Existing comment:
"It is my desire to have a flag..."
In June 1813, soon after Armistead's arrival from his previous command at Fort Niagara, New York, he informed Major general Samuel Smith: "We, Sir, are ready at Fort McHenry to defend Baltimore against invading by the enemy. This is to say, we are ready except that we have no suitable ensign to display over the Star Fort, and it is my desire to have a flag so large that the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance."
A year later, on the morning of September 10, 1814, Armistead hosted a meeting in these quarters. Major General Smith and all brigade and naval commanders attended this meeting to plan the defense of Baltimore. |