CHARACTERS

Colonel Arthur Brooke

Born in Ireland, Arthur Brooke joined the British 44th Regiment of Foot in 1792. By 1813, he had risen to full colonel and assumed command of the 44th. In 1814, Brook and his regiment joined Major General Robert Ross's expedition to Chesapeake Bay. At the August 24, Battle of Bladensburg, Brook commanded the British right flank.

In the Baltimore campaign, Brooke acted as Ross's second in-command. When Ross was killed, Brooke assumed control, taking time to carefully plan before advancing on the American force at Boulden's farm. After a heated engagement, the Americans retreated beyond Bread and Butter Creek. Brooke elected not to pursue until the following morning. This allowed the American force enough time to withdraw to the main defense of Baltimore.

Brooke moved towards Baltimore the next morning. When he emerged from the woods at midday, he was confronted with the massive fortifications of Loudenslager Hill. Deciding it was too formidable for his force to take in a daylight frontal assault, Brooke formed a plan to attack it under cover of darkness that hinged on Admiral Cochrane's landing a diversionary force at the other end of the Loudenslager fortifications. When it became clear that Cochrane had been unable to fulfill his share of the plan, Brooke withdrew.