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Early 1813, the second year of the "second British war". Until now, the war with England has left the upper Chesapeake region unscathed. That is about to change. The Royal Navy has entered the Chesapeake Bay through the Virginia Capes, intent on bringing the war to the Chesapeake. There is excited talk and speculation about British plans in the prints, on the streets, and in taverns and meeting houses in Baltimore and elsewhere. The curtain has lifted on a drama that will last nearly two years, and leave much of the nation's capital in smoking ruin. For more on the role of militia in Maryland during 1813, click here. For more on the role of militia forces during the Crisis of 1814, please scroll down this page. There are today but a small handful of weathered monuments that memorialize the deeds of the civilians and militia soldiers who fought to defend Washington and Baltimore, and lesser known places with name's like Caulk's Field and Havre de Grace. These are all but forgotten in what we later Americans now call the War of 1812. These small losses pale in comparison to the casualty lists during the later American Civil War. Forgotten though it may seem, 1813-1814 was a time of sacrifice. Civilians and citizen soldiers from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia could call only upon themselves to defend their homes, farms and cities against incursions and invasions by the British in the northern Chesapeake. Browse our web site for a look back to a early-American era, two centuries ago. Learn about the role of militia soldiers during what some now call the "Forgotten War". If you're interested in bringing this little-known conflict into the front ranks of American history, consider joining one of the living history organizations in the Chesapeake 1812 community. Fire in the Upper Chesapeake: the Crisis of 1814 September 12, 1814. 9 am "I'll sup in Baltimore tonight -- or in hell" ... reported boast made by Major General Robert Ross, commander of British land forces marching up Patapsco Neck to attack Baltimore. These words would prove prophetic. Some three weeks after he burned the President's Mansion and Government buildings in Washington, British Major General Ross was dead; felled by shots fired by militia soldiers from Baltimore. Neither Ross, nor his army would sup in Baltimore that night. September 13, 1814 The following message is said to have been nailed to a tree, near the site where Ross met his fate. "*Along the road that leads to town* *Ross fell, and as he fell* *He went to hell,* *And damned was his renown*" Despite its irreverent play on General Ross' own words, it reveals something of the mood of the defenders of Baltimore. The city would this same day face attack by a strong British naval force against one of its key defenses: Fort McHenry. If the British could reduce the fort, the city would surely burn like Washington, or be subjected to payment of a crushing tribute. For more on the Crisis of 1814 and the Battle of Baltimore, please visit the historical overview, and our links page. Battle of North Point re-enactment web site Document Last Updated: 09/27/2007
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Early 1813, the second year of the "second British war". Until now, the war with England has left the upper Chesapeake region unscathed. That is about to change. The Royal Navy has entered the Chesapeake Bay through the Virginia Capes, intent on bringing the war to the Chesapeake. There is excited talk and speculation about British plans in the prints, on the streets, and in taverns and meeting houses in Baltimore and elsewhere. The curtain has lifted on a drama that will last nearly two years, and leave much of the nation's capital in smoking ruin.

For more on the role of militia in Maryland during 1813, click here. For more on the role of militia forces during the Crisis of 1814, please scroll down this page.

There are today but a small handful of weathered monuments that memorialize the deeds of the civilians and militia soldiers who fought to defend Washington and Baltimore, and lesser known places with name's like Caulk's Field and Havre de Grace. These are all but forgotten in what we later Americans now call the War of 1812. These small losses pale in comparison to the casualty lists during the later American Civil War. Forgotten though it may seem, 1813-1814 was a time of sacrifice. Civilians and citizen soldiers from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia could call only upon themselves to defend their homes, farms and cities against incursions and invasions by the British in the northern Chesapeake.

Browse our web site for a look back to a early-American era, two centuries ago. Learn about the role of militia soldiers during what some now call the "Forgotten War". If you're interested in bringing this little-known conflict into the front ranks of American history, consider joining one of the living history organizations in the Chesapeake 1812 community.

Fire in the Upper Chesapeake:

the Crisis of 1814

September 12, 1814. 9 am

"I'll sup in Baltimore tonight -- or in hell"

... reported boast made by Major General Robert Ross, commander of British land forces marching up Patapsco Neck to attack Baltimore.

These words would prove prophetic. Some three weeks after he burned the President's Mansion and Government buildings in Washington, British Major General Ross was dead; felled by shots fired by militia soldiers from Baltimore. Neither Ross, nor his army would sup in Baltimore that night.

September 13, 1814

The following message is said to have been nailed to a tree, near the site where Ross met his fate.

           "Along the road that leads to town
              Ross fell, and as he fell
             He went to hell,
              And damned was his renown"

Despite its irreverent play on General Ross' own words, it reveals something of the mood of the defenders of Baltimore. The city would this same day face attack by a strong British naval force against one of its key defenses: Fort McHenry. If the British could reduce the fort, the city would surely burn like Washington, or be subjected to payment of a crushing tribute.

For more on the Crisis of 1814 and the Battle of Baltimore, please visit the historical overview, and our links page.

Battle of North Point re-enactment web site

Document Last Updated: 09/27/2007

Web Published: 03 September 2005