The Baltimore Fencibles-- Part 2: Privateer Interests

The Fencibles were also very actively engaged in the lucrative Baltimore privateer trade.  A large percentage of the men in this unit had large investments and time in numerous privateer vessels sailing out of Baltimore Harbor to prey on British merchant shipping.

The most notable of these was Captain Tom Boyle's ship, the Chasseur.  This ship later was widely known as the "Pride of Baltimore."

Privateers in the War of 1812 caused massive damage to the British economy, to the tune of over $40 million.  This is nearly what Britain was paying to wage a single year of military campaigns in North America at the time.

--Brock-Perry

The Baltimore Fencibles-- Part 1: The Only Non-Regular Unit in Fort McHenry

From Fort McHenry Guard.

The Baltimore Fencibles were a volunteer artillery company recruited from private citizens of Baltimore in 1813.  The word fencibles was used by many units in the era to represent local defenders, or the Home Guard.

The Fencibles, led by Captain Joseph Hopper Nicholson, were Federalized militia who were invited to serve with Captain Evans' Regular Corps of Artillery within the walls of Fort McHenry due to the large number of regular artillery who were ill or unfit for duty.

The Fencibles were the only  non-regulars to serve within the walls of the star-shaped fort.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore Fencibles at Fort McHenry-- Part 3: Not Casualties

Private Andrew Price ( ? - 11821) was AWOL during the attack.

Private Henry Stickney  (1782-1862)  Died in Mobile, Alabama

These were lieutenants at Fort McHenry during the attack:

1st. Lt.  Jesse Eichelberger  (1780-1830)

2nd Lt. Andrew Clopper   )1771-1824)

There were two privates at the battle by the name Eichelberger.  Might they be related to the lieutenant?

Private Louis Eichelberger (1791--1836)
Private William Otterbaum Eichelberg  (1793-1860)

These were sergeants and corporals at Fort McHenry:

1st Sgt. David Fulton
(2nd Sgt. John Clemm  (1780-1814) was killed)
(3rd Sgt.  Samuel Harris  (c1774-1858) slightly wounded)
4th Sgt.  William Douglas   (1791-1821)

1st Corp. John Ready (c1773-1835)
2nd Corp. Joseph A Wallace  (1786-1838)
3rd Corp. Henry Armstron
4th Corp. Ralph Smith  ( ? - 1827)

I did not do the enlisted men.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore Fencibles Wounded at Fort McHenry-- Part 2

From Monumental .City.

Besides Lt. Clagget and Sgt. Clemm, these Fencibles were in Fort McHenry during the attack and were wounded.

Private James Granger (1788-1874)  Died near Zanesville, Ohio.  Seriously wounded.

Private James L. Hawkins  (1778-1849)  Slightly wounded.

Private Abraham Lerew   (1795- ?)  Seriously wounded

--Brock-Perry

The Baltimore Fencibles at Fort McHenry: Only Sixteen Still Alive in 1854

From the 23 September 1854 edition of the Daily National Intelligencer "A Little Matter of History."

"Soon after the commencement of the last war with England, more than forty years ago, between eighty and ninety citizens of Baltimore enrolled their names in a volunteer artillery company, called the Fencibles, and elected Jos.H. Nicholson Captain and John Barney and Nathaniel F. Williams Lieutenants.

"Being thus organized, a tender of their services was made to the General Government to be placed in Fort McHenry in case of a need as a part of its defence.  The offer being accepted, the company was ordered to the fort for drill in the year 1813, and in 1814 occupied a part of the Star Fort, and during the bombardment lost two officers killed and several of the privates wounded.

"Of the men comprising the entire company it is believed only sixteen are now living, viz.  Samuel Harris, John Barney, Walter Farnandis, Nathaniel F.Williams, Wm. Child, John F. Poor, Chas. S. Mayer, Jacob I. Cohen, Jr., Isaac Munroe, Thomas Spicer, Samuel Etting, George Douglass, Mendis I. Cohen, Philip Reigart, Wm. O. Eichelberger, Wm. S. Cooper."

--Brock-Perry

Private Walter Farnandis, Defender of Fort McHenry-- Part 2

In those days, , infantry militia service was compulsory for men, but men of means often opted  to serve in self-equipping artillery or cavalry units that were considered a cut above the common infantry.  Walter was one of those men of means who mostly made up the Baltimore Fencibles.

And this unit was even more special as they were the only militia unit who were a part of the Fort McHenry garrison at the time of the attack.  As such, they participated in the famous Battle of Baltimore, defending Fort McHenry (and the famed Star-Spangled Banner) against the British Royal Navy during the 25-hour bombardment. that inspire Francis Scott Key to write our "National Anthem."

He is listed as a private in the Baltimore Fencibles in Monumental City, Baltimore.

After the battle, he made a small fortune in the dry goods business.  Upon his death in 1856, he was able to give each of his eight children $10,000.  That $80,000 would be equivalent to $1.8 million today.

--Brock-Perry

Private Walter Farnandis, Defender of Fort McHenry-- Part 1

From Find-A-Grave.

One of Baltimore's heroic "Old Defenders" who participated in the gallant repulse of the British in 1814.

Born  9 May 1792  Died 9 January 1856.

Military Service during the War of 1812:  Private, Baltimore Fencibles (Nicholson's), 1st Regiment of Artillery, 3rd Brigade, Maryland militia.

His parents died when he was very young and he was raised by his step mother. His father, James Farnandis, had been a hero in the American Revolution.

During the War of 1812, Walter Farnandis served in the Baltimore Fencibles under Captain Joseph Hopper Nicholson.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore Fencibles at Battle of Fort McHenry-- Part 1: Casualties

From The Monuments of the City (Baltimore) site.  "The Baltimore Fencibles."

Members of the Fencibles at Fort McHenry during the attack.

Lieut. Clagett (1780-1814) and Sergeant Clemm (1780-1814) of Capt. Nicholson's Volunteers.  Both killed.

3rd Sgt. Samuel Harris (c1774-1858)  slightly wounded.

Private Thomas Claggett   Not a casualty, but I am wondering if he might be related to Lt. Clagett.  I have seen Claggett/Clagget/Clagett spelled several different ways.

I have seen the name spelled Claggett and Clagett.