92. BLADWV_140606_515.JPG: Major General Robert Ross (1766-1814) The Irish-born Robert Ross joined the British Army in 1789. He was a veteran of many campaigns and had risen rapidly in the ranks being promoted to a full Colonel in 1810 as well as aide-de-camp to the king. Ross was wounded in France in February 1814 and had just returned to service when he was given command of an expeditionary force to the United States. Ross sailed to North America as a Major General to take charge of all British troops off the east coast of the United States. He personally led the British troops ashore at Benedict.
93. BLADWV_140606_523.JPG: Fort Lincoln Cemetery: Fort Lincoln Cemetery encompasses the site of the right flank of the American third line during the Battle of Bladensburg. The Georgetown Artillery, under the command of Major George Peter, were located on the north side of Blandensburg Road while Commodore Joshua Barney and 400 or so of his flotillamen accompanied by Captain Samuel Miller and his 114 marines formed the only effective line of defense against the British during the Battle. L. Minear, former owner of Fort Lincoln Cemetery, erected a marker in honor of Commodore Barney on the grounds.
94. BLADWV_140606_527.JPG: General William Henry Winder (1775-1824) William Henry Winder was born in Somerset County, Maryland, in 1775. He studied law and in 1789 settled in Baltimore. By 1812, he was appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel in the US Infantry and by the following year became a Brigadier-Genearl. In May 1814, he was appointed Adjutant-General and placed in command of the newly created 10th Military District. General Wilder was court-martialed for his part in the defeat at Bladensburg, but the trial resulted in a report of "commendation" for having heroically done his duty under circumstances beyond his control. The court found that Winder showed great zeal but lacked the skill and ability to handle troops properly. In June 1815, he retired a somewhat broken man but resumed the practice of law in Baltimore, where he died in 1824. General W.H. Winder was promoted for political rather than military reasons. He owed his appointment as Brigadier-General to his kinship with the governor of Maryland.
95. BLADWV_140606_532.JPG: General Ross, who had lost nearly three hundred men before getting across the river, gave great attention and care to the wounded Commodore; he so admired the bravery of the "blue-jackets" that he paroled all the flotilla men, including the Commodore, on the spot. Ross ordered that Barney be taken at once into the city and his wounds treated. The Battle of Bladensburg, at times referred to as "The Battle for Washington" was over, and Ross had yet to even deploy his third Brigade.
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