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.

Casualties At Battle of Fort McHenry

From the September 26, 2016, Burlington County Times  "There were few American deaths at Fort McHenry"  Leon C. Czartoryski  "Opinion."

Of the Americans in Fort McHenry, around 1,000 under the command of Major George Armistead, at the time of the attack, only four were killed. including Lt. Levi Claggett and Sgt. Clemm, were a black soldier, Private William Williams, and a woman who was cut in half by a bomb as she carried supplies to the troops.

There were also 24 wounded.

I had read in several places that four Americans were killed and knew two of them were Claggett (Clagett) and Clemm and was wondering who the other two were.I'll find out some more about these other two.

--Brock-Perry

Lt. Levi Claggett and Sgt. John Clemm Died at Fort McHenry

Lieutenant Levi Claggett was killed at Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814.

He was a part of the Baltimore Fencibles, a militia composed of local merchants, business owners and prominent citizens of Baltimore.  Claggett was a 34-year-old flour merchant when he died.

While the British fleet was bombarding the fort, he was standing on Bastion #3.  According to eyewitness accounts, a British mortar shell hit the bastion and dismounted the 24-pounder long gun.  It broke the wheel of the cannon and the cannon fell on the lieutenant, crushing him.

Almost immediately after this, a bomb burst overhead and a piece of the shell "the size of a dollar and two inches thick" struck sergeant John Schultz Clemm in the abdomen.  He died within a matter of minutes.  It is said that friends took the piece of shrapnel out of him as a momento of the battle.

--Brock-Perry

Fort McHenry Hauntings and War of 1812 Casualties

From the July 8, 2017, The Dead History Blog "The Phantom Soldiers of Baltimore's Fort McHenry."

Fort McHenry is one of the most haunted places in Baltimore..  The fort has several layers of history that tend to cause these hauntings.

Construction of Fort McHenry took place between 1798 and 1800 on the site of former Fort Whetstone.  Then it became famous during the Battle of Baltimore.

The fort's commander, Major George Armistead reported that four defenders had died in the battle.  The men killed were 3rd Lt. Levi Claggett, Sergeant John Clemm, Private Charles Messenger and Thomas V. Beaston.  That is four possible hauntings right there.

An additional 24 men were wounded.

Then, it was a prison during the Civil War and a hospital for soldiers returning from World War I with the Spanish flu.

--Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Fort McHenry Battle Report-- Part 5: "Did Their Duty To My Entire Satisfaction"

"The Bombardment continued on the part of the Enemy until seven OClock on Wednesday Morning, when it ceased and about nine, they Ships got under weigh and Stood down the River.  During the Bombardment which continued 25 Hours, (with two slight intermissions) from the best calculation I can make, from fifteen to Eighteen hundred Shells were [thrown] by the Enemy, a few of them fell short, a large proportion burst over us, and threatening destruction, many passed over, and about four hundred fell within the Works.

"Two of the public buildings are materially injured, the others but slightly.

"I am happy to inform you (wonderful as it may appear) that our loss amounts to only four Men Killed, and twenty four Wounded, the latter will all recover.  Among the Killed, I have to lament the loss of Lieut. Clagget, and Sergeant Clemm. both of Capt. Nicholsons  Volunteers, two Men whose fate is to be deplored, not only for their personal bravery,, but for their high Standing, amiable Demeanor, and spotless integrity in private life.

"Lieut. Russel of the Company under Lt.  Penington received early in the attack a severe contusion in the Heel, notwithstanding which He remained at his post during the whole Bombardment.

"Was I to name any individuals who signalized themselves, it would be doing injustice to others, suffice to say,  that every Officer and Soldier under my Command did their duty to my entire satisfaction.

"I have the honor
to remain respectfully
Your Ob. Servt

H. Armistead
Lieut. Col. U.S.A.  (Evidently, he had already been promoted in the ten days since the battle.)

Major Armistead's Report on Fort McHenry-- Part 4: The Navy's Aid in the Battle

"In justice to Lieut. Newcomb of the U.S. Navy, who commanded at Fort Covington with a Detachment of Sailors, and Lieut. Webster of the Flotilla, who commanded the six Gun Battery near the Fort, I ought to State that during this time they kept up an animated and I believe a very destructive fire, to which I am persuaded We are much indebted in repulsing the Enemy.

"One of our sunken Barges has since been found with two dead Men in it, others have been found floating in the River.  The only means We had of directing our Guns was by the blaze of their Rocketts, and the flashes f their Guns, had they ventured to the same situation in the day time, not a man would have escaped."

I'd say he was referring to dead British soldiers on the barges and floating in the river.

--Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Report on Battle of Fort McHenry-- Part 3: A British Landing

"The Enemy continued throwing Shells with one or two Slight intermissions, till One OClock in the Morning of Wednesday, when it was discovered that He had availed himself of the darkness of the Night and had thrown a considerable force above to our right, they had approached very near to Fort Covington, when they began to throw  Rocketts, intended, I presume, to give them an opportunity of examining the Shores, as I have since understood, they had detached 1250 picked Men with Scaling ladders for the purpose of Storming  this Fort.

"We once more had an opportunity of opening our Batteries, and Kept up a continued blaze for nearly two Hours, which had the effect again to drive them off."

--Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Report on Battle Fort McHenry-- Part 2: A Cannon Dismounted

"It affords me the highest gratification to State, that though we were left thus exposed, and thus inactive, not a Man Shrunk from the conflict.

"About 2 OClock, P.M. one of the 24 pounders on the South West Bastion under the immediate command of Capt. Nicholson, was dismounted by a Shell, the explosion from which killed his 2nd Lieut and wounded several of his Men; the bustle necessarily produced in removing the Wounded and remounting the Gun probably induced the Enemy to suspect that We were in a state of confusion, as he brought in three of his Bomb Ships to what I believed to be good striking distance, I immediately ordered a fire to be opened, which was obeyed with alacrity through the whole Garrison, and in half an hour those intruders again Sheltered themselves by withdrawing beyond our reach.

"We gave three Cheers and again ceased firing."

Finally, A Chance to Fight Back.  --Brock-Perry

Major Armistead's Report of the Battle at Fort McHenry-- Part 1: British Were Out of Range

This report is in the U.S. National Archives.

George Armistead wrote the report ten days after the battle and was sent to Secretary of War James Monroe.

24th of September

"On Tuesday morning about Sun rise, the Enemy commenced the attack from his five bomb vessels, at the distance of about two Miles, when finding that his Shells reached Us, He anchored, and Kept Up an incessant and well-directed Bombardment.

"We immediately opened our Batteries and kept up a brisk fire from our Guns and Mortars, but unfortunately our Shot and Shells all fell considerably Short  of him; this was to me a most distressing circumstance as it left us exposed to a constant and tremendous Shower of Shells without the most remote possibility of our doing him the slightest injury."

Not a Good Way To Fight a Battle.  --Brock-Perry

James McHenry-- Part 3: Adams Asked for Resignation

As Secretary of War, McHenry argued against reducing military forces.  He was instrumental in organizing the U.S. Army into four regiments, a troop of dragoons and a battery of artillery.  He is also credited with establishing the United States Depart of the Navy.

When John Adams became president, he kept McHenry on as Secretary of War.  Bit things went sour between them and in May 1800, he asked for McHenry's resignation which he did.

Leading up to the War of 1812, McHenry was a Federalist.

An attack of paralysis in 1814 left him without the use of his legs and in severe pain.  He died two years later in 1816 and is buried in Baltimore's Westminster Burying Ground.

Fort McHenry was named for him.

--Brock-Perry

James McHenry-- Part 2: Appointed Secretary of War Under Washington

James McHenry was paroled in January 1777 and released from parole in March.  General George Washington was impressed with him so made him aide as secretary in May 1779.  McHenry was present at the Battle of Monmouth.

In August 1780, he was transferred to Major General Lafayette's staff where he remained until he retired from the army in 1781.

Later, he participated in the Constitutional Convention.

During George Washington's second term as president, he appointed James McHenry as his Secretary of War in 1796.  One of his major tasks was to transition the western military posts from British control to American.under the terms of the Jay Treaty.

--Brock-Perry

James McHenry-- Part 1: Physician From Ireland

From Wikipedia.

James McHenry (1753-1816)

In the last post, I mentioned that Fort McHenry was named after this man.

Born in Ireland.   American military surgeon and statesman.  Was the third U.S. Secretary of War, serving under George Washington and John Adams.

In 1771, his family sent him to the North American colonies for his health and to see if moving there would be a good idea.  He apprenticed under Benjamin Rush to be a physician.  Practiced medicine and became a surgeon.

During the American Revolution he served as a physician.  On August 10, 1776, he was appointed surgeon of the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion and stationed at Fort Washington, New York.  He was taken prisoner when the fort was captured by Sir William Howe.

While prisoner, he observed the poor medical conditions the prisoners had, but nothing came of it.

--Brock-Perry

Fort McHenry Named After James McHenry

From Wikipedia.

Fort McHenry was named for an early American statesman James McHenry (1753-1816).

Was an Irish immigrant and surgeon-soldier.  Was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland and a signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Secretary of War 1796 to 1800 and served under Presidents Washington and John Adams.

--Brock-McHenry

William McHenry Fort McHenry Not Named for Him (McHenry County in Illinois Named After Him)

McHenry County, Illinois,  and the City of McHenry, Illinois both named in his honor.

Born 3 October 1771 and Died 3 February 1835 at age 63.

Buried at Old State Cemetery (also called Old City Cemetery) in Vandalia, Illinois.

Of interest, Colonel Lucien Greathouse of the 48th Illinois Infantry is also buried there.  He was killed at the Battle of Atlanta in 1864 at the age of 22.  I'll be writing about his life in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog today.

--Brock-Perry

McHenry County, Illinois, Not Named for Fort McHenry

We moved out to McHenry County, Illinois, twenty-five years ago and for a very long time I was sure that the county was named after Fort McHenry.  It turns out it wasn't.

It was named for William McHenry of Illinois.

He also fought in the War of 1812.

For more information on him, click on the label below.

--Brock-Perry

Was the Battle of Fort McHenry the Beginning of the End for Major Armistead?-- Part 2

Sam Smith's Book blog calls Armistead's death and example of PTSD.

As I wrote a couple blogs ago, historian Benson Lossing wrote that the defense of the fort placed a "tax upon his nervous system during that bombardment left him with a disease of the heart...on the 25 of April, 1818 he expired, at the age of thirty eight years.

Anyway you look at it, Major George Armistead died at quite a young age.

--Brock-Perry