Baltimore City, Maryland
War of 1812 Newspaper Items
Baltimore City, Maryland
War of 1812 Newspaper Items
Baltimore, April 23
The Enemy’s force Increasing
Yesterday morning, a British squadron, consisting, as it is stated of three ships of the lane, among which is the
admiral’s ship, several frigates and smaller vessels to the number altogether of 15, were seen off Annapolis standing
up the Bay; and in the afternoon they were visible at North Point. About sunset a flag of truce from the British
fleet arrived in the river with dispatches which were immediately forwarded by express to Washington. The flag
vessel waits for an answer, which is expected today.
The Centinel, (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) April 28, 1813 -- Submitted
by Nancy Piper
Extract of a letter to a gentleman in Baltimore, dated Frenchtown, April
30.
I now undertake to inform you of the British arriving here yesterday morning about 8 o’clock. But 5 or 6 barges
were at first seen; in a few minutes the river appeared full of them – the whole number was 12 large barges. There
had been a battery commenced on the lower wharf, but was not near completed; 4 guns were mounted. A guard had been
kept during night by the militia from Elkton, who returned in the day; they had been gone about two hours when
the enemy appeared. A few individuals (eight or ten) manned the guns and commenced firing when the barges were
about a mile off. The enemy landed about 160 marines at Locust Point, and marched them up the shore. On finding
they had to cross Peach creek, two barges went up and carried them over. They then continued their march round
to the wharf.
... The ammunition in the battery amounted only to 12 or 15 rounds which was all fired before the barges got within
half a mile of the battery without doing any injury to them. The barges commenced firing within about half a mile
distance and continued firing for some time as they came up until they found no further resistance. 18 pound balls
were flying in every direction but no injury was done; only one ball struck and that was an old wagon shed, the
ball fell pafter passing through the shed about ten feet.
All the goods had been removed from the lower store house to the old store. There was nothing in the lower store
except about 1500 bushels oats. They set fire to it and the fish house in ten minutes after they landed. Thirty
or forty of the militia from Elkton passed my house about the time they were burning the store. The marines, to
the number of near 400, came round the store and passed by house in pursuit of them; they marched within view of
Elkton landing. Six or seven barges were paraded along the shore. They burnt two vessels; one was Capt. Howell’s
Susquehanna Packet, the other Isaac Larett’s, which was run ashore on the approach of the enemy.
... On the return of the marines from pursuing the militia, the barges went over to the old store house, took what
they chose of the goods and set the house on fire, which was full of Line goods. Myself and Mr. H. remained at
the house all the time, also Mrs. P. and her daughter. No injury whatever was done to any article about our dwellings;
nor any insult offered. The officers, I must say, were exceedingly polite. A guard was placed over Mrs. P’s house
immediately and continued all the time they were there. They said they had orders to burn the store and stable
and destroy the stages at Frenchtown but they did not burn the stables nor destroy the stages. They also said they
would come up this night with a stronger force to Elkton, and if any resistance was made would destroy every house
in the town. Whether this threat was only to keep the citizens in constant alarm, or they mean to put it in execution,
no one can say.”
The Centinel, (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 12 1813 - Submitted
by Nancy Piper
Extract of a letter from Baltimore.
“Our situation is more distressing than pride and obstinancy will permit most to allow and many dare to complain
of. Exactly that of a besieged city is our condition. Nothing doing, all business at a stand, nothing talked of
but the enemy and the war. What an enormous tax upon us is the war. The price of everything almost doubled and
our supplies by water totally cut off. If no change takes place in a few months the middling classes of society
must leave the place and go where they can get employ and support their families. T be without employ and to pay
double prices for every necessary would require Hortunatus’s purse.
The expectation here is now that we shall not be attacked until our army re-enters Canada. Why raise the resentment
of the enemy by pursuing a phantom? It is cruel when the distress it will bring upon so many families is thought
of. This consideration is making a serious impression.”
The Centinel, (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) May 12 1813 - Submitted
by Nancy Piper
