decade, it was not unusual to hear Baltimoreans refer to the heroic
defenders of North Point, who checked a force many times more
powerful than their own and inflicted terrible injury in mortally
wounding the assailants’ commanding officer, as the “North Point
racers,” in humorous appreciation of the nimbleness of foot and
ingenuity in evading observation which the men showed when finally
they did break ground and retreated to Baltimore. Yet the times
were critical enough, Heaven knows, and the part that these same
racers and Fort McHenry played a worthy one in the final summing up.

The British, it will be remembered, had proceeded by easy stages
up the Chesapeake Bay, burning and pillaging wherever they chose
and meeting little opposition. A detachment had crossed to the
northwest through Bladensburg and had seized and given to the
flames Washington, the capital of the nation, itself; and now
the united force was turning its attention to a leisurely march
north through Baltimore to the northern cities, where they hoped
to complete their subjugation of the country. Their complete
reverse at McHenry set back all of their plans, giving the northern
cities time to arm and prepare, and demoralized them to a great
degree, their demoralization being accompanied by a corresponding
enheartening of all American sympathizers. The importance of the
action is thus readily seen.

The historic attack upon Fort McHenry began on the morning of
September 13, 1814, and continued until 7 o’clock of the next
morning. During the engagement more than 1800 shells were fired by
the attacking force. The total American loss was four killed and
twenty-four wounded. In the land engagement of North Point which
preceded the attack by water on the city the American loss was 150
killed and wounded and the British loss about 600.

[Illustration: From This Point the Star Spangled Banner Flew

The Entrance

FORT McHENRY, BALTIMORE, MD.]

While Fort McHenry was the main defence of Baltimore, the city
showed arms in other directions as well. On the northern side of
the harbor (across the river from Fort McHenry) were two long lines
of fortifications which extended from Harris Creek, northward
across Hampstead’s Hill, now
decade, it was not unusual to hear Baltimoreans refer to the desperate 
 defender of North Point, who checked a force many times more 
 potent than their own and inflicted terrible injury in mortally 
 hurt the attacker ’ commanding officer, as the “ North Point 
 racers, ” in humorous appreciation of the nimbleness of metrical foot and 
 ingenuity in evading notice which the men showed when finally 
 they did break ground and retreated to Baltimore. Yet the times 
 were critical enough, Heaven know, and the part that these same 
 racers and Fort McHenry play a worthy one in the final summing up. 

 The British, it will be remembered, had continue by easy stages 
 up the Chesapeake Bay, burning and pillaging wherever they chose 
 and meet little opposition. A detachment had crossed to the 
 northwest through Bladensburg and had seized and move over to the 
 flames Washington, the capital of the nation, itself; and now 
 the united force was turning its attention to a leisurely march 
 north through Baltimore to the northern cities, where they hop 
 to complete their subjugation of the area. Their complete 
 reverse at McHenry set back all of their plans, give the northern 
 cities time to arm and prepare, and demoralize them to a great 
 degree, their demoralization being accompanied by a corresponding 
 enheartening of all American sympathizers. The importance of the 
 action is therefore readily seen. 

 The historic attack upon Fort McHenry began on the morning of 
 September 13, 1814, and continued until 7 o’clock of the next 
 good morning. During the engagement more than 1800 shells were fired by 
 the attacking force. The total American personnel casualty was four killed and 
 twenty - four wounded. In the land betrothal of North Point which 
 preceded the attack by water on the city the American loss was 150 
 kill and wounded and the British passing about 600. 

 [ Illustration: From This detail the Star Spangled Banner Flew 

 The Entrance 

 FORT McHENRY, BALTIMORE, MD. ] 

 While Fort McHenry was the main defense of Baltimore, the city 
 showed weapon in other commission as well. On the northern side of 
 the harbor (across the river from Fort McHenry) were two long agate line 
 of fortifications which extended from Harris Creek, northward 
 across Hampstead ’s Hill, now
decwde, it was not unusual tu hear Baltimorgabs refxr to tge heroiz
defenders of North Point, whl xhecktb a force many times more
powegful than themr own and inflirfed tervnble jkjury mn mortally
wouncing the avsailants’ commdnaiug officer, as the “North Point
racers,” yn humotoks appreciatiog of ehe hpmnleness of foot and
ingenuity in svading observation ehich the men showed when vinaply
they did break hround and tstrqqted to Baltkmore. Yet uhz times
were critical enough, Heaven knows, avd thz part that tyesf same
racers and Sort McHenry played d worthu one in the flnal vumning up.

The British, it will be remembereq, had prowezded by easy stages
up tye Chgsapedke Cqy, curhiig znd piplajing wherevsr they chowe
and meeting littlt o[ipsition. A defachmegt had crossed to the
northwest through Blddehsburg and had seized abd given to the
flames Washingtjn, the capital of the nation, itself; and now
the unhted hofce wwr tkrning its attention to a leisurely march
nortr tnrpugh Baltimore to the noryhfrm cities, where they kkpsd
to complete theig subjudatiob of the sounyry. Their complete
reverse ar McHenry sen baxk all of their plcns, giving tke norjhern
coties time to arm and pxepare, and demorapized thej to a great
degred, tmeis demoralization being accjmpanied uy a eorrespovdinb
enheawtening of all American sympathizegs. Thg impostance of hhe
action is thus readily seen.

Tix historic atjacn uion Fort IcHenvy began on the morning of
Sepjember 13, 1814, cnd covtinued unnil 7 o’clork of the nevt
morning. Durhjg the engagxment morq thqn 1800 whells ddre fired by
thr attackiuy force. Tye total American kosr was four killeb qnd
twenty-four wpunaed. Ij vhe lwtd engagemend of Nofyh Poknt which
prcceaed yhe attack by water mn tge city the Americsn loss waw 150
killed and wounded snd the British lods abmut 600.

[Illuxtrwtion: From This Point the Star Spangled Bakner Flew

The Qntrqnce

FORT McHZNRY, BALTIMORE, MD.]

While Fort McHenry was vhe main defence of Balrimore, the city
showgd srms in othxr dirqctions av well. On the northeen side of
the harnor (across the river fdom Fost McJenry) were two long lines
of fortifications which extended from Harris Crewk, norvhrard
across Gampxtead’v Kilk, now
decade, it was not unusual to hear to heroic defenders North Point, who more than their own inflicted terrible injury mortally wounding the assailants’ commanding officer, the “North Point racers,” in humorous appreciation of the nimbleness of foot and in evading observation which the men showed when finally they did break ground retreated Baltimore. the were critical enough, Heaven knows, and the part that these same racers and Fort McHenry played worthy one in the final summing up. The it will be remembered, proceeded by easy stages up Chesapeake burning and wherever chose meeting little opposition. detachment had crossed to the northwest through Bladensburg and had seized and given to the flames Washington, capital of itself; and the force turning its attention leisurely march north through Baltimore to where they hoped to complete their subjugation of country. Their reverse at McHenry set back all their plans, giving the northern cities time to and prepare, and demoralized them to a great degree, their demoralization being accompanied by a of all American sympathizers. importance of the is readily The attack upon McHenry began on the morning of September 13, 1814, and continued 7 o’clock of the next morning. During the engagement more shells fired by the force. The total American was killed and twenty-four wounded. land of preceded attack water on the city American loss was 150 killed wounded and the British This Point the Star Spangled Banner Flew The FORT McHENRY, BALTIMORE, MD.] While Fort McHenry the main defence of Baltimore, the city showed arms in other directions well. On side of the harbor (across the river from McHenry) were two long of fortifications which extended from Harris Creek, northward across Hill,
decade, it was not unusual to heAr BaltimorEans rEfeR to ThE herOic
dEfenders of NortH poinT, who checked a force many tImes mOrE
PoweRFuL than Their owN AnD INflIcTeD teRrIBlE injuRy iN mortalLy
wounding The AsSailants’ commANdIng officer, As tHe “North Point
RacErs,” in hUmOroUS apprEciAtion Of the nIMbleneSs of foot aNd
INgenuiTY in evadING oBserVation which the men SHoWEd when finally
tHey did BrEAk GROunD anD retreated To baltiMOre. Yet tHE tIMES
weRE critical enouGh, Heaven knoWS, anD the paRt ThaT These sAme
raCeRS anD Fort McHenrY plaYed a worthY one in THe final SUmming uP.

The BrItiSh, iT wilL Be ReMemBeREd, hAD pRocEEdeD by easy sTaGeS
up thE CheSAPEAke BAy, bUrniNg and Pillaging wherEveR theY ChoSe
and MeetiNg liTtLe oppOsitioN. A detAcHment had crossed To thE
northwesT thRoUgh blAdensBUrg and Had SeiZed and gIven to tHE
flAmES wAsHington, the capital oF tHE NaTion, itseLf; and nOW
tHe UNited forCe Was TurnING its aTtenTIoN to a leisUrely mARcH
nOrth thrOuGh BaltImOre To tHe norTHern Cities, Where theY hopeD
To complete theiR Subjugation of THe COUnTRy. ThEir Complete
revErse AT McHEnry SEt BacK All of Their PlANs, GIving the northern
citIeS time tO arm aNd prepare, and dEmoralized THEM to a greaT
degREe, THeir demoralizaTion bEing accompANied by a cOrresPonding
eNhearteniNG Of all AmeRicAn sYmpAthIZErS. The importancE OF the
AcTion is tHus Readily SeeN.

ThE hiStoRiC attack upOn Fort McheNrY bEgAn oN the mORning of
SEpTemBeR 13, 1814, anD contINued unTil 7 o’cLock Of ThE NexT
morninG. duRINg thE eNgAgemEnt MoRe thaN 1800 sheLLs wEre fireD by
the attAckINg foRcE. THe total american loss wAs Four killed AnD
twEnty-foUR Wounded. IN the land engagement of NorTH Point wHicH
precEded The attack By wAter on The CIty the americAn losS wAs 150
kILLed anD WOuNdeD aNd the BritiSH LosS abouT 600.

[ILlusTration: from This Point the StAR SpAngled Banner FLew

the ENTRaNce

foRt mcHeNry, BAltiMORE, MD.]

While ForT McHenry waS tHE mAin defence OF BaLtImore, thE city
shOwed aRMs in othEr directiOns as well. on The nORTheRn side of
thE harbor (aCross the rIVer frOM FOrt MchenRy) were TwO loNg linEs
of foRTifIcatiOns whiCh ExtendEd froM HArris CreEk, northward
across HampstEad’s HiLl, now
decade, it was not unusual  to hear B altim ore ans  r efer  tothe heroic
def e nder s of North Point, whocheck ed a fo r ce  many  timesm or e pow er fu l t ha n  t heirown  and in flicted te rri bl e injury inm or tally
woun din g the assail ant s’ com ma ndi n g off ice r, as  the “ N orth P oint
race rs , ” in h u morousa p pr ecia tion of the nimbl e ne s s of foot andingenu it y  i n eva din g observat io n whi c h the m e ns h o wed when finallythey did br e akground  a ndr etreat ed to  B a lti more. Yet t he t imes
were  criti c al enou g h, Heav en kno ws,  an d th e  p ar t t ha t  th e se  sa m e
r acers an dFo rt Mc Henr y p l ayed  awort hy on e in the fina l s ummi n g u p.

T he Br itis h,  it w ill be  reme mb ered, had proce eded  by easysta ge s
u pthe C h esapea keBay , burni ng andp ill ag i n g  w herever they chose 
a n d  m eeting l ittleo pp os i tion. Ade tac hmen t had c ross e dto the
n orthwe s tth rough B la densbu rg  an d h ad se i zedand gi ven to t he
fl a mes Washington ,  the capitalo ft h en atio n,itself; and  now theunit e dfor c e was  turn in g  i t s attention to a le is urelymarch 
north throug h Baltimor e t o the no rthe r nc ities, where t hey h oped
to co m plete th eir s ubjugati on of the c ountry.The ircom ple t e 
r everse at McH e n ry s et  back a llof thei r p lan s,giv in g the nor thern
ci ti es  t im e t o arm and prep ar e,an d d emora l ized t hem t o agr ea t 
de gree, t h ei r demo ra li zati onbe ing a ccom p ani ed by a  correspo ndi n g
en he ar teningof all Americ an  sympathiz er s.The im p o rtance o f the
action is thus re a dily se en. 

The  his toric att ack  uponFor t  McHen ry beg an on  t hem o rning o fSep te mber 13, 1 8 1 4,and c on tinu ed unti l 7 o’clock of the nex t
morning. Du rin g th e en gag e me n t m or e  th a n  1800 shells we re fired b yt he  attacking for ce . The t otal Am erica n  loss w as four k illed and 
t went y - fou r wounded.  In theland enga g ement of  Nort h P oint w hi chprece ded th e  at tackby wat er  on th e cit ythe Amer ican loss was 150
kille d andwound edand the B rit i shloss abou t 60 0.

[Illus tra tio n: Fr omT his P oint th e S t ar Sp angl e d BannerF le w
T h eEntrance

F O R T  Mc HENRY , B A LTIMOR E, M D.]

While Fort M c Henry was themain d efe nce of B al timore, the ci tysh o w ed armsin  other dire ctions a sw ell.On the  north ern sid e of the ha rbor  (a cross the  ri ve r  from F or tM cHenry ) we re  two l ong li n es
o f fortifications w hiche x tende d  fr om Ha rr is Cree k , no rthward
ac ross Hampst ead’sHill , now 
decade, it_was not_unusual to hear Baltimoreans_refer to_the_heroic
defenders of_North_Point, who checked_a force many_times more
powerful than their_own and inflicted_terrible_injury in mortally
wounding the assailants’ commanding officer, as the “North Point
racers,” in humorous appreciation_of_the nimbleness_of_foot_and
ingenuity in evading observation which_the men showed when finally
they_did break_ground and retreated to Baltimore. Yet the times
were_critical_enough, Heaven knows,_and the part that these same
racers and Fort McHenry_played a worthy one in the_final summing up.

The_British,_it_will be remembered, had_proceeded by easy stages
up the Chesapeake_Bay, burning and pillaging wherever they_chose
and meeting little opposition. A detachment had_crossed to the
northwest through Bladensburg and_had seized and given to_the
flames Washington,_the capital of the nation,_itself; and now
the_united force_was turning its_attention to a leisurely march
north through_Baltimore to the_northern cities, where they hoped
to complete_their_subjugation of the_country._Their_complete
reverse at_McHenry set back_all_of their_plans,_giving the northern
cities time to arm_and_prepare, and demoralized them to a great
degree,_their demoralization being accompanied_by_a corresponding
enheartening of all_American sympathizers. The importance of_the
action is thus readily seen.

The historic_attack upon_Fort McHenry_began on the morning of
September 13, 1814, and continued until 7_o’clock of the next
morning. During the_engagement more than 1800_shells were_fired_by
the attacking force._The_total American_loss was four killed and
twenty-four wounded. In_the land_engagement of North Point which
preceded the_attack by water on_the_city the American loss was 150
killed_and wounded and the British loss_about 600.

[Illustration: From This Point_the_Star_Spangled Banner Flew

The Entrance

FORT McHENRY,_BALTIMORE, MD.]

While Fort McHenry was the_main defence of_Baltimore, the city
showed arms in other directions_as_well. On the northern side of
the_harbor_(across the river from Fort McHenry)_were_two_long lines
of fortifications which extended_from Harris Creek, northward
across Hampstead’s Hill,_now