George Armisteadwas an American military officer who served as the commander of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
Background
George Armistead was born on April 10, 1780 in Newport News, Virginia, United States. He was the son of John and Lucy (Baylor) Armistead.
The family was known in England from the days of Queen Elizabeth, and according to one tradition it originated in Hesse, Germany.
Career
Armistead entered the United States Army as second-lieutenant, and was commissioned major of the 3rd Artillery Mar. 3, 1813. In October 1810 he was married to Louisa Hughes, sister of Christopher Hughes of Baltimore, chargé d'affaires in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Armistead was distinguished at the capture of Fort George in Upper Canada on May 18, 1813, but his reputation is chiefly based on his successful defense of Fort McHenry.
After the burning of Washington, August 24, 1814, the British fleet under Admiral Cochrane and the army under Gen. Ross sailed up Chesapeake Bay with the purpose of capturing Baltimore. While the fleet entered the Patapsco River, Ross with about 3, 000 men landed at Northern Point, September 12, 1814, and advanced toward the city. The mayor and citizens had made rapid preparations. Militia guarded the hastily built intrenchments, and sailors manned the batteries. The troops, inclusive of officers, present for duty numbered about 13, 900, under command of Major-General Samuel Smith.
Armistead was appointed to command Fort McHenry, a small fortification, but the chief defense of the harbor. He had under him about 1, 000 men, regulars, volunteers, and sailors. He was the only man, so it is stated, aware of the alarming fact that the powder magazine was not bombproof. The advance by land under Ross was opposed by about 3, 000 militia under Gen. Stricker. They were placed unskilfully and were routed, but the British suffered the great loss of their general.
Proceeding the next day, September 13, to a point within sight of Baltimore, the enemy planned a night attack, but in the meantime the bombardment of Fort McHenry and other defenses had failed. The larger vessels of Cochrane's fleet were unable to make a near approach on account of shallow water and sunken ships. Fort McHenry was but little injured, and the loss was small. The British army retreated, and the fleet returned down the bay.
Armistead was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, to date from September 12, and the citizens of Baltimore presented to him a salver, goblets, and a silver bowl shaped like a bombshell.
The "Hero of Fort McHenry" survived the event a few years only, dying in Baltimore in 1818. The most celebrated incident associated with the defense is, of course, the writing of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key.
Achievements
Connections
In October 1810 he was married to Louisa Hughes, sister of Christopher Hughes of Baltimore, chargé d'affaires in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They had two children.