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Battle of Fort McHenry, in a Baltimore newspaper...
Battle of Fort McHenry, in a Baltimore newspaper...
Item # 629503
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September 24, 1814
NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 24, 1814
* Battle of Baltimore, Maryland
* Bombardment of Fort McHenry
* From the city that it occurred (rare as such)
* "The Star-Spangled Banner" anthem fame
A very significant issue, given that it has several fine reports on the military action around Baltimore during the War of 1812, including the battle of Fort McHenry, and great to have such content in a newspaper from Baltimore!
The top of the ftpg. explains the trouble in publishing a newspaper in a war zone, beginning: "Being disturbed by the enemy & having every person in the office, a small boy excepted, under arms, last Saturday passed without a publication..." with more. The balance of the ftpg. has accounts concerning the war, signed by Alex. Cochrane & another by James Monroe, concluding on pg. 2 (see).
Another page has a lengthy account of the "Battle of Fort Erie".
But the best content for this issue is the very nice account headed: "Attack Upon Baltimore" which takes over 2 full pgs. & includes: "...But the attack on fort McHenry was terribly grand & magnificent...six bomb and some rocket vessels commenced the attack...though major Armistead, the gallant commander, & his brave garrison fired occasionally to let the enemy know the place was not given up!! Four or five bombs were frequently in the air at a time & making a double explosion, with the noise of the foolish rockets and the firings of the fort...created a horrible clatter..." with much more, followed by additional accounts of action near Baltimore taking an additional 3 pages. One could almost imagine Francis Scott Key, a prisoner in the harbor at the time, being inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner.
There are more war reports on the back page. The photos show just a portion of the considerable war-related text in this issue. Complete in 16 pages, 6 1/4 by 9 1/2 inches, scattered foxing.
This newspaper began in 1811 and was a prime source for national political news of the first half of the 19th century. As noted in Wikipedia, this title: "...(was) one of the most widely-circulated magazines in the United States...Devoted primarily to politics...considered an important source for the history of the period."
Category: Pre-Civil War
No Longer Available
