There Is Also a George Armistead Monument on Federal Hill in Baltimore

This marble monument was dedicated in  in 1882 and designed by architect G. Metzger.  It features an outline of Armistead's career on the shaft.  It stands 14 feet tall and is on a base of a foot and a half.

This monument is a substitute for an earlier, circa 1828 tablet of commemoration which had become defaced by time.

This monument was moved from its original place at Eutaw Place to federal Hill.

This is one of two memorials to the major.  The other is at Fort McHenry.  This one sits atop federal Hill overlooking Baltimore's Inner Harbor.    The Samuel Smith Monument and a large American flag are nearby.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's George Armistead Statue: Fort McHenry

From Wikipedia.

The Armistead Monument at Baltimore's Fort McHenry, is a bronze statue of Col. George Armistead done by Edward Berge and dedicated September 12, 1914.

Its inscriptions read:

"Erected September 12, 1914 by the City of Baltimore Soc. of War of 1812 contributing in commemoration of the gallant defense of Fort McHenry under the command of Col. George Armistead which was the inspiration of the National Anthem The Star Spangled Banner.

To George Armistead April 10 1779 April 25 1818.  Commander of this fort during the bombardment by the British fleet Sept. 13-14 War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

Casualties At Battle of Fort McHenry

From the September 26, 2016, Burlington County Times  "There were few American deaths at Fort McHenry"  Leon C. Czartoryski  "Opinion."

Of the Americans in Fort McHenry, around 1,000 under the command of Major George Armistead, at the time of the attack, only four were killed. including Lt. Levi Claggett and Sgt. Clemm, were a black soldier, Private William Williams, and a woman who was cut in half by a bomb as she carried supplies to the troops.

There were also 24 wounded.

I had read in several places that four Americans were killed and knew two of them were Claggett (Clagett) and Clemm and was wondering who the other two were.I'll find out some more about these other two.

--Brock-Perry

Fort McHenry Hauntings and War of 1812 Casualties

From the July 8, 2017, The Dead History Blog "The Phantom Soldiers of Baltimore's Fort McHenry."

Fort McHenry is one of the most haunted places in Baltimore..  The fort has several layers of history that tend to cause these hauntings.

Construction of Fort McHenry took place between 1798 and 1800 on the site of former Fort Whetstone.  Then it became famous during the Battle of Baltimore.

The fort's commander, Major George Armistead reported that four defenders had died in the battle.  The men killed were 3rd Lt. Levi Claggett, Sergeant John Clemm, Private Charles Messenger and Thomas V. Beaston.  That is four possible hauntings right there.

An additional 24 men were wounded.

Then, it was a prison during the Civil War and a hospital for soldiers returning from World War I with the Spanish flu.

--Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Fort McHenry Battle Report-- Part 5: "Did Their Duty To My Entire Satisfaction"

"The Bombardment continued on the part of the Enemy until seven OClock on Wednesday Morning, when it ceased and about nine, they Ships got under weigh and Stood down the River.  During the Bombardment which continued 25 Hours, (with two slight intermissions) from the best calculation I can make, from fifteen to Eighteen hundred Shells were [thrown] by the Enemy, a few of them fell short, a large proportion burst over us, and threatening destruction, many passed over, and about four hundred fell within the Works.

"Two of the public buildings are materially injured, the others but slightly.

"I am happy to inform you (wonderful as it may appear) that our loss amounts to only four Men Killed, and twenty four Wounded, the latter will all recover.  Among the Killed, I have to lament the loss of Lieut. Clagget, and Sergeant Clemm. both of Capt. Nicholsons  Volunteers, two Men whose fate is to be deplored, not only for their personal bravery,, but for their high Standing, amiable Demeanor, and spotless integrity in private life.

"Lieut. Russel of the Company under Lt.  Penington received early in the attack a severe contusion in the Heel, notwithstanding which He remained at his post during the whole Bombardment.

"Was I to name any individuals who signalized themselves, it would be doing injustice to others, suffice to say,  that every Officer and Soldier under my Command did their duty to my entire satisfaction.

"I have the honor
to remain respectfully
Your Ob. Servt

H. Armistead
Lieut. Col. U.S.A.  (Evidently, he had already been promoted in the ten days since the battle.)

Major Armistead's Report on Fort McHenry-- Part 4: The Navy's Aid in the Battle

"In justice to Lieut. Newcomb of the U.S. Navy, who commanded at Fort Covington with a Detachment of Sailors, and Lieut. Webster of the Flotilla, who commanded the six Gun Battery near the Fort, I ought to State that during this time they kept up an animated and I believe a very destructive fire, to which I am persuaded We are much indebted in repulsing the Enemy.

"One of our sunken Barges has since been found with two dead Men in it, others have been found floating in the River.  The only means We had of directing our Guns was by the blaze of their Rocketts, and the flashes f their Guns, had they ventured to the same situation in the day time, not a man would have escaped."

I'd say he was referring to dead British soldiers on the barges and floating in the river.

--Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Report on Battle of Fort McHenry-- Part 3: A British Landing

"The Enemy continued throwing Shells with one or two Slight intermissions, till One OClock in the Morning of Wednesday, when it was discovered that He had availed himself of the darkness of the Night and had thrown a considerable force above to our right, they had approached very near to Fort Covington, when they began to throw  Rocketts, intended, I presume, to give them an opportunity of examining the Shores, as I have since understood, they had detached 1250 picked Men with Scaling ladders for the purpose of Storming  this Fort.

"We once more had an opportunity of opening our Batteries, and Kept up a continued blaze for nearly two Hours, which had the effect again to drive them off."

--Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Report on Battle Fort McHenry-- Part 2: A Cannon Dismounted

"It affords me the highest gratification to State, that though we were left thus exposed, and thus inactive, not a Man Shrunk from the conflict.

"About 2 OClock, P.M. one of the 24 pounders on the South West Bastion under the immediate command of Capt. Nicholson, was dismounted by a Shell, the explosion from which killed his 2nd Lieut and wounded several of his Men; the bustle necessarily produced in removing the Wounded and remounting the Gun probably induced the Enemy to suspect that We were in a state of confusion, as he brought in three of his Bomb Ships to what I believed to be good striking distance, I immediately ordered a fire to be opened, which was obeyed with alacrity through the whole Garrison, and in half an hour those intruders again Sheltered themselves by withdrawing beyond our reach.

"We gave three Cheers and again ceased firing."

Finally, A Chance to Fight Back.  --Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Report of the Battle at Fort McHenry-- Part 1: British Were Out of Range

This report is in the U.S. National Archives.

George Armistead wrote the report ten days after the battle and was sent to Secretary of War James Monroe.

24th of September

"On Tuesday morning about Sun rise, the Enemy commenced the attack from his five bomb vessels, at the distance of about two Miles, when finding that his Shells reached Us, He anchored, and Kept Up an incessant and well-directed Bombardment.

"We immediately opened our Batteries and kept up a brisk fire from our Guns and Mortars, but unfortunately our Shot and Shells all fell considerably Short  of him; this was to me a most distressing circumstance as it left us exposed to a constant and tremendous Shower of Shells without the most remote possibility of our doing him the slightest injury."

Not a Good Way To Fight a Battle.  --Brock-Perry

Was the Battle of Fort McHenry the Beginning of the End for Major Armistead?-- Part 2

Sam Smith's Book blog calls Armistead's death and example of PTSD.

As I wrote a couple blogs ago, historian Benson Lossing wrote that the defense of the fort placed a "tax upon his nervous system during that bombardment left him with a disease of the heart...on the 25 of April, 1818 he expired, at the age of thirty eight years.

Anyway you look at it, Major George Armistead died at quite a young age.

--Brock-Perry

Was the Battle of Fort McHenry the Beginning of the End for Major Armistead?-- Part 1

I have been looking for information on what George Armistead died of in 1818 and not having much luck.

From NPS.gov site.  "Reading 1:  Armistead's Account of the Battle.

In a report written to Secretary of War James Monroe, George Armistead gave his account of the famous battle.  It was dated September 24, 1814.  Of interest, it was written ten days after the battle.  You'd have thought he would have written right away after winning such an important battle, yet, the letter was dated ten days after the battle.

It opened with:  "A severe indisposition, the effect of great fatigue and exposure, has prevented me heretofore from presenting you with an account of the attack on this Post...."

Did this problem continue after the attack to his death.

I have read that he continued to command Fort McHenry until his death.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 7: His Death

From the Battle of Baltimore site.

On April 25, 1818, Brevet Lt. Col. George Armistead, 38, died at the home of his brother-in-law Christopher Hughes Jr.

His funeral included defenders of the 1814 Fort McHenry and citizens who proceeded to Old St. Paul's cemetery while minute guns were fired from the federal Hill Observatory.  Here among the enclosing walls of the burying ground his remains were laid to rest.

On the high eminence of Federal Hill overlooking Baltimore's waterfront is a monument to the commander of Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 6: An Early Death

Following the battle, Armistead was brevetted to lieutenant colonel.  Much weakened by his arduous preparations, he died in at age 38, just four years later in 1818.

Historian Benson Lossing wrote that Armistead was a victim of the British attack.  "The tax upon his nervous system during that bombardment left him with a disease of the heart... on the 25 of April, 1818, he expired at age of thirty eight years."

His funeral procession was described as "immense" and his name was immortalized by the construction of a marble monument that overlooks the city.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 5: The British Withdraw

Because the British fleet was unable to get Fort McHenry to surrender in order to enter Baltimore Harbor and bombard the American defensive line east of the city, the British commander-in-chief Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane wrote to the British Army commander approaching those defenses, Colonel Arthur Brooke that it would be up to him to determine whether to attack.

Brooke had taken over command of the British Army after British Major General Robert Ross had been mortally wounded just before the Battle of North Point on September 12.  He decided to withdraw.

Baltimore was safe.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 4: A Flag So Large British Would Have Problem Seeing It From a Distance

When he arrived at Fort McHenry, he immediately ordered "a flag so large the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance."  This became the "Star-Spangled Banner" made so famous by Francis Scott Key.

During the nearly 25-hour bombardment which began before dawn September 13, 1814, and the morning of September 14, Armistead alone knew that the fort's magazine was not bombproof.  When a shell crashed through the roof of it, but failed to explode, Armistead ordered the powder barrels cleared out.and placed under the rear walls of the fort.

Remarkably, only four of his men were killed when two shells smashed into the fort's southwest bastion.

Some 2,000 shells were fired by the British fleet.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 3: At Capture of Fort George and Ordered To Command Fort McHenry

George Armistead reentered the U.S. Army February 16, 1801, and was commissioned a lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment U.S. Artillerists and Engineers.  He was promoted to captain November 1, 1806

He was one of five brothers who served in the War of 1812 in either the Army or militia.

On March 3, 1813, he was promoted to major of the 3rd Artillery Regiment.  He distinguished himself in the capture of Fort George near the mouth of the Niagara River on May 27, 1813, while serving at Fort Niagara.  Afterwards, he carried the captured British flags to President Madison.

When he arrived in Washington, D.C., he was ordered to take command of Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 2: Entered Army During Quasi-War with France

From Wikipedia.

April 10, 1780- April 25, 1818

American military officer.  Commander of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore.

Born at Newmarket Plantation in Caroline County, Virginia (now the town of Milford )  Newmarket Plantation apparently still stands and is in use.

His military career began during the Quasi War with France when he was commissioned an ensign in the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment on January 14, 1799.  He became a second lieutenant on March 3, 1799 and 1st lieutenant May 14, 1800.

After the Quasi War, the Army was reduced in strength and Armistead was discharged June 15, 1800.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 1: Commander of Fort McHenry

Well, what about the commander of Fort McHenry, the one who wanted the giant garrison flag which became "The Star-Spangled Banner?"

From Find-A-Grave.

Born 10 April 1780 in Caroline County, Virginia.

Death 25 April 1818 (age 38)  Baltimore County, Maryland

Buried Old St. Pauls Cemetery, Baltimore.

United States Army Officer.  Served as Major and commander of Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland.  He was in command of the Fort in the War of 1812 when the British unsuccessfully attempted to force its capitulation by a naval artillery bombardment.

The attack was witnessed by Francis Scott Key, who immortalized it in the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner."  Major Armistead was the uncle of Civil War Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who is buried next to him.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 5: Three More Fragments

From Natural Museum of American History, Smithsonian.

The museum has three fragments of the Star-Spangled Banner that were presented to William Carter bybalt Major Armistead's grandson, Eben Appleton.  Carter was a local historian who carried the flag in a parade during Baltimore's Sesquicentennial Celebration 13 October 1880.

The flag was later being packed for shipment to New York and Appleton cut off three pieces and gave them to Carter.  Later, Carter's daughter gave the pieces to the Maryland Historical Society who later donated them to the Smithsonian.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 4: 25-Hour Bombardment and Gifted to the Smithsonian

The British fleet bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours between September 13-14, 1814.  When they were unable to force the fort to surrender, the attack ended and they sailed off.  The flag was still flying.

This so impressed Francis Scott Key that he wrote his famous poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry."  This became the "Star-Spangled Banner" that we know today.

The flag that flew there at the end of the bombardment became a significant artifact, yet remained in the possession of Major Armistead and later, his family.  He was promoted to brevet lieutenant-colonel for his action.

Eben Appleton, his grandson, inherited the flag in 1878.  In 1907, he loaned it to the Smithsonian Institution and in 1912 made it a formal gift.

--Brock-Perry