Battle of North Point

Battle of North Point
unknown artist, lithograph based on oil painting by Thomas Ruckle, painted c 181 · Public domain · source
Conflict	Battle of North Point
Partof	the War of 1812
Date	September 12, 1814
Place	Near Baltimore, Maryland
Result	American tactical victory; British strategic withdrawal
Combatant1	United States
Combatant2	United Kingdom
Commander1	Samuel Smith, John Stricker
Commander2	Robert Ross †, Arthur Brooke
Strength1	3,200
Strength2	4,500
Casualties1	163–215
Casualties2	341–386

Battle of North Point. The Battle of North Point was a significant engagement fought on September 12, 1814, during the War of 1812. American militia forces under Brigadier General John Stricker successfully delayed the advance of a veteran British army commanded by Major General Robert Ross toward the city of Baltimore. The battle, which resulted in the death of General Ross, proved a critical prelude to the British failure at the subsequent Battle of Baltimore and the defense of Fort McHenry.

Background

Following the Burning of Washington in August 1814, British forces under Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane and Major General Ross turned their attention to the important port city of Baltimore. The British plan involved a combined naval bombardment of the harbor defenses and a land assault from the peninsula southeast of the city. American defenses were coordinated by Major General Samuel Smith, commander of the Maryland militia, who established a series of defensive lines. To screen the main defenses at Hampstead Hill, General Smith ordered Brigadier General Stricker’s brigade, composed of Maryland militia and Fifth Regiment of Maryland volunteers, to advance and confront the British landing force at North Point.

Battle

On the morning of September 12, British troops landed at North Point and began their march northwest toward Baltimore. Stricker deployed his forces in a strong defensive position behind a fence line at the edge of a wood, with his artillery centered and cavalry on the flanks. The initial British advance was met with effective artillery and musket fire, causing significant casualties. During the opening skirmish, General Ross was mortally wounded by American riflemen, and command devolved to Colonel Arthur Brooke. Brooke reorganized the British lines, bringing forward the main body of the 4th (King's Own) Regiment and the 44th (East Essex) Regiment. After a fierce exchange of volleys, Brooke ordered a bayonet charge. The American militia, after a determined stand, conducted an orderly retreat in good order toward the main defenses, having achieved their objective of delaying the enemy advance for an entire day.

Aftermath

The British tactical victory in forcing the American withdrawal was overshadowed by the strategic loss of General Ross and the day-long delay inflicted by Stricker’s brigade. This allowed General Smith crucial time to strengthen the fortifications on Hampstead Hill. Colonel Brooke’s forces, now combined with the British fleet under Admiral Cochrane, faced the main American defensive line on September 13 but judged it too formidable for a direct assault. The concurrent British naval failure to subdue Fort McHenry during the Bombardment of Fort McHenry led to the overall abandonment of the attack on Baltimore. The successful defense of the city, coming shortly after the humiliation at Washington, D.C., provided a massive boost to American morale and became a turning point in the War of 1812.

Legacy

The Battle of North Point is remembered as a pivotal moment in the defense of Baltimore. The death of General Ross, a respected veteran of the Peninsular War, was a severe blow to British command and morale. The resilience of the American militia, often maligned after the Battle of Bladensburg, helped restore its reputation. The events of September 12–14, 1814, directly inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing the defense of Fort McHenry. The battle is commemorated annually in Maryland, and the site is preserved within North Point State Park. The engagement is studied as a classic example of a successful delaying action and its role in the larger Chesapeake Bay campaign.

Order of battle

American Forces – 3rd Brigade, Maryland Militia (Brig. Gen. John Stricker) * 5th Maryland Regiment (Colonel Joseph Sterrett) * 27th Maryland Regiment (Colonel Kenneth Kemp) * 39th Maryland Regiment (Colonel Benjamin Fowler) * 51st Maryland Regiment (Colonel Henry Amey) * Captain John Montgomery’s Union Artillery company * Troops from the Sixth Regiment of Maryland * Detachment of Cavalry under Major Richard K. Heath

British Forces – Army under Maj. Gen. Robert Ross/Col. Arthur Brooke * Light Infantry Brigade (Colonel William Thornton) * 2nd Battalion, 44th Regiment of Foot * 4th Regiment of Foot * Elements of the 21st Regiment of Foot * Royal Marines * Royal Artillery detachments * Supported by sailors and Royal Marine Artillery from the fleet of Admiral Alexander Cochrane

Category:Battles of the War of 1812 Category:History of Baltimore Category:1814 in the United States