BALTIMORE, Md., Attack on (War of 1812). When the British had burned Wash ington they reembarked on their ships and sailed for the mouth of the Patapsco to at tack Baltimore. The approach to the city by water was defended by Fort McHenry with a garrison of 1,000 troops under Lieut.-Col. George Armistead, and to the right of the fort two batteries (Fort Covington and City Battery) were erected to prevent an attack from the rear. The total number of troops in Baltimore was 13,888 officers and men un der the supreme command of Senator Samuel Smith (q.v.), whereas the British numbered not more than 5,000. On 12 Sept. 1814 General Ross began the march toward the city while the fleet sailed to attack the forts, but on strik ing the American advance of 3,200 troops un der Brig.-Gen. John Stricicer, Ross was lcilled, Col. Arthur Broke succeeding to the command. A hot battle then ensued but after a gallant resistance Stricker retired with a loss of 24 killed, 139 wounded and 50 prisoners, whereas the British lost 46 killed and 273 wounded. On 13 Septetnber Broke resumed the march, but on viewing the American defenses decided to wait until the fleet had silenced the forts. About sunrise of the 13th five botnb vessels began to bombard Fort McHenry from a dis tance of two miles. The heavier British ships could not approach within range owing to the shallowness of the river and those of the lighter ships that did approach were driven off quickly. During the day and following
night 1,500 shells were thrown into the fort with comparatively little injury and the loss of only four men killed and 24 wounded. Ac cordingly Admiral Cochrane and Colonel Broke decided the capture of the town would be too costly and retreated to the lower Ches apeake. On 19 September Cochrane sailed for Halifax and on 14 October the troops were transported to Jamaica, later to participate in the battle of New Orleans. Francis Scott Key. witnessed the bombardment from the Bnush adtniral's ship, whither he had gone to obtain the release of some friends, and when at dawn he saw the flag still floating over the fort he wrote (The Star-Spangled Banner.) Consult (American State Papers, Military Affairs' (Vol. I, p. 591); Adams, Henry, (The United States) (Vol. VIII, pp. 166-73); Brackenridge. H. M., (History of the Late War' (pp. 265-73); Glieg, G. R, (Campaigns of the British Army at Washing ton and New Orleans> (pp. 170-98); James, William, (Military Occurrences) (Vol. II, pp. 308-24) ; Lossing, (War of 1812' (pp. 949-57); Scharf, J. T., (History of Maryland' (Vol. III, pp. 99-137); Wiley and Rincs, (The Unit ed States' (Vol. IV, pp. 33-36).