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By the Dawn's Early Light
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine tells the story of the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write America's national anthem.
BY RYAN DOUGHERTY
The crackle of artillery ceased, a wall of smoke began to clear, and the Americans roared in triumph—defenders of Fort McHenry thwarted England's attempt to capture Baltimore. | |
It was at this moment on September 14, 1814, that Francis Scott Key, aboard an American truce vessel several miles from Fort McHenry, saw an inspiring sight: despite the heavy British bombardment, the fort's mammoth American flag still waved, "o'er the ramparts."
"Then, in the hour of deliverance and joyful triumph, my heart spoke: 'Does not such a country and such defenders of their country deserve a song?'" Key later remembered.
While aboard the ship, Key etched the battle into legend by writing what would become America's national anthem in 1931. The Star-Spangled Banner is but one aspect of Fort McHenry's history, however. Indeed, the fort's history begins with the Revolutionary War, when the people of Baltimore, fearing a British attack, built the earthen star-shaped fort.
While England and France waged war at the turn of the 19th century, each country prevented American merchant ships from trading with Europe. The British even imprisoned some American seamen and pressed them into service. Because these actions violated America's "free trade and sailors' rights" as a neutral nation, the United States declared war on England in 1812. A year later, a British force of about 5,000 sailed up the Chesapeake Bay, planning to give the Americans "a complete drubbing."
The British army burned Washington, D.C., then zeroed in on Baltimore. But the people of Baltimore were ready—defenses had been built, arms and equipment gathered, troops trained. About 15,000 men stood ready.
British troops landed near Baltimore on September 12, 1814, marched to within two miles of the city, and waited for their ships to destroy the fort. The bombardment lasted more than 24 hours, during which about 1,800 shells, fired from ships about two miles away, descended upon the fort.
At about midnight on September 13, realizing that shelling Fort McHenry was ineffective, the British forged a sneak attack to distract the Americans and rush the west side of the city. That attack failed, crushing any hope the British had of capturing Baltimore.
England relented early in the morning of September 14, at which time American soldiers hoisted a 42-by-30-foot flag made so large to ensure that it could be seen from afar.
Earlier that September, Key, a 35-year-old lawyer, and Col. John S. Skinner traveled to the British fleet, seeking the release of a friend, Dr. William Beanes, whom the British arrested near Washington. While aboard the ship, the Americans heard of the planned attack on Baltimore, so the British detained them. The Americans witnessed the bombardment from the truce ship, about eight miles from Fort McHenry.
Fort McHenry never again faced enemy fire but remained an active military post for the next 100 years. It was a Union prison during the Civil War and an army hospital during World War I. In 1939, Fort McHenry became a national monument and historic shrine—the only park unit today with such distinction.
Some have argued that the Battle of Baltimore would be remembered only as one of a few American victories during the War of 1812—a mere footnote in history—had it not been for The Star-Spangled Banner.
Key responded to that notion modestly: "Let the praise, then, if any be due, be given, not to me, who only did what I could not help doing, but to the inspirers of the song!"
RYAN DOUGHERTY is news editor.
