USA > Maryland > Leading events of Maryland history; with topical analyses, references, and questions for original thought and research > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
146
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
House were opposed to the declaration of war, yet they did not hesitate to pledge their "lives and fortunes to the public service." Baltimore proved itself one of the most zealous and ardently patriotic cities in the United States.
A newspaper of Baltimore, called the Federal Republican, printed an article bitterly denouncing the war and accusing the government of dishonorable and unworthy motives. The result was a riot, and before the affair was settled the office of the news- paper was torn down and several persons were killed or wounded.
The military operations of the war were in general badly managed and very un- successful. An invasion of Canada was attempted, but the effort ended in failure. .During this time the capture of two Brit- ish vessels on Lake Erie, the Caledonia and the Detroit, was planned by Lieu- tenant Jesse Duncan Elliott, a young naval officer of Maryland. The capture Nathan Towson From a painting in the gallery of the Maryland Historical Society was gallantly executed by Elliott and Captain Nathan Towson,1 of Baltimore. At sea the Americans were much more successful. The ships of our navy won a series of brilliant vic- tories, and American privateers inflicted immense loss upon British shipping. Of these none performed services of greater value than the famous " Baltimore clippers," noted for their remarkable swiftness. If they found it necessary to fly before a stronger enemy, they had no trouble in escaping, while if the enemy fled at their approach, he had little chance of escape. Enormous damage was inflicted upon the British in this way.
1 Towson, the county seat of Baltimore county, was named for Captain (afterward General) Towson.
147
THE SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND
A Baltimore Clipper After a contemporary photograph
88. The War in Maryland ; Capture of Washington .- In 1813 ten British ships of war under Admiral Cockburn (Co-burn) en- tered the Chesapeake. For several months the admiral and his men amused themselves by robbing the inhabitants and destroy- ing property on both sides of the bay. Havre de Grace and other towns were sacked and burned, and Baltimore threatened. Lonely farmhouses and other private property were wantonly destroyed. The inhabitants were shamefully abused, and even women and children did not escape insult and outrage at the hands of these savages. These outrageous proceedings were the worse as they served no military purpose whatever. They simply increased the hatred of the people for the British, and aroused the state and the nation to more determined resistance.
In August, 1814, another British fleet arrived in the Chesa- peake, commanded by Admiral Cockrane. On board this fleet
148
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
were three thousand veteran soldiers under General Ross. An expedition for the capture of Washington was planned at once. Sir Peter Parker was sent up the bay with several vessels to threaten Baltimore and annoy the people as much as possible. Barns and crops were burned and other property destroyed. But these depredations were not to go unpunished. Near mid- night on the 30th of August about two hundred men landed under Sir Peter Parker in person, with the intention of surprising and capturing the camp of Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed, con- sisting of about one hundred and seventy men of a Maryland regiment. The two little armies met on what is known as Caulk's Field, about nine miles from Chestertown, and not only were the British driven back with loss, but Sir Peter Parker him- self was killed. A monument was erected on Caulk's Field in the autumn of 1902, to the memory of Philip Reed.
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- PENNSYLVANIA sels to be burned to keep them from Patapsco Havre de Grace falling into the hands of the enemy. B Baltimore He and his men then joined the force FtMe Heary North Pt. R. under General Winder, who was pre- Bladensburg To Paturent Washington Annapolis paring to resist the attack of Ross. Alexandriaf No adequate preparations had been P R. made for the defense of the capital. EA 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,
149
THE SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND
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.
EGOVANSTOWN
B
To Emmittsburgs
WOODBERRY
HAMPDENCH
To Towsontown
Old York Road
T'o Bel Air->
To Havre
AC de Grace
ARDENVILLE
PORANGEVILLE
M
ROSSVILLE
Druid. Hill
"Park
Baltimore Cemetery
piney
Mi
Greenmount Cemetery
C
CARROLL C.
ver
BALTIMORE
MONTCLAIR
CATONSVILLE
BAKVIEW
STILim
MT.WINANS Falls
CA
Br
t. Mc. Henry
Ho
LAZARETTO
Soller's Pt.
ncl
R
P
K
/Viaducta
Streetsers
Sledd's Pt.
LeadingFt. Carroll
LANDING
Lt. Ho *
+ Lt. Ho.
Sparrow Pt Kort
Đ
Old Road
Bay
Lt. Ho. Lt. Ilo
North Pt.
Lt.Ho.+
C
A
A
CT- Rock Pt.
S
B
WELHAMS₩ X ROADS
U
U
Lt. Ho.+
E
N
T
D
E
L
Bodkin IM Pt.
II
SCALE OF MILES
Ho.& Signal
5
0
5
10
20
30
JACOBSVILLE
C
1
Gwynn
TON
fansbury's Pt.
K
Porter's
Rocky Pt.
RELAY HO. St Dennis P O.
1
BROOKLYN
R.
Fishing Pt.
Hump
. Ho.
North Pe
Black Marsh
N
Shallow Cr.
P
F
Stony Pt.
A
+ White Rock
.
Nab8
Rock
Brewerton Channel
ARLEY
Hawkins Pt
3 Pt.
ELK RUNT Patapsco Bridge
+-To Washington
1
Cuckold's
To Ellicott
City
es Falls
WAVERLY John Hopkins AUniversity
CLIFTON
1
T
- To Frederick
To Anapolis
Y
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
Snou Hills
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 IIth, 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-
I say can you see by The dawn's early light, What so proudly we kaild at the twilight's last glearning, Whose brow stakes a bright stare through the hunitous light O'er the ramparts we cratch), were so gallantly streaming? and the rocket's red glove, The bomb bursting in air, Save hoof through the night that our play was still there, O say, does that star spangled banner get wave D'er the land of the free & the home of the brave?
On the show dialy scame through the misto of the duas, When the for's haughty host in dread silence achoses, What is that which the breeze, our the towering steep, as it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
How it catches the gleam of the morning's first bear, In full glory refletir now shines in the stream, Jis the star-spangled banner - Q long ming it wave O'er the land of the free of the home of The Grazie!
and where is that band who so vacuntingly swore, That the havoc of war of the battle's confusion a home & a Country shout leave us no more? -
Their blood has worked out their foul footsteps pollution. no refuge could save the lineling & slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, Ch) The star-spangled banner in Triumph dothe wave D'er the land of The free & the home of the brave.
thus be it ever when freeman while stand Between their low's home & the war's desolation! Blast with victory a peace may the heat'in reserve land Praise the power that hatt made & havere'd us a nation !! Then congress we must when ver cause it is just .. and this be our molto - "In God is our trost" and the star changer kommer in triumht thall D'en the land of the freeice the home of the brave.
The " Star-spangled Banner " From the manuscript in possession of Mrs. Rebecca Lloyd Shippen
152
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
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
153
THE SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND
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 words. (See Sec. 121 and Appendix D.)
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
82. 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?
154
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
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.
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."
155
156
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
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
157
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS; THE MEXICAN WAR
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
158
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
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
159
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS; THE MEXICAN WAR
Ohio Railroad Company, and Philip E. Thomas was made its first president. From a discovery made in England by Mr.
The Davis "Grasshopper " Type, 1832 From a photograph
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 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.
· 160
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
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 Winans Camek 1 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
16I
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS; THE MEXICAN WAR
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.
0
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.
162
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
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. and Baltimore was only a moderately From a photograph 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.
163
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS; THE MEXICAN WAR
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.
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.
164
LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
Mexico and Texas, which led to a war between the United States and Mexico. Congress declared war in May, 1846.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.