USA > Maryland > Leading Events of Maryland History: With Topical Analyses, References, and questions for original thought and research, revised and enlarge > Part 11
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In the meantime the main body of British moved up the Patux- ent river. On their approach Commodore Barney, whose flotilla was lying in the river, ordered his ves- PENSYLVANIA 00 sels to be burned to keep them from Patapsco Havre de Grace falling into the hands of the enemy. R more He and his men then joined the force F.Nellearyt SNafin Pt. R under General Winder, who was pre- Rindensburg LPaturen! Washington Annaholl paring to resist the attack of Ross. Alexandria No adequate preparations had been R. R. made for the defense of the capital. G A General William H. Winder had been placed in command of this department, B but his force consisted of a mere hand- ful of regulars, the rest of his troops being militia from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. They were met by the British at Bladensburg and quickly routed, the militia making hardly any resistance. Indeed,
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the principal defense was made by the gallant crews of Commo- dore Barney, the latter finally being wounded and taken pris- oner. Ross now pushed on and entered Washington, where he seized or destroyed much private property and burned the Capitol and other public buildings.
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89. The Attack on Baltimore. - The British now turned their attention to Baltimore. When it was known that they were coming, all ordinary work ceased and everybody began to drill or to work on the defenses. Breastworks were rapidly thrown up across the eastern part of the city. The approaches to the city by water were guarded by Fort McHenry, at the extremity of
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150 LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
Whetstone Point at the mouth of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco; by batteries on Lazaretto Point opposite; and by batteries erected in the rear of the fort. The officer in com-
Fort McHenry From a photograph
mand of the army was General Samuel Smith, noted for his heroic defense of Fort Mifflin (see Sec. 70); in charge of the two divisions were Generals Winder and Stricker. The fort was com- manded by Major Armistead.
By seven o'clock on the morning of September 12, 1814, about eight or nine thousand British troops had landed on North Point, at the mouth of the Patapsco. The ves- sels moved up the river to attack Fort McHenry. General Stricker, in command of the Baltimore militia, Samuel Smith moved toward North Point on the From a portrait in the gallery of the Maryland Historical Society evening of the 11th, and on the morning of the 12th formed a line of battle, with his right flank resting on Bear creek and his left covered by a marsh. The British marched boldly to the attack, but the struggle had hardly commenced when General Ross him-
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I say can you see though by the down's early light . In hal so proudly we hail at the twilight's last gleaming , whose brod strikes as bright store through the hunitous fight O'er the ramparts wie watch ) , ware so gallantly streaming? and the rocket's ned gloire, the bomb hunting in air, Save hof through the night that our play was still there, O ray, does that star spangled banner get wave D'er the land of the free be the home of the Grave !
On the show dinky scemithrough the master of the deaf , ; when the for's haughty host in anew silence archives . What is that which the breeze, our the towering street , as it fitfully blows , half concede , half discloses?
How it cantates the gleam of the morning's first beam , In full glowing reflectir now shines in the stream , Jis the star- stands banner -O long ming it wave O'er the land of the free of the home of the Grave !
and where is that bawd who so vaintingly swore, That the havoc of war of the bottle's confusion a home & a Country should leave is no more? - Their blow has works out their food food this pollution. no refuge could save the lineling & slave Show the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, ( w) the star- sharp banner in Triumph dothe wave D'or the land of the free a the home of the brave.
There be it even when freeman shale stand Between their lood home & the war's desolation Blesk with victimy a fence may the heat'in rescue land Praise the hower that hatt made " haveri'd us a nation! Then conquer we must , when our cause it is juist .. and this be our motto - "In God is our trust " and the star-spangled hammer in tricht thale O'on the land of the freix the home of the Grave . -
The "Star-spangled Banner" From the manuscript in possession of Mrs. Rebecca Lloyd Shippen
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self fell, mortally wounded. The inexperienced militia bravely held their ground against the superior force of trained soldiers until the attack had been thoroughly checked. They then re- tired to the defenses nearer the city. This engagement is known as the battle of North Point. Further fighting was postponed until the fleet should pass Fort McHenry and be able to cooperate with the army, but this was an event that never occurred.
At sunrise on the 13th of September the British fleet opened fire on Fort McHenry, which could make no reply, the vessels of the fleet having stationed themselves out of range. Attempts were made to send vessels and troops nearer to the fort, but they were repulsed with great slaughter. All that day shot and shell rained upon the de- Francis Scott Key voted fort ; the sun sank and From the painting in possession of Miss Alice Key Blunt of Baltimore darkness fell, but the roar of cannon and the screech of shell had not ceased. There was something singularly impres- sive and awful in the sullen silence of the fort. Now, however, the Stars and Stripes that had waved in calm defiance throughout the day were hidden by the darkness, and when the firing sud- denly ceased before morning no one could tell whether the fort · had surrendered or not. But the first rays of the rising sun showed that our flag was still there, floating in calm triumph in
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the morning breeze: Thousands of hearts bounded with pride and joy. The attack on Baltimore was at an end and the defeated enemy in full retreat.
90. "The Star-spangled Banner." - The feelings excited by these stirring events were expressed by Francis Scott Key in the famous national song, "The Star-spangled Banner." Before the bombardment began, Key had gone out to the fleet to obtain the release of a friend who had been captured, and he was de- tained until the attack was over. Pacing up and down the deck of the vessel during that night of terrible suspense, he composed the famous song, making a few notes on the back of a letter. Soon people all over the country were singing its patriotic word's. (See Sec. 121.)
91. The End of the War. - On the 24th of December, 1814, a treaty of peace was signed, ending the war. The right of our ships to sail the seas unmolested has not been again questioned.
TOPICS AND QUESTIONS
80. The State Government.
Early governors of the state.
83. The Potomac Company : Plans for Opening a Trade Route to the Western Part of the State.
Give an account of the attempt, its object, and the result.
84. Interest in Education. Tell about the first University of Maryland.
85. Founding the City of Washington. The necessity for a permanent capital.
Washington chooses a site on the Potomac river.
Territory ceded by Virginia and Maryland ; Virginia's part ceded back.
Government transferred to the city of Washington, June, 1800.
THE WAR OF 1812
86. Causes of the War.
Explain the causes of the War of 1812.
Why were hostilities so long delayed?
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87. Progress of the War; Gallant Exploit of Marylanders.
Contrast the attitude of Maryland with that of the New England states. A riot in Baltimore, causing loss of life and destruction of property. Military operations unsuccessful ; success of the navy. Capture of the Caledonia and the Detroit.
Services of the privateers ; the " Baltimore clippers."
88. The War in Maryland; Capture of Washington.
The depredations of Admiral Cockburn and their effect. Arrival of second fleet and three thousand troops.
The battle of Bladensburg; Washington captured.
89. The Attack on Baltimore.
The defenses of Baltimore ; generals in command of troops. The battle of North Point ; advance of the British checked.
Bombardment of Fort McHenry. Failure of attack on the city.
90. The " Star-spangled Banner."
Francis Scott Key detained on a British warship.
He composes the famous national song during the night of suspense.
91. The End of the War.
Treaty of peace signed, December 24, 1814.
QUESTIONS FOR ORIGINAL THOUGHT AND RESEARCH
1. Trace on the map [pp. 222-223] : (a) the course of the Potomac river as far as Cumberland; (b) the route of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal ; the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Had the Potomac been made navi- gable to Cumberland, what effect would this probably have had on Baltimore city ? How did the railroad affect the situation ?
2. Do Washington College and St. John's College obtain state aid at the present time ? What does the state get in return ?
REFERENCES
See Elson's History of the United States, pp. 394-450, or any standard history of the United States, or of the War of 1812. Browne's Maryland, pp. 325-338. James's revision of McSherry's History of Maryland, pp. 285-304. If available, consult Scharf's History of Maryland, Vol. III.
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CHAPTER IV
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ; THE MEXICAN WAR
92. Introduction. - We have already considered the resources of the western section of Maryland and the need of a trade route between this part of the state and Chesapeake bay. The Potomac Company was organized to open such a route, but the scheme of opening up the Potomac to navigation proved impos- sible of accomplishment. Up to the time of the war the com- merce of the state prospered immensely, the value of exports increasing perhaps six or seven times. The need for commercial facilities of a better kind grew constantly, and the proposed trade route between the west and the east of the state became of the highest importance to both sections. During the war, schemes of improvement were for the time laid aside, and commerce necessarily suspended to a great extent. But with the close of the war began a new era of prosperity and development, followed by the needed improvements, whose history we have now to trace ..
93. " The Monumental City." - On the 4th of July, 1815, the corner-stone of a fine monument to the memory of George Washington was laid. The monument, built by the state of Maryland, is situated on North Charles street, in the city of Baltimore. It was completed in 1829, is built of white Mary- land marble, and is in all 164 feet high. It rests on a marble base 50 feet square and 24 feet high, and is surmounted by a statue, 16 feet in height, of Washington, represented in the act of resigning his commission. This was the first worthy monu- ment erected to the memory of the "Father of his Country."
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Mount Vernon Square, Baltimore, showing Washington Monument From a photograph
On the first anniversary of the British attack on Baltimore the corner-stone of a monument to the memory of the city's defenders at North Point and Fort McHenry was laid. This is known as the Battle Monument. ' A great many monuments have since
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been erected in Baltimore, and on this account, as well as because the city raised the first notable monument to George Washington, Baltimore is often called the " Monumental City."
94. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. - Although it proved to be impossible to carry out the plans of the old Potomac Com- pany for opening up the Potomac river, yet the project of estab- lishing a trade route along that stream was far too important to be given up. It was not merely a question of providing an out- let for the rich region of western Maryland, but there was a chance to bring through the state a large and valuable western trade as well. The next thing thought of to supply the need was a canal, and after much dis- cussion the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal Company was formed in 1824. This company undertook to construct a canal Chesapeake and Ohio Canal From a photograph from Georgetown, on the Potomac, to the Ohio river. From Georgetown, vessels could reach the Chesapeake by way of the Potomac river. The canal was finally completed as far as Cumberland.
There was also much talk of cutting a canal to connect Balti- more with the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, as it was feared that the western trade would pass the city by ; but it was considered doubtful whether such a plan was practicable, and the proposed canal was never begun.
95. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. - The citizens of Baltimore fully realized the danger of missing the large and
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profitable trade of the west, as well as its value to them in case they could get it to flow through their city. They accordingly
cast about for some means of bringing this trade to Baltimore. A committee, com- posed of Philip E. Thomas and other prominent gentlemen, was appointed to con- sider the matter, and First Method of Travel on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 1829 From a print they recommended that a double railroad be constructed from Baltimore to some suitable point on the Ohio river.
Now at first sight this may seem very simple and natural, but really the plan showed great wisdom, foresight, and pro- gressiveness on the part of its projectors ; for at that time rail- roads were not in use in America, and the first passenger rail- road in the world (the Liverpool and Man- chester railway, in England) had been commenced but two First Locomotive built in America Peter Cooper, Baltimore, 1830 From a photograph years before and was not yet in successful operation. A company to put this plan of the committee into operation was nevertheless formed, called the Baltimore and
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Ohio Railroad Company, and Philip E. Thomas was made its first president. From a discovery made in England by Mr. William Gibson (for- merly of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad) it appears that a repre- sentative was actually sent to England to make personal inves- tigations.
The Davis "Grasshopper " Type, 1832 From a photograph
The ceremony of breaking ground was performed on the 4th of July, 1828, by the aged Charles Carroll of Carrollton, then more than ninety years of age, and the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. "I consider this among the most important acts of my life," exclaimed the venerable patriot as he struck the spade into the earth, " second only to that of sign- ing the Declaration of Independence, if second even to that."
Although horses were at first used to draw the cars, steam was soon applied. Peter Cooper, who owned large iron The " Dutch Wagon " Type, 1838 From a print works in the vicinity of Canton, near Baltimore, built a small locomotive, very little larger than an ordinary workman's handcar of the present day.
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The first trip was made on August 28, 1830, from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills (now Ellicott City), and was entirely successful. The return trip of thirteen miles was made in fifty-seven min- utes. In 1852 the road was completed to Wheeling, on the Ohio river, and on New Year's day, 1853, the first train passed over the road.
The Winan's " Mud Digger," 1844 From a print
96. Financial Dis- tresses. - The Bank of Maryland, owing to a change of policy on the part of the national government, Many of the depositors
was obliged to stop business in 1834. were poor persons, who naturally became much alarmed at the thought of losing the little they possessed ; but great confidence was felt in the offi- cers of the bank, and the people waited pa- tiently for some months. Then a vio- lent quarrel arose among the officers of Winan's Famous " Camel Back," 1851 From a print the bank, and the con- fidence of the depositors was quickly lost. Riots followed, in the course of which the houses of several of the directors of the bank and that of the mayor of the city (Baltimore) were
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broken open and much valuable property destroyed. For a time the mob held absolute control, but companies of citizens were soon formed for the preservation of the peace, under the leadership of General Samuel Smith, and the troubles were promptly quelled.
Modern Passenger Locomotive, 1904 From a photograph
Two years later a great wave of finan- cial distress swept over the whole coun- try - business houses and banks failed from one end of the Union
to the other. Some states refused to pay the interest that was legally due on their debts. The public improvements going on in Maryland, particularly the canal and the railroad enterprises, had been repeatedly aided by the state. In proportion to the pop- ulation, the expendi- tures had been enor- mous. In the desperate condition that now confronted the state, her credit and honor were preserved by Mr. George Peabody, a wealthy and patriotic merchant who had Largest Freight Locomotive in the World, 1904 From a photograph laid the foundation of a great fortune in Baltimore. He secured a loan in London, supporting Maryland credit with his own fortune and influence, yet he nobly refused all pay for his great and important services.
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97. The First Telegraph Line. - In 1844 the first telegraph line was built, between Baltimore and Washington. This instrument was the invention of Professor Samuel F. B. Morse and has been of the highest importance in the development of our country.
98. Government Reforms. - The many changes that took place after the adoption of the Constitution of 1776 (see Sec. 16) gave rise to much dissatisfaction with that instrument. Each county sent the same number of delegates to the Assembly - four, while Baltimore and Annapolis sent half as many - two each. At that time the counties were nearly equal in population, View of Ellicott City, First Terminus of the B. & O. R.R. From a photograph and Baltimore was only a moderately large town. But the western counties soon came to have large populations, while Baltimore, which was made a city in 1797, grew to be a large and important centre. It thus happened that a minority of the people could control the state government. This came to be a great grievance, and after much effort the Constitution, in 1837, was revised. Representation was more fairly apportioned ; the counties sent delegates according to population, Annapolis lost her delegates, and Baltimore sent the same number as the largest counties. The electoral college was abolished, and the election of the senators given to the people. The governor's council was abolished, and the governor elected by the people.
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In 1802 the property qualification for voting was abolished, · and that for holding office followed in 1810; in 1825 Jews, who before this time were not allowed to hold any public office, were placed on the same footing with Christians; and in 1846 the sessions of the General Assembly were made biennial. The old Constitution having become "a thing of shreds and patches," a new one was adopted by the people in 1851. The term of the governor and of senators was made four years, and it was provided that the judges and many other officers should be elected by the people. Imprisonment for debt was abolished. It is apparent that the gen- eral tendency of all these reform movements was to place the control of af- fairs more directly in the hands of the people, and to render the government more truly free and re- publican.
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99. The War with Mex- ico. - Our present state of Texas was formerly a Mexican War Monument, Baltimore 1 From a photograph part of Mexico. Its in- habitants rebelled against the government of that country, and succeeded in establishing an independent republic. This repub- lic asked to be annexed to the United States. The request being granted, a dispute ensued over the boundary between
1 Erected by the Association of Veterans of the Mexican War, to the memory of Mary- land soldiers who perished in the Mexican War.
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Mexico and Texas, which led to a war between the United States and Mexico. Congress declared war in May, 1846.
In the course of this war no officers performed their duties with more spirit, devotion, and intelligence than those of Mary- land. At the battle of Palo Alto, Major Samuel Ringgold of Maryland, who commanded the artillery, was mortally wounded. His skill and bravery were of cardinal importance in winning victory for the Americans. Colonel William H. Watson of Maryland was killed while leading his regiment to the assault at Monterey. After the capture of Monterey, Captain Ran- dolph Ridgely, who had succeeded to Major Ringgold's com- mand, was killed by a fall from his horse. He served with distinguished skill and valor, and his death was regarded as a serious loss to the American army. Captain John Eager Howard, a grandson of the Revolutionary hero, won much honor for his courage and spirit. In this war Maryland's repu- tation for the personal gallantry and good conduct of her sol- diers was fully sustained.
TOPICS AND QUESTIONS
92. Introduction.
Increase of Maryland's commerce.
93. "The Monumental City."
Describe the monument to Washington erected in Baltimore.
What does the Battle Monument commemorate?
Why is Baltimore called the Monumental City?
94. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Formation of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company ; its plans. How far were the plans successful?
95. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The citizens of Baltimore decide to connect the city with the Ohio river by means of a railroad; wisdom of the plan.
Formation of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.
The work begun by Charles Carroll ; his opinion of its importance. Steam used ; the engine of Peter Cooper, and the trial trip to Ellicott City. The road completed to the Ohio, 1852.
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96. Financial Distresses.
Failure of the Bank of Maryland.
Riots occur, and serious loss of property results ; the riots quelled by General Samuel Smith.
The heavy expenditures of Maryland for public improvements. The credit of the state saved by George Peabody.
97. The First Telegraph Line.
Location of the first telegraph line.
98. Government Reforms.
What changes were made by the amendments to the Constitution in 1837?
What other changes were made?
What changes were made by the Constitution of 1851 ?
What was the general effect of all these changes?
99. The War with Mexico.
State the cause of the Mexican War.
Give an account of the services of Marylanders in this war.
QUESTIONS FOR ORIGINAL THOUGHT AND RESEARCH
1. Is it well to erect monuments to the memory of illustrious men? Give reasons for your answer. What is the largest monument in the world?
2. Name some other railroads in Maryland at the present time besides the Baltimore and Ohio. What is the route of each you have named? Explain in detail how a railroad benefits the country through which it is built. Name four large cities along the line of the Baltimore and and Ohio railroad in Maryland.
3. State some of the advantages of the telegraph. Show how it strengthens the union of the states of our country. Express your opinion of the various changes made in the government of Maryland, as described in section 98.
REFERENCES
James' revision of McSherry's History of Maryland, pp. 305-338. If available, see Scharf's Maryland, Vol. III. For Constitutional changes, see Steiner's Institu- tions and Civil Government of Maryland, pp. 12-15. For a full account of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, see Dr. G. W. Ward's Early Development of the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal Project, in the Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science, Seventeenth Series, ix, x, xi. For an account of the Mexican War, see Elson's History of the United States, pp. 523-533, or any good history of the nation.
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