Battle of North Point
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| Chesapeake campaign |
|---|
| Craney Island – St. Michaels – Bladensburg – Washington – Caulk's Field – North Point – Baltimore |
The Battle of North Point was fought on September 12, 1814. This engagement was part of the larger Battle of Baltimore.
Battle
After Major General Robert Ross had defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814 and burned Washington, the British headed further up the Chesapeake Bay to the strategically more important port city of Baltimore. Ross's army landed at North Point on the morning of September 12, 1814, and began moving toward the city of Baltimore. A force of 3,200 mainly Baltimore militiamen under Brigadier General John Stricker was sent by Major General Samuel Smith to delay Ross' advance on Baltimore. The two forces clashed near Bear Creek and the Americans held up the British for some two hours before retiring back the city's main defences on the eastern side of Baltimore City. The Americans were able to hold the British juggernaut long enough for the regulars and militias to get ready to receive the British attack, should it come. The battle proved to be an American loss, but a strategic hold. While buying the Baltimoreans more time, General Ross was killed by a sniper's bullet in a skirmish just prior to the main battle and Colonel Arthur Brooke assumed command of the army. The battle had been costly for the British. Along with General Ross, the British lost 46 killed and 273 wounded. Losing General Ross was a critical blow to the British. He was a respected leader of British forces in the War of 1812. Ross's death proved a blow to British morale. The combined effect of the blow suffered at North Point and the failure of the Royal Navy to capture or get past Fort McHenry at the entrance to Baltimore harbor, despite a 25-hour bombardment, proved to be the turning point of the Battle of Baltimore.
Today
Baltimoreans and Marylanders still commemorate this event today through the state holiday of Defenders Day. On Defenders Day many local Marylanders reenact the battle. The result of this battle is unparalleled in Maryland history. The Battle of North Point enabled Baltimore to be the city it is today. The British sought to sack the important port city. Americans today need to remember the brave stand of General Stricker's militiamen at the Battle of North Point.
External links
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