HISTORY

September 12, 1814
Battle of North Point

The British advanced slowly, which infuriated Stricker. By noon he began to fear that the British planned to wait until nightfall and launch a bayonet charge what would rout his men. Stricker decided to force an engagement. His junior officers fell over themselves to lead a strike force of 250 men to harass the British. Sticker added 70 riflemen from Edward Aisquith's rifle company to accompany the strike team. The force was soon moving forward commanded by Maj. Richard Heath.

Ross too began to move his troops at about 12:30PM, setting up for the first part of the Battle of North Point. When the British ran into the America force, it was a complete surprise. Information that had been obtained from American deserters had made no suggestion of troops this far forward. The Americans opened fire with two volleys. While the riflemen took position in the tall grass and up trees. The British began to assemble to drive the Americans off the field. At that moment, a courier saw three riflemen shoot in the direction of the Ross party, shooting Ross off his horse. The Americans had little time to enjoy their achievement. Despite losing their general, British troops easily routed the militia strike force. Casualties included two of the three men who had fired on the Ross party. The British soon found the rest of the Stricker 's American force and launched an attack on it's flank.

The British got their men into position for the attack quickly, but Stricker 's forces were soon confused by his orders to reinforce his flank. The American army was soon in a state of confusion . . . right at the expected point of attack. As the British advanced around 2:50PM, American Artillery in the center opened up with grapeshot and scrap metal. American musket fire followed. Despite the carnage the British continued to advance. This was enough for the 51st Maryland Militia Regiment, who panicked and fled from the field. This time the 5th Maryland held and the British were forced to advance right up to the American line, but with the flank breached by the fleeing 51st, the American force had no choice but to fall back or be cut off.

Even so, Cockburn . . . a fierce critic of the American Army, was impressed by the American's stand. Yet it was all over by 3:45PM with Stricker 1,400 men retreating to Baltimore.