Existing comment:
Call To Arms
The Maryland Militia Law of 1811 states:
"All free white male inhabitants of the age of 18 and under 45 years, be enrolled in their respective military districts."
The US Constitution, Article I, Section 8, grants the President the power:
"to provide for calling forth the militia to... repel invasions."
On August 16, 1814 British forces arrived in the Chesapeake Bay. Three days later President Madison acted on those powers and called the militia to arms. |