Existing comment:
Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead (1780-1818), c 1817-18, by Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860).
With General Smith in charge of the land defense during the War of 1812, Lieutenant Colonel Armistead's duty was to repulse the British attack by water. His successful defense of Fort McHenry won him the citizens' immense gratitude. Armistead died soon after the war's end. As the victorious officer, Armistead took possession of the large American flag that has come to be called the Star-Spangled Banner, now housed at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History. |