Thunder on the Bay: A Heritage Tour of the 1813-1814 Chesapeake Campaign

1. Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry is a star-shaped coastal fortification dating back to the Federal Era. The fort is best known for its role in the War of 1812. In September 1814, soldiers at the fort endured and successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy. Although British warships lined Chesapeake Bay and issued non-stop barrage upon the fort between September 13th and 14th of that year, the fort held and nearby ground troops likewise thwarted British plans to take the harbor. It was during this incredible bombardment of Fort McHenry that Francis Scott Key (an American detained on one of the British ships in the harbor) became inspired to write the poem that became the National Anthem. The lines within The Star-Spangled Banner refer to the attack, with the significance of the flag being that it gave proof that the fort had held and the British could not capture Baltimore.

2. Baltimore Battle Monument

The Baltimore Battle Monument was dedicated on September 12, 1822 to honor the 39 Baltimore citizens who lost their lives protecting Baltimore during a pivotal moment in the War of 1812. In 1814, Baltimore citizens, militiamen, and federal troops protected Baltimore from the land and sea invasion that inspired the lyrics to the National Anthem. This monument honors those who died in defense of the city, and the thousands who manned defensive fortifications around the city and bay area throughout the war. It soon became part of the official symbol of Baltimore city, featuring on the city's official seal since 1827.

3. Battle of North Point

In the autumn of 1814, the British military successfully attacked and burned Washington, D.C. Hoping to repeat their performance against Baltimore, the British landed and advanced on the city from the east. On September 12, 1814, Maryland militia clashed with the advancing British army at the Battle of North Point. Although the Americans were ultimately forced to retreat, their defense allowed greater time to prepare Baltimore's defenses. The British were repulsed at Baltimore days later. Today, a portion of the battlefield is preserved and interpreted with North Point State Battlefield, and Maryland celebrates Defenders' Day annually in honor of the successful defense of Baltimore in 1814.

4. The White House

Designed by architect James Hoban and built in coordination with George Washington and other American leaders, the Executive Mansion is known informally around the world as "The White House." Although President Washington oversaw construction, he never lived in the house. President John Adams, elected in 1796 as the second President, and First Lady Abigail Adams were the first residents of the White House, which was still unfinished at the time. It completed in 1800, though construction and restoration projects have taken place ever since. It was partially burned by the British in the War of 1812. Contrary to the popular story that it was painted white to hide burn marks, the White House was simply painted white in 1818. The building was known as the White House prior to this time because of lime-based whitewash that was used to protect the exterior. The White House also includes two wings: the West Wing, built in the early 1900s under Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, and the East Wing, first built by President Theodore Roosevelt and significantly expanded in 1942 to include an underground bunker and office spaces. In all, the White House complex covers around 18 acres and includes gardens and spacious lawns.

5. Battle of Bladensburg

In the early 19th century, the United States and Britain clashed in North America during the War of 1812. Hoping to strike a decisive blow, in 1814 the British landed a 4,000 man force along the Patuxent River in Maryland with the goal of capturing the U.S. capital at Washington, D.C. Opposing the British were approximately 7,000 Americans, mostly untested militiamen. The two armies collided at Bladensburg, Maryland on August 24, 1814. Although the Americans inflicted heavy casualties during the initial British advance, they were quickly routed; the debacle became known as the "Bladensburg Races." As a consequence of U.S. defeat, British forces marched on Washington, D.C. and burned much of the nation's capital. The defeat at Bladensburg and sacking of Washington constituted an embarrassing and dark episode for the United States during the War of 1812.

6. Battle of Caulk's Field

In August 1814, as a British army advanced on Washington, D.C., a small force of British marines and sailors under Captain Peter Parker terrorized Maryland's Eastern Shore. Their raids were designed to prevent local militia from reinforcing Washington or Baltimore. On the night of August 30-31, Parker's force clashed with Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed's Maryland militia in a rare night battle at Caulk's Field. Initially ambushed by American riflemen, the British rallied and attempted to flank the American force. Although the U.S. militia was running low on ammunition, the mortal wounding of Captain Parker ended the British assault and forced their retreat. A rare American victory during the Chesapeake campaign, the battlefield is today preserved and commemorated by several historical markers.

7. Fort Albion

Built in the spring of 1814, Fort Albion protected the British naval base on Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. Tangier Island also served as a refuge for Black runaway slaves, who sought freedom under British rule; some Blacks even enlisted in the Corps of Colonial Marines. Fort Albion thus protected and housed both British soldiers, sailors, marines, and refugee runaways. The fort consisted of a barracks, hospital, church, and various homes. Upon the War of 1812's conclusion in early 1815, the fort was burned by evacuating British forces (who offered safety to all Black refugees on the island). Today, the fort's original location is likely underwater, but a state historical marker acknowledges the importance of Fort Albion and Tangier Island within local history.

8. British Invasion of Ocracoke Historical Marker

During the War of 1812, the British Royal Navy blockaded the Chesapeake Bay. No longer able to utilize the ports of Baltimore or Norfolk, American merchants began shipping goods out of the North Carolina coast. Determined to stop this trade, in July 1813 a British expeditionary force struck at Ocracoke Inlet. The British overwhelmed two American merchant ships and subsequently pillaged much of Ocracoke Island before returning to the Chesapeake. Although the British incursion caused a considerable stir, it did not permanently end American use of Ocracoke and Portsmouth as shipping ports. A historical marker on the mainland acknowledges the British attack on the region.

9. Battle of Hampton (1812)

In late June 1813, during the War of 1812, British forces blockading the Chesapeake Bay raided the small village of Hampton. Coming off a disastrous defeat at Norfolk, the British hoped to secure an easy victory over several hundred Virginia militia near Hampton. On June 25, the British attacked the Virginia militia via both a naval bombardment and a land attack from the rear. The American militia were overwhelmed by British firepower and numbers and driven from the field in defeat. Following the battle, the British looted and burned much of Hampton, murdering and raping several citizens. Although the British won the battle, the atrocities carried out in sacking Hampton damaged their reputation and unified local American resistance to the British invaders.

10. Battle of Craney Island

During the War of 1812, the British Royal Navy blockaded the Chesapeake Bay. Determined to capture the American port of Norfolk, which harbored the American frigate USS Constellation, British forces under Admiral John Warren attacked the American defenses at Craney Island on June 22, 1813. A plan called for two attacks: a flanking maneuver from the west and and a frontal, amphibious assault on the island. Both attacks floundered: the flanking attack couldn't ford the Elizabeth River to access the island, while the frontal assault became mired in mud flats to the island's front. The failed attack cost the British 78 casualties, while the American suffered none. Norfolk, and the USS Constellation, were saved. A historical marker in Portsmouth acknowledges the importance of Craney Island in history.

11. Raid on Havre de Grace

On May 3, 1813, a force of 500 British marines and sailors under Lieutenant George Westphal attacked American militia batteries at Havre de Grace. The attack came as part of Admiral George Cockburn's wider campaign of raids throughout the Chesapeake Bay, meant to undermine American morale in the War of 1812. The Maryland militiamen were overrun by the British after a short firefight, despite a heroic stand by local immigrant militiamen John O'Neill. The British subsequently sacked and burned much of the town. Today, the site of engagement is a local park, where a historical marker acknowledges the destructive 1813 raid on Havre de Grace.

12. Fort Hollingsworth Historical Marker

In early 1813, the British Royal Navy imposed a blockade and began attacking coastal towns as part of the escalating War of 1812. On April 29, 1813, 150 British sailors and marines under Lieutenant George Westphal raided up the Elk River. They successfully assaulted and burned Frenchtown, then sailed upriver to attack Elkton. Elkton, however, was protected by several fortifications, including Fort Hollingsworth near Elk Landing. A 300-foot semi-circular earthwork armed with several artillery pieces, Maryland militia successfully defended Fort Hollingsworth and forced the British to retreat, thus saving Elkton. A similar British incursion a year later was likewise repulsed. Nothing remains of Fort Hollingsworth itself, although this historical marker acknowledges its importance in local history.

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Thunder on the Bay: A Heritage Tour of the 1813-1814 Chesapeake Campaign

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