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