Wells and McComas Monument, Baltimore-- Part 3:

To commemorate Defenders Day 1858, the coffins were carried in a procession to their current resting spot in Old Town's Ashland Square.  An unknown person from Baltimore even made a song for the occasion, "TheWells and McComas Funeral and Monument Song," sung to the tune of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

"Twas McCOMAS and WELLS- SO Fame the fact tells /  This heroic deed their fame evermore swells / As martyrs of liberty!  And we now raise / A monument high, to continue their praise."

In addition, , famed playwright  Clifton W. Tayleure published a play:  " "The Boy Martyrs of September 12, 1814, A Local Historical Drama in Three Acts" which played at the Holliday Street Theater.

The remains lay at Ashland Square for fifteen years until the monument was completed.  The simple 25-foot tall obelisk, made of Baltimore County marble, cost a total of $3,500.  Most of the funding was provided by the Baltimore City Council.

Monuments, Baltimore has removed Confederate Monuments.

Can You believe That?  --Brock-Perry

Wells and McComas Monument-- Part 2: Both Killed At Battle of North Point

Although evidence that they fired the shots that killed Robert Ross is scant, they have received credit for it.  There were other sharpshooters in their unit.  Regardless, the loss of General Ross was a heavy blow to the British.

Sadly, McComas and Wells could not confirm or deny the story as both were killed on the battlefield.  Two of the 24 who died at the Battle of North Point.

It wasn't until some 40 years after the battle that the two boys gained local celebrity status.  In the 1850s two military companies formed the Wells and McComas Monument Association and solicited subscriptions  from citizens to erect a monument in their honor.

They had the bodies exhumed from their vault in  Baltimore's legendary  Green Mount Cemetery and lay in state at the Maryland Institute building at Market Place.  Thousands came to pay their respects.

--Brock-Perry

The Wells and McComas Monument-- Part 1: "The Boy Heroes of the Battle of Baltimore"

From the explore.baltimoreheritage.org. site.  Wells and McComas Monument.

I wrote briefly about this monument in the last post.  These two were given credit for killing British General Ross.

The historical record, however, offers slim evidence that they did, in fact, kill Ross.  Nonetheless, Baltimore has celebrated their story for over bicentennial.

The young men, aged eighteen and nineteen were privates in Captain Edward Aisquith's Sharpshooters of the First Rifle Battalion of the Maryland Militia at the Battle of Baltimore.

Wells was an Annapolis native and McComas had enlisted in Baltimore.  Their battalion had first encountered British General Robert Ross at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 14, just three weeks before the Battle of Baltimore.

--Brock-Perry

Other Baltimore War of 1812 Monuments-- Part 3: The "Star-Spangled Banner" House and Wells-McComas Monument

**  The "Star-Spangled Banner" flag was designed and primarily sewn at Baltimore's Flag House.  The historic house was once occupied by Mary Young Pickersgill and her successful flag making business.

**  The Daniel Wells / Henry McComas Monument.  These two men were members of Captain Edward Alsquith's Militia Rifle Compnay and are credited with killing British General Robert Ross, who had led the sacking and burning of the Washington, D.C..

The monument was completed in 1873 and is made of Baltimore County marble.

--Brock-Perry