Edward Johnson-- Part 2: Defender of Alexander Hanson and "Light-Horse Harry" Lee

His third term as mayor coincided with the War of 1812  Shortly after the outbreak of the war, despite his his strong anti-British sentiments and anti-Federalist political views, he was nearly killed unsuccessfully trying to stop a mob who had stormed Baltimore City Jail intent on lynching Alexander Hanson, publisher of an extreme Federalist newspaper.

One of the editor's allies was none other than Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee.  He was the father of Robert E. Lee of Confederate fame.

During the Battle of Baltimore, Johnson headed the Committee of Vigilance and Safety.  Even though General William Winder had command of Baltimore, he appointed General Samuel Smith to command American defenses of the city.

He continued with private and public work after the war.

--Brock-Perry

Edward Johnson, Baltimore's Mayor When British Attacked-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

(1767-1829)

American politician and businessman.  Served as Baltimore's mayor for six terms between 1808 and 1824. He was Baltimore's mayor when the British attacked and was instrumental in organizing the civilian defense of the city.  For several years he was owner of one of the city's largest breweries as well as a director of the Bank of Baltimore.

In 1789 he was listed as a brewer. and by 1807 he was sole owner of it.  He remained as owner of the brewery for his first two terms as mayor (two-year terms) but the brewery burned down in 1812.  he rebuilt it but sold it to George Brown in 1813.

A month afterwards, Mary Pickersgill assembled the famous Star-Spangled Banner flag on the brewery floor.

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 3: LaFayette Impressed With Him

Amd, Mrs. Poe, David's wife, Elizabeth, was just as patriotic as he was.  When Lafayette passed through Baltimore with his ragged Continental troops, she was one of the women who supplied clothing for them.

It was due to these services by the Poes, that LaFayette and given a ball in his honor in 1824, he remarked that he hadn't seen David Poe, Sr. or his wife Elizabeth.

Upon hearing that he had passed away, LaFayette insisted on visiting the grave.  Once there, he knelt to the ground and kissed it and said , "Here lies a noble heart."

At age 71, Poe participated in the War of 1812 in the defense of Baltimore.

Quite a Man.  --Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 2: From Ireland and Service in the American Revolution

From FaceBook, The Macabre Edgar Allan Poe.

David Poe came from Ireland to the American colonies sometime in 1742 or 1743.  He settled in Baltimore where he became an influential and rich citizen making spinning wheels and clock reels.  With the coming of the American Revolution, he was a member of Captain John McClellan's Company of Baltimore troops in 1778 and 1779.

He was commissioned Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General for the City of Baltimore with the rank of major on September 17, 1779.  One of his duties was to transport the French Allies  from Baltimore by sea from Baltimore and across the Susquehanna River.  he did this very successfully.  The people of Baltimore were so impressed with that and other services he did that he received the honorable name of "General."

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 1: Grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe

From Waymarking.com.  American Revolutionary War Veteran Graves.

David Poe, Sr. is a Revolutionary War veteran buried at Westminster Burial Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland.

Born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1743 and came to the American colonies and served in the American Revolution.  In addition to serving as a major in the war, he also served as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster of the City of Baltimore.

A strong supporter of the colonists, he even gave $40,000 of his own money to the cause.

He later took up arms again in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Baltimore at the age of 70.

David Poe, Sr. was the grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe whose original burial site was next to him.

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 3: It's A Poe, Poe Thing

EDGAR ALLAN POE--  (1809-1849)--  Short story writer, editor and critic

VIRGINIA ELIZA CLEMM POE--  (1822-1847)  Teenage wife of Edgar Allan Poe

MARIA CLEMM--  (1790-1870)--  Mother-in-Law and aunt of David Allan Poe

WILLIAM HENRY LEONARD POE--  (1807-1831)--  Brother of Davis Allan Poe

GENERAL DAVID POE, SR.--  (1743-1816)--  Grandfather of David Allan Poe

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 2: Notables Buried There

Some notable people buried at Westminster Burying Grounds:

JAMES CALHOUN--  (1743-1816)  Last mayor of Baltimore Town, First mayor of the City of Baltimore.

EDWARD JOHNSON--  (1767-181839)--  Mayor of Baltimore during the British attack in September 1814.  Chairman of the "Committee of Vigilance and Safety."

PHILIP BARTON KEY--  (1818-1859)--  Son of Francis Scott Key.    Shot and killed by  Daniel E. Sickles, his lover's husband in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C.,  27 February 1829.   (I wrote about this in my Saw the Elephant blog this month.  Sickles and his lawyers used temporary insanity as a reason.  Sickles later was a general in the Civil War.)

JAMES McHENRY-- (1753-1816)--   Signer of the U.S. Constitution, Secretary of War and namesake for Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground-- Part 1: Samuel Smith and Edgar Allan Poe Buried There

From Wikipedia.

Samuel Smith, who I have been writing about, is buried here.

A graveyard and former church at 519 Fayette Street in Baltimore, Maryland.  The site is probably most famous for Edgar Allan Poe being buried there.

The graveyard was established in January 1787 by the First Presbyterian Church.  Over the next sixty years it became the burial ground of important and influential people including merchants, politicians, statesmen and dozens of veterans of the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

In 1852 the Westminster Presbyterian Church was built over the graveyard with its brick piers straddling the graves.  People in Baltimore began referring to the burying grounds as the catacombs.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 7: His Statue 3

At the top of the monument is a copper statue of Samuel Smith (1874-1951) standing eight feet high.  It is one a seven high granite base with the inscriptions.

The sculpture cost $10,000 and was funded from money raised by the National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission.

Samuel Smith is buried at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore along with many other Baltimore and War of 1812 notables.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 6: His Statue 2

Another inscription on the monument:

"Hero of both wars for American Independence

Long Island
White Plains
Brandywine
Defender of Fort Miflin
Valley Forge
Monmouth
Baltimore"

A list of his battles.  The first six are from the American Revolution.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 5: His Statue

Samuel Smith's statue is at Federal Hill.  The monument was dedicated on July, 4, 1918. and was created by sculptor Hans Shuler.  From 1918 to 1953, it was located in Wyman Park at Charles and 29th Street.  In 1953 it was moved to Pratt and Light Street and finally moved top its present location in 1970.

From HMDB

Inscription:    "1752-1839   Under his command the attack by the British upon Baltimore  by land and sea Sept., 12-14, 1814 was repulsed.

 "Member of Congress forty successive years, president U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Navy, Mayor of Baltimore."

Quite a Busy Man.  --Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 4: Victory At Hampstead Hill and Fort McHenry

The British, led by Major General Robert Ross until his death landed on North Point by Baltimore on September 12, 1814,  with 4,000 soldiers and encountered a delaying force led by Brigadier General John Stricker.

The delaying tactic worked and Smith was able to fortify Hampstead Hill, a fortified position  east of Baltimore.  He congregated thousands of militia men and whatever guns he had.  British attempts to flank the position were foiled by Smith.  He also positioned his troops so that a frontal assault would get caught in a crossfire.

The British retreated September 14 and boarded their ships.

The British also assaulted Baltimore with their Navy warships but Fort McHenry and its covering forts (Covington and Babcock) successfully withstood the famous bombardment. and they also withdrew.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 2: Commanded Baltimore's Defenses

Samuel Smith refused to give up Fort Mifflin without a fight and continued against huge odds.  He was struck by a cannonball and grievously injured.  Five days later, after he was wounded, the fort was set afire and finally Smith was forcibly evacuated to New Jersey.

In 1779, Smith resigned his commission and went home to Baltimore where he made a fortune in privateering.  He also got involved in politics.

Then came the War of 1812 and Smith was put in charge of defending his native Baltimore.  After the British won the Battle of Bladensburg on August 28, 1814, and burned Washington, D.C., they set their sights on Baltimore.

Smith immediately began preparations to defend the city and ordered addition fortifications to be built and called out the militia.  By early September, he had  15,000 men under his command.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 1: Veteran of Two Wars

From the War of 1812 Archaeology blog.

Samuel Smith fought in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812.  There is a monument in Baltimore honoring him.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION and persevering defense.

On September  23, 1777, Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 24, was ordered by General Washington, to take command of Fort Mifflin in the Delaware River, below Philadelphia.

Washington told him:  "The keeping of this fort is of very great importance, and I rely on your prudence, spirit and bravery for a vigorous and persevering defense."

Forts Mifflin and Mercer were important because they could help starve the British out of their newly captured Philadelphia.

However, Samuel Smith did not succeed in defending Fort Mifflin.  He was attacked and even when it became clear that he couldn't keep Fort Mifflin out of British hands, he refused to surrender.

--Brock-Perry

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

Other War of 1812 Monuments in Baltimore-- Part 2: Bomb and Rack Monument

**  The War of 1812 Bomb and Rack monument displays a shot fire from a British fleet that landed inside Fort McHenry during the bombardment.

On Redwood Street.  The bomb was found inside of Fort McHenry after the bombardment,  An officer retained it as a souvenir and eventually gifted it to iron merchant Michael Keyser who later gifted it to city.

The monument was dedicated in 1963 and was knocked over  during the Great Fire of 1904, and rededicated in 1906,  It sits at about the location of the Keyser building.

The rack, where the bomb sits, was used extensively to bend iron bars for Conestoga Wagons which were used extensively during the wagon train era.

--GreGen

Other Baltimore War of 1812 Monuments and Sites-- Parrt 1: Westminster Burying Grounds and Patterson Park

From Navy Bicentennial of the War of 11812, War of 1812 Monuments page.  Has sites across the U.S..  But I am dealing just with those in Baltimore.

WESTMINSTER BURYING GROUNDS AND CATACOMBS

Has the gravestones of many influential Americans, including many War of 1812 veterans.  Those who rest here include Brigadier General John Stricker, Major General Samuel  Smith and David Poe, Sr. (the grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe)

PATTERSON PARK

Three War of 1812 monuments are located in front of the Patterson Park pagoda.  J. Maxwell Miller's Star-Spangled Banner Monument depicts two school children holding a memorial scroll; the Rodgers' Bastion cannon commemorates the land battle where  Commodore Rodgers fought; and a row of five cannon represent the War of 1812 fortifications on Hampstead Hill (now part of Patterson Park)/

Brock-Perry

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

Baltimore's Battle Monument-- Part 2: 8 Foot Tall Statue on Top

The monument is topped by an 8 feet tall, 2,750 pound marble statue by Antonio Capellano of a female figure representing the City of Baltimore wearing a crown of victory and holding a laurel wreath in one hand and a ship's rudder in the other.

It was hoisted to the top of the column during Defenders Day, September 12, 1822.  The statue was moved inside of the Maryland Historical Society in 2013 to preserve it from further damage caused by time and nature.  It was replaced on the monument with a concrete replica.

It was placed on the NRHP in 1973.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Battle Monument-- Part 1

Another reason for Baltimore being called "The Monumental City."

From Wikipedia.

Located on Calvert Street between  Fayette and Lexington streets.  On one acre.  Built in 1815.

Commemorates the Battle of Baltimore which included the bombardment of Fort McHenry and the Battle of North Point. in September 1814.  It honors those who died.  It sits on the site of the first Baltimore County court house.  The site was originally picked for the city's Washington Monument, but it was feared that would be too tall, so its construction was moved to another site.

The monument was designed by Baltimore architect J. Maximilian M. Godefroy and built between 1815 and 1825 and stands 39 feet high.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Washington Monument

A big reason Baltimore is referred to as The Monumental City is this monument.

From Wikipedia.

It was the first monument built honoring the American leader in the Revolution and the nation's first president.  It stands  178.feet 8 inches tall and was begun in 1815 and completed in 1829.  It stands north of downtown Baltimore.  It is 227 steps to the top.

It was designed by noted architect Robert Mills who also designed the Washington Monument in D.C..

Washington's statue was made by Italian-born sculptor Enrico Causici and shows Washington resigning his commission as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army.

--Brock-Perry

Who Dubbed Baltinore "The Monumental City"?-- Part 3

A big reason for Baltimore being called "The Monumental City" was because of its monument to George Washington.

Masonry work was completed by the mid-1820s and the statue of Washington was placed on top in 1829.  Other exterior and interior details were completed in the 1830s.

A person would have expected the first monument to George Washington to be in the city that bears his name, but the cornerstone of that  one wasn't laid until 1848 and dedication in 1885.

In addition, work on the Battle Monument was begun in 1815 to honor the fallen defenders of the Battle of Baltimore and finishing touches were being put on it in 1823.

--Brock-Perry

Who Dubbed Baltimore "The Monumental City"?-- Part 2: A Put-Down Then Honor

What Wilber Hunter didn't have available to him when he said John Quincy Adams had been first to use the term were the thousands of historic newspapers as are available today.

The words "Monumental City" were used to refer to Baltimore in 1823 by the editors of the Daily National Intelligencer, the main newspaper in nearby Washington, D.C., and most likely by its main editor, Joseph Gales Jr..

On February 3, 1823, there was a big political debate going on over Maryland's support of the Potomac Canal (later named the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal).  Gale was scornful of Baltimore for not supporting the canal and he was flabbergasted that "the monumental city" was not supporting  this grand civic work for the betterment of the country.

Gale was being sarcastically, but his term was picked up all over the country and in Baltimore and by the early 1830s, American and foreign publications and travel books were using "The Monumental City" to refer to Baltimore.

--Brock-Perrt

Who Dubbed Baltimore "The Monumental City"?-- Part 1: JQA?

From the August 15, 2015, Baltimore Sun by Lance Humphries.

And, speaking of memorials in Baltimore, on July 4, 2015, the Baltimore Washington Monument had the bicentennial of the laying of its cornerstone.  That was way before the more famous Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. was begun.

In 1971, Baltimore historian Wilber Harvey  Hunter was the first to suggest that former President John Quincy Adams, while visiting the city in 1827 gave Baltimore its moniker "The Monumental City.  The story goes that he was at Barnum's Hotel at a banquet and gave the toast:  "Baltimore -- the monumental city -- may the days of her safety be as prosperous and happy, as the days of her danger have been trying and triumphant."

While Adams did toast Baltimore as the Monumental City, he was not the first to give it that name.

Find Out, Next Post.  --Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Defenders' Day-- Part 3: "The Monumental City"

Over the yeaars there were additional fatalities due to the firing of actual musket balls in the re-enactments.  In the years leading up to the Civil War, Baltimore newspapers would have a lot of advertisements for "now available --  blank ammunition."

  In 1857, statues to the two privates credited with killing British General Robert Ross were dedicated.  Many monument, in fact, to the War of 1812 caused Baltimore to get the nickname "The Monumental City."

The designation "The Monumental City" is attributed to the U.S. 6th president John Quincy Adams in 1827 during a civic toast at a banquet.

Of course, now Baltimore must hand its head in shame as it has removed some of its monuments due to political correctness and the current Confederate-hatred thing.

Shame On baltimore.  --Brock-Perry

Old Fort Niagara Holds Large War of 1812 Reenactment

From the July 28, 2018, WKBW (Buffalo, NY)  "Old Fort Niagara holds one of the largest War of 1812 reenactments: Nikki DeMentri.

Over 500 reenactors from the United States and Canada attended

The 1812 Grand Tactical Committee's biggest annual event.  It took place this past Saturday and Sunday.

During the war, the Americans controlled Old Fort Niagara until there was a surprise British attack in December 1813 and the fort surrendered.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Defenders Day-- Part 3: The "Old Defenders"

While the "Old Defenders" survived, they were the ones who fought the battle, the commemorations of Defenders Day revolved around them.  Following the War of 1812, many of the "Old Defenders" became civil leaders of Baltimore.

While they were still alive, ceremonies began with rallies and speeches at Baltimore's Battle Monument and then the militia units marched out to the North Point Battlefield (on occasion taking a steamboat)where a sham battle would take place.

One of the unfortunate results of this was that more militia died from the exertion   A few even died when actual musket balls were fired during the sham battle.

In 1822, an unusually hot day in Baltimore the combination of heat and the wool uniforms produced a significant loss that caused the cancellation of it the following year.and heat than died on the actual battlefield in the war.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Defenders Day-- Part 2: To Celebrate the Victories At the Battle of North Point and Fort McHenry

The early celebrating of Defenders Day started soon after the event and centered on the American victory at the Battle of North Point on September 12 with people going out to the battlefield for picnics.  Later the celebrations came to include the entire city of Baltimore. with parades and speeches.

Initially the celebration of Defenders Day  was divided between the Battle of North Point and the Star-Spangled Banner Fort McHenry.  It also developed along the role of militia which had been involuntary prior to the War of 1812, to voluntary militia that emerged during the war itself.

there were a lot of politics involved with the militia units and the celebration of the victory.

--Brock-Perry