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